The Stripped Crown of Varan
The throne hall of Kaelmoor shimmered with gold-lit torches, but the air felt ice-cold.
Palace guards lined the marble path, their armor polished and rigid, their faces locked in solemn tension.
At the end of the hall, upon the elevated throne of carved obsidian, sat King Toran Kaelmoor, his jaw hard, his eyes burning with controlled fury.
In the center of the room, hands bound with enchanted chains, knelt Varan Malden—the disgraced Royal Economic Minister. The once-proud noble who strutted through the court like a peacock now trembled under the weight of his crimes being revealed.
Voltaro stood to the king’s right, cloak fluttering with each step he shifted, his presence radiating authority even in a foreign throne room. Raven, Selena, and Eran waited behind him, silent shadows backing their leader.
King Toran rose slowly.
“Varan Malden,” he said, voice echoing across the hall, “you were one of my earliest advisors. A man I trusted. A man I believed loyal. Today, you stand accused of conspiracy, black magic involvement, attempted manipulation of the throne, and orchestrating the brutal annihilation of Krogar’s tribe. ”
Gasps rippled through the nobles who dared attend the hearing.
Varan swallowed hard, but his arrogance still flickered like a dying flame.
“Your Majesty,” Varan said with forced calm, “I acted only to preserve the kingdom from a future orc uprising. They were monsters—uncivilized, dangerous. I simply… took precautions.”
Voltaro’s fist tightened.
Selena whispered under her breath, “Lies. Every word.”
King Toran leaned forward.
“Precautions? You massacred an entire tribe. You hired assassins. You cursed their land. You framed my kingdom as the enemy to provoke war!”
Varan scoffed.
“It was just… the orc tribe. A few green-skinned barbarians. Their deaths kept Kaelmoor safe.”
Voltaro stepped forward, eyes burning with rage.
“You call children barbarians? You call burning their homes a precaution? You dared destroy lives just so your trade routes and relic hunts would go unchallenged?”
Varan’s mask of confidence shattered.
“How could you understand? You are not even from this kingdom! You have no right to—”
Voltaro cut him off.
“I have every right. Because those orcs are under my protection now, and as long as I live, no one will harm them again.”
A heavy silence fell.
King Toran’s voice turned dark as thunder.
“Varan Malden, the crimes you confess are beyond treason. You not only betrayed me—you brought shame upon Kaelmoor. You fed conspiracies, killed innocents, and nearly plunged this kingdom into chaos.”
Varan’s breath faltered.
“Y-Your Majesty… have mercy…”
The king’s expression hardened like forged steel.
“I showed you mercy the day I trusted you. And you spat on it.”
Toran lifted his hand.
“From this day onward, you are stripped of all authority, titles, and rights. You are no longer a noble. You are no longer Kaelmoor’s citizen.”
Varan collapsed, trembling.
“No—please—Your Majesty—!”
“Remove him from the kingdom,” King Toran ordered. “Cast him beyond the borders by sunrise. Let him live the rest of his life as a nameless exile.”
Royal Guards stepped forward.
Varan screamed as they lifted him.
“King Toran! Voltaro! You don’t know what’s coming! The relic—there are greater enemies—there are—!”
Voltaro’s eyes narrowed.
“You should have thought about that earlier.”
Varan was dragged out, his screams echoing until the massive hall doors slammed shut.
Silence lingered.
Then King Toran sank slowly back to his throne, exhaustion and sorrow weighing on his shoulders.
“For years,” the king murmured, “he worked beside me. I never sensed the darkness he hid. This burden… will haunt my reign.”
Voltaro bowed respectfully.
“You chose justice, Your Majesty. Few kings have that courage.”
Toran managed a faint smile.
“And few men speak such truth without fear. Voltaro of Ashenveli… I owe you a debt no crown can measure.”
He straightened, regaining his regal posture.
“Varan’s seat is empty. The kingdom needs a new economic head—someone with fairness, strength, and an unshakeable sense of justice.”
He looked directly at Voltaro.
“Will you take his place?”
Voltaro’s eyebrow twitched in surprise.
Raven blinked.
Selena stopped breathing for a moment.
Eran stared like he’d misheard.
Voltaro slowly shook his head.
“Your Majesty… I cannot. I already have a land. Ashenveli depends on me. My people need me. My work there is only beginning.”
Toran nodded slowly, not offended—only respectful.
“I expected such an answer. Then tell me, Voltaro—what do you desire? For your service, I shall grant you anything within my power.”
Voltaro stepped closer to the throne, speaking clearly so the entire hall heard.
“I need hunters.”
The court murmured in confusion.
Voltaro continued:
“My land is growing. New people arrive. Orcs, villagers, miners, children. Food is essential. I want skilled hunters from Kaelmoor—not soldiers, not nobles—ordinary folks who know the forests, who can track and gather food. I need them to work freely with my people.”
“And…?” the king asked gently.
Voltaro’s voice deepened.
“And I want to secure a lifelong trade pact between Ashenveli and Kaelmoor. Tools, food supplies, ores, herbs. A partnership built on respect, not fear.”
The king leaned back, thoughtful.
Selena stepped forward, whispering softly:
“My king… what he asks will benefit both sides. Ashenveli can become Kaelmoor’s most trusted trade partner.”
The king nodded solemnly.
“Voltaro, what you seek is simple compared to what you have done. You do not ask for gold or land or titles… only cooperation.”
Voltaro gave a small smile.
“That is enough.”
King Toran stood.
“Then I grant your request.”
The court erupted with whispers.
The king raised his palm for silence.
“From this day forth, the Kingdom of Kaelmoor and the Territory of Ashenveli shall stand as trade-bound allies. We will send hunters to support your people, and your mined resources will support our kingdom. This alliance shall endure for generations.”
Voltaro bowed deeply.
“You honor Ashenveli, Your Majesty.”
Toran stepped forward and placed a hand on Voltaro’s shoulder.
“No. You honor Kaelmoor with your presence.”
Raven grinned proudly.
Selena exhaled in relief, eyes soft with admiration.
Eran straightened his posture, proud to stand behind their lord.
King Toran smiled wider.
“Stay in Kaelmoor a few more days, Voltaro. The court will draft the agreements. Take your time, rest your people, explore the kingdom without secrecy.”
Voltaro nodded.
“I will. And once the contract is sealed, Ashenveli will begin its preparations.”
As the royal hall lights glittered across the marble, the alliance between Ashenveli and Kaelmoor officially took root—a bond forged not in blood, but in justice and trust.
And somewhere outside the palace walls, Varan Malden was dragged toward exile, cursing the day he crossed paths with Voltaro.
Too be continue...