EP 2- The Hidden Hand
None of them knew it yet, but the first crack had already begun.
It was not a small crack. It was wide, splitting through homes, markets, and streets. People woke one morning to silence where laughter had once lived. Trade routes were blocked. Merchants no longer crossed rivers to deliver cloth, wine, or grain.
Children's laughter vanished from the fields. Even the smallest games at the borders were forbidden. Orders had come from the highest thrones: no one was to speak, trade, or play with the people of the other kingdom.
The damage was immediate. Farmers could not sell their harvest, craftsmen had no buyers for their goods, and the unemployed crowded the streets with frustration and fear. The ripple of this sudden isolation reached every corner, from the smallest villages to the grandest palaces. For the people of Corvallis and Elarion, a world that had once felt open and alive suddenly seemed tight, controlled, and cold.
King Seramin of Serelith, who had long watched the neighboring kingdoms with envy.
King Seramin was the ruler of the kingdom of Serelith. Though his land was rich, the kingdoms of Corvallis and Elarion were even wealthier. Because the cost of living in his own kingdom had risen, many of his people had started moving to Corvallis and Elarion.
This angered Seramin. He began to look with envy on the two kingdoms. Over time, as more of his subjects chose the neighboring lands for a better life, he grew increasingly frustrated. He could not tolerate the friendship between Corvallis and Elarion, because it allowed his people to leave Serelith and settle elsewhere.
Seramin could not bear it. He saw the friendship between Corvallis and Elarion as the root of all his worries. Their unity, their bond, their shared victories allowed his people to dream of life beyond his rule. And that, he decided, could not continue.
He began to watch them closely, searching for the smallest sign of weakness. Months of study and observation followed. He studied the kings, the heirs, and the court whispers. Slowly, a pattern emerged. A single clue, almost invisible to others, revealed the one thing that could break the two kingdoms apart: their reliance on each other, their trust, and their shared pride.
It was enough.
King Seramin acted with patience and precision, almost as if he were playing a game, while the stakes were centuries of friendship and thousands of lives. Every letter sent, every rumor whispered, every subtle suggestion was aimed at one goal: to seed doubt, to turn loyalty into suspicion, and to make the two brothers question the bond their fathers had fought to protect.
The plan was not sudden. It was careful, like the slow spreading of shadow over the land. And though no one saw it yet, the first steps of betrayal had begun. Corvallis and Elarion, kingdoms built on trust, would soon feel the weight of a force that had been waiting for years to test their limits.
Seramin's smile never faltered. He knew it would take years to fill the rift completely. He also knew that by the time the kingdoms realized the truth, it would be too late to repair what had been broken.
Then, a clue came to him. A small, subtle detail that most would have missed, but to Seramin it was like a key in his hands.
He realized something strange though Corvallis and Elarion were so close, their lords seemed completely different, each ruling with their own style, almost as if they were two separate worlds. And yet, their friendship remained unshakable.
Seramin understood what this meant. No matter what he tried, the kings would never compromise on each other's honor. That steadfast loyalty, that unyielding bond, was the perfect leverage he needed.
He decided to act.
One day, King Seramin sent word to both kingdoms that he would be visiting. A formal message, polite but commanding, reached the courts of Elarion and Corvallis. The announcement set the wheels in motion. Both kingdoms began preparations for the royal visit.
Seramin first arrived in the Kingdom of Elarion. King Tharion welcomed him warmly, with all the courtesy and grandeur befitting a guest of honor. He showed Seramin the city, the bustling markets, the clean streets, the rich harvests.
Everything was perfect, orderly, and impressive. Seramin noticed the beauty, the organization, and the prosperity, yet he hid any admiration behind a calm face. Inside, he was calculating, observing every detail, storing it for the plan he had in mind.
After touring Elarion, Tharion said with a friendly smile, "Come, let us visit your dear friend in Corvallis. I am sure King Malverin would be eager to welcome you."
Seramin nodded, a careful smile on his lips. In his mind, he thought, This friendship will not last long. Now is the time to play my part.
The two kings set off together toward Corvallis. As they approached, the gardens and gates were adorned with flowers, and a sense of grandeur marked the path. They were received with music, cheers, and the proud presence of King Malverin and his army.
Seramin and Malverin clasped hands in greeting, exchanging smiles of friendship and respect. Malverin welcomed them into the palace, and the three kings sat together, talking and laughing as if the world outside did not exist. Tales of each kingdom were shared, jokes were exchanged, and for a moment, all seemed perfectly harmonious.
But beneath the polite laughter and cordial conversations, Seramin's mind worked tirelessly. Every word, every gesture, every detail was being noted. He already knew how he would use this day, this meeting, to plant the first seeds of doubt. And the game he was about to play would eventually change everything the kingdoms had built together.
The three kings were sitting together, eating and talking. Only they were in the room. No one else. Seramin used this to his advantage. As they spoke, he casually told the two kings, "Your kingdoms are very beautiful. I am glad to be here. Your friendship is very good and strong. It is clear that it is now permanent."
King Tharion held King Malverin's hand and said, "Our friendship cannot be broken. We will keep this friendship forever, generation after generation. Even our children are friends just like us."
Seramin said, "That is wonderful. It is great that your friendship is passed to the next generation. I'm really happy that your child also believes in friendship just like you do… they will grow up and follow in your footsteps. That's wonderful.
Tharion said, "Just like I said… they won't let anything come between their friendship."
"Yes, yes… the stronger the friendship, the fiercer the enemies it draws, Seramin said"
Malverin said, "And just as strong is our army, ready for anything.
Actually, I heard that both of your Lord are different… Well, it doesn't really matter that your Lord is different, but…"
Tharion cut him off mid-sentence and said, "But, but what?"
Seramin continues, that in this friendship, no one should interfere, right? Not even the lords. then let me ask you a question. I have heard a lot about your lords. What will happen if your lord does not like your friendship?"
King Malverin asked, "Why are you asking this now?"
Seramin replied casually, "Just a normal question. Nothing serious. Since the topic has just come up, then let's talk about this"
King Malverin said, "Listen seramin, being honest, Our friendship will never break.
Seramin said "I know, man, but what if the Lord doesn't like your friendship?
Then what…its Just a question, don't take it too seriously… We're friends, after all.
Malverin said, "Hey, don't ask questions like that. We've been such close friends, we'd never even think that way about each other. So why would you?"
Seramin replied, "I know… I've heard a lot about your Lord, but I'm still a little unsure how great any Lord really is. That's why I asked. If you'd rather not say, it's completely fine."
Hearing this, Malverin said to him, "Alright, since it's like that, I'll tell you one thing."
that if a lord does not like our friendship, I may have to take one step, because I bow before the lord. My lord is great."
King Tharion and King Malverin looked at each other. Tharion felt a little disappointed.
He said, "Just as your lord is great, mine is great too. And do you even think that our lords would not appreciate our friendship?"
Malverin remained quiet.
Seramin continued, "Tharion, he said that if his lord does not like the friendship, he would take one step back.
I have heard a lot about his Lord.
Lord Corvellen
Tharion did not like Seramin saying this. He said, "Have you heard about Lord Ellora? You are speaking casually. This is not right. This is disrespectful."
Seramin replied, "No, that is not what I meant."
Malverin cut in and said, "Tharion, I do not like what you just said. You should not have said it to me."
Tharion could not tolerate this anymore. No matter what, whenever the conversation turned to the lords, he refused to compromise. Tharion asked Malverin, "You said your lord is great… Does that mean only your lord is great? Is my lord not great?"
Malverin did not say anything.
Tharion said, "I am simply telling everything silently, so now I will say it out loud. My lord is great too, and he is even stronger than your lord."
Hearing this, Malverin got angry and said, "My lord is very powerful and great too."
Seramin silently enjoyed the tension between the two kings. Finally, he broke the silence and said, "Enough. Both your lords are equal. Please do not argue about this."
Malverin said, "No, you are right. That is why today this matter has come up, but it is okay."
I get it now that Tharion felt that his lord was greater than my lord. But that was not true. My lord is greater than his lord.
Seramin said, "Both your lords are equal. Please do not fight about it."
Tharion said with a disgusted face, "Do you even know that our lords are equal?"
Seramin said, "Do you want to know how much power each lord has? Come with me. I will take you to a sage who will tell you everything."
"If we really have to put an end to this topic, then I'll come with you to the sage," Malverin said
Both kings stood and went with Seramin to meet the sage.
The two kings marched with their armies through the dark forest. The air was thick and foul. In the middle of the woods stood a giant tree, and under its shade sat a sage in deep meditation. The three kings stopped before him, unsure if fate had brought them a guide or a test.
"There was a long silence.The whole army stood, watching the sage in silence."
And in that breathless pause, the forest seemed to listen too."
"Then let us witness… whose end is already written in the opening of the sage's eyes."