After sailing for so long, Silver and his men arrived at Merus, the destination of their travel. The ship slowly docked at the port, while the sailors made preparation to disembark, Silver looked at the port town of the country.
"So this is Asira." Silver said, watching the busy street of the port town. The young lord got off the ship and got greeted by a male Canalis.
"Welcome! Welcome to Asira! It's not every day we have visitors here in our peaceful country!" The Canalis said.
"Uh, thanks for the welcome." Silver thanked the male, and asked, "Can you tell me where the castle of this land is? I have a business that I need to talk about with Lady Rome-Tah."
"Ah! I see. Her residence is in the middle of the city." The Canalis points at the large building. "If you have an appointment with her, then she will be there and expecting you… while taking the role of the highest judge of the city. So don't break any of our laws."
"'ll take heed. Thanks for the warning." Silver thanked the man. Who bowed to him in respect.
"Do you wish for a guide? The streets of the city can be a maze for newcomers." He asked.
"Yes, I would like that very much." The young lord answered.
"Then wait here please, while I get you the best guide of the city." He smiles at him and heads towards the guild while Silver waits for the man to return.
And after a few minutes, he came back with a younger Canalis, if Silver had to guess, a teenager. The fur colouring was golden with simple brown colours and a tuft of hair covering half of his face. "Hello! I am Ke-Kai. Nobody knows the city like me. And for 500 Tarens a day I bring you to every spot of the city."
"It's nice to meet you, Ke-Kai." He greets the young Canalis, who holds out his hand with a grin, "Half of the Payment in advance."
Silver handed over some coins to Ke-Kai from his wallet, and followed the young teen. And he guided him through the streets, ensuring to meet him there as fast as possible but safe as well, as even with their princess working her hardest, throat-cutting criminals are still a thing.
At the gates, two guards are standing in front of it and Ke-Kai and he said, "I hope you got a written invitation with you. Else the guards won't let you in." and looks at Silver, as the young lord hands over a letter to the guard.
They nodded and one of them moved in while the one holding the letter said, "Wait here please as we confirm if you truly have an appointment, sir." and he looks at Ke-Kai, "I assume he is your guide for the town?"
"Yes, he is." Silver answered.
The guard nods and his colleague comes back, together with a third guard, who was dressed fancier than the gate guards. "Good day Lord Silver. Lady Rome-Tah is awaiting your presence. Please follow me to your guest room, as the Lady is currently busy with her duties as one of the High Judges of our fair country."
"Understood." Silver nodded and followed the guard and was brought towards the guest room, which was made with lots of silk and gold, as the rich land it is. And four servants are waiting for his commands.
One for any food and drinks he might require. The second to keep the room cleaned, the third to wash him whenever he needs it… and the fourth to keep him "company" in the bed. And that was JUST the luxury for representatives like he is right now.
It's not hard to guess how it would have been like if the Overlord himself would be here.
"This country sure knows how to be stylish." The male mumbled to himself, sitting on the couch. Eyeing at the 'company' servant. "Although, I still have some questions about that one." though for that he could simply ask the servants.
He waits for a half an hour, thinking that the mission he was giving is going smoothly so far he heard a knock on the door. He opened it and found a servant on the other side "Sir Silver. Milady is expecting you now." The maid escorts the young lord to the throne room. Where he saw the princess sitting on her chair, waiting for him.
"Welcome, Lord Silver. Please. Have a seat." and gestures to a chair in front of the throne, in the respectful distance. She watches the lord sitting on the chair and speaks.
"I am Rome-Tah as you know, and my father has appointed me to talk about your request to make a trade that allows your lord to use our wolves."
Then she rose up from her throne, "Though I shall warn you… my father and I agree. In his perspective we don't see much why we should let an Overlord, additionally, one that is active for only a little more of a year, have access to our strongest forces. But we're willing to let you speak for your master's place and see your arguments why we should agree to any contract with you."
"I can understand what you're been cautious of with the Overlord." Silver said, understanding the feeling. "But I'm sure you know about the state of our country. And that thanks to the events of the fifth Overlord, and Lord Steadfast induced civil war, there are not enough horses left for any cavalry to form, until we get enough horses back."
"That's what I know already, and why you're here. But not reasons yet for us doing you any favours." she counters.
"Can't argue with that logic, as it states for now. We don't have anything to balance the deal you and the overlord made. And making promises that we can think of something is but words to you, unless we can keep our part of the agreement." Silver stated.
She was slightly musing about his word. "Truth and wisdom in your words. But how to prove you can keep an agreement if you're not in a position that we would consider an agreement with you?" and grinned, "That, I think, is something we should discuss further." and she rose up from her throne. "How about we put that discussion for later. Right now I am curious… Do you play chess?"
"Not much. I played a few times from time to time." He answered.
"I see… then what did you play regularly?"
"Draughts. It's similar to the chest." Silver told.
"Similar?" she asks and rubs her chin. "Well… it seems that you're able to teach me something after all. Do you have a game board with you?"
"I happen to have a board in my language." admits Silver and the princess grins
"Then let us play it." and chuckled as she looked forward to that new experience.
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
Looking over the valley in front of him, Kuran was taken by the beauty of it before looking at Raven, who up to this point was the guide of their trip. "So this is it?"
"Yes. The unclaimed valley." confirmed the Skeith. "While formally it belongs to the Kingdom Nerein, it is not enforced as no matter from where you go, it's almost impossible to hold, as any building materials would be hard to be transported here and in case of a dedicated attack any post would be cut off from any reinforcements as the paths are not wide enough for any armies to march through it."
"And you Skeith don't bother as it is outside your forest and the average Skeit doesn't care about anything that isn't within your direct territory."
"Which is a great mistake in my eyes." admits Raven with a shrug. "That's how the Orcs managed to wipe out Lehid's community."
"Though I have to ask: Why did the orcs wipe it out and then not go through the forest, instead of risking the dessert?" mused Kuran and rubs his chin in thought. "After all. With the help of this valley, they would have gotten to any good place faster without losing many in the heat and lack of water."
"Because they knew that the risk of us wiping them out is too great. We may not care of the outside world and also not show too much concern if a community, especially one that lives on the borders gets attacked or wiped out… but if those aggressors kept in our forest, then that's one of the few times our kind would truly be united." explained Raven and then gestured to the other side of the valley. "Not to mention that the path from here to our nearest outpost is still very narrow. Too narrow to lead an orc clan safely."
"And yet this valley is also a valued trading route." mused the Overlord and his mind runs on an idea, "Even with the bandits running around here."
"It's the fastest route between our kingdom, Nerein, the Skeith Forest and the Great West Trading route." explains Raven. "But the trading town of Hipminster did manage to hold itself well, even with the bandits here." but then paused as he noticed the thinking mind, "If you plan to take the valley: Nerein would properly sell it to you, expecting to buy it back cheaply but the town would resist… as they see themselves as a free city."
Kuran nodded in understanding, "That is a worry I will address later. For now, I am content to get on the other side of the valley and reach the forest. Getting that valley and the city is still an available option of a later date."
To which Raven could only agree… but he could see the lord's mind working on how to pull that off. And the old bird had a few ideas as well.
The travelling group, which consist of Raven and a few other Skeith to act as guides and aerial protection, a small hired trek for transporting the daily needs and of course minions to protect Kuran in case of an attack. And of course Cary. The brown minion that carries Kuran's Crossblade around for his master and never leaves his side.
And surprisingly competent for a minion but given how 99 out of one hundred minions are, it isn't really much of an issue to appear competent. Still noteworthy for Cary to expertly carry a weapon larger than him in a way that his master could always draw it on the fly, and self armed with a short sword and a shield which he knows well how to use to change his masters' enemies from the state "alive" to the state "not-alive" no matter what.
Kuran would never tell it to anybody but he has grown somewhat fond of this little guy.
As they moved down the mountain street, one of the Skeith scouts returned and bowed in front of Kuran. "Excuse me, my lord. But we spotted a small convoy of Skeith at the bottom of the path. They carry the colours of the Skywing Atus."
"Atus?" asks Kuran and looks at Raven for answers.
The old mercenary didn't waste any time. "Atus is a member of the right-wing of the Skeith. For somebody in his position quite influential. Not enough to pull big changes, but enough to have an impact on votes." and he paused to collect his memories, "And he is one of the few true believers that the Skeith should grow into a nation to remain strong outside the forests. But still, it's odd for him to be out here. Any member of the Council of Kingsbird is rarely leaving the forest or the town at all. In fact, I only recall one confirmed time one left the forest. But even then it was just one or two kilometres away. This is the farthest I have ever seen a wing member."
"So whatever the reason is... " mused Kuran and looked at Raven, "it is for him important enough to travel out that far from his home turf AND into a place known that is filled with a lot of bandits. Especially Bandits that might think they could take him for ransom." and he looks at the older Skeith again, "Any idea what it could be?"
Raven wasn't thinking long for answers, "The only reason I can think off is that he thinks he could meet you there and strike a deal of you two supporting each other. After all… if that plan of yours works, it will have a huge impact on the Skeith society."
"In short I have to be expected to be turned into a political tool for him." nodded the Overlord. "Well… that's to be expected. Let's meet him and see if it is truly the case." and moves forward.
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
It took an hour until they reached the bottom of the path, where the Skeith delegation was seemingly waiting but once one of their scouts spotted the trek, he shouted something and the camp began to be active.
Before their eyes, on the two sides of the road, Skeith dressed like soldiers are lining up and stood still while three more Skeiths wait at the end of the columns. Two seem to be guards as well, while the third, that stood before the other two are dressed in fine clothing. His feathers were of a white and purple colouration and Kuran had the feeling, from the head's appearance, that he looked like a crane.
Taking the lead, Kuran moved forward, past all those guards and as he stood only a few meters from the noble-looking Skeith, the Skeith gave a respectful bow, "I greet you, Overlord Kuran. My name is Atus and I was awaiting your arrival so eagerly that I took the means to travel towards you and greet you personally."
"Thank you Atus." stated Kuran calmly and gave a respectful bow as well, "I assume you are not here to speak for the Wings?"
"Sadly no." admits the bird in a fake sad tone. "Only a few of my fellow Sky Wing brethren are seeing the benefits of your proposal and that Lady Lehid's actions were not illegal. Unusual, but within the rights."
"Oh?" asks Kuran "How are you able to tell?"
"One of my friends happened to be around as Lady Lehid hired the mercenaries… and she had said she is a born Skywing, but never claimed to be one approved of the Wings. Ah, but for many others, it is only a technicality." Atus fake whined and Kuran briefly wondered if he should tell the bird to stop adapting to fake feelings or simply go along and laugh later.
He decides for the latter one.
"That's why." the male Skeith continues, "It was a stroke of genius from you to name her your representative towards us Skeith. That was quite the spit you gave everybody who is either against you or out for Lady Lehids head." and he shakes. "Anyway, I am here to give an offer. Let us travel together to my home and hear my offer. That is all I am asking for you. I brought even comfortable transport with me." and gestures to seemingly wheeless carriages but from the construction form.
"I didn't know that you Skeith made something to carry wingless people in a comfortable state." admits the Overlord. Neither Raven nor Lehid told him about those… so they are not that common. That and he never bothered to ask the two about potential vehicles as why would they need it when they can fly?
"Yeah, it's not common." admits Atus while clapping his hands, making his underlings going to move everything off the overlord's trek upon those wheelless carriages. "As you need a good number of strong Skeith to lift them up with any weight. The more weight the more wings… and for that is an upper limit for I believe obvious reasons."
That's a reason that could be fixed, thought Kuran. A new project for Laurent and his researcher team. But he will deliver that later. "I thank you for your offer and gladly take it. though to prevent your people from getting the wrong idea, we also need to find a fine spot outside your territory. I need to set up a Nethergate as I still have ruling to do and got an appointment myself. So I extend my own offering to visit my tower for the night and for dinner."
Atus was stepping back in surprise but recovered fast enough. "Such kind offer, your Lordness. Which I will gladly take. To see the grand tower of a grand ruler myself. This is something I never expected to happen before even a deal was made in any form." and bowed down in gratefulness… or as honest this gratefulness was.
It wasn't long until everybody had a seat and had their first ride in a transport moved by many Skeith wings.
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
Headaches. By the gods how much he hated headaches. Kuran was sitting by a field in an erected tent while rubbing his head after downing a medicine. Atus may be a lot in the Skeith's eyes but not a silent type. During that trip the bird had a very casual conversation, asking a question which Kuran either answered or said he doesn't want to share that info yet.
And then they came to the subject of children somehow… and the hell began. Atus was apparently the father of 4 children. That is all Kuran could remember as the guy couldn't shut up about his little angles and get so high pitched with the voice he couldn't believe that Skeith was a male.
That explains the headache and why he was glad to say goodbye. Atus may have accepted the invite to the tower but something came up and to head quickly. They would see each other the next day.
He just hopes that his next conversation partner wasn't so bad as well. As he is right now by the meeting point he had suggested to the person that took up the castle in the mountain.
While he was to a degree grateful of the person accepting the invite and gave the conditions, robbing his scouts naked is something he has to reprint. Even if it is only for the sake of calming down those idiots that cry for mass execution.
Not to mention finding a way to make the scouts realize they are at a fault as well while improving from that mistake.
However, that headache will be shoved upon Gnarls shoulders. That little scheming imp can do his own share of headaches as well. Right now he was waiting for the other party… and if they don't show up soon, they are either going to be late OR don't show up at all.
Which would really not help his general mood due the wasted time.
The grass outside the tent shifted in the breeze, though the tent itself didn't move, the breeze wasn't a breeze.
Taking a deep breath and shaking his head, "So, you have decided to show up yourself now." and didn't bother to turn to the entrance of the tent… he knows his contact was somehow already in the tent, just avoiding his gaze.
The 'contact' sighed and moved into the open, a massive cast iron halberd resting on their shoulder, a silver mask hiding their face, as heavy leather garb obscured their gender and species.
"A very distrusting one you are." stated Kuran simply while leaning back and snapped his fingers. A servant moved in, placed two cups on the table, filled them with wine and moved a chair so the 'contact' could take a seat. "Please sit down, and perhaps remove the mask. I didn't bother to wear my face obscuring helmet as well as I prefer to look face to face with those I try to make a deal with. A fair deal." and gestured to the chair that is prepared for the person.
The figure spoke, their metal mask vibrates slightly enough that distorts the person's voice. "Fair… is subjective, as are many things mr…. ? Uber loader?"
"First the Title is Overlord." he says calmly, "And if this is something to get a reaction out of me, it is a poor adept." then he tilts his head. "Also I think my offering is fair. In short and simple terms, I offer your people a place to stay, safety and food, in return you do a few things for me. Namely steal from my enemies and spy on them."
Then he looked over the body, "Well made leatherwork you got here. Though quite dusty." he mused. "Or is that ash?"
"Ash… it's ash…. not dust." The figure flourished their halberd and lanced it into the trunk of the tree that was used as the main support for the tent.
"What was it my mother said… the peoples of ash will always seek embers…"
"The Death World." muttered Kuran and put his elbows on the table, his hands folded. "Now you got me curious… how did you escape a world that requires a forced continuation of the Age of Fire to continue existing."
"It has a proper name… but I am not here to discuss the dying places… though the fact you know of that place shows either you know others from there, you have information… or we have a mutual friend"
"I was there once. Long before I became Overlord. And a mutual friend… depends. I have a few friends that live in different places. Though the only ones that would be there, are those that can travel between worlds. Does he listen to the name of Kartus?" wondered Kuran while looking at his contact. "As he is more or less the only one who would go there out of fun and not because of needing something there. And the others that would go there would have rather killed you than getting you off there at their current state."
"That name is familiar, but not in the way you may know I fear"
Having established a conversation and found an unexpected commonality between them in the aspect of one they both say as madness, the figure relented and pulled their mask off, "This is unexpected." came a female voice as the silver mask was sat to the table with a heavy 'thunk' and under it was a fox, at the removal of the fox's tricorn hat, a fennec fox race based on the ears, though she was more grey than most fennec races.
"You're a Fennec." he said in surprise, "Only met a few of you… and only one was willing to talk. The others tried to ram a knife through my heart."
She smiled and tipped a paw and from behind the lord stepped 2 different other fennec foxs "You May leave us." the two bowed to her and slipped out.
Kuran sighs loudly. "I need smarter guys." and snapped his fingers. "Out of here and get to Gnarl. Tell him you failed your job." and on that cue, 6 green minions, surprisingly washed, run out of the tent. "And Gnarl claimed they were the best of the bunch… should have known that I should have only called and relied on Silence for this."
He looks at her, "Well back to the topic. As you know my name already, as you have read my letter, it would be only of mutual interest if I knew your name, please."
She clicked her tongue and looked up as if tired of the situation. "Lua." she sighed. "Lua 'of the ash' one called me, another 'of the stone', fuck titles, I'm just Lua." she looked down at him as she lowers her head, "As to your 'guards' they are minions, did you really think quantity beats quality?"
"For past overlords, it worked somehow. But the only Green Minion I have that would have been quality good is on a job." he shrugs and mused, "But if you're from another world I wonder how you know about Minions… or did Kartus tell you about them?" and then chuckled. "By the gods. It has been…" he counted his fingers, "Seven years since I last saw him. Still mad like he just broke out of asylum or did he get worse?"
"I wouldn't say he is 'mad' more… hmm like a hatter… no… flippant and random as if playing at embodying it. Not important anyway, you 'minions' see them around, my people scouted out many places, heard many things, they are a trifle to a mild annoyance." she waved a paw, "The only reason you knew I was here initially is that I LEAD my people, they follow in my shadow, I am their shield, and as such, I don't use stealth too much." she motioned to her enormous cast-iron halberd embedded in the tree. "If you see my point."
"Yeah… you're more concerned organizing them than ensuring you are not seen." he nods, "The weights of a leader." and took his cup and to a sip out of it before placing it back. "Well… then that offer I spoke of earlier might interest you."
She lifted a hand to cut him off, "I have a stipulation to put on it." she had stood and was removing some of her heavier gear, the overweight cape and her heavy coat then sat back to the table. "oh much better… where was I.. ah." she clapped her paws, "Yes, I heard of you, you don't kill children, woman only if they are ready to be killed, like taking up arms against you, yes?"
"Or tried to kill me with other means." he added. "Children… there was only one case I was tempted but that was far in the past and for a very petty reason on top of it."
"It was a yes or no question." she deadpanned at him, her claw scratched into the tabletop. She rolled her eyes, "You don't kill children I mean, correct?"
"Nope." he answered, "And about this "Yes or no" question: At that kind of politics I am involved, you don't have yes or no questions." he counters. "Believe me. You don't want to be a direct part of it."
She waved her paw again, "Politics are tedious, but.." she stood with a smirk, and moved around the table to him, leaned down and whispered her 'addition' to his proposal. She sat back with her arm on the table when she finished whispering to him and leaned on the table with a smirk. "Only give a yes… or a no" She was purring softly, pleased with herself.
"Who could say no to this one?" he mused to her.
"Then we have a deal." he mused back and he extended a hand to seal it. A hand she takes with a mischievous bemusing expression.
"Now we should discuss the details for your people." he mused, "You got a place to live after all."
"They already are moving in." She said with a smirk.
"I take a small castle on top of a mountain range with access to some caves?" he grinned with a grin and rose his cup of wine.
"Yes for a lord your mountain doesn't have much in the way of security." she sighed.
"Well… let's still discuss what you will need" he chuckles loudly, enjoying his wine and she sipped from her water pouch. Though she was a clan chief she didn't seem the drinking type.