Hey! As promised, a longer chapter to make up for the lack of activity with this fic. Thank you for your patience! I hope you enjoy it!

Warnings: Mentions of child death, torture inflicted on a child, and underage, not very healthy, sex.

New Names:

- Kiku Honda: Japan

- Emperor Yao: China

- Yong Soo Im: S. Korea


Chaos. No other word could paint the state of the city of Mittestadt with more accuracy. The civilians have lived in peace for so long, they have almost forgotten the feeling of war, so they flounder like fish out of water, unused to experiencing violence of this degree. Babies scream as their terrified mothers jostle them awake, a few dropped in the rush to escape, never to grow old. Children lose their grip on their parents' hands before being swallowed by the ever-growing crowd. The elderly hobble towards the church, pushed aside by younger, more able-bodied men and women who flock towards the Palace, the only places they believe to be safe. The Royals would never allow the invaders to reach the Palace, would they? God would never let harm befall his home, would he?

Soldiers assemble in orderly lines, preparing to confront Hualese troops, while braver civilians rush to extinguish fires, help the soldiers set up barricades, or assist those left behind. Back by the port, Hualese flags flutter in the wind, the flames and lanterns casting a light on the dragon curled around a cherry blossom tree.

Like the citizens of Mittestadt, Jan has never witnessed pure chaos before. He chokes on smoke, a pounding headache beginning to make itself known, aided in no way by the constant explosions that make the floor shake. Fear floods his mind, more acute than ever, yet Eirik's words push him to fight it. If he doesn't meet with the Emperor, things will be a lot worse than they are now.

The emotional side of him begs him to abandon his newfound duty so he can find Emma. Sweet Emma, whose tavern is most certainly aflame, years of hard work poured down the drain. His little sister, who he had been arguing with only a few hours before. If she's hurt - or, God forbid, dying - it's his mission to help her, to go to her.

But Eirik's words won't let him change course.

The Hualase have taken over the port completely. Their smaller ships are docked between Siedlerdan ones, their giant warships float a bit further out. Soldiers march to and fro, obeying orders shouted at them by their superiors, misled men fighting for a false cause.

Jan is running out of time.

Sneaking past the soldiers sounds like a bad idea, especially if he wants them to believe he wants peace, so he walks up to the nearest group of soldiers, hands raised in the universal sign of surrender, secretly hoping they don't have orders to kill any intruder on sight.

"I mean no harm, I simply wish to converse with the Emperor."

His Hualese hasn't yet had time to rust, therefore the sounds which escape his lips are crystal clear. The only possible issue that could arise would be because of the dialect he speaks; the Eastern dialect, which borders the ocean, is the second most spoken dialect in Hualong, although he would be foolish to assume that all soldiers he meets can understand it.

Fortunately for him, more than half of the group exchange surprised looks, glance at the ship he assumes to be the Emperor's, then back at him again. They look young and inexperienced, more skinny than lean, their hair thin and their cheeks hollow, yet their eyes glint with a grim determination foreign to the Siedlerdan merchant. They must come from one of the impoverished regions of Hualong, the type where famines are still a common occurrence. Jan finds little business in places like those, so stays far away from them.

Hundreds of eyes cast their hostile gaze upon him, the rest of the port noticing his presence, but none draw their weapons. Not yet, although there's plenty of time for them to change their minds. A soldier scurries to the grand ship to alert the Emperor of his arrival.

Jan finally has time to think through what he needs to tell the Emperor. He's never met the man, but he's met people who have. Emperor Yao is a proud man, they tell him, one whose family means everything to him. He's an opportunist, a man interested in worthwhile investments. The merchant will have to take care not to offend him in any way.

His hand hasn't relinquished its grasp on the item Eirik gave him, the cool object radiating confidence Jan is certain he wouldn't feel otherwise. Curiosity begs him to sneak a peak at what must be a magical artefact - how Eirik has gotten a hold on one intrigues him almost more than the object itself - but the foreigner's words yet again shut it down. He can talk to the Nordliger about it once this mess is over and done with.

The soldier returns, accompanied by a short man Jan recognises immediately. Kiku Honda, General of the Hualese Army, and one of Jan's best clients. His presence is unexpected, though not unwelcome. Kiku is a rational man, somewhat shy, always polite.

"Mister De Vries. I did not expect to see you again so soon," he says, his face oddly neutral.

"I didn't expect the country of Hualong to attack Mittestadt. I need to speak with your Emperor."

A frown twists the General's blank expression to one of annoyance. Whether his displeasure is directed towards Jan or the Emperor he serves, Jan can't quite tell.

"I regret to inform you his Imperial Majesty wishes not to converse with a Siedlerdan at this moment in time. I will escort you out of our camp."

So the Emperor is angered. That, Jan suspected the moment he sent a fleet to attack Siedlerde, but to refuse an attempt at negotiation, that surprises him. His frown deepens.

"I respect his Imperial Majesty's decision, but I urge him to reconsider. The King of Sielderde does not want war between our countries."

Kiku looks to his leader's ship, then back at Jan, conflict dancing underneath the uncaring mask he's crafted. The Emperor's word may be law, but morals have a habit of complicating simple orders. Finally, he gestures for Jan to follow him.

"As General of this army and right-hand man to his Imperial Majesty, I will contest his Imperial Majesty's orders to grant your request. Do not make me regret my decision."

His declaration serves more to appease his men than to reassure his friend. It seems to do the trick, and Jan is forgotten as soldiers return to their tasks. The merchant follows the General to the Emperor's ship, a magnificent construction a shipwright has spent a lifetime perfectioning. Vicious dragons run up the wood, intertwined with vines and flowers, the Emperor's insignia carved into the dark wood. Splashes of red and gold decorate doors and window panes. It's a masterpiece, one that cost a lot to be built.

"I trust the Emperor will not be offended by my dialect," Jan calls to the General.

"If he is, then I will translate for you."

The smoke is particularly strong here, the stench of gunpowder causes Jan to cough and cover his mouth with his scarf. Kiku seems unperturbed, stepping lightly across the deck to the Emperor's cabin.

Emperor Yao sits on a throne of silk, legs crossed, a scowl expressing exactly how he feels about his orders being disobeyed. Expensive robes of war, a scarlet red in colour, cover him from the neck down to his ankles, while long black hair - rumoured to never have been cut since he became Emperor - hangs down his back, tied up in a ponytail. Many rumours have arisen throughout the years; some claim he is older than Hualong itself, others that he is descended from the great dragon who created mankind, according to Hualese mythology.

All Jan sees is an old man unused to being contradicted. He appears youthful at first glance, but if one were to look closely, they would notice a thin layer of powder that masks his age-related imperfections. His robes, which would appear majestic on a greater man, hang loosely on his thin frame. Jan can almost smell the sickness that clings to him from the entrance.

Only one guard has been tasked with protecting the Emperor, a young man seemingly relieved that something exciting has finally happened. He can barely contain his anticipation as he shifts from one foot to the other, hand on the helm of his blade, which earns him a stern, slightly exasperated stare from his General.

"Stand still, Yong Soo, this man is not a threat."

"I asked for the Siedlerdan to be removed from the premises," the Emperor says.

"He insists it's important, your Imperial Majesty."

"Is he coming to surrender?"

Jan sucks in the warm air, suddenly aware of the sickly perfume that wafts through the cabin heated and dampened by devices he has never seen before. He has to do this. He must do this. Squeezing the object in his hand, a sudden rush of courage washes over him, invigorating and, dare he say, addictive. He can do this.

"In a fashion, your Imperial Majesty. His Royal Majesty King Hans Beilschmidt of Siedlerde wishes to confer with you privately. He has reason to believe there has been a misunderstanding."

The Emperor's expression doesn't change.

"Does he? Odd he wishes to confer with me privately about a misunderstanding only once his capital city is being destroyed."

"I think wishing to negotiate when his city's on fire is understandable. We have reason to believe the Hualese Empire has been fed false accusations against the Kingdom of Siedlerde. The King wishes to discuss these accusations with your Imperial Majesty."

"If the King issues a formal apology for setting fire to my Palace, then I may consider discussing these accusations with him."

"Siedlerde did not set fire to your Palace. We intercepted a message a few days ago, written partly in Hualese, partly in Nordligan. Upon translating it, we discovered a plot to set fire to the Emperor's Palace and put the blame on Siedlerde. I do not have the message on me currently, but I will show it to your Imperial Majesty when you meet with His Royal Majesty of Siedlerde."

Jan holds his breath, studying the Emperor's face for any change of emotion. For a split second, a flicker of doubt sparks across his face, but it is quickly doused by the stubborn belief that Jan is lying and he is right. His two companions reveal a lot more. Kiku appears pensive, and the bodyguard has a look of surprise on his face. Before the Emperor can say anything, he blurts his own thoughts out.

"Kristian! It must be Kristian who sent that message! I knew the," and here he says something Jan doesn't understand but guesses to be rude, "was up to something!"

"Quiet, Im Yong Soo," Emperor Yao snaps, although he seems to be doubting once more. He turns to Jan. "Who translated the Nordligan text?"

"A member of the Permanent Court of Mittestadt, Eirik Thomassen. He is Nordliger-born, but loyal to Siedlerde."

Recognition flashes in the Emperor's eyes, the gears turning in his mind. A dry smile crosses his lips.

"Ah, Eirik Thomassen... And now we have a problem. Do I choose to believe the morally-doubtful man who has sworn to be my ally, or the traitor seemingly loyal to my enemy? A difficult choice, wouldn't you agree?"

Jan is unsure whether the man is mocking him or not, the name "Kristian" foreign to him. A surge of irritation runs through his veins. He's a merchant, not a politician. He cares about selling things, convincing people to buy the things he's selling, and making a profit. Right now, his sister's home is burning, and his own business is at stake. If a war breaks out between the two countries, no Siedlerdan will be welcome in Hualong, and he can't afford that.

Running the numbers and facts through his mind, he gathers what he wants to say. He blames the object Eirik gave him, the thing thrums with energy, tells him that he's right, that what he says is the truth, that the old man will listen.

Jan speaks.

"Pardon me if what I'm about to say offends Your Imperial Majesty, but I am not a politician. Who you choose to side with would not concern me, if not for the small fact that your reckless and misinformed decision could harm not only the innocent people living here in Mittestadt, but also your own country's future. Correct me if I am wrong, but Siedlerde is Hualong's third biggest trading partner. We import much, that is true, but think about what we export: cattle, metal, wood, necessities that Hualong needs. Let us assume that Hualong lays waste to Mittestadt. No Siedlerdan merchant would choose to do business with any of your people. In fact, I myself would spread the word to my trading partners and my acquaintances from the R.I.S., Raistice, Ksevstoku, Gudarnasland, not to trade with Hualong, be it with Hualese merchants, salesmen, anyone who pledges loyalty to Your Imperial Majesty.

"Your soldiers are suffering from famine. Why Hualong can provide them no food is none of my business, but should you accept His Royal Majesty's peace, should you accept to listen, to see with your own eyes the proof that Siedlerde did not set fire to your Palace, then I will personally arrange a good deal for more grain, cattle, whatever food you require, to be exported to Hualong."

He has offended the Emperor. The man bristles with anger, his scowl darkening, his nails digging into his robes, but still he keeps calm. He stares at Jan silently, looks at him with an indecipherable expression on his face.

"If I may speak, Your Imperial Majesty," Kiku steps forward, "the Siedlerdan who speaks before you is the merchant Jan De Vries. His influence spreads far and wide. He will do what he says he will."

"Besides," Jan adds, "tell me what Siedlerde would have to gain by lying. Our army is dispersed across the country, we have no political motivation that would justify burning your Palace down. You have the stronger army. What would we gain from a war?"

The Emperor still doesn't speak.

He has no answer, Jan realises.

Someone has told him Siedlerde wants war, but hasn't given him a reason as to why. Why the Emperor would accept their word as truth eludes him, but the fact remains they have convinced a powerful man of a threat with no reason to exist. For a person to be talented enough to do such a thing terrifies Jan.

Only use it as a last resort.

"Eirik Thomassen told me to show you this, if Your Imperial Majesty continues to doubt my word."

He unfolds his hand, showing the man the object that lies in his hand. A hair clip fashioned into the shape of the cross, from a metal light in both weight and colour, rests in his palm. The Emperor stills, reaching out to touch the cross in wonder. Then the tension in his shoulders is released as he lets out a short laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.

"The insignia of Kryld... It seems that Eirik Thomassen is one step ahead, as usual. Did he tell you what it represents?"

Jan shakes his head. The object is mesmerising, it almost seems to change colour, going from silver to gold to white with every passing second.

"It looks like the Gudarna symbol of Faith."

"It does, but it isn't. This cross symbolises the Truth. Whoever chooses to show it proclaims that what they say is the Truth, and if they are proven to be wrong, then they accept any punishment, including execution." Emperor Yao straightens in his seat. "So be it. General, give the order for our troops to back down. I will meet with the King of Siedlerde, and we will discuss Siedlerde's claim that it is innocent."

His golden eyes meet Jan's, a newfound respect glimmering in their depths.

"I thank you for your honesty, Siedlerdan. My bodyguard will accompany us on our way to the King's Palace."


Hostile gazes follow them all the way to the Palace, never ceasing even once they stand in the courtroom. The Hualese ambassador has finally made a reappearance in court, Jan is pleased to notice, although he is less pleased when the King announces he will speak to the Emperor in private, with the ambassador as translator. The merchant follows the courtesans out of the room and into the corridors, looking around to see if he can spot Eirik.

The young man is rubbing the sleep out of his eyes well away from the crowd, and looks even worse than he did earlier. His skin has turned a deathly pale in colour, his hands trembling and his breath coming out in short and shallow breaths. To Jan, he seems more frightened than fatigued.

"Success," he smiles as he approaches him.

"Good job," Eirik says, but his voice lacks the relief it should have.

"Is something troubling you?"

"Long story." The pale blond glances at the door before making his decision. "Walk with me?"

It must be six in the morning by now, but the sun has yet to rise. Mittestadt is eerily silent, a silence broken only by the wails of citizens who have lost everything and the crack of flames as they're extinguished. Exhaustion weighs on Jan's shoulders, but the fresh air helps him stay alert enough to listen to Eirik. Now the panic is easing away, he's startled to realise that his previous thought hasn't gone away. Despite the fear and fatigue, Eirik is stunning, and thinking such a thing scares Jan.

"Could I have my cross back now?" Eirik asks.

"Oh, sorry. Forgot I still had it."

The Nordliger doesn't put it back in his pocket, but clips it in his hair, pinning one side back. The new look suits him, enables Jan to admire the shape of his jaw and cheekbones. Still, it surprises him.

"I thought you didn't want people to know about it?"

"The King knows already. I don't care what the hypocrites think about it."

Eirik hesitates, before pressing a hand to the cross in his hair. His dark eyes meet Jan's, dark circles hanging under them somehow making them even more striking than usual.

"I swear to you that what I'm about to say is the truth. If one word I utter is a lie, I leave my punishment in your hands. And so I swear as a member of Kryld," his voice shakes as he speaks the foreign word.

He looks down at the cobblestones, collecting his thoughts.

"When the riots started, I sided with the Council of Elders, as did the village I lived in. As I told you, the rebels, the Sannar Arvingjar themselves in fact, massacred my village. I managed to escape with my brother, but we had no weapons, no food, no warm clothes. We were stranded in nothing more than cotton shirts and trousers with no means to protect ourselves from the wild animals that lurk in the forest. If Kryld hadn't found us, we would both have died in a day.

"Kryld is a rebel group, but it doesn't follow the Sannar Arvingjar or the Følgjendur Guds. Rebel groups follow one or the other, sometimes both. Their loyalty to either group is debatable, but they do follow them. Kryld, on the other hand..." He sighs. "Kryld wants the U.R.N. to become a powerful country. They want to increase trade with the big powers of the world, spread our culture, our language, create better and stronger political alliances. They don't care whether Eldís belongs to Gudarnasland or the U.R.N., so long as the Uavhengig Riket i det Nordliger becomes a global superpower. Kryld operates via political manipulation by infiltrating the governments of the world and slowly convincing them to give the U.R.N. anything it asks for. They believe themselves superior to other rebel groups because the only violence they resort to is the odd assassination."

"Their goal doesn't seem that bad, politics aside," Jan frowns, "isn't that what you want too?"

"Why do you think I joined Kryld in the first place? They saved my brother and I, provided us with food, warm clothes and shelter, but demanded nothing in return. They didn't even tell us about their plans, they just told us we could depend on them as we pleased. They weren't particularly interested in my brother and I, to be honest. I was fifteen, Emil ten, we weren't exactly recruit material." Eirik shakes his head. "Their leader saw potential in me and slowly, through the course of the next six months, told me Kryld's intentions were. I joined just before my sixteenth birthday of my own free will, on the sole condition they would protect my little brother."

A bird starts to sing somewhere, a high, incessant tweeting sound that hurts Jan's ears. The two sit on a bench in the gardens, although Eirik fidgets almost constantly, his foot tapping erratically against the ground.

"Their leader, he trained me so that I could infiltrate the Siedlerdan Court. He taught me the manners expected of me, how to sway people to my cause, how to earn the King's trust. He found me books to read, so I could learn more. He played me like a fiddle, just like he played everyone else." Eirik's hands curl into fists. "I agree with Kryld's general thought. The U.R.N. should be a stable, powerful country capable of going toe-to-toe with bigger global powers. However, I disagree with their methods and the lies Kristian," he spits out the name, "feeds them."

"Kristian? Emperor Yao mentioned him earlier."

Eirik's head shoots up.

"He's in Hualong?"

"It could be another Kristian."

"It wouldn't be. If the Emperor knows him, then it can't be anyone else. He's dangerous. He cares little about the countries he seeks to control, only wants the U.R.N. to rule over everyone. He doesn't think to resolve the conflict in our own country, he manipulates everyone to think that the only reason we're in political turmoil is because the other countries want us to be. He somehow thinks that by taking over the governments of the world, all hostilities in our own country will suddenly cease to exist.

"I was young and foolish. Once I started to notice his lies, I thought I could do something about it. I reconsidered every order he gave me, only obeying if I thought it useful. He found out, of course." Eirik swallows, going silent, before finally saying, in a voice soaked in hatred and self-loathing. "He sent me a lock of Emil's hair and told me that if I didn't return, he would not only kill Emil, but kill him slowly, cutting him up and sending me the pieces one by one. When I came back, he'd already hurt him. My little brother, who was only twelve, had an area of skin on his back peeled off. I wanted to kill that monster. It was my own fault, I should have known better than to cross him, but I still wanted to kill him."

A wave of nausea overcomes Jan, but his own feelings are nothing compared to Eirik's increasingly violent shaking.

"You don't have to continue if you don't feel comfortable talking about it," he says.

"I'm fine. Just... I decided I would get Emil away from Kryld. Hilal welcomed him with open arms, especially when I told the Sultan what had happened to him. I planned to send Emil to Hilal and return to Siedlerde. Firstly, I had to convince that monster of my loyalty to him." He rubs his clip. "I swore on my cross that I would never do such a thing again, and convinced him I was infatuated by him. He couldn't conceive that someone would lie when swearing the sacred oath, so he let me... entertain him, shall we say. One night, I convinced him we should switch things up a bit. He was too exhausted by the end of it to notice how I slipped poison into his drink. By the time the poison started to take effect, Emil and I were far away from him.

"I should have used a fast poison. He would have died from that, but I didn't, and now he's out there, and he's asked the King for me back, alive, so he can enact the punishment I deserve from breaking my vow," Eirik finishes his tale with a frustrated hiss and a kick at the cobbles under his feet.

Jan doesn't speak, mind racing to absorb all the information Eirik's just given him. Eirik was a rebel. Eirik attempted to assassinate the leader of the rebel group of which he used to be a member. Some people want Eirik dead.

Can he trust Eirik?

"You went back to Siedlerde. Why not stay in Hilal? Or go to Gudarnasland?"

"Hilal welcomed my brother because he was an innocent child harmed by civil war. They do not grand me the same courtesy. As for Gudarnasland, the Queen wants my death just as much as the rebels do. We're not on good terms, to put it it lightly. Besides, I speak Siedlerdan, know their customs better than any other country, why should I go anywhere else?"

Jan glances back at the Palace. They should probably head back soon. Who knows when the King and the Emperor will finish their negotiations? Eirik and he would do well to be around once they make their decision.

"What I don't understand," Eirik says softly, "is what Kryld has to gain from a war between Hualong and Siedlerde. Kidnapping the princess, I understand, but a war... how would it benefit the U.R.N.? Siedlerde would be even less likely to provide support, and Hualong certainly wouldn't, so why?"

Jan has no answer to his question. He's tired. He needs to sleep soon, but he needs to find his sister first. Then there's his promise to Hualong to sort out, and the Permanent Court Meeting tomorrow... except that it's today, not tomorrow. A light flashes in his mind.

"Friday. Today is Friday."

"Yes, today is Friday," Eirik raises an eyebrow, before his eyes widen in realisation. "You don't mean-"

"Any Permanent Court Meetings will be cancelled in favour of rebuilding the city. You won't be able to get your plan through."

Eirik, who had started to calm down, curses loudly, with so much venom in his voice Jan flinches. He's starting to learn his new friend is terrifying when angry.

"So that's what he wants. No foreign aid sent to Gudarnasland means no way to push the rebels back. Dubois must be in contact with Kryld somehow. Permanent Council Meetings aren't public, there's no other way anyone could find out what we plan to discuss."

He suddenly yawns, pinching his skin as he fights to stay awake. Jan gestures towards the Palace.

"We'll wait until discussions are over. If they agree to make peace, get some rest. You look shattered."

"As do you," Eirik manages a thin smile.

"I've got things to do first. If you wake up before me, start thinking about how the princess could be kidnapped. If the kidnappers belong to Kryld, do you think we can trace them back to Kristian?"

Eirik frowns.

"Probably, but he'll be long gone by the time we find out where exactly he's hiding. If he was in Hualong before they attacked Mittestadt, he won't be anymore." He hesitates. "If we do find him, what do you propose we do? Demand the King puts him on trial? He'll talk his way out of it, and someone else will take the fall instead."

Jan shakes his head, trying not to shoot too much of a disapproving stare at Eirik. For someone supposed to be smart, he can be exceedingly slow at times.

"We'll invite him over for a few drinks, of course." He smiles. "Bring a better poison this time."