(A/N): Hello again! I am officially back. I have struggled through writer's block and numerous technical errors that culminated in the implosion of my computer to bring this epic tale back. Yes, this story is back online after a month or so of hiatus. My Evil batteries are recharged; my plot points are ready, and I myself feel the need to be amused by the Overlord universe. Come join me once again.
Disclaimer: I don't own Overlord
Chapter XXVI: Plotception: plots within plots
While Assira was at the Capital City, Hanson was busy constructing plots of his own. Despite the joviality between elves and dwarves, the old hatreds still burned strongly within the veins of both races. The Overlord was all too happy to help send the two mighty empires crashing into one another, just as the Duke of Gromgard had once done under the guidance of Gnarl.
Hanson hired well-respected, but poor nobles to assist in issue mediation between the two races. At first, the disputes were settled fairly, as per the Overlord's instructions, in order to establish trust.
Once that had been completed, Hanson disguised himself as a wandering wizard and offered to meet with the nobles to council them further. He set up the place and date of the meeting, choosing a secluded spot in one of the meadows of Mellow Hills. Tents were quickly set up by hired servants and food and drink were brought to the site.
Many of the nobles arrived on horseback, attended by several guards in full armor with hands on their weapons. Mistrust was in the air, but once food and drink had been served the air was soon jovial as the lords discussed state politics as well as the future of the princess Elizabeth. The bodyguards relaxed, and that was when Hanson made his appearance.
"Hello my lords, my name is Lyer (a/n: best. name. ever.)," the Overlord began. His disguise was flawless, representing him as an old man with a mystical fire burning in his eyes and a kindly smile hidden behind a snowy beard. The wizard disguise was completed by a simple and worn grey robe with a deep hood and muddy boots as well as a wooden staff.
"I have called you here because you have gone to great lengths to right many wrongs. While it is true that you have been paid, your quality of service stands as an example of the finest political skill I have witnessed in many lifetimes. In my eyes, you are more than qualified to resolve the biggest potential political firestorm since the founding of the first empires. The elves and dwarves have been set up by an unknown entity to go to war with one another, and we must diffuse the situation before any evil can come to pass."
The lords listened in silence, captured by the passion in the wizard's voice. "Once, a long time ago, I would have done so myself, but in this age, I am afraid to admit that I can do nothing but delay the war. This is why I have come here, to plead you, all of you, to help me save the fragile coalition between the three races and ensure future prosperity." The Overlord paused for effect and conjured a little more fire into his eyes before continuing in a softer voice.
"If you help me do this, you will be forever remembered as the saviors of the world and the creators of the first true empire!"
At this fiery proclamation the lords jumped to their feet to applaud the wizard. Beneath his disguise, Hanson smiled grimly. Such easy mortal fools, the Shadow murmured in the Overlord's mind as the lords continued clapping.
The wizard held up one hand and the lords quieted themselves.
"Do not mistake my intentions," he began. "What I am proposing will be considered radical by many, and they will oppose us. The concept of a united empire of three different races will seem repulsive to those who do not wish to share power. However, I have already assembled groups of supporters in all three realms that will seize power after our coups and form one united government. In fact, the much-celebrated knight Ryrin, possible heir to the throne, firmly backs our goals." The Overlord paused once more and gazed at the assembled nobility in front of him. The nobles clearly knew that name, as naked joy appeared on the faces of some, relief on the faces of the others.
"I understand that not all of those present support this cause. In that case, you are free to leave and continue your mediation efforts. Light be with you," Hanson said. No one moved. Beneath the magic of his disguise, the Overlord smiled again. It's done then, he thought with a rush.
"I can see that we are united in our passion for stability and equality among all races," Hanson said. "For now, we must disperse until I summon all of you once more for our first operation. Go, continue you efforts to mediate conflict, and may the Light be with you."
The wizard vanished from the clearing and the nobles began to prepare for their journeys home. Hanson reappeared on a trail in the middle of the forest that surrounded Mellow Hills. The Overlord swiftly adopted a new disguise, one of a rich, but low-ranking noble. Hanson's new face looked very predatory, with high cheekbones and sharp, piercing eyes. The disguise's mouth was twisted in a perpetual sneer that radiated superiority. In short, the disguise gave the Overlord the appearance of the rear end of a donkey. His tunic was of the finest red and black leather, with the crest of some fictitious house woven on the front. He wore dark red trousers and new leather boots along with a flowing dark red cape with golden trim and riding gloves. As any noble, regardless of station, had some skill at arms, Hanson conjured a simple steel sword with gold inlay on the handle.
Thus disguised, the Overlord mounted a conjured black stallion and rode swiftly along the road towards the part of the forest known as the Thieves' Den.
The Thieves' Den welcomed Hanson with open arms…and a knife in each arm. The Overlord smiled grimly and narrowed his eyes as several bandits emerged from the undergrowth, knives in hand.
Hanson rolled his eyes and asked "do you want to kill me for my few possessions, or do you want comfort and pleasure for the rest of your lives?" The bandits paused, dumbfounded at the stranger's manner. Most who came into the Thieves' Den came by accident. "If you have chosen the second option, will one of show me to your chief?"
One of the bandits nodded mutely and beckoned to the mounted noble. As Hanson passed into the camp, he quickly realized that the numbers of the robbers, looters, and pillagers were much higher that he had dared hope. A flash of satisfaction passed over the Overlord's face as he continued to follow his guide.
The "camp" consisted of many ramshackle huts that bordered the main road. Hanson spotted bandits and their families inside, lounging aimlessly.
"It seems your plans will come to fruition much sooner than expected master," Gnarl said over the link he shared with the Overlord. "I do hope that these bandits and their "lord" will be easier to manipulate than the so-called lords. I haven't heard the sounds of dying in a while…I think its affecting me."
Hanson smiled and chuckled inwardly at Gnarl's comment. "We have arrived…m'lord." The bandit guide said. The Overlord tossed him a few coins and dismounted outside of a large and embroidered tent.
The inside of the tent was lit by several lanterns hanging off of nails driven into the large wooden poles that supported it. The combination of lanterns and the fire that burned furiously in the tent's center created enough light so that it always seemed to be mid-afternoon, no matter the time of day or the weather.
"Ah, my visitor has come," a porky man said as he lounged on his throne. His feet rested on several plush cushions while several women attended to him. Though outwardly he was unchanged, Hanson gritted his teeth. Slaves, he thought.
"I have come to offer you a profitable exchange of services," the Overlord began. "My name is Lord Osst, and I am offering you eternal wealth and a position of honor in my new kingdom, once it is created from the ruins of the old order."
"Before my son considers your offer, what guarantees do you have of your success?" An old woman emerged from the shadows, dressed regally in a black dress of some indescribable materials. She covered herself with a cloak of animal skins, and despite her age, Hanson could see who was truly in control of the ragtag band of robbers.
"The old order is falling apart. Soon elves will fight dwarves, and before long, the kingdom of King William will be split in two. There will be a bloody war for years before there is a victor. That's when we strike and take all the lands for our own," the Overlord said, now looking directly at the old woman.
"I invite you to join me and take advantage of this before I am forced to drive you out of your camp."
"You presume to threaten my son?" she asked shrilly. "There is no power capable of uprooting us from this forest. Many have tried, they came with false promises and empty threats, and they all failed. What can you do that they can't?"
"I can burn the forest down," Hanson said quietly. "I can turn you fortress into an inferno that will devour each and every one of you." The Overlord smiled grimly when he saw that he now had the full attention of everyone in the tent.
The porky man sat up slightly in his chair and extended a hand. "My name is Lord Chojash, and I lead the band of men you saw earlier. I consider your offer acceptable, but how exactly do you plan to pay me…and my men, of course." He added hastily after a glare from his mother.
Hanson had trouble not laughing and Gnarl wasn't helping as he roared with laughter in the Throne Room. "I intend to pay you with the elven realm of Evernight," he said. "It seems you have no elven women in your…entourage. I can help you correct that."
The lust on Chojash's face was so evident, that even one as wholly evil as the Overlord had his reservations as the two shook hands. Leather glove met plushy fingers, and Hanson felt the temptation to crush the man right then and there.
Easy there, he is still useful to you…for now, the Shadow whispered. The Overlord regained control of his emotions and said "thank you, Lord Chojash, I expect your men to be ready to march to war within the month."
"A month? I thought the war would take years!"
"Certainly, but for there to be a war, we must start it," Hanson replied as he exited the tent.
Outside, night had fallen and the camp was lit by the fires scattered across the meadow and the light that shone through the cracks of the huts. The Overlord remounted and dug his spurs into the stallion, speeding away from the Thieves' Den into the night.
The night the Overlord made his plots was the night Assira and her old mentor had decided to make off with the Sword of the First Overlord. Rumor had it, it was forged from the armor of the Forgotten God himself, but nobody really knew. All that mattered was that it was razor-sharp and contained enough Evil energy to level a country.
Getting into the royal palace was easy enough for the master-apprentice duo, but breaking into the vault was something else altogether.
All had gone as planned at first. The crystals were found and removed, disabling the magical shield and the sword itself was stolen, but that's when all went downhill.
All of those thoughts and more went through Assira's mind when she was surrounded by ten paladins, none of whom looked too pleased by the goose egg bruises on their heads or the crystals that she was carrying in her hands.
Garrett stood on a small ledge on the floor above, watching the drama unfold. The master thief had the sword tucked away under his cloak as he prepared to leave. There was nothing he could do to help his former apprentice than by galvanizing her ", Overlord" as she called him, into action. Garrett closed his eyes and disappeared into the night with a heavy sigh.
(A/N): Please don't forget to review and provide constructive criticism and suggestions! ~R. Overlord~
P.S. With this chapter I break 40K words! Whoo!