[ - Author's Note - ]
Whew... While this will be a slower chapter I'm still rather glad for it as this will be the last proper Thorn one. Yes; there will be an Interlude and the at least one more chapter before we're back in Mungale...
But I do plan quite a moment in that Interlude which I have been hinting at and I know more then a few of you have been anticipating what I have planned. Yup; I've been waving Chekhov's Gun about for awhile now so it's time to pull that mother fucking trigger!
Slow or not; we travel to Coppic for a brief moment, I totally don't set up a new Questlines chapter (Or rather I do...) then it's off to eastern Hol'canna and visit a minor lord before...
Well, I won't ruin the last part...
I do hope you all enjoy it!
[ - Act II - Chapter XLI: Near Journey's End - ]
Just outside of the borders of Coppic and inside of the Thunderblaze Mountain Range is Mount Eversnow; so named as the peak boasts an imbalanced level of mana that leans towards that of ice. As such half of the mountain boasts snow and ice for nearly all of the year; only in the height of summer does it wane. However the water generated from the melting ice feeds rivers in Coppic, the Kingdom of Weregell and other places within the tribal lands of the Or'gon. This gives western Coppic and eastern Hol'canna water and washes a silt that helps grow crops. The downside for these regions is that snow often follows; coating eastern and central Coppic.
Speaking of which; the County of Coppic takes it's name from the abundance of copper found in the region's east and is their main export along with other minerals; namely iron and cobalt. Much of this wealth was reinvested into other industries; Coppic boasts a rather sizable tobacco industry, of all things, using large greenhouses to grow the crop when unexpected snow arrives and blending them with herbs and spices to create unique flavors of cigars and pipe tobacco. There is another source of odd revenue that Coppic gains however; military training. To be more specific; winter combat and survival training.
While Coppic isn't buried in the cold powder all year long it snows often thanks to the Eversnow with snowfall lasting mere hours, days or weeks at a time. Moreover as winter nears these snowfalls become more and more common; as such commanders with an eye for winter capability will use training grounds set up for this purpose.
In addition House Okami has been at the forefront of ensuring good relations with Wereagell, the Kingdom of the White Wolf and while that road has been rocky and difficult House Okami has walked it proudly and has made great strides and headway; often having Wolfmen immigrants from Wereagell making their home in Coppic with their fur making them naturally resistant to the colder region.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
[-]
As we left Ferrosica we rode north then northwest through a series of soft hills and forests with spaced trees as we moved towards Coppic. As we closed in on the County's capital we came across an odd phenomena; it was snowing... in September. Usually in Eostia snow didn't fall until mid to late October with early November being the latest. This was due to the Eversnow Mountain that was just outside of the Eostian border that had a mana imbalance towards ice; thus it was much colder up there and snowed a lot... and sometimes that snowfall spilled over to nearby regions, as it was now.
We had prepared for this of course; although because this is Eostia and we could afford such we didn't pack coats but jewelry with spell stones; namely myself, Riri, Miria, Cress, Ur'Akara and Aeris. Makoto's new Armor Weave and Kaguya's Arcane Robes both bore enchantments to help ward off the cold; it wouldn't stave off a blizzard but for a normal, winter day it would be fine.
We would arrive at Coppic's capital late in the morning, Feracor City; literally translated as Wild Heart City. It was an Imperium Era City and was built both as a defensive strong point and as a logistical hub for traveling in the northeast and as such bore a large castle outside of the walls of the city. The city was well fortified to start with; fifty foot walls with a sixty foot inner wall and a forty foot wide moat fed by the nearby river and used as a collection for runoff when the snow melts.
The castle outside was even more formidable; sixty foot outer walls with slanted sides for added defense against attack. As opposed to towers the wall was thirty feet wide; making moving siege weaponry along the top easy. Behind it was another, eighty foot tower laden wall that was nearly as thick... and a hundred foot tall keep. It approached some of the fortresses in defensive power. We would arrive at the city first to handle the booster and, as per usual, the local banner was outside of the walls and over the gate... and it was awesome.
It was a knight's shield with a bottom point save that the middle of the top had a 'U' shaped divot in the middle of it. It bore a black outline and the background was dark blue on the left and dark red on the right. The image upon it was the head of a wolf looking at the viewer but it was red on the left and blue on the right with darker highlights and a blue left eye and red right eye. No, really, it was awesome.
We rode off to the local Adventure's Guild with snow covering much of the buildings but you could see nearly all Roman style buildings and not many Japanese styled ones. That's not to say Japanese styling weren't about here and there; some roofs were Japanese, you could see a Ramen shop along the way, a lot of clothing were eastern and you could see eastern styled signs about but it was mostly Imperium styling about. That said the guild seemed to be set into a reused barracks. After we parked snow crunched under my boots as we walked in. What can I say?
We said hello, introduced ourselves, went up to the roof, slapped a booster in place, thanked the administrator and went on our way.
[(⸜∕ ) Place Booster in Coppic]
That meant we rode off to the local castle; itself baring House Okami's banner over it's gate. What was interesting was that, once inside the courtyard, you could see a series of silver, bell like flowers in the gardens where the petals hung down. They were called Snowbelles and were an... odd flower found in and around the Thunderblaze that flourished in colder weather, unlike most flowers. Regardless we arrived at the keep and disembarked, stepping out and walking inside of the keep proper; it was a fairly standard set up with a second floor balcony, pillars holding up the ceiling and so on with whitewashed walls and a gray floor with the House Okami banner set at the bottom of their stairs. Artwork hung around the entrance, however, was very eastern in styling as were the vases. When we arrived our hostess was at the bottom of said stairs.
"Ah, the party of James Noxdecus. Welcome to my home. I, Yuki Okami, heiress of Coppic, do greet you." She said, giving an eastern styled bow to us. What was interesting was that she was dressed as a knight as opposed to a samurai; although of the Four Eastern Lords in this kingdom House Okami was the most westernized. The woman herself stood some five foot nine and bore knee length, white hair and gray eyes to go with pale skin. I couldn't tell how large her bust was as she wore golden mythril armor with a curved breastplate, segmented pauldrons with a segmented line of plates going over the sides of her hips. Included with the outfit was a knee length skirt; black with two, large red panels with gold trim while the bottom of the skirt was lined with white fur. "Father is engaged in diplomacy with his counterparts in Wereagell. In the meantime I shall be your hostess for your stay."
(-)
Name: Yuki Okami
Title: Heiress of the Wolf County
Class: Lancer
Level: 26
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 34
Status: Healthy, Calm, Joyful
Romance Rating: 91
Corruption Rating: 7
Known Traits
[?]
[Spearpoint] Your spear thrusts have a better chance to punch through armor. -3 Piercing Resistance to all targets when thrusting a polearm at them
[The Best Defense] Half of the average of your armor's defense resistances is added to your weapon's damage bonus.
[Shield Maiden] You fight your best with a shield in hand. +4 Damage to any weapon when holding a shield. +5 Damage to all attacks made with a shield.
The daughter of Count Yu Okami she came to admire the Order of the First Light after hearing tales of them and their bravery as a child, seeking to emulate their dedication and ability. As the Heiress of Coppic she was unable to try and join their order but still opted to do her best to live by the chivalric values that they inspired.
(-)
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Yuki." I said as I bowed softly to her as she bowed back. "And we do thank you for-"
"Finally! Our guests are here!" I heard as someone rushed over on the upper floor before he vaulted over the banister of the second story landing on the ground on both feet with ease. "My apologies M'Lady Yuki, I had meant to greet them with you and... what's that smell?" He let off as I blinked at the man who was... a Wolfman.
In short he was a six foot one man; covered in silver hued fur and with the head of a wolf. In spite of this his face was expressive as he sniffed the air, blue eyes looking about. He wore a thick looking, blue leather gambeson with steel plates riveted into the left forearm, back of the hand and bicep and steel guards over the elbow and shoulder. A thick, black belt was around the waist with large, red pouches.
"Ah... This is our guard captain; Miles Noxiter." Yuki said as I looked to him.
(-)
Name: Miles Noxiter
Title: Hunter of Coppic
Class: Ranger
Level: 25
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 29
Status: Healthy, Excited, Concerned
Known Traits
[Night Walker] You are able to traverse with ease at night or in darkness. +20% to your vision in darkness
[?]
[Battle Shift] You shift smoothly between fighting at range and fighting in melee. +2 to all stats when changing from melee weapons to ranged weapons or vice versa for the next ten minutes
An immigrant from Wereagell he found himself enjoying the cultures, lands and people of Eostia and has applied himself as an adventurer then a solider, rising to the rank of captain. He is seeking a woman to mate with and marry; hoping to have at least two children with someone.
(-)
"Is... this normal?" I asked softly, pointing to Miles as I looked to Yuki who shrugged in response to my query... and then...
"Graaahhhh!" Miles let off, backing up and covering his nose as he looked at horror at... Miria..? "A-a-a-a-a female Catalan!? HERE!?"
"Yeah." Miria huffed, hands moving to her hips as she glared at him. "Is that a problem?" She barked out to him... and he nodded.
"Yeah... Big problem... Ohhhh gods... the smell..." Now Miria's look changed from annoyance to confusion... as did Yuki's and mine, I was sure. "Ahhh... W-wolfmen get excited at... The scent of female Catalans excite Wolfmen... Like really excite us... Sexually excite us... Like it makes us look at tits like those and wanna lick them up and-gaaaaahhhh!" He let off turning about. "No, no, no, stop thinking about cat tits... Fine, fine, finnnnnne cat tits that look as big as ripe, delicious melons, fine knockers, big boobies... ... Gahhhhhhhh!"
"Is... he going to be okay?" I asked as I pointed to him with deep concern. I was concerned because he had just grabbed a pillar and started to bang the top of his skull into it.
"Well... This is something... new... And unusual..." Yuki said as she blinked at his response. If this was an anime she would be the owner of a brand new, giant, cartoonish sweatdrop. "Miles, can you control yourself for a moment?"
"Yes Ma'am!" He let off, turning about, and saluting... with a salute pushing out his codpiece visibly I should add. "I am most certifiably not thinking about plowing Catalan pussy like a beast until both our hips break, Ma'am! Nor breeding like a beast until we both howl like animals, Ma'am!" He let off... and if this was an anime I would have a brand new, shiny, giant sweatdrop too.
"... Perhaps it's best that you retire to your quarters for a time. And maybe have a long, long bath to clear your head." Yuki suggested as Miles whimpered and turned to run up the stairs and turn down the hall... and starring at Miria for a moment...
Long enough to trip over something; causing a very loud 'thud' that had us all wincing before he picked himself up and scampered off.
"Sooooo..." Yuki let off, blushing a bit in awkward embarrassment as she tried to regain control of the situation. "Tea?"
"Tea." I replied with a sigh.
[-]
To Miria's credit she wasn't offended (Save for the initial reaction) and more worried. The reaction Woldmen would have to female Catalans was something I was unaware of until now and filed under 'niche knowledge that was good to know'. I think she was torn between wanting to laugh about it and just feeling bad for the poor guy.
"If I can ask; how are relations with Wereagell these days?" I asked as tea was served. The sitting room was cozy and we were on a balcony just outside of it with enchantments to protect against both the chill and the wind. There were three, circular tables with six seats each; myself, Yuki, Miria, Kaguya, Cress and Makoto sat at one as Aeris, Riri, Kiyono, Chouko and Ur'Akara sat at another playing Battle Fleet.
"The slow defrost continues." She replied eyeing the game from the side of her eye as she sipped her drink. "How much do you know to start with?" She asked as I took a moment to think.
"The Ruling House of Albumlupus is currently headed by King Rex (Yes, his name translated as king and he was a king, making him King King) and he himself is a Wolfman. Their ability to farm is limited but they have a lot off mines and quarries. I know the Counts of Coppic have been using the trade of food as a means to secure peace."
"Indeed. There's another reason they've become interested in peace, however." She said as I looked to her. "Shanguan."
"The Land of the Mountain Crown." Kaguya supplied with a huff as Yuki nodded.
"Indeed." The Okami woman said as she sighed. I frowned a bit; my knowledge of them was limited.
"I am well aware of them." Makoto supplied with a frown. " Shanguan has declared it their so called 'Mandate From Heaven' to unite all of the east; from their lands to as far south as Balam-Hada and as far east as Mizutaku. They wish to create their own version of the Unitum Imperium but of the east."
"They also seek to claim Wereagell as they see the Wolfmen as a plague to be purged." Yuki injected with a sigh. "They see their means of reproduction as abhorrent."
"Is it?" Miria asked, looking to me. "I mean aside from Catalans driving them wild?"
"It depends on how you look at it." I replied with a shrug. "Wolfmen are lumped in with Aberrant but they're the result of transmutation experiments done back in the days of the Imperium as opposed to true Aberrant. They're male only and when they mate will make either a Wolfman or a female of the mother's species." It was estimated that half of Wereagell's males was made up of Wolfmen. This meant they didn't need consistent immigration of human women to maintain a population. Supposedly a male of the female's species would be born rarely but I didn't know for sure.
"Indeed; they are a result of the Imperium's own doing." Yuki said with a nod. "And while Eostia isn't responsible for such their ancestry is human; they are a cousin species if anything. We should not be trying to kill them like rats."
"Honestly; I'd rather go to Wereagell then our last stop on this trip." Miria huffed out as I winced.
Hol'canna... The realm of House Stoneshard, a traditionalist house of slavery.
"So..." I let off with a huff. "What can you tell us about House Stoneshard?"
"That depends..." Yuki began as she frowned. "How close are you going to Nigermanus City?" She said, referring to Hol'canna's capital.
"We're not; we're going to the east of the duchy." I replied. For the record; Nigermanus (It translates as Black Hand, if you needed to know) was on the duchy's west.
"Then you'll be fine; Ryan Stoneshard prefers to stay to the west where the bulk of the cities are; as does his house in general." Yuki replied. Indeed, our destination in Hol'canna was Woodoo City (No, I had no idea how that name came about) which was the largest city on Hol'canna's eastern half. As I recalled it was overseen by minor nobility; House Egregius. They're more... moderate in regards to slavery and at the very least they're not interested in making foes.
"I do know Ryan Stoneshard, Alundra van Bludhorn and Arnold von Blitzhaus are all close allies." I let off, frowning. "The two, remaining Traditionalist duchies there. And a possible third, if Blitzhaus gets promoted."
"Do you think this promotion will happen?" Kaguya said as she tilted her head, looking to me. I took in a breath and frowned as I thought.
"There's a good chance of it." I let off. Prim had been asked to check in on House Blitzhaus during their audit after Xenera had a change in management and I've been in contact with her; while she and a few others agree their books looks too clean the reality was there nothing to point to that they could say 'this is sus'. If Celestine withheld a promotion because there was nothing wrong with 'too clean' as the reason the Council of Lords would riot. Of course her decision wouldn't come until the next meeting, but still...
I took the time to explain what I knew as Kaguya frowned. "Indeed... Even in my own order the most virtuous has a vice of some sort; even if it a minor one such as an acute sweet tooth. But the lack of a vice isn't proof of a hidden vice... and too perfect a book isn't proof of a hidden vice; even if we assume there must be one."
"Annoying." Yuki sighed. "While I'm not excited at the Traditionalists at gaining back some influence fair is fair and we cannot expect an exception to the rule; lest we be on the wrong end of such an exception in the future." She said as I nodded, sipping at some tea as I thought for a moment on that point.
"It is rather frustrating but it is what it is." I summed up with a frown. But indeed; if we wanted a world with rules to play by we couldn't break the rules the moment those same rules no longer benefited us; otherwise hockey games would be less about getting pucks into nets and more about breaking the bodies of the other team so badly that they couldn't play.
That said having a rising Duchy of Elddale next door didn't sit well with me and I kinda hoped someone found something amiss...
[-]
Sometimes called the 'The Boot Duchy' due to it's boot like shape with the toe pointing down in it's southwest and the top at it's east, Hol'canna was broken off from the Yercanna Dominion when the Brazen Empire rose. During the Empire's reign the region was ruled by House Agyar but this rule was often challenged by House Stoneshard; initially a clan that made it's fortunes from quarries but one that reinvested wisely to grow larger and wealthier, even under the Brazen's watch.
Come the Seven Legendary Shield Maiden's rise and the overthrow of the tyranny of Verlangen one Carlos Stoneshard saw the ways the winds were shifting and adjusted accordingly; overthrowing House Agyar and claiming Hol'canna as his own. Come the Aegis Accords the now Count Carlos began to further build his house's wealth and fortunes to the point of rising to the position of duke in the last year of his rule before dying in his sleep at the age of seventy four.
Hol'canna's northwest and northern central bare a mix of marble and spell stone quarries that made Stoneshard their early wealth but it also boasts fertile farmlands fed by rivers filled by Mount Eversnow. Sugar cane, rice, cotton and tobacco is all grown through the duchy's center and east; often with slaves acting as the backbone of the workforce. Indeed; Hol'canna is the largest importer of slaves of all the Eostian slave states and the bulk of these slaves are pressed to hard, physical labor.
'On the backs of the chained' is a common phrase in regard to Hol'canna's wealth.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
[-]
The road northwest was mostly calm and smooth and it took little time to get out of the snowed out region around Feracor City. The only thing of note was one of the towns on our route had a Wereagell detachment resting there; an ambassador and escort by my guess. Given the high chance of someone in said detachment being a Wolfman and Miles'... strong reaction to Miria (And likely Ur'Akara if he ever noticed her) we opted to not stop in the town and bypass it. It gave a chance to look over the Wereagell flag however; the background of it was a bluish-gray with a light gray mountain sticking up from the bottom with a white panel near the top; like a snow cap. Standing on it, outlined in gray was a white, howling wolf. I kinda liked it.
We carried on the road and started to pass farms of various crops; mostly sugarcane. You could see people working the fields with people overseeing them and... well... You can imagine what was going on there; this is a slave state, after all. Riri stared out at them as we passed by and I set a hand to her shoulder; I could only imagine what was going through her head at the time.
Eventually in the late afternoon we came upon Woodoo City. In terms of size it reminded me of Argon; smaller and more rural with a forty foot wall around it. Around it was a lot of grasslands and a forest that was being cut down with a river cutting through in front of the town with a solid, moss speckled, stone bridge that we would ride over. Afterwards we rode to the city and over the gate was the banner of the local lords; House Stoneshard, the rulers of Hol'canna.
The banner was a bit odd. The top of it was an axe head with a wide center. Thick black lines came down from the blades in two places; the outer lines going down for awhile before jutting down to a ring at the bottom while the inner lines angled down briefly before shooting straight down to make a pair of panels. The axe head section was gray while the three panels were a dark red; the center one boasting a black gauntlet with a closed fist near it's top outlined in white. The ring, meanwhile, bore a gray ring within it outlined in black and a dark red background with a white, black outlined skull in it's center. It was, in my opinion, the most aggressive looking shield banner in terms of shape I've ever seen.
We rode inside and the comparisons to Argon continued; a lot of wooden and even some log buildings were about and the populace was somewhat upbeat... save those wearing collars for more obvious reasons; although you could see the odd collared person looking a bit more upbeat. We would stop at the center of town and enter the Adventurer's Guild to do the usual; say hi, shake hands, install a booster and step back out with a farewell.
[(⸜∕ ) Place Booster in Hol'canna]
That meant there was one left; the one for the Magistracy of Thorn itself. That being said as we collected outside the guild I gathered everyone together. "Okay then, the question for us is this; do we stay here for the night or do we leave for Thorn straight away?" I said as everyone started to ponder. It was a worthwhile question to ask; after all we were all Abolitionists in Traditionalist territory. While we'd be dealing with House Egregius as opposed to House Stoneshard there was a good chance we'd be taken in by a less then happy batch of nobility. Sure; sacred hospitality was considered serious business in Eostia so we weren't in risk of harm... but that wasn't to say we'd enjoy the stay. Or that they would enjoy our stay.
"If I may." Kaguya injected as we all thought. "Given the time of day it would be better to remain for the night; I do not think we'll reach another settlement in good time and even if we did we'd still be within Hol'canna." She said as I hummed at that. "House Egregius will house us and we'll be safer here, I do think. I know them well enough to vouch they are honorable, if nothing else."
"I have to agree, we're better off here then out there..." Cress said, giving off a soft huff. "Not to mention if we were to avoid any hospitality in Hol'canna it could be seen as rude to Stoneshard."
"I hate to agree... but he's right." Miria said with a sigh. "We have to play nice if we expect them to play nice." She said as I nodded.
"Any objections?" I let off. There were none. "Then it's off to Woodoo Manor..." I let off as we loaded back up into the carriages; it was off to the noble's district...
Which was oddly large as there were few manors present; a lot of unsold lots it seemed. Then again my understanding was Woodoo was off in the boonies so the amount of nobility was limited out here; it was the same in Argon to be fair We still arrived in the manor of the minor nobility who oversaw this section of Hol'canna at Woodoo Manor with their emblem outside of the iron, Gothic gate; flanking the sides.
It was a thin, yellow circle filled with dark purple. The main feature was an iron cross with Celtic designs on each section plus a Celtic knot in it's center. A pair of swords were set behind it; all colored a dark, dark green and highlighted and outlined in yellow. It was simpler then most I've seen yet pleasant in it's own way; if colored too dark for my tastes.
We would arrive at the front door and step out, moving towards the entrance. Before we reached it the doors opened wide as a... person stepped out. I say person because the gender of the individual wasn't readily apparent.
Five foot nine with a slender build in a black, butler's suit that was well tailored with a a jacket and pants, with a pair of thin stripes going down the front of the pants matching lines on the jacket; the one of the left side ending at the first bronze button of four arranged in a two by to set, the other meeting the opening of the jacket. A white, buttoned up shirt was under it with a purple bow tie, white gloves and black shoes. He or she bore knee length, dark purple hair that started in a high ponytail (It looked black with a purple shine, really) shimmering blue eyes (Not dragonborne, I looked) and an easy smile. "Ahh, M'lord Noxdecus, am I correct? I am Elizabeth Custos, Head Butler of this manor. My mistress bids you welcome and that I direct you to her."
Ahhh. Woman then.
(-)
Name: Elizabeth Custos
Title: Butler of House Egregius
Class: Monk
Level: 23
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 31
Status: Healthy, Calm, Thoughtful
Romance Rating: 88
Corruption Rating: 12
Known Traits
[Can't I Have Both?] Your gender is neither male, nor female. You are a hermaphrodite; boasting a female body type and both sexual organs. All women with a Sexuality Value of 50 or higher will double all Romance Values gained. If a Sexuality Value is under 50 it is halved. Sexuality Value is earned 50% faster then normal.
[?]
[Multi-Melee Master] Your training includes melee weapons of all kinds! All one handed melee weapons become secondary weapon options for you. Additionally you can choose between 'swords', 'axes and hammers', 'polearms' and 'flails' and add them to your list of primary weapons.
An orphan turned slave turned indentured servant turned butler, Elizabeth Custos was noted as an oddity due to her hermaphroditic nature. She would have sold for a high price however Xana of House Egregius had her 'confiscated' during an investigation into a slave auction and took her for herself; eventually freeing her from bondage but keeping her services as a butler.
(-)
Oh... Well, mostly a woman then.
She would turn and lead us down a hall and towards a large sitting room. It was a cozy one; plush, purple carpets with oaken furniture with red cushioning for the seating. The walls were painted a dark green but not near black like used on the noble's banner. And near the back, lounging on a couch, back propped up with a cushion was a woman.
Petite; maybe five foot four at most with small, B-Cup breasts hugged in a shimmering, baby blue dress that hung just past the curve of the ass... when the wearer stood; it bunched around her hips at current. Both of her knees were raised and the position flashed white panties at us. Gold colored high heels were on each foot as waist length, black hair was laid out behind her, bright blue eyes watching us. "Oh. Welcome. About time someone bothers to come see me..."
"Presenting Lady Xana Egregius." Elizabeth said as she moved to stand next to her. Really; she reminded me of Channer's sister, Dulce, in how utterly relaxed and nonchalant she was acting.
"Pleasure." The lounging woman let off.
(-)
Name: Xana Egregius
Title: Lazy Lady of Woodoo
Class: Summoner
Level: 21
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 41
Status: Healthy, Lazy, Calm
Romance Rating: 92
Corruption Rating: 21
Known Traits
[Can't Be Bothered] You're uninterested in most psychical activity. -5% Str, End and Agi. +15% Lck.
[?]
[Brilliant But Lazy] You're naturally lazy... but more able then you seem. +5 to All Stats. +10% XP to all Spells, Combat Arts and Abilities
A minor noble in charge of eastern Hol'canna she has found much of her duties automated by others and only seems to take reports and gives the odd direction. A such she's often bored and spends much of her time reading, learning and practicing odd skills. While lazy she is not as lazy as many think of her as.
(-)
"Thank you for the hospitality, Lady Xana." I said bowing as she looked to Elizabeth.
"Fetch us some tea, hmm?" She let off as the butler bowed and turned to leave. "Please... sit... anywhere; I don't care where." She let off, waving a hand as I exchanged a look with Kaguya who nodded and simply seated herself. I followed her lead and sat down at one of the tables; as did everyone else.
"Not used to guests?" I asked softly as she sighed softly.
"Not exactly. House Stoneshard thinks of this place as pointless and just more territory they hold." She drawled out as she huffed. "And we only get a handful of people coming to talk trade; usually Wereagell or Coppic people." She let off as she slowly rose up to sit. "I have things slowly going upwards but it's difficult to keep a trend going on your own."
"Ahhh, I see." I replied as Kaguya turned her head towards me.
"I have attempted to act as a go between for minor nobles as well; but many outside of Hol'canna are reluctant to invest in this region as they do not wish to deal with a slave state." The Shield Princess told us.
"That's another issue." Xana said in reply to Kaguya's comment as she sighed. "In ages past slavery is what helped up build our wealth. Now it's more of an anchor. Duke Ryan, glory and such things to our overlords of House Stoneshard, thinks otherwise, of course, but he and his always have."
"That can be an issue, yeah..." I mused. Indeed, I recalled hearing something about Hol'canna shipping the bulk of their sugar and tobacco southwards to the Engvall River and from there across the lake to the southwest where nations couldn't grow such crops. The high demand drove up prices which made up for the costs of transport and then some and was bought by people too far removed to care who cultivated their product and if they were collared or not; all of which helped fuel the wealth of the duchy. Elizabeth would return and wheel in a cart with tea, cups, cream and sugar on it, moving to serve everyone.
"Honestly; the reformation of slavery is required if only to bring back some of our economy." Xana said with a long sigh. "It is far more brittle then Ryan Stoneshard, long live the mole on his ass, would care to admit and I fear he'll only learn it as it falls apart." She would take her cup once served and sipped it; tapping her foot to the floor and using Arcane Weapon to make a coffee table for herself as she set the cup down onto it. I'd ask why she knows there's a mole on his ass but I'm afraid of the answer. "Maybe hosting a booster here will help us; if only somewhat. Of course there is another annoyance we have."
"And that is?" I let off as I sipped my own tea. I expected one of two things; Xana giving an explanation of the problem or the problem itself stepping into the room to kindly introduce itself.
It was partially the latter but nothing about it could be called polite as the door was shoved open with the door slamming into the wall with a loud, nearly thunderous bang as I looked to see who came in and...
Oh...
Oh...
Ooooooooooh...
This was about to get weird.
"Sister; are you ready to convert!? Oh, guests!"
At five foot five the newcomer looked not unlike Xana although her hair was cut short to chin length and had flat bangs over her eyes. Beyond that her petite frame, B-Cup breasts and blue eyes were a match for her sisters. Her dress however was an emerald green one that covered her whole torso from the neck down with golden designs driving down between the breasts in a wide panel, two pieces of cloth draping over the shoulders with tassels, gold trim and patterns over the end of the sleeves and long curtains before the front, back and sides of her legs with gold trim and patterns on the ends. A gold colored belt was around her hips and her head bore a headband with what looked like a decorative piece over the top in gold. Her feet were in a pair of short, green boots with golden trim on the top of them. It was what was in her hand that clinched what organization she was with, however.
A golden colored staff with a long shaft, capped with a fist sized spell stone held inside of a spiky, sun styled design. Under it was a pair of curved pieces to make a crescent moon and midway at the bottom were to, gold colored rings holding short chains that connected to the same bar. And this bar held a banner. It was rectangular in shape with the bottom moving to a hard, single point in the middle; colored green with a thick, gold trim. In the center was the Divinia Crucis in gold trimmed yellow but with a lightning bolt cut out from it. Flanking the crucis was a pair of yellow torches outlined in gold. This was the emblem of what was often called the Third Church of Larentia; the Verum Via or 'True Way'.
"No Lunet, I'll stick with the Lux, thanks."
(-)
Name: Lunet Egregius
Title: Speaker of the Way
Class: Wizard
Level: 25
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 22
Status: Healthy, Excited, Fervent
Romance Rating: 81
Corruption Rating: 31
Known Traits
[?]
[I Am The Light] You embrace the light with all you are! +15% Effect to all Holy based spells and combat arts. -10% Effect to all non-Holy and non-Arcane based spells and combat arts.
[At A Glance] You can gain an idea of how sizable a man's genitalia is; so long as his pants are tight enough.
Second in line for House Egregius's leadership she opted into becoming a priestess of the Anima Lux but changed to join the Verum Via instead; swayed by their arguments and fervor. Since then she's considered herself a firebrand of the Way.
(-)
Well this is going to be annoying...
"Surely you jest!" Lunet let off, setting her free hand to her chest. "The First Patriarch is the one who will lead Eostia to the salvation it needs; doing his due duty to bring the splinters of the faithful back into house and under one word." She began as she pointed forwards with her staff. "Under his guidance we can bring ourselves to a new unity to cast down the oppression of Garan and the nobility and bring about-"
"What is this loon going on about?" Miria rudely asked as she looked at me, Lunet flinching and glaring at her.
"Where do I start..?" I let off as I pinched my nose.
Xana gave a long sigh as she looked to her butler. "Do you mind!?" She let off as Elizabeth bowed, the woman then moving to Lunet.
"Come now, M'lady. Leave my lady to her guests." She said as Lunet pouted, slamming the butt of her staff to the floor.
"I shall not! For the word needs to be spread of the Tr-hurk!"
"I'm sure someone else will listen." The butler let off... as she removed her fist from the woman's solar plexus, catching her with one arm, her staff in the other and with a grunt hefted her up to her shoulder as she walked out of the room, with the living cargo in hand.
"...but the truuuuuuth..."
"You can choose your friends, you can pick your servants, but you really cannot choose your family..." Xana let off as she huffed as the door shut behind them, moving to sip her teas as Miria looked back to me once more as she pointed to the door.
"That. Explain." She said as I sighed.
"Okay; have you heard of the third church?" I asked and most people nodded save Makoto (Not a surprise). "They call themselves the Verum Via Church or 'the True Way', also called 'the Way' and another splinter of the Larentian Church."
"Like the Church and the Faith?" Makoto let off as I nodded.
"Yes but they appeared after the first attack by Garan." I began as I got ready for another addition of 'James Noxdecus Explains History'. "The first incursion was, arguably, the worst and Eostia was pushed back to all of the Fortresses before they could recover and press back to the edges of the Dread Field. The first First Patriarch was a guy by the name of Maxwell Grimm who was a paladin from the Order of the First Light and found that bickering between the Anima Lux and Una Vertias was a hindrance in the war as their priests had trouble coordinating and they would send healers to all the same regions and not enough to others or support to places that were more visible and ignored where it was needed but less visible."
"He started talking to those connected to both orders and others who were of the faithful but unattached to either church and attempted to act as an arbiter between the sides." I continued, pausing only to sip my tea. "He failed. The Pope and the Archbishop, according to what is known, spent more time arguing then agreeing and all Maxwell got was a promise to play nicer when Garan next attacked. Feeling neither really listened to what was said he and his followers formally formed their own church with a green banner as they felt it was a unifying, peaceful color. They created the Way on five main points; what they call the Five Paths."
"The Path of Unity; to bring the now three churches together as one with a promise of joining themselves if the Faith or the Church collapsed. They want to bring all the faithful together or, if they can't do that, end the infighting between followers."
"The Path of Protection; to support the militaries and forces of Eostia at war be it with Garan or another force. To supply healers, holy knights and magical support to soldiers who are protecting Eostia."
"The Path of Leadership; to make all of the leaders a member of one church or the other and see to the end to the separation of Church and State and bring Eostia's leadership under the faith."
"The Path of Conversion; to preach and bring more members into the Way and, if they cannot, encourage they still join a division of the Larentian faithful and spread her words."
"And lastly, the Path of Fertility; to encourage women to marry and bear children and for men to collect as many wives, concubines or mistresses as they can so they can bring a larger population to work fields, work mines and take up arms as soldiers."
I sipped my tea as I saw everyone digest what I had explained. Once I finished I spoke once more. "That said they are by far a distant third in size when compared to either of the Faith or the Church." If I were to make a reference to my old world I could compare the Una Vertias to Catholics and the Anima Lux to Protestants. In that case the Verum Via would be closer to something like the Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses; much smaller, less influential then Catholics or Protestants (As far as I recalled; I never cared much for religion in my old world) and as such they weren't well known even inside Eostia. "They have a limited amount of pull in Eostia's north and spots of influence near the Great Atlas River as well as the Nyaru and Balanar borders."
"In short, where the greatest potential for conflict lays." Makoto summed up as I nodded. "Life is a complicated mess at times, is it not?"
"It really can be..." I said, nodding once, giving a sigh. "In the grand scheme of things they're nothing; at most they do a bit to make the Church and Faith play nice and do their best to host meetings and diplomacy between the two. The bulk of their influence is on a town by town basis or even a single city district; even then it's limited."
"I have had to deal with them myself." Kaguya let off, sighing after sipping her own tea. "They do not appreciate the Seindai in general and myself in particular. At best they are cordial but at worst... there have been threats and in more the one instance things have come to blows between the Way and the Seindai." She said as I winced.
"Do the other churches give you such hassle?" I asked as she shook her head.
"The Church does not like us and makes it well known but had denounced people attacking our number; at least those of their own." She said as she looked to me. "The Faith outright denounces any attacks on us and have been cordial at worst and often friendly. I have, in fact, dined with the Pope a few times and found him a wise man."
"Indeed... I prefer the Lux over the Vertias myself." Xana said as she poured herself another cup of tea. "But the Via, much as it pains me to say this, does serve a purpose as they do keep some peace between the other two, doubly so come an attack by Garan... Which is overdue..."
That was... a heavy statement to say the least. "You think there'll be an attack soon?" Riri asked as she looked to Xana who nodded once.
"Say what you will of Ryan Stoneshard but the good Duke does send us reports. It seems he both purchased a voxlux set for himself and two boosters; one he directed to be set atop Mount Pyria." She said to my surprise.
"Wait... isn't that in the western part of Scalefire Highpeak?" I asked. Scalefire Highpeak, as a reminder, was the eastern most territory of Garan so smuggling something over there would be a feat.
"He has." Xana said simply. "North west, really. My understanding of the range of the device is we'll already cover most of Garan but he wants the option of sending elven scouts into the Unknown Reaches in case they have reinforcements coming form the dark elven homeland."
Indeed; what little we know of their homeland, beyond that it's supposedly called Nidavellir, suggested they lived well beyond the Reaches with the Reaches themselves being a harsh, cold and difficult to travel through quagmire acting as one hell of a defense. How they brought armies down south from there twice is beyond me. I presume either through some magic they knew or a more manageable route that was kept secret. Additionally how much communication between Nidavellir and Garan was unknown; I assumed some but we didn't know for sure.
"Regardless the scouts noted that there seems to be a build up of conscripts and training; both dark elven and Aberrant." Xana added as I frowned. "There also seems to be more convoys going between cities then usual."
"That doesn't mean they will make an attack, but it is a sign they are getting ready for something. Something big." I said as I set my tea cup down and crossed my arms, leaning back. "Could be training and maneuvers, could be a build up for next year... and of course someone could want to have another war soon..."
"Based on what I know there is a similar build up in Blackshard on the west and Bladeguard in the center but neither Onyxcloak or Widowtrail are matching their buildups." Xana said as she looked to me. "My theory is Houses Drakepyre, Goldtomb and Chaoxis are spoiling to attack while Nightsong and Reclusia are more reluctant or less willing to invest in such."
"And Blazecrown?" I pressed softly.
"If there is a report I have not seen it." She said with a sigh. "Being further inside and behind the other territories sneaking scouts to Blazecrown has always been difficult. When Blazecrown prepares for war, however, we will know for sure." I frowned a bit but nodded. That said, I wasn't worried about the ability of any scout in the region to call back; while I had initially been reluctant to drop boosters into too many slave states (For reasons that should be obvious) Celestine's decision to add one to Caul was a smart one and, hindsight being what it is, I should have made the choice on my own from the start. From Caul the booster had enough range to cover a large portion of central Blazecrown including it's capital and the seat of Olga's power. That meant any spy or that any scout could report in via the voxlux with ease, under the nose of not only the dark elves High Houses but of Olga Discordia herself.
To put it bluntly reports from Blazecrown wasn't an 'if' it was a 'when'. I pointed out this to Xana who nodded but it was Kaguya who spoke next. "Indeed. Even before you came to Thorn my ability to speak with my fellow shields had only grown clearer and easier. I can speak with Prim across the Alliance now as easily as I could if she were sitting across a table from me. I have no doubt the Black Watch has eyes in Garan awaiting the first sign of a full mobilization. We do know that, unlike spell paper, the voxlux works within the effect of the Dread Field." She said as I nodded.
Indeed, spell paper was useless in the dread field and no one knew why exactly. All we knew was that it didn't work and you might as well have used normal paper for all the good it did. That meant if signs of an incursion were found it would take up to two or three weeks for someone to get south enough to report in while avoiding patrols and sneaking to an Eostian outpost. Usually by week three or four (Although two wasn't unheard of) the attack of Garan would hit and by week six or seven the most southern forces of Eostia would arrive to assist.
With the voxlux this dynamic would change drastically; it was possible now for the full military might of Eostia to travel upon hearing the call without risk of the messenger being intercepted on route. Moreover there would be no need to send spell paper messages that could take one to three days to arrive or messengers carrying letters by hand via horseback to each of the lords. From Eastport to Bemul and Ironside to South Point; this time instead of two to three or even four weeks to be called to action it would be within hours with the only restrictions being on the travel time of armies and logistics. When Garan next attacked they would have an unpleasant surprise waiting.
"It's going to be an interesting war season this year..." Xana sighed out.
[-]
The balcony of my quarters bore a nice table with four chairs and a nice view. The backyard of the manor bore some nice gardens but beyond it was a series of empty lots that bore several colorful flowers growing on their own; not planted or maintained just a series of nice meadows. For the evening I had a bottle of berry infused wine broken out and I was on my second glass having just refilled it as I sipped. I was taking a moment to consider things; the next stop was the Magistracy of Thorn itself and from there it would be back home for me and mine.
It was... a long journey behind me now... A more moderate journey ahead of me... and more of one beyond that. After all I still had a lot of work before me; there was still a Black Storm to dismantle that I had only scratched the surface of, I had to do something to end the Garan war and figure out how to help save Eostia. But this trip also uncovered other problems; the Church was clearly something I had to worry about and given both their dislike of dragonborne and that they must have known of my status as such was a potential issue down the road. Blitzhaus was always going to be a pain but now there was a risk House Bludhorn would be another thorn in my side.
I had contact with agents of Dominious and Nyaru that brought me into conflict with them, not to mention Balanar's upstanding citizens in House Mandeville (I was being sarcastic, by the way! You may say 'well duh' now) which meant the risk of influential people from three rival nations being unhappy with me, even if they couldn't do much about it. Oh, and two battles with Garan; one of which left me with a new, overly excited rival. I had a long list of problems and potential issues that I wasn't able to deal with just yet...
On the other hand I made friends and allies with a few Houses; Onglave, Trademan, Kalkan, Adelle and Kabutomushi being among them Then there was making more unconventional allies in the now Defiant Wench crew and the Freebirds. A wealth of new spells and skills, training, levels, and equipment had either been gained or was on it's way. And while it was a major headache House Insidiae was removed for House Daphne taking another slave state off the map. I had plans drawn up, many of which seemed to be coming to a point I could start employing them. For all the problems I was in a better position now then when I left Mungale...
A knock sounded as I blinked and looked to the door. "Come in." I let off as it opened and showed Kaguya walking in. She blinked as she saw me; wine glass in hand as she walked over. "What brings you by, Kaguya?" I asked as she moved to take a seat. "Can I get you a glass?"
"Ahhh... Normally I do not drink but a glass or two wouldn't hurt tonight." I nodded and stood up, moving into the room and took another glass to bring over, setting it down and filling it before I sat down. "I had thought to stop by and speak with you; if briefly. I feel as if we became good friends over the time we had together and that our journey shall end leaves me with an odd feeling of fulfillment that yet leaves me wishing for more."
"Yeah; you've been good company." I said as she picked up her glass as I picked him up and reached over with it for a clink she gave me. "Smart, wise and cute to boot..." I said as she blushed. I had a sip before chuckling. "Mmmm, sorry. I can get a tad forwards when I drink a little."
"It's fine; I've been hit on before and too often by men not quite as handsome." She replied as she sipped her own drink. "Being the untouchable one does not mean no one tries."
"Hmmm, maybe it's more alluring that way; wanting what you're not supposed to have." I said, chuckling a bit. "I mean I'm tempted if only to feel up that ass... and I am getting too forwards again..." I let off as she giggled.
"Yes; the 'Ass of Wet Dreams' I am told." Kaguya replied with a smile. "At least Maia says people calls it such."
"She wants to grab it, doesn't she?"
"She... might have once. On a dare." She said with a sigh before sipping her drink. "I healed the bruises I gave her." I chuckled a bit as she sipped once more.
"Yeah I can understand that. I had to once cheer up my sister because I once caught more mice then her in a week." I said as she blinked at me.
"I... realize that Catalans should make natural mousers given their senses and cat-like abilities but... how did you manage it?" Kaguya let off. "I mean it sounds like a story."
"Oh, kinda..." I said, sipping the glass before setting it down. "In short Serra, the woman who manages our stables, had a massive mouse infestation and father thought it would be a good idea to have us try our hands at solving it. Miria being, well, Miria got a sling shot and some stones and over a week scored I think fifteen kills. I, by contrast, opted to build something. I got an old bucket with a lid, cut a slot out of the lid and used a metal rod to set the cut out piece back into place as a plank and set a small weight to one end. I then put a small box over it and smeared peanut butter on the underside and dumped water in the bucket before leaving it in the stables. It was set up so when the mice went to get at the peanut butter they had to stand on the plank and the weight was enough that the plank would tilt and they would fall and dump the mice into the bucket. Then once they were off the plank the weight on one end would reset the trap."
"So... while your sister spent hours each day to hunt mice..." She let off as I chuckled.
"I went back to the library, read up and was collecting mice without lifting a finger." I replied. "I thought I'd catch more then she did... I just... wasn't aware of how much more..."
"What do you mean?"
"She got fifteen. I got a hundred and fifty four." I waited until she swallowed her next sip so she didn't spit take but damn did it look like she was about to.
"You sat about and read books and still bested her ten times over!?" She let off as I chuckled.
"Oh yeah. And that's what stung; not that I beat her but that I beat her by that much." I said; I chuckled a bit but there a bit of sadness to my smile. "She felt a bit invalidated by a bucket with a modified lid and it took me pointing out that during the challenge she killed two rats and that I got none. The rats were too smart or quick to fall for the trap while she was able to nail them. She was a better hunter. My bucket was a better control for pests too dumb to live. Still use the bucket in the stable near the animal feed, of course."
I knew the trap style well; for awhile there was a Youtube channel that I forgot the name of but they hosted what was called Mousetrap Mondays where various mousetraps were shown off and one of the best was a simple bucket trap with a trap door that would reset itself and a roof to smear the bait on that the mice would have to stand on, and this simple trap was amazingly effective. And yes; some redneck going on and on about mousetraps was oddly entertaining. Same with the odd wasp traps and killing methods he had.
Because fuck wasps.
"Well you're not the only one able to embarrass those around you." Kaguya said with a grin. "Once Maia and Lulu were getting too obnoxious and I felt the need to show them up a little... so I drank them both under the table." She let off in a casual tone as she sipped her drink... and I was left blinking at her.
"How did you do that?" I let off as I looked at her blankly. "I know enough about Maia and Lulu to know they enjoy their drink a bit too much and you seem like you enjoy it in more moderation; too much moderation to hold that much liquor."
"Indeed. But as a child there was a town drunk I liked to annoy by using a modified Ease Toxin spell that only removed alcohol from the system." She said giving a rueful smile. "And as a trouble making child I was more then happy to cast it on him... and at one point everyone in a tavern as I ran about. On one hand I felt bad later on when I learned they all just wasted more money to get drunk again. On the other the tavern keep was kind enough to leave a good tip to the order."
"Ohhhh dear..." I let off as I quickly realized what she getting at. She laughed openly for a long moment, smiling to me.
"To their credit once I showcased my secret they laughed it off and took it in stride. I dare say besting them and being honest in how I did so is what endeared me to them." She said as she took a long sip of her own drink. "... Honestly I thought once I joined the shields they would be people I merely tolerated at most but... Honestly, I have learned to enjoy their energy and zest for life and the simple things." She leaned back in her seat as she looked off to the stars rising in the sky. "While the two seem to enjoy being idiots under that facade both of them had an odd, simple but relaxed wisdom I cannot help but admire. I am proud to call them friend... just not in front of them; I've no reason to let their egos swell." I chuckled at that as I leaned back in my own seat.
"They are good friends, yeah... I'm lucky I got to know them over this trip..." I said as I sighed. "Although I am eager to get home finally. As good a journey as it's been, as good as it's been making friends with the shields and yourself... I am getting a bit homesick..." In more ways then one...
"Yes, I imagine you've been on the road for too long now..." She said with a sigh. "Well it will be good to have you at Fortress Thorn and it will be my honor to bid you a farewell when the time comes... But I am sure we will meet down the line; even if the distance will make it... troublesome."
"Indeed..." I said, sighing a bit. "Indeed..." I added as I looked upwards to the night sky. "If nothing else I'm a voxlux away..."
"That is true..." She said as her gaze followed my own.
We would talk for another hour before she left and one more glass saw me off to bed...
[-]
Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring...
The shakujo rang once more in her dream, louder and clearer then ever before. This time the mists were no more; the vision of a field now coated in red flowers in a meadow save a path towards the man in the dragon's mask. The line of priestesses and her fellow shields were there was she was led forwards, step by step and the little girl in the pink dress was still standing by the man. She could see four elderly priests of her order standing in a half circle around the dragon masked man, ringing their staffs with force as if calling the heavens themselves to bear witness to what would happen; the symbols of the five pillars glowing with each ring. God guided her forwards; a platform now under the man she was led to. But what brought her attention was the clothing the man before her wore... and she would have her eyes widen. "...what..?"
It was held closed with gold buttons; a black coat with tailcoats, a white shirt with a black bowtie. Black slacks were over the legs and his hands were bare. More important, however, was it came with a black half cape with over the left side that fell to the knee; the outside adorned with golden thread in intricate patterns; forming a unicorn with silver thread inside of the gold to color it white; the inside lining being a deep blue. The classic attire for an Eostian nobleman groom; a well tailored suit to enhance his frame, the cape to hide a weapon if he needed to defend himself and his bride and the pattern on the outside a means to showcase his wealth. Only the mask was eastern in style; an oddity that otherwise was out of place on the ideal of the dashing prince who would sweep a woman off her feet. Finally she looked down to herself, now finally able to do so.
She was in a formal kimono that bore raised, lace designs on it of flowers but it was pure white; the color of pureness, new beginnings and virginity. She was able to reach up to her head with her free hand and sitting there was not her usual headgear but a wataboshi; a large hood that looked like a circle with triangular section cut out for the face... a traditional eastern attire for a bride. She had considered and dismissed the possibility from her earlier dreams but now she couldn't dismiss it anymore. "I am... to be married!?" She let off as her eyes went wide. A soft squeeze on her hand drew her attention to the mask her God's face hid under; in spite of the mask she felt his feelings... comfort and calm as he nodded once and used one hand to gesture to the man; her groom.
God wasn't just giving his consent for her to marry... he was all but telling her to be married to the man before her.
Finally she stood before him as God let her go, standing besides her and the man, clapping his hands once. The little girl in the dress reached behind her and took out a small, wooden box; small enough to fit in her palm as she opened it and showed two rings. God would take a ring from the box and held it to the man who finally moved for the first time since the dreams started... and he would softly take her left hand then gently he would place the ring to her on the ring finger. As he let go God would take the other ring and pass it to her. She gulped and did as the man did; lifting the ring between two fingers then taking his left hand, lifting it up and sliding the ring to his third finger... But rather then just let go her hands slowly moved to his mask...
Setting her fingers around it and with no resistance of any sort she would softly pull as the ringing of the shakujo rang louder and louder for a moment before the mask came off smoothly...
R-I-N-G-!
And with one last ring the world went silent as she looked at the naked face of James Noxdecus; her hands slipping as the mask hit the ground. Glowing blue orbs looked to her with warmth and held her gaze until she awoke...
And threw the blankets off herself as she sat up and panted. "What? God... This is... Oh my... What am I..?" She panted still but clapped her hands twice to her cheeks before standing up. "Calm down Kaguya, calm yourself down... You are a rational woman... Calmness then think..." She said as she slowly paced in her room biting her lip. Still she heeded her own words; slowly calming before thinking.
It was true; the ban on marriage was one enforced more by the order itself then by their god and while it was tradition... well, tradition dictated they hold a pilgrimage to a mountain that was now in hostile territory. Sometimes traditions needed to be altered or ended... But even so...
To be married like she had wanted all those years ago made feelings flood into her and gave her thoughts once suppressed... To be a blushing bride, a wife, a mother... it made her feel giddy... and God gave his choice of a wonderful groom; true she would needs share him with Prim but she imagined her fellow shield wouldn't mind overmuch! And they had become good friends and companions... and she would lie if their time hadn't found herself indulging in a small crush on the man... one she had permission to peruse!
She would be married! Perhaps an Eostian wedding? Or an eastern one? Or a mix of the two? Sharing vows and-
The thought of vows being shared brought a metaphorical bucket of cold water onto her feelings of giddiness; God had given her permission to marry James Noxdecus... but she still needed to gain permission from another first, James Noxdecus; he was her designated groom, yes, but he had to agree to be such first...
She would sit down on the bed as she took in a breath and brought calm to herself... She needed to convince him... She then frowned harder; no, not only him but the Order of the Seindai as well. After all some might not take her at her word that God permitted it. She sighed softly to herself.
She would need two things then. The first was James' willingness to take her hand. For that she would need to explain to him more then she wished; the nature of God so he understood fully what her situation was. After all if he agreed to be her groom he would need to know about it.
The second was she needed to present him with a test... and, if God was willing, she had such an idea for a test.
She would spend the next two hours speaking to God of her plans... and she did her best to read the small shifts inside of her to know what he was saying back...
[ - Author's Note - ]
Whew... Act Two has been long but the light is on the horizon. Funny enough; Thorn will be the only kingdom where we visit all of the states come next chapter with the only other one being Feoh.
While not intentional I do like how each of the other kingdoms we started at their capital but here we'll end with it. Not to mention we started in Ur with a bride of James joining him... shall we end it with a second?
I'll pretend no one has an answer to that...
Needless to say whatever Kaguya has in mind will be seen next time in the Interlude. I do hope all the Kaguya fans out there are happy with what I have planned... and that I can pull it off as I hope...
So what's planned after the Interlude? Well; one chapter detailing the ride home. I have a couple of things planned for that; one of which involves our girl Riri. I'll leave that hanging for now. After that a chapter to detail what James' project back home was and some classic, good ole' Adventuring... as well as setting up the arc that will end Act Two...
That's the road map anyway... Thanks for joining me on this bumpy ride... Please, leave a comment to let me know what you liked, hated, enjoyed and thought. This will be the last time you can vote in the Best Banners of Ansur Poll; up on Straw Poll at strawpoll(Dot Com)/polls/wAg3ADLmMy8 and can be found on Twitter eostian. Come the interlude I'll be giving out the results. So until then!
Have fun!
~~Eostian Scribe