A/N I'm not a historian so if I make a mistake tell me where I went wrong and how to correct it and please CITE your sources, I'm relying on textbooks recommended by a person with a PHD and specialization in this field.

Secondly I know I broke canon in a big way. Parn is not going to be the Free Knight, Ghim's alive, Woodchuck safe, oh Fahn and Beld too, no Ashram and Pirotess and for the longest time doesn't it seem one-sided for the longest time? Their relationship seems more developed off camera than on. Don't worry she'll get more screen time as will Nethalus in these interlude chapters.

Chapter 12: Starting a society

Xapferey was sparring with Deedlit while waiting for their people to arrive. Having used the sensors on the Lodoss Flyer, Xapferey had been able to spot the approaching migration of a whopping 15,000 people, laden down with wagons full of supplies. The young Dragon had seen that Flaim and Valis had loaned some forces to escort many of the refugees and other citizens to the new lands and had helped provide supplies to their young new ally.

Focusing his mind back onto the spar, Xapferey advanced on his wife. Their blades flashed madly in a blistering storm of parries, feints, blocks and attacks. Deedlit hopped back and held her left hand up in the air signaling a break.

"How are you doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Xapferey I can feel your emotions, like I know you feel mine and honestly your cycle of emotional control and the magnitude of them scares me a little."

"I know, I based my styles on a fictional style of a supposedly fictional weapon called a lightsaber. I based my techniques on the third, fifth and seventh lightsaber styles, primarily drawing on the third and seventh; it's named Juyo or the Ferocity form. The fact of the matter is that Juyo should be studied if one boils with rage but also have the ability to control that rage at the same time. My assault techniques are designed to keep hammering the opponent with blow until they are off balanced and make a mistake. I am able to focus my magic inwards to aid in my reactions, agility and strength, keeping in mind Juyo's demand for high-energy staccato burst movements. It gives me great advantages against lighter swords using cuts and fencing techniques like your style or Pirotess'."

"Because you are heavier than us and if you can corner us then it's easy to wear us Elves down, I've learned that against you."

"It's not my fault I'm mostly muscle," Deedlit smirked at him for a moment before sheathing her rapier. The two removed their sparring equipment and then went to the table to eat and discuss the future of their realm. "The first things I see that are needed to be considered are crops to be sown, we might have one growing season before winter. Depending on how much Flaim and Valis sent us that are gifts or loans we will have to consider foreign debt as well. I refuse to run a government with a deficit."

Deedlit nodded though she was not entirely sure at what Xapferey was feeling so annoyed or hostile at. The Dragon sighed before he put his sparring equipment away before he shook himself and smiled at his wife.

"Come, I'm going to show you something you'd never experienced before… and myself for that matter but I know of."

Deedlit followed Xapferey down the hallway to the Lodoss Flyer and watched as it opened with Malika appearing on the ramp to greet and guide them.

"Let's take her out for a spin around the system and nearby ones if they are in range at maximum warp."

Deedlit followed Xapferey as she stared at all the various advanced controls. Xapferey sat at the pilot seat with Deedlit sitting beside him and she watched as he closed his eyes and mentally ran every scene he had seen involving the controls of shuttlecraft including that of the Flyer.

The Young Dragon then pressed the various controls, thanking the ease of the LCARS systems. The Flyer's systems soon activated and the roof retracted as Xapferey looked over the simple yet customized control panel.

"Malika what's the deal with this cloaking device?"

"No shields, but the ablative armor does work, note the armor does allow for your weapon array to function as normal rather than the original version with torpedoes only."

"Well that's good news I suppose, what's the nearest star?"

"2 light years, 48 hours round trip at maximum warp."

"Let's go somewhere where we can test the weapons safely."

"Xapferey?" Deedlit asked.

"Deedlit I always wanted to fly among the stars, but I lacked the means and opportunity."

"I take it space flight was not as common for your people?"

"No, and very expensive, in terms of gold based on prices when I left… and the current spacecraft in usage, about 401,786 gold pieces rounded up… that's for just one flight and they ran no more than 9 flights into space a year… converting to the Canadian dollar it costs 450 million dollars."

"Oh…" Deedlit trailed off at the thought of such money being spent yearly, it was more than she could imagine. (1)

"Yes, which is why I am grateful for something that was in essence built in 2375 which is more than 300 years than it currently is on my world, not taking time differences into account."

"Ah," The Elf said as she watched the sky turn from blue to black as they flew, Deedlit was in awe the entire time, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. "It's beautiful," She said as Xapferey turned the ship to see the planet.

"It truly is an awe inspiring sight, now then let's try this…" Xapferey was pepared to engage the warp drive when Malika called out,

"Alert transwarp aperture detected… it's Borg," Deedlit watched all the blood drain from her husband's face and he clutched his chest, she could sense bone chilling fear erupt along the bond. Xapferey suddenly pressed buttons and the ship shuddered as ablative armor deployed around it before female giggling caught his attention.

"I was joking," Malika said with an evil smirk as Xapferey glared at her while breathing hard and clutching his chest as his fear turned to embarrassment and anger.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEARTS ATTACK?" The disguised Dragon roared.

"Oh come on, you've got three, what's one?" She teased.

"Grrrr…. Computer reverse Malika's speech subroutines and lock them."

"YEH!"

"That was beyond mean, you really are evil… pull this stunt EVER again I'll decompile your matrix kilobyte by kilobyte over the course of a thousand years."

"Taht devresed I esoppus I."

"I take it she pulled a very nasty trick on you?" Deedlit asked glaring at Malika while smirking at her speaking backwards.

"Yes she did, and now she'll have to speak backwards for the day unless she'd prefer if I deleted her speech subroutines?" Malika shook her head emphatically. "Good, now kindly make yourself scarce, I'm just going to take this back home since you ruined the mood… " Malika nodded suitably chastened. Xapferey turned the ship around and the two went back home.

"Yrros m'I."

"That was a cruel joke, any other time it might have been funny, don't ever do that again… computer restore Malika's speech subroutines."

"Again I'm sorry milord, if it makes you feel better, the true Malika pulled a similar stunt on Lord Sharnoras."

"That kind of does make me feel better, now we're going to go prepare, so make yourself scarce.'

The hologram bowed and winked out of existence after the ship was parked in its shipyard once more.

"What was that all about?"

"The Borg are a terrifying race in search of perfection, they assimilate every being they view as furthering that goal and ignores everything that isn't a threat. They work by injecting microscopic machines so tiny they are on the same size as your blood cells. Soon every trace of individuality is erased and you are linked to the hivemind, everything you once were was gone. A pale skinned cyborg, as all your hair falls out, an eye replaced by machinery and even an arm."

Deedlit shivered in response before her husband calmed her down and they went back to their apartments. Xapferey sat down and plugged his computer into one of the newly provided outlets before he began pacing.

"What are you thinking?" Deedlit asked.

"Just making sure that because of our small realm, we could be overwhelmed by sheer force of numbers eventually even here. As such I'm planning on completely redoing our military including equipment, and doctrines. Once complete I intend to have us go from a junior member in the Flaim-Valis-Draconia alliance to the prime power of the alliance. To do that is going to require massive amounts of innovation."

"Something of which you are the best at my love," Deedlit said hugging Xapferey from behind.

"Well if you don't mind my dear I'm going to get some plans started."

"Mind if I watch?"

"Not at all computer display an image of a repeating crossbow similar to Van Helsing, remove the gas canister," a 3-D image of said crossbow appeared hovering in midair in front of Xapferey. "Suggest mechanical enhancements capable of being built in current medieval era without revealing further advanced technology. If all else fails, animation and linking runes will serve in their place."

Deedlit watched as the crossbow became changed, Draconic runes scribed on it to replicate the effects of machinery that Xapferey claimed were beyond their means at the moment.

Deedlit watched as Xapferey created six types of crossbows. One he labeled as the standard Repeater-class, the second was the Assault Repeater, the third he labeled as the Longshot. The fourth crossbow was much smaller than the rest, and was to act as a sidearm. The Fifth was smaller than the standard Repeater and used the same ammunition as the sidearm, and the sixth was larger than the Assault Repeater, using the same ammo as the Repeater and her larger variants. Once they were designed he began typing notes that she could see on the side of each weapon. (1-6)

After reading through the various designs, Deedlit was curious, as most of the terms she knew well enough with her learning about his firearms. Though she was somewhat unsure as o why Xapferey was not making firearms, she was also glad that he was limiting those weapons.

Xapferey and Deedlit retired for the night in their bed, the High Elf could not stop herself from purring at the expensive sheets and high quality mattress. The Dragon smiled at her reaction as he pulled her close before falling asleep.

The next week passed quickly with the new queen and king working on and preparing things for their new realm. In the distance, their people could be seen approaching. An hour later the people began trickling in with eyes wide at the castle. Once they were all assembled in the inner courtyard. Standing over them Xapferey began to speak.

"To my people and allies I welcome you. I am a firm believer in that actions speak louder than words. But I shall begin by saying that I intend to make this a land based on merit and not blood alone. A land of law, safety and security, a land where you will have rights that will be respected and heard fairly in our future courts of law. Many of my ideas will be unusual, but in time their merits will be obvious. Together we shall make this land a haven for all who wish to inhabit it."

There were some cheers from the people below as the people began organizing themselves into various tasks. Some went to gather wood from the nearby normal forest. Others began sowing crops and setting up temporary shelters and structures. Guards began patrolling the castle and setting their belongings into their barracks.

Jebra and Nethalus came up to Xapferey and Deedlit in the royal chambers.

"Milord."

"Xapferey."

"Jebra, I have something for you," Xapferey handed Jebra the ranking shoulder pad he had used originally. "Congratulations General."

"Thank you milord," Jebra saluted Xapferey who returned it. Nethalus and Pirotess were now nobles with the rank of Archduke and part of the royal family of Draconia. Hours later, shelters were set up and many other temporary buildings like stables, blacksmiths, tanners, taverns and the like were seen popping up.

While his people were beginning to build the city of Vancouver, he called his first council. He welcomed Jebra, Ghim, Slayn, Leylia, Woodchuck, and Parn. Nethalus and Pirotess came in a minute later.

Parn however was to observe for now and learn as many ideas discussed here would be considered odd. Xapferey and Deedlit sat at the head of the table. Xapferey passed out a series of pads with writing on them.

"Included on these pages are my preliminary plans for this kingdom. At the front is an index and all the page numbers are labeled in the top right corner. Many of these ideas come from the two countries that I was native to, Canada and the United States of America. These ideas and variants of such are currently in use and many decisions have been used in courts of both lands. I have included a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and my alterations have been underlined in the relevant sections."

"Milord, this is extensive and forgive me if I am out of place… But there is no possible way we could implement these immediately," Slayn said.

"I am aware of that Slayn, many sections will need time to be implemented and when our courts of law are fully secured, then we shall begin. I am not expecting a all at once miracle my friend, this home was a gift from a powerful ally that has moved on. A wedding gift so he is no longer relevant to the matter. A building is only as strong as its foundations. I asked you here to evaluate the foundations I have come up with. I'm asking for creative criticism, not sycophancy."

"Have you ever thought I would do such a thing?" Slayn asked with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he began to peruse the documents along with the others of the new council.

"No my friend, not at all."

"Well I would be happy to accept the offered position of High Mage milord."

"Excellent, there are positions for all of you in there and if you accept, then let's get to work. We have a lot to cover this day."

"Yes Sire," the group said after accepting their positions.

A/N Ugh this chapter is done, below are the various positions held by the council high members. These titles are not firmed yet so if you have alternate suggestions please let me know.

Xapferey & Deedlit – King and Queen

Nethalus & Pirotess – Archduke and duchess

Jebra – 4-star General, Supreme Commander of Armed Forces (Basically the same rank as Darth Vader in Star Wars)

Slayn – Court High Mage

Leylia – Court High Priestess

Ghim – Court High Architect

Woodchuck – Undecided title/position as of this moment though he is part of the council.

Weapons Xapferey is designing

Range is in feet (3 feet in a yard if necessary)

1) Repeater-Class Crossbow (RCC)

Magazine type – Drum, 50 standard bolts

Types of fire – Single, 3 shot burst, full auto

Range – Optimal 40-50 feet, maximum 70

Analogous role – Assault Rifle

2) Assault-Repeater Crossbow (ARC)

Magazine type – Triple drum, 150 standard bolts

Types of fire - 3 shot burst, full auto

Range- Optimal 60-70 feet, maximum 100

Analogous role – Light Machine Gun

3) Longshot Crossbow (LSC)

Magazine type – box magazine, 6 large bolts

Types of fire – Single, bolt-action/runic action (magical runes act as bolt action)

Range – Optimal 80-120, maximum 155

Analogous role – Sniper Rifle

4) Shortshot Crossbow (SSC)

Magazine type – box magazine, 10 micro bolts

Types of fire – Single – Semiauto

Range – Optimal 15-20, max 35

Analogous role – pistol/sidearm

5) (Name WIP) Sub-repeater

Magazine type – double drum, 120 micro bolts

Types of fire- single, 3- shot burst, full auto

Range – Optimal 20-25, max 40

Analogous role – SMG – Submachine gun

6) Super Repeater

Magazine type, belt-fed from box magazine – 500 large bolts

Types of fire – Full auto

Range – Optimal 100-120, max 225

Analogous role – HMG- Heavy Machine gun