An Overlady's Audiences Part 11

The next visitor started talking almost immediately after he'd come down, and Jinx grinned as she heard what he had to say even as she took in his appearance.

"Salutations, most honoured Overlady Jinx Laurentius-Angelica, absolute ruler of the Netherworld, Nordberg and Everlight, Purple Scourge and Minion Mistress, and my most sincere thanks for granting me this audience. My name is Autanius Orthelon, of Arcadiopolis, and I bring a message from the people of your half-brother's Glorious Empire."

"Welcome, Autanius," Jinx replied calmly. She wasn't surprised at seeing another stout Imperial standing before her – clearly, she was far from rid of her connection to the Empire.

All interaction with her former homeland was very different from that of her younger years, however, and she was gradually overcoming her aversion. More than that, Autanius Orthelon was a prime example of her old enemies; clad in a white toga, with oiled hair and a round belly, but everything about him screamed submission. He seemed ready to throw himself flat at her feet. This Imperial wanted to keep her happy very badly. "What is your message?" the Overlady asked.

"Milady," the visitor started. "Your equally honoured brother reconstructed our capital after the siege, and displayed a talent for leadership, as expected. But now the city has recovered, he is preparing for another war. He is recruiting new armies and has increasing numbers of catapults and ballistae built, both in the capital and at our borders. It is more than just a hunch that this is about you, Milady."

Jinx beamed; this news had a warm feeling blossom in her chest, and her eyes shone more brightly. She recalled the last words she'd spoken to Sayron; until the next battle. He was keeping to those words! It might be the only way she could ever see her – still loved, in a way – brother again, but it delighted her to hear he was looking forward to it as much as she did…

"…and that is why I am here, Milady. I've come to discuss a peace treaty."

Jinx shook herself from her warm memories. "Peace?"

"Yes, Milady. The people of the Empire are not happy with the Emperor's preparations. They barely recovered from the last war…"

"Which they started themselves. You hated magic. You attacked us."

"Not quite," Gnarl muttered. "We were hardly being defensive."

"Yep, but Sayron and me were pretty provoked," Jinx chuckled. She turned back to Autanius. "You speak of the people of the Empire. What does the Emperor say?"

Autanius seemed to grow nervous with this, despite his prior confidence. It was clear he was an experienced diplomat, but he'd never visited the Netherworld before. "The Emperor did not send me, Milady. I'm not operating on his direct orders, but I do negotiate in both your interests."

"Ah, so the esteemed nobles of Arcadiopolis sent you?" Jinx took no effort to hide her sarcasm, and she knew Autanius could no longer pretend he didn't know her past in the capital. "And in both our interests, no less? You do know my Minions live for battle? And that I'm part Minion?" She casually played with her claws, which had grown longer and sharper in the past few weeks. She lifted her chin – her cheek spikes had started breaking through her skin, a little further every day.

"It would lessen the expenses and personal losses for you and the Emperor, spare your treasury –"

"I don't care for my own treasury. And when I attack you, I'm not after yours. No, Autanius, I will not partake in this peace of yours, as I'm looking forward to testing my brother far too much. The people of the Empire are not going to take that from me."

Autanius widened his eyes as he realized the Overlady's mood had changed definitively. This was not the type of ruler he was used to negotiating with. This ruler was willing to harm the messenger, and would enjoy doing so.

"There is a reason Emperor Sayron didn't involve you and your fellow nobles in his plans, Autanius. You no longer belong in the inner circle. Sayron knows he's going to run into me again one day – and that it's going to be on his turf. Tell me, is your Emperor worried or unhappy?"

Autanius backed away slightly, but a glance backwards revealed Minions waiting for him there, with glowing eyes and sharp-fanged grins. "M-Milady…"

"I asked you a question," Jinx smiled.

"He… he's in good health and happy, Milady. He enjoys good relations with the people and the army, and he looks content while inspecting our defenses…"

"But he does not enjoy very good relations with the nobles, I imagine. I know my brother. He understands the game, the cycle. I saw it in his eyes, the last time I saw him. He's waiting for me. And fortunately, not for you."

"Milady?" the diplomat trembled.

"Farewell." Jinx gestured with her left hand, her gauntleted hand. The trap door opened, and a moment later nothing remained of Autanius Ortelon but a fading scream.

The Minion Mistress remained, smiling. She sighed happily. "This is exactly what I hoped for," she entrusted Gnarl. "This is why I made peace with him – with him personally, not with the Empire, of course. He might have left the Netherworld for the humans, but he knows he can't stop Evil – he knows that better than anyone. He's Vessperion's heir, too. He knows we're his equal." She leant back. "He's preparing for a new war! This is almost too good…"

"So we're going for your predecessor?" Gnarl inquired. "I don't know if that's the best idea, Mistress."

"Not yet. First Ruboria, then the Mountains and Evernight. Perhaps some border expansion in the meantime. But he's thinking of me," Jinx beamed.

"Don't get cocky," the advisor remarked. "You might just end up in some Abyss. It happens to the best of us."

"Perhaps Sayron will end up there, at the end of our little game."

"Now it's even less clear to me what you feel for him," Gnarl mused.

Jinx chuckled. "Oh, of course I want to kill him. But not yet. He's my brother, we went through a lot together and I hope to be able to play with him for a long time."

"Please don't go insane. That's always so very tiring for me, and so hard to clean up afterwards."

"Have you met me? You served Fay in her dark state. And I've been to the library, there were plenty of Overlords who were more insane than I would ever aspire to get."

"You seem sane now, but that may not last. You're sitting directly above the Tower Heart of Madness." Gnarl smiled thinly. "And you're the first to ever possess all three of them at the same time."

Jinx looked at him. "Do you think they may influence me? Won't they weaken each other's effects?"

"They're already affecting you."

"Hm. I have to avoid getting overly arrogant or going insane… that's going to be hard," she chuckled. "Boys, I call upon all of you. Stop me from going over the edge." She turned back to Gnarl. "And when did you get so caring?"

"When I found out you're a rather unstable experiment conducting an even more unstable experiment. And you have no heirs." Gnarl folded his hands. "But oh well, it's going to go to pot someday anyway. We'll find a new Master. Perhaps Fay's spawn, in Evernight…"

"Gnarl," the Overlady growled, "ever heard of reverse psychology?"

"Never, Milady," the advisor replied with a deadpan expression. "But believe me, you're not the first to cherish the desire of kicking me out of a window. You wouldn't even be the first to do so."

Jinx sighed, and then abruptly turned to Kniff, busy containing his laughter on her other side. "And you? Do you think I've got a hold of myself?"

"Not more crazy than usual, Jinxie." Kniff shook his head. "Not insane by a long shot."

"I have two other Hearts in the basement, too."

"…or dominating or destructive." He looked her in the eye briefly. "No worries."

Jinx sighed. "Alright. Then I won't let anything spoil this. Sayron's preparing for war!"

At that exclamation the Minions cheered with her, and the reds in the hall cast fireballs up into the vaults. Jinx grinned up at the marvellous architecture higher up in the throne room, bristling with Minions, suddenly lit by the new light source. Yes. Her future was still very bright, in a dark way.

Maraxus: So, the war is gearing up already.

Gnarl: This was to be expected. Sayron stands to destroy his half-sister and wipe out the Dark Domain while she seeks to conquer and expand. It should be a good fight.

Maraxus: Please review readers, all credit goes to the true author Sunjinjo on deviantart.