„I must say Atus. Kingsbird is quite a jewel in the forest" mused Kuran as he moved along with a few guards through the streets, led by mentioned Skywing Politician.
„Why thank you" smiles Atus and turned around and spread both arms and wings „The community and the town of Kingsbird is the oldest community known to my people. Sure it had several changes over the centuries, but that doesn't change the fact, that we can date its history back to the time where the forest was only at the size of today's town."
To which Kuran whistled, „that's quite old. Especially in a forest where all kinds of things happen. I have seen many forests that burned down due to one unlucky event."
„I can understand why, and to be honest, it is thanks to our many working hands that we could preserve this forest as a forest." Explained Atus and turned around to guide them more.
There wasn't a parade to welcome a foreign ruler here. While Kuran and his followers were attracting attention, and quite a few were watching and/or following them… the fact remains that the Wings of the Skeith take little effort acknowledging his position. Some may even dare to say they belittle him and don't take his position seriously.
In fact, the only acknowledgement they spared him is, that he wishes to speak to them. And only the abuse of some of their laws forced them even to take notice of that wish and grand it.
They reach the largest „building" in the city, a tree. A tree that is so wide and high that one could think it is a mountain.
„The Grand Tree." Mused Kuran loudly and whistles „I have heard of it but honestly until recently never thought I would see it with my own two eyes."
„Not many outsiders ever did" agreed Raven and crossed his arms „The centre of all, that is Skeith. Our greatest temple is housed in the hollow insides of the tree. As well as the seat of the Wings. And the entire history of our kind."
„It is without a brag the biggest and oldest tree of the entire forest." Explains Atus with a nod „A few years recently broke one of the large branches off" and pointed to where one branch of the tree suddenly stops. „It was a tragedy. Many lost their lives as the branch suddenly dropped down. But for our understanding of the tree, it was a blessing. It took several weeks but eventually, our experts determined that this branch alone was 4 000 years old."
„That branch alone?" Kuran asks and looked at the stump that remained on the tree and looked at the next branch… which was even thicker than the stump self, making it definitely older than the broken off one.
„There were many attempts to determinate the age. But they are all inconclusive" explained Raven „Simply for the simple fact that as hollowed out as the tree is, there is no good place the count the rings. Not to mention the carving that happened to shape the rooms into the tree. Or the buildings on top of the tree."
„Buildings on top of the trees?" asks Kuran in surprise.
Atus laughed „Yes. While traditionally the Wings and the temple are inside the tree, the members of both are living on top of the tree. It is a small town up there.
Kuran whistled once more in fascination „Well, that's interesting" and looks up again.
„Indeed" chuckles Atus and leads them further… until they turned left and reaches some sort of small fortress. Standing in front of it, Atus explains „I was able to convince the Wings under very hard arguments to allow you to open one of your portals in this fortress, in its deepest point. That way Lady Lehid can join you in the hearing."
„And properly deepest point as it is easier to fill it with something that drowns my minions except the blues?" asks Kuran in curiosity and raised an eyebrow.
The Skeith laughed a little „Yes… otherwise, they would never have agreed with it."
Nodding to him Kuran waved his arm „That is understandable. Now let's go down and retrieve my mistress."
„Great words from a great man" laughed Raven and they moved into the fortress, and guided down to its depths.
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
„Greetings Lord Sindir. It has been a while." Stated Arlene as the older Lord was kneeling down in front of her while she is sitting on a comfortable chair and absently stroking her round belly.
„Far too long, your majesty" and rose as the queen gave him the sign that he is allowed to do so. „I assume your majesty and her unborn child are well."
„The doctor has examined me just the day before and couldn't find anything amiss." She replied, „If nothing goes wrong, the child will see the light of the world in just two more months."
„Those a great news Mylady." Congratulated Sindir „I take your husband, Overlord Kuran, see that as well."
„I haven't seen him for nearly two weeks now." She admitted while taking a cup offered by a maid and drinking the juice inside of it. „But I am aware he is busy at the moment and is not able to see me."
To which the old lord simply chuckled „Mylady, I am aware that Lord Kuran isn't romantically involved with you as with his Mistresses. I think every lord and lady in the realm knows that your marriage is only of political nature and the child a product of expectations, not love."
„That isn't surprising," said Arlene and leans back more „And I wouldn't be surprised if the common folk is aware of it as well." Looking out of the nearest window she confessed to him „Neither of us was really interested in the marriage. We only did it because you and the others stated it is the only way to legitimize a way that I can rule that Kingdom, while Lord Kuran is the legitimate one."
„And also the only way to calm down the unrests as far down as it is." Added the old alchemist. Then he muttered dryly „Except for those headstrong remains of Steadfast's forces," though he does wonder why anybody who has even the slightest chance to man a rebellion is killed in… quite messy ways. He knew it couldn't be Silence as this Green Minion is quite a clean killer. Only as much mess as strictly necessary.
„That is also known to me." Was the tired reply of the queen. Once again she shakes her head „All I can hope is that Lord Kuran is a doting father or our two children."
„Two children?" asks Sindir as he knew that the queen wasn't pregnant with twins…. Unless „You two planned already a second child?"
„Yes. Thought also be required." She nodded to him. And looks in the direction of the town "The people are expecting that Kuran has an heir from me and in the best case a spare. While his plans on who to give the throne are different already, we should let the illusion stand that my firstborn is gaining the crown."
The lord looks in surprise "He has already plans for his heritage?"
"He is careful." she replied with a simple smile "And I think I am not ruining anything if I tell you. He plans to figure out which of his children, once he dies is the most fitting to rule after him. Who is of the right mind, heart and ability to rule a kingdom. He doesn't think much about the firstborn rule." and she folds her hands and giggles "Our lord even considers officially adopting somebody he finds is more suited to rule than any of his offspring."
"That might cause a great unrest." countered Sindir and rubbed his chin "Thought if he works it correctly… it might work. I know for sure it won't cause any trouble with the Taumins. Their traditions are clear regarding leadership. If his plans with the Skeith works, then he has settled anyway as this is their common way to pass over leadership anyway. Only the Nagas and us humans are the ones I fear."
"I think we don't need to worry about that too much. And I have doubts that you of all people need to worry about the fallout anyway. It will be years before any of Kuran's children are old enough for being considered for the throne."
"That is true. And until then the line of succession is settled anyway. I doubt he won't make those changes until; he is sure. Prepare, yes. Announce it out of a sudden? Properly not." and shakes his head. "He will slowly prepare the kingdom for it." then he looks at her "So… how will he do it?"
"Not a plan. But I think he will come to it with everybody once he has set the essential basis." explains Arlene and rubs her neck "Then he will properly try to convince you to play along."
The old lord rubs his chin "With most I think it will be possible, given the disastrous results in the past. Especially with Steadfast. Only one or two might difficult. Including my own successor." and he grins "Don't worry. I will prepare him in time."
"Thank you Lord Sindir."
"For you always, queen Arlene" he smiles and bowed in front of her.
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
A large circular room with a large bird statue in the middle with its wings spread wide. Under each wing were rows of seats and at the bird's feet were four more seats. The majority of those seats were filled with different coloured Skeiths.
That was the Grand Council of the Skeith. With the left and right wings of their supposed government. Each of the wings consists of Skywings and Groundwings of each approved community. The right-wing for matters inside the Skeith Territories, the left-wing for outside. Both wings only join for a select number of reasons.
One of those reasons is when a new Skeith community is trying to form. Which is right now the main reason why that meeting is. At least officially.
The other reason, which one of them might be the true one, is that the supposed leader of that new community is not a Skeith. It is a human. An Overlord on top of it. And his supposed Skywing is none other of Lehid. The Lehid, who has claimed to be a Skywing.
And on top of it, the Groundwing is a former Groundwing of the Right Wing.
Kuran stood on a podium together with Lehid and Raven on his sides and waiting for the meeting to begin. The four seats at the feet of the bird statue are the chosen speakers of each wing within the two great wings.
The four then began to stand up and any murmuring, and whisper, and the talking went silent within seconds.
The first of the four, the first Skeith stepped forward. That was Skywing of the right-wing. "Representants of your communities! We are here because there stand three who want to open a new Community. Our duty is to determine if we give them our blessing."
The next to raise was the Groundwing of the Right-wing. "We have to see if they will continue the Skeith way."
"And if they bring future to the Skeith." added the Skywing of the Leftwing.
"Now. Speak. And present us your community." finished the Leftwing Groundwing.
Kuran stepped forward and spread his arms "Great Wings of the Skeith. I am here to present to you the community we are planning to build. A community where people of all races coexist, build, create for a common goal. But also defend, fight and stop any threats that may target us as a community or only one of the people. To spread the wings of the Skeith further as the people they are, not the wings of individuals that left the forest."
"Me, Lehid, will be his Skywing. To provide him with advice for changes to open the skies of our futures," said Lehid and stopped forward.
To which Raven followed suit "Me, Raven, will be his Groundwing. To provide him advice to build our foundations on our traditions to keep his feet on the ground, as the reality of the present is."
"The grounds of our community will be the kingdom I rule. I have lands appointed, where the Skeith can build their first homes until it is time for them to spread to all settlements and towns I rule and intermix, so the community I propose will be truly forming."
The left Skywing nodded after Kuran finished his speech "We have heard your case. Your dreams of your community."
Kuran almost rolls his eyes as now simple traditional speeches are made until the true fight could begin… of forming that new community. Now the Groundwing of the left was supposed to say something… but he finds it odd that the last of the four didn't follow up.
Instead, he crossed his arms and the other three Speakers looked at him and also draws the curious views of all others in the room.
"I object!" shouts the Skeith "I object that we let a human have the rights to try and have a community under his care! I object to that one so old that he left the Wings to be his Groundwing! And I object that a judged criminal is his Skywing!"
"Judged Criminal?" asks the right Skywing in wonder and turns to the Groundwing "There was never a trial to judge-"
"There was! Hold in secret! With Rashur the Strict as Judge! We presented him with the case! And he ruled that Lehid the Criminal is to be arrested! Her crime is to have used the name Skywing despite not being acknowledged by us as such! And to dare to place Skeith underneath a Human! The weakest and most barbaric of all races!"
"What?" shouts the Left Groundwing in shock "You dared to talk with the Left Groundwings without informing me?"
"Have you lost any respect from our ancient traditions?" countered the other Groundwing to his own surprise "Not to mention are you insane? Rashur always ONLY hands out the harshest of punishments, never considering the circumstances!"
"And it is against our own law to have a trial without having both wings present!" cut in Atus from his seat and raises up "Your behaviour is a disgrace to all of us! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" What should that human, that went great lengths to go to us and present his case in all formal manners? Not to mention Lady Lehid didn't had a chance to speak for herself if your claims are true!"
"Pah! She disgraced herself by using the Skywing name! She doesn't deserve to be heard in a trial!" claimed a Groundwing as he rose from his seat
"How dare you! Her father was a born Skywing! Hence she has the right of using the name! The law never stated if she had to be acknowledged to do her actions!" countered another Skywing.
"Why bother with all that facade? We are only here to amuse that human with his failed adept to make a Skeith Community he could lead, and get that girl punished!" countered a second Groundwing.
"Your blindness denies us a future!" claimed a third Skywing and before Kuran could make head and tails out of it, the entire meeting broke down in heated and shouted debates and any impression he had regarding their ability to handle that as adults were gone.
Looking at Atus he saw he was debating as well and as he turned to Raven, seeing that Lehid was doing the same and the elder Skeith was just shrugging "I have no what is going on. In my past career as Groundwing here, I never saw one of the Speakers misbehave like that. Or that break down in order."
Atus then appears in front of them with his assistant "Go with Here. He will guide you to a room and take care of refreshments. I will pick you up once this is sorted out. And then I hope that we can proceed normally."
"Understood!" told Kuran "And then I like to have a proper explanation of what just the hell happened here.
"Don't worry. I will find out," promised Atus and went back to the debate.
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
As Atus came to pick the three up, he had a heavy face. Kuran wasn't really looking forward to the reason so he went straight and blunt "Don't cut around the chase: What happened that you have this kind of face."
"I think that one is fair," said the politician and signs "Also we got that sorted out to a degree. While I still don't know why Kishir acted out of his role like that but he made a solid case. Due to some holes in the law, the judgement is legit. On the other hand, due to her now legal case of being your wife, she became untouchable for punishment and we would have to send her out. Which in turn the Groundwings are not happy. But to get here legally, we need to accept your community, which again, Groundwings are against. And don'T start me with the Skywings. Each of them has a different idea how to approach this mess, one worse than the other."
"Quite the mess he caused" grunted Raven and crossed his arms "In my life, I never have heard of anything like that."
"Well… I had. Something familiar happened nearly 300 years ago with one of my ancestors. But I don't have all details so I cannot tell how it ended." explained Atus and then sat down "Thought in the end we finally reached a conclusion. We will accept your community, for one to excuse yourself from this misbehaviour we showed, and second to have Lehid in our legal grasp."
He rose a hand to stop the protesting that was in Kuran's throat as he felt angered "In turn, you are asked for the following: Lehid has to do a community activist, which in this case involves solving our problem in the mountains. And you have to pay us a Tribute of not yet determined value. Nothing outrageous, that much I can promise. The problem is the act… only you are allowed to help her. While two Sky- and Groundwings will accompany you, they only watch so there is proof that you really did it."
"And how is it declared solved?" asks Kuran
"Once you determinate what kind of creature could have caused the wounds that downed some of the most dangerous beasts in the mountains and removed it from there." answered Atus and gave a weak smile "The only aid I can give is giving a lift there. As they don't accept any Minion aid as well."
Raven, Lehid and Kuran were staring at Atus and Kuran gave a nice summarize "To use a quote of a big guy I once met: These Skeith are crazy!"
Overlord: Kingdoms Rise
Deep in the mountains at the borders of the Skeith's homeland, a pair of while boar-like monsters covered with burn scars and wounds running down a hill. They run as their wounded legs could take them from whatever they are running away from.
But then, the boars in the front stumbles, causing the others to stumble as well and before they could get up again, there were quick, piercing and very hot pain but it was as quickly over as it came. Then the dead bodies were dragged away to parts unknown…
Just due to some events in the last year, I have no Beta Reader at the moment. As well as changing some of my plans.
I hope to be able to uploading with some regulary again after I got everything sorted.
Until then: Hope you don't mind that the correction is only done with Grammerly instead of human help.