Ever since Robb received his new horse, Goldstrom, he had spent nearly all his time with it. From dawn till dusk, he groomed, trained, and rode back and forth between Lytherial and Lumindale. Never once did he tire of his beloved steed, much to Vuuxi's disbelief, who could only shake his head. Robb wasn't training for the upcoming battle—not directly. Instead, he was conditioning the horse to become faster, stronger, and more obedient.
Meanwhile, from a distance, Thaldrim and his troops watched Robb's every move. He stood tall atop a wooden tower overlooking the vast plains that stretched between Lumindale and Lytherial. His eyes were sharp, locked on the lone rider. Beside him, a sword-bearing man spoke cautiously.
"So, you believe he's unbeatable?" Thaldrim asked Reguya, an elite warrior from the Doliex tribe who had once faced Robb in combat.
Reguya let out a heavy sigh before answering. "I never even had a chance to gauge his skill, my Lord. His speed exceeded anything I've seen, and his swordplay rivals Aoki's. But his fighting style... it's unpredictable. It's not Doliex, but it's not any other style I know either."
Thaldrim narrowed his eyes. "Interesting..."
Suddenly, one of his guards approached with a sealed letter.
"My Lord, this is a letter from the Empire—sealed with the crest of Whiteheaven."
Thaldrim took the letter and broke the seal. The contents bore the imperial emblem, signatures from four ministers, and the mark of Empress Xienna herself. His eyes scanned the decree, and his brow arched slightly upon reading the order: the arrest of Rogg, accused of spreading false claims that he was the son of Brovos—brother of Emperor Brovon.
"An arrest order? Rogg claimed to be Brovos's son?" Thaldrim muttered, a blend of surprise and intrigue flashing across his face.
He turned swiftly to his men. "Prepare yourselves. We're heading to the Elder Hall of Covarthis."
Within the grand hall of Clan Covarthis, Thaldrim and his soldiers were welcomed by the elders. The room exuded a solemn majesty, with ancient carvings that echoed the clan's former glory.
Thaldrim fixed a piercing gaze on the elders before speaking. "Elders, I need to know one thing. Who exactly is Rogg, the son of Lady Zeeva?"
One of the elders nodded slowly before responding, "As you know, that is all we know. He is Lady Zeeva's son."
"And who is his father?" Thaldrim pressed further.
"We do not know. All we know, as you do, is that his sister, Brisena, is Emperor Brovon's daughter. As for Rogg and Robb, we have no confirmation of their father's identity. According to the lineage rites of Clan Aedrin, they are acknowledged as the four children of Zeeva: Rogg, Robb, Brisena, and Vuuxi."
Thaldrim paused for a moment. "Very well. Then I will arrest him immediately."
Another elder spoke up. "Perhaps the Minister should first discuss this with the elders of Aeternum Vale."
But Thaldrim waved his hand dismissively. "I have the authority to carry out arrests—even in Smokeland. Obeying the imperial decree is my top priority as the highest Doliex representative in the Whiteheaven Empire."
Without further delay, Thaldrim and his soldiers made their way to Rogg's residence.
In the wide, open hills of Lumindale, Rogg was splitting firewood, aided reluctantly by Elandra and Nyx—both clearly annoyed at being forced by Brisena to help their older brother.
Then came the sound of hooves approaching.
Brisena, Nyx, and Elandra quickly stood ready as Thaldrim and his men came into view.
Yet Rogg continued to split wood, unfazed by the arrival of Thaldrim and his armed company.
"Rogg," said Aoki Velary, Thaldrim's chief guard, "by decree of the Empire, we are here to bring you to the Imperial Court."
Brisena stepped forward. "You have no right to take my brother."
Nyx and Elandra flanked her, eyes sharp, stance ready for a fight.
Thaldrim looked at Brisena flatly. "You have no authority to defy or obstruct an imperial decree, Princess."
"Smokeland is under my regency as an imperial princess. You represent the Doliex at the imperial council, nothing more," Brisena snapped back.
Meanwhile, Rogg calmly surveyed the scene. "Tell me—what crime have I committed that warrants an arrest order?"
Thaldrim smirked. "You'll find out at the palace. For now, comply."
Aoki Velary chimed in mockingly, "Otherwise, your child and that beautiful wife of yours might get hurt."
Rogg's expression turned ice cold. The atmosphere thickened, as though the very air around them had frozen.
Suddenly, more hoofbeats thundered from the distance.
"Brother! Rogg!" a familiar voice called out.
From afar, Robb was galloping toward them. "Who are your guests, Brother? Mind if we interrupt for a moment?" His voice was bright, almost playful. He arrived flanked by Vuuxi and Veynor Lauxi.
Thaldrim glanced at the newcomers and instantly recognized Vuuxi and Veynor Lauxi—figures who were clearly not to be taken lightly. The decision to fight was no longer as simple as he had assumed.
With a cold tone, Thaldrim spoke, "Remember this, Rogg. You have three days. I will capture you and bring you to justice at the Whiteheaven court."
Without another word, he signaled his troops to withdraw.
As Thaldrim's forces receded into the distance, Brisena turned suspiciously toward Veynor Lauxi. "Master? Why are you here with Robb and Vuuxi?"
"I've got unfinished business with this troublesome brat," Veynor replied, pointing accusingly at Robb.
Robb chuckled. "Sis, lend me a wit coin, will you? This wrinkled old man's been following me around demanding compensation for his horse that's still stuck at Thalvion's gate because I haven't returned it."
Brisena sighed in disbelief. "What? You came all the way here just for that?"
Vuuxi laughed at the ridiculous exchange between Robb and Veynor Lauxi.
"Come now, everyone, let's eat first," said Yara with a warm smile.
With Brisena carrying little Rex in her arms, they all walked toward Rogg's home—simple, yet refined in its elegance.
Vuuxi turned to Rogg. "Brother, why did they leave so suddenly? What were they here for?"
"An imperial decree. The Empire has ordered my arrest," Rogg replied calmly.
Veynor Lauxi nodded. "They have no authority to arrest anyone from Smokeland without the consent of the elders at Aeternum Vale. But enough of that—for now, we eat and drink. You do have wine, right?"
Yara smiled. "Master Veynor, we've got plenty of wine for you. You can eat and drink to your heart's content."
Robb laughed. "So, old man, your horse's payment is now my sister-in-law's wine, huh?"
Veynor paused, then gave a satisfied nod. "For wine? Deal!"
Everyone burst into laughter, brushing off the tension that had just filled the air.
Later that evening, Elder Veynor Lauxi elaborated on the foundational structure between the Doliex tribe and the Empire.
"The Empire and the Doliex tribe are inseparable. We live as its founders and guardians. The Doliex are the watchmen of the Empire and protectors of the imperial throne. With blood from both the Illeum and Doliex lineages, we swore to be the force that safeguards the Empire. And with that oath comes an immutable authority: the Empire must never interfere with matters within Smokeland. It must honor it—including all Doliex affairs," Veynor explained.
"You have nothing to worry about, Brother. We will protect you with everything we have, because you've done nothing wrong," Vuuxi said firmly.
Rogg responded with a quiet strength, "It's precisely because I've done nothing wrong, Vuuxi, and because of a truth that may shake them—that's why we must stand firm. But there is nothing to fear."
"You've always been the calmest among us, Brother. We'll always stand with you," Brisena said with a smile.
"Even if I want to know, I think it's better I don't," Robb added, swirling the wine in his cup. "The deeper you know yourself, the deeper you get pulled into the pit of fate. Now come on, old man—once this is over, we've got a rematch."
"Indeed. We need to relive our epic duel from the other day," Veynor Lauxi replied, grinning.
Brisena, Nyx, and Elandra all looked stunned. They had never seen anyone match the brilliance and skill of Elder Veynor Lauxi. Perhaps Vuuxi could, but he had always refused to fight the old master out of deep respect.