Sarda, Year of Severus, 15, I.R., the 24th day of Fall

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The road going home was slow and bumpy. Arterius sat anxiously on his seat as the carriage jerked and wobbled over the stony road. He had already drunk the last drop of medicine he had stored during the trip, but his foot was hurting worse.

His younger brother chose to leave on horseback rather than a carriage because he wanted the people to see the splendor of his triumphant return. Arterius found it stupid and unnecessary. The carriage was better because it protected him from the rain and the cold Autumn winds. Well, he wasn't as strong and powerful as his brother, so, a gust of wind might make him sick with colds.

It has been four days already since they left for Arteria. It was a lot slower compared to their trip going there. The long line of knights and slaves made it more difficult for them to travel faster. Even with them at the front of line, it still was a long and arduous journey, especially because they were in between the lines of his brother's army.

The slow and painful trip back home was nerve-wracking but at the same time euphoric, especially after the victory his brother had using the weapon he designed.

Arterius recalled how the battle went. After his brother grabbed the cannon, he immediately ran towards different directions dragging the knights keeping the ammunition with him. He saw a different kind of spark in his brother's eyes, a spark of terror.

His brother's exousia proved to be powerful than anyone else in the Principalia. This held true to his overwhelming victories against other magic users, but it definitely shined during the defense of the Northern towns.

His exousia was so great that the aetherite propellants got spent in just one firing. However, the damages it caused was more than Arterius could ever calculate.

As his brother fired the cannon, 3 ships directly on his way exploded and that didn't include the splashed damage the specialized cannon balls did to the surrounding ships in that area! His brother fired once more and that was more than enough for the invaders to change course.

The battle has been won before the Northern Invaders reached the shore. If it was Arterius, he should've called it a day. However, Veritus on the other hand, had other plans. Using the Arterian Navy led by Lord Commander Crovar, his brother strategized a barricade trapping the rest of the fleeing ships at the Northern Bay.

They captured the rest of the crew and slaughtered most of the crew who refused to surrender. The survivors were taken as slaves to be sold to the capital or to be part of his brother's growing army.

The wheel ran through a small bump in the road. Unfortunately, that bump was enough to rock the carriage and jerk Arterius' injured foot. He cursed as he tried to reposition his foot.

He tried his best to divert the discomfort by talking to Stolas who was busy scribbling the results of their cannon.

"Stolas," He said. "Do you think I could get a good word from my brother?" He grimaced at another bump the carriage hit along the road.

Stolas looked at him and held his hand, "Arterius, if we based it on the results we have, I hope he does. By the Gods, I hope so."

Arterius sighed and nodded. He knew at an early age that his brother was his greatest rival to the throne. Compared to him, Veritus had achieved a lot for the most of his part of the decade. He stopped insurgencies on the Vridian Region and established a new settlement at the mouth of the Great Dunes. His brother also has strong ties with most of the Senate heads compared to him, that was close to nothing in both achievements and influence.

He hated the fact that he had to rely on someone to showcase the marvel of his invention and loathe his father and the Senate for pushing him that far just to see him fail. The thought of it put a heavy toll on him the past few nights. He would sleep later in the evening even with the help of the anesthetic he's been drinking since his leg broke.

Arterius shuffled on his seat, trying to find the perfect comfortable spot for his leg and back. Alas, that was close to impossible. He wanted to come home as quickly as he can to investigate on his godfather's latest find, the aetherium.

After Eferail gave that letter to him from Lord Prestonheim, he was stoked to ride for the Crescent Isle and investigate it himself. But this situation he's in right now proved to be a bigger conundrum than his trip to that mystical isle.

His leg was pulsating in pain. Good thing, the medication finally took effect and made him drowsy. Finally, sleep came knocking at him! At last, he could take a nap and let time fade on the nothingness of his dreamless sleep.

Sometime later, Arterius was awoken by Stolas who cheerily shook him with excitement. The prince groggy jolted from his seat and rubbed his eyes.

"A-are we there yet?" Arterius asked.

"Arterius!" Stolas enthusiastically fixed his master's collar and hair. "Look lively now! We're nearing the crowds."

"C-crowds?!" Arterius attentively listened from his carriage the booming roar of the crowds. He quickly fixed himself and opened the window blinds of his carriage to meet the sea of faces.

There was an ocean of people squeezing against each other on the streets. As the drums boom and the trumpets honked, so did the crowd shouted and cheered drowning the music with their roars. Beautiful petals rained from the balconies and endless lines of people waved their flowers and threw it to the passing knights.

It was a euphoric experience. It was something he always dreamt about but never thought would come true. It was his first hero's welcome! Despite the fact that the cheers were all for his mighty brother, and despite knowing that the crowd had never batted an eye on his carriage, Arterius still took the cheers as his own.

He blew a breath of relief. For the first time, the long arduous journey back home became worthwhile for him. The pain from his leg numbed by the enthusiastic energy of the cheering crowd and the slow procession going to the Senate, became a beautiful scene of some stories he read when he was still a child. The heroes would parade themselves after every great victory and people would cheer and call out for their name! That was the closest one he could ever dream of a hero's welcome.

The long line of cheering people ended at the foot of the Senate Hill where every other citizen besides the Senators, Noble Houses and invited individuals were allowed to step foot.

As the carriage made its ascent to the hill, Arterius heart beat slowly then raced in anticipation for their grand welcome. The view of the overlooking Senate Hall was daunting to see, especially with the current situation he had with them.

They finally arrived at the luscious gardens of the Senate where they were greeted with cheers and claps from the Senate members and their father, the Imperatur.

Veritus along with Lord Commander Crovar were the ones who got down from their horses first and got a roaring cheer from the Senators and a hug from their father. Arterius cracked a smile on his face. He cannot contain the excitement he had! He wanted to tell his father the success of his invention. He wanted to tell him his design for the next cannon. He wanted to speak to him and see his father be proud of what he had accomplished, but unfortunately, that wasn't meant to happen.

After his father and the Senate greeted the celebrated son of Arteria, most of them including his father and his brother went inside the Senate hall leaving him devasted. His father wasn't there to greet him. The man he wanted to see his achievement.

Although heartbroken, Arterius, went out of the carriage withholding the tears in his eyes. He took a deep breath and limped his way inside the Senate hall where he was greeted by a few Senators who appreciated his work.

"Welcome back, Prince Arterius!" Senator Prestonheim smiled at him and patted his back. "You cameback alive and well and victorious at that!"

He faked a smile to the few Senators who waited for him at the hallway. "It is good to see you well too, Senator Prestonheim, Senator Crovar, Senator Oradineus, Senator Ifnem and Senator Arda!" He sighed.

"I understand that long face, Prince Arterius." Senator Arda patted his shoulder. "But a hero must start from the most humblest of beginnings. Sometimes, to the point of humiliation." The old man smiled at him.

Arterius found his words insensitive but the old man did have a point. "Thank you for your kind words, Senator Arda."

"My Prince, it's now time for you to make a statement to the rest of the Senate and to your father. Please, let's go inside!" Senator Crovar and the rest of the Senators bowed to him and walked with him to the Senate hall.

Arterius was devastated to see that his situation hadn't changed. His father was still unable to accept him but he's not sulking over it! He took a deep breath and entered the Senate Hall with head held up high.

Today's the day he claims his victory.