Young Prince Javindar, Bey and future Sultan of Ghata, sniffed indignantly as he surveyed the barbarian camp. They lived in large circular tents, made of crude hides instead of the pavilions of silk and canvas like his own people. Their stocky horses (and their manure) were everywhere instead of corralled in various stables. Their hygiene was nonexistent as he watched a particularly swarthy and dirty nomad relieve himself in the open, and he gave the man a wide berth. While these Khanians were not pretty in the least, their smell was even more horrendous and the Prince wondered why his father would grant these disgusting people peace.
He knew the answer already though, but he wondered if his father knew of the true nature of these savage people if he would reconsider his decision.
The Iron Horde under High Khan Baidya had devastated the east, bringing down numerous ancient and powerful kingdoms in the last half century in a series of stunning military victories. The Warlords of Wa, the God Emperor of the Emerald Throne, and even the Czars of Tavetti fell before the horselords. Javindar wasn't sure what drove these savages to continue their conquest, thinking it best to consolidate their holdings, but the Iron Horde eventually made their way to the mysterious kingdoms themselves, Vinraj.
Even after braving the mountains and the great deserts, the Iron Horde razed the ancient holy city of Baneela, tearing down its golden spires and silver minarets forever. After that act of barbarism they threatened to invade Nashput and eventually Ghata and Aneela. It seemed only a matter time that all of Vinraj fell to the horde, until Javindar's father, Sultan Akarsh the Enlightened, united the remaining states to do battle with the savages.
Their first battle on the plains of Zahron proved disastrous and would have been a complete route if Akarsh had not rallied the troops and withdrew in an orderly fashion. The horselords were too fast, their bows too powerful, and their fierceness unparalleled. In particular, Akarsh had underestimated their military organization, he thought them as simply barbarians, but their riding skill impressed the Sultan with their lightning fast maneuvers and the ability to seemingly vanish like smoke on the plains. All of that, and their magicians which were able to call down storms at will almost broke the back of the first Vinraj alliance. Even the combined efforts of their Shaitans, Gurus, Mystics, and Genies were no match for the strange steppe magic their shamans wielded.
All would have been lost, save for a desperate counterattack as the horde crossed towards the Indra islands. Though they had procured strange paddle wheeled boats from the Emerald Throne, their lack of true nautical skill proved their undoing, their one weakness. Greatly outnumbered, Sultan Akarsh lead a small fleet of ships to intercept them. The flotilla was made mostly of Ghata war Kaylons, refitted fishing ships from Indra, various pirate clans, as well as the dreaded Sealord Darwen and her black iron ship the Acheron. While the odds were against them, their seamanship or more precisely the lack of seamanship on the Horde's part, proved to be the undoing of the invasion.
The Horde lost three quarters of their ships and a quarter of their soldiers that day. Followed by a desperate attack by the remaining Vinraj forces, the Horde retreated from the field, the High Khan Baidya was slain in battle and the reeling Khanians tasted their first defeat.
After that, the events that followed were a great mystery. Though Javindar followed military history closely, Javindar as well as many Generals and Warlords of Vinraj wasn't sure why the Horde sued for peace. They still had the southern lands under their control, and they still had the backing of their vassals to the east. While they were no longer in those lands, it was to the young Bey's understanding that they were still receiving homage from the fallen Eastern Empires, supplying their war effort in the middle kingdoms. Although they had suffered major losses, the Vinraj alliance fared no better and was still at a distinct numerical disadvantage. Also while Baidya had fallen, in a way that not even magic could undo, his younger brother Vaidya was considered an even more cunning and ruthless adversary. It seemed only logical that the Khanians would continue their attack until all of Vinraj was crushed under their heel, but such was not the case.
Nahbob, Javindar's latest tutor and servant, attempted to explain to the young Prince that it takes more than strength to rule a kingdom as vast as the Iron Hordes. A certain amount of charisma was needed to keep the various factions together, and he suggested that Vaidya recognized this and decided not to test his bonds with his vassals in the East. Also, he said there was some bizarre Khanian honor involved, stating that those that were weak should know their place before the strong , and he believed Sultan Akarsh's last victory elevated his standing towards the Horde. Lastly it was suggested that the Khanians were simply tired of battle. They had fought all across the continent for the last half century and the southern plains they had conquered were considered some of the finest grazing lands in the region. Perhaps, it was simply time for them to rest.
As Javindar pondered the political affairs of the Horde and the alliance lead by his father, a strong robed armed grabbed him by the collar. Javindar squawked in surprise as he was yanked backwards.
"What is the meaning of this?" sputtered the Prince as he struggled with his footing as he batted away the arm.
"Ancestors pardon me," said an old man as he bowed profusely to Javindar. The man was old, similar to appearance to the Khanians but with narrower eyes. He sported white hair done up in a bun more suited for a woman, and had a wispy thin mustache and goatee. Despite his odd appearance, Javindar thought he still had a vigorous look about him, and the firm gripped he displayed proved that point.
"Aurumgar, get that dainty fop out of the way so we can continue our contest! Else we'll score two points to whomever pegs him first, " laughed a boy with long black hair and a silver breast plate. He had one of those nomad great bows and was surrounded by several similarly armed lads nearby.
Javindar surveyed them and glanced to see a nearby pole with the furred hide of some creature pierced by arrows atop of it just beyond him. It didn't take long for him to realize he had inadvertently wandered into an archery contest of some sort, and judging how one of the arrows was still shuddering, the old man had probably saved his life. Though his life did not need saving if these barbarians had laid out their camp a bit better, he wouldn't have wandered through their makeshift archery range.
As the old man attempted to guide the Prince away from the line of fire, but Javindar fiercely batted him away. "Look here you thugs. Do you know who I am?"
The long haired boy snorted at Javindar as he sized him up. "You're not one of my people, and you're too young to be one of the Sultan's guards. I'm guessing you're one of his Harem girls we've heard so much about and you've snuck off? " he said to the laughter and jeers of his fellows.
Javindar seethed as he saw red. He reached for his Khanda as he stormed towards the boy, ready to spill blood. The long haired boy grinned ear to ear as he reached for his saber, anticipating the crossing of swords but the battle was ended before it began. As he neared dueling range, a great force lifted Javindar off the ground and floated him backwards, even as the yellow robed man seemingly vanished from behind him and reappeared next to the long haired boy, scattering the braggart's fellows with a wave of his arm as he yanked him away.
"Prince Vleda, I think you've gotten too much sun today," said the yellow robed man as he dragged the other kicking boy away.
"There you are Prince Javindar," said that fool Nahbob. Javindar attempted to resist but his servant's magic was unexpectedly strong. "Your father is expecting you at his side as he meets with the new Khan. He wants you to see up close…the finer points of diplomacy."
Javindar stared in disbelief as the Baroness brushed back her blue hair and revealed a pair of short spiral horns. Was he deceived? Were those bat riding brigands he fought earlier actually heroes coming to slay this demon? His first instinct was to strike her down, but she was a nobleman of a foreign court, and a more diplomatic approach was needed.
"Behind me my lord," gasped Nahbob in equal shock. He interposed himself between the Baroness and the Prince as he began to trace the symbol of Puranas in the air.
"Please," said the Baroness as she lightly grasped his hand. Nahbob struggled against her light fingers, but her grip was stronger than it looked. "Holy symbols not sanctified by myself makes it hard for me to concentrate. Don't make me waste both our magics by dispelling it. Regardless of your disposition to me, you'll want my wits about me when we plot our next move. That is, if the Black Scrolls and the safety of Holy Sampada are still a priority."
Javindar nodded and signalled Nahbob to stand down. His servant was hesitant at first, but he bowed and took a step back.
"There, now that wasn't too hard," smiled the Baroness in that disarmingly alluring smile of hers. While Javindar had faced down the deadly seduction Demons and Asuras on the battlefield, this woman's seemingly simple and more subtle charms appeared harder to resist. He steeled himself to not fall for her wiles.
"This kingdom really is the court of the Demon King. Despite its reputation, I didn't think any land would allow demons to freely walk the streets," said Javindar. Though his weapon was not drawn, his hand hovered near his scimitar's hilt.
"Half demon actually," corrected the Baroness. "In most lands, they label my kind half fiends or tieflings. Through no fault of our own, we are cursed…or blessed…with our fiendish blood. Most people do not make much differentiation between ourselves and our more destructive ilk, and because of that, few of us walk the streets freely, preferring disguise or solitude. I am fortunate that my unique heritage is easy to conceal, others of my kind are singled out because of their traits, though some are bold enough to show off their heritage. We just want to live out our lives like most people, if my kin are known for their evil acts in other lands it's mostly out of desperation, being forced to take a path in life because there is no other."
Nahbob coughed. "Are you telling me that Tieflings in Grom are a more enlightened sort? That only in 'backward' lands like Vinraj or Thyatis that they form demon worshipping cults, or that they are mostly found in the thieves quarters in most major cities, lurking in the shadows that they see so clearly through."
The Baroness grinned widely. "Why yes. I am saying that. Tieflings in Grom were no different from the ones in other lands, but after the Zax laws a hundred years ago, there has been a dramatic shift in their place in society. Now they are cobblers, bakers, soldiers, and even...baronesses. I'm not saying that all hate and misconception to my people are gone, having horns on your head, scales, or hooved feet tend to single one self out, but we've been given a chance to integrate into society and many of us have taken that path."
Javindar grunted at the name Zax. He wasn't sure if he was a Tiefling but it made sense that he was. He was known to have orange skin and ability to produce flame from his hands at will. A great hero that defeated giants and barbarians, and supposedly saved the world from some sort of terrible winter orb. He retired to the western Vinraj sea with the miraculous iron boat Acheron and was known to be a duelist without peer. Though he never encountered the man himself, his father had, and he was quite impressed with the man and had even hired him as a privateer to keep the trade routes safe. He had heard he passed away decades ago though, but the legacy of his vessel still lives on under Sealord Darwen.
"So, your 'heritage' aside, what can you tell us about the Black Scrolls, and Holy Sampada?" asked Javindar. While he had slain hundreds of Asuras and bore them no love, he was a holy warrior of Puranas and he had his duty. If not for his honor's sake then for Whelp's. She had died on this quest, and he was here to see it through.
"Sir, can we trust her?" warned Nahbob. "She has demon blood, most likely that of a Succubus, Erinyes or perhaps one of those Div Pairakas in her. Regardless of what she says, all they do is seduce and corrupt."
Baroness Stille took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. "We're not still hung up on the horns and blue hair thing are we? If we had met under other circumstances, I would simply ignore you and go back to my books, but there are greater things at stake other than my pride. What can I do to make you trust…"
Javindar signalled his servant to stand down …again….but this time with greater force and displeasure. He would have agreed with Nahbob under normal circumstances, but she was right, there were greater things at stake. Holy Sampada's safety and Whelp's memory. He would not want her to die in vain, because he could not resist slaying a demon.
"Let her speak Nahbob. The Baroness had plenty of opportunity to strike us down if she wanted to. In my room, during the battle, and our parlay with the demons in the hold while we were distracted. I've seen what her magic could do. We will hear her out."
The Baroness and Nahbob both looked at Javindar with surprise.
"You are not what I expected," smiled the Baroness. "The letters I received from Sammy painted you as much more pig headed. I suppose even the holy Sahdevi of Puranas can be wrong."
Nahbob snorted at that comment but quickly regained his composure when Javindar shot him a withering look.
"Well, there's no time to waste. I knew how dangerous the situation was, but the abduction of Sammy has made things much more dire," she said as she began to march out of the hold. Javindar wasn't sure if he was to follow, but she paused and waved him towards her. He wanted to check on his spider monkey, but that would have to wait.
" I need to contact my Uncle Frank, hopefully he's not drunk somewhere in some bar on the Astral. I can probably count on Surry if she's not busy with one of her experiments or fooling around with that big ole new husband of hers. It wouldn't hurt to call the 'Dragon Queen' of the west, but I'm not sure if she'll respond. Her master and I parted on bad terms. She might hold a grudge. Who knows where mother is, but I'll leave a message in the usual places for her. The Knights of Winter and the Champions of the North need to be alerted as well, I'll get Nymk on that. Ymir is always on call, but I'm not sure how her mercenaries are useful in this situation," she listed off as she walked across the deck, slid down the gang plank and walked down the dock. "I guess I'll explain the situation on the way to my godfather's place, or wait…. better yet let's go to Edmund's. He's the most useful right now. "
"She's putting on airs," sniffed Nahbob in a low voice behind Javindar.
Javindar agreed. He wasn't sure what she was saying, but he guessed she was listing off her contacts in an attempt to impress him. So far, he hadn't heard of anybody she listed save the 'Dragon Queen' and this Ymir person. The Dragon Queen was more of a myth than a person. A Kitsune knight of things. She supposedly had a dozen red dragons at her command, most likely charmed by her foxy powers. Red dragons were fierce legendary creatures that made even Efreeti cower. They were rare in Vinraj, but Javindar heard tales of how a single one of those beasts could lay waste to a city and the surrounding lands. Luckily they were not known to operate in large groups, like the band this Dragon Queen supposedly had gathered. He had heard of her stories in Ghatta, about how she toppled a flying mountain and other ridiculous feats and simply dismissed her entire existence as a tall tale. Ymir the Golden General on the other hand was someone he had heard of. A dwarf general that sold her troops for the right place. The Vinraj alliance considered her services during the recent Asura invasion, but decided she was too far away and wouldn't have arrived in time.
"Wait," said the Baroness as she suddenly stopped. "I just realized something. When is the next eclipse in your lands?"
Javindar shrugged as he turned to Nahbob. This was more his specialty.
"Roughly three months."
"Hmmm….this is not good. Our timeline is much shorter than I anticipated," she said as she weaved through the busy dock traffic. Javindar almost fell behind, but he simply pushed some urchins out of his path. As he caught up to the Baroness, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and saw his servant with his belt pouch in his hand.
"Damn thieves are everywhere," swore Nahbob.
"Before we continue," protested Javindar. "You said you would explain the Black Scrolls and Holy Sampada?"
The Baroness stopped and turned to Javindar. "Forgive me, I am rushing things aren't I. I suppose you need an explanation before we continue." With that, she scanned the street and pointed to a small tavern. It was dark outside, past their dinner crowd rush, and the trio easily found seating. Javindar frowned at the quality of the establishment, but he found their wine agreeable.
"It's a long story," began the Baroness." However, let me ask you a question. Do you believe in fate? Do you feel your place in destiny?"