Blood on the Sand
Volume 1: The Broken Crown
Chapter 4: White Wings, Black Words
The white birds flew from Las Noches as messengers used Garganta to reach the further provinces and nations across the seas. Word would spread like fire that Aizen, the Usurper, was gone. Those houses that had family or serfs in Las Noches when Aizen came would be familiar with the name, but the vast majority of the Empire did not know who Aizen was. All that they heard, if they heard anything at all, was rumor and rumor of rumors.
But word would spread.
From the fortress city of Everfrost in the Far North to the slaver cities along the Weeping Sea word would spread. And the carrion eaters would gather, ready to feast on a broken realm, while the ambitious would make their plans to whatever power was to be had.
Raella Occuldae
Raella Occuldae sat alone at the top of the Occuldae Tower reading the various messages that her eyes and ears sent to her. She was a frail-looking woman with snow white hair with streaks of blood-red at the temples. Her eyes were pale gold and had a glazed look to them and her mask fragment were four small, thin, white needles that seemed to grow out of the tips of her ears and the corner of her eyes.
She preferred to wear male clothing, especially long coats with fur trim and loose-fitting trousers and shirts. She never wore gowns, even to formal occasions and feasts. The closest thing she ever came to wearing formal feminine clothing was a black female power suit from Terra. Unlike much of the Hueco Mundo Empire, the province known as Oratia specialized in trade with other nations and other worlds.
The Oratian cities were truly cosmopolitan in every sense. Traders from across the Silk Sea came in their ships with fanned sails laden with jade, silk, and spices along with the priests and priestesses of their strange religion that worshiped a deity named Aihar. The sighting of Quincy traders, clad in their uniforms of white and blue, and Reapers clad in coats of black or grey were so common that they were merely another part of the crowds. There were nearly as many unmasked faces as there were masked walking the streets of the designated trade cities.
This mingling of Arrancar, Terran, Quincy, and Reaper gave Raella the perfect opportunity to receive information of what was happening in other worlds. She recorded any information she received in any number of the notebooks that lined the shelves in her chamber. When she had time she would read over the notebooks and make note of any cases of causality that she found. She believed that what happened in one world would inevitably shape what happened in another and that all events were related by cause-and-effect. By seeing the patterns of causality she was able to inform the Guilds of when and with whom it was beneficial to trade as well as give them leverage over any would-be obstacles.
In the province of Oratia information was just as valuable, if not more, as gold.
"Well?"
Raella looked up from her papers to look at her guest, a tall, well-built Arrancar with honey skin clad in dark green dyed robes embroidered with gold and silver thread. His bald head gleamed in the firelight and he stroked his long, black chin-beard.
"You seem to be in a hurry, Q'haar," she replied. "Could it be that the Queen of Silk is thinking of negating her trade agreements with us? I wonder if it's because her sovereign has heard of the rumors about Las Noches."
"I'm afraid that I wouldn't know," Q'haar said. He spoke slowly and slurred his words as was common among the Arrancars from the other side of the Silk Sea. He stroked his chin beard. "I care very little of what happens in Las Noches. It does not affect trade in the Silk Sea and along the Jade Coast."
True, but it could affect trade agreements should Las Noches feel the need to become involved in matters.
Raella's face remained impassive. She knew full well that the other Empires and Kingdoms had eyes and ears within the Hueco Mundo Empire and that many sovereigns had turned their thoughts to Las Noches upon word of the Usurper's rise to power, the way that the carrion eaters would turn their attention to a dying beast. Las Noches had once been the center of the universe, but with Baraggan no longer in power that center had shifted to any number of places, but Las Noches would be a jewel worthy of any crown.
"I heard that Ishamael Aizha is consulting with the Oracle of Aihar," Raella said. Q'haar gave a small jump at that. Raella smiled at that.
"Well, it is true that the Ailhil is consulting with the Oracle. But that's to be expected as there have been portents in the heavens. The Magi have read the heavens and have said that all signs point to the rise of the Blood Star."
Raella examined Q'haar's face and could see a faint gleam of sweat on his brow.
"I understand the superstition of the Blood Star being a portent of coming chaos. And as the old proverb says, 'Chaos breeds opportunity.' If chaos truly is coming then it might be a potential advantage for us to further advance our own interests in the proper circles. I suppose that the Aihlil is consulting the Oracle in order to see how best to benefit."
"Exactly. If the Blood Star truly is rising then we need to know so that we may be prepared should it befall us. Any plague or famine or war can bring an empire to its knees, and it would be even worse if it's the fall of an Emperor without an heir."
"Such things would happen with or without the Blood Star. But I suppose that it's only natural to…"
Raella was interrupted by the sound of fluttering wings. She turned just as a moon raven flew into the chamber, white feathers falling to the floor, and roosted on one of the leather-bound books on the table. It looked at her with silver eyes and held out its leg. Q'haar looked at it with interest as Raella removed the message tied to its leg. She unrolled the piece of parchment and read the message.
"White wings, dark words," she whispered and smiled.
Chaos breeds opportunity.
Lorran Marceaux
"The Usurper has been defeated by his former Reaper comrades. The Emperor is dead. I, Skullak Tuma, Warden of Las Noches call for the Houses to assemble for order and justice to prevail in determining the course of the Empire."
Lorran Marceaux, patriarch of House Marceaux, put the roll of parchment on the table and sighed as he leaned back in his moonwood chair. The Marceaux coat of arms showing a silver double-headed eagle on a dark blue field hung on the other side of the room. His shoulder length silver hair curled up at the collar of his dark blue coat embroidered with silver eagles at the lapels. His golden eyes seemed to gleam in the flickering flames of the candles.
"I'm getting too old for this," he muttered and closed his eyes. He heard a knock at the twin doors beneath the family crest and opened his eyes. "Enter."
The doors opened and a tall, thin Arrancar with shoulder-length honey brown hair and gleaming sapphire blue eyes entered. His dark blue coat was tight at the chest but flared out below the waist and was embroidered with a double-headed eagle in silver thread just over the left breast. His mask fragment was a necklace that resembled an eagle's beak.
"Did you receive a message from Las Noches, father?"
"Of course, Felix" Lorran said. "I'm certain that soon enough every house would have heard the news. Did Chancellor Leonisra receive a message while you were visiting?"
"He did, and we discussed the matter somewhat."
"I see," Lorran said and stood up. "Did you come to see me for my advice?"
"Father, I know your mind. You would tell me not to get involved, but the servants of the Usurper cannot be permitted to take the reins of power. They are unfit to rule those whom they know nothing about."
"I agree, but I would still advise you not to declare yourself fit for the throne out in the open just yet."
"Why not? We're of Imperial blood."
"And so is nearly every noble house to some capacity. The question will become which dynasty has the greater claim. Will it be the blood of Leonisra or Luisenbarn or even as far back as the Kings of Day? These things must be considered before we even think of playing this dangerous game. If you fail or if we move too soon then it could very well mean the end of House Marceaux."
"You always taught us that the greatest rewards have the greatest risks to them, father."
"I know. And a throne and crown are a high reward, and that is why more than one will go after it. It could very well be that in the end there will be no empire to rule."
"There will always be an empire," Felix Marceaux said. "And an empire always has need of a dynasty to rule it."
Lorran sighed, knowing that his eldest son's mind was made up. He scratched the right side of his sharp, slightly hooked nose that was the dominant trait of the Marceaux family. "Just be certain that you're willing to accept the risks on this one. This will be much more than a mere investment scheme or trade deal and I won't be there to help you if you fail."
"When have I ever asked anyone to bear my burdens when it wasn't absolutely necessary? I've learned long ago that when you want something done right then you better do it yourself."
Lorran nodded in approval. "Just don't be the first one to declare sovereignty in the open. Wait and see how many others will do so first. Or wait and see which laws will be invoked for the right of succession. That way you get a measure of whatever strength you have to oppose. See who will declare for them and who will remain neutral. See which laws will be invoked. Send messengers to the Guild officers, to receive their backing, for you will need coin and supplies if you are to succeed. I'll send a message to Clara, first, so that she knows what's going on before the other Guild officers do."
"Either way there will be war."
"There's always war when a power vacuum forms in any nation or time. History teaches us this and only fools think that they can change anything about it. History is a wheel of men and empires rising and falling according to how the wheel turns until it breaks. Everything that rises is destined to fall either in a whisper or in a burning pyre. There are no exceptions, not even the gods."
"A rather fatalistic view, father. And yet our words are 'Ever Ascending'."
"Words are words, not truth itself," Lorran said and smiled. "Just remember to do what needs to be done. Regardless what others think we need to think of it more as a business transaction rather than a war fit for songs. War is merely a waste of resources and we don't waste anything."
Sarra Starrk
Sarra Starrk and Dianna Schiffer stared at the moonstone and silver necklace in awe of the way the white stones gleamed in the emerald firelight of the roaring hearth.
"Want to try it on?" Dianna asked. Her emerald green eyes sparkled with mischief and she played with the silver streak that disrupted her raven black hair. Her mask fragment resembled a skull cap studded with pearl-like protrusions along the rim.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't your mother be angry if she knew we were going through her things?"
"She won't mind. Mother likes you."
"Alright," Sarra said and put the necklace on. She looked into one of the many quicksilver mirrors that lined the room. Her copper-red hair fell over her shoulders, framing her heart-shaped face. Her mask fragment was a graceful circlet with two small wolf fangs descending along her temples before stopping near the halfway point down her ears. Her silver-gray eyes widened and her red lips spread into a grin.
"You look beautiful," Dianna said. "That necklace really goes well with the dress that father gave you."
Sarra had to agree with Dianna. The white stones and silver went perfect with the dress of blue and silver silk and black fur trim at the cuffs. She remembered loving the feel of the dress on her and the playing wolves embroidered with silver thread on the bodice. Even though Lord Schiffer had given her a new dress each week, none of them could replace this one as her favorite.
The door opened and the two girls turned to see a tall, thin Arrancar with raven hair descending to just below the collar of his dark green coat. A silver winged naked woman with a lightning bolt was embroidered over the right breast. His mask fragment was a silvery bat wing that covered his right eye. He looked at them with his silver-green eye.
"Dianna, what are you doing here?" he asked in a low, monotonous voice.
"I was just showing our guest mother's jewelry, father. Doesn't mother's necklace look beautiful on her?"
"Dianna, Sarra, you should be working on your embroidery," Antonin Schiffer said.
Sarra saw two more Arrancars standing directly behind Lord Schiffer. She couldn't help but notice that one was clad completely in white except for two black stripes running along the shoulder. The other was Sir Dayne, one of Lord Schiffer's most powerful banner-man and chief advisors, clad in a long black coat trimmed with brown fur imported from Terra. Sir Dayne looked at the two girls with his pale lilac eyes.
"Who's that?" Dianna asked.
"No one that concerns you," Antonin said. "Now go back to your room. We need the room. Go to your room and work on your embroidery. Dame Harra informed me that your work is not up to the proper standards."
"Very well, father," Dianna said and curtsied.
"Lord Schiffer," Sarra said and curtsied as well.
Before Sarra left the room she noted that ten of Lord Schiffer's other banner-men were gathered. Dianna's eyes widened and she looked at Sarra, concern filled her eyes.
What's going on? Why does he have so many of his banner-men gathered?
A chill ran up her spine. Something had happened and she feared that it most likely had something to do with her father. Had an argument over a few acres of land spiraled into war? Houses had waged private wars against each other in the past over far less.
Clara Marceaux
Clara Marceaux walked through the streets of D'Avreaux without fear. She was clad in the black and gold robes and white ruff of a high-ranking Guild officer and bore the Congress of Guilds' seal displaying three golden rods being bound by two bolts of cloth, one green and the other white. Her mask fragment resembled a gorget that covered her throat and top of her breasts. Her Hollow hole gaped in the center of the bone gorget that she had decorated with gold leaf to resemble eagle heads. Her golden eyes turned towards the plump Arrancar clad in white and green robes walking beside her.
"Five galleys filled with spices will land tomorrow," the Comte d'Avreaux said. "We estimate that the total profit will be nearly twenty thousand livres. The Queen of Silk just sent two galleys filled with silks and furs that are estimated at ten thousand livres."
"And with the imports we received from Terra and the Reaper world this has been a profitable month for the Guilds and yourself."
"Yes, but you see, I'm afraid that the Council is thinking of demanding an increase in share."
"I would say that ten percent of the profits is fair enough."
"Yes, but you see with word reaching us about a Usurper in Las Noches…well, uncertainty and all could very well increase shipping costs and…"
"Since when does D'Avreaux have a trade agreement with Las Noches? Las Noches has not sent a representative here in well over five centuries nor have they paid off their debts. Or have you been giving credit without our consent?"
"I swear, sometimes you can be worse than a Terran Lombard."
Clara smiled at that. "I'll take that as a compliment. Speaking of Terran Lombards, the Terran envoy will be here with a shipment of some new technology the Terrans are developing…well, not so new. They already had it during their global war."
"I'm certain that it will fetch a pretty price," the Comte said. Clara could tell that he was already calculating the number of livres he could receive. "What exactly is it?"
"Computer equipment, and I made certain that their drone technology would be thrown in."
"Why?"
Clara smiled thinking of the message she received from her father and brother. If it was true then war technology would be a very profitable venture indeed. She reached into one of her robe's pockets and pulled out a gold watch engraved with a double-headed eagle. She opened it and looked at the clock's face.
"That's my little secret. All that you need to worry about is how you're going to sell it off."
"As you wish."
"Good, now, if you excuse me, I need to be somewhere."
"Do you need an escort?"
"No need. I've managed before."
Clara left the Comte and made her way through the winding streets, following the river's course. Her feet followed the road that she took many times before. Small boats made their way through the canals and she could see masked revelers clad in silk gowns and robes. The illuminators were already setting off smaller fireworks. It was the Festival of Unmasking when the inhabitants of D'Avreaux celebrated the anniversary that Emperor Mordrath II established D'Avreaux to serve as a trading center between the Empire and the Reapers. It was a celebration that still occurred even ten thousand years after the reign of the Kings of Day ended in bloodshed.
Dynasties came and went, but the might of the economic powers still remained.
Let others fight over crowns and thrones, but we who control trade hold true power, she thought.
She could hear the screams of pleasure before she saw the first scarlet-silk covered lamp. She could make out figures writhing in pleasure behind thin silk veils. The smell of roasting meat and strong wine filled the air. She looked at two males, one Terran and the other Arrancar, kissing and fondling each other in the shadows of an alley. Terran, Arrancar, Quincy, and Reaper, all had their own appetites and here they fulfilled them.
She approached one of the many establishments and saw that the fat Terran keeper was behind the oak bar serving ale and wine to the masked revelers. Masked serving maids and lads made their way through the throng. When he saw Clara he only nodded and jerked his head in the direction of the stairs.
Clara did not say anything. Instead, she scanned the meeting room and turned her attention to the stairs. She saw an Arrancar staggering down the stairs and his purple eyes were blood-shot. She noticed that he wore a white uniform with three black stripes running down the left side of his jacket and saw the signet ring displaying a single crescent moon.
The messenger was muttering under his breath while rubbing his head. Clara did not move until he was well past her and then she went upstairs. She made her way down the candle-lit hall, the sounds of sex drifted from the rooms, until she reached a room three doors from the end of the hall. She put an ear to the door and knocked.
"Enter."
Clara opened the door and saw a blonde woman put on a silk robe. The woman turned, her blue eyes sparkled in the candle light.
"Hello, Trudi," Clara said.
"Hey Clara. How was your meeting?"
"About as well as could be expected." Clara reached out and touched Trudi's blonde hair. "Was that the messenger I was told about?"
"Yeah. Apparently he was sent here to deliver a message from Las Noches to the Council of Nobles. As if they would care about that."
Clara touched the silver amulet hanging around Trudi's throat showing a five-pointed cross.
"You Quincy have such odd tastes in décor."
"He didn't seem to notice it."
"He was probably too focused on other things. He wouldn't have noticed if you decided to draw your bow."
"He would have gone out smiling if I chose to, but I am under the Kaiser's orders."
Clara kissed Trudi on the lips and smiled. "I do love someone who's discreet. Now, was that messenger not so discreet?"
"Oh he talked," Trudi said, smiling. "I'm starting to think that perhaps I didn't need to drug him. After all, men love to talk when they're happy."
"Then tell me, what did he have to share?"
"Enough foreplay. You need to pay first before you get what I have to sell. Perhaps you'll also want to give me some juicy information to give the Kaiser."
Clara's smile widened as she kissed Trudi again, this time with more passion. "You know exactly how to mix business and pleasure."
"Well, I did learn from the best," Trudi said as she removed her robe.
Selena Schiffer
"Target in sight," Selena whispered.
"Prepare to attack," Lyanna said.
They watched as Eldir approached, strutting as though he owned the land he walked on. Selena's dark green eyes gleamed and she smiled a mischievous smile. Her mask fragment resembled a hairpin shaped like a single bat wing. Her pale skin made her resemble one of the ghosts in one of the stories that her nurse told her as a yearling. Like Lyanna, Selena could be silent when she wanted to be.
As Eldir approached, never once straying from his usual path, the two girls poured the buckets of cold water on top of him. Eldir shouted and looked up at the walkway.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" he shouted.
"What do you mean? I thought that you krakens liked the water," Lyanna said.
"I hate cold water!"
"We though you could use a cool-down after your hot time," Selena said.
"Yeah, we didn't want you to burst into flames and fill the courtyard with your fishy smell," Lyanna said. "You should be thanking us."
"I ought to skin you and gut you like a pair of river trout."
"I'd like to see you try!"
Eldir Korson mumbled under his breath as he turned to the doorway, cold water dripped from his hair and clothes.
"Oh crap," Selena said and the two raced back into the main keep.
Servants clad in grey and black uniforms moved out of their way. An old serving maid with twin thin bone crests running along the sides of her head yelled at them while trying to keep a pile of freshly cleaned clothes from falling from her arms. They raced down winding steps only to find Lupos Starrk standing at the bottom of the stairs with Guerra Gordov. The two turned just as Lyanna and Selena came to a stop.
"Lyanna, Selena," Lupos said, his voice firm.
"We didn't do it," Lyanna said.
Lupos blinked slowly and frowned slightly. "Do what?"
"Oh…uh…never mind," Lyanna said.
"Lyanna, what did you do?"
"Well, you see, father, uh…Eldir was walking along and uh…Selena and I were taking out some of the old water and we uh…"
"We drenched him," Selena said. "But it was an accident, honest."
Lupos sighed and shook his head. "Lyanna, go to your room. I'll talk to you about it later."
"But dad, it was…"
"Lyanna, do as you're told."
"Yes, dad. Come on, Selena. We can look at that book you brought and…"
"Selena, you stay here. I needed to discuss something with you."
Selena looked at Lyanna who looked at her father, eyes wide. Her gaze went to Guerra whose stony face did not betray anything. Lupos looked at his ward, his eyes hard.
"Can't Lyanna stay here?"
"Yeah, whatever you tell her she's only going to tell me."
"Lyanna, what I have to say is just between Lady Schiffer and myself. If she chooses to divulge what I tell her then that is up to her. Now, go to your room. Guerra, escort her if you have to."
"Yes, lord," Guerra said and smiled at Lyanna. "Come along now, my lady. If you go with me without complaint then I'll tell you another story."
Selena could see that Lyanna was torn. On the one hand she wanted to know what her father had to say, but on the other she always enjoyed Guerra's stories of wars long past and ancient warrior queens who fought against monster-riding barbarians. Selena enjoyed Guerra's stories as well, but they didn't capture her imagination the way that they did to the young Starrk girl.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you what your father has to say," Selena said. She looked at Guerra and asked, "Would you tell me whatever story you tell her?"
"Of course, my lady," Guerra said, bowing.
"See you in a little bit," Lyanna said.
"See you."
Selena watched as Guerra escorted Lyanna and turned to face Lupos. Lupos sighed and smiled as he placed a hand on Selena's head.
"I'm pleased to report that your father and I may come to an arrangement."
Selena smiled, her eyes glittered. "Do you mean that…that perhaps Conall…" She trailed off, her face flushed.
Lupos chuckled a little bit. He was not blind. "Conall hasn't come of age yet. But once he does, I'm certain your father would not object to an arrangement in that regard. No, something else has happened that may end our dispute."
"What happened?"
"I can only tell you that our Houses are being called to Las Noches. It may provide an opportunity for the land dispute to be settled once and for all without coming to bloodshed. Of course, it depends on your lord father's reaction. But it would seem that I may not be forced to take your head after all."
"Well, that's a relief," Selena said. "Lyanna won't be happy though."
"Oh?"
"She was hoping that Sarra wouldn't come back."
"Well, she can't pick her siblings, but if I can arrange a marriage pact with you and my son then Lyanna would be happy to gain another sister."
Nelliel Tu Odelschwank
Nelliel stood in the doorway leading into what had been her Espada palace. The once polished turquoise floor of the greeting area was covered in dust and the fountain showing a rampaging centaur wielding a lance was silent. The stagnant water was dark. Pesche and Dondochakka stood on either side of her with their heads bowed.
"Nel's home," she whispered as she stepped into the palace.
"We're sorry that it's so filthy," Pesche said.
"Yeah, we shoulda cleaned it while you were still recovering, don'tcha know," Dondochakka said.
Nel shook her head and smiled. She put a hand on their shoulders and smiled.
"There's no need for that. We can clean this place up together. After all, this is your home too."
As Pesche and Dondochakka nodded and went to get rags and fresh water to clean up Nel sat on a stone bench. She traced a finger in the dust and looked at the sword at her side.
"My sword is for the Empire."
She stood up and walked to the stairs leading to the second level. She stood looking at the Odelschwank crest showing a golden ram rampaging on a crimson field. She turned and walked out into the garden area. The once colorful flowers were wilted from lack of care and the fountains were silent. What had once been an oasis was now being reclaimed by the sands.
How long have I been away? How long has it been since I last stood on this spot?
She couldn't remember.
She was about to walk back inside when something caught her eye. She looked at the sand-dusted ground and saw a silver blossom of a moon rose growing between the tiles. She approached it and knelt admiring the blossom.
"If you survived in this new world, then perhaps I can as well," she whispered.
Skullak Tuma
Skullak Tuma stood on top of the dome watching as the towers were rebuilt. Arrancars were already raising the white and silver crescent banner of Las Noches on top of the central tower to show that Las Noches was no longer under the command of the Soul Reaper, Aizen. Four bronze basins were being raised to the top of each tower.
In the distance he could see a group of Arrancars approaching. He couldn't make out the banner just yet.
"Messengers have already been dispatched to the southern provinces," Victor Cuulhourne said. "Hermes is currently seeing to the ravens to be sent to the Amazonian tribes in the plains as well as to the Chains and to the cities along the Weeping Sea."
"So now it's a matter of waiting and preparing," Skullak said.
"Hopefully Lady Triasto will send someone to help oversee the proceedings. The Great Library of La Esperanza is a great wealth of information concerning history and law. Determination of who is to wear the crown and sit on the throne must be based on bloodline and law so that it cannot be undermined, and even then it must be agreed upon by all of the chancellors."
"Sounds like a lot of work."
"Matters of state usually are," Victor said.
"Tell me, Victor, can you see whose banner's coming?"
Victor looked in the direction Skullak was pointing. He brought out a small pair of field glasses and looked through them.
"I see a blue panther on a white field. That would be House Jaegerjaquez. We better keep Grimmjow away from them. His talk about being king was what got him evicted in the first place."
"The thought of some more Jaegerjaquez here makes me a little worried."
"They certainly are an impulsive bunch."
Skullak paused and sighed. "I need your advice."
"What is it?"
"How should I proceed? How do I know what's the best route to go? Usually I would ask, 'What would Baraggan want?' He was the last true Emperor after all. But…"
"But you're filled with doubts. That's understandable. You're a military leader, not a statesman. You're not familiar with Arrancar law of succession. I can tell you this much, there are approximately fifty different codes that deal directly with succession and ten times that many that deal with it indirectly. And they're all different. Some look at succession of land while others at titles. Others look at succession through lineage or marriage or even divine will."
"Where should I start then?"
Victor thought about it for a moment and said, "I would go to the Archives. Tell the Archivist that you're looking for Baraggan's will and testament. He probably left something in there about what to do after he dies."
"Knowing him I bet he never even sealed them."
"The old bastard thought he would live forever. He should know better than that. Nothing lives forever."
"Still, it would do some good. I need to brush up on Arrancar law if I'm going to have any chance of holding my own with some of these houses."
"Just be careful of the eastern houses. They have fingers in all kinds of cakes and they have eyes and ears everywhere."
"Even in Las Noches?"
"I wouldn't be surprised."
Skullak shook his head. "How did it come to this? Why did the responsibility fall to me? It's like you said, I'm a military leader not a statesman. I should have studied these things as my father insisted. Then perhaps I would have a better idea of how to proceed."
"Just start in the archives. But I would be careful."
"Why?"
"You might find something that you did not want to find. I find that archives are just as dangerous places to visit as caches of weapons, but for different reasons."
"Oh come on, we're talking about Baraggan Luisenbarn. He wasn't exactly the most discreet Arrancar in Hueco Mundo."
"True, but even the most indiscreet individual has secrets that they don't talk about. Baraggan was no different. Did you really think that Tia Harribel would have been his first Empress had she accepted him?"
End of Chapter 4
Encyclopedia Imperium:
House Marceaux: House Marceaux originated as a family of merchants in the eastern province of Lucca, and was under the obligation of House Marrow, and would most likely have not reached their current heights of power if it hadn't been for the outbreak of the so-called "War of Love". The War of Love was the consequence of a century's old rivalry between House Moonrose and House Glorystone which reached the point of violence when Lord Augustian Glorystone and Lady Selena Moonrose ran away from their homes to marry in secret. At that time, merchants and artisans in the eastern provinces were viewed as being combatants for their respective houses and when war broke out merchants and artisans were as likely to be attacked and killed as soldiers as a means of hindering a house's ability to wage war. Since nearly half of the noble families in the eastern provinces were dragged into the War of Love the merchants and artisans decided to unite in order to protect themselves. Under the guidance of Tolomei Marceaux, the then Minister of Trade in Lucca, the artisans and merchants formed the Congress of Guilds and passed the Golden Decree, which defied the power the noble families once held over them, during the fifth moon-turn of the war. At this point the War of Love had severely crippled the noble families' authority and ability to maintain tradition that there was little difficulty for the Golden Decree to become law of the land. But it wasn't until the marriage of Tolomei's grandson, Frederic Marceaux, to Guinna Andjo, daughter of Chancellor Philippe Andjo, that House Marceaux became recognized as a noble house and it was not until the marriage of Selene Marceaux to Emperor Laurence Leonisra that House Marceaux was given the Chancellery of Lucca, one of the richest trading provinces in the Empire, after Chancellor Ancienne's death without an heir.
Sigil: a silver double-headed eagle on a dark blue field
Words: Ever Ascending
Alliances: House Leonisra (through marriage), House Andjo (through marriage), House Gilga (through treaty), House Rureaux (through treaty), the Congress of Guilds (through treaty)
Banners: House Grindina and their banners, House Del Socaccio and their banners, House Vega and their banners
A.N.: One of the things that I discovered while re-reading the original "Blood on the Sand" story was that I did not have that many legitimate reasons for all of the five combatants for the crown of Las Noches. In this version I'm going to spend a little more time in establishing the reasons why each claimant has a legitimate claim to the throne.
Recommended Reads:
The Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon
A Song of Ice and Fire series (Including "The World of Ice and Fire") by George R. R. Martin
The Plantagenets and The Wars of the Roses by Dan Jones
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Berserk by Kentaro Miura
The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell
Le Mort d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory
The Song of Roland (Traditional French Poem)
Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, and The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson
Recommended TV Series/Films:
Game of Thrones
The Hollow Crown and The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses
Les Rois Maudits
Excalibur
Die Nibelungen
The Seventh Seal
Conan the Barbarian
Ivan the Terrible Parts 1 and 2
Ran