Chapter 213: Trapped in a Cage (1/2)

Throughout the weeks since Arethas' visit, he traveled across the Meditteranean and got back to Constantinople. At a certain point, the man was struck in the Adriatic sea due to an ongoing storm and thus had just now made his way back with the first arms shipment.

At the moment, Arethas was once more in the Palace of Constantinople, informing Emperor Vetranis about his exploits. The two had gathered in the courtyard outside the palace's walls, where they walked around the beautiful gardens throughout the area.

Unbeknownst to the two individuals, Princess Honoria was nearby playing with her pet falcon. She was trapped inside the palace from a young age, like a bird in its cage. Her only companion throughout this time was her pet falcon, who she had named Heraclius after the great Emperor. At the moment, she was stroking the feathers on the majestic bird's head while the creature perched on her forearm.

A gorgeous smile spread across the young beauty's face as she played with her pet; she began to compliment the bird.

”Oh Heraclius, you have been such a good friend to me all these years. Despite this, our time together grows ever closer to an unjust end. For I fear I will not be able to bring you with me to France where I will be sold off to the Crown Prince as if I were mere cattle. Only you care enough to listen to my complaints...”

The bird was by no means stupid; it could tell the pretty girl that was his master was deeply troubled about something important; as such, it nuzzled its head into her own in an attempt to comfort her.

While Honoria was playing with her falcon, she overheard a conversation being held nearby; with nothing else going on she decided to eavesdrop out of curiosity. After all, any topic her father and one of his greatest generals were discussing would surely stem her overwhelming boredom.

The Emperor Vetranis was smiling as he asked Arethas the question he had been longing to hear.

”So tell me, good Arethas, have you procured the weapons from the West?”

With an excited smile, Arethas nodded his head and confidently proclaimed his success.

”I had managed to do so, though they are not the same weapons that Berengar's forces were equipped with when they crushed the Bavarian invaders. They are still far more advanced than anything else that exists in the known world!”

The Emperor smiled as he nodded with approval before addressing the issue at hand.

”Good! I will set some men to task with reverse-engineering these mighty weapons. However, that may take some time to accomplish, so until then, I want you to procure as many of these Arkebuses as you possibly can get your hands on. The war in Egypt depends on it!”

Arethas quickly bowed his head in respect and responded to the Emperor's request.

”I will do so at the first opportunity!”

Honoria, who was listening nearby, began to pout, she initially thought this conversation would be interesting, but it was just a discussion about a mere arms trade. How impressive could these weapons be? As she was about to get up from her seat and walk away, she heard the topic shift to something more interesting.

The Emperor scratched his beard before asking the question on his mind.

”Tell me the truth Arethas, is what they say about Count Berengar true? Is he the true power behind the Duchy of Austria?”

Arethas sighed heavily before expressing his opinion on the matter.

”Without a doubt, despite only being twenty-one this year, Berengar has risen from the position of a lowly Baron's son to the power behind the Ducal Throne of Austria. The current Duke is nothing more than a young boy whose entire existence can be described as a puppet of Berengar. From the last conversation I had with Berengar, I get the feeling he intends to usurp the position shortly and establish himself as the Duke of Austria.”