Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 32: The land of the sun (2)

Renasia

Renasia is a beautiful country north west of the Dukedom of Alan, founded by Duvan Renasi, the Blue-Haired King, and also one of the companion of Levitia.

Renasia once served the Empire but after the reign of Alexander the Divider his descendants broke away from the Emperor and many follow and now Renasia is an independent country.

There was nowhere on the Continent quite like it; Renasia had a culture and a lifestyle completely its own.

Known to many as the Land of the Sun, the Renasian is exotic and beautiful, with a beautiful sun-kissed darkness to their skin.

The people were passionate, and loved to party and celebrate as much as they loved to fight. Every building in Renasia was spectacularly designed, and unlike any other building on the Continent.

There was nowhere in the Continent like it. Their culture, their lifestyle, everything is distinctly different from the other part of the Continent.

Near the Palace stood a fountain with such width that it could have easily held the sixty feet high statue of the Water Princess, with all of her water maidens.

The Temple of the Sun Emperor stood on the other side, just beside the Palace.

There is the statue of a perfectly chiseled man with eyes red as the setting sun, dressed in a robe and holding a flaming sword in his right hand.

Beside Renasia lived the Mountain Tribe, who worshipped the Thousand Gods, ruled by the Supreme Gods Davarus, known to the people as the Old Gods.

The people of the Mountain Tribe are skilled trackers, strong and fast in harsh terrain, and had a vast knowledge of herbs, plants and poison. Some even said that they rode tigers and other wild beasts into battle.

They have their tribes in the Mountain each one subject to their own law. But they have no King.

On the other side of Renasia was Cora, ruled by the House of Corazon, who worshipped the god of Light with Vern Empire and the Dukedom of Alan.

In the far north was the land of Vorthy, cold and unforgiving, only explored by the bravest and strongest of men.

Renasia was the last kingdom to secede from the Empire during the reign of Alexander II in 626AF.

It is because of that Alexander II get the title of Alexander the Divider by the historians

Renasia is a country that have many neighbors every one dangerous than the last.

Yet, they succeed to retain their independence because of the cunningness of their past Kings and Queen.

Renasia is the only Kingdom in the Continent that allow woman to become the ruler of the nation.

They made alliances, secret pact, marriage alliances, economic alliances and many more to retain that independence.

They retain influence and power through the means of deception but this does not mean that they are weak.

No, they have one of the strongest military in the continent just behind Vangua and Vern.

Renasia royalty all had locks of dazzling blue hair, and King Luis Renasi was no exception, and had passed on the gene to his daughter Rhysa.

"Princess, don't run around the palace!" Isabelle, the Princess's attendant, ran after the energetic nine-year-old.

The Princess danced about in front of her gracefully, her blue eyes sparkling, her hair tossing from side to side.

She had a fierce but lively look on her face.

"Princess, stop!"

Rhysa stuck out her tongue and darted outside, hiding herself in the soldier barracks. After a moment, she heard footsteps approaching.

"Princess, here again?" a man's voice called.

Rhysa smiled.

She knew that voice. Jumping out from behind a crate, she stood face to face with a man wearing full golden armor.

The Kingshield Commander Pedro Archad, the elite bodyguard of the Renasian royalty.

He stood tall, his chest broad, his hands strong and steady, his hair and beard neatly trimmed. His voice was commanding, his stance dignified.

He look at the Princess and sighed

"I don't want to dress up for a ball again," said Rhysa quickly. She was tired of having to attend events, of the constant attention and empty flattery, of the simpering smiles and false promises.

"So, you came here, little Princess," said Pedro, turning to walk away. Rhysa followed silently. "Isabelle is searching for you."

"I know."

"It would be a shame if your father and mother think it is her fault."

"They won't," said Rhysa, smiling cheekily. "They know I'm naughty and mischievous."

Pedro stopped walking and looked at Rhysa, who paused. He considered her for a moment, before speaking.

"You look like a child who is craving attention. You don't hate the parties, nor the flattery, nor the smiles and promises. You hate that your father and mother are not there, that they are thousands of miles from their own country."

He watched the little girl's face.

"Am I wrong?"

Rhysa did not respond.

Pedro continued walking slowly, and she followed. She realized they were heading towards the training hall.

Rhysa had memorized the outline of her parents' palace, which she would someday inherit.

The closer they walked to the training hall, the louder the noise became; the sounds of swords clanging against shields.

They entered the hall and Rhysa watched in awe. Men were sweating, half-naked, learning to strike, dodge and slash.

Rhysa was blessed with a rich education, but nothing in her etiquette books or history lessons interested her as much as this.

Battle excites her. The fights of Renasian fighters look like a dance. A dance of the Water Princess and the Sun King, she mused.

"Like what you see?" Pedro said, smiling.

Rhysa nodded. At Pedro's words the men turned to look at them, and kneeled immediately at the sight of their Princess.

"Resume your training," Rhysa called. Then, turning to Pedro she said, "Teach me."

"It's not ladylike to learn to fight," said Pedro.

"Women can rule Renasia but not learn how to defend it? That's bizarre," she snorted.

"Your grandmother Rhaessa never learned to fight, yet she ruled with strength and wisdom."

"I am not my grandmother. One day I will rule, and I will do it my own way," Rhysa said, determined.

Pedro smiled proudly. She would be a great Queen one day, he thought. Clapping his hand to her shoulder, he walked her further into the training hall.

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Anyway, the introduction of the Blue Haired Princess of Renasia. If you like reading the story please do vote for it and leave some comments so I could see the reaction to the story