The Autumn Isles boasted some of the best views in all the continent of Dontos and probably Nixrym too. The soft lapping of the waves, the solitude of the whispering branches and the smooth, golden sand, it was a place of beauty.

King Nuron Solis however had his mind on other things, he was watching anxiously from the balcony of the Silent Tower.

King Nuron was a Euralias or higher folk as men called them. A name given because of their immortality and highly commendable culture that mainly situated around their patron god: Yronwyn, the god of nature.

He was currently gazing upon the entourage riding towards Castle Chryseum, a hundred or so Euralias all of them mounted upon a dawnstag. Their banner fluttered, discernible even from this distance, a brown tree with white branches like antlers against a dark, green velvet background. The flag of Autumn Isles' neighbouring country, Rowanok.

He steadily moved down the spiral staircase across the marble floor, beautiful paintings adorned the walls and ornate carvings covered the doors. King Nuron strode through his great hall and into the warm sunlight, his household were outside awaiting the arrival.

Nuron gave the nod to his captain of guard and took his place by his son Lukurn in the front.

The golden doors swept open to the clattering of hooves, admitting their guests. King Randor Elwood dismounted from his steed and surveyed the courtyard. Four hundred guards stood to attention and a hundred-other staff as well, the cooks were frantically preparing a feast down below. Three hundred more guards were spread out along the ramparts and twenty others, dressed in light blue armour with gold cloaks surrounded Nuron and Lukurn.

Randor had a handsome, hewn face with straight golden hair flowing behind him, he sported a tall crown of antler; a reference to house Elwood's sigil.

"We welcome you here, your grace. I do hope the ride was not tiresome? I know from experience the distance from Castle Chryseum to Arbor Palace." Nuron asked as curtesy demanded.

"I thank you for your concern, the ride was ever sweeter by the kindness shown by the Lords of your kingdom." Randor answered before sweeping his eyes around the castle's towers.

"I must ask for accommodation for my companions and daughter?" Randor spoke, his normally stern mouth relaxing in a polite smile.

"Your companions may have room in our barracks, you and your daughter have apartments already available in the Whispering Tower." Nuron answered already tiring of the boring, rehearsed speech expected of them.

"My thanks," Randor said, stepping down from his steed and walking slowly up toward Nuron. "May we talk elsewhere? I hear Castle Chryseum's garden have miraculously grown in their lustre."

"Of course, my son will escort your daughter to her chambers unless, she wished to differ?"

Nuron turned his attention to the lady who had dismounted next to Randor. Windswept blonde hair cascaded from her shoulder in ringlets, brown doe eyes looked around the castle in wonder; this was her first time here.

"I would love a walk." She gushed though the slight narrowing of her eyes told Nuron she was more alert than she was letting on.

"Of course, Lukurn would you please show Princess Silva the orchards? I'm sure their magnificence would be more than enough to sate her appetite."

"Of course, father." Lukurn replied, slightly puzzled but pleased enough to spend time with the beautiful new visitor. "My lady," he held out his arm and she took it with a smile, the searching look she shot at Nuron however was far from friendly.

Randor inclined his head slightly and Nuron smiled leading him through a gate along the woodland path bedecked with flowers.

"At last, my good king, are plan will soon bear fruit." Randor spoke exuberantly.

"If only so." Nuron said sadly. "I had a messenger in the night. A message from Queen Serein of Alderia."

"Oh?" Randor inquired, suspicion piquing his interest.

"She has already boarded her newly launched  barge and sails this way." Nuron looked sadly at Randor "She wishes to marry Lukurn."

"I see, and your reply to this proposition?" Randor replied, his expression turning guarded.

"I did not have time to send one before she had set off." Nuron said cautiously.

"What do you intend to do?"

"What can I do? I am juggling marriage choices between two great kingdoms." Nuron snapped.

"We had an arrangement." Randor said quietly.

"One which I would love to honour but how can I refuse a marriage contract from a powerful Queen, renowned for her beauty, who is already on her way!"

"How can you refuse one from a powerful King who is already here! Besides, Alderia is half the size of Rowanok and in a different continent, which one would be more beneficial?" Randor steamed, losing his temper.

"Queen Serein is said to be the most beautiful Euralias in the past six centuries, what if Lukurn likes her more? Your daughter is beautiful but will she be able to contend? I have no desire to go against my son's wishes." Nuron said with a tone of finality.

"So you will marry him to her?" Randor asked icily. Nuron was quiet

"We will continue as planned, draw our children together. With luck they'll be married or so deeply in love that Queen Serein makes no matter. I wish to have this marriage contract but offending the well-loved Queen of Alderia is not a mistake I wish to make."

"When did it get so complicated?" Randor sighed, his anger deflated. "My marriage to Lunara was suggested, arranged and done within two moons."

Nuron smiled "As was mine, but that was a hundred years ago, things are harder now."

They were silent for a minute both still reeling from their harsh disagreement.

"I will speak to my daughter, she is sharp enough to understand our situation perhaps some nudging will lead your son to the right choice." Randor said, putting emphasis on the word 'right'.

"The way she looked at me I believe she suspects already," He looked at Randor "She'll make a good queen."

"Let us hope so." Randor replied.

They reached the end of the path and walked up well-hewn marble steps that twinkled in the sun. They reached a stone balcony on a precarious cliff, the sea crashed against the jagged rocks below. They sat opposite each other on carved benches and gazed at the round table in front of them. A map of Dontos and Nixrym stretched along it, an exquisite masterpiece made of silver.
"There are other matters we must discuss." Nuron said "Torgain has coronated a new king." Randor snorted

"Another Iron-Axe?" He asked, his expression one of distaste.

"Yes, they say he is taller than the average Baradon,"

Randor smiled, "That's hardly an achievement, a child is taller than those stunted beasts."

"He has a beard festooned with jewels,"

Randor snorted again.

"And has already established good terms with Honad and plans to create an alliance." Nuron continued.

"That is unexpected, are you sure?" Randor asked, disbelief etched on his face as he broke from his tirade.

"Very, we must be careful. He has already requested a meeting with me, we do not want to offend him. If he is set on uniting with Honad he may intend to demand war or territory... Another reason strong connections with Alderia could be crucial."

"I see, it is true Honad holds good-will with queen Serein. And if this new Baradon king-"

"His name is Korin,"

"Yes, if this Korin Iron-Axe demands war with support from Honad and an offended Alderia..."

"It could be the end of our dynasty's." Nuron said solemnly.

Randor laughed bitterly "I have decided I hate marriage."

"You're not alone," Nuron smiled sadly "But there is more, a sailor from Rawthawn brought news."

"Yes?" Randor asked, disappointed with the lack of anything good.

"It seems the Cranaks are banding together, sweeping through Rawthawn causing war and havoc."

Randor shrugged as if it meant little to him but then looked up, a semi-smile on his lips.

"If the..." He paused, a look of pure disgust on his face, "-Creatures band together and cause war with men, it could mean incentive for them to retaliate against the Cranak's creators, if they are provoked, of course. Even after all this time, not all wounds heal and the Cranaks creation is a deep one indeed."

"Which could mean allies in a prospective war..." Nuron said catching on

"Which may suggest that the Cranaks should be... Aided, in their conquest."

Randor and Nuron smiled.

Nuron leaned over the engraved map and removed the man figurine from the long island of Rawthawn, he replaced it with a Cranak and glanced at Randor. A flick of his wrist and the meticulously sculpted statue flew down the cliff hitting the ocean in a rush of sea spray. The man slowly sank through into the dark, leaving only a ripple in the endless blue surface that soon faded.

***************

Author's note:

Very ominous, please leave a vote if you enjoyed it!

***************