A month had passed and word had spread. It was big news for everyone who heard it, but more importantly for those close to the new Empire. Snowid was the first to hear of it. Sitting on his throne he looked at the ssenger that had brought the news to him. He didn’t show anger, but his eyes went sharp like daggers. Alfred’s declaration had all but assured his move East and Snowid knew that the boy would eventually try to consu his lands. How it would happen was sothing he didn’t, and it worried him.
"Everyone. Leave." Snowid gave the order and everyone quickly scattered. "Konrad," Snowid called out and the man with an angelic smile walked out from behind his throne. Snowid knew the man never left his side unless directly ordered to, always staying hidden. "We have to prepare."
It was four words but Konrad gave a deep nod, a heavy worry apparent in his eyes. "My King. If we wish to delay the Kingdom then I can think of two ways." Konrad’s words got a nod from Snowid. Lifting a finger he began. "First we work with those in the conquered lands. The nobles know what type of man the Blood Child is. The common people may be different and it depends on how he approaches those who follow Khors. If he shows tolerance we go for the hardliners if it’s repression we go for the others."
Lifting his second finger he continued, "Option two. We work with the barbarians of the Forest. From what I know they united under a leader many years ago. We stage an attack on them and fra the Empire. We can cause a large redirection of personnel North. Whilst it happens we seize the opportunity that we missed previously and attack. If we don’t attack it will give us ti to prepare."
"We must also strengthen ties to the other Kingdoms. With the alliance between Valdmire and the Empire, we are vastly outnumbered." Konrad sighed saying this and Snowid gave a weak nod.
His head fell into his hand. He thought about both ideas and knew both could workat great risk. "To use the barbarians is too hard, risky, and long. If we fail we have given justification for war. The old snake may not find any evidence but he has a way of making things turn up conveniently." Snowid stopped. He had to think carefully. "Gather people, quietly, don’t let them get suspicious. I’ll keep tabs on how the Empire deals with the new lands. I’ll get others to approach the old nobility."
"In the anti, I will continue with the creation of a formal Army. Trade with Chent has increased drastically and by next year I believe we should have enough funds to create it. I will find ways to keep it constantly funded but it should last at least two years if we budget correctly. Go. Do what I have ordered."
Konrad gave a deep bow and left to carry out the order. Snowid sat, taking the crown off his head. He looked at it and sighed, knowing that the Commonwealth was in a dangerous position.
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"Your Holiness." A cardinal ca up to Constance who sat on the Holy Seat of Light. "A ssage from the west. The Blessed One has proclaid himself an Emporer after conquering the heathen state."
Constance’s erald eyes light up hearing that. He rembered the boy he had seen so many years ago and wondered how he was. "Send our congratulations. I will officially acknowledge it." Constance thought of his teacher. He had asked him one last thing to do before his death; ’Judge the Blessed One and ensure he is worthy of his title.’ Alfred had done nothing so far after his receiving his title that would go against it. His conquest of the Safrid’s was sothing that could even be seen as a good thing for the faith.
"Your Holiness. Are you sure it would be wise?" The cardinal asked nervous. Constance looked down at the man and scoffed. They knew that the new Empire had weakened the presence of the Church within its borders. Of course, it was sothing Constance didn’t like but he also knew it was sothing he couldn’t stop. The church had beco just that within the borders, a place for the faith. The common folk slowly transitioned to the Golden Bank away from the Church, and the church happily gave up its powers within the Kingdom under Raven; shaped into what he believed the church should be.
Despite this, it still held a special place in the people’s hearts becoming more of a charity than a political organization. It had beco a place for the commoners and peasants to learn and feed the poor and downtrodden. It was a trade-off. By losing power it had beco a more generous thing. And with Raven enforcing this change, no one within the organization could try and force it back to its old way.
"They will continue to call themselves the Empire even if I don’t give formal recognition. In fact, if I do the opposite it may cause more problems than solve. Alfred holds a special place in this world now and I can’t easily revoke that. Despite this, he understands what must be done to keep the peace. He can be aggressive and expand so long as he does not harm the faith."
"But he already has." The Cardinal got angry and spoke. He paused realising he ssed up but gritted his teeth and carried on. "He first off marries a heathen, spitting on the face of Sol. Then he weakened the Church’s role within his nation unopposed by us. It makes us look weak."
"And what would you have do?" Constance said angrily, "He has been acknowledged. He has a power we do not hold as mortals. I can’t risk a separation from the church. You have read the docunts on the Lost Era. Our Fiath suffered a schism because it rid itself of a Blessed one before. He would be able to do it. Within their borders, Arch-Bishop Raven would see to it that the faith remains pure even if separated."
"Then remove the Arch-Bishop if you can not oppose the Emporer." The Cardinal shot back.
"And do what? Any man I install will die. I’m sure that it will co to that. And before you say to use this as justification, we couldn’t even get any evidence on the previous Archi-Bishop’s death. We sent many to investigate it and they happily allowed it to happen. We couldn’t find a trace. If I use that as justification without proof then not only will my leadership be called into question but we will also lose a vital ally in the West." Constance was boiling at this point.
The man’s insistent arguing was odd and more importantly annoying. It seed that he couldn’t understand the threat it could pose by cutting Alfred off completely. Yes, the Church had a smaller presence in the Empire now but it still existed. It still paid tax and sent money back to the main organization. It in fact had beco a better organization for the people than it was previously. He Knew Samuel would like it how it was now, but he also knew it couldn’t go further.
"I will send a warning as well. They have been given great freedom already. I shall warn them not to push it." The Cardinal just gave a nod but Constance could tell he was annoyed by it. ’It looks like my enemies are growing.’ He had been warned by Samuel that it would happen and he knew that he had to be careful.
Yet Constance had sothing that many popes didn’t before. The complete protection of the Severian Empire. He was a Prince before becoming Pope and although he disliked his family and especially hated his father, he would be willing to use them if he must.
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Sitting on a bench in the city center of Far Mile, Halfdan looked at the ground listening to all the noise and conversations around him. A smirk spread on his lips hearing about the creation of the Empire once more. It had taken him a while to learn the language but after a while, it ca to him. Whilst he couldn’t read it perfectly having conversations was enough. He knew Alfred would surprise him and once he learned what an Emporer was he couldn’t help but be impressed.
It was also this that made him learn that their invasion stood no chance. He found out quickly. The then Kingdom was at war. They had only seen a fraction of the entire military. Halfdan knew that Alfred hadn’t been lying but his threat wasn’t completely true either when they t. He couldn’t bring down the entire weight of his nation on them at the ti. It made sense why he tried to go for peace.
A carriage pulled alongside Halfdan. "Are you heading to the University? You look a little old." The driver called out to Halfdan. The man smiled looking up at him.
"I just need to shave." Climbing abroad he took his seat. He slamd his fist on the wooden wall separating him and the driver indicating he was ready to leave.
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