Chapter 1: The rise of the Persyary Clan

       Standing on the cliff, Edward looked down. It was somewhat hazy. He thought maybe it was because of the heights. He has never been standing at such heights. He felt nervous. His fate was still undecided. He was supposed to be brought in front of the king today. 

  He couldn't sleep the other night thinking of how he would react to that. The guards caught him red-handed stealing foods from storage. Punishment was declared a day before the food was even stored that, if someone is caught red-handed while stealing food, that person will be punished severely.

  There was a technicality. It was not mentioned that to which extent, that person will be punished. So, Edward was hoping to be set free. 

  Edward was a 19-year-old boy. He hailed from the southern part of the kingdom. There was a tiny village in the South Valley. Edward grew up there. He was an orphan and had been adopted by his uncle. 

  They were farmers but very poor compared to the other farmers working around them. It was hard for Edward to accept his condition. He tried his best to eradicate poverty from his life but failed. 

  That day, he was so hungry that he risked his life just to have some food. He stole from the kings' storage. Which was a punishable crime. Though a king is supposed to feed his subjects. But not before he does everything according to his will. 

  After all types of recreation, there is in the world, the king used to give away a small amount of food or money to the poor which was just a formality and a skeleton of a former tradition started by the Persyary clan. 

  King Robert Persyary is the third son of his father Edmond Persyary. After the death of King Edmond, Robert and his other brother Tyskinson both wanted to be the heir of the vast empire established by the Persyary clan. 

  Tyskinson wasn't worthy enough to sit on the throne. Ministers and courtiers were in support of Robert. So, Tyskinson didn't oppose or demanded the throne. He left his rights to his brother. And the first-born child of King Edmond was a girl named Claudia, who was married to Lord Albert. 

  Lord Albert was the only son of Lord Richard, who was the governor of Eastskies. Lord Richard and King Edmond were good friends. As a result, they took a step to strengthen the bond. They tied the knot for Claudia and Albert. 

  Soon after the King died, Lord Richard came to the capital. Everyone thought he might mourn for the demise of his dear friend. Some progressive people thought, there was a chance he might claim the throne for his son. 

  But surprising everyone, he claimed the throne for himself. Robert and Tyskinson were not delighted to hear that. However, the claim was declined by the ministers.

  Prime minister Ceresto was in favor of Robert. He knew Robert has the calmness and composure to lead this great Kingdom to a better future. So, he gave his full support to Robert. 

  The kingdom Erastos was in the middle of all the kingdoms. Naturally, when Norton Persyary conquered the whole Southern and western parts of the kingdom, he chose Erastos as the Capital. Soon, it became the center of attraction for people around the world. 

  Lord Richard was a merchant. He came to Erastos in search of fortune. Soon after coming to Erastos, he grew so powerful, he became the face of the merchants of Erastos. 

  One day, King Edmond was inspecting local shops and Richard came stood in front of the king.

  - "Regards my king! 

  Edmond looked at him reluctantly and said, "What gives you the authority to stand in front of me in that way? You didn't feel the necessity to bow to your king!

  - "I am wholeheartedly sorry, my king! I wanted to protest the raise of taxes for the merchants. It's harmful for the economic situation of Erastos."

  - "Why do you say that?"

  - "Erastos has been the main source of attraction for many people for ages. Now that the taxes are high and Weltder are offering much lower taxes than Erastos. Merchants are bound to be drawn towards Weltder."

  That's how King Edmond and Lord Richard encountered for the first time. After that, their friendship only got deepened over the years. And he was appointed as the Governor of Eastskies. 

  Lord Richard made Eastskies in such a favorable position now that, Erastos had to rely on Eastskies largely. Mostly for crops or fish. As Eastskies is located on the banks of the river Kylliar. 

   When Lord Richard claimed the throne, nobody could deny it directly. But Robert had something else in his mind. He asked for the hand of Richard's youngest daughter Era. 

  On a Spring day, the marriage was successfully completed. After the marriage, Lord Richard was satisfied and left Erastos. 

  Tyskinson was given charge of taking over Weltder. As there was a rebellion going on. Tyskinson successfully took charge over there. Robert appointed him as the Governor. 

  Since then, Robert has been ruling peacefully. Until the famine occurred in the southern part of the Kingdom. Areas like Errind, Lukesville, Thomsonsville were suffering from famine. King Robert gave the job of handling it on the shoulder of Prime minister Ceresto. 

  Ceresto gave order to collect food from Eastskies. Foods collected from there was stored in the storage. Edward stole from there out of hunger. 

  Now Ceresto either can present him in front of the king for punishment and take charge for the lack of security or set Edward free. 

  Ceresto was in his room. War commander Eduardo came and said, "As per your order, the thief has been sent down to a cell." 

  Ceresto looked at the shining rings on his finger and said, "Bring him to me. I need to talk to that boy. And what about Lord Tyskinson? What's his move?

  Eduardo replied slowly, "We still couldn't gather enough information, my lord!"

  Ceresto sighed and said, "Bring the boy for now and increase security around the storage area. Don't start distributing till Tyskinson agrees to give up Errind."

  Eduardo nodded and left for Edward to present him to Ceresto.