Ancient Empire Calendar, Year 1835
After Darius Cyrus ascended the throne, Ricardo found the Sarcophagus hidden in the vast caverns beneath the palace. He touched it and received its power and knowledge.
"Only one remains. When I touch the Sarcophagus in the Eastern Lands, I will have taken the power and knowledge of all five Sarcophagi, and I will learn the meaning of all these fragmented pieces of information I cannot comprehend."
About a month after contacting the Sarcophagus, Ricardo married Parisa Cyrus.
After the wedding, Ricardo summoned Mathew Kislavein, son of his late closest friend Marco Kislavein, and Njassar Rappa Ashterah, Heir to the Ashterah Dynasty, to his presence.
Mathew and Rappa came before Ricardo. A few steps from the throne, they knelt and bowed their heads.
"We present our respects to Krael II Kislavein, Dynasty Lord of Kislavein," they said in unison.
Without prolonging the matter, Ricardo began to explain why he had summoned the young men.
"I told you that I had chosen you as my sons-in-law. In a few months, when our affairs in the Southern Lands are concluded, we will return to the Western Lands and hold both of your weddings."
Mathew Kislavein and Njassar Rappa Ashterah replied in unison.
"We would be honored, Dynasty Lord."
Ricardo moved on to the next topic.
"Mathew, your father was my best friend and one of my most valued commanders. He dedicated his life to me. I would have loved to reward him, but I will pass on his legacy to you. I will declare you Lord of our most important city and grant you permission to found your own dynasty."
Mathew was speechless; he didn't know what to say. Only memorized phrases escaped his lips.
"I WOULD BE HONORED, DYNASTY LORD."
Having nothing more to say, Ricardo ordered them both to withdraw.
"You may go."
Mathew and Rappa rose and, keeping their fronts facing Ricardo, walked backwards out of the throne room.
When they were alone, they chatted about their situation.
Mathew was reminiscing about the past.
"Since I was a child, my father and my aunt dreamed of marrying me to the Dynasty Lord's daughter. Now their greatest dream will come true."
Rappa, on the other hand, evaluated the situation from his own perspective.
"You know, Mathew, normally my brother Tajong would have been the Dynasty Lord's son-in-law. But both he and Hakuda died in the wars. Now, as the last remaining Heir, I am claiming my brothers' rights."
Mathew objected.
"Don't think that way. You have proven yourself in every field, especially on the battlefield. You deserve the Ashterah Throne and the Young Lady's hand more than anyone."
In that moment, a strong friendship was being born between a Kislavein and an Ashterah.
This friendship, in the not-too-distant future, would consolidate and strengthen the bond between the peoples of the East and the West.