Overwhelming Firepower

As the rumors about the Thorneharts planning a coup were being talked about by commoners and nobles alike, something else caught everyone’s attention.

The bards started telling brief parts of Lucen’s upcoming play. Each bard only told a specific line, and the others did the same.

You need to listen to each bard to get a fuller picture of what kind of play Lucen had made. Still, it was a play written by Lucen, and many people were already excited to see it.

A few people wanted to hear every version from the different bards. So they went to the different taverns and inns in Caelhart and the neighboring cities

”What crime is loyalty when the crowd commands?What oath survives the people’s hands?”

One of the lines was like that. It was truly interesting to hear, but when the people heard that each bard said something different, they started asking others what each one said to see if it formed something new.

Unfortunately, no one has heard all the bards’ verses, and it was hard to meet a few of the bards who come and go in different places at different times.

Still, because of this action, the excitement over Lucen Thornehart’s upcoming play grew by the day. In fact, a few of the neighboring kingdoms have also heard of this play that was going to be better than The Man of a Thousand Quests.

A few nobles of those kingdoms could not help themselves; they did not want to wait for the play to come to their kingdoms, they wanted to watch it just as it came out.

So they decided to head to Caelhart to see if they could watch the show when it came out. Seeing as The Man of the a Thousand Quests was so thrilling, this one, claiming to be better, should be a show to remember.

***

Lysette, who had come home after listening to the bards promoting Lucen’s new play. She found it interesting that Lucen would suddenly do this a few days after she sent him her letter.

’Is this perhaps your answer to the growing rumors?’ A small smile appeared on Lysette’s lips. ’A counter only someone like you could think of. I wonder what kind of story your play will tell. I’m pretty excited to see it myself.’

Lysette folded her cloak over the chair and sat by the window, watching the lights of Caelhart flicker one by one as dusk settled over the city.

’I wonder what those nobles siding with Marquis Valeire will do, now? Will they try to stop the play, or will they do something after it is shown? I guess it’s too late to try and stop it now, since everyone is waiting for it excitedly. If the play is suddenly stopped, an investigation will happen.’

Lysette looked at the sky as she started thinking about what moves everyone would make.

The sky above Caelhart was painted in deep indigo, the first stars beginning to pierce through the veil of dusk. Lysette exhaled slowly; she could not help but want to see what would come next.

***

In Runescar territory, after killing the monsters and bandits in his area, the Trio of the Runescar family, Kaelvar, his wife Medea, and his daughter Elyra returned to their estate.

It didn’t take long for them to learn about the rumors spreading regarding the Thorneharts and about Lucen’s play, which was being advertised now.

”Hahaha!” After hearing the news, Kaelvar couldn’t help but laugh. ”As expected of those cowardly snakes. To say that the Thorneharts wish for the throne? How absurd! If they wanted to take it, they would have done so long ago. Still, I guess by doing this, those snakes seem to have found a little bit of courage, or are they doing this because they’re cornered?”

Kaelvar chuckled at the idea. ”Still, if such rumors started spreading, my best friend and rival, Vardon, would never respond. His pride as the unbreakable shield would not care to respond to such lowly tactics as spreading rumors and tarnishing one’s name. So that means this play is young Lucen’s response. He truly is different from his Father.”

Medea, who had been quietly listening while removing her gloves, paused. ”The young Thornehart seems to be a little more proactive than his father since I wasn’t able to watch the last play with you two, because someone needed to work, because her husband skipped out on her. This time I should be able to watch with the two of you, right?”

Medea, who was smiling, was radiating an intense killing intent as she looked at her husband and daughter.

”Of course, my lovely wife. You, me, and our daughter. We’ll all go to watch Lucen’s new play. I swear on my sword.” Kaelvar, who was sweating a little, answered.

”Then I’ll be waiting in anticipation for the day.” Only after Medea turned away and left did the pressure in the room finally ease.

Kaelvar let out a long breath and wiped his brow. ”That was close...”

If anyone else saw this scene, no one would believe their eyes. Kaelvar, known as the sword Duke, one who enjoys battle and who recklessly charges forward, was actually weak against his wife and daughter.

Elyra shook her head at the sight. Still, she was quite interested in the play Lucen made.

***

It wasn’t just the Runescars; the other Ducal households were also quite interested in the play Lucen made that seems to be a response to the rumors.

Even the Royal family was intrigued by the play as well as the rumor that had been spreading.

The King found it amusing, since he knew how much many of the nobles hated and feared the power of the ducal households. This rumor was something he expected them to start.

King Ragnor had also expected that the Thorneharts would not respond to the rumor or even care about it. Yet, to his surprise, the young Thornehart responded, not with rumors but with a play.

’I wonder where this would lead?... My first son was already wary about the ducal houses, and this rumor has brought his fears out in the open. Maybe this play would calm him down.’ King Ragnor sighed as he thought about his eldest son again.

’He is quite talented as a general on the battlefield, but aside from that, he doesn’t have the other qualities needed to be a king, especially a king amongst warriors.’ The king exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing. ’My other sons also lack a few things needed to replace me... Well, at some point I will need to make a decision, but for now, I guess I should enjoy what is before me.’