Two years had passed since the alliance and marriage between Vann and Leila—
two years in which the Golden State transformed from a quiet land of trade
into a nation breathing politics, preparing for war.
Vann wasted no time.
In those two years, he:
Reorganized the army and opened training for new recruits.
Made agreements with mercenaries from the East and South.
Sent spies to the far edges of the seven kingdoms, seeking the first crack.
Yet, despite all progress,
the Golden State still lacked real military power.
At the end of the second year,
Vann stood before a map of the continent in the war room,
with Seth, Kaiden, and Leila at his side.
Seth pointed westward and said:
> "The closest target… the Land of Peace."
A small state on Gold's western border,
ruled by a young woman named Niren,
renowned for her wisdom and desire for peace.
Vann asked:
> "Their army numbers no more than ten thousand... and they have no true allies.
But do we attack a land that never threatened us?"
Seth answered coldly:
> "We don't attack… we annex.
And if you don't act first, someone else will."
---
At dawn the next day,
black and gold banners rose on the walls of the Golden City.
Vann's army was composed of:
3,000 trained native soldiers.
500 mercenaries from the Forin Mountains and Astil Valleys.
A special unit of 100 heavy cavalry led by Kaiden.
Leila, watching her husband prepare to leave, warned:
> "Remember... we haven't won the people's hearts yet.
Don't let blood be the first language of your reign."
Vann tightened his armor and replied:
> "I'll earn their loyalty—with justice... or fear, if I must."
---
After five days of marching,
the army reached the border of the Land of Peace.
But a surprise awaited them.
Across a hill, Niren's small army was arrayed.
She did not hide behind walls—she came out herself, dressed in white,
bearing no sword, only a small crown of wildflowers atop her head.
She stepped forward alone and shouted:
> "Vann Raigor... if you want war, come.
But remember—those who start it don't always control how it ends."
The soldiers hesitated.
Vann glanced at Kaiden, then at Seth.
Kaiden said:
> "Easy as a sword strike."
Seth added:
> "But the easy path can be a political trap."
Vann said:
> "I want to see her... face to face."
He ordered a message sent, requesting a direct meeting between the two rulers before a single drop of blood was shed.
---
Thus ended the first day of Vann's first military move—
not with swords drawn, but with wary looks exchanged from afar,
between a prince risen from exile...
and a queen who forged peace with bare hands.