Tyranny of Steel

Throughout the weeks since Arethas ’ visit, he traveled across the Meditteranean and got back to Constantinople. At a certain point, the man was struck in the Adriatic sea due to an ongoing storm and thus had just now made his way back with the first arms shipment.

At the moment, Arethas was once more in the Palace of Constantinople, informing Emperor Vetranis about his exploits. The two had gathered in the courtyard outside the palace ’s walls, where they walked around the beautiful gardens throughout the area.

Unbeknownst to the two individuals, Princess Honoria was nearby playing with her pet falcon. She was trapped inside the palace from a young age, like a bird in its cage. Her only companion throughout this time was her pet falcon, who she had named Heraclius after the great Emperor. At the moment, she was stroking the feathers on the majestic bird ’s head while the creature perched on her forearm.

A gorgeous smile spread across the young beauty ’s face as she played with her pet; she began to compliment the bird.

”Oh Heraclius, you have been such a good friend to me all these years. Despite this, our time together grows ever closer to an unjust end. For I fear I will not be able to bring you with me to France where I will be sold off to the Crown Prince as if I were mere cattle. Only you care enough to listen to my complaints… ”

The bird was by no means stupid; it could tell the pretty girl that was his master was deeply troubled about something important; as such, it nuzzled its head into her own in an attempt to comfort her.

While Honoria was playing with her falcon, she overheard a conversation being held nearby; with nothing else going on she decided to eavesdrop out of curiosity. After all, any topic her father and one of his greatest generals were discussing would surely stem her overwhelming boredom.