Ayken Lovewater

## His Excellency, Sofran Paramount Ayken Lovewater

Ayken Lovewater in 177 AL following the Lovewaterian Coup

## Office

### Title(s)

Lord Paramount of Pedranier (177 - 181 AL)First Consul of Pedranier (170 - 177 AL)Lord of Trirannal (154 - 181 AL)General of the Vidin Empire (151-153 AL)

## Family

### Issue

Daughter: Betulhan Lovewater (died 176 at the age of 8)

## Ayken Lovewater

Ayken Lovewater was the last male member and patriach of the House of Lovewater, serving as Sofran Paramount of Pedranier, a position which he established during his military dictatorship from the year 177 to 181 After Liberation (AL). He was also the head commmander of the revolutionary forces in the Pedranier Revolution, also known as the Second Pedranier Independence War.

Ayken served as General of the Vidin Empire from the years of 151 - 153AL, becoming the youngest person in history to rise to the rank of General. He further served as the First Consul to the Autonomous Kingdom of Pedranier from the year 170 - 177 AL, which saw aperiod of extensive political, economic, and military reforms in Stonespring, called by some as the Lovewaterian Era.

Due to his resounding military victories, in most cases, against larger armies, Ayken Lovewater is generally considered to be the greatest military commander in history, surpassing the achievements of even Prince Regal. Lovewater's most famous victory is the legendary battle of Yanhay, the largest battle ever fought in the history of the father continent.

### Appearance and Character

Like most Fanahrians from the southern fringes of Pedranier, Ayken was tall and stocky and posseseed blue shimmering almond shaped and upturned eyes. Richmer Vagus notes Ayken to have strong and prominent cheek bones. His hair was thick and dark, and it had refused to grey even has he aged. Ayken always wore his hair down, but had it combed and brushed constantly. However, he was much shorter than his cousin, **Antonmer Corbat**, who stood two feet taller than him.

Ayken as a child failed to get many friends as he was described to be boring, serious, and bossy. Ayken had also preferred to read instead of sword play or ride, and was able to speak the Fanahrian language by the age of 2, and later was bilinguinal by the age of 3, able to speak the Common Tongue of the Empire of Vidin. Ayken had learned how to read and write two years before his peers. For this reason, Gonmer True, his personal tutor, had described Ayken to be the most intelligent of all his students.

King Aymer described Ayken to be the most stubborn person he has ever known.Described to be highly egotistical, Ayken usually never backed down after making a decision and it is said that that more people who tried to convince him to do something, the harder it was to actually convince him. Ayken also placed little faith and trust to those who surrounded him except for a small few. Ayken's trust issues comes from when he was a child, and felt betrayed by his father and best friend, who were both aware that Ayken was to be taken as a hostage despite he himself not knowing.

Ayken has a ruthless streak about him, and would go to extreme measures to get closer to his objectives. He had been responsible for countless massacres against both his own people who rebelled, and also his Imperialist enemies. Ayken would often murder the entire family members of his enemies, and was once quoted, "killing a father gives sons, brothers, and friends a reason to oppose you. Killing them all leaves your mind at peace." Ayken however often punished his own men for torturing enemy prisioners or raping women, stating that there was no strategic gain from doing these acts and if someone had to be killed, it be best done quickly.

Ayken loved his sister dearly and her death caused him to isolate himself from others for a long time.

### History

#### Early Life

Born in 133 AL, Ayken was the 2nd child and eldest son of Marken Lovewater and Eyvahen Lovewater. His father had survived the First Pedranier Independence War to concieve Ayken, but the peace terms demanded Marken send Ayken when he turns 12 to the Imperial Capital as a hostage. Meanwhile, Markan had his sword arm mutilated so that he would not rebel again. As a baby, Ayken would sometimes spit out the breast milk of some of his lady mother's maidens, and occasionally did so with his own mother.

Although it is not clear about the private convosations between father and son, there is no doubt that Markan had groomed Ayken into the family legacy of the House of Lovewater and their historical protection of the Fanahrian people and resistance to the Imperialist elements of the Empire. Ayken was manipulated and brainwashed into hating the Empire, and had allegedly vowed to avenge his father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, for whom he had great respect for.

Ayken had managed to befriend the young Prince Aymer, who was the heir to the throne of Pedranier. Although, the King of Pedranier was nothing but a puppet who was crowned by a minor lord. Although, the friendship would soon come to a bitter and temporary end as on Ayken's 12th birthday, he was not met by the promises of his friend and father for a happy birthday, but by 500 Imperial soldiers with orders to bring him to the Imperial Capital of Vidin.

At Vidin, Ayken was educated at the best institutions and the Imperialists had attempted to groom him to become a loyal vassal. He however suffered mistreatment by many of his teachers and particularly by the son of the First Consul, Jara Hightier, who bullied Ayken as his fellow student and turned many of the class against him. Ayken for the first time suffered racial abuse as he was mocked as a "merken", mocking the traditional naming customs of the Fanahrian culture of Pedranier. Once, Ayken was approached by Jara Hightier and was bullied and Ayken found the courage to hit Jara back. Jara threatened Ayken with a furious temper, telling Ayken that he would take something very important away from him. Three weeks later, in the year 149 AL, just one day before her departure back to her homeland, Ayken's sister mysteriously died. Ayken had blamed the death of his beloved sister on Jara Hightier his entire life. Jara mocked Ayken's sister multiple times to Ayken's face. When Ayken had enough and moved to hit Jara, he was stopped by Jara's guards who started to beat Ayken. It was at this point where Prince Mezenge, heir to the Imperial throne, intervened and ordered Imperial Guard to beat both the guards who were attacking Ayken and also beat Jara Hightier. The prince declared, "the Fanahrian is a guest of my family. Those who harm the guests of my family will pay the price." Prince Mezenge comforted Ayken and spent time with him and promised he would protect Ayken. The two boys grew close, and despite differing personalities and interests, Ayken had placed trust in Prince Mezenge and was able to show his emotions to him. From that day on, Ayken was the only one who publicly called Prince (and later Emperor) Mezenge by his name and not by a formal title. The two would also refer to each other as "brother," in public too.

On his 18th birthday in the year 151, Ayken Lovewater found outside his room a sign that read, "no defecatation, no animals, no Fanahrians." Ayken was attacked and was found on the streets bloodied by city guards, who alerted the now newly crowned Emperor Mezenge III about what had just occured. When Emperor Mezenge III asked who had done this to him, Ayken told him that he could not remember.

Ayken was promoted to a General by the new Emperor, for attacking a Fanahrian bore little consequences, but attacking a General of the Vidin Empire would result in death. Ayken was never physically attacked again. He was now the youngest General in the history of the Imperial military.

#### General of the Imperial Army

Ayken Lovewater, known for his military prowess, achieved success through unconventional strategies and victories. During the battle of Uskudoor in 853, he proposed a flanking maneuver that resulted in a remarkable triumph. Ayken's achievements led to his command over 10,000 men, despite his relative inexperience. When asked by Emperor Mezenge if 10,000 men would be too much for Ayken to handle as he was still young, Ayken replied, "no, it would fall short."

However, Ayken's refusal to adhere to orders became evident when he defied the Empire's defensive strategy and embarked on an aggressive campaign, including sacking towns and looting villages. His controversial tactics aimed to create a refugee crisis, which eventually forced the Cirokars to surrender the fortress of Rockshall.

Emperor Mezenge III, while recognizing Ayken's achievements, was furious with his actions and their consequences. Nevertheless, the construction of a secret dam on the Ciro River tributary, initiated by Ayken, played a significant role in ending the 114-year-long Cirokar-Vidin wars during peace negotiations.

Despite Ayken's military successes, he received limited rewards for his efforts, and his army was disbanded. Ayken returned to Pedranier, marking a significant turning point in his military career and leaving behind a legacy of controversial yet impactful strategies.

#### Lord of Trirannal (155 - 170)

After the death of his father in 155 AL, Ayken returned to Trirannal to assume the position that the Empire had hoped they had groomed him for. His father's sickness in his last years made Trirannal have the Empire's 3rd largest highway robberies and the economy had significantly declined. Slavery had caused the free folk to be out of work, and the lords enjoyed much money in their coffers while the commoners suffered the most. Ayken took measures to cut down on slavery, link roads from Trirannal to Pedranier and other major towns, ensuring soldiers were stationed properly and equipped to deal with highway robberies, and also personally led a ruthless campaign against the highway robbers, taking their wealth and adding it to his own treasury. Ayken also gave lands to his soldiers who had followed him against the Cirokars.

He cut the Lovewaterian Army from 10,000 to 4,500, converting the levy force into a better equipped, discplined, loyal, and professional fighting force.

He had married to Lydiahen Strongmer, to cement an alliance with the powerful house of Strongmer on the other side of Pedranier. However, while Ayken Lovewater was 26 at the time of his marriage, Lydiahen was just 12 years old. Ayken therefore refused to bed her and sent her to a comfortable estate near Trirannal, which used to belong to his grand mother. Ayken provided for her needs, but never visited her until 167 AL, when she turned 21 years of age.

#### Consulship (170 - 177 AL)

In 170 AL, Ayken was summoned to court by King Aymer. Ayken had proven his ability to rule effectively, as the highway robberies in Trirannal had fallen to the lowest in the entire Empire, and Trirannal became the most prosperous region of Pedranier while House Lovewater became the 5th richest family in the whole of the Empire. Ayken was offered the role of Consul of Pedranier, making him head of the government and domestic ruler of many affairs.

Ayken Lovewater was opposed by the treasury master, **Cardmer Keys**, who also lead the largest opposition faction against Ayken. In order to weaen Cardmer Keys, Ayken Lovewater took a massive loan from the Imperial treasury with the stamp of the Treasury Master on the request. When Cardmer Keys learned of this, he was furious. It is said that Ayken Lovewater read 10 pages while Cardmer Keys was ranting. Ayken Lovewater told Cardmer Keys, "I did not listen to what you said, but you sounded very convincing. I am sure if you do not pay back these loans and talk to the Emperor just how you just talked to me, you will convince his army not to route you from that desolate home of yours." Cardmer Keys, out played, was forced to pay back the loans with his own pocket, signficantly dwindling his strength and ability to fight Ayken.

Ayken Lovewater passed Sumputary Laws immediately, which restricted the purchase of certain luxuries. The law also forbade extravagant expenses at funerals. This included the pouring of wine over the ashes at cremations, the use of smoothed timbers in funeral pyres, and "excessive" mourning. Ayken Lovewater ensured that expensive dye clothes were no longer made, and banquets and feasts by lords did not spend over a certain amount of money. Infringement of these laws were so treacherous, that the punishment was death.

Slavery had become a profitable way for lords to have servants, builders, and workers. Ayken Lovewater according to several accounts, wanted to eliminate slavery entirely. However, Ayken Lovewater did not press for heavy regulation on slavery so quickly in a way to not start a rebellion. 1/3rd of slaves were freed from service over a period of 3 years. The slaves have practically been preferred to freed citizens, who could not find any work. Many lords opposed this notion, but Ayken Lovewater remained firm on it. Ayken Lovewater put a limit on the number of slaves that could be owned, and put strict regulation on how they would be treated. During Ayken Lovewater's reign, about 200 slave owners were either executed or given corporal punishment for their treatment of slaves. By 175 AL, slavery had been banned entirely in his own lands of Trirannal.

Boldly, in 173 AL, Ayken Lovewater made himself marshal of Pedranier's forces, effectively giving him control of the army and the government. His reforms, although loved by the common people, was opposed heavily by the richer lords. Only Ayken's inner circle of military men, his cousin, and father in law, had supported him. Ayken knew a rebellion was imminent and therefore withdrew to his home to feign weakness. He also spread rumours of mutiny in his own army, encourging **Cardmer Keys** to launch the **Pentra Rebellion** against Ayken prematurely and this gave Ayken a casus belli. Ayken Lovewater marched against Cardmer's forces and took them by surprise, as Ayken had mustered more men than Cardmer had anticipated.

Ayken invited the families of all the lords that rebelled against him to reconciliate at Kintranta, but Ayken moved to kill every male and female family relatives of the lords who rebelled against him. Ayken Lovewater siezed the wealth and lands of the families he destroyed and divided them among his soldiers. These were called extensions of Trirannal, as Ayken Lovewater ruled those lands directly. 73% of Stonespring was now under Ayken Lovewater's direct control, with another 21% of lands being ruled by allied family members.

Secretly, behind the King's back, Ayken Lovewater had funded the Avartwine gang in Pedranier and other cities to destroy the other gangs. The Avartwine gang was turned into a secret police force. They no longer demanded money from the people as they were paid much better by Ayken's government. They would be tasked with ensuring nobody talked badly about the government. Hundreds to thousands of people would go missing across Pedranier for being suspected of speaking badly about Ayken Lovewater and his reforms.

#### Lovewater's Coup

Following an economic collapse and a deadly plague in the Empire, the Hightier family in Vidin, led by Artur Hightier and Jara Hightier, proposed heavy taxation of Pedranier to raise funds for the Empire's recovery. However, while Mezenge was ill and unaware, the Hightiers took advantage of his condition and sent an ultimatum to Pedranier, demanding increased taxes. When Mezenge eventually recovered, King Aymer Elysian reluctantly agreed to pay the taxes and promised no military response from Pedranier.

Ayken Lovewater, vehemently opposed to further taxation, argued with King Aymer over the violation of the treaty. When told that if Pedranier did not pay the taxes, the Imperial armies would raze their cities to the ground, Ayken responded, "if a country must pay in order to survive, it might as well be razed to the ground."

As arguments intensified, and Ayken refused to carry out orders given to him, he was dismissed to Trirannal. Before Aymer could even pick his next consul, Ayken Lovewater orchestrated the overthrow of King Aymer, effectively seizing power in mid-Winter 877. With the support of the people and new nobles, Lovewater purged the military, nobility, and country from top to bottom, eliminating Aymer and his allies. The coup resulted in the extinction of many noble houses and the submission of others.

Despite the violence, Lovewater spared the life of Prince Lonmer, Aymer's four-year-old son. Holding a knife to Aymer's throat, Lovewater coerced the young prince to sign a constitutional reform that transferred all powers of the king to the Lord Paramount, Ayken Lovewater himself. After obtaining the signed document, Lovewater proceeded to kill Aymer, justifying the act to the frightened Lonmer by stating that he would one day understand the reasons behind it.

After receiving an ultimatum demanding his unconditional surrender, Ayken Lovewater responded with extreme brutality. He had the soldiers guarding the envoy executed and slammed the lid of a chest full of gold on the envoy's hands breaking his fingers. When warned that the Emperor would seek retribution, Lovewater arrogantly dismissed the threat, claiming the Emperor couldn't even harm his beard.

In a display of power, all Imperialist stations in Pedranier were ambushed, and even the surrendered Imperial soldiers were killed. The Pedranier Revolution had just begun.

### Pedranier Revolution

Ayken Lovewater opted on a campaign of aggressivenes. Just three weeks after forceably making himself dictator of Pedranier, he gave orders to attack all Imperial outposts South of the River Bonson, justifying these actions by stating: "every blade of grass south of the Bonson River belongs unequivocally to the people of Pedranier." Most of the 3,000 Imperial soldiers stationed in Pedranier were killed, including valuable hostages such as General Perigan Cleodasin.

Ayken ordered 13,000 men at his command to raid deep into the Bonson Plains, triggering a refugee crisis that would force Imperial citizens to flee north. His goal was to spread terror and demoralise the Imperialist army that was marching south to confront him.

#### Battle of the Bonson Plains

The brutal raids of on Imperial outposts and then onto the Bonson Plains caused the Emperor to send south an Imperial army led by Prince Karl and Prince Rolf. To the surprise of many, Prince Immanuel had not been dispatched, due to the intervention and manipulation of Empress Alta Hightier.

Ayken ordered his cousin, the Tower Knight Antonmer Corbat, to raid the vicinity of Heatstroke, while he remained behind with the main force of the army to await the enemy's moves. The garrison at Sarl and Karensky Castle moved to join forces with the co-governor of the Bonson Plains, Governor Marcus Heatstroke, thereby prompting Ayken to march his army towards the Castles and sieze them. Ayken's plans to draw the garrison of the castles away from their defences had worked.

With limited resistance, Ayken took control of both castles and razed them to the ground.

Marcus Heatstroke marched against Antonmer's forces at the head of 3,200 men. Antonmer's smaller force of mostly cavalry managed to avoid a major confrontation through hit and run attacks. Excellent miliary coordination between Antonmer and Ayken meant that a hammar and anvil strike was accomplished against Marcus Heatstroke. Governor Marcus and his son lost their lives in the battle, and Ayken Lovewater took the castle of Heatstroke and massacred the entire Heatstroke family, but showed mercy to the people who provided workers and skilled labourers to his forces.

#### Battle of Lake Truss

Following Marcus Heatstroke's defeat and death, the Princes Karl and Rolf moved south. Prince Karl had 20,000 men and occupied his position at the Three Navarian Forts, while Prince Rolf moved to Dome's Town in order to levy the forces of his father in law and foresee the training of 8,000 new men. The goal was to gain a 3 to 1 numerical advantage over the revolutionary forces, which Ayken could not accept. Ayken sent Lord General Serratken to try and lure the rash Prince Karl into a premature battle, but these attempts were futile as the Prince held firm, possibly due to the guidence of his uncle, Jara Hightier.

Ayken then pulled his forces to a weak position at Lake Truss, purposefully cornering himself against the river and lake. This opporunity caused Prince Karl to advance onto Ayken's forces, even before Prince Rolf could muster his new army. Ayken had successfully baited the Prince into an early engagement.

Ayken placed the infantry under the main core of Antonmer Corbat. Richmer Vagus served under Antonmer's command. While Antonmer's forces are slowly forced to give ground, Ayken waits until the perfect opporunity to flank the Imperial forces from the woods. The battle turns to be a victory for the Revolutionaries, but Ayken was furious at his failure to capture or kill Prince Karl. He viewed the battle as a strategic failure, despite inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.

#### Battle of Dome's Town

Ayken wasted little time and ordered the cavalry to mount fresh horses and give chase to Prince Karl, forcing him to stay away from Dome's Town. Command was given to Lord General Serratken. Meanwhile, the remaining 8,000; mostly foot, marched onto Dome's Town under Ayken's command after a day's rest. Ayken stole a night's march and surrounded Dome's Town. The new levies of the Imperial army was soundly defeated and routed, but the regular Imperial soldiers and veterans under Prince Rolf's command did put up a good fight, which Ayken respected. But, by midday, all Imperialists brave enough to resist were killed, included Prince Rolf and also Staven Brute and Ansell Brute.

Ayken Lovewater executed Prince Rolf's wife, Princess Mayala Brute-Veydal and their children, Prince Marson and Princess Alta, aged 1 and 3 years old respectively. Furthermore, the wife of Ansell Brute, Daffi Brute, as well as their daughter, Athene, aged 2, were killed. Ayken Lovewater firstly questioned Marlin Brute, son of Staven Brute, but after refusing to give answers, he threatened to kill his sister Blanch Brute. After Marlin Brute gave in, both Blanch and Marlin Brute were killed. The bodies of the dead were dispatched to the Navarian Three Forts. Ayken recalled how his actions resulted in the first major Imperial family member's deaths in the Vidin Empire's history.

However, Ayken forbids plundering the city, although he does enforce marshal law and use draconian measures to enforce law and order. He executes his own soldiers for raping women in the city, and forbids the mistreatment of the commoners, who he views to have no part in the crimes of the Imperialist ruling classes. He also forbade his soldiers from disrespecting the flag of the Vidin Empire. Although, he executes all surrendered soldiers and government officials in the city.

Hundreds of people are killed by Sartoiran Guards for attempting to resist Ayken's rule.

Ayken meets Jeyse, who is actually unbeknownst to him to be Princess Hayela, the adopted daughter of Prince Rolf. Ayken becomes shocked how much she resembles his dead daughter, and exposes his feelings about war and how he does not take any pride in the things he had done.

#### Corbat and Cabal's Campaign

Ayken Lovewater decides he needs more men, and therefore withdraws to Pedranier. However, before, he is advised by his companions to remain on the field, while Antonmer Corbat offered to go back to bring him reinforcements. Despite protest and objection by his entire high command, Ayken dimisses them all and withdraws to Pedranier with Richmer Vagus.

After crossing Tonstondin, he orders Richmer Vagus to ride ahead as an emissary to the Pyronese Continent, to hire the Virgin Female Bow Swayers from the Matriarch of the Keresa City State. The Matriarch comes over to Pedranier City and remains for the winter. When the Matriarch demands Ayken comes to bed her, he refuses stating that he has a wife. She continues to temp Ayken with sexual taunts, and although Ayken almost gives in, he refuses. The Matriarch, impressed that Ayken managed to actually refuse her, viewing him to be a man of principle, agrees to provide him with 1,000 Bow Swayers and forms a defensive alliance with Pedranier, promising to come to his aid if Pedranier's soil is directly attacked. Ayken orders the Bow Swayers to garrison Tonstondin, while he withdraws Fanahrian soldiers from the garrison and adds them to his own army.

Meanwhile, Ayken receives news that the forces of Corbat and Cabal have failed to take the Three Forts and that Cabal had moved recklessly against Rhomboid Sellsgood's forces, lossing more men than Ayken had originally estimated. Ayken is furious and sets out back to the Bonson Plains eventhough Winter has not yet ended.

#### Crossing the Kayranese

Ayken scoldes his officers, calling them blind and stupid. He promotes Richmer Vagus following Cabal's refusal to follow orders. Lord Cabal is sent to the dungeons of Tonstondin as a hostage, keeping his men loyal to Ayken Lovewater.

Ayken Lovewater tells Richmer Vagus how he saw a dream of his father making him swear on all the Lovewaters that have lived and died that he will avenge his family and crush the Imperialists. This prompts him to wake up during the night, and plan a renewed invasion that would bypass the Three Navarian Forts completely. While Richmer Vagus objects to the plans, he remains silent. Antonmer Corbat instead supports the crossing of the Kayranese.

As Ayken and Jeyse grow closer, Ayken is convinced by Jeyse to not offer the Clansmen of the Kayranese lands in the Bonson Plains, as they would view themselves being used as a buffer against the Empire. Instead, Jeyse suggests that the Clansmen should be given a core role in his armed forces and should instead be given lands within Pedranier. Ayken sends Antonmer Corbat and Richmer Vagus to the Clans of the Kayranese to negotiate an alliance with them, promising them lands around Cabal's estates with some limited autonomy. The Clansmen eventually agree to provide safe passage to the Revolutionary forces, but require hostages. When the Clansmen Chief demands Jeyse as a hostage, and reaches to place his hand on her, Ayken draws his sword and cuts the hand off from the Clansmen Chief. Instead, Ayken uses the Clansmen Chief and his retinue as hostages. The Clansmen provide safe passage and 5,000 men to Ayken's forces.

Ayken successfuly takes the Imperialist army by complete surprise.

#### Battle of Yanhay

Ayken finally forces the largest enagagement of the war. He deploys a strategy that will draw the Imperial army into a trap and would encircle it. Ayken completely destroys the Imperialist army. After the battle, Ayken is advised by most of his officers to march onto the Imperial Capital of Vidin, but Ayken refuses, stating the objective is not to conquer. He remains confident that the Imperialists would come to the peace table and offers terms for truce. These terms are rejected as the Vidin Empire defiantly refuse the terms and bring in new measures to defeat Ayken once and for all.

#### Containment Period

Henray Keat's advise to follow a containment policy and strict no engagement policy, regardless of any numerical advantage, is finally agreed upon. Ayken is starved of battle and Jeyse manages to escape captivity, although she recalls how well she had been treated by Ayken and saw him to be a father figure. Jeyse appraoches Henray Keats and Prince Immanuel and tells them of Ayken's fustration. Jeyse's disapperence makes Ayken feel dejected, and he gets distracted from the main conflict. Richmer Vagus eventually speaks to him and Ayken finds his resolve again.

Ayken eventually realises that the Imperialists will not engagement, so he ordered raids on all Imperial lands except for the governorate directly controlled by Henray Keats. This prompted accusations of treason to be levied against Henray Keats. Henray Keats was replaced and once again, a policy of aggressiveness was deployed against Ayken. After a minor skirmish, Ayken's forces emerge victorious and Prince Immanuel goes to the capital to protest against his father and vouch for Henray Keats, calling the court to be mad. This sours his relations with his father, and gives his step mother further tools to use against him, in order to put her own blood on the throne.

Ayken eventually takes the decision to withdraw back to Pedranier, this time no objections are met. No more battles were to be won on Imperial soil. Upon returning to Tonstondin, Ayken sees that the majority of the Virgin Bow Swayers abdondoned the cause, and Kayne Cabal had been released from prision with the garrison killed. Kayne Cabal defects to the Imperialists, and gives advice on how to invade the Pedranier. The remaining Bow Swayers state that the Matriarch had been paid by Prince Immanuel to abandon Pedranier, but the remaining Bow Swayers had lost their virginity as they remained in Tonstondin, and therefore were no longer obliged to follow the Matriarch's orders. They swear alliegence to Ayken Lovewater and promise to help him defend his lands.

#### Battle of Horton Fields

Ayken holds his position in Tonstondin, and orders Richmer Vagus and Kon Strongmer to hold Horton Fields. The Imperialists under the command of Prince Immanuel win the battle convincingly. Richmer Vagus refuses to leave and surrender, and his killed in the fighting. Kon Strongmer is instead taken captive.

### Quotes by Ayken Lovewater

*"I did not listen to what you said, but you sounded very convincing. I am sure if you do not pay back these loans and talk to the Emperor just how you just talked to me, you will convince his army not to route you from that desolate home of yours." - Ayken Lovewater's response to Cardmer Key's complaints about his reforms.**"Any nation that must pay in order to survive has lost all dignity and human qualities and their cities deserve to be razed to the ground."* - Ayken Lovewater's rebuttal to General Tarkan, commander of House Elysian's Armies.

*"The people, not the nobility, shall decide who are the traitors and who are the heroes."* - Ayken Lovewater's response to Antonmer Corbat after being warned to not rebel against King Aymer.

*"After our victory, we will enact a serious of changes. Number one, the monarchy shall be abolished in its entirety. From now on, the body of governorship shall be opened to all and the body of governors shall pick their new Lord Paramount. Oh yes, that was number two. Number three, all women shall be included in the new projects and granted the ability to also join the body of governors. We cannot develop if only half of the population does all of the thinking."* - Ayken Lovewater dicussing his plans with his confidants.

*"For the past ten years you have heard me promise you things that have never been achieved before. How happy am I to declare that not a single one of my promises have turned out to be wrong that could have shaken the people's confidence in me. So, I repeat with the same confidence and the same determination, leaving no room for any doubt - I promise you my heroic soldiers, that Pedranier will be an independent country and its people will be viewed with respect by all corners of the world!"* - Ayken Lovewater to his army before setting off on his first campaign.

*"The flag you have all stepped on is sign of a country's independence. Our enemy's flag it may be, but it is a flag none the less. You will show it respect. And you, soldier, you will clean this flag and deliver it to me. You should keep your eyes sharp because if I notice any mud on that flag, you will recieve lashes. If anyone does this shameful act again, I will cut off his legs and feed it to the crows."* - Ayken Lovewater admonishing his soldiers for stepping on the flag of the Vidin Empire after the battle of Dome's Town.

*"My dear cousin, you are a soldier, but no politician. Whereas I am just as much of a politician as I am a soldier."* - Ayken Lovewater refusing to send Antonmer Corbat back to Pedranier in his stead.

*"When setting off on our campaign, our oath was to secure the independence of Pedranier and the dignity of the Fanahrian people. But now I see you all demand we take the independence of another country? For whatever else the Vidin Empire might be, it is still an independent country and I will not take it. We are not here to conquer, but we are here to win our own freedoms. Surely, after their losses, they will come to the peace table."* - Ayken Lovewater refusing his officer's advice to march onto the Imperial capital after the battle of Yanhay.

*"Our beloved country is lost."* - Ayken Lovewater after seeing the dog gate breached during the siege of Pedranier, a moment described to be the first time his officers saw him cry in front of them.

*"The Imperialists will write the history and they will make our revolution sound debauched. Take this book and make copies of it. Make sure the future knows how noble our revolution was, and so they will not speak ill of it."* - Ayken Lovewater revealing the Accounts of Lovewater book to his younger officer, Glasmer, before telling him to flee the city.

*"All men sharpen your swords and gather your courage. We will hold this chokepoint here no matter the cost. You are Sartorian guard, you are the finest of all men. Hand picked from the most elite armies of Pedranier. Today, our delaying action must be a success. The future of our people depend on it. So, now our people demand you show your fine qualities. Your objective is to win this war by dying today! By the time it takes us to die, our people will have escaped slaughter. Achieve this victory for Pedranier men!"* - Ayken Lovewater's final orders to his men during the Lovewaterian last stand.

### Quotes about Ayken Lovewater

*"If any man's personality was that rocky cliff over there, that man is Ayken Lovewater. You could not tell me of a man who is more stubborn than him."* - King Aymer talking about Ayken Lovewater.

*"Ayken gave us small folk more than any other high born bastard has. He is making a change. Why do you think all the lords tell us he is evil?"* - Richmer Vagus on Ayken Lovewater when convincing his neighbours on supporting Ayken.

*"You are trying to suggest he will march his army over the Kayranese? Half of his army will die from attrition alone, while the other half will desert him. I dare say that would be quite a feat, even for the 'esteemed' Ayken Lovewater."* - First Consul Jara Hightier during a meeting of the Imperial High Command.

*"There are four types of sea serpents in Fanahrian lore. They are white, grey, red, and blue. When the White Sea Serpent descends onto the shoal, he kills all of them but only eats one. He has no laws. When the Grey Sea Serpent descends onto the shoal, he kills half of them, eats one and takes the remains to his own shoal. His laws are arbitary. When the Red Serpent descends onto the shoal, he kills only one, eats half of it, and takes the other half to his own shoal. He has laws. But... the Blue Sea Serpent... the Blue Sea Serpent... the Sea Serpent that shares the colours of both the sea and sky... the Sea Serpent that comes once in one thousand years. When the Blue Sea Serpent descends onto the shoal, he brings new unity, new customs, and new laws. My father told me that Ayken Lovewater is a Blue Sea Serpent."* - Prince Immanuel.

*"I cannot look our Lord Paramount in the eye and tell him how we have failed him. I will retain my honour and die here."* - Richmer Vagus refusing to withdraw from Tonstondin.

*"I dare you, Prince, to name me more noble and heroic military commanders than those who Ayken Lovewater surrounded himself with. We followed him because we believed in him. He changed the lives of the small folk forever, and won their love and unwavering support and loyalty. I had lost three sons at the Horton Fields that I had loved very much. My wife ended her life following the deaths of my sons. I have no news regarding the wellbeing of my daughter. However, I do have regrets. My only regret, which is heavy to bear, is that I have no more sons to send to die for our revolution. Do you know anyone who would say the same for your father, Prince? Why did I follow my Lord Paramount over your father, you asked me Prince? Because he is a man who has a cause worth dying for." -* Kon Strongmer to Prince Immanuel after the battle of Horton Fields.