[ - Author's Note - ]
Well; I said the end of the Best Ken Banners would be here and it's here. I did hope for more votes but what can you do, eh? So, how did the banners do?
Stuck at last with a sad zero votes is House Magister. Whoomp whoomp... Magister was made because I wanted a state that would be education focused; hence it's book and snail shell on the front of it.
With one vote each (3.45%) we have a six way time between Houses Moonchilde, Venus, Silverglade, Duascoronas, Rigald and Angelus. So; Angelus' banner was made for the map itself; I wanted something wider but not as tall. With Venus I wanted a fertility based religion in Eostia and while not a focus I felt House Venus' emblem pulled it off well. Duascoronas was I wanted something that could be inverted with the gender idea being added as I made it. Silverglade was made as an 'elven' banner. For Moonchilde's I made an odd chapped shield and wanted the 'angel in the moon' as an image. Finally Rigald was meant as a religious knight banner. Whew. Lightning round there.
At fourth with three votes (10.34%) is House Whitelance. I found the winged lance clip art and made a shield around it. Nothing fancy for it, over all.
At third is House Silversail with five votes (17.24%). I can't remember where the shield came from but I loved how segmented it was and had an idea for using each segment for a different image. It's a favorite of mine.
At second is House Flarewing with six votes (20.69%). Okay, before I made this one I was grabbing shield clip art off google images to make the banners with but here is where I started to made my own in (Good program for the price; which is free). As for the imagery I wanted a phoenix based banner and it felt fitting. The burning heart was a nice little cherry on top.
And finally with nine votes (31.03%) is House Roisage. I always wanted it to be a very elaborate, more 'flashy' shield then most. I felt that as the territory that housed the capital of Eostia as well I felt the rulers of the territory would feel a need to try and compete for attention and prestige; hence the designs of it. I think it's one of my best works.
I'll link to the best Rad Banners at the end of the chapter but for now what do we have?
Well various characters taking some time out to talk and discuss things. So let's get to it, shall we?
[ - Act II - Interlude: A Moment to Speak - ]
On Dark Elf Hierarchy
The difficulty of getting scouts into Garan has made information gathering for the Eostian Military Forces difficult at best, but not impossible. High Elves are unaffected by the powers of the Dark Citadel like their dark counterparts and some Dark Elves have defected due to dissatisfaction with their rulers or their place in life allowing them to spy easier. Of course given the amount of slave states at the Eostian/Garanian border there is difficulty in such a migration.
Still these people do exist and we have some looks into Garanian society; beginning here with their hierarchy. The Garanian social structure is said to reflect that of the Dark Elf homeland, supposedly with some of it's own quirks. These castes are quite strict and it is difficult if not impossible to rise above your current station. While difficult and uncommon Eostian commoners have risen to become knights, knights to minor lords, minor lords to local lords and even to rulers of one of the kingdoms.
So let us look at the ranks of the Garanian society as we know it to be.
The Trueborne
Trueborne Dark Elves are the rarest lot and seems to be the equivalent of Dark Elf royalty as far as we know. The only one we are aware of right now is Olga Discordia, the current and so far only Queen of Garan. By all accounts the Trueborne's mothers are Trueborne themselves and become impregnated not by the standard means of sex but rather some ritual. They believe in a variant of the 'Giants Forming Sererus' myth with said giants either becoming a part of the land or forming the land of their own bodies and that one of the giants testicles is now a camber in which they will bathe or do some form of ritual to impregnate themselves with the giant's child.
How true this is I cannot say however this is the only way to give birth to more Trueborne, supposedly. Additionally only one Dark Elf may impregnate themselves like this every one thousand years. As far as I know all Trueborne are female; if this is by quirk, chance or design I do not know. They are afforded the best education and luxuries (As I am told, anyway) and are trained in magic since a young age. Again the only Trueborne we know of is Olga Discordia and she is one of the most powerful magic users in the known world; said to be equal to High Queen Celestine Lucross herself.
As for the relations to the Aberrant Legion who serves Olga she's said to not meet with them at all or at least rarely doing so, preferring to have others to deal with them in her stead. Only when she deigns to take the field of battle do the Legion see her in person.
The Highborne
The Highborne are Dark Elves who seem to occupy the upper ranks of Garan society. They fill the ranks of the Five Great Houses of Garan, the roles of generals and commanders as well as being high ranking bureaucrats. The highest ranking males in the society are in the Highborne but even so they are considered lesser then their female counterparts fully marking the Kingdom of Garan as a matriarchy and they are very few in number. That said the females outnumber the males thirty to one in this ranking.
The Highborne are well educated, the best in Garan anyway, and are expected to be capable of some form of offensive magical ability. Some are capable of combat with conventional arms but most if not all prefer magic overall. The Highborne are the highest ranking Dark Elves that the Legion will interact with, and even then it's rare. We estimate there are less then one hundred of them at a time and Highborne seem to give birth only once every ten years or so at most, limiting the amount of Dark Elves at the top of their world. Once more confirming this is difficult at best so keep that in mind.
The Lowborne/Midborne
While called the Lowborne in Garan many in Eostia call this caste the Midborne as that seems more fitting to their position in Garan society. These would fulfill the same roles as minor nobles in Eostia but also the bulk of their knights, commanders, lieutenants, the bulk of the mid ranking and some high ranking bureaucrats, merchants and healers. In fact there are no dedicated healers in the Highborne; the Midborne is as high as they can reach. This means that there is a weakness in terms of restorative and defensive magics in their ranks as even within the Midborne there are few true healers.
The Legion mostly reports to this caste directly and they are born from other Midborne or are the children of Highborne who already have had one or two children. It is also the highest caste that one can be uplifted to within Garanian society by merit, although this comes with the caveat that many of their peers and most if not all of their superiors will resent them for their ability to rise up. It is said that even a Half Dark Elf has risen to this rank, becoming a commander who answers directly to the Dark Queen herself; something as far as we can tell is unheard of to them. We are, currently, unable to confirm this.
The upper ranks and bulk of the knights are made up of Midborne and while magical talent is still valued higher then martial value this is where those skilled in physical combat can truly thrive as leaders and warriors. It also seems, based on reports anyway, that the Legion respects the Midborne more then others seeing those below the Midborne in rank as 'weak' and more fearful then respectful of those over them.
The Laborborne
As one may guess by the name alone the Laborborne are the peasants and laborers of Garan. Farmers, wood workers, stone layers, miners and so on; they are the backbone of the society but are typically abused by those above them. Yes, Eostian nobility can be abusive to those under them as well but even they understand the concept of not angering the person who cooks and serves your food; only harsh fear keeps the Laborborne in line. Even then I imagine a well supplied Laborborne could poison a fair number of those above him or her if given access to such a toxin.
There is, in some regions, a rising, middle class in Garan of skilled workers such as blacksmiths and weavers that some are now calling the Tradeborne but those above them still regards them as disposable and replaceable. A few within the Midborne seems to understand their potential use to Garan but when you have a race with a lifespan measured in millennia change comes rather slowly. Additionally this is the rank of Garan from which common soldiers and conscripts are drawn; it's these few who could be lucky enough to rise up to the Midborne.
As for their dealings with the Legion it is usually with them as customers or overseers of the Laborborne and while the Legion are forbidden from raping them there are other 'pleasantries' to visit upon them.
The Chainborne
The Chainborne are the slave class of Garan. The bulk are captured humans who are of little good as laborers due to the effect of the Dark Citadel on them. As such only females are kept alive and given to the Legion for their use for pleasure and breeding. On rare occasions a Dark Elf will take interest and have his fill as well, sometimes leading to a Half Dark Elf being born within Garan.
Speaking of the Half Dark Elves you'll find them and other Half Elves here as well, usually forced into the darkest, most disgusting labor of the realm. Like their human counterparts they are often used by the Legion as well for breeding. On rare, rare occasions a Half Dark Elf or Chainborne Elf sired by a Midborne will be elevated to the Laborborne or even Midborne ranks, if current rumors are true.
Reports of abuse and harsh treatment are rampant with them; even Eostian slave states seem tame in contrast. Living Statues are a common punishment for any elven member of the Chainborne as a near endless torture.
The Pureborne
The Pureborne are not a rank in Garan, persay, but rather a term for those of pure Dark Elf stock. All of the Trueborne and Highborne are Pureborne, and the overwhelming bulk of the Midborne and Laborborne are as well. They consider Pureborne to be the highest form of life on this world and the most magically potent. Because of this they will almost always prefer the Pureborne over others.
The Halfborne
Halfborne are Half Dark Elves that are born from a Dark Elf and any non elf, usually humans. These people are regarded as the lowest of the low, even lower then humans. It is very rare for these people to rise up into Laborborne and only one notable case has risen up into the Midborne based on reports, if true.
The Grayborne
Grayborne are Half Dark Elves born from a Dark Elf and other elves, usually High Elves. While considered lesser then their Pureborne counterparts they are still well regarded. Most Greyborne are Midborne with a few as Laborborne and in addition can reach higher ranks in their society, or at the very least up into the Midborne.
The Mixborne
Mixborne are any sort of Dark Elf hybrid that is more Dark Elf then anything else; usually at minimum three fifths pure. Mixborne's position depends on their parental lineage with elven mixes preferred. Most Mixborne seek to mate with Pureborne as the thinner their children's 'impurities' become the closer they can be to becoming Pureborne after enough generations.
The Mudborne
Mudborne are those with less then half their blood being from a Dark Elf. If the mix is with a High Elf then they are often lumped in with the Grayborne. Otherwise they are lumped in with the Halfborne, however they are considered even lesser then they are. Few Mudbornes are known to exist in Garan.
The Legion
While we know they pledge loyalty to Garan and it's Queen because of the boosting power the Dark Citadel has on them it's unknown what other, if any, reasons they follow them. Aberrant in general trend to following the strongest among them (And of other races at times) so that might be part of it. In addition the Dark Elves rarely, if ever, care about their rape of human women and by all accounts encourage it giving them chances for their dark fun.
Some, notable Legion members can rise up in ranks to lower level Midborne military ranks (Although without the privileges the Midborne status provides) and are often used as front line commanders. There have been rumors of some Aberrant (Mostly Ogres) that have lain with Midborne or even Highbrone women as a reward or just deviancy of the women involved. What the truth is I don't know; we are too far removed from them to be sure.
They usually use Goblins as a combination of shock troops and fodder to absorb the initial blow, followed by a combination of Orcs as muscle and heavy hitters. Ogres are sergeants or lieutenants usually (Although the rare Orc and Goblin has risen to such a rank), unit leaders or just additional muscle. Gargoyles are usually airborne combatants that act as scouts, messengers, harassers and quick reactions forces although there seems to be few of them. Trolls meanwhile are used as their strongest and most powerful fighters, used as the tip of the spear in their line breaking attacks.
Ghouls are deployed rarely but greater ones are used as defensive bastions and mobile cover while lesser ghouls are used as skirmishers and raiders. Although not Aberrant by traditional means and more thrown into the classification for lack of a better one, Wolfmen are uncommon in Garan but when employed are sometimes used as unit leaders but more often as scouts.
Female Aberrant are not deployed by Garan. The Harpies of the Halcyon Mountain Range hunt Legion members and seem to have some grudge with them and will hunt them for food and sport in equal measure. Arachne also hunt them as food although are rarely seen. Mermaids off of Garan's coast are reported to slay any Legion member near the ocean, but given the lack of sea faring Garan does it's rare and we cannot confirm these rumors.
The Legion forms the bulk of Garan's military and is backed by the Dark Elf knights with the latter being used as elite forces, although their training and arms would make them more comparable to Eostian Regulars as opposed to elite units like the Dawn Templars; although they do have comparable units within their ranks. That said the magical power the Highborne and Queen Olga employ can tilt battles harshly.
In the end this is only a part of what you need to know to understand Garan.
~Dominic James Pencraft, Sererus: A Collection of History and Powers
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By request, M'Lord, I have obtained a few reports on the regions you requested; Albia, Peerus, Price, Pulha, Ellis and Coxworth. As usual the writing of one Dominic James Pencraft will provide an excellent primer for what you wish to know. I hope it's useful to you.
Pictured on the top of the page is the Emblem of House Ardon of the Barony of Albia
The emblem is three ovals trimmed with an outline of gold; the center one is the largest and twice the size of the others with the other two overlapping the larger one on it's side. These two side ovals have a pale gold background and boasts a Divinia Crucis in them; colored yellow and outlined in darker gold.
The larger, central one boasts a blue background. At the top is an angel with white wings in a cyan dress that exposed a breast covered by blonde hair, facing the left with a pair of green plants in her right hand, outlined with dark gold. At the bottom was an open book with white pages, a red cover and a yellow bookmark. Between both is a large, red 'A' with darker red outline and flair on it's upper left.
Albia has been a slave state since it joined Eostia under the command of House Hexagen in 156AF. Initially it wasn't a part of Eostia but a part of the Arblade Empire. It's people were unhappy with their rulers of the day, Saurous Arblade and Derrick Vandarguard, and unrest was common. Worse Saurous decided he would pick a fight with Eostia at the time, using Albia as a staging base. Vern Hexagen made a deal with the Eostians; that in exchange for arms and assistance in breaking free of the Arblade Empire his Barony would join the Seven Shield's Alliance. The agreement was made and the Arblade military found themselves fighting militias and rebels in their back lines with large stocks of supplies captured. Vern Hexagen would add his name upon the Aegis Alliance Accords and join Eostia formally, to Arblade's protests.
It's position meant that many attacks from Arblade were focused on it in attempts to reclaim it, but the region was well fortified to such invasion. When the Empire was ravaged by the pox there was a brief sense of relief and cheer in Albia; one tempered by the loss of most of House Hexagen. Aside from a few, elderly members the House was scrubbed of all male members and most of it's female ones. The Barony would fall upon the shoulders of a twelve year old Donna Verndale Hexagen who would wed a knight of both noble lineage and good standing; Axle Waterlily which led to House Waterlily to prominence for years afterwards as the rulers of Albia. Only recently did House Waterlily's claim shift; now into the hands of House Ardon, more specifically the hands of one Roxellia Ardon.
Rumors abound of the truth of her rise into position as matriarch of her house, as well as that the rightful heir should be her niece who is said to be in hiding after being disowned. What the truth is I can't say but currently Roxellia is the one on Albia's throne; that doesn't seem ready to change anytime soon.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
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Pictured on the top of the page is the Emblem of House Ferrocor of the Barony of Peerus
The banner is of a knight's shield with three points at the top, diagonal cuts at the top corners and bevels in the side. The outline if of a thick yellow that also cuts the shield into three parts; horizontally a third of the way down and vertically down the middle of the lower half. Each section hosts a different background and emblem.
The upper section is of a series of blue stars outlined in yellow on a white background in a pattern, from top to bottom, of twelve, thirteen, twelve, thirteen and twelve. The lower left has a red background with a straight edged saber with a d-guard in white with yellow trim pointed downwards. The lower right has a blue background with a red horse facing the right with a yellow outline.
Tucked behind Albia in the north of Rad the Barony of Peerus is the first to react when Garan attacks from the north. As such they focus mostly on a mix of light and heavy cavalry for combat to rush to assist holding the lines until heavy infantry and archers can arrive to reinforce positions. Additionally it's not uncommon for House Ferrocor to keep some of it's force inside Albia or at their mutual border to react faster. This is not due to any love or alliance as Ardon is a Traditionalist House and Ferrocor a Liberalist or Royalist House (Depending on the current ruler). The reason for this is that Albia is their shield from Garan and they do not want to be the one to deal with repairing their holdings.
As such they use many of their iron deposits to build their arms and armor and export mostly to the northern territories to be used for defensive means. In addition Peerus has enough fertile farm land to feed their people and forces in addition to having created, through some means, the star capped mushroom; an edible mushroom used in soups and has preservation properties when applied to other foods; it's used in many of their jerky.
Outside of steel and feed for their armies they are known for a wonderful glass-works industry that makes high quality spell orbs and even spell orb glass shaped into various statues or forms. They've also been mixing traditional glass with various kinds of quartz in an effort to create more powerful or more resistant forms of glass and spell orb. Both the Anima Lux and Una Vertias Churches employ glass-works of Peerus for their painted glass arts and they are the home of the Glass Blower's Guild; although it's largest branch is in Rad' Aurum Forum City.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
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Pictured on the top of the page is the Emblem of House Bhlis of the County of Pulha
The shield emblem is a knight's shield with a rounded top with sides that curve in slightly then more so, coming down to a point. The outline is a thick pink with thick white lines on both sides. The inside is a deep pink with three, yellow sunflowers at the bottom and top corners. In the center and center top is a pink, white trimmed rapier with a D-Guard and the point facing down with a rose at the back of the handle and vines going down the length of the blade.
One of the states to emerge from Engold, Pulha is the only one to rise up into a County. This is due to a few factors; it's the second largest of the heirs and bore good farmland, a small tin mine and one of the most important things in the region; the Charta Alata Grove that produces specially grown trees to produce spell paper with; one of the few means of long range communication in Eostia. Indeed; so important was this grove that all sides of the Engold Civil War made an informal agreement to keep all forces away from the region; aside from a handful of guards to protect the grove itself.
As such they make several platinum a month on the sale of spell paper alone; mostly to the various territories and entities of Eostia. Much of this has been funneled to other industries to further the growth of wealth as well as fund the military. Knowing how valuable their grove is they go to great efforts to protect it and as such ensure they can always fight Garan. In the event they reach Pulha they have two stone walls about the grove to further guard it. Indeed, so long as spell paper is the fastest way to communicate over large distances this secures their wealth.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
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Pictured on the top of the page is the Emblem of House Excelsior of the Barony of Ellis
The emblem is a tall shield with three sharp points at the top, flat sides and a curved bottom. The outline is a thick, dark gold with a deep purple line going along the middle. The background is a night toned purple and bears at the bottom a deep purple moon with a thick, gold outline. At the top is a winged sword in white with the point facing upwards a deep pink handle and gold sword over the guard. Three more gold stars are on either side of the winged sword over the moon and an additional four are placed between the blade and the moon.
The western most territory of the Engold successors it bears a modest but well regarded magical academy in the form of the Star Blade School of Magecraft. Indeed, of the former Engold territories Ellis is the most focused on magical learning however they think that knowing at least some martial combat. They've also begun industry in creating liquid mana and even mana based armors like Armor Weave, Mage Robes, Arcane Robes and even some Mana Armor.
This has meant their fortunes have been on the rise recently in response to this to the point rumors that they'll become a county soon. If this is true or not has yet to be seen. In addition they've been investing in printing presses for the purpose of converting various older texts on magic to newer ones for more accessibility. They've also allowed other books such as fiction and history for such preservation.
Their fortunes on the upswing and with a desire to preserve old knowledge House Excelsior under their motto; Rise onwards to the heavens above and touch the stars! Excelsior!
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
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Pictured on the top of the page is the Emblem of House Solrex of the Duchy of Coxworth
The main body of the shield has a point in the center as the top slopes down to the sides, curving in briefly before out and back in then down to a sharp point. The outline is a thick gold with a line of yellow going along it. Along the bottom of it is a matching, gold wreath. Above the large, yellow star with a gold outline with three, small stars on either side. A pale yellow background fills the shield.
On the sides of the shield are two swords in yellow and outlined with gold, points aimed downwards. The bottom bears a single Divinia Crucis in the same colors. At the top is a wide grail in the same colors but with a much thicker outline then the other item's on the shield's face.
Boasting a handful of gold and diamond mines early into it's founding, the Duchy of Coxworth's wealth grew rapidly once Eostia was founded and rose from a barony to a duchy in under three centuries. One thing that their rulers, House Solrex, did right was invest the wealth as opposed to waste it. Industry, trade and agriculture received extensive investment of funds. In addition the Una Vertias Church was another large investor and, in turn secured a long term alliance with Solrex leading to the Crucis being added to their banner.
Moreover additional deposits of gold has been found, just south of the Duchy's center, and has both brought in additional wealth and secured Coxworth's nickname of 'the Golden Duchy'. While usually a Conservative force on the Council of Lords to the point of being the usual leader of the faction they have deep ties with many Monetarists as well; Houses Kalkan, Ironroot, Copperbark and Venus in particular. In addition members of House Solrex has appeared on the Successor's List of the Federation of Rad as well, so vast is their influence on Eostia, doubly so it's center.
Militarily they've the funds for a rather advanced force; favoring heavy cavalry and infantry coupled with lighter cavalry and ranged forces. Additionally most of their knights boast enchanted armors and weapons; even if the spells set to them were basic and uncomplicated. In particular their most elite unit, the Crusaders of Coxworth, boast golden mythril armor and weapons as well giving them a distinct look as well as quality protection and offense.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
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Pictured on the top of the page is the Emblem of House Xill of the Barony of Price
The shield has a rounded top that comes down to straight, vertical lines before turning out slightly near the top and softly curving out then inwards more to a flattened point at the bottom. The outline is a thick orange with a green line inside of it. The shield's background is a deep brown with a curved bow on the left side, a leather quiver with four arrows in it beside it on the right and a single arrow pointed to the right under them both; all green with an orange outline.
Many would call House Xill the loser of the Engold Civil War as they ended the situation with the smallest of those four territories as well as the smallest territory within Eostia overall and by no small amount. To put this into scale Price is about four fifths the size of the next smallest state, Albia, and less then a third the size of Mungale which itself is considered a small territory and is the eighth smallest territory in Eostia. From that point of view Xill is the loser.
Take a look at the situation from another view and House Xill did not lose the Civil War but rather survived the Civil War. Indeed the borders of what they oversaw pre-Civil War and post-Civil War are not that different overall and many historians, incorrectly, assume they lost a great deal of territory during it. In fact they gained some in their south. This is mostly thanks to Commander Arron DeChevalier who realized the situation they were in and focused on a combination of defensive tactics, mobile warfare to attack opposing supplies, supply lines and even act in false flag operations to redirect their enemies attentions. Indeed as a historian one of the tragedies of the retelling of the Engold Civil War is how often House Xill's efforts are brushed aside. DeChevalier is, in my opinion, the single most underrated military commander in Eostian History.
Militarily Price still punches above it's weight; relying on archers, mobile light infantry and cavalry along with a handful of heavier units and mages they've proven to be able scouts and in the Garan conflict have played havoc on opposing supply lines. Indeed, they're not known for heroic last stands or brave charges but smart, precise strikes and undermining opposing armies. House Xill's forces are, to this day, still highly underrated.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
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Chaos...
Nothing but Chaos...
Goblins, slimes and orcs leapt around as the figures of House Insidiae laughed gleefully... I could see them, being raped by men and monsters; Miria... Riri... Aeris and Makoto, Ur'Akara and Maia, the other Roses and Tiffany, and my mothers of this world and my old world, aunts and cousins from both as well... Screaming and howling and languishing as I screamed and raged and banged fists into iron bars that blocked me from doing anything at all and then...
I woke up.
I was panting as I shot up to a seated position covered in a cold sweat before I groaned. House Insidiae really got under my skin and as glad as I was they were out of power as of yesterday, with Victoria being installed for the time being, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want them removed from Xenera by being thrown off a cliff. We had moved from the Castle into the Embassy of the Rycall Republic inside of Raven Leer City. Looking out of the window I could see the moon still high in a dark sky. I was in night clothes; a light set of pants and a buttoned up shirt as I climbed out of bed; I thought a walk will do me some good.
Leaving my quarters I moved down a hall as I walked towards a large balcony. The Embassy was set up like a manor and the balcony had a good view of the merchant's district. Stepping out I moved to the railing and leaned my hands onto it, looking out to city beyond. You could see a lot of puddles and even ponds from the water left that the Rain Callers had summoned down. The people did a damn good job getting the water cleared out although I imagined dealing with flooded cellars was going to be common for awhile; even if they were prepared against the rain they likely weren't ready for a flood.
(I'd later learn I was half right; the townsfolk were used to the oddities of House Insidiae so cellars were well secured against all kids of weirdness that could happen with many cellars even having some form of drainage. Even those that didn't had their entrances built up over ground level and reinforced. In addition once how bad the rain was going to be was realized cellar doors were sealed with whatever was handy. It wasn't pleasant for the people and even cellars with drainage were overwhelmed but they endured it far better then I expected.)
"You okay?" I heard, turning my head to see Terra leaning against the door to the balcony, arms crossed under her bust. Aside from a lack of weapons she was in her normal clothing.
"Depends on the definition you wanna use." I replied, sighing as I turned to face her, back leaning into the railing now. "I think I will be but this place got under my skin more then it should have. ... I really lost control, huh?"
"Pffft... I've seen worse." She said, pushing off her perch to move next to me, leaning into the railing as well. "Wanna talk about it?" She asked as I looked to the flag, flapping softly on a flag pole in view. As this was Rycall's embassy their flag flew here; a blue one with red trim and thicker red, horizontal lines running through it a quarter from the top and bottom. Spaced evenly over the flag was twenty four, four pointed gold stars outlined in white; four lines of six going down the flag horizontally. Each star represented the Councilors of Rycall who led the nation and in the center was a larger such star; the white trimmed with another layer of gold to signify the Prime Councilor, the leader of the Republic.
"Is it weird that I do and I don't at the same time?" I said with a long sigh. "... ...I guess I'm used to being able to make sense of most things; at least to a point. I might not be able to see every cog as it turns but I can see, at least, how the overall thing works but Insidiae is just... It's something I couldn't understand; not until Elrand shed light on it." I let off with a sigh. That was... part of it. There was another part I couldn't talk about; not to her anyway.
I used to be a mostly normal guy on a date before one asshole with a gun shot me and a twist of fate had me seen arriving in this world as opposed to an afterlife. It's not an exaggeration to say I lost everything all at once. Not just money or physical goods but friends and family. I'll never speak to them again, never see them again, never play and laugh and cry with them ever again. I was the one who died but they are, for all intents, dead to me and not by choice.
I don't want to lose my new family here. I don't want to see them hurt or die or worse. And I know my loved ones here aren't push overs nor unable to handle themselves but... If it happened... I think that's why I flew off the handle at Vander; House Insidiae's bizarre and insane nature dug under my skin and he triggered my worst fears; fears I could keep in check most of the time at least but here and now...
Fuck me...
"Yeah, I can understand that." She let off, chuckling. "I remember back when I was growing up someone just kept needling me and needling me and needling me." She said as she shook her head. "I was able to brush her off or ignore her for most of it but then I just had one, long bad day. When she needled me on that day she found herself with a flattened nose under my fist."
"Ouch." I said with a wince and a chuckle. "I imagine she decided not to find out what happened when she fucked around the next time."
"She did stop for awhile. When she did pick back up it was never as bad and... well.." Terra let off, looking aside and sighing.
"Hmmm?"
"... Before I left Mungale she... Apologized... Like... An honest, pure apology. And... well... I accepted because... I don't know..." She said sighing as I moved my arm around her shoulders.
"Well... People do learn and grow... I guess... Maybe that punch woke something up in her." I said as she sighed.
"... You know, mother wasn't the reason I left; or at least not the full reason." She said as I blinked at her, looking to her face. "I mean we had differences... I... I'm a half dark elf in a land of people attacked by dark elves. I could never understand how she could stand it; being among a people her own kind were harming. You might not know this but everyone growing up talked about how bad and evil the dark elves were and being one... I just thought I... I had to be evil myself and... This might sound stupid but I felt mother was doing nothing to showcase the opposite and I needed to do... something to show I wasn't... I..."
"It's okay..." I said, stroking her back slowly as I spoke softly. "You don't have to force it out."
"No, I need to say it." She said with a sigh. "I felt I needed to do something... heroic... Become something more... That's why I jumped at the chance to be apart of the Roses. I figured if I became a hero... Maybe... I could prove I wasn't evil... To... myself..."
"Auntie..." I let off softly as she shuddered in my grip as she leaned into me.
"I think... Talking with Iryna gave me some perspective..." She said as she pulled away softly and turned to look up at the moon. "I always thought I needed to fight dark and horrid something to prove I wasn't evil, to go and fight evil and she told me something. 'You never have to prove to others you're a hero. You just have to prove you are a person; the same as them.' And I... get it now. Mother always had been showing everyone she was never evil. She was a respected servant of a noble house, a member of the community in Argon and proved herself through each interaction she had. She proved herself by being a person... By being... well... in a sense, human." She said with a smile. "Heh... What a little change of perspective can do... I think... For the first time I understand her... It must sound silly..."
"It's not silly." I replied with my own smile. "Sometimes when I'm enchanting I hit a bit of a wall that I can only chip at and then one little fresh approach to the situation and it's like the wall was never there. It can almost feel like seeing for the first time when you're really stuck."
"Heh... I do feel a little less blind, I'll admit."
"But you said she wasn't the full reason?" I said spurring her on as she kept looking to the moon. It took a long moment before she spoke.
"The main reason was... You."
"I... I beg your pardon?" I let off in surprise as I pushed off the railing to look at her.
"I... It's nothing you did if that's what you're worried about." She said, setting her hands to the railing. It took a moment for her to find her voice once more. "I was... jealous. You were everything I wanted to be, you know? A little human child that no one looked at with scorn or distrust at a glance... The ability to have your father not have to be careful about how he addresses you in public; even if most know your his child. To just... I wanted to be human and just... Just be able to go out in public with my whole family without odd looks."
"I... I..." I mean... what can I say to that... I mean I was a Baron's son; I lived a rather privileged life here. She chuckled at me as she shook her head.
"Don't misunderstand. The expectations that comes with your standing isn't something I'd ever want." She said, looking to me finally with a sly smile, crossing her arms. "And it's not like you chose to be a Baron's son." Ohhhhh, if she only knew... "And even if you could I can't blame you still; we all just... make the best of our situations, right?"
"Yeah... Yeah we do..." I said with a chuckle. "Ah, that reminds me. I should give you a voxlux before we leave so you can talk to your mother." I said as she flinched and looked away shyly.
"Last time we spoke I... ... I don't think she'll want to see me for a long while." She said as I shook my head.
"No. She does." I said, shaking my head. "Not speaking to you hurts her more. She often wonders what she did wrong to make you so upset at her."
"...Yeah... I... Guess I was kind of a fucking brat there..." She said, sighing as she ran a hand past her hair. "I'll... Think about it. I... I need to know what I'll say." She said as I nodded.
Silence would reign for a bit and when words returned it was of less heavy and more casual topics. It was far too long before I returned to bed...
But it was time well spent.
[-]
Skyguard City, Capital of Eostia
High Kingdom of Ken
The Museum of Heroes
Ever since the founding of The Kingdom of Eostia the Legendary Seven Shield Maidens decided that the history of the kingdom could not be lost; not just their successes but also the horrors of the Brazen Empire, knowledge of the various kingdoms it swallowed up as well as the Imperium before. For those reason Joanna of the White Cloth would have this museum founded; The Museum of Heroes, dedicated to educating the populace as to their past and those who had done exceptional things. With four stories and several wings there was a lot of history to teach people here. The building itself looked like a very large, Imperium era keep but was built after the rise of Eostia in such a way deliberately to capture the idea of history itself.
The work of the Shield Princesses had brought Prim back to Ken and Skyguard City and now that it was done with her tasks she walked the halls and exhibits to reach one place in particular. Of course to get where she was going she ended up passing through the Brazen Empire's segment. No holds were barred as the horrors and barbarity of the Brazen Empire were on full display with an entire segment dedicated to the Ninth Brazen Army; better known as the Wolf Pack.
The horrors they visited was well known to historians and the educated. Torture, the razing of cities and towns to cinders, and rape was all on the table. In one infamous case a family's three year old daughter was raped by a full grown man in front of them. Their fall in Pinewall was celebrated then and now as it brought their horrors to an end and dealt a blow to the barbaric regime. In the center of the exhibit was a surviving banner of the group. A round one with dark red trim with dark gold outlines on both sides the center bore twin, Imperium styled swords side by side with the one on top pointing up to the upper right and the lower one pointing to the lower left. On the left side was the dark red outline of a snarling wolf with yellow eyes with a second on the other side; rotated a hundred and eighty degrees when compared to the first. Sharp and bold font in gold and highlighted with red was set above and below the blades and wolves.
Hunters of the Emperor
Executioners of His Will
Bringers of the Grave
9th Brazen Army
Advanced Seek & Destroy
Combat Unit
Wolf Pack
Fewer groups deserved their deaths like the Ninth had. Prim sighed and ignored the rest of the exhibit as she walked on; she wasn't here to see it. No she was here to see the Shield's Gallery; a room with four lines of half walls that didn't reach the ceiling to showcase paintings of both the original Shield Maidens but also each Shield Princess who fought for the last seven hundred years. Attached to each image was a name and a brief description of who they were; each never enough to honor them. It was near the end that she found where she was going.
Paintings of Claudia, Maia, Alicia, Kaguya, Lulu and herself was there but before her painting was another. The image's background was of the gardens of Fortress Ur and the subject was standing there, smiling to the artist who captured her likeness. The woman was five foot seven but you'd never know it by the painting alone, nor that when the painting was made that she was in her seventies. She had hair that fell just to the shoulders and bore two tones; mostly blue but with overlays of pink on the left side of her head with bits of pinks on the right side. Pink eyes were bright but not capturing just how bright they looked; she'd only seen such bright and clear eyes in one other, really.
Around her neck was a gold colored gorget with pink, corded like trim on the bottom side of it. Small, rounded pauldrons were on each shoulder with two layers; gold on the upper one and pink on the lower. Over the breasts was a bikini like, gold top with a bit of pink under the cups, an upside down, pink drop shape between them holding a gem of some sort. Each forearm had a golden bracer with pink gloves and short, puffy sleeves over the elbows. Her groin was covered by a pink, bikini like bottom with gold trim with a skirt that wrapped around the sides and back that was in the same colors. The lower legs were covered with pink coated metal over the feet, gold over the shins and knees with another hint of pink between the knees and shins.
She posed with a golden colored rapier in her right hand with the flat of the weapon's blade resting to her left palm. There was no make up, no changes to her looks save the inability to translate how bright her eyes really was. She never needed it. Finally she looked down to what was under the painting on a plaque.
Iris Sofia
The Dragon's Eye
Shield Princess of Ur
Knight of House Sofia she was known to her friends and allies for her bravery,
her kindness and her humility. A Dragonborne Hero that was adored by the
small folk of Ur and beyond she fought any foe no matter how weak or strong
in order to safeguard those who could not protect themselves. The ideal that
any knight or defender of Eostia should aspire to be like she still stands tall
to those who knew and loved her. May she Rest in Peace and know she will
never be forgotten for her service and sacrifice to the good people of Eostia.
Prim remembered meeting her for the first time, even if she was only seven at the time. She wasn't even aware of how important the woman was; Prim was in the gardens at the time, merely struggling to bring her mana out in a basic, magical exercise and this woman stumbled over her, paused to watch then approached to offer suggestions and encouragement. An exercise that had troubled her for weeks was defeated in just two hours... And only after her father found them did she know who the woman was.
Each time she visited she took time to speak with the Princess, to offer suggestions and ideas, to encourage and guide her forwards. When she heard about what happened with the goblins she charged straight over the first moment she could, even if it was a week after, simply to check on her and when done left for Mungale to visit the one who saved her to offer her thanks.
In many ways Iris was the sort of woman she herself wanted to be; strong, competent, smart, independent and above all else brave. She knew she was a poor measure when compared to her mentor, guide and predecessor but that wouldn't stop her from trying as much as she could; Iris deserved no less.
"I imagined I'd find you here." Prim didn't turn but was well aware of Celestine walking closer to her; at least two Dawn Templars in escort; more then likely four. She moved to stop beside her and looked to the painting for a long moment before speaking. "She is a rarity. Not just as a dragonborne but as one born into a higher house. I'm not sure if you know this but the dragon's blood flows across the realms in many; noble and common alike. But as the commoners outnumber the nobility by several factors most of the dragonborne who come into the world are commoners. Few experience the upbringing that a house of knights can offer; most dragonborne don't truly come into their own until near their first century. She was in her twenties when we met and you could tell then that she had already done so and was still rising higher."
"I miss her..." Prim finally said, shutting her eyes to try and block the tears. "I miss her... She was like an aunt to me... I... I do not consider myself a vengeful girl but if the chance to punish her murderer were to arrive... I do not know if I could help myself."
"It's not an unwarranted feeling." Celestine said as she smiled to Prim who finally turned her head to look back. "I too have such thoughts, time to time. Long lived as an elf is, more so as an aspect of the goddess, I meet many humans who live, grow old and die seemingly too soon; even without violent ends. Fellow elves and the few dragonborne are the few I feel will not crumble to dust before my eyes at times."
"It must be so hard for you." Prim sighed out.
"It is." Celestine said as she offered the young girl a small smile. "But at the same time I feel richer for knowing all I've met. I shall not cry for Iris' death now; rather I shall smile because she has graced our lives so. Regardless; I did not seek you out just for the sake of solace and soothing. House Insidiae has, as the saying goes, lost their marbles. Rather thoroughly as well. Their actions threatened both James and Maia so I was forced to have them remove that house from power."
"Is forced the right word to use?" Prim said blinking as she had known well what Insidiae was like.
"As far as the Council is concerned, yes." Celestine said a hint of a smirk twitching at her lips before it vanished. "As such I need to send you to Elddale quickly. Officially you'll be checking in on the ongoing audit but I also want to know what Blitzhaus' opinions of their removal is and, if possible, determine their response. I have Claudia and Kaguya checking likewise with Houses Bludhorn and Stoneshard. Those three are the most steadfast of the Traditionalists and I want to be sure they'll not cause issues."
"Do you think they're up to something?"
"Prim; if those three are not responding to something then they are plotting something; trust me."
[-]
Duchy of Anvil
Castle Anvil, Outside of Sanguinis City
Hall Leading to the Quarters of Alundra Van Bludhorn
The collar around her neck gave her no choice. The halls she was in bore a golden color and had a rounded, arched ceiling that was decorated with bulls or bull symbolism. Red trim popped up here and there as she stepped to the large doors at the end of the hall; the emblem of House Bludhorn on the front of them. She knew why she was there. She was a fifty year old slave; clasped into slavery at the tender age of fourteen when the man she fell head over heels for turned out to have a less then savory job in the slave trade and saw her as a product rather then a partner.
Her once rich, blonde hair had dulled and her once soft, supple skin had aged and with that age came with wrinkles. C-Cup breasts showed some sag as she trembled with each step. Her clothing was skimpy; a red bikini-like top with a small blue spell stone attached between her breasts and a matching loincloth bottom. Blue eyes looked to the door as she knocked. The reason for her fear was rather justifiable. She bore bad news and her master felt she was, old and worn as she was, expendable enough to deliver it.
And one Alundra Van Bludhorn hated bad news. "Enter." She heard as she opened the doors and walked in. The woman wore only a bathrobe as she set a book down on the coffee table. Her quarters had a sitting room with a door leading to her bedroom. The room itself was cozy; red painted walls, golden curtains, black marble floors, a couch with black padding upon it that she sat on. The duchess stood and looked to her. "Well? What news?"
The slave woman gulped. Three days ago the duchess was contacted over a new device and told that her son and prized slave hadn't arrived in Maros; they were overdue by over a day and the last she had heard no signs of Victor had been found. Now there was information and no one wanted to be the one to tell her. So they sent someone who had no choice but to do so. "The bodies of Victor and his escort have not been found. No signs have been found, however rumors and reports have come in. To begin with the outlaws known as the Freebirds are said to have a new member. What little is known is that... she is a... giant of a woman."
Alundra let off a low, subdued snarl as the temperature in the room seemed to grow colder. Alundra moved to a shelf at a wall, lifting from it a long pipe. She set tobacco into the end and pressed it to her lips before calling a flame to a finger and setting alight the pipe's cargo. She took a long, long drag as the woman trembled before her, releasing the smoke from her lugs in a long puff. "Continue."
"A-a-additionally a rumor claims that a slave fleeing to Rycall named Rex the Ripper has stated he... k-k-killed a lord during his escape." She gulped. Why did the woman seem so calm? After hearing this? "In-in-investigations are ongoing, b-but the current belief is the Freebirds a-attempted to free your slaves and he took the chance to k-kill Victor. I-It's possible Madadh ended up fighting alongside the Freebirds to handle the escort."
"I see..." She said, taking in a long drag of her pipe once more, blowing it out after a moment. "Tell me; what's being done?"
"A-Agents have been dispatched to investigate. C-Co-co-operation with House Ambacht is assumed but it's doubtful they'll be enthusiastic about it." The woman said as she gulped. Alundra was far, far too calm for the situation.
"As I would expect." She said as she fully turned to her. "Any other rumors of note of the region that could point to what happened?"
"None we've yet h-heard..." She said as Alundra walked over to her, smiling oddly softly as she reached out and cupped her cheek.
"Good girl..." The duchess cooed as the woman felt things go ice cold around her. At first she thought it was in fear but it wasn't until she felt her body stiffen, only able to lift an arm up to look at it and watch frost crawl down the limb then become immobile that she realized that ice magic was being used on her; freezing her body from the cheek down. Ice coated her eyes in a manner like glass; letting her see through them as her eyelids froze in place. And then she went from ice cold to beyond sub-zero as she felt her own heart stop beating. It felt as if each drop of blood in her body froze to crystal. The flesh of her arm turned a deep blue as she couldn't breathe yet she could still hear, think and see. She couldn't even tremble in fear before the duchess pulled her hand back. "Now that your job is done you can be... dismissed." She said tapping the slave's head until her body fell backwards before her body shattered like glass and scattered over the floor; a long life of slavery ended in frozen death.
"Fucking bastards..." Alundra hissed out as she snarled. She was unsure if losing Madadh or Victor was worse. Madadh was a true prize she paid handsomely for and made statement after statement for her in the arena. She was more then a favorite slave she was a favorite tool to flex her power. That she was free and possibly poised to undermine her was an issue as she made her the symbol of her power in the arena. That this symbol might oppose her now would be a publicity nightmare.
And losing her son atop of that was worse; Victor was more of a pet then a son to her but he was one of the few things on this world she could claim to truly care for with his antics. She still remembered him growing up as she taught him to pull the wings off his first fly, waterboarding rats and mice, graduating him to how to torture boys... It brought a tear to her eyes to see what childish ideas he'd employ on others.
She never knew drowning a fat man in sugar could be so satisfying.
Additionally this was more then a loss of her prized pet; this was a wound delivered directly to her. While she knew she'd need to take action against the Freebirds and punish them she couldn't help but feel that something was off about this. She couldn't put her finger on it but it felt like the rumors told only half a truth. And she wasn't sure if the other half was omitted or a lie in the story told; both was always an option. She would storm out of the room, not caring of her state of dress before moving to where she knew her people would be.
She did let a maid along the way know to clean up the mess as she passed her (She wasn't sure why the maid paled; it was her fifth body to clean up, she should be used to it by now. No one really appreciated just how hard it was to make a spell that froze the human body in just the right way to make it as brittle as glass without killing the target until they were shattered. No one!) before storming into a small war room and making three of her agents jump then flinch as she bellowed out. "I want to know what happened in Longroad and I want to know it now!" She let off as she glared at them, her chief spy master coughing into his hand to calm himself.
"I already have someone asking about." He told her in as calm a manner as he could manage. "However it'll be sometime before we get a full report. I can confirm that Victor had, if briefly, dined in Aurum Forum City with Aram Stolzerlowe and that he left for Longroad shortly after to rejoin the convoy. We attempted to call Minister Sombra's voxlux but we have received no response. We have to assume he is dead and the voxlux is either destroyed or someplace far from human eyes and ears."
"Tsk." Alundra let off, huffing. "Just get me a full report. I want it on my desk by the end of next week. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, M'Lady..." The man said, nodding as he gulped.
"Could this day get any worse..?" Alundra let off as she dragged on her pipe... Only for the door to burst open as a leather clad guard stumbled in, doubled over and panting, holding a hand up.
"S-someone get a slave to inform Duchess Alundra that... House Insidiae has been deposed for attempted assassination of a lord and a Shield Princess!" The guard said as Aludnra stiffened.
"WHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT!?"
"Oh shit!"
[-]
County of Elddale
Castle Elddale, Office of Arnold Von Blitzhaus
"It's good you brought Albert in as piece on the board." Arnold let off, sighing as he set the papers he was reading aside before reaching for his tea cup. "But that it was James sent him on your scent is... Curious."
"Hmmm..." Beardsley let off at the end of the desk to the Count's right, humming as he took notes on the book he was reading. "I'm still not sure how the Noxdecus brat became suspicious of me... I don't understand why..."
"He is Merlin's son." Arnold said with a sigh before sipping his tea. "I imagine the events in Pulca tipped him off, somehow. If he figured out Caldwell's scheme then he would, naturally, suspect you due to the connection."
"So he pointed the most reliable man nearby on me..." Beardsley let off, grumbling as he scoffed. "Bah. I'll admit; it was a good ploy. He couldn't stick around himself so he chose a most able cat's paw. Under worse circumstances or if Albert was a little less amicable to our ideals I'd be dead or in a jail cell awaiting the assassin." He said, sighing. "Ordering Caldwell's death was painful for me... He was a good friend of mine... That I needed to pen the command myself... It's a scar to the soul..." The elderly man let off. "I sacrificed a piece of myself with him..."
"I can only imagine the hurt..." Arnold said in sympathy as he moved to refill his cup. He couldn't imagine himself ordering a likewise death for his friend and mentor John, no matter how bad it was. Anything else he would say was cut off as the door opened, his son Victor striding in and shutting the door behind him before walking before his desk.
"Father; we've a problem." He said, calmly. Arnold was impressed; Victor was clearly agitated but he was not letting it reach his voice. His failures in the council turned out to be a worthwhile lesson, it seemed.
"What did John find?" He asked his son... Only to have him shake his head.
"No, no, it's not a problem with the audit." Victor said as he huffed. "It's about Xenera." Beardsley groaned out and cupped his face with a hand as Arnold took a calming breath.
"I feel as if I need a strong drink at hand for this..." The Count said, pushing his cup aside and standing to move to a shelf. Glasses on a metal plate with a spell stone cooling them (A birthday gift from Channer and a well used one) were picked up along with a good, Delconna whiskey as he moved to sit back down. He filled one of the three he picked up and looked to Beardsley who shook his head. Victor nodded as he was looked at as Arnold filled a second glass. Picking up one glass he took a long, deep drink of it. "Alright. What in the name of Larentia's Teats did that madman Daniel do this time?" He asked still remembering how his fellow Count had followed behind him during the tour of Elddlae Castle. As in a foot away, always looking over his shoulder... And then he was caught attempting to bribe his horse for secrets.
Even if horses could talk Thrawn was far too loyal a beast to speak.
"Oh, well nothing much." Victor let off as he grabbed his own glass, his voice dripping with enough sarcasm that he's need a maid with a mop to stop in later to clean it up. "It's just that Count Insidiae attempted to kill Noxdecus and his Shield Princess escort as his entire family decided to attempt a coup on his throne all in one, giant cluster fuck and it, apparently, involved blood slimes."
"...Well shit." Arnold let off as he took a much, much longer drink. As the glass hit the desk he moved to refill it. "What about their Successors? Celestine would have removed Insidiae from power, she'd be crazier then them not to and she's neither too foolish or too weak not to." He said as he tried to stay calm.
"They don't exist." Victor said as Arnold blinked at him as his son swigged his own glass.
"Boy..." Beardsley sighed, looking to him with annoyance. "The lists requires two other houses to be on it, of course someone is there to-"
"They do not exist, old man." Victor replied, giving the elder a stern look with his annoyed tone. "The men and the houses listed never did; Insidiae just paid a bunch of servants to hang around two manors and pretend to serve some nobles."
"... Fill me a glass Arnold, if you please." The old man sighed out as Arnold complied. The count would reach over to pass the glass and Breadsley would take the it having a long sip. "Leave it to the House of the Madmen to utterly fuck things up."
"Oh it gets worse." Victor said, sighing as he sipped his own drink.
"Wait..." Arnold said before taking a long, long, long sip his drink, slowly downing it. Setting the glass down he'd refill it once more. "Okay... How is it worse?" He asked, lifting his glass once more.
"Victoria Excelsior-Daphne is Acting Countess." Victor said bluntly. "She banished slavery from Xenera."
"That fucking, lowlife, no-nothing, dimwitted whore..." Arnold let off, frowning deeply as he snarled the last word out, gritting his teeth. "Two states ending slavery in so short a time... Dammit..." He let off before having another swig.
"Short term situation; where does that put us?" Beardsley asked as Arnold huffed.
"There's no cutting through Xenera for the Slave Chain now." Arnold said as he thought. "That means Elrus and Alcanth are the only parts of the links there and northeastern Elrus is thin. If the bloody Freebirds or a likewise batch of outlaws decided to attack caravans there they would be easy pickings..."
"We'd also have to consider that they could use both Coxworth and Xenera as bases or staging areas." Victor sighed, sipping his own glass until it was emptied. He set the glass down but raised a hand to refuse a refill.
"Good, you realize one of the logistical issues." Arnold said as he sighed. "But yes; that's another weak link. If it wasn't for the coming changes then I would be truly worried. Even so I fear the possible shifts..."
"Where does this leave us for now?" Beardsley asked, sipping his drink deeply for a moment.
"No different then before." Arnold said with a huff. "We've lost our most unreliable ally and needs be more wary but our plans remains unchanged. When the Black Storm comes we will wash away the weakness, the filth and the impure. We will take what is by ours by right and by might. As it should be."
Beardsley sighed deeply, shutting his eyes before finishing his drink. 'Still... Between the voxlux, Caldwell, Albert and now this that brat is causing us no end of trouble... I'll need to consult with Varro about the use of one of his allies...'
[-]
Skycrown City
Capital of the High Kingdom of Ken
The Chamber of Light, Lux Clama Cathedral
The room was white washed to the point it was nearly blinding. Atop one of the two towers of the Cathedral light came in from the many windows of the room; each magically made and reinforced as they were two stories tall each and there was five to each wall. From the entrance was white marble shaped like the Divinia Crucis and outlined in gold, contrasted to the rest of the floor which was of a light gray marble. The Crucis was, of course, of the Una Vertias version. Around the sun section of the emblem was a three quarters circle of stairs leading to a raised platform that dominated the back half of the room that didn't lift the moon part of the floor's crucis up. Garnet Rotenacht gulped as she walked towards the middle of the Crucis and trembled lightly. Because on the raised platform around the emblem was thirteen, golden and red padded thrones arranged in a half circle around it with the center seat being larger and more elaborate.
And on that center seat was the Archbishop of her faith, Lucilius the Sixth. Of the twelve seats, each was for a Cardinal of the faith and four were filled with Karin Darkpurge and Amram Stellaclamor seated there. In addition she recognized Cardinals Fredrick Bismark and Kerri Bloodrose. That was the Archbishop, two of his closest aides and two additional rising names within the Twelve, all there to judge her failure. Once in the center of the sun section of the Crucis she moved to one knee and lowered her head. There would be no pride in this meeting for her.
"High Inquisitor Rotenacht." Lucilius let off, his staff hovering upright besides him with it's magic as he tapped the armrest of his seat. "Without consulting me you had one of our Control Circlets created." The elderly Archbishop began. "And then you attempted, and failed, to use it to undermine the heathen Syniy. While I applaud your initiative your lack of perspective will cause us issues now. Our allies on the Council of Lords have informed us our circlets have been a topic of their consideration and while they are unaware of the origin of them... You have slightly tipped our hand."
"I apologize..." Garnet let off softly, never once lifting her head.
"What is done is done. Sadly we cannot make it undone." Lucilius said with a sigh. "For now I need you to tell us everything that led to your humiliation."
Garnet gulped but then explained to him the whole thing; her commissioning a copy of the copper circlet then having Unussol enchant it, asking Harrison to swap them and then her arrival to watch how it all played out. Then her meeting with James Noxdecus and confirming to them what was suspected about his lineage, the festival itself, her humiliation at it and the resulting ten hours of torture she endured because of it.
"Hmmm... As the archbishop has said our allies on the Council told us our circlets were a subject of debate." Fredrick let off, stroking his short, black beard. "I wasn't able to pry all the details from Baroness Angelus but it seems the Noxdecus heir had twice encountered our circlets. No doubt he was the one to raise potential alarm to the heathen drow and defeated this plot."
"Noxdecus... A name we've heard too often recently..." Lucilius said as her tapped the armrest as he sighed. "I do not know if this is poor luck or not. That he is dragonborne is disturbing. 'He with the eyes of the dragon would end the line of the archbishops; casting them down as the light of rainbows falls with them.' That was part Albertson's vision; that this church, our church would end at the hands of a dragonborne. That much is clear. Any dragonborne could be the one who ends us... And in some ways James Noxdecus is potentially more dangerous then any other."
"Indeed... It's rare to have two dragonbornes born from nobility so close to one another... Iris Sofia was hard enough to deal with..." Amram let off with a huff. "She nearly killed Harrison and his unit by herself and none of them were a joke. Even I would be reluctant to face Harrison if I didn't need to..." He admitted as he crossed his arms. "And I am rather proud of my power. That said; he has yet to come into his own yet, surely. What are our options for dealing with him quietly?"
"He's under guard by a Shield Princess at the moment on his 'Great Work'." Karin said with a huff. "And even discounting that his escort, as our reports say, is sizable. I do not think we can do so; not yet anyway."
"I would be disinclined to try just now regardless." Lucilius said with a hum. "Celestine's eyes are on him and should we make a move in such a manner we may not be ready for the response. This is not like Sofia who took a light escort to rush to the Camafran border. We had the time to plan that to our liking. For now we need to observe and plan. That said we'll also set aside our plans for the circlets for the time being."
"With due respect, Father, those are a useful tool we can use." Karin interrupted, frowning softly. "With all that we poured into it we are close to a-"
"No." Lucilius said firmly with a shake of his head. "You can rest assured he has told Celestine of the events in Alcanth. She is no fool; she will suspect us and another mistake with it will risk us exposing more then we are ready to show and arm her with the means to bring us low. No; loyal enchanters shall pick apart and learn the operations of it and come the future we will bring them back to our use. There are potential uses but it's best to put them into the trust of our number in the future."
"I am forced to concur..." Amram huffed with annoyance. "I too want to bring this magic to bear and more quickly bring our theocracy, and perhaps there will be uses for them soon enough... But let's not give the High Wench a chance to dig deeper." He leaned forwards in his seat as he frowned. "However we cannot be idle. One plan is set aside so we need a new plan to take it's place. Perhaps we can put Unussol to work on a new project of use to us."
"You have an idea of such?" Kerri said as she tilted her head.
"Not in full yet; but mayhaps we can consider what could steal the Noxdecus Heir's thunder?" Amram let off with a grin. "After all; his voxlux has earned him the attention and respect of the nobles and higher classes of the realm; as well as some ire I am sure. If we could build our own contribution... and keep control of it..."
"Hmmm... When the Twelve are assembled in full we shall discuss the idea further..." Lucilius said with a nod. "But I agree. A great work of our own shall undermine Noxdecus' standing; even if a bit. More over it'll raise our own with the realm and let us gain more indirect control of the kingdom. Very well then... For now, however, we must decide on our public response for Garnet's reactions..."
[-]
Raven Leer City, County of Xenera
Embassy of the Rycall Republic
Terra's Quarters
Evening
She spent the entire day mulling over the conversation with her nephew the previous night as well as what she talked to with Iryna before that. Between two different people she was given a lot to mull over and consider. With Iryna she found an oddly kindred spirit; someone who moved through life in a manner different but not so unlike her own. With James she found a new perspective not so much what he told her but what she told him. It felt... good to get it all off her chest. That they could just speak and connect... Not as human and half dark elf but as friends... family, even. It was in some ways what what pressed her to this moment. Holding a voxlux in her hands as she sat on her bed she looked to it before finally speaking. "Call Sora Reinclive." She said as she tried to hold back the knot in her gut that started to swell. Before long the image of her mother's face appeared before her as she steeled herself.
"Hello, how can I-T-Terra? I..." Sora's face opened up in surprise. "I... You called me?"
"Ummm... H-hey Mom..." The blonde woman sitting on the bed as she tried to find her voice. "I... Ummm... C-can we... talk?" She let off nervously, expecting the same condescending she showed her own mother last time they saw each other.
"O-of course! What do you need to talk about?" Her mother replied a clear hint of happiness in her voice.
And for two nights in a row she'd talk for perhaps far too long but felt it was time well spent.
[ - Author's Note - ]
Well; that's five of seven Kingdoms down. Whew. Two left and starting with Lulu in Ansur, an idea of what she gets up to on her own time and a few other things. Including something a few people have been wondering for a bit...
Anyway, the Best Banners of Rad Poll is up and you can find it at strawpoll(dot com)/polls/GeZAOO6oXnV with the link up at eostian so please, go and have fun with a vite and let's see what everyone likes.
Next time... We'll go woo woo for Lulu.
~~Eostian Scribe