tCAoTS v.0.5

36 Chapters + Appendix: Dramatis Personae + Appendix: Scholarly Notes

I.Prologue:
We learn the names of many of the characters; Mireos, Sud, Leon, Fabius, Leopolde, Victor and Thoran, sons of Troy Lionheart, and Valkira, Sonia, Anastasia, Leona and Ostia, daughters of the emperor, and which lands they govern. Troy Lionheart dies aged 62. His captain of the guard, Sir Londeral, suspects poisoning but dies of fever few days later. His son, Londeral the Younger swears loyalty to Mireos, who marries his youngest daughter, Missana, to Londeral. Sonia and Anastasia plot to usurp power for themselves while Leon prepares to defend his land from ambitious siblings, and appoints scheming count Pistus as advisor to the throne; the man marries Cecilia, Leon's third child and only daughter. Victor hires Ranoz, a well-known assasin, to kill Leopolde, Fabius and Valkira. He succeeds in killing Leopolde but when trying to ambush traveling Valkira, she is saved by trio of wandering mercenaries; Ganeth, Graph and Nostan, who overpower and kill Ranoz. In gratitude, she knights them and appoints them military commanders.

II.The Sky Turns Crimson
Duke Mireos rebels against Leon Lionheart and forms an alliance with his siblings Thoran, Valkira and Ostia. Victor and Leona stand at Leon's side while Sud, Sonia, Anastasia and Fabius are still undecided. Pistus tells Leon that fighting, on its own, might not be enough to secure his bid to the throne and asks for more power; Leon carelessly tells him 'I allow you to use anything to help me', which allow Pistus to perform his schemes, leading to numerous tragedies in the book. Thoran Lionheart appoints young Astra Jorinn as his courier and aide.

III.First Blood
The chapter begins with a battle between forces of Thoran and Leona; Leona's husband and commander of her cavalry, Duran, dies, but so does Thoran moments later, saving Leona from defeat. Astra Jorinn is taken prisoner and then shipped to Leon Lionheart, who in turn gives her to Sir Assolth; whilst married, Assolth falls for the beauty of the young girl and appoints her as one of his knights. Sonia meets with Baroness Zarunock and the two plot to assasinate Leon on his incoming visit to Sonia's estate to gain her support; but soon after they're served desserts, they suddenly convulse, asphyxiate and die. In the capital city, Advisor Pistus throws a lavish feast, saying 'I'm in a great mood today!' when asked for the reason behind the celebration.

IV.Savior Maid
In the meanwhile, Anastasia visits Sud for talks but she gains nothing. She then visits Fabius for talks as well, but the two end in bed together; it is revealed they have incestous relationship. After Anastasia returns to her castle, she is greeted by Sir Estomach, who tells her about death of Sonia. Anastasia mourns her sister's death and ponders joining Leon's camp. Next day is Anastasia's birthday so her favorite vegetable soup with expensive spices is made; but Amelia, her maid, whilst carrying the tray to her mistress' quarters, notices that the color of the soup is different. She intentionally spills it, even if she has to endure Anastasia's fury afterwards.

V.Bloodletting
Valkira and Ostia clash with forces of Leon and Victor; in the battle, Victor is greviously wounded while Valkira is captured after most of her guard, including Sir Graph, is killed; when Leon promised to leave her lands intact and to spare her children, Valkira swears loyalty to him. Londeral the Younger catches wind of numerous assasinations that took place recently and swears an oath with Sir Herbert, commander of Cavalry, and Sir Piarin, commander of Bowmen, agreeing to dedicate a percentage of their troops to form personal guard of Mireos.

VI.The Knife in the Dark
Valkira's eldest daughter, Eleonora, is found dead in her chambers with knife in her back. The search for the assasin sends Sir Ganeth to the neighbouring Plumma, there he meets with old friends: Sir Sharin, commander of the city garrison, and his wife, skilled enchantress Xomora. But in the night of Ganeth's arrival, Sir Sharin is assasinated, in the same way as Eleonora. Xomora uses her magic to trace the assassin who is already moving to Leona's duchy, and transports Sir Ganeth to Leona's castle. Ganeth spends few days there and during third night of his stay, he manages to capture and kill the assassin; everyone is in shock when it turns to be Jacob, Valkira's own son and second child. A letter with promise of Valkira's land is found at his body, signed by Sir Piarin, one of Mireos' commanders. Sir Ganeth then returns to his lady with bitter news.

VII.Summer Storm
In the unusually hot and dry summer of Year 39, Leon fields his armies against Mireos and Sud, the latter finally deciding to ally with the former. Sud leaves the combat preparations to his loyal commander, Sir Landmark. Landmark's tactics prove successful one time after another, but just before the most important battle, he is killed by a spearman during a small ambush. The detached forces under Landmark fall into disarray and try to return to main Sud army, but they're attacked and destroyed by armies of Victor who arrives to reinforce Leon's. Cesta, Sir Landmark's widow, is captured and falls into hands of some unscrupulous soldiers of Victor who make Cesta their personal plaything.

VIII.Aftermath
Sud 'surrenders' his armies to Mireos and retreats to a monastery; meanwhile, Advisor Pistus convenes with Fabius, the only neutral sibling till now, trying to persuade him to join Leon's alliance. When Fabius repeatedly rejects any and every offer of Pistus, the advisor begins plans for his assasination. Sir Londeral, whilst carrying out a scouting mission, finds a wounded lady, dressed in rags, sleeping in some bushes, and decides to bring her back and nurses her to health. It is Cesta, Landmark's widow who managed to escape her opressors. After she gets better, she falls for Londeral. Despite being married to Missana, Mireos' youngest daughter, Londeral cannot resist Cesta's beauty and they make love in his tent.

IX.Ladies of the Crown
Astra Jorinn forms a small bodyguard unit of elite, female soldiers that vow to protect Sir Assolth and Leon Lionheart; the three most promiment of the unit are Sesina Yond and twin sisters Adalia and Bicca Lynxis. In total, there's fifteen girls training under Sir Assolth, chief-of-staff, and Sir Dakkon, his second-in-command. After a while, Bicca is assaulted by Assolth who is in love in her, but the young girl is not even slightly interested in the lecherous, 55 years old man, and stabs him with a knife, and he bleeds out. She is charged with murder, but in unfortunate turn of events, her sister Adalia is hanged in the same time as Bicca because the soldiers mistook the twins. In the meanwhile, Astra finds out the truth from Sesina and rushes to inform Leon but it is too late to save the sisters. Bicca is forgiven and both siblings are buried with honors, while Sir Dakkon takes over as Leon's chief-of-staff.

X.Fall of the Siblings
Fabius joins Mireos' alliance and together with Leona, they march against combined armies of Victor, Ostia and Anastasia right after midsummer festival of Year 40. The battle is bloody and siblings Leona and Ostia fall early in the battle. Thanks to the efforts of Sir Dauphan, Fabius bow knights' commander, the smaller army is able to stand against Victor's massive forces. The battle rages on till late afternoon, when Dauphan's horse is struck down. Dauphan launches the last of his black-feathered arrows but it flies into the sky and Dauphan curses his bow in his last words, before dying. After the death of the commander, the battle takes a turn for the worse for Fabius.

XI.Fall of the Siblings, pt.2
Victor convenes with Anastasia upon a hill before suddenly collapsing; a stray, black-feathered arrow has struck him in the right eye and killed him instantly. Fabius has, by now, much smaller army but Anastasia isn't much of a commander; both agree on cease-fire and two armies retreat. Meanwhile, Sud's monastery is attacked by small unit of soldiers, led by Astra Jorinn and her ladies. Astra captures Sud but her second-in-command, Sesina Yond, is killed in combat. Sud is delivered to the capital, where he surrenders to Leon Lionheart. Astra's unit is reinforced by Theta Dakkon, current chief-of-staff's daughter and only child.

XII.Embers of Rebellion
In the late Year 40, some southern counties and duchies rebel against Leon. However, their armies are easily defeated when the forces of Baroness Pluma, which were supposed to protect the rear, turn sides and attack the rebels along with some of Leon's cavalry. Pluma is granted one-third of rebel lands, greatly expanding her wealth and power.

XIII.Clash of the Underlings
Several of young officers are all vying for Mireos' favor; some even go as far as to stage fake accidents during which they can 'save' Mireos. Unfortunately during one of these acts, Sir Estomach, officer of Anastasia, ambushes and kills most of the officers and captures Mireos. Sir Herbert arrives at the scene and kills Sir Estomach, but during the duel he received severe wounds and bleeds to death in the arms of his lord.

XIV.Affairs of the Maidens
Sir Londeral the Younger mourns the death of his wife Missana who died of a fever on the new year's eve, and Cesta comforts him in the night. In the morning, he promises to marry her, and Cesta reveals that she believes she is pregnant with his child, much to Londeral's joy. In the meanwhile, Anastasia notices that she herself is pregnant and fears that it might be the child of Fabius, who is currently allied with Mireos. She convenes with her three most trusted maids, who swear to never divulge the secret and who urge their lady to treat the child as if it was her husband's, Lord Tymus.

XV.Battle of Hox
In early Year 41, armies of Valkira meet with forces of Fabius and recently rebelled Count Adrakchus; they clash near a small village of Hox. In the battle, Count Adrakchus dies, and so does Istan, Fabius' eldest son and one of his commanders. During a daring assault, Valkira's tent is approached by few of Fabius' soldiers. They're killed, but Sir Nostan dies from received wounds while Sir Ganeth loses his left eye. A young squire, named Dafis, personally slays eight assailants, and he is knighted by Valkira for his bravery. Fabius gathers his remaining forces and flees. Valkira does not pursue due to the heavy losses her army received during the battle.

XVI.Death Magic
Three packages arrive at Advisor Pistus' office; they contain small metallic boxes which Pistus carefully re-packages and sends with three different agents to three different places. One of the agents carrying the package, travels to Mireos but drowns during a storm that sinks the ship he was on; the second package arrives at court of Fabius, who opens the package. A dark mist explodes from the box, and almost instantly kills Fabius, his current wife, his three children and most of the court members who were in his throne room at that time. The third arrives at Sir Londeral's house; but because he is on a hunt with Mireos, it's Cesta that accepts the package and brings it to Londeral's bedroom. She intends to wait until his arrival, but, part-curious and part-worried, she opens the package and lifts the lid of the box inside. The toxic mist, the same kind that killed Fabius, fills the bedroom and Cesta collapses and dies within seconds. Sir Londeral arrives to his home few hours later and upon learning the news, falls into depressed mood.

XVII.Anguish
Mireos is saddened by the recent personal losses of Sir Londeral, who rejects his lord's calls. In the same vein, Anastasia breaks into tears when she hears that Fabius was killed by the toxic mist. Suddenly, she has pains in her lower stomach and realizes that time of pregnancy is over. She gives a birth to a healthy boy, assisted by Amelia and two other maids; the boy is named Fabin. Advisor Pistus in the meanwhile sends a gift to Xomora the Enchantress, along with letter of gratitude for her masterwork trap-boxes. Xomora is vary of the scheming advisor and inspects the gift - a box of jewellery - for the traps; but in that moment, Pistus' messenger procures a knife from his sleeve and stabs her in the back from behind. Xomora manages to utter a quiet curse before dying.

XVIII.Count of Death
Count Pistus mourns after his wife Cecilia and his only child, Zeon, died suddenly from a strange fever. Leon tries to appease him by offering him title of Duke, but Pistus rejects the offer and instead throws himself into investigating the circumstances behind that strange illness. During his investigation, he visits Anastasia and Valkira; from interviews and interrogation of their underlings, he discovers, by accident, about the strange circumstances behind Anastasia's birth and even stranger circumstances behind the conception of the child. Pressed by Pistus, Amelia, Anastasia's maid, tells him all he wants to know. Pistus decides to use this for his advantange, but to keep the matter secret, he stages for Amelia's death; she is stabbed to death one night, when working in the stables. Anastasia mourns the death of her best friend. However, in the end, Advisor Pistus does not find out who killed his family.

XIX.Rise of a Wanderer
Young vagabond, named Soren, saves a traveling monk from a gang of bandits, shooting them all from a distance. The monk reveals himself as Sud, one of the Royal Siblings, and invites the skilled archer to Leon's castle. Leon is grateful for Soren's deeds and appoints him a squire; later, Soren falls in love with Astra Jorinn, and discovers a plot of Sir Dakkon and few disgruntled officers to assasinate Leon. Just before Sir Dakkon carries out his plan, he and his accomplices are confronted by Soren, Astra and her aide, Theta, Dakkon's daughter. The would-be-assasins are slain, and Soren is knighted for his efforts. With his newfound power in the court, he manages to persuade Leon to not kill Dakkon's daughter, Theta. After a brief council, Leon Lionheart personally appoints Soren as new Chief-of-Staff. However, Soren does not want to hold such important post and instead asks Leon to appoint Sir Ulisalle, a competent and loyal mid-ranking officer, to the post.

XX.Trouble in the West
Trouble brews in the Mireos' lands as sons-in-law of Mireos, Londeral the Younger and Maxim Thor, have a dispute over the small forested valley that both Messina, Londeral's late wife, and the newly deceased Ispinia, Maxim's wife, shared together. The issue escalates to the point where the two decide for a duel to the death. As the small crossbows will be used in the duel, Sir Piarin instructs Sir Londeral in their use, as Londeral was a lance-knight his whole career and never fought with bow nor crossbow. The duel is carried out week later; Londeral is wounded in the chest and requires much rest, while Maxim Thor is killed. The very evening after the duel, news reach Mireos court that enormous army led by Sud, Valkira and Anastasia are coming from the east.

XXI.At Death's Gate
Shortly before new year's eve, army led by Mireos and his temporary second-in-command, Sir Piarin, meet the vanguard of Valkira's forces in Death's Gate, a rocky valley mid-way between cities of Mirr and Fezzan. Sir Piarin, with help of own aide, Sir Bore, manages to deal severe losses to the enemies before Sud arrives with his horsemen; Sir Piarin and Sir Bore both die whilst trying to retreat their own troops. The main forces of Mireos, as well as Valkira and Anastasia's arrive in the valley and the main fight begins.

XXII.New Year's Battle
The battle at Death's Gate rages; Anastasia is wounded and captured by Mireos' forces; he keeps his sibling captive. Valkira is wounded in the leg and is almost killed if not for the intervention of Sir Dafis, who takes her to safety. When in Dafis' embrace, Valkira understands that the youth earned special place in her heart, and not just for his skill and courage. As the year draws close, so does the battle; in the final moments, Mireos army is on verge of defeat, but Sir Yoachim, a cavalry commander, repels every push of Sud's and Valkira's armies. When the sun hides behind the horizon, reinforcements from the west arrive, led by still wounded Sir Londeral. It's not enough to fight for victory but enough to distract and delay Sud's forces; the armies of both sides retreat toward their homelands as scholars around the land announce the coming of Year 42.

XXIII.Captive Birds
Anastasia refuses to cooperate and insults Mireos who tries to persuade her to surrender her forces, land, and then just to force her to sever ties with Leon. She laments her fate and curses her father, Troy, for fathering so many of them and allowing this to happen. Later, she joined in her cell by Sir Soren, who was too captured in the Battle of Death's Gate. She is suspicious of him till he undresses and shows the scar on the back of his right leg, which he received during fight with treacherous Sir Dakkon half a year ago. Anastasia trusts Soren but still doesn't understand why he was at the Battle, as Leon didn't dispatch him; Leon did dispatch him in secret, but Soren was supposed to be a mere observer, till the clashing armies engulfed him in the fighting as well, and in that fighting, Mireos' soldiers captured him. He comforts Anastasia who fears for her life, and they embrace rather passionatelly, despite the fact that Soren was engaged to Astra Jorinn.

XXIV.Unfortunate Accidents
Within a single week, series of accidents cause much despair in mainland Empire. First, Fabin, little son of Anastasia, falls down the stairs and breaks his neck. The very next day, Valkira feasts with Sir Dafis, whom she is enamored with; but Sir Dafis complains of stomache and retreats to his bedroom. When Valkira visits him, she finds him laying dead on the floor, clutching his throat and with his face purple. Valkira berates the healers, who, despite being apparently the best in the Empire, couldn't help a man choking on food. Few days later, Leon has a nasty breakdown during which he gets drunk on wine and laments how many of his family members, and his friends, and loyal officers he has lost in this cruel war. Count Pistus, apparently in great mood, arrives as he requires Leon's signature for an execution permit. Leon has no interest for paperwork and after Pistus insists, Leon strikes his advisor with a candlestick; however, the strike breaks one of Pistus' ribs, and the bone fragment, in turn, punctures his lung. Pistus falls to the floor and asphyxiates before Leon understands what is happening and calls, in vain, for a healer.

XXV.The Journey of Treachery
Anastasia, out of love for Soren, finally agrees to be Mireos' ally after eight months of captivity. Mireos requests that she, Sir Londeral and Sir Soren visit Baroness Pluma and persuade her to rebel against Leon. During the visit, Anastasia and Sir Soren make love in former's bedroom, while Valkira receives news from her spies about some strange visitors at the court of Baroness Pluma. After one report confirms that it is Soren and Anastasia, Valkira orders a small army to march to Pluma.

XXVI.Pluma's Downfall
Baroness receives a message about incoming army, and accuses Anastasia and her two companions of planning all this; Anastasia, Sir Londeral and Sir Soren flee toward the harbor as forces of Pluma clash with an army led by Sir Oston, Leon's old friend. Anastasia and Sir Londeral board the ship they arrived at but Sir Soren hesistates for a while. Baroness' servants arrive in the harbor and shoot Sir Soren as he finally decides to board the ship; the ship disembarks, Sir Soren bleeds to death in the harbor as Sir Londeral restraits Anastasia, lest she jumps into the water to save Soren. In the meanwhile, the city walls are breached with siege magic; the citizens of scheming Baroness are decimated, and Baroness Pluma herself is taken captive and executed by Valkira. The news of the last week's events reach capital; Leon is furious over Anastasia's betrayal while Astra Jorinn laments her fiance's death, despite his secret relationship with Anastasia.

XXVII.Before the Storm
Due to recent losses on Mireos border, Sir Londeral appoints Sir Ox and Sir Felix as new cavalry commanders in Mireos' army. Likewise, Sir Ulisalle, chief-of-staff of Leon's army, promotes recently knighted youth, named Astallath, as commander of Imperial Sharpshooters. To Sir Londeral, it's obvious that Mireos will lose the war but he decides to carry on out of duty and loyalty to his lord. Because of the death of Advisor Pistus, the security in the capital is lacking. Several assasination attempts are carried against Leon but he survives all of them; unfortunately, Theta Dakkon, subordinate of Astra Jorinn, dies during one of the counter-operations. With six more of the girls from the unit dead in other missions as well, Astra ponders about disbanding the unit and taking arms as an army officer, or maybe even regular soldier.

XXVIII.The Web of Doubts
Astra Jorinn leaves the capital city without a word, and makes her way to the western lands. In the meanwhile, Sir Londeral gets in trouble for his remarks about apparently inevitable defeat of his lord, Mireos, at hands of Leon. A drunken brawl at a feast in the Mireos keep leaves Sir Ox with broken hand and Sir Londeral jailed as Lord Mireos lost patience for his vassal's behavior. Astra is now missing for three days; Sir Ulisalle dispatches Sir Astallath, while Valkira sends a hired blade, Trevald; the duo is to find and apprehend Astra as it is feared she might defect and supply Mireos with vast knowledge she had gained whilst working at Leon's castle for years.

XXIX.Cold, Unfeeling Mind
Sir Astallath has to abandon the mission because he caught the flu and got a high fever, but Trevald, well paid by Valkira, continues searching for Astra Jorinn. After four days, the mercenary finally catches her in a snow-covered forest, far from Leon's lands. Trevald proves a very difficult opponent to Astra, and she loses the fight. Trevald then proceeds to interrogate and torture Astra, having tied her to a tree. Her screams echo in the forest, and this grabs the attention of a passing horseman. It is Sir Felix, one of newly appointed cavalry commanders in Mireos' army. He arrives at the scene, and after a short duel with Trevald, he kills the mercenary. Sir Felix frees Astra and carries her to nearby keep, but his kind attitude toward her changes when one of the officers at the keep recognizes Astra from few years ago, when she was in service of Thoran. Astra, now considered a spy, is taken captive and sent, under guard, to Mireos Keep for questioning.

XXX.Questions and Answers
Astra is kept in a cell near Sir Londeral's, who is still kept under lock after the brawl few weeks ago. The two reminisce about the past in-between interrogations carried out by Sir Ox and Lord Mireos himself. After a while, Anastasia intervenes and Astra is freed, but she refuses to return to Leon's land, out of fear for being executed. Sir Londeral then appoints her as his aide. Anastasia is informed of an arriving letter and leaves to meet with a strange man in a small inn in one of the border cities. In the capital city, Leon convenes with his siblings Sud and Valkira. A large offensive is planned for the spring of Year 43, with its goal being conquest of Mireos. Anastasia returns to Mireos, but evades any questions until people finally stop bothering her. Astra Jorinn spends some time with Sir Londeral, and the two grow attached to each other.

XXXI.Time for War
Mireos' spies bring the news about incoming invasion and the commanders of the western lord prepare their armies. Leon, Sud and Valkira leave Capital city along with their armies, beginning the long march to the west. Anastasia receives another letter and becomes even more secretive. Mireos consults with his mages in an attempt to conjure creatures for incoming fights, but Mirth, practicioner of dark magics, advises against it. Sir Londeral, Sir Ox, Sir Yoachim and Sir Felix all muster their armies and march to meet invading armies. Day later, they're joined by Anastasia, who is dressed in battlemage's robe and with several old spellbooks in her hands.

XXXII.Battle of the Burning Rocks
The armies clash south of Grasfir village. The battle goes poorly for Mireos' vassals till Anastasia starts her spellcasting and summons a storm of meteors against Leon's siblings. Sud is knocked off his horse when one of the burning rocks falls nearby; he hurts his spine and is paralyzed below waist. Sir Felix carries out a daring attack against Leon's headquarters, but is killed by Sir Astallath. Sir Yoachim dies as well when Valkira's horsemen counter-attack. The battle rages on, but it is clear that Mireos' armies won't hold. Sir Londeral has no choice but to regroup the troops and flee west. While Valkira and Leon prepare to move further west, Sud, under care of healers, is sent east, back to Capital city.

XXXIII.Vipers in Eagle's Nest
Preparations for repelling the siege of Castle Mireos are underway; but they're suddenly interrupted by an explosion, and then few more. A group of mages that were loyal to Mireos betrayed their lord, and cast siege magics inside the castle. The only magician that remains loyal to Mireos is Mirth. Anastasia uses her magics and brings the traitor mages down before the damage becomes too great to handle.

XXXIV.Battle of Greenfields
Vanguard of Leon's forces, led by Valkira, march toward Mireos castle. Sir Ox and Anastasia take command of a small force that is ordered with elimination of Valkira. Using Anastasia's magics, they approach Valkira's unit undetected. The sneak attack almost succeeds; Anastasia, however, is caught off-guard and is killed by one of Sir Ganeth's subordinates. Sir Ox is at great disadvantage, and decides to fight to the death. His soldiers manage to kill Sir Ganeth, last of Valkira's 'knights', before her soldiers cut down Sir Ox and his men. Leon's main force arrives soon afterwards. Few hours later, trumpets announce the beginning of the siege of Castle Mireos.

XXXV.The Siege
Castle Mireos is burning; meteors cast by Leon's mages tear the mighty building with ease. However, Mireos' soldiers fight with determination. Sir Oston dies during a melee fight while Sir Londeral is singed by magic and carried off to healers' chambers. Astra Jorinn, Mirth and few of younger soldiers reinfoce Mireos' personal guard. Valkira's forces breach the walls and enter the castle, but counter-attack of the defenders push her soldiers back, and Valkira herself suffers a leg wound. Leon takes direct command and enters the castle, while his chief-of-staff, Sir Ulisalle, coordinates the battle in the courtyard and on the walls. He dispatches Sir Astallath to find and kill Mireos, but the attack fails and Sir Astallath perishes in combat. Another attack, led by Leon himself, gets to the throne room. Mireos and his guards fight against Leon and his soldiers. Astra Jorinn loses her left arm and collapses; Mirth dies as the guard is massacred, and Leon loses his right eye in the fierce fighting. Mireos receives a wound to his leg and collapses in front of his own throne, and Leon holds him at a swordpoint; Mireos, to save his life, surrenders to Leon. The news reach Sir Ulisalle, who orders all soldiers to stand down. The rebellion, or 'Succession Wars', is finally over.

XXXVI.Future Past
Epilogue; explanations are given about what happened to the characters after the rebellion. Leon, with all lands under control, is crowned Emperor; he changes name to Troy II. Mireos is jailed for ten years, then returns to his land as 'Duke' of a vassal state. Sud never recovers from his spinal injury and dies of illness in year 48; two years later, his only son stages a disasterous rebellion against Leon, that brings House of Sud to end. Valkira renounces her aristocratic title and becomes a mercenary to honor her fallen knights; it is known she married a travelling bard and had two children; Valkira's first husband, Lord Tymus, receives the title of Duke Eren in 45, which passes onto their son Adam in Year 71. Sir Londeral and Astra continue their relationship for a while when in healer's ward, but they part ways after few weeks; Sir Londeral continues to serve Mireos until own death during 'The Great Flood' in 68. Astra returns to the mainland Empire and marries a wealthy merchant, with whom she has a son that she names after her old love, Soren. Sir Ulisalle loyally serves under Leon, and then his son Archibald (Troy III), and dies of old age shortly after coronation of Alexander (Troy IV) in 104.

Appendix: Dramatis Personae:
Leon, heir to Troy Lionheart (I - end)
Mireos, royal sibling (I - end)
Sud, royal sibling (I - end)
Fabius, royal sibling (I - XVI)
Leopolde, royal sibling (I)
Victor, royal sibling (I - XI)
Thoran, royal sibling (I - III)
Valkira, royal sibling (I - end)
Sonia, royal sibling (I - III)
Anastasia, royal sibling (I - XXXIV)
Leona, royal sibling (I - X)
Ostia, royal sibling (I - X)
Troy Lionheart, First Emperor (I)
Sir Londeral, Troy's friend and general (I)
Sir Londeral the Younger (I - end)
Missana, Daughter of Mireos, Londeral the Younger's wife (I - XIV)
Count Pistus, Leon's advisor (I - XXIV)
Cecilia, Pistus' wife (I - XVIII)
Ranoz, assasin (I)
(Sir) Ganeth, mercenary (I - XXXIV)
(Sir) Graph, mercenary (I - V)
(Sir) Nostan, mercenary (I - XV)
Astra Jorinn, young fighter (II - end)
Baroness Zarunock (III)
Sir Estomach (IV - XIII)
Amelia, maid (IV - XVIII)
Sir Herbert (V - XIII)
Sir Piarin (V - XXI)
Eleonora, Valkira's daughter (VI)
Sir Sharin (VI)
Xomora, enchantress (VI - XVII)
Jacob, Valkira's son (VI)
Sir Landmark (VII)
Cesta, Landmark's wife (VII - XVI)
Sesina Yond (IX - XI)
Adalia Lynxis (IX)
Bicca Lynxis (IX)
Sir Dakkon (IX - XIX)
Sir Dauphan (X)
Theta Dakkon (XI - XXVII)
Baroness Pluma (XII - XXVI)
Lord Tymus (XIV - end)
Count Adrakchus (XV)
Istan, Fabius' eldest son (XV)
(Sir) Dafis (XV - XXIV)
Fabin, Anastasia's only child (XVII - XXIV)
Zeon, Count Pistus' son (XVIII)
(Sir) Soren, vagabond (XIX - XXVI)
Sir Ulisalle (XIX - end)
Maxim Thor, lord (XX)
Ispinia, Maxim Thor's wife(XX)
Sir Bore (XXI)
Sir Yoachim (XXII - XXXII)
Sir Oston (XXV - XXXV)
Sir Ox (XXVII - XXXIV)
Sir Felix (XXVII - XXXII)
(Sir) Astallath (XXVII - XXXV)
Trevald, hunter (XXVIII - XXIX)
Mirth, dark mage (XXXI - XXXV)

Appendix: Scholarly Notes
Research done by scholars who lived with the author and after him; they point out differences between the book and real history; that there is no record of Astra Jorinn in Emperor's guard (which was mixed unit, not female-only), that Leon had three advisors, not one (and none were named or even nicknamed 'Pistus'); that Valkira's adventuring life is grossly overstated and she never renounced her title; Baroness Pluma staged the rebellion on her own and not to join Mireos; that Sir Landmark's wife never was captured and had no affair with Sir Londeral - who himself was loyal to his wife Missana and never remarried nor seeked female companions; and several other events and characters from the book are analyzed and corrected or explained. In the end, it is said that 'most of it is an actual, historical account, and the remainder an entertaining fiction'.