I had arrived early, as was my usual when it came to these meetings. A pair of glasses sat on the table in front of me. Beside them sat a bucket of ice and the bottle I had brought with me. I was alone in the room. The staff was all in back, and outside on the door a closed sign hung keeping anyone else from entering. The fact that two of my men were also outside in regular clothes keeping watch made sure that the sign would be obeyed by all but one who might approach.

I slowly tapped my fingers on the top of the table in front of me. The tapping of bone on wood echoed through the entire room. I retracted the bone back into my body around my wrist, allowing me to see my watch. I eyed it for a moment checking the time even as the second hand of it continued to tick. It was as I was extending my bone, back through the skin of my arm to cover my wrist once, more that the bell over the door finally rang as it was opened.

Through the now opened door walked Kaiser in his full armored form. Like me his power was wrapped around him as armor to protect him. He took a few steps inside and took a look around, likely seeing if I or someone else had laid a trap. Behind him I could see Menja and Hookwolf both. After a moment he turned his head and I could hear him murmuring whispered orders to the both. I hadn't brought Joan Arc after all. It would only be rude for him to bring his subordinates into a meeting between us.

They both obeyed turning and walking out to leave Kaiser standing just a few feet in front of the door as it slammed shut behind him. Wordlessly he walked over and pulled out the chair across from me and took a seat as well. I silently took the two glasses. Put a cube of ice from the bucket in each and then poured from the bottle. Two fingers of scotch each that we both took and raised in silent salute.

I felt the smoothness roll down my throat as my hand set the glass back on the table with a clink. Kaiser took a moment more in savoring his drink before doing the same. Ritual of greeting complete it was time for us to talk.

"I'm sure you heard last night that Hirsent was taken by the Protectorate to the Rig."

Kaiser's only response to my words was a nod.

"When I asked for this meeting I wasn't expecting that to happen. I was planning to talk about the common ground we both share… I suppose I still am in a way though not as planned. Regardless, Hirsent will leave the Rig this evening. If Calvert, Militia and their ilk release her I shall stay my hand. If they do not… I will wage war upon their fortress to free her."

My words were soft, quiet. It was just the two of us, and despite my anger, for now my temper and my Itch remained calm. Across from me Kaiser was silent as metal covered fingers slowly tapped on the table in thought. No doubt my fellow villainous ruler was weighing his options and choosing his course with care.

I knew that I had done the same in the pre-dawn darkness, when I had stilled my wrath and my rage. Calming Joan Arc had been almost as difficult but it had been done. By the time the sun was rising in the east my war plans to free Hirsent had already begun to form. Dozens of phone calls, to my Lieutenants and district captains, to my associates, my lawyers, and others had all been made. The sun had risen to greet me as I had sat on my porch and simply waited.

Kaiser, ever a man that measured the cost of his actions, and weighed his choices, spent quite a few seconds in thought before finally speaking.

"Will you need assistance to free Hirsent?"

I raised a brow in surprise beneath my armor. I knew full well where Joan Arc and Kaiser stood on the terms of their relationship and interaction. The fact that he was making this offer to me despite that? It was something that spoke volumes of his position and stance. And, I knew that behind this command were likely the words of Allfather guiding and counseling his son and successor.

With equal care I weighed my own response and reply. The Empire had the strongest force of capes in the city. Having them with me would likely double or more the numbers I would be bringing to bear against the Protectorate. But, I knew Joan's mind.

"I would ask that you mobilize your forces and prepare but do not join us at the onset. If it is needed you can order your followers into battle. But let us see if we can make your assistance unnecessary first."

Kaiser gave me a firm nod of agreement before reaching forward and taking the bottle he poured a refill for the both of us. I let him do so. Kaiser was many things, some of which I had no tolerance or love for, but he was my comrade and ally in matters such as these. Even when we were not preparing for war, a king such as he was accorded certain respects, just as he did the same for me. But the one thing I had no doubt he would ever try or do, was to harm or kill me with poison.

We were kings in this city. If we ever turned against each other, our deaths would be something we would display for all the world to see, there would be no daggers in the back between us or even Lung as much as we might all dislike and even hate each other at times.

And so I took the drink he poured and raised it another silent toast as he did the same and we both consumed our drinks again. My glass quickly hit the table, and again he savored his before once more we talked.

"Originally when I asked for this meeting it was regarding Hirsent and Joan Arc in particular. I know you have spoken with Joan Arc, and you and her have your own agreement. But, you and I, still need to have a negotiation of the situation. Particularly since Joan Arc's presence in the city has an impact on your forces regardless of if they know of it yet…"

I studied him for a moment. I couldn't see his face, only his mouth and chin where his armor had been left exposed so that he could drink and speak without difficulty.

"Do any of them yet know?"

He sighed and nodded as he gave me his answer.

"Victor and Menja know, and Allfather as well."

My mouth set itself into a hard line.

"And Allfather as well… Well I suppose that one was simply inevitable."

Kaiser only nodded as I just sighed. I sorely wanted to pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration but bone was still in the way so I simply tightened my hands as much as the bone encasing them would allow.

"Nothing that can be done about that anymore, I suppose. Do keep the rest of your people in line and in the dark unless Joan Arc decides she wishes to change her mind on the situation."

She wouldn't of course. Joan Arc was, as she always had been, in love. And nothing, not even death would change that. I wouldn't lie and say it left me unaffected. Knowing her heart belonged to another. But, we did both love each other in our own ways, even if it was not that same love. But we had our love for each other, and we had Hirsent. And that would be enough. It would have to be enough.

Kaiser of course nodded. Me asking it was mere formality between us as leaders, not anything hard or concrete that would change Kaiser's policy in how he ran his Empire. I did a quick run through mentally. There was more that we could discuss but in truth, almost all of it would hinge on if the Protectorate released Hirsent. If they did, Kaiser and I would no doubt have other conversations in the near future that focused far more on the operations of our territory and how we would interact.

If they did not, everything was up in the air. Delphi had certainly predicted the city would know war but I never predicted I would be the one to start it even if I was provoked. Still her pre-cog prediction seemed to indicate perhaps the war was almost here. Likely tomorrow, no later than the day after depending how quickly those I had hired and summoned would arrive.

Kaiser could sense as well that our meeting was on hold until this matter was resolved. Sliding glass on the table he poured us both another glass before raising it and finally given a spoken toast to me as I met his raised glass with my own.

"To your fortune and your family."

It was all he said. It was all he needed to say. It summed up everything about the situation and broke it down into just six words. I idly couldn't help but wonder what Joan Arc would think of that.

He drained his drink for a final time, still savoring the amber liquid as I did the same. And, then, when he was done, he turned and departed. I just sat there for a moment before my bones shifted to reveal the 'pocket' I kept in my armor to store my tinkertech phone. Opening, and turning it on, I scrolled through checking the messages.

All of them were innocuous, in their content. Confirmation that the sender would be arriving soon, but making no mention, or hint, of the true meaning behind the words. As I was scrolling I noticed one key individual had not responded.

Pressing the call button I listened to the dial tone several times before finally there was a response. I didn't hear the caller himself, not at first, I instead heard what could only be a battle as the sound of what I was fairly sure was stone, brick, or perhaps concrete, shattering was the first thing I heard. I winced at the volume, no doubt it was very loud indeed on the other end.

Panting, heavy breathing, became audible a moment later. I heard a quickly greeting of.

"One quick second Marchy, I'm a little…" There was the sound of a muffled explosion that was likely a confoam grenade detonating. "…busy."

I proceeded to just sit there and listen to close to two minutes of what had to be a running fight of some kind. There wasn't much in the way of dialogue. The laughter of the man I called as the PRT and likely the Protectorate too attempted to subdue and restrain him, didn't count as it was a simple fact that it was his nature.

Finally though everything quieted down and I could hear his breath as he raised the phone back to his ear and mouth. Finally speaking after minutes of sitting stiff as a statue, my patience being tested, as the thought of just hanging up warred with the knowledge that this man had a particular knowledge and skill set I might end up needing if the worst should come to pass.

"Have you given thought to my offer?"

The man's chuckle was as expected, immediate.

"Me in Brockton, dear oh dear. Haven't been back since you last ran me out. Tell you what. I'll do it. Call it out of old time's sake in exchange for that time you kept the Protectorate from sending their big guns after me. But, in exchange what I want instead is an apology for running me out of town like that. You say you're sorry for being a big old meanie and hurting my feelings and I'll be down there before you need it ready to break out whoever you want."

I grit my teeth silently. But, I knew the realities of the situation.

"I'm sorry for kicking you out of my city…" I said barely keeping the growl out of my voice as I actually apologized to the mayhem in the form of a man that I was talking to on the phone.

"Well then! See that wasn't so hard. Anyways let me finish this tonight and I'll be there by tomorrow. See you soon Marchy."

The line went silent and I silently contemplated the fact that I was inviting someone I thought I never would, into my city. Eyeing the bottle sitting before me I poured myself a glass and threw it back knowing I would need it in the coming hours should the Protectorate and Calvert fail to see wisdom.