Morning. The appearance of the sun. Lighting up every corner where the rays of the celestial body can reach. Including the rooms with windows.

And one such room was a guest room. A guest room with one single person sleeping in the bed. As small and rounded this person was, some might have thought this small person was the "heavy" child of somebody. But on a closer look, recognition is found. That "child" was in fact an adult dwarf.

Not any dwarf. This was the Clan leader of the Bloodthorn Dwarf Clan. Cassandra Bloodthorn.

Cassandra was groaning loudly as she was disturbed by the light of the sun. "Blasted sun..." she muttered. "Why does it have to rise now?" and she rolled in the bed, trying to turn away from the light, "And why are the curtains not closed?"

Then she groaned as a headache hit her. Slowly pieces of her last evening came back together. She had dinner with Overlord Kuran. They had different talks. Political, science, magic, technology… and so on.

The wine and beer were plentiful last night, and she was wondering why she has taken so much herself. She also tried to fall back asleep to deal with her headache but realized that won't help her much. So she did what she disliked the most… she rose from the bed. Yawning and stretching herself she shakes her head and slowly leaves the bed, her night dress falling to her ankles. Walking over to the desk where her personal chest was, she opened it and took out a smaller chest which contained various coloured bottles.

Hesitating a little she tried to think about those colours while the headache incapacitates her ability to concentrate until she remembered which of the bottles she must pick. And she took the one that is the hangover cure. Opening it she downed the contents in one go and coughed afterwards at the strong taste.

Even unrefined iron was better than that… and her people are not known for having ores and rocks in their diet. Even if some people claim otherwise. Shivering after that she felt somewhat better and looked at the mirror. Her dark brown hair was a mess and slightly covered her eyes, which she has barely registered until now.

Due some parts of her memory still lacking regarding last night, she figured that even after the dinner where the Overlord left her and her fellow dwarves by their own devices, the alcohol must have flown a lot.

However, a detail that she only realized now was WHICH nightdress she was wearing. She had it on only once… and that was the night where she and her husband confirmed their wedding. It was the only night she has worn it. And the only night where she had any man allowed to touch her.

"Must have been very drunk." she only muttered and went to the window, looking out of it. While she was in an inn in the capital, it was quite a luxurious one. Properly one prepared and paid by the Overlord to keep his guest in until the new castle was finished.

Though she has seen through the calculated intentions. For her it was clear that the Overlord intents with this set up to lull others into a sense of false superiority.

After all an Overlord has always a tower of centre of might. And given the time between the first time she heard of the current one, and now, it was more than enough to make the tower fully operational. Especially when considering that he had a foothold in this kingdom upon that said time.

Though something bothered her about this set up… it relies upon everybody else not realizing it and underestimating the Overlord. Given the recorded history it shouldn't be able to fool anybody yet… except those who really paid attention to history or got a strong memory seems to recall Overlords when they emerge. But it seems that people quickly tend to forget about Overlords and are surprised when the next show shows up, with no clue what they are commanding. This time it didn't really happen and only that vastly different approach compared to his predecessor allowed him to be not feared and able to rule without much of a bother.

From a logical standpoint she couldn't see a reason why this happens… so it must be for mystical or divine reasons. Both options she isn't keen to deal with. Not that she has to. Right now, she must think how to handle the current Overlord.

Which made her pause and think about her goals and how she could achieve them. And slowly concluded she was reacting hasty upon Friendfist blunders. And poorly thought out.

Additionally, to the hindsight that her entire reason to try to strike a deal with the Overlord is rather poorly thought out.

Sure, she would properly get Goldshield, especially after explaining WHY she wanted that bastard. However, her other plans with the Overlord are not well thought out.

For one he only needs her once. ONLY once to get to his allies. And he still has the option of taking a longer route if he doesn't like her proposals.

Second, while the Dwarfs skills as smiths and machinists are properly in his interest to gain access to as well, he could pick any dwarf clan to aid. Or he simply waits until one of the smaller ones gets their butts kicked so hard that they must flee and let them in.

At this state in the civil war, many of the smaller ones might get crushed to boost the larger clans' troops or access to resources. Not to mention the moment he helps her, and the other Dwarf Clans realize that aid, the Overlord has a target on his back.

While she doubts both, that she could fool the other clans with costumes wearing Minions for long and that the clans' risk to attack this kingdom fully due the bound troops in this civil war. Or clan wars as many dwarfs like to call it. However, they all still had access to means to greatly harm everything she set her mind on. And that is a state she isn't content with.

Crossing her arms and evaluating everything in her disposal to gain what she needs. However, one factor is not making it easy. The stalemate. For a year now she is in a strong position with her borders. Nobody could attack her, and she was holding the best defendable position of this entire war. But she wants minions for making a good attack position.

"Hmm…" she mused as she was reaching for the small bell that was on the nightstand, using it to call somebody to bring her breakfast. "For now, I will try to get Goldshield. For the other support, I must talk with somebody." and she looks out of the window and strokes her chin, "And knowing him, it shouldn't be hard to get in touch with him again."

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Kuran had doubts. Heavy doubts. Doubts if he should continue the path he is currently walking. Standing on the Nethergate just outside the Skeith Forest, he was standing and waiting for Atus.

And after a night to sleep though and sorting all events of the last day… he took a deep sight. "I hope he isn't as talkative as of yesterday." or his patience would be tested. Very tested.

In fact, he is tested now as Kuran is already waiting for half an hour. Turning to Raven he asks, "Just to be sure: You Skeith use the same time system as humans?"

"Yes." nods the male Skeith, "As almost everybody else as far as I can tell."

Which Kuran didn't like to hear. If Skeith had a different feel for time he might have accepted that as an excuse. "So… any idea WHY he is late?"

"Given his position in the Skeith… nothing really. Given how our politics runs. Unless the Skeith Council called for a special meeting but that is rare. In my long life I have only heard of one such meeting. And that was as we had a dry year and the Skeith had to pull together their resources to ensure we would survive it."

"And your contacts didn't mention such thing?" asks Kuran

Raven rubs his chin, "Nothing that reached my ears yet. There are talks about something unusual at the mountains but nothing concrete yet… and that a star fell from the sky."

"A meteor crash? Bet many are running to investigate." mused Kuran

To which Raven laughed, "Given it fell down in the mountain range? No Skeith except desperate hunters go to the other side of the mountains where you can't see from the forest. Don't ask why, but for the most part, no Skeith could bear it to go so far from the forest that they cannot see it. Only a few communities and sporadic individuals from the rest are driven to be outside. And we are very strange in their eyes."

Kuran nods in understanding. Skeith were not commonly seen. While in each town you can find a few working as fast couriers, it is a tellable sign when you hear from traders that in his kingdom is the largest known concentration of Skeith outside their own territory.

Then one of the guards called and pointed to the sky, making Raven and Kuran to look up as well. And sure enough, a bunch of Skeith, some armed, some carry some bags and the rest holding on the flying carriage. A rather unfitting name but the Skeith never bothered to name that thing properly.

As they landed, sure enough Atus stepped out of the carriage and gave the Skeith equivalent of a smile while spreading his arms "Ah! Lord Yuma! Good morning!" and he moved over to him, "I am so sorry for being so late, but I was stopped by some of my fellow Skywings."

"Ah, Politics. They can be a pain." nodded Kuran in understanding.

"Yes, such a pain, such a necessary. Unhappy my fellow wings are that I consider granting your request no matter the hearings goings. And that I see Lady Lehid's actions as just. Speaking of her, where is she?"

"She is still in the tower, tending to our egg." explained Kuran simply to which the Skywings wings spread wide, "A mother she is? Why, have I missed it? Did I sinfully forget it? But oh joyce. A new life is on the way. A child by a Skeith and a chosen Ruler. Only grandness can emerge from that union! May the nature spirits bless the unhatched one, so it can surpass the greatness of the parents."

Kuran felt his Migraine already coming. To cut short of what ballade that he is feeling to come, he cut off. "We can talk about my family life later. How about we get on board and get moving?"

Atus looked at the Overlord and smiled, "Of course, that would be wise. We are all expected after all. Let's get in and make others suffer the hardships of travel." and the human had the brief feeling that the other Skeith gave Atus a look that whispers murder.

The two of them climbed in and took seats as the Skeith are taking off slowly and coordinated, allowing for steady ascend into the right height to travel and turn to leave for their destination.

Inside the carriage, Kuran crossed his arms. "Now let's cut the chase right here and now, Atus."

"I beg your pardon?" wondered the feathered politician in curiosity.

"You wouldn't have bothered to come out here and meet me. You could have just waited just like the rest of the wings until I arrived and then met me. But you didn't. You picked me up even outside of the territory. So that tells me that you are up to something and I am your tool for it." and he leans forward, "And I am sure if you cannot present my cooperation with you when we arrive together, it wouldn't be a good sign for your political standpoint."

Atus looks surprised and then leans back and smiles, "Straight to the point. A refreshing change to the Politics we Skeith must play in the city." then he frowns, "But it shows that I played my cards not correctly. Very well. I will be fair. After all, your plans regarding us are quite open to some of us."

"I am not well versed enough into politics to have learned how to mask my intentions well enough." he simply counters. "And I am not interested in really changing that. I have others for that role."

"Probably. I don't know your kingdom well enough to know. And that is where my problem lies. We Skeith are way too much isolists. Something I want to change but have a damn hard time to do so."

"I was told that you bunch barely moved so far that you cannot look at your forest anymore." nodded Kuran, "And no matter how well your forest grows… it will hit a natural limit."

"It has been a long time ago already." countered the Skeith, "From what my community says, we are on the limit of our used growth." and he looks at the Overlord. "You have probably been told some of our procedures. But the thing is… Raven has been out of touch with real politics for years. Much is put under a rug. Including how many communities we refused to have formed. Even the Skywings are doing that. And they should be by "nature" for every new community."

"Why that?" asks Kuran.

"Because the majority of new communities that hope to form are having their settlements outside the forest sight." was the answer. "Of the last five years, of nearly 30 new communities we approved only one. And that was to replace the destroyed communities of Lady Lehid. That is why I admire her bolt move. It forced Skeith out of the forest. The mercenary and those who live, and couriers are already formed by many who have a wish to spread out outside the forest. But due to one law that was passed before the Mercenary groups could fully go into business was that only Community Leaders, Skywings or Groundwings could hire Mercenaries, limiting their abilities greatly. Aside from two larger groups, every other Skeith Mercenary Group dismissed and then even those two bundled together to form the Mercenary Community."

"So, either the forest grows somehow… or you change the minds of the wings. And given how slow trees grow, it's faster to switch the politics of it." he nodded and looked at him, "And I take here is another problem."

"Two in fact. The first is well known. The amount of food we need is growing considerably. The communities are growing slowly too large and the way of buying has its limits for our people."

"I see." he nods and leans forward, "And what is the other problem."

"This one is more recent. But if you solve it… it would lessen the problem with food for a bit." he explains and sighs. "I don't know all the details but something in the mountains is scaring the hunters off. So much that they don't want to go up there anymore."

Kuran narrows the eyes, wondering what this thing scaring them could be.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise.

"Here we are. Sipoa" smirked Siltra as she looked forward to the gate of the trading city. Placing her spear behind her neck and putting her hands lazily on the shaft to hold it comfortably in position she mused, "Has been a few years since I was even remotely close to the city."

The city wasn't a big trading city by far. In fact, it is only a trading city because it is the only city within a weeks' worth of travel and access to the sea. This makes it easier for the local merchants to sell wares. And even then, the knowledge of its existence is not well known.

In fact, Siltra only knows it because one, she passed it once on her travels with her mercenary band and two, the town is supposed to have an excellent Grog. The latter part has some truth as it tastes well but the Torrap feels it lacks a decent kick to it that she normally enjoys in her drinks.

As she looked at the town from her position, she tried to look at the port as well to see the ship called Dark Eagle as it is supposed to be easily identifiable. While she didn't see it, she knew she was simply too far away to properly make out the necessary details no matter how unique a ship of the middle weight class looks like.

Shrugging to that, she turned around and called over, "Alright boys and girls! We are going now in town and seek that Zhi girl! We are splitting up in groups of two or more. If you find her: NO engagement. Just let me know that you found her, and I will handle it from there. I will go alone to the port to see if I can find her ship and potentially her. IF I do, I will let you all know. We met up at the Cracked Seas Inn."

Everybody nodded to that order and understood why. For one, the most obvious, Siltra is their leader. They know her well enough that she has a reason for most of her orders. The other thing is… they all know that this Zhi Mu Ling is sought out by one of the heroes. Which means the person they are to catch is important and no doubt very dangerous.

What they didn't know and Siltra only learned by sheer luck was that the woman in question is not only the wife of the dead Hero but also a bearer of a Cross Blade. No matter how much she and her mercenary buddies are daredevils: She does NOT intend to cross weapons with somebody chosen by those blades. Not without a plan. Not without a gauge of how well that woman could wield it. And definitely not without learning any exploits she could latch on. And her Mercenary Band only has 21 people, including her.

So, the mercenaries entered down and split up in groups of pairs and their leader headed alone towards the port. Luckily for her, the port wasn't that large, so it didn't take long to find the ship in question.

The Dark Eagle, a Brigg painted completely in black and green with an eagle as figurehead and a pair of "wings" at the end of it. The hull was plated to make it easier to withstand damage and a ram. All in all, a well-made ship so far, the Torrap can tell. Not that she has much experience with a ship in the first place. And she could see the damage and that the repairs are almost done.

"If he had sent us to get her a week later, we might not have been here in time" muttered Siltra and looked around. Seeing some sailors, she went over and tossed them a coin, "Where can I find the captain of that ship?"

"Captain Zhi? She's in her cabin, busy with her son." told the Sailor, "Are you a Mercenary? If yes, then talk with her. She needs a few sell swords to hire for the next trip once the final repairs on the Eagle is done."

The Torrap looks surprised at the info she just got. Nodding she told them, "Then I am off to see her. Perhaps she hires my entire company." and as she was walking up the ramp to board the ship, a small smirk crossed her lips, "Needing blades for a trip AND got a very exploitable weakness? This just became my day here." she whispered to herself and began to think how she could use that all for her advantage to get that woman to her clients meeting point.

Knocking on the door of the Captain's cabin, a female voice called, "Who is it?"

"I am a Mercenary on the lookout for work." called the scaled woman.

And not long after the door opens to reveal a woman with light purple hair and grey eyes, holding a small baby that is showing the same hair color, looking at the Torrap in curiosity with big green eyes.

"I am Zhi Mu Ling, the captain of the Black Eagle. And you are?"

"Siltra the Torrap from the Bahamut Company." she stated, "And I am here for business." and grinned at the woman widely.