Eronos Chapter

“Was it really Leothrad who brought an end to that battle? My uncle would feel insulted despite the Hegemony’s ruling on the field!” Goldis protested to Apkis as their ships returned to the ports of Eronos. Behind them were the fleets of the Veek Hegemony and the fleet of Eronos. Apkis raised an arm in greeting as fishermen wave at the Hoplites returning home from another victory.

His mind was still on the Senestra woman whom he had no interest in since he would be betrothed to a Crowsian Princess. Their ship the Atheyan rowed up to the shore next to a pier. Goldis looked up to see the beautiful buildings of Eronos. Oval shaped houses lined up at an angle against the ridge next to the beach. Each one faced the ocean leaving enough room for the next inhabitant to exit their home. It was customary for Crowsian common folk to build their houses at angle against a ridge or mountain with a wall or a few towers near a line of homes. Other houses were further inland and multiple stories. Few had cellars or extra rooms dug into the ground to store food, hide from attacks or for extra living space.

Eronos had a variety of other types of structures including the box shaped homes with horns on the roof corners. Others were shaped like rectangles with multiple stories stacked on top. It appeared to be a complex of different style buildings with roads leading from the city-state further inland and towards the beach to the piers of the port. He looked over at his right and spotted the market which lay on a higher ridge with sharp, jagged stones decorating the slope that led into the water.

A crowd gathered and was making their way towards the Hoplites who had just made it home. Crowsians and Veeks weighed anchor and tied their vessels to the piers. Oars were pulled in as the vessels were reeled in by new machines for holding vessels in place. Hundreds of people came down from the city and the villages nearest the beach to see their sons and fathers again. All the Crowsians rushed to their loved ones reunited once more after a victory against a common foe.

“At least our men are seeing their loved ones.” Apkis said nodding at the gathered people.

“Yes, but not the Veeks!” Goldis snapped as he made his way off the Atheyan with Apkis and other Hoplites following them. Scores of Hoplites and Crowsian soldiers formed their ranks as they waited for the command to begin their marching parade. One was always made after a victory somewhere.

Goldis made it to the sands and looked down deciphering the skull of a Makool warrior killed years ago. It would not surprise him the least if there were thousands of Makool skeletons hidden underneath these sands. As his gazed looked toward the city he saw two figures standing at the steps before the roads met the sands. The city sat on a higher elevation further inland against a range of hills where some palaces were built on. A long line of stairs stretched from the ridge to the left to the markets. The steps were carved neatly to fit the beauty of Eronos.

“Let us proceed on Commander. Your uncle and mother are waiting.” Apkis suggested as the last column for the parade was formed. Seven columns of Hoplites and Crowsian warriors stood waiting for Commander Goldis and General Apkis.

The two officers proceeded past the columns and crowds as the columns maneuvered to follow their leaders. He could not believe he would see his own mother again after some years in the service of the Hegomon’s Army. His uncle stood tall with his hands folded and a grin from ear to ear across his face. Nine royal guards stood behind them as well as the rest of Eronos and Goldis’ family.

“Your uncle Nepotemus is pleased to see you again.” Apkis put in as a flash of anger filled Goldis’s entire body. He turned away from his uncle and focused on his mother Yzebel who still looked young and fertile. Both leaders kneeled on one knee and the uncle unfolded his hands to raise them to the air in welcome.

“WELCOME HOME NEPHEW!” his uncle boomed his voice trailing across the area. The crowds roared with approval at the welcoming of their hero and prince Goldis. His uncle spread his arms out in embrace and placed them on his nephew’s shoulders. “Rise my nephew and say hello to your mother.”

Goldis allowed his uncle to help him up as he looked at his mother who darted for her son. “Welcome home my son!” she said hugging him with one arm. In her other arm was another babe. Had his mother been with another man already? He made a confused expression then looked from the infant to his mother. Who is this? He wanted to ask, but his mother kissed him on the lips happy to see him again. His own siblings rushed up to him and welcomed him home. It had been three years since he last visited Eronos before he was deployed to the southern isles and reefs.

Neptemus grabbed him and dragged him along to the city. The people made way paving a path for them. Cheering crowds greeted Goldis and his forces who returned home from three years of campaigning against the Cren Order and other forces. His uncle leaned against him and spoke in his ear. “Your mother has been most fertile of late. That child she is holding is mine.”

Goldis felt the flash of anger enter him again when his uncle told him he had ravaged his mother. As they walked through the streets emptied for their parade through the city Goldis began to remember the laws of the city-state. It stated that a current ruler would have the rights to the wife of the previous ruler. That is unless there was a son present to object or if the wife was not fertile enough to breed. Unfortunately his mother was still fertile a curse that was placed on her when she entered womanhood. It also stated that if the woman was of a certain age and her children nearing adulthood then the new ruler must have a younger queen.

He looked over his shoulder as his uncle took him up to the palace. His mother was directly behind with the two siblings beside her. She looked distraught over the uncle being ruler. His only question was why Nepotemus chose to get her pregnant not too long ago. Before turning away he spotted Apkis in the crowd of Hoplites following them.

“How did the battles go? Are the Ipama Pirates still active?” Nepotemus asked concerned over the campaigns he fought two years ago. Goldis did not answer his uncle he simply looked at him with anger. His uncle ignored his anger then asked the same questions over again. Goldis did not answer until they came to the front steps of the palace on top of the hill.

“Uncle, the battles went well. There was not a single defeat against the Ipama, Goblins or the Cren Order.” He told his uncle.

“Tell me how did this latest battle go?” Nepotemus asked.

“Leothrad won the battle, but we did begin the actual battle.” Goldis said partially lying to his uncle. Nepotemus’ smile disappeared and said nothing else to his nephew. They ascended the steps of the royal palace and entered through the massive doors that opened for them.

A feast was held in the great hall next to the throne room. A hundred nobles were invited from other parts of Eronos and other Crowsian states. Only one Veek aristocrat was invited to the feast. As the guests ate and celebrated, Goldis sat with his mother and family. Apkis took a seat next to Goldis with twenty of the Captains from the fleet that came home with them. Apkis’ Hoplites feasted outside the palace along with the guards who secretly hated their current ruler.

His uncle Nepotemus kept his eyes on Goldis glaring at him over his goblet of wine. Goldis felt the disappointment from his uncle over letting the Angoth Champion win the day. If truth be told it was all four forces that each had hand in the victory against the Cren Order. As the feast started to come to a close guests retired to their chambers and homes. More guards came in to return to their duties as the Hoplites slept on the steps of the palace drunk from the feast. Goldis came to his own room, which had hadn’t slept in multiple years. Apkis and two of the officers were given beds in the same chamber.

“Your uncle is not happy over Leothrad winning that victory.” A Lieutenant claimed as he sat up in his own cot.

“Shut it and leave the Commander alone!” another one cried waking the others up.

The Lieutenants and Captains argued among themselves over waking others up, leaving the Commander alone and the victory they won against the Cren Order. Goldis stood on the balcony outside his room. His thoughts were on the victory and how far the Cren Order was able to stretch out from the edges of Auxmire. His uncle knew the Cren Order was a threat, but hardly helped the Crowsian states northeast of Eronos. There was something troubling about his uncle’s hatred for Leothrad, and that would severe the alliance between the four peoples.

“That victory was a group effort not on individual won that battle on their own. We have another problem to deal with. The battle is over and our problem is my mother has my uncle’s baby in her arms!” Goldis yelled silencing the room of captains and lieutenants. “What do you suppose we do about that?” he questioned his officers.

The room fell silent then a small voice entered the room. “Brother, are you awake?” the voice asked. It was Eveina Goldis’ youngest sister coming to see her brother. Did she know about uncle Nepotemus and their mother?

“Yes Eveina we are all awake what do you need?” Goldis asked from the balcony. It looked over the town with the beach in it viewpoint.

“Our uncle has been raping mother every night and before the courts are held each morning.” It made Eveina cry just saying those words about their mother and uncle Nepotemus.

“With all do respect sir, according to Crowsian laws your uncle has no right to your mother!” a Crowsian Captain rasped in anger. The whole stood up in anger as Goldis flared with frustration. He came back into the room and put on his armor.

“MY UNCLE HAS NO RIGHT TO RULE! ARM YOURSELVES and prepare the men. His rule shall end with his overthrow.” Goldis’ officers armored themselves then grabbed their weapons before heading out to muster their troops. Goldis and General Apkis marched down to Nepotemus’ bed chambers where his mother lay in bed half naked and his uncle pouring hot water into a bowl of mint leaves.

Nepotemus placed one of the leaves in his mouth when Goldis and Apkis burst in startling Yzebel the Queen and Mother of Eronos. The infant started to cry Yzebel came to it and hushed it back to sleep. His uncle looked at him and presumed the conversation about Leothrad. “You let Leothrad win the day? That barbarian is-“

“It was a group effort uncle.” Goldis grabbed him by the arm and Apkis by the other. They dragged his uncle to the throne room with Yzebel running after them. In the throne room stood the Veek and Crowsian officers with their best troops behind them. They stood on both sides of the throne waiting for Goldis and the soon-to be overthrown ruler.

Nepotemus was tossed across the floor before the officers of Commander Goldis. He stood up insulted by this treatment. “What is the meaning of this nephew?” He demanded turning around to face Goldis and Apkis.

An officer spoke on behalf of the infuriated Goldis. “Maester Nepotemus you stand accused of ruling the state of Eronos as an independent king with forbidden rights to the previous ruler’s wife while a son of his is present before you. How do you plead?” the officer asked.

“Cut off my balls why don’t you?” Nepotemus yelled then spat at the officer’s feet. “I have every right and you know this to be true it says so in the Hegemony's Laws!”

The Hoplite officer turned to Commander Goldis. “Apologies Commander, but according to Hegomon law the current ruler has his rights to the lands he inherits or takes from the previous ruler.”

That gave Nepotemus greater power in his own voice and he marched up to his throne and sat in it with a smug look on his face. The uncle’s grin grew wider as he continued to sit unopposed by anyone in the room. He rose from the throne and raise and arm then pointed directly at Goldis. “I shall banish you from this state and you will never see Eronos again!”

“Please don’t banish my son!” Yzebel pleaded running up to Nepotemus.

His uncle enjoyed seeing his mother rush to him rather than stand by her son. She groveled at his side begging him not to banish Goldis. The young Commander watched as his uncle groped his mother sadistically. He could almost read her lips as well as his as they spoke softly to each other. ”I will give myself to you for the rest of my days.” She told him.

“I will plow you before the noble courts each morning.” He must’ve said it through gritted teeth. Nepotemus turned his attention back to his nephew who came so close to overthrowing him. “Well nephew, I shall banish you and punish your mother then send for you-“

“NO YOU WILL NOT THE HEGENOMY WILL NOT PERMIT IT!” his other sister shouted from behind shoving her way through guards and Hoplites.

“Nepotemus you will not harm our mother!” the girl shouted. Another figure rushed into the throne room. He looked drenched in sweat and exhausted from sprinting his way here to the palace.

“The Makool are attacking!” he cried to everyone in the throne room.

Goldis looked at Apkis who shouted the orders to their men. “Hoplites, move out!”

Every Hoplite and Crowsian soldier marched out of the throne room and towards the exit of the palace. The two commanding leaders left the ruler and wife with the daughter and guards in the throne room. As they made their way to the doors an officer caught up to them as they left through the throne room doors. “I will stay here and watch you uncle and watch over your mother and sister.”

Goldis nodded then marched forward with Apkis to join his troops along with the citizen troops of Eronos who marshaled in front of the city. The two leaders made their way down the steps of the palace as townspeople scurried to the keeps of safety. Apkis spoke to Goldis in a low voice. “We should camp our troops behind the first steps then after forcing the first wave of Makool from the sands pull our forces back to the campsites.”

“I will be sure to do that General. Wait, isn’t there another beach the other side of that ridge that flanks the villages?” Goldis asked pausing at the end of the stair case.

“Yes let’s move on then!” Apkis replied donning his helmet and descending the next set of stairs. Goldis followed Apkis donning his own helmet as well before joining the General towards the battlefield on the beachhead.