Huren Holdfast - 142nd King of Kings
Of the Feylder Dynasty [Sigil: A White Horse, Wreathed in Yellow Flame, on a Blue and Green Field]
Huren was in Collorio Lon when his aunt returned with news of King Arrik's death. Well aware of the weakness of his claim, he moved immediately to the Sea of Trials and took a boat to Acciano to be crowned by the Prince of Hosts, while his brother Warren promised to shore up support in Terminallia. Word spread incredibly quickly, however, and by the time the coronation had finished, another claimant had emerged. A man calling himself Ardro claimed to be the descendent of one of Cenedras IV's sons, escaped from imprisonment and now claiming his rights. Farfield rose for him (he was from Vargano), and many wealthy merchants supported his cause: their influence brought in a host of four Khabarese paladins and their adherents to fight for him. Huren elected to remain safe on Acciano and leave strategy to his brother Warren. By the time Warren had raised an army to answer “this pretender, who claims no more than to be the son of a Liar,” another claimant had arrived. Prince Jon, son of Venedor II, who had previously refused to come home from Vaina and take the crown, now came with his wife’s army (Duchess Corisen of Alazia in Vaina), announcing he had a moral imperative to rescue Monos from “these savage bandit kings.” Warren had the largest Monosi army, but Jon had the fabled speller-knights of Vaina, and Ardro brought well-trained (and well-armed) paladins with a host of Vargano mercenaries. Warren pleaded with Huren to march from Acciano and summon the northern kings, but Huren would not leave. Warren took his army south into Milos, into his homeland of Yfri, and tried to hire soldiers; he had ill luck as the region was broiled in its own troubles. His main strategy, however, was to let the two foreign armies collide, confident the victor would be easy spoils. Yet fearing said victor might claim the crown while he was away, Warren made haste in returning: too much haste. He arrived whilst Ardro’s army was fleeing Jon’s, and the route turned into a massive broil. The Battle of Kingsfield was a horribly bloody affair, but Warren managed to turn back both armies: Ardro retreating to Cittuvio in the west and Jon toward the east. Believing Vaina to be the greater threat, Warren pursued Prince Jon and engaged them again at Hell’s Cauldron, forcing the Vainans to retreat into the dangerous and unknown land of Samaya. After celebrating their victory, the troops insisted on crowning Warren as their king; Warren did not object. A crown was forged from the sword of a fallen Vainan, and Warren declared himself the true king of Monos. He sent a letter to his aunt Seria on Acciano, telling her of this and urging her to imprison his brother Huren, adding that if he found Huren walking free when he returned to Acciano, he would execute his own brother. Seria obliged him.
