Chapter 17: The Next Phase
A week and a half passed. Before Blake knew it, he'd essentially become part of the Silverhand household.
Their home on the upper floor couldn't have been more different from the pristine grandiosity of the palace, yet reflected its inhabitants to an equal extent. It was modest and lacked any extravagant décor, reminding Blake of the village he'd grown up in with how simple their tastes appeared. But calling the house barren couldn't be further from the truth- blueprints, rough sketches, and schematics for new devices or buildings littered the walls. Many had long successions of notes attached, some even reaching the floor. A closer look revealed them to be comments from the siblings on each other's work, offering praise or pointing out solutions to problems.
Blake couldn't decipher half of what the notes were getting at. It was even worse near Felix's room, where the blueprints instead detailed redstone contraptions much too complicated for the casual observer like himself. He didn't spend much time upstairs beyond staying in the guest bedroom, dining room, or washroom; mercifully, all three were relatively clear of the overwhelming jargon.
Downstairs in the storefront, things were much neater. Wooden plank floors, an open showroom to display the Silverhands' various services, and the soft illumination of redstone lamps gave the place a less cluttered feel. It was only in the back room, where their crafting was carried out, that things became messier. It was covered wall to wall in chests, crafting tables, and furnaces.
This room was where Blake found himself most often.
Emily spent most of the days out conducting appraisals for future projects or working on some construction site or other. Most of the business' hired help went with her, leaving Felix and only a few villagers trained in blacksmithing to hold down the fort at their shop. Unwilling to just bum around taking up space, Blake wound up getting a part-time job to help Felix manage an endless list of crafting orders.
"Blake, we need repairs done on these six iron chestplates."
"Pass them here, I'll take care of it."
"We just got a request for an enchanting table. Three of them, actually. Need the recipe?"
"I've got it, thanks."
"At some point we have to fix up this golden sword."
"Is that the same sword as yesterday? This guy's gotta switch to something more durable."
"Someone's looking for a turtle shell. Do we have enough scutes?"
"We're all out. I'll write up the order for more."
"Thanks."
Blake still had no eye for design aesthetics, but he adjusted to the logistics of the store with relative ease. Something about the routineness of it all felt good; it occupied time he might have otherwise wasted.
On days off, or during the evenings, he gave Felix some pointers in combat. Though he turned out to be all thumbs when it came to swords, he showed much greater prowess wielding an axe. Seeing no reason not to diversify his defense against other weapon types, Blake took to sparring with him using a sword made from some of the iron he'd been rewarded with. Felix proved to learn quickly, and before long he was able to hold his own against Blake for a few minutes. Grass Core notwithstanding, he probably could have stood up to Ray.
Neither of them were world-class combatants. But by training together, they both improved quite a bit from when they'd first met. And, perhaps more importantly for Blake, it was fun to have a friend to push himself with again.
One evening, Emily had news for them as they sat down for dinner together. "I'll need both of you to work a little overtime for the next few days. We're about to get a big influx of orders."
Felix just nodded, with no further questions.
"Why's that?" Blake asked. "Is something going on?"
"Luxmouth's hosting representatives from our neighbors to discuss the Usurpation War effort," Emily explained, "and Duke Xavier himself has requested new items to add to the guests' provisions."
She snorted before continuing. "The list's shorter than it usually would be during other visits. I'm glad all it took to convince some of the big-shots they could go without bed sheets made of the wool from sheep personally blessed by Notch was an invasion. Remember last year, Felix?"
"I wish I couldn't. All the dyes we were using for banners and carpeting wouldn't wash out of my hands for a week."
Blake thought it over before recalling his visit to the palace. "Oh yeah, we heard about that after we got here."
"On the bright side, we'll get a day off for the Festival," she said.
He blinked. "What?"
"The Festival of Notch's Triumph? You don't know what that is?"
"I know who Notch is. Just didn't know you guys had a whole festival for him."
Like the Legendary Heroes, Notch was one of those names everybody seemed to know on principle, no matter where they were from. But a festival dedicated to him was new to Blake.
"We have a two-day, citywide celebration in his honor every year," Felix explained. "That'll contribute to the increased workload over the next few days too, but like Em said, we'll have the day itself off."
"Until then, everyone's going to have to pull extra weight. Got it?" asked Emily.
Blake and Felix nodded.
"Great. Now, who's up for some cake?"
Celia scanned the rotunda, checking off a list of names in her head.
"Granitetown, Spruce Roost, Horizon's Outreach, and even Frostcap... but is this really it?"
The day of the meeting had come, two weeks after her return, and on that clear afternoon Luxmouth had welcomed the ambassadors of any settlement or allied group with which contact hadn't been cut off. More than two dozen people, guards and officials alike, entered the palace's chamber of foreign affairs. Celia was seated in the front, at her father's right. On either side of them sat the Duke's advisory council, elected officials who helped him enact the will of Luxmouth's populace. The rest of the tables were arranged to encircle a central podium, on which a large map of the continent had been placed.
"You look tense, Father," she whispered. "Please, loosen up a little."
He slackened his shoulders with a grim nod. Celia could hardly blame him; though he'd maintained an air of optimism since she returned, the sight of barely half the birch chairs in the room occupied was disheartening for them both.
"All those not present are either too tied up in dealing with the Usurpation, or they've already been conquered."
As everyone took a seat, she tried to put on a brave face. Now was the time to be strong- for her father, for her people, and for the world the invaders sought to overrun.
"I wonder how the others are doing. Did Blake stay in the city? Or did he leave, to find his calling?"
Her father stood, and a hush fell over the room. "Many years has it been since Luxmouth last played host to a war council," he announced. "I'd hoped not to attend another in my lifetime, but fate has made its call. It does my heart good to see we have not yet all fallen to the invaders." He sat and gestured to one of the tables on their right. "We should assess the situation before we decide our plan of action. Envoys of Frostcap, you have the floor.
The mountain city was the furthest north of Luxmouth's allies, a comparatively small community surrounded by icy, difficult terrain. Due to how out of the way it was and its lack of a Genesis Core, the Usurpation had largely ignored Frostcap- which subsequently employed a spy network across the conquered territory.
"Thank you, Duke Xavier," one of the ambassadors said, stepping over to the map. "The Usurpation Army has pushed its main forces southeast as far as the Great Badlands, where they have established a city of their own while continuing their hunt for those artifacts."
He pointed at a black X on the map within a large orange area, where only the occasional small village was found. Celia's heart clenched; the residents couldn't have stood a chance.
"We believe they intend to expand further to the south," the ambassador continued, "until they have the western territories surrounded."
"That's impossible!" came an uproar from one of the Spruce Roost dignitaries. "Be reasonable, no army could have the manpower to hold that much land!"
The room fell silent. When it became clear the speaker from Frostcap wasn't kidding, the objector blanched. "But… how could they… where could they even get those kinds of numbers?
"It isn't just in their numbers," the Frostcap ambassador said. "The 'Genesis Cores' they possess seem to have been the deciding factor. We have been in contact with the Iron Garrison mercenary force, who regrettably could not spare any representatives to speak with us. Their messengers tell of the mystic powers wielded by the Usurpation's squad leaders."
"That can't be true, can it?" someone else asked.
Celia looked at her father, who nodded and spoke up. "Ladies and gentlemen, a moment please. My daughter, the Countess Celia, recently encountered the Usurpation's scouts personally. She will share her experiences for you all."
The ambassadors returned to their seats, all eyes on Celia. She gulped and stood to address the room. "Esteemed representatives of Luxmouth's friends and neighbors," she began, "the Duke speaks the truth. Nearly a month ago, I covertly left the city and traveled overseas to the west, where I was able to find a Genesis Core."
An unspoken "you did that by yourself?" was tangible amongst her listeners, so she elaborated. "I left with no escort, only the help of a trusted friend. We were further assisted by a young man who lived near the Core's site of discovery. During our return journey, we were hounded by two parties of Usurpers who sought to take it from back."
Celia could feel more than a few judgmental stares at the mention of her nonexistent security detail, but nobody said anything. She never thought she'd miss Blake's blunt informality; he would have told her how reckless the plan had been without a second thought.
"The impression I took from them was one of mixed capability. Dressed in ragged robes, and with average swordsmanship at best, they appear to be little more than brigands. However, the Usurpation also possesses technology very different to our own, which we are as yet incapable of replicating. But their main strength appears to be a morale bordering on the zealous. Their minor troops were identified by numbers, with only their squad leaders appearing to have names."
She heard confused mutters echoing from both sides of the room. Wondering just how seriously she was being taken, she kept going. "Said leaders did indeed possess Genesis Cores of their own, and put up a considerable fight in their pursuit. If the Usurpation has as many Cores under their control as it seems, we can only guess what they might be capable of."
Celia took a seat, catching another small nod from her father in the corner of her eye. The Frostcap ambassador returned to the podium. "There you have it. We don't yet know what drives the zealotry the Countess mentioned, but we may have determined where the Usurpation comes from."
Everyone in the room appeared to lean forward in their seats, Celia included. Finally, some answers about their mysterious enemies! The representative cleared his throat, realizing the heightened attention he'd brought upon himself. "Frostcap's analysis of their movements, and the lack of prior information from any known region, indicates only one potential place of origin. The Usurpation… hails from the Far Lands."
The room fell silent, until the Spruce Roost representative who'd voiced skepticism beforehand stifled a snort. "That's not possible. It can't be. How many expeditions, how many daring adventurers have gone seeking the world beyond the Border, never to return?"
Others conferred amongst themselves. One of Luxmouth's advisors whispered something to the Duke, quiet enough that Celia couldn't hear. Based on his sudden frown, however, she could tell he was as troubled as everyone else.
The lands on which Luxmouth and its neighbors were built, and where the Usurpation had revealed itself, were said to be at the edge of the world itself. Far beyond the Frostcap mountain range, a colossal wall of earth and stone dotted with bizarre crevices stood above the landscape, stretching endlessly to the east and west. Mobs resided in the surrounding wasteland in droves, and even the sky appeared to end over the wall, disappearing behind a veil of dark clouds. No towns had ever lasted long near the Border, and there was nothing of any value in the region, so settling there had for all recorded history been deemed pointless.
Regardless, speculation of a world beyond the Border had persisted in the countless generations since its discovery. It wasn't uncommon, every few decades, for some ambitious adventuring party to set off in an effort to find the so-called Far Lands, last frontier of the known world.
None who ventured to the Border were ever seen again. The thought of the Usurpation coming from beyond it, well-equipped enough to launch an invasion, was inconceivable.
And yet…
"Their disheveled clothing, hiding unfamiliar equipment. Their knowledge of Genesis Cores, which are unlike anything else we know. Their deathly complexion, like they haven't gotten much sunlight."
Celia's heart skipped a beat.
"Their referral to us as 'Inlanders…'"
It fit together too well.
A darkness loomed over the council- unbelievable as it seemed, they were at war with an enemy from beyond the world itself.
"Urgh… what's the matter? Aren't you brutes gonna kill us? Huh? You're out for our BLOOD, right?!"
Sometimes Ray wished he could share Tara's impassiveness. That moment, standing guard by a row of bound and beaten "Illager captains" and struggling to tune out their deranged taunts, was one such time.
He and the rest of Marshal Orion's detachment (which, following their hunt for the dark Bonemeal Core, consisted mostly of Industrial Division soldiers) had returned to the mainland and regrouped at Fornax Outpost. Overseer Fornax herself was absent, owing to some new development at the newly-established Usurpation city of Incursia, but the troops at her encampment had allowed them space to rest and recover.
Ray was given few sympathetic looks from the other Industrial Division scouting teams present, not that he felt he deserved them anyway. Losing an entire squad of recruits eager to contribute to the cause didn't exactly buff one's reputation. If there was any consolation, it was watching Tara try her hardest not to look like the failure bothered her at all.
"Anyone else, I'd feel bad for. But nobody as stuck-up as her. She can squirm."
With that bitter satisfaction in mind, he'd resolved to do better on the next assignment. Tara could have lost her entire squad and not batted an eye- not cared for the trust they'd placed in her. But Ray would be different. He would continue to fight, in memory of Lime Squad. He would give his all to the cause, and aid his people until the very end.
Their final victory, however, wasn't in reach yet. The Expansion Division's progress had been slowed by local resistance and wild monsters every step of the way, and its leader- the Commandant Red- had ordered a temporary pause of the invasion while Usurpation scout teams sought out more Genesis Cores.
Speaking of which, Marshal Orion's as-yet unexplained plan was apparently designed to the end of regaining the Cores under Luxmouth's possession. How they intended to do that was still beyond Ray; they lacked the numbers to attack the city, and infiltrating it would be difficult. The disappearance of the first squad sent to sneak in and steal the light Bonemeal Core suggested a greater degree of security than initially suspected.
"Hey! Hey, I'm talking to YOU, freak!"
He scowled. This was draining him. "Would you shut up? I'm not in the mood to humor you."
One of the Illagers chortled at finally having gotten a response. "But you want us dead. All you humans have ever wanted is our blood, and our land. Isn't that what you're doing right now, with your takeover? You want to drive us out?"
"What we want is a better life for our people," he said, narrowing his eyes. "And you Inlanders happen to be in the way. We come from a dangerous place, you've enjoyed this realm's peace without worry."
"Hah! What 'dangerous place' would that be? Beyond the wall?"
Ray stared him in the face, expecting a gradual onset of alarm when the Illager realized he'd told the truth. To his surprise, the malicious smile only widened.
"Aha…! So it IS true! You're a Far Lander!"
"If that's what you call it," he said.
"We've heard stories of people like you," another of the prisoners chimed in. "Did you enjoy your exile?"
He had to force down the urge to punch him.
"We were banished from our homes too," the Illager continued, "but not quite as forcefully. Heh heh heh…"
"Sir Ray." Tara poked her head into the tent.
"Marshal Orion calls for our presence, he's about to go over the plan. My troopers will relieve you of your post. Now, stop fraternizing with the scum and hurry along."
Before he could rebut, she'd already left. Grumbling, he gave the smug Illagers a dirty look and followed her out.
The revelation of their enemy's origin brought a new wave of confused discussion to the war council, one which was only quelled when the Duke shouted for order. Celia flinched, she hadn't heard him raise his voice in some time.
"If the Usurpation truly is from past the Border, where we have dared not tread, it is no wonder they built up such an army without notice. However, knowing this does NOT answer the key question- what should we do in the face of this invasion?"
"If I may, Duke Xavier? I believe I have a proposition."
An ambassador from Granitetown, a moderately-sized community to the east of Luxmouth, had stood up. She had a firm, determined look in her eyes.
"Very well. Speak your piece."
The woman took to the podium, pointing at her town on the map. "As you can see, Granitetown is just south of the Great Badlands. If the Usurpation does continue to expand, we will be the next settlement to fall. Our armed forces are well-trained, but we simply lack the resources to fund any meaningful counteroffensive."
Hushed agreements sounded from the rest of the room.
"Even if we were to unite our militias as a proper army," she continued, "the Usurpation has the edge thanks to their Genesis Cores, and our current supply of ores will dwindle quickly. The solution, then, should be obvious: we must reach out to Tenebyss for help."
Her proposition yielded a cacophony of conflicting responses. Celia was disheartened, but not exactly surprised: Luxmouth's southern neighbor was technically no longer governed by any real authority after a revolution some thirty-six years prior. A militaristic group called the Ender Forge had seized control of the city's expansive mining industry and marched on the nearby territories, leading to a bloody war which lasted half a decade. Her father never liked to talk about that time.
Following the Ender Forge's defeat, the city's subterranean caverns had played host to a new power: the Tenebyss Ore Excavation Company, which sought to use the ore-rich mine shafts more productively. The TOEC settled into a trade deal with Luxmouth and the other cities, and they all had since maintained peaceful, albeit wary relations.
Calling upon the mining city to aid in the latest conflict proved a controversial idea to say the least.
"TOEC's security can't help us fight a war!"
"They have greater metal and gem deposits than most of us combined! They'd be a valuable ally!"
"Who's to say they won't join the Usurpation and profit off supplying them?"
"My family lost everything during the Ender Forge's attacks!"
"We don't have any other options!"
"ORDER!" the Duke roared, slamming a fist on the table. In a flash, the room fell silent. He took a deep breath before speaking again. "Forgive my lack of decorum- or don't, if you so wish. At this point, I am less concerned with formalities than with ensuring our survival. This bickering is getting us nowhere. If it will increase our chances of defeating the Usurpation, then I for one am in favor of enlisting Tenebyss' aid."
The ambassadors shared uncertain glances.
"We cannot win if we do not stand united," one of Frostcap's representatives said. "I concur."
Steadily, the rest began to agree- some more reluctantly than others. Celia made a discreet sigh; she didn't realize her heart had been pounding for some time until then.
"How are we to reach them?" somebody asked. "The Usurpation has cut off messengers whenever possible, and TOEC may not be willing to provide aid even if a request does make it to Tenebyss."
The Duke opened his mouth to speak, but paused. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Celia. "You seem to have more hands-on experience with our enemies than anyone here. What do you suggest?"
Though not happy to have all the attention on her again, she wouldn't back down from the chance to contribute. "During our escape, we received aid from a group called the Netherrack Network. They strike at the Usurpation before retreating into the Nether, which they have used to travel great distances in a short time. It was thanks to them that I was able to return sooner than expected. Their leader is supposedly Gwendolyn, the Diamond Knight."
Her last revelation caused the greatest stir of all, until one delegate from Spruce Roost spoke up. "It could be worth pursuing an alliance with this group. Is Luxmouth still in contact with them?"
Celia froze, whatever morale she might have built from her suggestion drying up.
"I only told Ember that his leader was welcome here… we haven't heard back from them since!"
"Not… at present," she finally answered. "But one of the members told me their group would be open to the idea, and promised to inform Gwendolyn of it."
She might as well have made the Netherrack Network up. None of the ambassadors seemed to take the idea seriously, without a solid connection.
"We will take this into consideration," her father said. "Luxmouth will also arrange for a message to Tenebyss to be sent within the next few days."
Disheartened by her blunder, Celia fell silent. The meeting carried on in something of a blur, as the envoys discussed the logistics of defense efforts and where battle lines could be drawn. Finally, a break was called and the council dispersed for the day.
"You did well," her father said once they had left the rotunda and were returning to the throne room.
"I couldn't contribute much. When I suggested seeking out the Netherrack Network's help, I hadn't considered we haven't heard from them since we parted ways. It was foolish of me not to secure communications with Gwendolyn."
He smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You may not have thought it all the way through, but you made the effort. You have good relations with this group, and you felt their support could help us."
"But they are just empty words if we can't find them again-"
"Celia."
She clammed up. He looked serious now, and stopped walking.
"If you propose an idea, you must have the confidence to stand behind it. We are short on options, and second-guessing ourselves will do us no good. Though we may not be in contact with the Netherrack Network now, both of our factions wish to stop the Usurpation. We'll have another opportunity to join forces. Your opinion- your personal experience in the field- is not wasted."
She took a breath, and her father chuckled. "You were nervous, weren't you?"
"That whole time, I felt ready to jump out of my skin."
"I understand. It doesn't get any better with age."
Celia blinked. Was he saying…?
"Yes, I get nervous around foreign ambassadors as well. Even with the assistance of my council, leading our people and keeping up our standing amongst the neighbors is no simple task." He started to laugh. "Why, sometimes I wish I had your foolhardiness. It would make these proceedings much less stressful!"
She frowned. "I can't tell if you're complimenting me or not."
"You took the initiative when I was hesitant on seeking out the Genesis Core. You were willing to take the risk upon yourself, for the sake of our people. Had I sent a search party, without your sense of motivation, we might not have wound up with as many Cores as we have. Celia… you have a unique perspective and way of thinking, one which I think will guide you well as the Duchess one day."
Her face heated up, but she smiled back at him. "In that case, I would like to ask a favor. I want to put my 'foolhardiness' to good use again- I want to travel to Tenebyss, and request their aid personally."
Celia wasn't sure what reaction she'd expected, but his raised brow made her more than a little uncertain how this would play out. "Is that right?"
It was time to stand behind her idea, as he'd said. "No matter what TOEC's position on joining the war is, they won't be able to just ignore an appeal from the Countess herself. One way or another, my personal request will guide them to a decision."
"Hm… I can't say I fancy the thought of sending you out of the city into potential harm. You understand, I hope?"
"I do, Father."
He sighed. "Will you sneak out again if I say no?"
Celia hesitated to answer.
"I'll take that as a yes. Were the situation not so dire, I might have considered being stricter with you... but these are desperate times. If your heart is set, I will allow you to go- with a proper escort. Mister Silverhand is a fine young man, but you'll forgive me for not entrusting your safety to him alone. A detachment of knights will accompany you."
She rubbed behind her head. "That sounds reasonable. Thank you, Father. I will be ready to leave-"
"In two days." Her father started to walk again, explaining as he walked right past the doors to the throne room instead of entering. "The Festival of Notch's Triumph begins tomorrow. Can I convince you to stay for its duration?"
"With all due respect, we don't have much time to spare…"
"Very true. But now more than ever, the Festival gives our people hope that evil will always be vanquished. They will look to us to lead Luxmouth into a better future, and our presences in the festivities should improve morale."
The pair ascended a flight of stairs before Celia realized where they were going. Her father led her to the second-floor balcony, from which one had a view of the city's inner districts. The early evening sky gave Luxmouth, and the river flowing through it, a beautiful orange hue.
"Never forget what we are working so hard to protect," her father said. "Everyone here is counting on us."
Celia made a quiet vow- not just as the Countess, but as a citizen of the home she loved so much.
"I will never forget. No matter what."