III: The SilenceIn the years to come, Reoseans became what were essentially slaves in the kingdom of Warrenfall. The initial pure, golden-hearted creatures were now nothing but a replacement for horses, for being much more complacent and easier to manage in this age. The lively bonds they had were silenced. Where words and images and trust once blossomed, there was now nothing but a black, empty void, staring back at the bonded party. King Aster had secluded himself in his quarters, only leaving muttered orders through the thick, oaken doors, for he too felt the loss of his bonded.
As time went on the word of the silenced bonds spread across the verdant lands. Some people were outraged, organising protests in towns to raise awareness, to get this madness to stop. Others were glad- anything to be on the top of the food chain and not to have the looming presence of a superior species watching your every step. Judging. Despite the decree being vast and wide, it had been contained and centered within Warrenfall. Contact with the other continents had been limited, scoured, and controlled by presumably the King’s forces. It had been a big event, but it wasn’t until this time that the Kingdom of Roenden found the source of their lands weakening, of their winds changing. Their own king, King Semias, sent a letter to King Aster, demanding an explanation from both him and the Holy One on why the magic in the lands has dried up. Why creatures of magical origin were no longer showing. Why the world had changed. He was, predictably so, met with silence. King Semias took it up with Thedale’s council, led by Lord Yuxah. Their kingdoms weren’t as big as Warrenfall, but they were vast, and sound of mind- which King Aster seemed to lack. Lord Yuxah, as well as the other two Lords, Ozis and Noksic, were taken aback by the information that King Semias shared. Their lands, too, had suffered from the disappearance of creatures. From the oasi in the deserts shifting, and changing, as if they were perishing under the heat itself. The bond with the Reoseans was meant to nurture the magical nature of Reos. What had happened? Addressing another formal letter, the three Lords and King requested an audience with King Aster- which was granted. The moment they had stepped foot in the lands of Warrenfall, they could feel the dense, thicker air. The lack of magic. Even more so when they were, then, escorted to the palace by knights atop Reoseans- who’s lights in their eyes seemed to have dimmed. In their audience, they addressed the state of Warrenfall, of Roenden, of Thedale and their disapproval of the union that had been meant to unify and bolster their world- demanding whatever King Aster had done be reversed. They demanded the Holy One to answer for this. Enraged at her name, King Aster refused to see any more reason, and as the lords pushed further he had had enough. With a single sentence, he declared war on the other continents. -- Summary of Chapter 3 in the History of Reos scholarly book, written by Vinicius Floren |
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