[b]February 3rd, 477 AFK (After the First King)[/b]
	The doors to the throne room open, a gust of wind passes through. A man wearing the royal armor of the Cassell family enters.

	“My king, I bring news.”

	“What is it, old friend? You know you can say my name, don’t you?”

	“Yes, but it sets a poor example among the royal staff, Zeal.”

	“Ah, but who cares about formalities like that when we have holes in our walls.” Zealossus points to a hole in the wall caused by a bombard. “Indeed, castles are no longer the impenetrable fortresses of the ancient times, are they?”

	“As you say, Zeal, but we can speak of random oddities later. I bear a missive from our Yllendyr Emissarial Office. It says that civil war has broken out on the Yllendyr mainland.”

	Zealossus looks to his friend with a questioning eye. Then he looks to the wall, and back to his friend. “Is that so, Aideric?”

	“It is. The Emperor passed away, the Crown Prince and the fourth prince are dead. We have been asked by both Prince Ecruir and Prince Olarth to join them in their war to reclaim the crown. They both also claim that they are the true Emperor…”

	Zealossus looks to the floor, his eyes frown, thinking. He stands up, maintaining that frown. “We will support Ecruir.”

	Puzzled, Aideric asks, “How did you come to a conclusion so fast?”

	Zealossus approaches his old time friend and looks him in the eyes, a fire stirring within them. “It is not my place to decide who is Emperor of those damnable Dark Elves. I simply did a coin toss in my head. Both princes are equally likely to reward us with more technology, both are equally likely to favor us over others should they appear victorious, and both should be equally vulnerable to stab in the back in the future.” He grins the wild grin of a man who has landed on the opportunity of a lifetime. “This is a crux in history, Aideric,” he continues, walking past him. “We are no strangers to war, nor are we strangers to what happens when there is a vacuum of power. Not only will nations rise up in this time of conflict to curry favor or to gain independence, but they will try their best to go above and beyond, to reach the world stage…” 

	He pauses a moment and turns to see the expression on his friends face, one of excitement and delight. “Heh, summon the faction leaders, Aideric, it is time we discuss the future of Endaria.” 

	“As you wish sir!” He salutes, putting his arm horizontal to his chest with his hand shaped in a fist. He then rushes to perform his royal task. 

	Alone in his ruined castle hall, Zealossus returns to his stone cold throne to sit. “I fear that the world has forgotten what it means to be at war” he murmurs to himself. “Let us see how our opponents fare when the battle hardened people of Endaria take the stage."