The tale of the fall of the Great Sazoryn Empire and the rise of the Rylandar Kingdom... How a rebel prince and an Imperial Princess changed the course of human history...
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
- Aislyn, Imperial Princess of Sazorn [Loyalist to Righteous Faction]
- Hereditary Prince Colin Rylandar of the Nordea Principality, Chieftain of the Northern Clans [Righteous Faction]
- Hereditary Prince Orome Nenge of the Afrann Principality, Chieftain of the Western Clans [Righteous Faction]
- Lord Adnan Kaleka of the Eastern Orienne Principality [Righteous Faction]
- Clan Chief Keir Stryver of the Northern Nordea Principality [Righteous Faction]
- Kaidan, the newly ascended Emperor of Sazorn, Reigning Chief of the Five Principalities, Kaidus' twin [Loyalist Faction]
- Kaidus, Crown Prince of Sazorn, Kaiden's twin [Loyalist Faction]
- Lady Tamsin Kaleka nee Stryver [Righteous Faction]
- Clan Princess Nelia Nenge of the Western Afrann Principality, Leader of the Red Vipers [Righteous Faction]
- Hereditary Prince Elyas Isai of the Mid'dya Principality, Chieftain of the Midland/Middle Clans, Brother to the deceased Empress [Loyalist to Righteous Faction]
- Irene, Grand Imperial Princess of Sazorn, Hereditary Princess of Orienne and Chieftess of the Eastern Clans (by marriage), Sister to the former Emperor [Loyalist Faction]
- (Rotating) Hereditary Prince Biren Sankhar of the Orienne Principality, Chieftain of the Eastern Clans, Prince Sazoryn (by marriage) [Loyalist Faction]
- Clan Prince Willem Sankhar of the Eastern Orienne Principality, Imperial Prince Sazoryn [Loyalist Faction]
- Kaelin Tylena, Archon of the Greater House of Tylena [Onderian]
- Clan Princess Mireya Garsa de Soto of the Southern Surde Principality [Loyalist Faction]
- Young Lord Kishan Kaleka of the Eastern Orienne Principality, Adnan's younger brother [Loyalist Faction]
- Elvira, Queen of Onderon [Onderian]
CONTEXT
Aislyn, Imperial Princess of Sazorn, is the youngest child and only daughter of the Imperial Family of Sazorn, the rulers of the Union of Human Principalities. Her father was the Emperor of the Sazoryn Empire, while her mother (the deceased Empress) was a Clan Princess of the Mid'dya Principality, the sister of its reigning Hereditary Prince Elyas Isai, Ruling Chieftain of the Middle Clans. Aislyn has two older brothers, the twins Kaidan (once Crown Prince, now the Emperor) and Kaidus (once Imperial Prince, now Crown Prince).
At the age of 8, Aislyn was discovered to possess the gift of sight and was forced by her father to use her visions to aid the Imperial Family's oppression of the human populace. Due to the fact that her mother died a couple years after her birth and was therefore unable to protect Aislyn from her father's cruelty, Aislyn learned to control her expressions and emotions at a young age to protect the people she cared about from being used by her father the Emperor to threaten her into submission. Therefore, she does not have a "good" relationship with her abilities as a seeress. To keep her away from prying eyes, especially that of her maternal clan (the Isai who are the Chieftains of the Middle Clans of the Mid'dya Principality), the Emperor fabricated some disease/explanation to keep Aislyn in perpetual hiding. The Middle Clans are notable amongst the Humans for their dedicated worship of the Celestial - the Seeress. The Emperor feared that once they discovered that a Princess of their own bloodline had the gift of sight, they might attempt to break his monopoly on Aislyn - this is why he has kept it a secret that his daughter is a seeress, the first since the Gand Cassandra.
Colin Rylandar, Hereditary Prince of the Nordea Principality and the young Chieftain of the Northern Clans, is the only son of Mikal Rylandar, the deceased Hereditary Prince of the Nordea Principality and Chieftain of the Northern Clans. His father was once considered to be the Sazoryn Emperor's closest and oldest friend, as well as strongest ally, but later fell out of favor when he aggressively (went against) the Emperor's desire to reinstate long-forgotten practices of bondage (aka slavery for convicted prisoners or traitors) and clan annihilation (killing entire families if one or more members were convicted and found guilty of treason). Mikal was soon killed by the Emperor, his body strung outside the palace walls for the world to see. Colin was only 18 at the time.
This event was the catalyst for what is commonly known as the "Revolt of the Righteous" (called the Insurgents by the Imperial Family and their allies), a rebellion led by the Nordea Principality (the Northern Clans) and supported by the Afrann Principality (the Western Clans). The Surde (Southern Clans), Orienne (Eastern Clans), and Mid'dya (the Middle Clans) Principalities chose to remain "loyal" to the Imperial Family of Sazorn, largely due to marriage ties with the Imperial Family (the deceased Empress was a Clan Princess of Mid'dya, while the Emperor's only sister, Irene, the Imperial Princess of Sazorn, is married to the Hereditary Prince of Orienne). Although smaller regional clans largely followed the allegiances of their reigning Hereditary Princes (ruling clans of the region), many did "switch" sides throughout the seven years of civil war.
When we meet Aislyn and Colin, the story picks up in the fifth year of the Civil War, a year after the death of Aislyn's father the Emperor at the hands of Colin and his "Righteous" Rebels. Since her father's death, Aislyn has been "in mourning" at an isolated castle, away from the Capitol and her brothers (who are out fighting the war).
PROLOGUE
Flashback. A girl of age 10, with black hair and green eyes, is meeting a boy of age 12, with hair the color of the sun in the apple orchard for the first time. The girl’s father urges the girl to greet the boy, telling her he is her betrothed, that she will marry him when they both come of age. The girl and the boy shake hands with each other.
YEAR ONE (YEAR FIVE OF THE CIVIL WAR)
Colin and his Righteous/Insurgents (will use Righteous when referring to the perspectives of Colin and his side) attack the castle that Aislyn is currently occupying because they have received word/tip that the famed
Seeress is residing in said castle. It is not well-known that Aislyn is the Seeress. While Bor, the castle's steward, tries to persuade Aislyn to flee the castle, she refuses to to leave the castle's inhabitants for fear of their safety at the hands of
the Insurgents. She is captured by one of Colin's men, Ty, and brought to face the Rebels.
Colin and his men also capture Leah, the woman they believe to be the seer (Aislyn's bodyguard/body double) and interrogate her quite harshly. Aislyn, wanting to spare her friend the physical torture, orders Colin and his men to stop, revealing herself to be the Imperial Princess. The Rebels are quite stunned to have captured the Imperial Princess, believing her to be a vital bargaining chip in the war against her brother Kaidan, the new Emperor. Colin recognizes Aislyn and at first sight, is seemingly quite taken with her. Aislyn asks for fair treatment of the castle's inhabitants in exchange for her revealing the true identity of the Seeress. Colin accepts the deal and as she is about to identify herself, Aislyn has a vision, is paralyzed, and collapses onto the floor.
Colin and his council chiefs and advisors have a meeting. Pretty much everyone suspects Aislyn to be the Seeress and many express their surprise at the former Emperor's utilization of his own daughter as a weapon (and shield). Aislyn, having recovered from her vision, interrupts their meeting to confirm her identity - she is the Seeress they have been looking for. In exchange for the safety of the castle's inhabitants, she agrees to tell them everything they want to know about her visions, as well as the content of her visions. From this Q&A session, we learn that Aislyn cannot control the timing or content (by intent) of her visions - they just happen whenever they want to. However, if she does have some strong emotional feelings or ties to a particular person or topic, it is more likely than not that she will end up seeing them and their fate in her visions. As far as she knows, Aislyn cannot "see" outside of the Human Empires - she has never had a vision directly pertaining to the Onderians or Mar'Kaa. She also states that the vision she had in the throne room was the first vision she has had since her father’s death. She doesn’t know why. They ask her of the vision’s content, but she refuses to answer, stating that she will first tell Colin privately, since it concerns him directly. His men are perturbed and annoyed but accept.
Colin speaks to Aislyn alone. Aislyn tells her what she saw in her vision: a prostrate Colin, clearly in extreme grief, crying in a dark room alone. Colin takes that in stride and thanks her for her honesty. She thanks him for his gracious and just treatment. She says she probably doesn’t deserve it, since her father killed his. He says since he killed hers, they are quite even. He promises to judge her solely on the basis of who she is and not on her family if she agrees to do the same for him.
They leave the council room. Aislyn formally meets the other Rebel leaders, chief among them Orome Nenge, the
Hereditary Prince of Afrann and Chieftain of the Western Clans, who is also Colin's godfather and mentor. Orome is clearly suspicious of Aislyn and does not seem to trust her.
Colin introduces Aislyn to two of his closest friends, Lord Adnan Kaleka of the Eastern Orienne Principality and Keir Stryver of Nordya, Northern Clan Chief of Stryver, who also happen to be extended cousins as well as in-laws. The Kaleka Clan is one of the Five Ruling Eastern Clans of Orienne. They are also one of the oldest human clans to set foot on the Continent and can trace their lineage back to the First Migrants. Although the position of Hereditary Prince of Orienne is with the Sankhar Clan at the moment (the Eastern Clans are unique in that they rotate rulership within the Five Ruling Clans every century or so), the Kaleka Clan still holds a lot of influence and power in the East (given that it's their turn next to hold the Hereditary Prince title and be the next Chieftain in the East). The Stryver Clan is one of the Ten Ruling Clans of the North. Keir, as their Chief, sits on the Northern Ruling Council. His father, the former Chief, died alongside Mikal Rylandar (both killed and strung up on the city walls by the Emperor's command). The Kaleka and Stryver clans have intermarried for generations (Stryver's grandmother is a Kaleka by birth). Kaleka is married to Tamsin, Keir's sister. Aislyn remarks on the strange fact that the Orienne Principality has remained loyal to her (Imperial) Family, and that includes the Kaleka Clan. Why is Adnan here then? Adnan, out of personal loyalty to his friend Colin as well his own belief in the Rebels' cause, swore allegiance to the Righteous, defying his entire family and clan. He was meant to be the next Clan Chief of Kaleka but after his betrayal was declared a traitor by his family and removed from their lineage books (along with his Stryver wife). Colin assigns Ty to be Aislyn's personal bodyguard.
In the capitol city of
Sazorn, we see what looks to be a very ill and bedridden Kaidus, the Crown Prince. His elder twin brother and newly ascended Emperor, Kaiden, looks onto his younger brother with worry. They are soon told that the Grand Imperial Princess (their aunt Irene) and the Sankhars are "on their way". Kaidus warns Kaiden to not be fooled/tricked by their aunt Irene (their father's older sister) and to not underestimate her for she has always been extremely ambitious. The two agree that they must "protect Aislyn" at all costs, before Kaidus descends into his coughing fits.
The Grand Imperial Princess Irene enters the chamber, followed by her husband, Biren Sankhar, t
he Hereditary Prince of Orienne and the Chieftain of the Eastern Clans, and her son, Willem Sankhar, Clan Prince of Orienne, who is also an Imperial Prince Sazoryn. She wants Kaiden to immediately attempt a rescue for Aislyn - as the
Seeress, she cannot be left in the Rebel's hands, otherwise her visions may be used against the Imperial Family and the Loyalist Faction. However, Kaidus argues that there is no immediate danger to Aislyn - additionally, she hasn't had visions since their father, the Emperor, was killed by Colin. Irene blames Kaiden for his "weak and ineffectual handling" of Aislyn - he needs to be tougher on her like his father was. Biren is clearly annoyed at Irene for her aggressiveness and assures Kaiden that they will do as he wishes. Once the Sankhars leave, Kaidus speaks disparagingly about Irene - he believes she's just waiting for him to drop dead so that Willem can become Crown Prince. Kaiden warns Kaidus against being so obviously against Irene - they need the Sankhars and the Orienne Principality to win this war. Kaidus makes Kaiden promise him that he will protect Aislyn at all costs, to which Kaiden assures him he will.
Sure enough, in private, the Grand Princess expresses her annoyance regarding Kaidus' dislike of her and how Kaiden takes his side (all the time) to her husband and son. But she doesn't care - it's not long now before Kaidus will die from his "illness" and Willem will take his place as Crown Prince. Biren scolds his wife for saying such ominous words like that - it's as if she's cursing her own nephew (she should be careful not to make such comments in public). It's clear from their dynamic that Irene is the more ambitious of the pair. After Biren leaves the room, Irene stresses to her son, Willem, that they can't be complacent. He needs to prepare in advance for when he becomes Crown Prince - he needs to start "proving himself" now. When Willem asks how so, she says he needs to rescue Aislyn - she's too dangerous to be left in the Rebels' hands. Willem doesn't think it's a good idea since the Emperor (Kaiden) expressively forbade a rescue attempt but Irene convinces him to try.
Aislyn takes charge of the day-to-day running and operations of the castle, with the help of Lady Tamsin Kaleka, Adnan's pregnant wife and Keir's younger sister. She becomes good friends with both Tamsin and Ty. However, things change when the infamous
Nelia Nenge, Clan Princess of Afrann and Orome's daughter arrives at the castle. Not only is Nelia the feared "Viper Queen", the de facto leader of the Red Vipers (the spy network of the Righteous Faction), she is also regarded as Colin's "betrothed" (the two of them grew up together). It is clear that she is very suspicious of Aislyn and doesn't trust or like her. Aislyn later finds out that Nelia has a grudge against her because one of her visions (near the beginning of the civil war) led to the ambush and death of Nelia's beloved/fiancé. Now, she is forced to be engaged to Colin, someone she loves like her own blood but has not one drop of romantic feelings for.
Colin is clearly very enamored with Aislyn, which doesn't go unnoticed by anyone. Slowly, he manages to penetrate her icy exterior and she "opens up to him". Aislyn tells him how unspeakably cruel her father the Emperor was to her. She even shows him the scars on her body (when the Emperor was trying to figure out if physical pain triggers her visions). However, despite his ill treatment of her, she still loved him and mourns him. Aislyn continues to have visions but none that are terribly helpful to either the Rebels or the Loyalists. Nelia becomes very wary of Colin's feelings towards Aislyn and warns him to be careful. However, on the other hand, she tries to convince her father and brothers to break off her informal engagement with Colin, though fails.
Willem and his Sankhar crew sneak into the castle and try to smuggle Aislyn out. However, when they find her, she is with Tamsin. Willem cruelly but accidentally injures Tamsin. Worried that Tamsin and her unborn child have been endangered, Aislyn doesn't want to leave with Willem. At the very least, she wants to get help for Tamsin before leaving with Willem. However, Willem refuses to let her get help (because it will alert the entire castle of their presence) and literally drags her out. Fortunately, Nelia comes across them. Willem and his crew manage to hide but Aislyn, worried about Tamsin, breaks free and alerts Nelia. Nelia quickly dispatches Willem's people and almost kills Willem when Aislyn tells her that Tamsin is extremely injured and needs help now. Nelia lets Willem go while she and Aislyn go to Tamsin. Fortunately, Aislyn, who is proficient in the art of healing (she also manages the infirmary), manages to preserve both Tamsin and her unborn child. From her actions (refusal to leave an injured Tamsin behind to escape with Willem), Aislyn gains the respect of Nelia, as well as Colin, Adnan and Keir, and the rest of the Righteous Faction's leadership. Because Aislyn was also accidentally cut in the arm by Nelia during the scuffle with Willem and his men, she is also tended to by the healers. Nelia sees the scars on Aislyn's body. Later on, Nelia apologizes to Aislyn for her rudeness towards her and thanks her for saving Tamsin. Aislyn asks her not to pity her (because of the scars). Suddenly, Aislyn passes out. She has had another vision!!! She sees Nelia holding what looks like a baby in her arms.
Nelia and Colin have a heart-to-heart talk one night about his apparent feelings towards Aislyn. We learn that Colin blames himself for not breaking Femi, Nelia's betrothed, back to her alive - he was with Femi's party when they were ambushed by the Loyalist armies (due to Aislyn's vision). Femi died in Colin's arms. Nelia tells Colin that she, along with everyone else, knows he like Aislyn - why hasn't he pursued her further? Colin replies that it is because Aislyn's vision did lead to Femi's death and he didn't want Nelia to hate him, or Aislyn.
"I would not lose you to gain Aislyn's heart." Nelia assures him that he won't - as his childhood friend, she would never deny him what she had with Femi. Additionally, Nelia no longer believes that Aislyn was helping her father out of her own free will. The Red Vipers had initially found evidence of this, but Nelia only believed it now, having met Aislyn and seeing her actions for herself. Colin teases Nelia, asking her if she is jealous (why else would she be keeping tabs on Aislyn) but Nelia just swats him away - she cites her position as the so-called Viper Queen. What kind of a spymaster would she be if she wasn't keeping tabs on the Seeress? She wasn't going to let any old female get close to Colin without some sort of verification. Orome overhears their conversation.
The next day, Orome tells Nelia that he will be breaking off her engagement with Colin, against the advice of the other Western Clan Chiefs. Nelia is elated - she feels freed! However, Orome asks her for something in return - he knows that she loved Femi very much, but he hopes that one day, she will give her heart a chance again... It would break Femi's heart to know that Nelia lived like a widow even though she is not because of his death.
We see Nelia standing on the edge of a steep cliff, staring into the abyss. She is sorting out her own grief towards Femi's death. She apologizes to Femi for not being able to accompany him in the Hall of Judgment, at least not for a little while longer. Colin still needs her. Her father and her family still need her. Aislyn sees Nelia from a distance and thinks Nelia is about to jump. She instructs Ty to summon Colin here immediately and then runs towards Nelia. She tackles Nelia to the ground. Thinking Nelia wants to commit suicide because Colin doesn't want to marry her because of Aislyn, Aislyn quickly promises Nelia that she has no personal relations with Colin. Nelia is very surprised and rather annoyed by the tackle - she assures Aislyn that she isn't going to jump off a cliff because of "that idiot". And Aislyn can have Colin - Nelia wouldn't take him if her life depended on it. Aislyn becomes extremely embarrassed by her mistaken assumption and tries to get up and leave but Nelia just pulls her back to the grass. Nelia is now lying very comfortably on the grass and just wants to stare at the sky for a minute. She invites Aislyn to do the same. Aislyn very awkwardly assents and lies on the grass besides Nelia. Nelia commends Aislyn on her tackle - she's stronger than she looks.
A very bemused Colin is brought to the scene by Ty ("What do you mean Nelia is going to jump off a cliff? Most ridiculous thing I've heard..."). He sees Nelia and Aislyn lying on the grass, bonding. He smiles and tells Ty to make sure they are not to be disturbed, and then leaves.
Willem arrives back at the capitol and is scolded by everyone. His mother the Grand Princess is angry at him for failing to rescue Aislyn while Kaiden, Kaidus, and his father Prince Sankhar, are angry at him for disobeying Kaiden's orders. Kaidus is extremely worried that Willem's rash actions may lead to Colin and his people treating Aislyn badly. When Irene tries to defend her son, Kaidus becomes extremely angry and accuses her off being behind Willem's dumb actions!!! He is so angry that he descends into coughing fits........
Colin tells Aislyn and his men that he has arranged a meeting with Kaiden the Emperor so Kaiden can check up on Aislyn. Although he's annoyed with Willem for breaking into the castle, he believes Willem only did so because Kaiden was worried about Aislyn. When the two sides finally meet, Kaiden first asks Aislyn if it is okay for him to hug her. It’s a sign of respect for her autonomy on Kaiden's behalf because he knows what she’s been through, so he knows she’s uncomfortable with uninvited touch. He also notes that when Colin escorts Aislyn, he takes her hand – Kaiden takes this as a sign that Aislyn is comfortable with Colin. When Aislyn asks him where Kaidus is and if he's okay, Kaiden informs her of his death. Aislyn is heartbroken and is terrified that Colin had something to do with it but Kaiden tells her that it because of his lingering illness, though Kaiden and Aislyn exchange a meaningful and weighted glance that implied otherwise. Kaidus was so angry with Willem's foolish attempt to "rescue" Aislyn that he spat out blood and died in anger. The Grand Imperial Princess Irene, who is also at the meeting, bristles at the accusation that it was her and Willem who angered Kaidus to death. Unfortunately, Willem is now the Crown Prince, the next in line to the Throne.
After the meeting, Colin and Aislyn talk privately. He admits that he admires Kaiden, that in another world with different set of circumstances, they would have been friends. Aislyn agrees and tells him that her brothers, by the grace of the Allfather, had always been good men, like Colin. Colin literally blushes at the compliment. They had tried to protect her from their father but to no avail. At a young age, they had tried to the best of their abilities to limit her father’s cruelty and rage, but he often took it out on them instead. She recounts how when they had disobeyed him and were caught, her father would lock them in a dungeon. Her father would not touch a hair on Kaiden's death, as he was his heir. But Kaidus, being the spare, was fair game. Despite being an unhealthy child (since birth), Kaidus took the brunt of the Emperor's punishments, with Kaiden forced to watch his twin's torture day and night. Aislyn blames her father for her brother's untimely death. Aislyn believes that it is bearably sad that both Kaiden and Colin are fighting a war caused by their fathers, not due to their personal beliefs and values. Colin, here, admits that his father’s reasons for starting the rebellion were not completely honorable. She asks Colin if they can’t work out an agreement because she knows Kaiden is not like her father, in characters or in morals. Colin says he would like to, but it would not be possible. There is too much bad blood between the Sazoryns and his family. Both he and Kaiden are doomed to fight a war neither wants to.
That night, Tamsin goes into labor. The healer and midwife are away so Aislyn helps her give birth to a daughter, Asha. Adnan Kaleka declares himself to be in Aislyn’s debt for eternity for saving his child and wife. Colin escorts an exhausted Aislyn to her bed chambers.
There is a big battle looming ahead (Loyalist vs. Righteous Factions). The day before the battle,
Hereditary Prince Elyas Isai of Mid'dya (also Chieftain of the Middle Clans), expresses to his nephew
Kaiden the Emperor, his feelings of distrust of
Crown Prince Willem and worse, his mother,
the Grand Imperial Princess Irene. Although Kaiden doesn't like his uncle disparaging his heir and his Imperial Aunt, he finds that he does agree with Elyas. He also is not fond of Willem, thinking him to be too hot-headed and too overtly influenced by his mother. Elyas holds a grudge against Irene because he learned fairly recently that it was Irene's idea to keep Aislyn's abilities as a
Seeress as secret from the Isai Clan. He is upset that Aislyn was kept isolated/hidden from her maternal clan (unlike Kaiden and Kaidus). But Kaiden points out that
Prince Elyas did meet a young Aislyn once at some ball -
"why didn't Aislyn ask him for help/tell him the truth then?" Elyas realizes that Aislyn didn't trust him either or the motives of the Isai Clan. He is saddened but chastised - he recognizes that he too, along with the Isai Clan, had their own ulterior motives and that's why neither Aislyn nor Kaiden inform them earlier about her abilities or sufferings at the hand of the former Emperor. Unfortunately, Willem hears this entire conversation and is upset. He informs Irene of what he overheard and Irene is annoyed. She thinks that they must act quickly before Kaiden or Prince Elyas finds some excuse or reason to remove him from his Crown Prince position.
Battle day. Colin battles it out with Kaiden, although it is clear neither of them want to kill the other. Kaiden's backup forces (led by Willem) are delayed and don't arrive in time, which leads to Kaiden's defeat at the hands of Colin. Kaiden is killed by Colin. Aislyn gets these news and is very distraught. Colin delivers the news to Aislyn personally and informs her that her brother's body has been returned to the Loyalist faction so he can be buried properly, as an Emperor of Sazorn. He apologizes and says he never wanted to kill Kaiden, though Aislyn only replies, “but you did.” Before leaving the room, Colin recounts her brother’s last words. Kaiden's dying request for Colin was to "protect Aislyn, for he (Kaiden) was never able to". Kaiden hopes his death will set Aislyn free from the bounds and confines of the Imperial Family.
Kaiden's death makes Aislyn the living Sazoryn, given that Irene, though still a Grand Imperial Princess by birth, is now considered to be part of the Eastern Ruling Sankhar clan after her marriage, and Willem, despite being made Crown Prince by Kaiden, is technically not a Sazoryn, but a Sankhar. Willem and Irene become increasingly worried that their Loyalist Forces will now flock to Aislyn, given her status as the last "true" blood heir of Sazorn. In particular, Prince Elyas becomes particularly suspicious of Willem given that his forces were supposed to reinforce Kaiden but were "delayed". He wonders if Willem delayed his arrival on purpose so that Kaiden would die at the hands of Colin and Willem would become the next Emperor of Sazorn. Prince Elyas expresses his concerns to Prince Biren, Willem's father, who is also alarmed by this accusation and thus promised to investigate.
Biren confronts his wife and son and finds out the truth - that Irene convinced Willem to delay his reinforcements, giving Colin the chance to kill Kaiden. He asks them who knows what they did and Irene replies that it is only her, Willem, and Willem's second-in-command who knows the truth. Next, Irene and Willem find out that Willem's second-in-command "died" on a regular patrol. It was actually Biren who had him killed to silence him. However, he is still worried that Prince Elyas is still suspicious and will become even more suspicious after he finds out about Willem's second-in-command's death. Irene asks him what he is going to do but he just tells her that he will take care of it.
Meanwhile, Aislyn is in decline. She refuses to eat or cannot eat. She works tirelessly without sleeping in the infirmary, taking care of the wounded. She passes out in exhaustion and Colin carries her to her room. She wakes up and asks him to stay so he stays the entire night, watching her sleep.
The next day, they argue when she still refuses to eat. Colin begs for her forgiveness. For once, she shows emotion. She screams at him. She blames him for killing her father and brother. Colin admits to it all and continually asks for her forgiveness. He says he had multiple opportunities to kill Kaiden but couldn’t bring himself to do so because he was afraid of Aislyn’s reaction. He doesn't want her to hate him. Aislyn tells him she DOES hate him. However, he ends up staying the night.
The next morning, Aislyn realizes what she has done. She is essentially ruined in the eyes of society, a traitor to both factions. The last "true" Sazoryn princess has given herself to the destroyer of her family. She refuses to see Colin for 2 days. On the third day, Colin drags her out of the infirmary to speak to her. He is furious that he keeps apologizing to her, hoping something with change. He is furious that all he seems to care about is her, that all he thinks about is her. They spend the night together again. Aislyn tells him that she still hates him, but she sounds less convinced. She tells him that she hates herself even more but can’t stop herself. He tells her he is glad that she chose now to lose all sense of self-control.
Their “newfound” relationship does not go unnoticed. Nelia, Adnan and Stryver want him to marry Aislyn so he can strengthen his claim to the land. He derisively asks them who made him (i.e. Colin) king, implying that his faction wants to install him as the next Human king, but he doesn’t want to be one. Prince Orome becomes furious at his comments and orders everyone out so he can have a chat with Colin. He gives Colin a harsh rundown/scolding, telling Colin to drag his head out of his ass. Colin is obviously the future of the Human race and they wouldn’t have come this far if they didn’t believe in him, trust him to be king. Prince Orome and the Afrann Principality no longer have any real skin in this game since Nelia's and Colin's engagement was broken months ago. They are only still here because they believe in him. Orome tells him to marry Aislyn.
It was meant to be anyways. Colin and Aislyn had been betrothed when they were children (confirming that the flashback from the beginning of the story is of the two of them meeting in the apple orchard).
Nelia and Tamsin ask Aislyn if she wants to marry Colin. She tells him that though she cannot deny that she has feelings for him, she cannot marry him, since she is the last Sazoryn Princess. She cannot shame her brothers or her Imperial blood or even the Loyalist faction. Colin overhears their conversation and is extremely disappointed/saddened.
During an ambush, Colin is taken prisoner by the Imperial forces. He is missing for a month and suffers at the hands of Willem. During the torture, Willem stupidly confesses to purposefully delaying his reinforcements so that Colin could kill Kaiden. After his parents find out about his "confession", they scold him for telling their enemy the truth. Irene tries to defend her son but Biren is upset that she has allowed him to be this DUMB!!! Now feeling afraid, Irene tries to murder Colin but the attempt fails when Prince Elyas and the Isai Clan stumble onto the scene. Prince Elyas saves Colin's life because 1) he doesn't feel it is right to kill a prisoner-of-war and 2) with Colin's death, the Rebels might want to fight to their death and forces that are willing to fight to their death are extremely dangerous. He asks Colin why Irene tried to have him killed and though we don't see Colin's response, it is implied that he tells Elyas what Willem told him. Biren becomes furious with his wife for doing something so stupid as killing Colin. Now Elyas will be even more suspicious of them!!! Biren now sees Irene as a threat to their son's rule.
During the month of Colin's captivity, Aislyn worries for Colin and realizes the extent of her true feelings. She has a vision of his whereabouts and informs his men. Nelia, Keir, and Adnan go to rescue him but are met halfway by a broken, extremely injured Colin who had successfully escaped imprisonment with the help of one Onderian Kaëlin Tylena, Archon of the Greater house of Tylena and Colin’s (traveling) friend. Colin can’t even speak but Kaëlin sarcastically remarks to Colin’s men: “this one has been asking for a woman named Aislyn".
They are brought back to the castle and Colin collapses at Aislyn's feet. Aislyn cries in relief. Everyone is stunned to see her show emotion for the first time. Aislyn spends two weeks at his side, tending to him and nursing him back to health. She collapses out of exhaustion (again) but when she wakes up, he is well. He thanks her for nursing him. One night, she visits him in the infirmary and stays the night with him. She tells her of a vision she had of his black-haired, blue-eyed son. He asks her to marry him and she accepts.
We see the scene from
Fallen Empire where Elvira is about to have Consort Xian's newborn son and Prince of Da'Lyan killed but is stopped by the Child of Air. Elvira realizes that she cannot kill the child and takes the Lian Prince as a hostage at the behest of the Black Wolf who promises to raise him well.
Over the next month, Aislyn becomes close friends with Kaëlin. Kaëlin and Colin also talk, Kaëlin remarking that he has never seen Colin like this before, clearly very much in love. Colin doesn’t reply. It turns out that Kaëlin has been negotiating an alliance, for his queen Elvira, who is in the last days of conquering the Marked Empire, to help Colin and his forces in the war against Willem. Willem is now utilizing Wild Tribes in his Loyalist army, so Kaelin thought it only fitting for the Onderians to help Colin and the Rebels. Colin isn't very fond of Elvira whom he believes has treated his friend Kaelin (her lover) very badly. Colin also doesn't "agree" with Elvira's conduct (she did, after all, steal the Throne from her cousin). The Greater House of Tylena also refused to participate in the Mar'Kaa siege. However, Kaelin doesn't think it's a good idea for the House of Tylena to stay on Elvira's bad side, and so is trying to gain a new ally for her - the new (presumably) Rylandar King (Colin).
Kaëlin hesitates but asks Colin if he has heard of the “rumors”. Colin says yes though he doesn’t know if they are true. To Colin’s surprise, Kaëlin says they are true – he can confirm them. The Prophecy of Cassandra has come to pass – the first child of the Allfather, Water, has been discovered to be the last Prince of Da'Lyan. Colin says it is only a matter of time, then, for Fire and Earth to appear.
In the Loyalist camp, the situation has worsened! Prince Elyas, having presumably heard Willem's supposed confession from Colin, is now very suspicious and actively investigating Willem. He has also blocked Willem's crowning - arguing that Willem should remain Crown Prince for now and only be enthroned as Emperor after the war has been won. The Middle Clans are also upset that the Wild Tribesmen were brought into the Loyalist army at Willem's behest - they don't like that foreigners are now being included. Fearing for her son's safety, Irene tries to put a "hit" on Prince Elyas which fails. When Biren finds out, he stabs Irene to death, now seeing her as a true threat to Willem's chance of being Emperor as he blames her for all the stupid actions that Willem has done, as well as for her stupid actions which have led to the current situation with Prince Elyas. Biren leaves the tent, letting Irene bleed out to death.
However, Prince Elyas stumbles upon the situation and finds a dying Irene. When he asks her who did this to her, she tells him that it was her husband, Prince Biren. With her dying words, she tells him that she was wrong all along. She wanted Willem to be Emperor because she thought that would bring honor to the Imperial Family of Sazorn - she would be doing her duty as its daughter. However, she was blinded by ambition, both for herself and for her son, and didn't see until now that by allowing Willem who is a Sankhar (by blood and through how he was raised) to ascend to the Throne, being guided and led by Biren who is also a Sankhar, the Imperial Family of Sazorn is as good as dead. When she dies, it will die with her too. Irene only hopes her Imperial ancestors will forgive her for her folly. Irene makes Prince Elyas promise her that the blood of Sazorn will live on in the Empire's next rulers, whoever that may be. She dies. Prince Elyas and the Mid'dya Forces leave the Loyalist Faction. Biren tells the Loyalists that Elyas left because he killed the Grand Imperial Princess Irene and fled to avoid death. Willem, believing his father, swears to obtain vengeance for his mother. Willem is finally crowned Emperor of Sazorn.
A surprise waits for Aislyn one day when she is told by Colin that she has a guest. This guest turns out to be none other than
Hereditary Prince Elyas Isai of Mid'dya, Chieftain of the Middle Clans - her maternal uncle. Aislyn is delighted to see him - after all, he (and his children) are the only people left alive on the Continent who share her blood (not counting Willem), especially since Grand Imperial Princess Irene's death. Prince Elyas is gruff with Colin and assures Aislyn that "no matter what happened between the two of them", she absolutely doesn't have to marry that "upstart" if she doesn't want to. Prince Orome takes great offense at the perceived slight against his godson. Before the two old men start arguing, Aislyn interrupts to assure her uncle that she does want to marry Colin. Colin blushes. Prince Elyas announces that the Middle Clans (Mid'dya) will now stand with the Righteous factions. Aislyn is, after all, not only the last true Sazoryn left, but the only Sazoryn he shares blood with (he doesn't share any blood with Willem). Prince Elyas assures Colin and a very suspicious Prince Orome that although they "came late", the Middle Clans will now, starting this day, become the truest allies and supporters of Colin, the Rylandar Principality of Nordea, and the Righteous Faction. Because Elyas believes in Aislyn and Aislyn apparent believes in Colin, then Colin must be the best choice. Colin blushes again. Prince Orome is slightly mollified by the compliment.
Later, Aislyn and Prince Elyas speak privately. Elyas recounts their meeting at the ball six years ago and apologizes to her that she (or her brothers) felt they couldn't trust him with the truth about her abilities. He admits that when the Mid'dya Principality finally found out about her abilities shortly after, they were super gratified (given their dedicated worship of the Celestial
Seeress all these centuries) but also super angry that she had been kept away from them. Although he would like to claim otherwise, he can't assure her that the Isai Clan would have treated her any better than how her father the deceased Emperor treated her. Aislyn smiles and accepts his apology but assures
him that anyone would treat her better than her father did. And she's very happy he is here. Although she has made great friends with Colin's friends and family in the past year, she was still alone in the sense that there was no one who was purely on her side. Now that Prince Elyas is here, she has a backer! Elyas promises to support her - no one in the Righteous Faction will ever dare to slight her now that Mid'dya is here to back her up.
Aislyn does wonder at Mid'dya's alliance switching. When she marries Colin, she will technically be no longer a member of the Imperial Family ~ or at the very least, there would be no difference between her and Willem. And since Willem is a male, he does precede her in terms of right to the throne. This is why Prince Elyas tells her the real truth - that the Sankhars were behind Kaiden's death and that Prince Biren killed his own wife, the Grand Imperial Princess Irene, to put his son on the Sazoryn Throne. Aislyn is horrified - though Irene only ever treated her like a commodity/weapon, Irene was still her aunt.
Colin and Aislyn are married. Their wedding is heralded as a union of the Sazoryn and Rylandar families. Many small clans follow Prince Elyas and the Mid'dya Principality and defect to the Righteous Faction. Willem becomes increasingly desperate (and a little insane) - Biren is having trouble chilling him out. Kaelin leaves for Aurain temporarily.
Aislyn's titles changes from
Aislyn, Grand Imperial Princess of Sazorn, to Aislyn, Grand Imperial Princess of Sazorn, Hereditary Princess of the Nordea Principality and Chieftess of the Northern Clans. Colin's title also changes, with the (marriage) title of
Prince Sazoryn being formally given to him.
YEAR TWO (YEAR SIX OF THE CIVIL WAR)
3 months after the wedding, Aislyn, Kaëlin (who has returned), Ty and some guards are out riding but they stray accidentally too far. They are ambushed and heavily outnumbered by Loyalist soldiers. While running, an old man rescues them and hides them in his cottage. The Loyalists arrive at the cottage and confront the old man. They don’t believe him when he tells them he hasn’t seen anyone and attempts to search his cottage. By the old man defeats the soldiers, with a simple gust of wind, throwing their bodies away. This scene is seen only by Kaëlin who had risen from his hiding position to check on the old man. He is suspicious. The old man entertains Aislyn and gives her tea while the guards go get help. They have a nice conversation, but the old man makes some vague remarks and gestures at her belly, telling Aislyn that she has a destiny that extends beyond her sight. More troops arrive, and they are able to reach base castle safely. Colin is extremely relieved. However, Aislyn faints on arrival and after a visit from the healers, it is confirmed that she is with child.
The Righteous faction is ecstatic. This means an heir, of the old Sazoryn and new Rylandar blood, strengthening Colin’s claim to the throne. Colin is just happy. He informs her of the news and they are so excited.
Kaëlin remains very suspicious. He sends some letters, makes some enquiries and goes back to check on the old man’s cottage but finds that the cottage and the old man never existed, at least not physically. On his way back however, he sees the old man who reveals himself as the
Child of Air. Once Kaelin returns, he tells Aislyn, Colin, and the Rebel Faction that the
Child of Air appeared to him to inform him that Aislyn is carrying a
Child of the Allfather - either Earth or Fire. The Rebel Faction spread the news to undermine Willem's claim to the throne even further. However, Colin doesn't really believe in this Child Prophecy nonsense. Aislyn speaks privately with Colin, addressing her personal worries. She states that she is unhappy. She wants her child to grow up normally, not burdened by the dual destines of being the expected heir to unite a kingdom (of two bloods) and also being a child of the Allfather. Colin agrees with her and swears that as long as he is living, he shall make sure their son live as normal a life as possible.
Kaëlin leaves in a rush. However, before he leaves, Colin stops him and asks him why he is leaving all of a sudden. Kaelin reveals that the old man,
the Child of Air, also mentioned something to him specifically which has led Kaelin to suspect that if the
second Child of Allfather is here already, then the
Third Child will be on the way as well. Kaelin believes the third Child to be of Onderian descent.
One morning, Aislyn, Adnan, and Tamsin are taking a walk in the garden when they see Keir being accosted by many adoring females and their families. Aislyn notes that Keir is very popular and has been Clan Chief for five years - why hasn't he married yet? Adnan jokingly replies that he's engaged and runs off to save his friend/brother-in-law from the admiring families. Aislyn looks to Tamsin for explanation of Adnan's words.
The news about Aislyn's pregnancy really upsets Willem, Biren, and the Loyalist Faction. To tighten their alliance with the Surde Principality as well as to get Willem to quickly father a child, Biren proposes that Willem marries
Clan Princess Mireya Garsa deSoto of Surde, Southern Clan Garsa, the youngest (and only unmarried) daughter of
Hereditary Prince Cesc Garsa Marin of the Surde Principality, the Chieftain of the Southern Clans. [Southern clans people have two "surnames", the first being their paternal clan and the second their maternal clan. Most Southern women do not take on their husband's clan name.] If Mireya marries Willem, she will become Empress of Sazorn.
Prince Cesc and the
Ruling Garsa clan are absolutely for the proposal, for it has been a good minute since a Southern woman has been a Sazoryn Empress. However, the de Sotos, Mireya's maternal clan, as well as
Hereditary Princess Catalina de Soto Aguilar, Prince Cesc's wife and Mireya's mother, are not for this marriage. While the Garsa clan still believes in Willem, the de Sotos aren't sure they can win the war and want to keep the "alternate" option open - after all, Mireya's "previous marriage agreement" (with another man, not yet specified who) is still not broken. Prince Cesc thinks the de Sotos are crazy - with the Civil War, how can they expect the "other side (aka the groom)" to still honor the marriage agreement with them?
This heavily implies that Mireya's betrothed is on the Rebel/Insurgent Faction. All the while, Mireya has not said a single word. However, at long last, she speaks up and tells her father and the Garsa clan that she is not willing to marry Willem and become Empress - she still seeks to honor the previous marriage agreement she has - "for a promise made is a promise kept" - it is not the way of the South to break their word.
A temporary ceasefire is attempted by both human factions, to exchange prisoners of wars and mourn their dead properly. Willem, Biren, and the Loyalist Faction meet with Colin, Asryn and the Righteous faction. Willem is clearly very insecure regarding his own standing and takes his insecurities out on Colin and Aislyn. He accuses Aislyn of being a sell-out, betraying her blood as an Imperial Princess of Sazorn by marrying a Rebellious Rylandar. Her ancestors and family members must be furious in the Hall of Judgement. Colin and the Righteous are very angry with Willem's words and tones. Prince Biren, also embarrassed by his son's lacking conduct, apologizes to Aislyn - stating that Willem is still recovering from his mother's death. However, he stresses, though Willem was not right to speak to Aislyn in that tone, what he said is not incorrect -
Aislyn's aunt, the deceased Grand Imperial Princess Irene would be disappointed in her. Aislyn had not really reacted to Willem's crude words, though it is clear to everyone that it is Biren's words that she has taken great offense at. She coldly replies to her uncle-in-law, that she doesn't think
she would be the person
Aunt Irene is most disappointed at (obviously she is letting Biren know that she knows he killed Irene). Prince Biren becomes increasingly nervous and tries to deflect: "I don't know why lies Prince Elyas has been spreading..." From Willem's reaction to this exchange between Biren and Aislyn, Colin realizes that Willem does not seem to know that his mother was killed by his own father.
Meanwhile, Adnan and Tamsin meet the Kaleka clan for the first time since Adnan defected to the Righteous Faction. This meeting is very tense, as the Kaleka elders berate Adnan for his betrayal of not only their clan and family, but also to the Orienne Principality.
Clan Chief Kishore Kaleka of Orienne, Adnan's father, and the
Honorable Great Lady Indira, Adnan's grandmother and the Kaleka Clan's matriarch, are particularly harsh towards him and Tamsin, with
Lady Indira blaming Tamsin for Adnan's decision to support Colin and the Righteous movement given her Stryver blood and heritage.
Kishan Kaleka, Adnan's younger brother (and now prospective heir to the Kaleka Clan, given that Adnan has been removed from clan lineage) tries to get the two sides to calm down but with little to no success. Adnan gets very annoyed with the Kaleka elders and tells them to stop verbally abusing his wife. He also reminds his grandmother,
the Lady Indira, that it was not only
she who arranged his and Tamsin's marriage, but that "Lady Grandmother" herself is the daughter of a Stryver (so Adnan's great-grandmother is a Stryver). However, the verbal "fight" only ends when Tamsin steps in and reminds
Lady Indira and
Chief Kaleka that as is human custom, though she is Stryver by birth, once she married Adnan, she entered the Kaleka clan. Everything she does or says, she recognizes that it is a reflection of the Kaleka clan. Tamsin also stresses that the Kaleka-Stryver pact/bond/relationship is older than the Sazoryn Empire, and as it has survived many a Great War in the History of Humans on this Continent, it will survive this war as well. The Kaleka elders are mollified slightly at her comments, and Kishan gives his sister-in-law a solid grin.
Aislyn covertly speaks to Loyalist forces, though we do not know what she says. Next, we see Keir Stryver being kidnapped by the same Loyalist forces Aislyn speaks too and deposited into a sun room. He is stunned to see a noble Southern woman waiting for him -
the Clan Princess Mireya of Surde, Southern Clan Garsa. It is clear that they know each other as the atmosphere is extremely tense. Stryver remains his usual cold and stoic self. He tells Mireya that she has changed since the last time he saw her, while Mireya replies that he looks exactly the same. Stryver asks Mireya why she hasn't married yet - there are rumors that she will be Willem's Empress. Mireya replies that she is formally betrothed to him - ever since the Civil War began five years ago, neither of their families bothered to formally severe or break the marriage engagement/promise. Stryver thinks "of course not" - he and Mireya (as well as their families) are on two opposing sides of the war. They aren't getting married anytime soon.
Stryver then asks if Mireya set up this meeting to formally break the engagement so she can marry Willem. He will go with whatever she asks of him. Mireya is at first confused and then becomes upset by his question. She surprises Keir by apologizing to him. A long time ago, Mireya saw Keir at some ball and fell in love with him at first sight. Not knowing that he was in love with another woman, Colin's elder sister and Mikal's eldest child,
Clan Princess Elisa who was eventually killed alongside her father and Keir's father in the Emperor's Ambush (her head wasn't put on spikes though), she had convinced her father,
the Hereditary Prince Cesc Garsa of Surde, to make an engagement between him and her. Keir's father, at the time the
Clan Chief Stryver, agreed to the match for
Elisa, at the time, was engaged to
Crown Prince Kaiden, Aislyn's brother. Therefore, Keir could never be with Elisa, the woman he loved. However, Keir hated the idea of a match between him and Mireya, a random girl he had just briefly met. He had been cold and distant to Mireya in all their meetings. But then, the Civil War broke out and the engagement was considered null and though not officially broken).
Despite the fact that they haven't seen each other in five years and Keir could never be with Elisa even if he wasn't betrothed to Mireya, Mireya still feels badly about what she did. She has kept their engagement promise alive all this time because she believes that
he deserves the chance to break it himself - not her, or her clan. If Keir wants to break the engagement, she will accept it. But she will only consider the engagement broken if it comes from his own lips. Mireya nervously but silently awaits Keir's reply.
There is a biting silence as Mireya waits for Keir to reply. Taking his silence as an agreement of the engagement breaking, Mireya tells him "goodbye" and turns around to leave the room. However, Keirstops her. She turns around slowly and meets him in the eye. Keir pauses slightly, and then takes off the ring he wears - the one with the Stryver crest and gives it to her. He tells her that when the war is over and if he is still alive, he will "come for her".
Therefore, she can't marry Willem. After Keir leaves the room, we see Mireya stare at the ring in her hand for a very long time before putting it on her finger and leaving.
As Stryver leaves the sun room, he comes across Aislyn. He asks her how she knew, and she answers that she remembers Mireya when she was at court, during the early years of the war. The other noble ladies of the Imperialist faction looked down on Mireya (frowned upon her) because she remained steadfastly loyal to her betrothed, though he and his clan and his region were already deemed traitors to the Empire. Many men attempted to court her, but she always refused, stating that she was engaged. Aislyn, after meeting Stryver, put two and two together and realized that Stryver was Mireya’s betrothed. She says Stryver is too handsome and eligible to be put-off by women so there must have been another reason why he avoided them, unlike other men. Aislyn asks Keir to forgive her if she has been too presumptuous in arranging the meeting between him and Mireya.
There is silence between the two. It's funny because Aislyn and Stryver are very alike in their nature and personalities. Both are stoic and cold, seldom showing their true emotions. Then, Keir breaks the silence by admitting to Aislyn that he did love Elisa for a long time and after her death, mourned her loss. But he knows now that even if Elisa was still alive, he could not be with her. The last time he saw Elisa, he told her as much, resolving himself to dedicate his life to Mireya, his betrothed. This resolve has only hardened now given Mireya's actions - the fact that Mireya would still choose him over becoming Willem's Empress only showed him what kind of person Mireya was. Keir thanks Aislyn for taking the initiative, when he was too cowardly to do so. Aislyn is a little shocked by his words, for it is the longest she has heard him speak. When Colin comes to collect her, she is still "shell-shocked" by Keir's heartfelt words.
At night, Aislyn reveals to Colin what she did and what happened to Keir. They talk about Elisa, as well as Kaiden, and all the people who died in this war.
In a flashback, we see Clan Princess Elisa bidding farewell to a young Colin as she leaves for her formal betrothal ceremony to Kaiden, the Crown Prince. Colin is unable to accompany her and their father, Mikel, because he has injured his legs from a fall (from horseback). Before she leaves, a young Keir Stryver reveals to her that though he still has residual feelings for her, he has made peace with his engagement to the Garsa Clan Princess (aka Mireya) and wishes Elisa well in her marriage to Kaiden and eventual ascension as Sazoryn Empress. Elisa thanks him and praised Keir for his measured thoughts, stating that "she knew he could come around sooner or later", implying that he wasn't so ok with the engagements before. She tells him that no matter what her own true feelings are, she must dedicate herself first and foremost to the Rylandar Clan and the Nordea Principality. She hopes Keir follows suit.
During the betrothal ceremony, the Sazoryn Emperor formally engages Clan Princess Elisa Rylandar of the Nordea Principality to his son and heir, Kaiden, the Crown Prince. In a short but private conversation, Kaiden promises to Elisa that he will fight his father and side with his "future father-in-law" aka Mikel and Nordea on the topic of bringing back slavery and clan annihilations. However, this betrothal ceremony is soon revealed to be an ambush to kill off the ruling Northern Clan Chiefs of Nordea, including Hereditary Prince Mikel Rylandar. Bowmen and soldiers line the ballroom, pushing the Northerners into a protective circle. There is clearly no way out. Kaiden, realizing what his father intends, starts yelling and screaming at the Emperor. Kaidus tries to help him out by appealing to his father the Emperor that as Clan Princess Elisa is in name the Crown Princess and future Sazoryn Empress, at least she must be spared. The Emperor agrees and gives Elisa the choice of saving her life and "what remains of the North" by denouncing her father. Prince Mikel urges Elisa to take the deal, asking her to remember that "there is still Colin". However, Elisa looks straight at her betrothed Kaiden and says, "I'm sorry, Kaiden. But if I must die today, I will die as a Rylandar, daughter of the North, the blood of Old Ry Lan." Kaidus takes a screaming Kaiden outside. The Northerners are slaughtered, including Elisa.
Aislyn wants Colin to rule the Humans after they defeat Willem and his Loyalist Faction. This is the first time Aislyn has brought this particular topic up. When he asks her why, she tells him that she wants their child to grow up in the best world possible and she believes that Colin can create the world their child deserves. She asks him to promise her to consider what she said after the war ends. Colin tells her that after the war ends, they can discuss the topic again and maybe then, she will be able to convince him. However, Aislyn's face changes as Colin mentions the war's end and only replies...
Maybe...
Later, Nelia is brought to meet a very smug Colin and Aislyn. They tell her they want her to be the child's godmother. Before Nelia can refuse, Colin is called away on some business. It's just Aislyn and Nelia now. Aislyn makes Nelia promise that she will take care of her son and Colin if for some reason, Aislyn is not able to in the future. Although Nelia promises to do so, she is adamant that Colin would never let anything bad happen to Aislyn. Aislyn smiles wistfully in return and replies that she was so fortunate to have met Colin in this life - even though it was for such a short period in his life. Nelia is confused by her statement - Aislyn is Colin's one true love - they will live for a long time together. Aislyn reaches over and takes Nelia's hands: "I may be his lover, but I am not fated to travel with him on the long journey that is his life. You, on the other hand, will accompany him until the end of your days, as you have since the day you were born."
Flashback to the day of Nelia's birth. It turns out she was born just hours after Colin (they share the same birthday). They are placed in the same cradle. (The relationships between Colin, Nelia, and Aislyn are meant to underscore the idea that the love of your life may not be your soulmate.)
The next day, official Onderian messengers and missives arrive. They state that the Onderian Queen Elvira has accepted their offer of friendship and will come to their aid in reinforcing their forces. The Queen and her forces were expected to be on their way but were delayed – by the fact that the Queen is confirmed pregnant. The humans are startled – they ask how the Queen herself can come to battle if she is heavily pregnant. The Onderians just look insulted and affronted. One of the messengers delivers a private letter from Kaëlin to Colin and Aislyn. In it, Kaëlin states that his suspicions have been confirmed – the Queen is carrying the
third child of the Allfather.
Meanwhile, on the Loyalist side, things go from bad to worse. Willem's mental health is deteriorating and his father, Biren, is practically acting as Emperor on his son's behalf. However, trust in him and their Faction is also falling - after all, Biren failed to seal a marriage alliance with the Garsa Clan of the South, and now the Onderians are going to be helping the Righteous Faction.
Kishan Kaleka, Adnan's younger brother, becomes increasingly worried that if the Loyalists win the war and Willem does end up becoming a real Emperor, Biren Sankhar and the Sankhar clan may not be willing to give up their
Ruling Clan/Hereditary Prince positions. When he brings this up to his father,
Clan Chief Kishore Kaleka and his grandmother, the
Great Lady Indira, they also start to see things from his side and becomes wary of the Sankhar clan. The Kaleka clan is technically next-in-line for the
Hereditary Prince position and the Sankhars have long been wary and jealous of the Kaleka clan's status and power as
First Migrants. Who is to say that the Sankhars will be willing to give up their position as
Hereditary Prince once they essentially take over the Human Empire through the
Sazoryn Emperors?
Chief Kaleka remarks on the fact that if the Rebels do win the war, then it is very probable that
Adnan will be reinstated as the next-in-line of the Kaleka Clan Chief position.
If his brother is reinstated, Kishan will not become the next Kaleka Clan Chief. Kishan impresses his father and grandmother by replying that his loyalty is first and foremost to the
Kaleka Clan - he must do what it is in their family's best interest and if that means not becoming the next Clan Chief, he can live with it.
What he cannot live with is the downfall of the great Kaleka Clan at the hands of the Sankhars. Chief Kaleka and
Lady Indira give Kishan permission to go ahead with his plan carefully and Kishan begins to "correspond" with Adnan.
One night, Colin and his patrol doesn’t come back on time. Aislyn waits up for him. When he returns, they go back to their room. She bathes him personally. He tells her thank you, for she has given him everything he ever wanted. Aislyn smiles and tells him though it is she who was given the gift of sight, he is the one that is truly special for his fate is to forever change the future of the human race. She thanks him in return. She says that before him, she had always seen her sight as a curse. Now it is a gift, for allowing her to peak into their son’s life. Colin wants to know what she has seen, but Aislyn just smiles coyly and promises to tell him one day.
The Onderian Forces finally arrive (led through the Afrann Principality, since the Western Clans obviously guard the Western human borders). Heavily-pregnant Elvira, the Queen of Onderon, is accompanied by the Western Elva Army (led by Lord Luka Ga'as, the Commander General of the Elva Army). Nelia is disappointed that the infamous Black Wolf is not with the Onderian Forces and Elvira tells her that the Black Wolf (Annyla Bloodwolf) is busy taking care of the Mar'Kaa hostage Prince,
the Child of Water. Aislyn and Elvira end up become good friends, as they are both carrying Children of the Allfather. However, Colin is intensely suspicious of Elvira and his dislike of her is apparent - so much so that
Prince Orome and Prince Elyas are made to deal with Elvira (instead of him). Aislyn tries to understand why Colin dislikes Elvira so much, but Colin only deflects, stating that "it's not his story to tell". Aislyn notices that Elvira and Kaëlin have a very strange and awkward relationship. In private, we do see Elvira and Kaëlin talk but the "talk" erupts into a fight in which it becomes apparent to us, the viewers, that their relationship is not normal or at the very least, it is not one of ruler and subject. Elvira is annoyed that Kaëlin and his Marked-loving "mother" are still angry with her because of the Mar'Kaa Campaign. But that campaign has been won, and it's all done and over. However, Kaëlin still thinks it's not right to keep a
Child of the Allfather (Rayden, the Mar'Kaa Prince) as hostage, but when asked by Elvira, can't think of what else to do with the Child.
Aislyn eventually deduces that Kaëlin is the father of the child that Elvira is carrying. However, Kaëlin admits that he is not certain
he fathered the child, implying that the Onderian Queen might have other lovers. Colin eventually also admits to Aislyn that he dislikes Elvira for this reason - Kaëlin has been in love with the Queen for as long as Colin has known him. Colin was against Kaëlin starting a romantic relationship with the Onderian Queen because he thought all along that Elvira also became "interested" in Kaëlin to piss off Kaëlin's mother,
Lady Cressida of the Greater House of Tylena, an influential and extremely public detractor of Elvira herself as well as Elvira's rulership. Elvira only initiated the relationship with Kaëlin as a threat/warning to
Lady Cressida, who was not only a close friend of the former Heir to the Throne (the one that Elvira might have ambushed/killed to get the Heir position), but also the former Onderian Ambassador to Mar'Kaa. That's why Colin was relieved when the Onderian Queen started her conquering campaign against the Da'Lyan Empire of Mar'Kaa, for seemingly it was the veritable "last straw" for not only the House of Tylena and
Lady Cressida, but also for Kaëlin - Colin thought Kaëlin might have completely "broken up" with Elvira, especially when as Archon of the Greater House of Tylena, Kaëlin recalled all Tylena soldiers serving in the Onderian Royal Armies - which practically crippled the Eastern Samara Field Army. However, it seems to be that Kaëlin can't get over his feelings for Elvira and Elvira has consistently used those feelings and Kaëlin only to her benefit. Aislyn believes that Elvira does love Kaëlin in "her own way", but Colin is not sure.
The Eastern Kaleka Clan finally make to double-cross the current Eastern Ruling Clan of Sankhar and switch allegiance to the Righteous Faction. Adnan and Tamsin bring these news to the rebel leadership. At this point, both Elvira and Aislyn are almost full-term. Unfortunately, Willem and Biren find out about the secret defection of the Kaleka Clan and manage to kill both the
Clan Chief Kaleka and the elderly Lady Indira. They keep
Kishan imprisoned. However, all of this is unknown to Adnan and Tamsin.
The Righteous Faction is surprised when the Loyalist Faction offers terms of peace and settlement: the Afrann, Nordea, and Mid'dya Principalities are totally okay to go off and form their own Human kingdom or Union - as long as the Sazoryn Empire (through Willem) keeps the capitol and the Orienne and Surde Principalities. While Adnan and Tamsin are extremely against this proposal, given that it would mean the Kaleka Clan would have to stay on the Sazoryn/Loyalist side of things, they are eventually shot down by the rest of the Righteous Faction leadership, who are all keen to end this war as quickly as possible. (Elvira is slightly upset at the thought that there might not be any battle for her and the Onderians to fight). Princes Orome and Afrann eventually "force" Adnan and Tamsin to accept the terms, though Nelia and Keir feel badly for them.
The peace treaty signing conference happens and it goes off without a hitch. Both sides sign the treaty rather successfully. However, as soon as the treaty is signed, Willem casually reveals the fate of the
Kaleka Clan and of how he killed Adnan's father and grandfather after "discovering their betrayal". Biren tries to stop him from running his mouth, but Willem then parades an imprisoned and heavily injured Kishan (his hostage to ensure the loyalty of the Kaleka Clan) in front of the Righteous Faction, leading to Adnan losing his mind over his family's death and his brother's imprisonment. Colin, Keir, Nelia, and the two Princes are only just able to restrain him from acting rashly and throttling Willem right there and then. The peace treaty holds for now.
Back at the Righteous HQ, Adnan goes berserk. He cannot stand his brother being treated like a captured slave by Willem. They must rescue Kishan! Tamsin doesn't say anything. However, the rest of the Rebel Leadership refuse to trade one life for the treaty. Unfortunately, Colin must bow to their demands. Even if they wanted to rescue Kishan, they have no idea where he is being held. Aislyn and Colin discuss the situation with Adnan, Kishan, and the Kaleka Clan. While Colin absolutely does not want to treat Adnan like this given what Adnan has done for him, he also cannot risk the lives of everyone else in the Righteous Faction. Aislyn then passes out - she has had a vision. After she wakes up, she tells everyone that it's another unhelpful or inconsequential vision, though Colin has a strong feeling she is lying about what she has seen.
In Surde, Mireya has overheard her father,
Prince Cesc, discussing with his men the situation regarding Kishan and his imprisonment. She finds out where Kishan is being imprisoned and writes a letter to Keir informing him of Kishan's location. However, we find that someone has followed her into the bazaar. This agent ends up reporting to Mireya's parents -
Hereditary Princess Catalina and Hereditary Prince Cesc of the Southern Surde Principality of her actions.
Prince Cesc is angry at Mireya for giving away the
Second Young Master (of the Kaleka Clan)'s position to the Stryver Clan Chief but Catalina tells him that it's not a bad thing to "leave their options open", in case
Willem and their side ends up losing the civil war. And besides, Catalina knows that as loyal as her husband is to the Imperial Family, he dislikes what they did to the Kaleka Clan (as close to clan annihilation as possible) - if the Sazoryn Imperial Family can do that to a
First Migrant family, they can do it to anyone.
Adnan has been temporarily imprisoned in his chambers. He is still steaming. Tamsin comes to find him and when he starts going crazy, she tells him the equivalent of "will you just shut up for one second and listen to me?" She brings Aislyn, Nelia, Keir, Kaëlin, and surprisingly - Elvira into the room. Adnan has no idea what they are doing here. He warns them not to stop him from trying to rescue his brother. Aislyn explains Keir has vital information. When Keir asks how she knows, she looks at him pointedly while he figures out that she has had a vision and knows he received Kishan's location from Mireya. She proposes that they attempt a rescue of Kishan. Elvira is here because they need an Onderian who is a skilled shadow to help in the rescue attempt. Aislyn doesn't want Colin to be aware of this plan for it will put him in an impossible position.
Adnan, Tamsin, Nelia, Keir, and the Onderian shadow sneak into Kishan's location to rescue him. During their rescue attempt, they are discovered and have to flee (they do successfully get Kishan out). At the same time, Aislyn reveals what the rescue group is doing to Colin directly, shocking Kaëlin - especially since Aislyn had been so adamant about keeping it a secret from Colin. Colin is so angry with Aislyn for what she has done - she has knowingly aided in the breaking of the peace treaty - it is practically null and void now. He leaves with a Righteous Force to rescue the supposed rescuers.
Finally, Aislyn reveals the entirety of her vision's content to Kaëlin. In her vision, she saw that the rescue attempt would succeed in that they got Kishan out alive. However, they would be caught by Willem's men which could lead to the breaking of the peace treaty. The final battle in this long drawn-out Civil War would then be ignited. Kaëlin is shocked - how could she risk the peace treaty/want the final battle to happen? She tells him that she has never trusted Willem and Biren - she believes they wanted the peace treaty so they would have time to rebuilt their forces. However, of course, she can't be 100% certain that they have ill intents - she just had to make the call. For the sake of Adnan and Tamsin, she wants Kishan to be saved. She knows she was being selfish but she had to be selfish so Colin didn't have to be. Before Kaëlin leaves, Aislyn tells him to straighten things out with Elvira - after the final battle, he might not have the chance. Kaëlin is immediately suspicious. He thought she couldn't see other species in her visions. Aislyn tells him that she is merely guessing/extrapolating - better safe than sorry.
Kaëlin goes to update Elvira, who seems rather non-plussed about everything ("everyone seems to be in some sort of hurry - what's happening out there?"). He tells her that a fight is coming and Elvira seems rather happy that she will be getting some action than none. Kaëlin takes the moment to argue with her about the paternity of the child. After a bit of yelling back-and-forth, Elvira admits to him that she doesn't know who the father is - she was upset by him leaving (around conception time) so she "took it out". Kaëlin is hurt but not surprised. He wonders bitterly whether she has ever loved him or if she just always intended to use him as a tool/pawn in her fight against his mother. Elvira: "What woman would go to war for a man she doesn't love?" She admits that she hopes Kaëlin is her child's father but she can't guarantee that.
While Colin and most of the Righteous Force is off to rescue the rescuers + Kishan, Willem, Biren, and the Loyalist Faction launch a surprise attack on where Aislyn, Kaëlin, and Elvira are at. They are caught unawares, especially since Elvira had sent half of the Western Elva Army back. Aislyn's castle is under siege. Worse, both Aislyn's and Elvira's water(s) break - they begin the labor process as the castle is being attacked by Loyalist Forces.
Kaëlin and the
Princes Orome and Elyas defend their location as best as they can. The Kishan rescue group are also saved by the timely arrival of Colin and his forces. However, when Nelia sees them, she yells at Colin "why are you here? Aislyn needs you!!!" It turns out that Aislyn had confessed to Nelia the true content of her visions - she believes that due to this final battle siege (caused by the Kishan rescue attempt), she will die in childbirth. However, by not attempting the rescue attempt, Kishan would die. The only way Nelia would let Aislyn go through with this plan is if Aislyn allowed the small party to rescue Kishan and kept Colin and the Righteous Forces with her at the castle (to protect herself). So, all of Aislyn's strict demands that Colin be kept in the dark about the Kishan rescue attempt actually came from Nelia. But Aislyn broke her promise to Nelia and told Colin the truth so he could rescue them. Adnan and Tamsin are horrified that Aislyn essentially gave up her own life for Kishan's. Colin and the crew rush back to the castle to save Aislyn.
At the castle, Aislyn's party is separated from Elvira and Kaëlin. Ty dies in battle protecting Aislyn.
Prince Elyas gets Aislyn evacuated from the castle, though she is in heavy labor. Her party are forced to stop on a cliff because she is literally giving birth. At the same time, Colin and the crew finally arrive. Elvira is also in labor and gives birth to a daughter, with Kaëlin at her side. She tells him that
their daughter’s name is Adeline - basically, this is her telling Kaëlin that although she doesn't know for sure if he's the father, she
wants him to be Adeline's father. Her last words are, “Take care of her, Kaëlin. For she will be the brightest flame that ever burned in this world and beyond.” Elvira dies. Her body (by itself) catches on fire and she transforms into ash, seeping into the grounds. Kaëlin grabs his daughter and their forces run to Sazorn.
Colin, Adnan, and Keir finally reach Aislyn while Nelia, Tamsin, and their party go to the castle itself to help. They face off with Willem and Biren who are trying to get to Colin and Aislyn to kill them and the baby. Biren ends up injuring Tamsin. In her anger, Nelia lets go off Willem to fight one-on-one with Biren. Willem sees Aislyn, Colin, and the others at the cliff from a distance and goes off to find them.
Meanwhile, on the cliff they usually frequent, Aislyn is in labor. She gives birth to a boy, with black hair and his father’s eyes. She carries the baby and it looks like she will be fine, calling the child “Ganner”. When Colin is about to haul her up, she gives him the child instead and says that she is sorry. Colin cannot accept the situation and keeps saying no, he won’t let her die. She says it is too late. Her visions have never been wrong. She caresses his face with her hands. Her last words are, “I'm sorry.” Then she dies. Her body is taken by the roots of previously non-existing trees into the earth.
Colin is frozen for a while, just listening to the sound of his son’s cries. Kaleka tries to rouse him but notices that Aislyn has gone. They go quiet. Colin closes his eyes and steels himself. He then yells, “Kaleka! Stryver! To me!” They report to him immediately as he hands his son to Kaleka. He tells them both to protect his son at all costs and get to safety. They flee as soon as Willem arrives to confront Colin.
Kaëlin and the remaining Onderian forces are being cut down as they are heavily outnumbered by the human forces. Then we see a form in the air, a white bird flying. The white bird then comes down to earth and shapeshifts into the
Child of Air. He is no longer an old man – but a young East Asian man. He taps his staff into the air and his energy seemingly possesses Jasha Darell, one of the Praetorian Guards. Jasha’s eyes turn to white and glow glassy. He states, “Jasha Darell, House of Bloodwolf - I bless you.” He then transforms back into his flying form. Jasha is temporarily gifted with aerokinesis and defeats everyone, safely getting Adeline and Kaëlin back to Sazorrn.
On the other side of the field, Kaleka and Stryver are being overrun. All of their guards are killed except for the two of them. In a similar fashion, the
Child of Air appears in his white robes and blesses Stryver
and Kaleka with aerokinetic abilities. They are able to defend themselves and the newborn Prince properly.
Willem registers Aislyn's death and claims that he is
now the "last true Sazoryn left alive". He and Colin battle, though Colin eventually defeats him. As he is about to kill Willem, Willem laughs and says "You've finally gotten what you wanted. The end of the Sazoryn bloodline." Colin shakes his head: "No, the Sazoryn bloodline will live on. In my son." Then Colin reveals the truth to Willem - that his father Biren was the one who killed his mother. Willem doesn't believe him at first but Colin lets him go so he can go and confront his father. A very injured Willem runs away to his father while Colin goes in the direction of his son.
Nelia and Biren are still fighting, through Biren ends up winning. As he is about to kill Nelia, Tamsin intervenes and saves Nelia's life. However, as both women are very injured, they know they are only buying time. But as Biren is about to kill them, an extremely Willem arrives on the scene and finally confronts his father about his mother's death. Willem hates that all his life, he has been manipulated by Irene first then by Biren, his father. No one trusts him! No one believes in him! Biren scolds his son for his naïveté and weakness - he always blamed Irene for Willem's weaknesses and characteristic foolishness but realized that all that stupidity did not go away with Irene's death - it was all Willem! He is ashamed to have a dumbs son and heir like Willem! In his anger, Willem kills his father. Nelia and Tamsin are about to leave a dying Willem but Nelia, feeing an uncharacteristic sense of pity, decides to hold a crying and fearful Willem's hand as he dies. When Tamsin asks why, she tells her that at the very least, Femi held Colin's hands when he died - even if it is Willem who is dying, she cannot deny him this small mercy (rewrite earlier parts to indicate that Willem killed Femi). Nelia and Tamsin hold Willem's hands as Willem dies - his last words are, "Mother, forgive me".
The war ends.
DAWN OF DAY
Adnan reunites with Tamsin, their daughter Asha, and a beat up but definitely alive Kishan. When Kishan addresses Adnan as
Clan Chief Kaleka, Adnan tells him that he doesn't deserve to be Clan Chief - Kishan does. Although Adnan did what he thought was right when he defected to Colin's side, he realizes that it was not a decision fitting of the responsibility of the next Kaleka Clan Chief. For the seven years that he was gone fighting against his own clan and principality, it was Kishan who led and defended the Great Kaleka Clan - so that they may live another day. Kishan begrudgingly accepts his older brother's words and becomes the next
Clan Chief Kaleka, while Adnan remains
First Lord Kaleka.
Kaëlin holds his daughter, the Queen, in his arms as the Onderians gather around him and speak. We see Colin with the heads of the Righteous and Loyalist Factions in the council room. They are all speaking and yelling but he says nothing. They all want him to be King. He just gets up and leaves.
We now see what was Aislyn's first vision of Colin play out in real time.. He is alone in a room and has completely broken down. The door opens slightly and Nelia enters, with her eyes red from crying. She repeats to him the content of the last conversation she had with Aislyn:
"Nelia, if anything happens to me, please raise my child as he is yours. And make sure Colin believes in himself as much as everyone else, including me, believe in him." Nelia then leaves Colin alone. After a moment, Colin re-enters the council room and tells his audience that if they are willing, he will take the Throne.
The Sazoryn Empire is dead and the Rylandar Kingdom born as Colin is crowned the First Rylandar King of the Humans, with Ganner as Crown Prince. Before Kaëlin leaves for Aurain with his daughter and baby Queen Adeline, they speak privately, both acknowledging the similar losses the have suffered. But Colin adds, identical gains as well. Kaëlin smiles at that but then smiles sadly, telling Colin that Colin has always been stronger than Kaëlin and Colin just needs to trust himself like everyone else trusts him. Kaëlin tells him to do great things and says goodbye to his friend, promising to keep in touch. He and the Onderian army leave for Aurain. The last shot of Kaëlin is of him getting into a carriage, cradling his baby daughter, Adeline. Lord Luka informs him that they are ready to leave, addressing him as
"Lord Regent".
The Rylandar clan officially gives up their role as the ruling clan of the North. In a private ceremony with just Colin, Nelia, Adnan, Tamsin, and Keir, Stryver is privately made the new
Hereditary Prince of the Nordea Principality and Chieftain of the Northern clans, officially transferring rulership of the Northern clans from Rylandar to Stryver hands. When Colin asks Stryver what the first thing he will do as the new
Hereditary Prince of Nordea is, Stryver immediately turns around and storms out of the room, without nary a word. Adnan stifles a laugh as Colin mutters: "at least he could have thanked me".
We see Keir enter the Castle of
Hereditary Prince Cesc Garsa Marin of Surde, the Chieftain of the Southern Clans. Prince Cesc demands to know what he is doing here!
Stryver's side may have won and he may now be his equal as a Hereditary Prince, but he can't just barge in and come claim the spoils of war. However, Keir surprises them when he simply bows in reply and informs them that he is here to "keep a promise". He holds out his hand to Mireya who smiles at him in return and takes his outstretched hand. [
Hereditary Princess Catalina smirks at her husband, Prince Cesc, as if she has just won a bet. Prince Cesc stutters and asks his wife how she's okay with that Northern upstart just stealing their daughter, but Catalina only scolds her husband for his thickeheadness. It is clear that though the two of them are competitive and like to argue, they do love each other.] Keir and Mireya leave together, though he remembers to ask her if she needs time to pack. However, she shakes her head and then gestures to her already packed luggage which is currently being transferred into the Stryver carriages.
Mireya: "I'm ready". For a long second, Keir just stares at her in disbelief and then throws his head back and laughs out loud. This is the first time that we see Stryver laughing. Stryver thinks to himself that one day, when he dies and leaves this existence, he will make sure to thank Aislyn - if he is so lucky to meet her again in the Hall of Judgment.
We see Colin watching his young son sleep in the cradle. In his monologue, he promises to Aislyn that he will do everything he wants to do in the world and everything he needs to. He will change the human kingdom. He will fulfill his destiny. And then he will come home to her. He just asks her to wait, as it may take a while.
We hear Aislyn's voice, faint but clear, reply to him,
“I will.” It seems Colin hears this as well and he smiles back.
The screen fades to black. We then hear thunder, the sound of horse hooves beating furiously against the ground. We then see the feet of their hooves and the scene pans up to the rider, one Ganner Rylandar. He looks very serious, as he reins in his horse. And then he cracks a smile.
---THE END---
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