Black smoke rose from the large iron pipes showing that the factories were working on production.
Vendet was a kingdom of Iron and war, and as such, they had the biggest weapon factories.
They produced swords, spears, cannons, bombs, daggers and so much more.
Due to the nature of the lands they occupied, the people of the kingdom resided in the centre and were surrounded by lands where beasts occupied.
These beasts were numerous and followed their beast kings.
There were more than a thousand different types of beasts that could pose a threat.
The Royal army was equipped with men who were in life or death situations with these beasts regularly and as such did not fear death any longer.
The Vendet Kingdom was ruled King Zane. He was twenty five years of age.
He took over from his father three years ago after the late king had died, due to an incurable disease.
King Zane's mother was Queen Matilda. She had three children for the late king.
Zane, Kim and Cole.
Zane was the first child with Cole being last and Kim being the middle child.
With Zane being king, the other children stayed as princess Kim and prince Cole.
The princess was twenty years of age and the prince was fifteen years of age.
King Zane ruled his people with wisdom fairness.
He had fought in countless battles against both beasts and people-controlled beasts and had won every single time.
Thus, he earned the title of "The Warrior".
His siblings often teased him, bowing their heads and calling him their warrior which was a breath of fresh air from his usual interactions with his subjects.
.....
"My King, how are you doing today?" Queen Matilda bowed with a smile.
"I am just fine, Mother. You wanted to see me, what for?"
"Candidates have been applying for the position of your future queen. They are all wonderful and I am sure you will like one of them or more"
"Mother, you know I have no interest in that at this time"
"A King doesn't doesn't just do things whenever he feels like it. He does them when they ought to be done. For the future of Vendet, you need to get serious about selecting our future queen"
With a long sigh, King Zane replied, "Narrow them down to five. I'll choose one from there"
"Yes, my king", she bowed excitedly and left.
Queen Matilda moved her shoulders rhythmically as she walked. She couldn't contain her excitement.
Later that day, Princess Kim helped her narrow the list down to five candidates.
"I think, this girl would be the best but since he requested for five, we can just add these other ones", Princess Kim said to her mother.
"I think so too. She's perfect and an all-rounder", they both nodded at the file of a certain lady.
...
As expected, King Zane chose the girl that the ladies of the house chose as well.
And a meeting date was set for both parties in no time.
Her name was Lily. She was twenty years of age. Her hair was as black as a raven, and her eyes were green in color.
She came from a noble family who owned minefields in Vendet.
She was amazing at embroidery, sewing, dancing, singing and she was good with a sword. She was polite, kind and welcoming.
She was the perfect future queen according to everyone who met her.
Quickly, it was announced that the King was engaged to the future queen.
Her family was brought into the capital city and given more lands than they could ever dream of.
"The King's in-laws" had a nice ring to it that made their heads swell in satisfaction.
.....
"My Lord, it has been discovered that the humans controlling the beasts are from another kingdom"
"What?".
"Yes, my King"
"What kingdom is that"
"Is it Delsgade? They control land so I wouldn't be surpri-"
"It is not Delsgade. It would seem they have a similar problem to ours"
"The kingdom is Geomi. The benders of Air"
There was silence. This was an unexpected development.
"How did you know that Delsgade has a similar problem to ours?"
"Some of my people who reside there alerted me, my King"
"How many of them have you caught?"
"About seven, my King. And they are all from Geomi"
"Send word to the royal family of Geomi that the prisoners would be executed and that if another inhabitant of their kingdom set their foot in Vendet for evil, then there will be a war"
"Yes, my King"
The King left before the rest of his generals.
"Get me a woman for tonight", he told Pino, his personal guard.
Pino bowed and left for a short time.
...
"The letter has been sent out, my Lord"
"Good"
"It would seem that the attacks have reduced for the time being. I wonder how many more of these people are out there controlling the beasts"