The Fall of Everything [Rewrite]

As soon as Belisarius woke up in the morning, he went downstairs to the inn to have breakfast. His mind had been so full the night before that he hadn't eaten a single bite. The inn they were in was one of the few in the city. Compared to the rest of the city, it looked like an architectural masterpiece and catered to foreigners visiting the city. The owner was a foreigner and had to pay Sanguinar a lot of money to build his inn. He was also a merchant, so his business was booming.
A breakfast was prepared for Belisarius, mostly dairy products. Most of these products came from animals raised in Rhazgord and were tasty but expensive. Belisarius was enjoying his meal when the doors of the inn opened. Belisarius did not bother to look back at the entrance door behind him. He preferred to savor the slightly sour cheese in front of him. He had just popped a piece of cheese into his mouth when he heard the innkeeper bustling about and saying something in Rhazgord language. He turned around and saw the innkeeper talking to Corvus, who was waiting outside the door. Behind Corvus were two Rhazgord warriors, one of whom was Zarqa.
Corvus was obviously asking where Belisarius was. Belisarius stood up, glad that his friend, who had been wounded the last time he had seen him, was all right. This gesture made Corvus notice him too. He interrupted his conversation with the innkeeper and greeted his long-lost friend.
"If I had known you were coming, I would have come to greet you."
"You know I couldn't entrust the things you need to anyone else. Besides, I couldn't miss the chance to escape Adler."
The two laughed and sat down at the table at Belisarius' invitation. Corvus' face fell when he saw the food on the table. This did not go unnoticed by Belisarius. "I didn't know you didn't like cheese, if you want something else I can order it for you" he said jokingly.
Not wanting to break the mood, Corvus immediately changed his expression, but he had to express his discomfort. "I like cheese and the other food on the table." He pointed at the innkeeper and said with an angry expression on his face, "But I don't like these bastards buying it cheap from us and selling it on fancy plates at high prices." The innkeeper was too far away to hear what Corvus was saying, but he knew from his gestures that he was not saying anything good.
Corvus' words reminded Belisarius of the old man he had seen the day before. Corvus saw him drop the bacon he had dipped his fork in and to cheer his friend up, Corvus put a piece of cheese in his mouth. "These things happen, Belisarius. This is our reality. Enjoy the food you are eating." Corvus paused for a moment and then said in a slightly worried tone , "I saw you yesterday in Rhaz. What did you think of my fight? Barbaric , wasn't it?" Belisarius recognized the concern in Corvus' voice.
"I don't know if it was barbaric or not, but one thing I do know is that I feel sorry for the next person who faces you!" He continued without stopping to change the subject and distract his friend from his worries. "I saw what you said... I mean, I saw the dirty tricks of those merchants yesterday. An old man tried to sell his precious swords for next to nothing. Why don't you intervene?"
Corvus bowed his head. He knew the situation and felt ashamed. "Because we cannot intervene. No one comes to Rhazgord to trade except these bastards. The roads are dangerous. There are too many merchants who think we'll eat them if they come at us."Pointing to the milk on the table, he said, "If these crooks don't come, we won't have anything to eat except that milk and the cheese next to it."
Belisarius was silent for a few seconds. He was thinking about something. He took a bite of the butter he had spread on the bread and turned to his friend.
"If you can provide security, we can establish a trade route between here and Adler. It would be profitable for both sides and you would get rid of the rogue traders." Belisarius said in a very serious tone, something Corvus had already thought of. Corvus's hand went to his forehead. It was something he always did when he was thinking about something important. After a few moments of silence, he gathered his thoughts.
"The problem is that no one wants the job. No warriors want to patrol the roads. Mercenary work is more profitable. If we don't provide a good salary, they won't come. My father is the only one who can pay enough, but his head is like a rock. The merchants already in the city keep sending him gifts. My father won't give it up easily."
Belisarius did not personally know Sanguinar Saakhar, but he was sure he could persuade him. Still, remembering Corvus's anger last night, he couldn't help thinking that if his son was like this, what must his father be like? He was looking for a solution when his thoughts were interrupted by Corvus' sigh.
"Long time no see and look what we're talking about!" he looked at the innkeeper and continued, raising his voice so he could be heard. "We can't have guests of the Tiamats in a shithole like this, can we? The Red Pavilion is ready for you and your men! Call your men and we'll put you in a proper place. Then I'll take you on a tour of the city." As Corvus said this, Belisarius, who was not yet full, quickly stuffed something into his mouth. As he chewed, he went upstairs to prepare his men.
When Belisarius came down, he reached into his pouch to pay for lodging and food, but the innkeeper stopped him in his haste. "If you think I would ask for payment from the guest of the future leader of the beautiful kingdom of Rhazgord, I am sorry, but you are sorely mistaken, my lord" he said, Corvus's cruel gaze clawing at the back of his neck. Belisarius insisted on paying, but Corvus would not allow it. "Let him count the cost of our goods he buys cheaply and sells expensively, Belisarius," he said. The merchant only responded with a fake smile. Corvus' words convinced Belisarius and he and his men headed for the door. As the group left the inn, Zarqa made sure to spit in the innkeeper's face.
Corvus and Belisarius decided to continue on foot. Zarqa led the horses, taking Belisarius' men with him. Corvus, Belisarius and a few warriors made their way through the city streets.
"I didn't expectthe Lion of Rhaz to be traveling with bodyguards," Belisarius said with a mischievous smile, gesturing to the warriors who followed two paces behind them. Corvus didn't seem happy about it either. "You've met Kaelyra, haven't you?" he said. All Belisarius remembered about Kaelyra was her anger. "Yes. I saw her in Adler City, but yesterday was the first time we spoke. She was as frightening as she was beautiful."
"I can imagine what happened, Kaelyra's anger would scare even my father," Corvus said after a short laugh. "She's actually a good and intelligent person as well as beautiful, but I made a bit of a mess yesterday." he looked a little embarrassed. "Kaelyra is like a big sister to me and worries a bit too much about me. And these friends -he pointed with his head at the warriors following a few paces behind them - she put them on my tail. I pissed off a lot of people yesterday."
Belisarius knew some of the details of yesterday's events. The innkeepers had talked about it all night long. "It's not hard to realize that you made a lot of people angry." From the first moment they had left the inn, they had been met with threatening looks from many people. But not everyone hated Corvus. A few meters in front of them were two seven or eight year old boys, excited to see Corvus and whispering to each other. Belisarius pointed to them.
"But you have also earned the respect of many people."
All along the way, they were watched by eyes full of anger, respect and admiration. They were approached by many people who wanted to talk to Corvus, however briefly. Most of them were young and beautiful women. Corvus, however, responded to them coldly and sternly. Belisarius found his reaction strange, even though he was obviously flattered by every praise he heard.
"You should be nicer to people. After all, they will serve you in the future."
Belisarius' words caused Corvus to slow his pace and become a little demoralized. "Remember where we are, Belisarius. This is Rhazgord, and if I am nice to them, if I bend down to talk to the children or shake everyone's hand, they will believe that I am on their level, that I am flesh and blood like them." He looked as if he could hardly believe his words. "I have to be unapproachable. If I am not unapproachable, they will be emboldened. They will come to me and challenge me and my rule."
Belisarius understood his friend, but he didn't agree. Most rulers cared little for the people, but they did not compete with them. That was not the case in Rhazgord. The ruler of Rhazgord had to be the strongest. Stronger than anyone else in the land. The rulers of Rhazgord did not want to fight people every day. They didn't need to be rulers to fight every day anyway. So they drew a very clear line between themselves and their people. Proving that you were superior to them was not enough to guarantee a reign. They had to be unapproachable. Like a god, unreachable even if one climbed to the highest point of Mount Rhaz.
As much as Belisarius wanted to say something, he restrained himself. It was clear that his friend did not like to talk about it. They were getting close to the Red Pavilion. They would have plenty of time to talk about this and similar matters.
One of the Mansion's guards approached Corvus in a hurry. Belisarius only understood the word 'Kaelyra '. This word caused his face to turn yellow, as did Corvus'. Corvus turned to his friend and said, "We'll get you settled tonight. I think we should go to the army camp. I have some things to do there too." Corvus made this offer precisely because Kaelyra's name had been mentioned. Belisarius, afraid of Kaelyra, nodded without thinking. The two were walking back to the mansion with their backs to each other when a woman's voice shouted out, causing the two friends to freeze in their tracks.
"Can we escape?" Belisarius whispered. The words came out of Corvus' mouth helplessly; "No one can escape."