The situation remained stable for a period of time, but Lord Aureline seemed to be gaining momentum. Although there had been no direct battle between the royal army and Lord Aureline's rebels, he was steadily gaining loyalty in the second region, and more and more people pledged themselves to his cause.
No one knew where the rumors began, but they soon spread to the royal city that the gods had rejected Edward as king. It was said that the late king had made a covenant with the Old Gods, which was why he reopened their temple within the palace shortly before his death.
The nobles of the royal capital knew this well. After all, Lady Anastasia's marriage back then had followed the old rites. So even though many were now Christians, doubt lingered in their hearts.
