Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

98. Act IV-Ch III: La Princesse Bannie

[ - Author's Note - ]

So... I had a rough plan on how things would go... I just planned for two, maybe three chapters in Roxford... I planned on a simple enough, straightforwards story... Nothing too complex, nothing too heavy...

Then I did a thing...

That 'thing' was to fill out Roxford's lore a little more. I always had, in my mind, the idea of Roxford being a 'fantasy France' that was recovering from a fantasy French Revolution. And then I came up with the concept of one character... and how she fit into things made me reconsider how some things could be viewed... and it made the whole thing more gray in tone. And I liked it...

As a word of advice for writing fan fiction; do your best to treat all characters as thinking beings with a goal they want to gain and when an event happens consider how those character would take advantage of or be disadvantaged by what happens. More over keep in mind that some people will react calmly and rationally and others will react harshly and suddenly... and sometimes, something will happen to make the rational irrational.

So yeah... my plans for Roxford has... expanded a little.

So then, let's go!

[ - Act IV - Chapter III: La Princesse Bannie - ]

Roxford, like many modern nations, was founded in the fires of the First Age of Conflict and compared to most of it's neighbors and counterparts held up better then most. The first years found them losing ground but thanks to the tactical brilliance of General Lucien DesCieux they maintained much of their army and awaited the moment the invaders were at their most exhausted before striking back. Much of Roxford's current day territory was taken by armies under his control. There is good reason he married the local duke's daughter, declared himself to be a king and called his nation Roxford; named after Arden Roxford, his mentor and foster-father.

The DesCieux line has spent most of history since in command of Roxford save a few, scattered moments were other Houses ruled until a new DesCieux was ready or deposed the previous ruler who ruled for a brief decade or two; they were often called 'The Heaven's Favorite House' in thanks to how long they have ruled. A layman watching from the outside may think the whole line nothing more then a list of honorable and noble rulers. The truth, as always, is not so simple; there are such who fit those traits, much like Lucien himself, but also the selfish, foolish, shortsighted, cruel and even weak. Enough able and capable DesCieuxs came about to keep Roxford as a wealthy and powerful kingdom but over the last two centuries the House has fallen more and more to decadence. House DesCieux has fallen once more but this time their kingdom with it; two revolutions later and a new Republic of Roxford has risen up in it's place.

The first one, the Bloody Revolution, was in many ways worse then the reign of the final King of Roxford, also named Lucien, and ruined the nation and required the Golden Revolution to set thing right, even if Roxford is left in a brittle state in the aftermath of both of those and other wars. No one bearing the name DesCieux remains in Roxford; the Bloody Revolution slew even the youngest of the House to the point that a rebel was reported to have thrown Montel DesCieux, a mere ten months old, off the Palace of the Starlight and to the ground below. Some of the House still escaped into Camafran and Justical, the Justical segment now led by Rodrick DesCieux who named himself the 'King in Exile' and the Camafran segment led by Princess Alison DesCieux as they try and recover and rebuild to some level of power.

As of now there's a chance that the new Republic can be cracked by the old House of the Heavens as both Rodrick and Alison are allied to their respective hosts. Alison's hopes are to restore her family's position by peaceful means or by popular means within the populace; something that's not impossible as the Bloody Revolution made people more fond of the old regime as time wore on. Moreover Alison herself bares some popularity in Roxford and has attempted to work with the Golden Revolution despite being rejected by them. Rodrick's plans are, as of yet, unknown but aligned with Justical as he is the possibility exists that the Kingdom of Knights will attempt to install him as King and use him as a proxy for their own aims through any means they can manage.

Roxford's past is known but it's future is uncertain.

~Dominic James Pencraft, Sererus: A Collection of History and Powers

[-]

I took Dax, Juno and the L'Argentunes up on the Enterprise early in the morning. Come ten o'clock people were arriving to a large meeting room for talks to begin and set up in a half circle with long tables. There were six tables; three layers with two on each side leaving a gap down the middle to make moving about easier. Celestine had her aides with her but requested that I join her as well as Prim (Arnold was told he wouldn't need to join them but he sat at a table set around the room's perimeter as an observer). Olga was granted a seat and took Chloe and two aides with her, seated next to us on the left wing of the room near the front. King Xerander and four aides, including the Old Man, sat in the front at the right wing. Other nations, like Qulona, sat at various places about the room. The front of the room was set with large windows behind it letting in the morning light as more and more aides and rulers or representatives arrived... and then the people from Camafran arrived and things took a turn...

To start with I recognized King Victor Celestia almost straight away. He bore the pointed ears of a half elf and bore long, shoulder length black hair, a groomed but full black beard and blue eyes set to fair skin. He came in purple armor trimmed with a golden orange that bore several, rounded plates but intricate, golden orange designs along the plates. A white cape was attached to it and a golden tiara was set to his head. At six foot four he was fairly imposing within the room but in his entourage was not one but two young women. He also bore a single handed axe at his side; it bore a mythril shaft but it's head looked like a silver crescent moon (Made from silvered mythril) around a golden sun (Made of golden mythril).

(As a side note; almost everyone had a side arm of some sort with Celestine even bringing a silver mythril mace at her hip. It was an old, Roxford tradition for nobility to bring sidearms to meetings, parties and such as the bored nobility liked their duels. Juno wanted to suppress the idea of settling things via duels as but saw allowing all classes to bring weapons was a way to uplift normal people to an equality.)

The first I knew through portraits; Celestine Celestia, the Crown Princess of Camafran. Her ears bore subtle points being a quarter elf herself. She bore the same blue eyes and back hair as her father; said hair was straight and waist length. She bore a... dress that split in the front over the belly button; purple with gold trim with straps over the shoulders. The shoulders were covered in a half length, sheer black cape with gold trim that clasped over the collarbone with a pink spell stone there. Over her groin was a black, gold trimmed loincloth and her feet was in black, gold trimmed shoes with flat heels with a golden tiara capping off the look while a pair of long knives sat at each hip. She was five nine in height but bore huge breasts that were, perhaps, a cup size larger the Celestine's (Lucross) own! And the tops of them were on full display.

Urge to touch... growing...

The other girl I didn't know however; at five four and with B-Cup breasts she was more petite then her counterpart and had silver hair that was touching the tops of her thigh with a princess braid wrapped behind her head. Green eyes was set to a cute face as cyan colored spell stones in diamond shapes hung off her ears. A silver tiara was on her head boasting a purple spell stone as another hung off her neck, a cyan one held by a white, detached collar. Her dress bore thin, white straps holding up cups over her breasts, cyan trimmed with gold. The midriff was a semi-transparent white attached to a cyan skirt that fell to her ankles, separated via a decorative gold trim which held up another skirt that wrapped around the sides and backs of the hips. White shoes were on her feet and golden bands around the biceps had short, white, semi-transparent cloth in a decorative manner. A small, gold bracer ended the look on her right wrist.

Celestine (The High Queen, who'll I'll just call Cele to avoid confusion from here on) gave a soft frown as she saw them but Juno had the strongest reaction in the room. She looked like she was slapped before frowning and pointing to the group. "Why have you brought her here!?" She barked out. Her guards, the L'Argentunes, were behind her and moved to stand before the podium she stood at.

"I am allowed to bring any aide I wish; your invite stated so." King Victor let off calmly as he looked back to Juno. "As that she is from Roxford is a boon to that."

"You brought a banished member of House DesCieux back to the heart of Roxford!"

Ooooh... That's who the girl is... the... Former Princess of Roxford, Alison DesCieux.

This is gonna get a bit... intense.

(-)

Name: Victor Celestia
Title: The Twilight King
Class: Paladin
Level: 53
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 68
Status: Healthy, Thoughtful, Relaxed

Known Traits
[The Sun, Moon & Stars] You are well versed in Holy, Darkness and Arcane magics. +7% to Mag when using Holy, Darkness or Arcane Spells

[?]
[Don't Axe Me Bro] You are a master of Axes. +6 Damage to all One Handed Axes you use. +12 Damage to all Two Handed Axes you use. In addition increase your Con, Str & End by 2% when using an axe.

[Beacon of Light] You are an inspiration to allies and intimidating to foes. +5% all Stats to allies with a Corruption rating of 25 or less. -5% to all Stats to all foes with a corruption level of 50 or higher.
[Mythrilclad] You wear any metal armor like you were born in it. +15% bonus to all Resistances for Chain Mail, Scale Mail, Splint Mail and Plate Mail. Increase your Str, Dex and Agi by 5% if you're wearing any sort of mythril armor. Additionally you can wear any type of metal armor.
[Power Surge] You know the Combat Art 'Adrenaline Rush' by heart and have mastered it to a level few can. Increase the effect of Adrenaline Rush by 33% and reduce it's cooldown by 33%.

The current ruler of the Kingdom of the Twilight, Victor Celestia fully believes any ruler needs to balance the virtues of bravery, wisdom, strength and honor in equal measures. While he prefers to keep Camafran out of conflicts when possible if he believes inaction will cause his realm more harm then good he will act decisively; doubly so for the sake of their allies and friends. His half elven nature has allowed him to collect experience and knowledge in equal measures.

(-)

Name: Celestine Celestia
Title: Twilight Princess
Class: Sorceress
Level: 39
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 88
Status: Healthy, Calm, Nervous

Romance Rating: 81
Corruption Rating: 14

Known Traits
[The Sun, Moon & Stars] You are well versed in Holy, Darkness and Arcane magics. +7% to Mag when using Holy, Darkness or Arcane Spells

[?]
[Speed & Spell] 5% of your Agi is added to casting speed. Add 5% of your Mag to physical accuracy
[On The Edge - Upgrade - Why Do You Axe?] You are well learned with smaller, bladed weapons. You can use knives, daggers, throwing knifes and short swords at Primary or Secondary Weapons. In addition you can use one handed axes as a Primary or Secondary Weapon.
[?]

Crown Princess and heir of the Kingdom of the Twilight and named after Eostia's own High Queen, Celestine Celestia is legendary for the massive size of her breasts and she's had offers from all over Sererus for her hand in marriage. Despite her appearances she's nearly thirty years old; her quarter elf blood making her age with grace. She is of the belief that Camafran should use it's influence upon it's neighbors to enforce good, honest behavior.

(-)

Name: Alison DesCieux
Title: Princess In Exile
Class: Sage
Level: 42
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 91
Status: Healthy, Nervous, Worried

Romance Rating: 101
Corruption Rating: 3

Known Traits
[Embrace the Light] You have embraced the Light of your Faith as your weapon and shield. +5% Mag when casting Holy Spells. +10 Resistance to Holy & Darkness Spells
[Calming Presence] You can stay calm in most situations, regardless of the problems in life. +5 to Mag, Mnc and Lck.

[?]
[Soothing Light] You are an exceptional healer with any holy spell. +20% effect to all Holy healing magic you cast. +20% additional healing effect to Holy spells if you are directly touching the subject of the healing.

[Preserved Princess] The common people seem to admire you and your nature. +5% Con, End & Lck to all nearby allies, in addition to +2 Resistance to all Physical Defenses and +1 Resistance to all Magical Defenses. If you are incapacitated these bonuses double

Princess of the deposed House of the Heavens she was smuggled from her home at the age or fourteen when the Bloody Revolution swept over Roxford. She would be taken in by House Celestia and endure and survive ten separate assassination attempts by the first revolutionary government. She offered her support to the Golden Revolution and attempted to actively join it but was rejected by those who still disliked House DesCieux. Despite this she still wants to reestablish her family in her homeland.

(-)

This is going to... complicate matters...

Time for a bit of an explanation; the bulk of the nations on the continent is led by some form of royalty or nobility such as kings, queens, emperors and empresses, princes, princesses, grand dukes or duchesses, shoguns, daimyo and so on. Other rulers such as popes, archbishops or governors had their places as rulers in previous and current history. All of the above were either titles that were inherited by an 'elite' class or appointed by an 'elite' class that was usually educated heavily in how politics and ruling works.

As you might have guessed they tend to have a low opinion of any sort of 'mob rule', ie: democracy. And that made them look to any democracy with suspicion at best and disdain more commonly. Indeed; when Rycall became a republic almost every nation but Eostia opposed them and at the time the reason the Council of Lords supported them was one) they found it preferable to their old rivals, the Rycall Empire and two) a land built upon 'mob rule' would be too weak to threaten them.

Well, they were right on the first one. Luckily Rycall stayed friendly with us.

However at least with that Eostia was credited/blamed with Rycall's rise; Roxford's shift to a republic was more alarming to other rulers because they managed it without support and even with other nations actively fighting them which is causing some worries that their peasantry might get ideas. Eostia was one of the only supportive voices towards Roxford and lacking a border that support was limited to the moral sort. What was worse was the Bloody Revolution, as it was called, beheaded, tortured and raped almost all of the nobility they caught and offered no burials, not even a mass grave. I'd learn that heads were put on pikes put for display and they just dumped the bodies on the ground two miles outside of the walls of Elouan City after show trials for nature to claim. In fact the place where they were set was so littered with bodies of nobility (And later on, upper and middle class peoples) it was nicknamed 'Carrion Fields' by the locals.

Uprooting their nobility made most rulers annoyed with the revolution but the killing (And sheer brutality of it) soured relations severely. If it wasn't for the (Previously) looming threat of Dominious and a previously able army under leaders like Juno then the republic would have been already crushed. Even so they only reason the current government was... tolerated was how important the Connection Canal was to all gathered. Even so most rulers did not like Juno DeLiberte as despite her local popularity she was one of the best generals of the first revolution before it turned bloody; as such more then a few thought she bore some of the responsibility of the brutality despite how she turned her coat on the Bloody Revolution and tried to wash her hands of it.

The situation in Roxford was brittle to start with but with Alison here there was now a powder keg about; what I did know was that Alison was well liked by the commoners as before her exile she would seek out hospitals to heal the wounded with her magic and even try and bring medicine to those in need. She was even setting up donations (With her fathers permission, although reluctant from him) to purchase more medicine... that would be stolen in the opening days of the Bloody Revolution by said revolutionaries. On top of that she was well liked by nearly all the rulers gathered and bore all of their sympathies for what happened to her House, her House's nobility and even Roxford's people to the point almost all nations (Bar Eostia) referred to her as either the Heir of Roxford or the Queen of Roxford (And even Esotia in general and Cele as High Queen acknowledged her Right to Rule).

It was possible, entirely possible, that if the Republic started to fail the people would rebel and rally behind a figure with a claim to the rulership of the nation meaning that House DesCieux, royalty deposed by a popular rebellion, could be installed back into place by a popular rebellion that would be backed by other nations.

I wasn't stupid; I knew the reason the capital was so nice was to distract from the damage outside of it. The tour of the city was nice, but you could overhear grumbling in the merchant district; I couldn't make much out but they were unhappy about something. Juno's government needed this meeting to go well and to show Roxford could recover into a reliable partner...

...and this wouldn't help...

"Victor is making a shrewd move." Cele let off softly as I could hear (And Olga's head turning told me that elven hearing was being used) as she started to explain. "I don't know his aims, but if he wants to undermine Juno's authority this is how it's done."

"Guards! Remover her from-"

"She is under the protection and escort of House Celestia. I will treat a slight to her as a slight to my House."

"Prim." I whispered to my fiancee. "What's your read on the room?" The pinkette had been looking about; not to Juno or the Camafran batch but everyone else's response. I could see two main reactions; glowering to Juno or looks of concern to Alison.

"She does not belong in Roxford!"

"Please, Prime Minister." Alison was the one to speak now as opposed to the Juno/Victor interaction. "This land is my home and my family's home. I have as much right to be here as you and it's people."

"They're all on her side... save them..." She said, eyeing someone in the back and his aides. The man in question was in an aristocratic coat that was red in color and trimmed with gold but bore a dark blue toned breastplate over his chest with a wide, red diamond on the left side with a two toned knight's helm on it in darker and lighter periwinkle (Yes, really) with matching, two toned swords crossed under it, points down. I couldn't make out his lower half (Dark blue pants in black boots with a long sword at his hip, I'd learn) but he bore well groomed, brown hair that was slicked back and a long, pointed mustache that stuck three inches out to each side in thin points and a pointed goatee. His face was hawkish and he bore a smug, haughty look to him in an otherwise neutral face.

"That is Sir Balin Claraurora, one of the Commanders of the Justical army and their representative; a rising but middling one as I understand it." Cele mentioned as I frowned. Oh yes, Jutsical... You know the small speech about how 'it would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent, moral busybodies'? Justical is a nation led by moral busybodies who will make you listen to them at spear point if need be. As I recalled they were backing Rodrick DesCieux, the self-proclaimed 'King in Exile' who's recognized Right to Rule was limited to Justical; a distant cousin of the last king.

I imagined they'd be a pain down the line but that wasn't here and now.

"I am the ruler of Roxford and my say on the matter is final."

"Is not such heavy handed tyranny what you claim to fight against?" Alison countered Juno's statement. "I have committed no crime and have done no wrong. You would punish me for my family name alone like those dragged from their homes in the first revolution?" Juno glowered at her but didn't fire back right away.

"Something about this is making Juno act rash..." Cele sighed... as I stood up. "James! What are you-"

"Prime Minister, if you please." I let off, halting her before she spoke another word as I walked over to her. Acadia and Lynette gave me a displeased look but didn't move to block me. "I don't see the harm in letting her stay as an aide; unless you do have a crime to levy to her name she is a native of Roxford." Juno looked like I slapped her before frowning to me as I moved to speak to her.

"Do not presume to-" She began to hiss out in a low tone, but I spoke back and cut her off with a firm, if also low, tone to avoid being overheard by the room in general.

"Shut the hell up and read the room." She flinched at the language (And the L'Argentunes both shot me a dirty look as well for it) as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder to pull her close. "That girl has the sympathies of almost everyone in this room. And these are the people you need to accept you, or at least tolerate you." She was still giving me a look but I felt her relax as I spoke. "You don't have to like her but if you openly oppose her without a just cause that be accepted by these people you're going to find yourself without allies very quickly." Finally she schooled her features and relaxed more fully as I moved my arm from her.

"Very well. Guards; stand down... She will be allowed to remain for the meeting and no longer." Juno stated firmly as Alison gave a nod and a smile. "Be seated."

I noted that was half directed to me.

I did move back to my seat as the Camafran contingent moved to sit behind us. "I would have not allowed you to act, but it seems to be good you took initiative." Cele let off. "You seem to have settled the issue."

"No. I just kicked it down the road." I replied, which was true. I might have been overly stern with Juno but given she was acting out in an almost childish manner I think it was needed. I did have to wonder; why did Juno have such a big axe to grind with Alison? Or was it just a case of she hated House DeCieux as a whole and it didn't matter what Alison did or didn't do. This was... going to be an awkward meeting.

"There seems to be complexities I would have never considered here." Olga said, quietly, as she sighed. "This may be a headache. Reminds me of the Pure Council." I snorted softly... and felt a tap to my right shoulder. I turned my head and saw Alison's cute face up close, smiling to me and-

-fuck! My heart fluttered. "Thank you." She said softly before sitting down. Prim giggled next to me and I gave her a look as we waited for the rest of the gathered rulers and representatives arrive. The representatives of Nyaru were the last to arrive... and Fredrick Lynx the Sixth (AKA; Zealand Redhull's unwanted suitor) was there and boy did he glare to me! And was beefed up to level thirty four.

I'd have to let Riri know; given what happened last time.

"Now that we are all gathered, allow me to welcome you all to the Republic of Roxford." Juno began... with some grumbling, likely given what happened before. "As you know the last bit of earth to dig up to complete the Connection Canal will be removed soon. We fully expect to finish the digging on the northern end to finish next month once the shores are built up to avoid flooding the farmlands. The bulk of the canal is already being filled with waters from the Gemme Clair Lake as we speak; our southern neighbors can now sail up the Snake's Tongue to Elouan City itself if they so pleased in a matter of one or two days." That got people speaking in hushed tone in a manner that wasn't grumbling. "Needless to say there will need to be repayments made once the money starts flowing in and while it was Kingdom of Roxford that made those promises the Republic of Roxford must attempt to honor them in a reasonable manner."

Translation; you'll get your damn money but I'm not going to let you take everything we have to get it. "Having said that; Roxford's coffers are, as you may have guessed, tight from the events of the last decade atop of the project of the canal. While payments will be fair some discussion must be made of the form and the amount that will be paid. Needless to say I doubt anyone will be fully happy by meeting's end, un included, but we should have an agreement that satisfies most issues. To begin with; we wish to establish a new settlement by the Gemme Clair Lake where the canal connects as a trade hub, resting place and to build a new shipyard for cogs. Moreover I am asking for outside investment to come in to help establish these industries, untaxed for two decades."

The Old Man whistled from the other side of the room and I could see him slap an abacus on the table and start shuffling beads around on it as he counted. I didn't blame him; the ability to start a business, tax free for twenty years? Oh yeah, you know any merchant worth their salt would be considering it and while I had little good to say about him Mandeville was a good merchant.

That would dictate the start of the meeting; explaining plans to further infrastructure and bring in investment and trade through personal actors and wealthy individuals as opposed to nations. More she wanted all nations invested in the canal to have their ships taxed at twenty percent less as part of the repayment as an alternative to pure gold until all debts were repaid. She was saying a lot of the right things and that she suggested all contributing nations would still have a discount post repayments. That said while there was interest in the room there were some that seemed unconvinced; King Xerander was unreadable to me but based on what I've heard of his reputation I could imagine he's running through ideas of how to leverage the situation to his advantage.

Dax seemed a bit bored but tried to pay attention (I didn't blame him; my father's smirk as I was asked to join the meeting while he got to take mom and Miria into town was wide since he didn't have to sit in on it) but there was two people I wanted to watch in particular; King Victor and Sir Balin. As King Victor was behind me and I couldn't really see him without both craning my neck and being obvious about it I opted for the one I could watch; and I would say Balin was disinterested... but not in a bored manner. If I were to try and make a guess it was like... like he didn't think the meeting mattered... I couldn't put a finger on it but it made me uneasy.

Once Juno finished she sighed and smiled; centered compared to when Alison walked into the room. "Now then, before moving on let us begin with what the thoughts of the gathered rulers and representatives are. Who would-"

"Are we done with this farce?" And there's Sir Balin Claraurora standing up and looking down to Juno with a firm glare. "You hold no Right to Rule and this republic is no more then peasantry thinking themselves kings." Grumbling rose as Juno's glare grew but no one argued with him.

"Tsk. Agreeing with the truth is to agree with Justical... annoying..." Someone behind me let off; I turned to look but didn't know who save that Alison was glaring at one of the King's aides.

"The Rightful King of Roxford, Rodrick DesCieux awaits to reclaim his throne; why do you pretend you've a right to hold him back from it." Balin let off as he swept his arm wide, as if to point to everyone in the room. "Does anyone here honestly deny that-"

"Enough." Juno cut him off firmly. "The Kingdom has ended and Republic has risen. You can decry us all you wish but the facts are unchanged and I this is not the subject of the meeting."

Balin looked ready to carry on but Dax stood up with his arm raised. "While I agree that the Republic's rise is... by the usual means unorthodox and I do not deny Justical's stance of the illegitimacy of said Republic, and Dominious' stance is largely opposed to the canal in question we are here not to decry the current government, regardless of it's legitimacy, but the subject of the Canal." He said before looking to Balin directly. "I appreciate, and to a level agree, with your position but we are not here to discuss that. To conversation about this here and now is to subject a debate, a tedious one, on another complain. If your derail wishes to subject this then he can call his own King forth."

"...What?" Almost everyone in the room let off as Dax blinked, sighed and started to speak once more.

"I mean; to complain about this here and now is to derail a conversation, a tedious one, on another subject. If your King wishes to debate this then he can call his own meeting forth."

"We are already meeting, are we not?" Balin let off as Dax huffed at him.

"Well it's not your bloody meeting is it!?" The Captain said, throwing his hands up. "I do not disagree with you, sir, but I disagree with the time and place you voice your disagreement."

"Indeed." Juno said as she looked to Balin with a glare. "You, as a representative of Justical, are here as a courtesy and I doubt people here would mind you being removed."

"Very well, Prime Minister." He said, speaking the title in a sarcastic, haughty tone. "I've made my stance clear. And it seems you yours." He let off as he huffed as he gave me a stern glare. "Just know that Eostia isn't the only nation with a man who can innovate." I raised an eyebrow at that; what did that mean. I didn't like it and made me worried that Justical had a plan down the line. Still he sat down and after a few moments more of glaring at him Juno moved to take actual questions.

And thus the banality of politics began...

[-]

The meeting broke for lunch and would have a recess for two hours. I enjoyed it but retreated to a sitting room to look over the central garden to collect my thoughts. There were three questions in my mind; the minor one was what in the hell did Balin mean in the end? That 'Eostia isn't the only nation with a man who can innovate'? I knew who he was referring to; even if I was that oblivious to think he didn't mean what I had made with the freaking Enterprise sitting outside, he looked right at me as he said it. That suggested that Justical had made... something new and unique but I had no idea what. More worrying I didn't know what they had planned. Clearly something but I didn't know what.

Interestingly Justical doing Justical things wasn't my biggest question. I didn't know what they had planned but chances were I wouldn't be here when they did it. No; the questions troubling me centered on Juno and Alison.

Juno had been fairly friendly, calm, relaxed and controlled when we arrived (Beyond the, understandable, excitement of a flying ship) but the second she saw Alison she just... turned into an aggressive... well, shrew for lack a better word. I half expected her to jump over the podium and engage in a cat fight. Cele (Once she learned I told her to shut the hell up, she heard most of it but some was muddled to her) was a little annoyed at my language but was glad I got control over the situation; Eostia had an interest in the Connection Canal and a stable Roxford to run it. Cele thought a Republic was fine but would have still accepted it as a kingdom as long as it was stable and cared for the nation as a whole. I was a little surprised but had to remind myself no matter how much she wanted what was best for everyone Eostia was her first priority above all else. To that point she had to ignore or tolerate... issues she'd rather not.

Responsibility sucks.

Juno's reaction was still, however, worrying and in a private moment before I retreated to the room I sat in told me Cele was very concerned about how vicious she acted towards Alison. It wasn't natural and would be more akin what I'd expect if, say, I showed up at the Old Fart's birthday party while listing off a poem about how I killed his buddy Gwyn back in South Point and pissed on the corpse. It made me worried about what happened.

Speaking of which; Alison.

Why was she here? Even if under the protection of House Celestia that was a major move; House DesCieux was as a whole banished from Roxford after the first revolution and the second upheld it. Was she looking to rebuild her house's power in Roxford? Was she trying to stir up problems and topple the republic or apply pressure to crack it apart? Or was she here not on her own wishes but that of Victor Celestia's; what I knew of him and saw from Observe suggested he was honorable enough but Houses Celestia and DesCieux had a long standing friendship and alliance pre-revolution. If Alison was brought to power in Roxford he'd more then likely prefer it on a personal level... as well as be satisfied on the nobility-against-democracy front. If he had a personal issue with Juno or the second revolution and republic I didn't know but it wouldn't surprise me.

Okay then. I had questions. Now, how do I get answers?

I had one thing going for me; as the now famous (For better or worse) Champion of Eostia I had some weight in my words. How far it would go here I didn't know but I had it. Finally I moved from my sitting room and decided to start by asking a servant; maybe I could try and charm a maid? I mean I'm... not the one to try and use charisma in such a matter but it's worth a shot!

But luck is a thing and I found a source of answers dropped to my lap... or rather right in my face. "Ahh! Champion! Eostian Champion Noxdecus! A moment, if you please!"

I would turn as I was going down a hall only to see a man half waddling, half jogging to me. He was about five eight but a more portly sort; sitting on that borderline between 'pudgy' and 'fat' and held in a three piece suit that looked like he stole it from the Monopoly Man's closet, complete with a gold, framed monocle, cane in hand and top hat. He bore a black mustache that was thick, bushy and curved and a matching goatee with hair connecting the gaps between the two. His face seemed friendly and warm; like that Uncle you see two or three times a year but remembered everything you told him the last time you saw him. Once he stopped before me he took off his top hat and bowed in a greeting, showing short, cropped black hair with a bald spot on his head. "M-M'Lord... Whew..." He panted for a moment before look up up me and replacing his hat. "Forgive me the interruption; Pepin Vieverite, leader of the main opposition party Les Bonnes Couronnes." I blinked as I thought over it for a moment.

(-)

Name: Pepin Vieverite
Title: Opposition Leader of Roxford
Class: Politician/Wizard
Level: 31
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 71
Status: Healthy, Eager, Hopeful

Known Traits
[?]

[?]
[Arcane Craft] You have an innate understanding of all things magical; even those parts you cannot use. +3% Effect to all non-damaging uses of magic you do.
[Here Comes The Money] Investments you make seem to pay back more the usual; +5% money back on all profitable investments

A wealthy investor turned politician, the Vieverite family was a line of merchants with holdings across Roxford, Camafran, Qulona, Eostia and even Zenith. Some of it was lost in the two, Roxford revolutions and he is attempting to rebuild lost wealth... and wishes to bring Roxford's status as a strong state back to where it once was.

(-)

"My... Roxion is a little rusty but... 'The Good Crowns'?" I let off as he nodded. "How can I help you?"

"I am hoping to get some support from Eostia, you see, and I am hoping that... you know your High Queen, oui? Came with her even?" I nodded, not sure where he was going with this. "My party has two goals, you see. The first is to bring House DesCieux back to the land; while, yes, the last king was... a poor leader, much of our history bears members of the House of the Heavens defending the land, reclaiming lost territory and leading well. Oui, there are tyrants that came from the line, but that is true of all folk, yes? And Zenith, while not a proper democracy, does vote in it's ruler and lends itself to corruption in that leadership."

"I can understand that, to a point... but what is the other goal?" I asked as he sighed.

"To hold the current government accountable for it's refusal to expand their suffrage, the vote, as they had promised to!" He let off as I blinked once more.

"I beg your pardon; I have no clue what Roxford politics are like and I've only gotten my toes wet." I explained calmly. "Can you explain, please?"

"Ahhh, oui, of course. I shall." He said, nodding once before beginning to speak. "Tell me first though; what do you know of Juno's rise to power?"

"...Not that much; she was a general in both revolutions and is credited with turning back invasions from nations trying to restore the crown." I began, frowning in thought. "She opted to retire but was elected by the people for her deeds regardless."

"Indeed, that is all true... however it is not the full scope; a half truth in reality." I blinked and made a motion for him to explain. "It is true she was elected regardless of her own wishes but there are two points you should know; the first was that the voter base was limited to those who fought in the Golden Revolution and it's supporters. The bulk of the populace were not allowed to vote and I do not mean just an ignorant peasant in an isolated village that has no contact outside of the odd traveler; business owners large and small, those who took no side, those returning after fleeing the war, the common man the Republic claims it represents was not permitted to vote for that voice as DeLiberte claims." Now that was a surprise.

"Do you know why that is?" I asked him as he nodded.

"Understand this; while I am holding DeLiberte to account for this situation how it came about is not her fault. I do wish to work with her, at least to the point of making a stronger Roxford." Pepin told me as I gave a nod. "The Golden Revolution won, and it's final battles were decisive but it was exhausted in the end. Much of the population was upset with what had happened; some even saw it as little more then a power struggle within the revolution as opposed to two separate ones. And war... well, you were in one, oui? I am sure you have done things you wish you had not." I winced; the Nightsong Twins were such a case... at least in the Lumber Mill. Sure; most of the people, the dark elves, I fought were coming to kill be for ill reasons... but...

...there's reasons I try not to think about it...

"There was a chance, how good I do not know, that if the vote was given to anyone with enough of an education to consider things, or even the general public they might have voted to bring back House DesCieux, someone like myself or one of the other candidates who openly declared once in power he'd dissolve the Republic. The Golden Revolution, then, opted to... fortify the vote... by restricting it."

If, and I do stress if, he was right... this was a bad look...

To make things clear; coming from the world I had I was two thumbs up about democracy and republics... but I knew two things; one of which was they were imperfect as all things were. To quote a rather imperfect man 'democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried'. It only works through an open society willing to debate, openly talk about hard subjects and even mock their leaders in the open... and by allowing those who thought they could lead try and convince everyone they should. Sometimes you get a man like Theodore Roosevelt...

...and sometimes you get George W. Bush...

In a world that had... well... little free speech outside of Eostia and Rycall all the above is... well... Ummm... Just...

Some people would think common folk couldn't make enlightened choices in who should lead... and that includes said common folk... Which led me to the other thing I was thinking about; a democracy worked based on the faith and trust of the people. And... well... if you restrict the vote in such a way you're not going to have much of either.

"Well... yeah, I can see the issue if what you say is true." I said with a soft frown. "I'll speak to the High Queen and we can investigate from there. She can opt to make a choice from there. That said; perhaps you can help me in turn?" He blinked and I started to explain what had happened when Alison showed up at the meeting, namely Juno's reaction which made him frown hard. "Look; do you know why Juno would have such a... harsh reaction to her arrival?"

"Well, non... at least for Alison in specific..." Pepin said as I hummed in thought. "That said she and her family were exiled themselves by House DesCieux and she made a point to locate every member of the family and imprison them; some of which were tried and executed... few fairly, although I do not know if she chose that fate. Even those who escaped she had tracked just to know where they were."

"Huh..." I let off with a thought. "So she's not upset with her but her House... But that still doesn't answer why beyond the last king's rule..." There was clearly something there... But I now had more questions then answers, really. Something happened to Juno and likely more then just exile... and the last king, or someone in his house, was likely to blame...

This was going to be a headache.

[-]

Elouan City
Capital of the Republic of Roxford
The Palace of Starlight
Arnold von Blizhaus' Quarters

"You passed on sailing on Enterprise this morning?" Arnold asked as Channer, sitting across from him, nodded. "Why? It would have gotten you a chance to further examine it." He had tea prepared for them during the recess of the meeting which had been... eventful. He respected Juno DeLiberte as a general and a leader and, compared to the Justical envoy, acknowledged her Right to Rule... but much who would follow her in a republic might not. He was willing to admit (Reluctantly) that they had fought hard for their republic but he had doubts on how it would withstand the test of time; the Rycall Republic, after all, was an exception and not the rule.

"I already did; I didn't need to be on board for that. The bulk of the power comes from the same, weird, spell glass he's been using." Channer said, blowing on a tea cup he was using as Arnold gave a soft grunt to acknowledge what he had said. "There's a lot of it in there and several spell stones; high grade ones. He spaced them just right to maximize the mana draw they have. More over there's two larger, and I mean larger stones in there; at least this big." He would hold his hands out as if there would be a bucket between them before him. Arnold's eyes opened wide at that. "The lesser of the two is held within the ship but the stronger is in the front; the horn of the statue is part of it... likely enchanted for offensive capabilities."

"What sort do you expect?" Arnold asked him. While Juno's outburst at the meeting dominated his current thoughts he needed to get the Enterprise's measure; Channer was deliberately kept ignorant of House Blitzhaus' part in the Cloaked Crowns as he was unsure where he would lean in the end... even so, he'd be made part of the new, coming order; he'd ensure it. Of course that new order bore a new obstacle...

The Enterprise was a massive leap over the Cloud Riders and those were a game changer to begin with. The airship was far, far faster then the flying wagons and, more then likely, anything they could have made. The Cloud Rider's capacity as transport for goods, troops, wounded and such was invaluable, doubly so for dropping behind enemy lines. The amount of troops, cargo and supplies an entire ship could carry would be mind boggling. That airship alone made Mungale a greater military threat then it had been and once the Crowns and Vult learned of it they would agree Noxdecus was a factor that had to be dealt with and if there was a way to do so without risk of being caught he'd start hiring assassins or even do it with his own, two hands... however that would derail everything if he were caught.

Nothing uprooted a good plan like panic at a small change.

For now rather then attempt to kill the bastard and risk his House's overthrow he did what he could in the moment; take the measure of the Enterprise. Aside from being faster then a Cloud Rider he assumed it did everything it did but more; including the Illusion to hide it. If Noxdecus expected it to see combat a stronger, more robust shield could be expected at the very least.

"I don't know." Arnold blinked at him in surprise, unsure what he meant. "L-Look, dad... It's like this; spell stones have grades, right?" Channer began as his father nodded. "Grade one is better then grade two and so on. But most stones are small and this sort of grading is meant for fist sized stones and smaller... You see stones are... they don't always have a power matching their grade."

"Explain."

"It's... How do I explain this..?" Channer let off as he hummed. "It's like... You know how mythril and steel mixes are like, right? It's an alloy. If the 'grade' is the quality in the metal you want more mythril then steel... With smaller stones you can account for this better, the 'myhtril' and 'steel' bits in the metaphor but with larger stones it's... harder to tell; even if you have your hands on it. Unless you spend a lot of time on it a massive grade four stone might be closer in power to a grade three and can even be called such... The attacking stone is, as far I can tell, Grade Two. If it's more 'steel' then 'mythril' then it would be a lower end Grade Two, maybe reduced into the higher ends of Grade Three... but if it's more 'mythril' then 'steel' then it could be as strong as a low end Grade One stone." That got the concern of Arnold; that it was a large, grade two stone was enough of a threat... that it could be a grade higher, even if on the lower end, was worse. "R-really, you don't know how strong it is until you use it... and... I'm sure James hasn't."

"...The Enterprise is new... Finished after we left..." Arnold let off as he frowned in thought. "He might have even finished it mere hours or days before Celestine called for him... He may not have tested the power of it; he'd want to do it in a safe, isolated place... If he hadn't done so..."

"L-Let's hope he isn't underestimating what it can do." Channer said with a chuckle. "I mean... he's always been know to err on the side of caution in that; thankfully even he shouldn't have attuned spell glass to bolster it's power."

"Hmmm..." Arnold wasn't so sure, by contrast... after all it was he who assumed the responsibility of slaying the Abomination, was it not?

It would make sense for him to have a powerful enough weapon to repeat the act in a much safer way then...

[-]

After speaking with Pepin Vieverite I opted to speak with a few servants and maids but I came up with the same answers; they didn't know but Juno was adamant that House DesCieux never be allowed to return to Roxford and never return to power. While that somewhat explained why she was so upset at Alison's appearance that still didn't explain the origin of the hate. I did run into Maia on the way back to the meeting and relayed what happened that morning as well as what I learned. Taking a hint she smiled and opted to do some digging of her own.

The afternoon part of the meeting was focused on managing the security of the canal and what cargo would be carried; I noticed that both Arnold and the old man frowned as Cele voiced opposition to the slave trade, agreeing that while slavery was a choice by individual nations and states it was also the choice of said nations to allow such trade through it's territory, and this meant Roxford who's republic stated it had three, main virtues; Verite, Liberte, Unite.

Truth, Freedom and Unity...

Ironic...

I let Cele know I needed a word with her; what I hadn't expected was not only Olga joining us but my parents and Arnold. I wasn't happy about that but Cele thought having him sit in would be preferable (Admitting to me later, in private, that she did that to not politically alienate him; something other lords might have taken issue with) but I put up with it and once gathered in a sitting room I began to explain my encounter with Pepin, his claims and what little else I had learned in the meantime. Celestine (With Celestine Celestia not in the same room I felt it fine to revert from Cele) frowned hard at this as she sat at a table and considered it for a long moment before speaking. "If Pepin is correct in this, and we must consider he spoke some truth, this would be a stain upon the republic and perhaps Juno herself. Her outburst this morning is concerning; that she may bring tyranny in a new form to Roxford is more troubling, even if she doesn't wish it. Having said that we must understand our places in the matter; as representatives in Eostia this matter does not interest us nor should we attempt to influence them beyond normal relations between nations."

"I'm aware, and I'm not moving to take a side." I said, hands riased in a calming motion for a moment. "But if we're to work with and trade with them in the future we should know more about the local situation." She wasn't scolding me; nothing in her tone said that. She was making a statement on the official stance Eostia held, that was all. "At most we should give them advice and outside observations; but we need to know the situation to give either."

"Good. That is fair and fine." She said with a nod and soft smile. "Official stance aside this is a concern. At the very least we will be dealing with her for the near future; having a good judgment of her character is required to do so."

"If I may ask; is there more to it then examining her character?" Olga asked me as I looked to her as she stood by Celestine's table with me standing before them both. My parent's were at the same table to one side and Arnold at the other. "Or is there more there?"

"Maybe a bit... I found Juno's reaction to be... way too radical... compared to what her personality was when we met before..." I explained simply. "I guess I'm curious about what's going on and I'm concerned..."

"It is not your business..." Arnold let off with a huff. "...Although having said that I must concur; we all are in agreement Roxford is in a brittle state. What should happen, then, if this stress with DesCieux here, causes a crack she cannot fix?" While gruff, the asshole wasn't wrong; doubly so with Justical's man, Balin Claraurora, making such a scene as well.

"Try and not disturb the order of things too much." Celestine told me firmly. "But if you wish to learn then learn what you can. It would be good to know what could go wrong within Roxford." She moved to stand afterwards and looked about. "I have a dinner with Juno tonight. I'll see if I cannot learn something as well. Do remember you are all invited to the ball being hosted tomorrow evening. Local custom allows for a sidearm but do not engage in duels as we are here to represent Eostia." I raised an eyebrow at that and opted to ask a question.

"And if we are challenged to such?" Arnold was rising as well and did a double take at me as I looked to Celestine as I rested my left wrist on the handle of the Dragon's Claw. "I have no intention to start a fight but we have envoys from Justical here." Celestine frowned in thought but nodded. That wasn't my only concern; I'd seen the look Cyrus Mandeville gave me the other day and I could see him attempting to fuck around if his father didn't keep him in line (Although I had expected him to keep the idiot on a leash) and while Dax wouldn't start anything (At least I was sure he wouldn't) someone in his envoy might. Finally I had two of my fiancees here and if someone acted up towards them... well, they could handle it but I'd still want to step in.

In part because I think Alicia would be... less gentle then I would be.

"You can respond to a challenge as appropriate but that's all; try to avoid provoking anyone." Celestine replied with a nod. "More over if anyone ends up in a duel use the minimum force required." I nodded; that's all I needed. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She said giving us a last smile before leaving; Arnold took a moment before taking his leave as well. Finally I looked to my parents.

"Any thoughts to share?" I said, looking to my father in particular. He hummed for a moment before looking to my mother who looked back.

"I would say it would behoove you to seek Alison out, if possible." Merlin said with a neutral look; even so there was a firmness to it. "Understanding her aims, as well as those of King Celestia, would help in understanding what is going on."

[-]

A few, quiet questions found me in the library of the palace. Upon arrival I noted the trio of bodyguards in purple and orange plate mail surrounding Alison DesCieux at a table, reading a book. She had a wistful smile on her face; one of remembrance and yet tinged with a sadness. The guards shifted and turned to me as I entered which caused Alison to look up; a wave of her hand had them stand down. It was a nice library; white furniture, marble floors, so on and so on. I wasn't focused on the room however as I moved across the table from her, "Mind if I join you?"

"By all means, please do." She said as I sat down as she clasped her hands together with a smile. "I know I said it briefly but I should restate it; thank you. I know my presence here is... disruptive to some people but I had to return."

"Juno was acting a bit... erratic, mostly compared to the day before." I said simply as I laid my arms on the table, leaning in. "But if I might ask... why did you return?" I asked... and while she smiled it was a clearly saddened one; trying to hold in the hurt.

"Because... Because I haven't seen my home in a decade... I spent much of my time here... In this library..." She said, looking down to the book, setting a marker into place before shutting it. I couldn't read the title from my angle but it bore the image of a young girl in a dress hand in hand with a small bear on two feet and a large rabbit doing the same, walking towards the viewer. It was clearly a children's book. "My father read this book to me each night until I could read... It was the book he used to teach me to read even; Marcher Avec Des Amis is what's called." I think it translated as 'Walking With Friends'; sounded like a Roxford version of Winnie the Pooh.

"I can understand that." Better then she knew.

"I will taking a tour of the city soon... I would hope you can come along... It would be... difficult for me to stay once the meeting is over." She said sadly as her smiled finally faded. "I had hoped to speak with the Prime Minister so I could relocate to my homeland once more. Even if I didn't live in the palace I would be fine with that. I am of Roxford; I belong in this land."

"I was hoping you could help explain something to me." I began as she looked up to me. "Do you know why she had such a reaction to you? I can see why she might be displeased with your return but I half expected her to charge you herself with her reaction."

"Non, I do not." She said, shaking her head. "I am aware my father did not favor her or her house but I am unaware of any dislike of myself. I can only imagine it is a dislike of House DesCieux in general. Even so, beyond her house's exile, I am unaware. I... ... ..." She went silent and started to look down as I tilted my head. A moment more of silence and I spoke up.

"What's wrong? Do you have an idea?"

"Non, Non, it's not that... not really... It's..." She took in a breath and looked up to me. "I... I need you to understand, my father, Lucien... he was a doting man to me. If it was within his power he would have offered me the world and more. Had airships been a thing back before the... he would have moved heaven and earth to gain me one. I was not merely a princess in title, I was his princess, his angel... ... So... learning how he treated the people was... difficult for me... For a time I even blamed the commoners for failing such a wonderful man... It... took time to understand why people disliked him so, even as day after day I did my best to ease the suffering of our people... I understand my grandfather was little better; worse even as he took his frustrations out upon his children... something father had not done with me." I shut my eyes and sighed... it reminded me of something I once heard of people who were or worked for the Nazis; loving family members at home, helpful men in their communities and ruthless to those they deemed 'unclean'. Heroes to their children, utter monsters to their foes.

Fuck you could see that dissonance in Eostia; Arnold von Blitzhaus I knew to be a ruthless leader who thought nothing of breeding and selling sentient beings, undermining rivals and treated beating a slave like a chore, as if making his bed... and yet he loved his children and did everything in his power to ensure they would be successful and capable people. I recall his face back when Victor was poisoned; you'd think it was Arnold who was dying. To say his love for his children matched my father for his would be fair.

People are complicated.

"People are... I know of people who are saints to family and friends and wouldn't give a damn about anyone else." I said softly as she looked up to me. "For what it's worth I think you're telling the truth; or at least you're being truthful enough. May I ask one thing?" Alison nodded to my question once. "Are you seeking to reclaim Roxford's throne?" She frowned and mulled over the question before shaking her head.

"Non." She said firmly. "If it was the people's wish I would take a throne if offered... but I do not seek to take the throne by force. I would prefer, if I wished to lead, be Prime Minister then Queen. The republic while... shaky can lead to a greater good." She then started to smile once more (Honest if forced) and clapped her hands together. "S-so... shall you join me to the city tomorrow?"

"...Very well, I will accept the invite. I may ask someone to come along beyond guards." Alison nodded once.

"That is fine; I will trust your choice of company."

[-]

My initial choice of company was Prim; given her nature I was hoping she could connect with Alison... but she declined, citing a meeting with Rycall officials so wished me luck. Alicia opted to go with her so she was also a no go. Celestine was likewise busy (I had expected that) while Claudia and Klaus were off on their own so I had ended up with someone else come the tour of the city in the day that followed for the early afternoon break. "I mean I'm fine with wine but doesn't Roxford have stronger drinks?"

"Oh, there are stronger ones, oui. Maderia I hear has a kick." Alison answered Maia as they walked ahead of us. They walked ahead of me, flanked by three Camafran guards as I had Riri and Makoto flanking myself and one Dawn Templar trailing behind me. The populace, at large, seemed pleased to see Alison and she would even stop to speak to the odd one. She even saw a child scrape his knee and moved to heal him; even rushing past her guards to do so.

I came in my full armor and brought my kit; I expected no issues but... well, I expected fewer problems when I toured Eostia but I still had to deal with ambushes, assassins and more. Better to be safe then sorry. Maia and Alison were, thankfully, hitting it off and while they dominated the conversation I mused over what Maia had learned; namely that King Lucien visited the manor of House DeLiberte before they were exiled... and he wasn't alone, coming with his brother, his general and a force of over sixty regular men-at-arms.

You do not bring that many dudes to say hello or have a polite discussion.

"Oh, are these the new Roxford styles?" Alison let off as she moved to a window of a tailor, looking at mannequin wearing dresses within as she set her hands on it. "I am surprised things are so bustling in the capital... it was always a bustling city but I never thought it would be so when Roxford as a whole is so... unstable..."

"It could be a concentrated effort." I injected as she looked to me. "My parents came to talk trade some months ago and you have the meeting going on now. It makes sense the Republic would want it's capital to reflect normalcy, wealth and strength. Other towns and cities could still be rebuilding and pulling themselves together but if Elouan looks to be in ruins it would express weakness and instability." Alison frowned in thought as I sighed. "Prioritizing the capital's stability and strength is more important; the smaller settlements suffer in the short term but the nation benefits as a whole in the long term."

"Yeah, it sucks but sometimes you can't help everyone." Maia said, moving her hands behind your neck. "You gotta help who you can as best you can." I nodded as Alison sighed.

"I know... I know... But I wish it weren't so..." She said with a nod before smiling at me. "Come... I want to see more before we need to-"

There was a glint... In the window's reflection... I nearly missed it; the reflection of a bit of polished metal. My attention grabbed I saw a crossbow drawn and ready, a man on a rooftop clad in full black... Taking aim at Alison!

I saw a motion of his arm and realized it was firing; I moved more on instinct and spun as I brought my shield up and stepped in front of Alison to everyone's surprise as a streak of silver light shot down with a screaming shriek towards us. It was an enchanted bolt; designed to puncture through thick, metal armor and solid shields. Luckily I was using a shield made out of mana; the bolt still punctured it in the upper left quarter but stayed lodged there. I saw the man flinch in shock as the three Camafran guards moved to protect Alison with maia move before them, weapons drawn in less then a second. As I ended my shield the arrow dropped to the ground with a soft clatter.

Screaming started from the people on the street; the bolt made noise and those looking saw an attempted sniper shot as I called the Horned Colt to my right hand, the weapon rocketing from it's holster to my palm, took aim and fired back at the sniper. He was moving already so when the revolver cracked with it's first shot fired in anger it missed. "Maia, guard her!" I barked as I used Heroic Leap to give chase.

"Master!"

"James-Sama!" I was in the air and heard both Riri and Makoto give chase as well; Riri likely taking to the rooftops. Tailwind and Levitation were cast once I was well into the air as I dove for the man; he was running down the roof and leaping as I took aim once more, this time at the roof he was leaping to and fired. I missed him, of course, but hit the roof; the bullet was enchanted with Arctic Orb transformed from Paratus and encased the spot he landed in ice. He fell to his back hard as I dove at him. To his credit he pushed with one arm hard and spun himself off the patch before I landed, using the stone in the Colt to make the longer blade with Arcane Weapon. He had readied another bolt, enchanted but no visible stone anywhere, and aimed at me and fired. I was able to deflect it with my blade, the screaming missile sailing off into the air and away from me as I closed in and headbutted him before he could react.

He was dressed in all black; leather tunic, pants, boots, long gloves and a leather skull cap over a mask that covered all but his eyes and a space around them. Observe listed him as 'Unknown Assassin'; level twenty seven, Assassin class, about my height, my build. I grabbed the front of his leather tunic (Gambeson, it turned out) and ended my weapon's blade to straight up pistol whip him in the side of the head. He grunted hard but, to my surprise, he set both hands to my chest and let off a spell; a weak lightning one that sent me back three steps and made me quiver with the shock. He followed up by pulling something from a pouch at his hip and sending it to the ground; a smoke bomb that filled the roof with thick blackness. I flew back up into the air, out of the smoke and grinned as I holstered my weapon.

He was gone from my vision; out of sight.

I flew off to the east as I set a Tracking spell to his gambeson when I grabbed him. As I neared I used an Illusion spell to hide myself a bit as I saw him bounding off walls to the floor of an alley. As I slowly closed in I saw him collapse the crossbow's arms and folded them to the stock. "Shit... That was unlucky..." He let off... and then I let myself drop down and cast a Scorpion Chain, catching him in the back of the shoulder and yanked, using Adrenaline Rush to make it extra hard. He yelped, taken off guard as I pulled him to me and landed a hard elbow to his face before grabbing him by the tunic and threw him into the wall with authority. I heard the air leave his lungs as I followed up with a hard haymaker to his gut, doubling him over before I grabbed his head and forced it back into the wall. He groaned and slumped as I yanked his skull cap off before turning him about and using Arcane weapon to fashion rope.

"You got him!" I heard before Riri dropped in. She moved to check him for other weapons as Makoto turned the corner, our Dawn Templar hot on her heels. I pulled his mask off to expose his face, dazed green eyes, short dark blue hair... and found something more. I turned his head and frowned deeply.

"A spell bind tattoo. That's worrying." I let off as I sighed. The man groaned, not out cold but not really awake either. "Come on... Let's bring him back to the others and have him arrested."

That's... what we did. Once back with Alison and Maia proper, physical binds were brought out and applied while someone got the local sheriff. Once secured fully I pointed to the man's spell bind. "It's more or less a slave collar in tattoo form. I've seen one, back when I faced Beardsley's goons."

"Wait... Could these..?" Maia began as I shook my head.

"Same thing, but these runes and the spell is a little different. It will do the same thing, however. He'll be impossible to interrogate until it is removed."

"Can you do that, M'lord?" A Camafran regular asked... as I shook my head.

"That's tricky at the best of times. I have no real training or experience at it and neither the tools or supplies to do it... one slip up and his head explodes." I explained as Alison made a face.

"I would not want that." She said as she set a hand to her chest. "But... this man... If he is in service to another... who is that person?"

"Good question..."

[-]

The attempt to kill Alison made it back to the palace before we did with Juno and the Republic being accused of the deed straight away. Indeed, by what I was told, King Victor of Camafran, Pepin Vieverite and someone I'd only seen up until now, Queen Elizabeth Silentium of Qulona were the one accusing her and once we arrived at the meeting room there was an argument. I did notice that Celestine, Xerander, Dax, Claraurora and most of those present stayed out of the conversation.

"Do you think I would stoop that low!? Hiring a base assassin!?" Juno screamed out, and given the tone it had been going on for a bit. She gripped the podium tightly with both hands as she grit her teeth as both L'Argentune's stood behind her, hands on their weapons. The elder looked stern and composed while the younger looked nervous and itchy.

"Your open hatred for House DesCieux is well known!" Victor barked back, left hand holding his axe by it's head as he pointed to her with it. "And given what the rebellions have done in the past such dirty pool is not beyond you!"

"You know how this looks, oui? You see?" Pepin let off, not as loud as everyone else as he pointed his cane to Juno. Elizabeth would be the next to speak.

"While we have maintained our alliance with Roxford we still have good relations with members of House DesCieux since the days Remy DesCieux assisted in saving our realm from Justical." The woman was five six and wore a full, yellow, regal dress. It was mostly covering with an ankle long skirt save showcasing a generous amount of cleavage, maybe C-Cups given how they were pushed up? Part of her dress was vest like and extended up into a collar behind her. A lace, yellow collar was around her neck as was a golden necklace with a blue spell stone with matching stones hanging off her earrings and another on the pointed crown upon her head in the front. Blue eyes gazed over Juno as chestnut locks hung down, to her right side and spilled over the side of one breast as painted, red lips spoke. "If you have done this then much will needs be rethought of our relations."

(-)

Name: Elizabeth Silentium
Title: The Golden Queen
Class: Royalty
Level: 18
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 82
Status: Healthy, Upset, Worried

Romance Rating: 83
Corruption Rating: 17

Known Traits
[?]
[All That Glitters] You are able to get all of what you want, gold. +10% to your reputation when bartering or talking trade.
[Of Blood Mixed] Your heritage boasts mixed blood with halflings, dwarves, catalans and elves within it. If you give birth/impregnate someone the child has a 1% chance to be another race.
[?]

The current Queen of Qulona, she married at age sixteen but lost her husband in a conflict with Justical. While she has taken consorts she's yet to choose a second husband. She bears a dislike and wariness of Justical because of this and often preaches the need for nations to ally with one another against would-be conquerors.

(-)

Celestine noticed me walking in first; our guard hung back as Alison and Maia flanked me both. I decided to be the one to end the yelling. "There's no proof Juno ordered this; nor is she the only one that's a suspect." Victor, Elizabeth and Pepin all turned to me with Victor blinking before setting his axe away and rushing over to Alison; I stepped aside for him as he pulled her into a hug that she returned. Juno blinked to me as I walked closer. "I won't stand here and claim Juno being the guilty one is impossible but we have to consider the two more other possibilities."

"Indeed." Xerander's voice boomed from the side as I looked to him. His arms were crossed as he sat; even so he looked imposing. "The lad is right. Your assassin came either from within Roxford or without."

"I'm... I'm not sure I-" Pepin began but I opted to speak up.

"What he means by within is that someone within Roxford could have ordered the attack." I began, looking towards Juno. "Someone who could be a rival attempting to besmirch your name and standing with the people or someone subordinate to you who was attempting to curry favor with you; you've made your dislike for Alison known. It's not impossible that someone might have thought ending her would please you."

"... I am forced to concede, both are possible... Although now I worry it is from without..." Juno said slowly and softly. That was what I was thinking too; it was clear the Republic wasn't overly popular with all of it's neighbors and some might have had a vested interest in setting a DesCieux to the throne... and while Alison and this 'Rodrick' were the most notable ones there were others in other nations... putting their royal on the throne could make Roxford a puppet or at the very least heavily indebted.

The former heir apparent being killed by the Prime Minister while under the protection of House Celestia? That would be an instant casus belli for Camafran to invade... and likely not alone as Qulona would likely jump in. "Roxford would be hard pressed to meet Camafran and Qulona together in open combat... quite the reason to kill our little princess..." I summed up.

"You are not to leave the palace..." King Victor said sternly as he stepped back from her. "I know you wish to see more of the city but until this situation is resolved you are in danger."

"Maia." Celestine let off as she moved to join us. "I would like you to join Alison as her bodyguard." It was worth noting that, by war's end, Maia hit level forty two, keeping ahead of me. She would be able to handle quite a bit thrown at her.

"You got it, Boss." Maia said, giving the High Queen a jaunty salute.

"For now the afternoon meeting is postponed." Juno said with a sigh. "We will pick up tomorrow. The ball will be held tonight but I shall tighten security measures. Given all the able guests who will be armed that should be more of a reason for a second assassin to remain away." Let's hope for that at least. And then Juno looked to me once more. "Lord Noxdecus, a moment if you please." I gave her a nod and shared a look with Celestine before walking over towards the Prime Minister as the rest of the people in the room filtered out of it; even her bodyguards who gave me a smile as they passed by. Once everyone was outside she looked over and addressed me. "I will be blunt, while I do not like how you approached me at the meeting the other day, or rather how you said it, I am grateful. I... I had allowed myself to become irrational at an... ill opportunity and could have done more damage to Roxford's reputation when we couldn't afford such. So I thank you for that."

"You're welcome." I said, honestly. "That said I have to ask; why did you have such a strong reaction?" She flinched and her face went to a stony neutral.

"... A day spent with her and you take her side?" That was not a response I expected to get.

"My side is Eostia's. I didn't accept her offer to join her because she's a princess; I did it because I'm attempting to understand what's happening in a nation we're interacting with." Her face didn't change as I spoke as I moved my hands to my hips. "By all accounts she's a victim in this as much as everyone; even if the types and depths of harm are different. She has, in the end, been evicted from her home and told she could not return through no fault of her own. I'm not asking why you reacted like that because I'm on her side; I'm asking because as the leader of Roxford such treatment of others is a reflection upon not just your character but your rulership." That made her look soften, even if it stayed neutral. "Please... I am not your enemy. I would prefer to be your friend. But in this moment I want to understand."

"... ... You could not understand..." She said, leaning over and setting her hands on the podium, hunching over it as she frowned deeper. "...Before the first revolution came... a half decade before then King Lucien came to our home... we were rural lords, overseeing peasant farms. One could, in a way, compare it to Mungale. We were good people... honest lords, more so then the greedy lords about us... And he came with many troops, his brother and more... He demanded my father raise the taxes as ordered and my father... he refused... even after a long argument filled with threats he refused... and so we were punished... Not him... My mother... My sisters... and myself... By every man he brought with him." I winced and winced hard. She never said what they did but it was clear by the tone. "We were deposed, left naked and homeless and forced to flee our homeland. The people of the village gave us clothes, some food and a little coin to see us on our way to Ardell (That was a grand duchy to Roxford's west) where distant family took us in."

She took in a deep breath before lifting her hand up, looking to her palm and slowly clenching it as she spoke on. "As story after story of what House DesCieux was doing reached us I could do nothing... nothing but train in the spear. Train in the spell. Train in tactics and doctrine. Train to fight and lead. When news of the revolution came I rushed in... I fought... I fought for the sake of Roxford's people... I even met Fawkes DesCieux in single combat in the first Battle of Pierre de Ble and slew him... One of their strongest... His fall broke enemy morale... It's what brought me to leadership with the rebellion... saw us win, saw my family come home... and then put to the death by guillotine when they tried to calm the Bloody Revolution down now that it had won..." Her eyes would turn down as she squirmed.

"Of course father had to speak out to them too... and while DesCieux was happy to humiliate and scar us sexually... ... I am... I am, between DesCieux and the Bloodies... the last of House DeLiberte... The last of my family, my lineage. Even distant cousins I can find nothing of..." She finally looked me straight in the eye as she sucked in a deep breath before speaking. "You cannot understand loss like I have... I envy this, really... Nor do I say you are lesser... just... perhaps more whole... I had wanted to step aside, rebuild the family I lost... but called to task I... ... I must rebuild Roxford... so no more DesCieux and no more Bloodies can rise to power. If you can understand that... then you can understand why she cannot be left to remain here. No DesCieux can remain in Roxford; not one. Even her."

That was... quite the tale... and one I could emphasize with... Her reaction is now more understandable... and in it's own way... worrying... "Maybe so... but at the same time your own hate can be your undoing." She was about to speak but I kept going. "Tell me... have you heard of the tale of Lord Werland van Ruthril?" I asked as she blinked for a moment.

"I can say I have not." She said as I nodded... and started to tell another tale.

"Once upon a time House Ruthril was little more then a set of minor lords in the Duchy of Anvil. Werland was the nephew of the House's leader and son of a wealthy slave plantation. By contrast to their peers his family was kinder to their slaves, Werland in particular, then most and would even, as a slave aged, retire them and free them to leave in peace. As a young lad he even tried running a small part of the plantation as an experiment... and this drew the ire of Oswald Kittle; a distant cousin to the Duke of Anvil at the time. Oswald coveted the wealth Werland's family had and... orchestrated claims against House Ruthril. What the claims were are lost to time but all of his house lost their titles and wealth... and his sister was forcibly engaged to one of the Kittles."

"Rightfully upset as his demotion and his sister's forced marriage he began to form alliances under Kittle's nose." I carried on. "Through becoming a merchant he bought a bull and began to use it in smaller arena's then the Bloodstone Coliseum as a source of income. Thanks to his connections and Oswald losing favor with his family Werland was re-gifted a noble title, a minor city lord. And then... somehow... he found his name tenth on the succession list. How and why, no one knew. What was known was all those in front of him for the throne died one day. A powerful magical explosion went off in the local palace. Some think it was from something the daughter of House Kittle did; an experiment gone wrong... and yet that it claimed so many at once made a suggestion to some that someone tampered with something. And so Werland van Ruthril rose to the position of the Duke of Anvil... and all of a sudden a lot of dirt and treachery in the remainder of House Kittle was found. Werland put them all to death... put their servants to death... put their most trusted lords to death and then took each slave they owned and sicced his monstrous, bloodthirsty bull onto them after which he renamed his house after that prized beast; Bludhorn."

That got her attention as she had her eyes go wide as she sucked in a breath. "By all accounts in his early years Werland was kind, gentle and honest. By the time he renamed his house and became Werland van Bludhorn he was cruel, hateful and spiteful. Before the practice was outlawed he made men and women into living statues and had he been Duke at the time of it's ban he likely would have fought it. And the House has, since then, been one of the, frankly, most evil houses in Eostia; saved from dismissal by the Aegis Accords and little else. Juno... I do not think you will make such a harsh turn... but can you say the same for whom follows you? What protections are there to keep the next Prime Minister from saying 'there's no more elections, I am Dictator for Life' or even crowns themselves a new king."

Juno looked down and to the side as she bit her lip. It took a few moments before she looked back to me, sadly. "...few... We are... discussions on a document matching something like the Aegis Accords are ongoing; we have three different parties wishing three different things... a concession is hard to reach... to be frank I don't even have a list of succession were something to happen to me. I sometimes think I should be a tyrant for a week or a month... perhaps as long as a year to force a constitution through... but I am not ignorant of the precedent it will set... Absolute power can corrupt in a manner absolute... and yet anything else seems to be hard to enforce..." Finally she gave a slow, sad smile. "...I have much to think of now, I would say... I think after these meetings are over I shall summon those helping me lead and we will hammer out something to rule by and bring compromise to Roxford. Regardless I was speaking to Celestine, your Celestine, about something. I'll let her tell you while I consider things. Once more... thank you."

I nodded to her and turned to leave, offering a 'farewell' before going out of the doors... and saw Celestine standing there, hands in her lap. While not as acute as a Catalan's the ears of an elf were still better then a human's. "How much did you hear?" I asked as she looked to me.

"Enough. I apologize for eavesdropping; as she said there is something to speak on that she hadn't." She said, nodding to the side with her head before walking off. Getting the hint I moved to follow her. "I knew Werland; I even considered him a friend once." She said as we walked. "When his family lost title I made sure he'd have chances to rebuild himself, hoping he could bring more kindness and end slavery in Anvil... what he became... in a way I consider it a failure on my part... I didn't see how much anger was festering within him in a manner that would poison him... With luck the tale will let Juno examine herself for such a seed. Today she is an honest woman... tomorrow we'll never know..."

"Agreed..." I sighed out as she opened the door to a sitting room. Seeing no one there she walked in and I followed as she shut the door behind me. "But I'm less worried about her and more about the republic as a whole. The more I hear the more I'm worried." I said as I walked over to a table and leaned into it. "Here's an honest question; if an assassin targeted Juno and pulled it off what are we looking at here?" She hummed before moving before me.

"I'm not sure. But it would be possible that, without another viable leader, then the republic simply... collapses. I'm starting to think she wasn't elected because of her battlefield successes." Celestine began. "More then like she was the only one the major factors in the revolution could agree could lead them and anyone else who was able was disagreeable enough to a large enough segment to be vetoed. A case in point would be Acadia L'Argentune; she's respected and capable as a knight but notice that she and her daughter always stand behind Juno and remain mostly silent? I've had more then a few people work under me, sometimes as Dawn Templar commanders. It's frustrating as I need someone like Claudia who will question me when I'm wrong or doing something questionable; even openly if needs be. You should not have been the one to calm her down last morning; that's what Acadia should have done... but she did not. Had I been in her place Claudia would have stepped in and whispered to my ear."

"Yeah... ...That's a risk for me, isn't it..?" I let off softly as she blinked to me. "At the current course of my life I'm going to be a Grand Duke of Ur... I'm going to need to find good, capable people to help me and carry out what I need done..." I began as I bit my lip. "And yet... if I were surrounded by yes-men..."

"I've had that happened... I do not recommend it." Celestine said with a soft, sad smile. "It will be important to find both the capable and those willing to stand up to you as needed. Regardless that's not the topic we need to speak on. Juno's wishing for some 'Forestside Diplomacy' on behalf of the L'Argentunes." I blinked at her now.

"What." I let off flatly. While both of the L'Argentunes were very fine looking... well... I didn't really know them; as Celestine said they mostly just stood behind Juno and kept their mouths shut. I can't think of anything I've said to them outside of a greeting.

"Mostly Lynette. Both women are looking to bear new children to the republic, it seems, and are hoping a dragonborne with a dragonborne will help increase that chances for another in the future and both seem to want you to handle the deed." She explained as I kept blinking at her before I have her a half-lidded glare (Not a strong one, mind) as I sighed.

"So I'm a breeding stud now?" I let off, semi-accusatory in tone. She giggled and shook her head with a small smile.

"Of course not... I cannot nor would I force the issue." She said with a grin. "But you are aware of that. It would be a benefit to Eostia and House Noxdecus both if you were to do this and help build ties with bloodlines but I cannot, nor they, force your hand in the matter."

I sighed and shook my head in an over dramatic matter before giving an overly exaggerated shrug. "I'll take it under consideration. At the very least it would be good to get to know Lynette outside of Juno's orbit." I said before pushing off the table to lean into Celestine. "But you still owe me that date and will owe me more during it." I said, trying to slip some husk to my tone as she blushed faintly but, otherwise, kept her composure.

"Well then, I suppose it's something to look forwards toooooo!" She ended up yelping out the last one... because I reached out to pinch her left nipple through her top as she blushed harder; she was clearly taken off guard as her eyes went wide and went to 'instantly flustered'. And then I leaned in a little more to whisper to that cute, pointed ear of hers.

"Owe. Me." I gave the nip a soft, gently twist before moving to walk past her to the door while trying to act like a boss. I opened the door and stepped out.

"Ha-bah-beh-buh-boh-bih-byh..." I heard her let off before I shut the door. It kinda felt good to fluster her, really. She had the cutest face as it went red... I wish I took a picture of it...

At least I got a hand on that glorious boobie.

[-]

Location Unknown
Presumed Within Elouan City

An angered voice. "The assassin failed? Dammit! Do you know how hard it is to get a spell bound slave over here?"

A voice of calm. "Settle down, my friend. Relax. It doesn't matter; it would have been better if she died, yes, but this is enough. That the attempt was made means we were successful."

Confused. "What!? After the cost of-"

Calmly. "He's still alive and undoing a tattoo like that is a long process. Even if one of Eostia's enchanters, Noxdecus even, knew how to do so they have neither the time nor tools to do so and you said it yourself; most of Roxford's talented enchanters left and are yet to return."

"I... grant you that..." Much calmer now. "He could be recoverable, so long as we come out as the victors. So... you are sure nothing is changed, oui?"

"Of course." Smugly with a chuckle. "The friction caused within the so called 'Republic' will cause cracks and perhaps allow us a means to damage the morale and expose those... looking for proper rule. Speaking of; about the task I gave you..."

A smile and a pleased tone. "Oh, that? I managed to get one of my foolish peers to pull something together. If my suggestion catches interest then most of the visiting lords will be in a perfect place for what you want."

"Excellent." A chuckle followed by an equally pleased tone. "If we can capture the leaders of nations like Balanar, Eostia and Qulona... ohhh, we will come into a much stronger position... moreover with control of the Connection Canal we can use it as we please; or even fill it to remove it as an obstacle."

"That being said we must consider Lord Noxdecus' airship..." A now worried tone. "It could be a threat."

"Agreed." Calm and unconcerned in tone the voice spoke on. "But it also presents an opportunity. Such a creation would be a boon were it and it's creator captured. I'll make that a note in my report. We will account for it; so long as all goes according to plan."

"Excellent." A sigh and moment of silence. "So then... the fates of Alison and Juno?"

"If Alison can be spared that would be for the best but her death will not cause much of a problem." A shrug and a smile. "After all, if it was we wouldn't have attempted to kill her. Juno, by contrast, must die. She can be taken alive if it is practical to do so but only for a later public execution. As the best symbol of the republic her death would be a blow it cannot recover from."

"There's no one able to replace her." A soft, quick chuckle. "Or at least no one that everyone in the republic will accept. To see the crown upon our flag once more..."

"Soon then." A calm and smug tone filled the room. "Soon."

[-]

I packed the outfit I wore to the victory celebration in Skyguard Palace save the addition of the Dragon's Claw at my hip thanks to the local customs. The ball was in the middle of the palace in the small garden with the dance floor during the evening with a small band playing music, classical of course. It was a nice set up, all in all. Tables were set up with food and drink, maids walked about to pass out drinks and when I arrived I ended up being greeted by, off all people, Dax. "Well, came about after you were suitably dashing, eh?" He let off as he walked over, glass of wine in one hand. He wore a smart looking set of black slacks, a buttoned up great coat with the Dominious fist over the left side in red and a single, white half cap over his right shoulder. His cutlass was at his hip as he waved to someone and pointed to me; soon a maid presented me with a glass of wine that I took.

"You dress up well yourself." I said as he gestured me to follow him. "Have I missed much?"

"Hardly a thing." He replied with a shrug. "The younger Mandeville was chasing the younger L'Argentune's tail like a cat in heat and was told off. That Blitzhaus lad is now working with him to attract some of the ladies." Huh, Lynette sent Cyrus packing? That's cool. "For now everyone is just relaxing." I sipped as he spoke and nodded once I was done.

"Well my house and the Mandeville's have a bit of a feud going on; mostly myself and his old man." He nodded as I spoke. "I'm on good terms with Channer but other wise it's the same story with Blitzhaus." He nodded as he finished his own sip. "If I may say; you are being rather friendly with me here. Not suggesting anything nefarious; just curious to why."

"Well airship for starters." He said with clear honesty. "And... in truth we are both strangers in a strange land..." He said before lowering his voice. "And while the aides I've been given are able... their noses are usually brown." I nodded, getting the hint. "Besides; I can say to my friends to be friendly with a celebrity such as yourself."

"I wasn't aware my name reached Dominious."

"Oh, make no mistake, the common man likely has given the... events they need to prioritize." He clearly meant the civil war. "But those in the military ranks have taken note. No one goes up to a monster of a sorceress like Olga Discordia, bests her and doesn't become well known. Your... other innovations also got you noticed." He said, swirling his glass for a moment. "To be fearful, most of my make are blunt about what else you can superiors." I blinked for a long moment... and he caught on his verbal tic had acted up once more. "To be blunt, most of my superiors are fearful about what else you can make."

"I can understand that. I imagine Enterprise will have them guessing when you get back." I replied as he nodded.

"Honestly... If Celestine set you to making an armada of them... Well, I dare say cannon laden airships would make your neighbors more willing to speak in peaceful terms, I'll say." He... wasn't wrong. While cannons were expensive they were destructive and from the air you could fire over walls into a city or castle. You could wreak havoc and with some shielding you'd be immune to anything short of a Grand Magus' spells given the distance you could fight from. Hell, get some grape shot into one cannon and you could skeet shoot any flying mage that's trying to close in from the sky before they got into an optimum range. Refit a galleon with fifty cannons on it and you could flatten cities with enough iron and powder.

And that wasn't considering Enterprise's main weapon either.

"Be glad she's not a warmonger then." I replied softly. "I mean could you imagine Justical having them?"

"I'd rather not. Hells, if one side in the war in Dominious had them it would be over quick." He mused. He seemed ready to speak once more but turned to the side and grinned before giving a low whistle. "Speaking of conquests..." He let off as I turned my head to see what he was looking at; namely Lynette walking over... and more then just her.

She wore an... interesting dress. It was white and with a low, square neckline to show off her cleavage and top of her bust with short, poofy sleeves. It fell to her knees and bore slits on the sides but only rising up by three inches; by Eostian standards it was modest. Around her waist was a corset that was cloth with a red rose pattern set to it, a red spell stone shaped like a rose about her neck on a gold chain. Small, red shoes were on her feet over white stockings. She bore a hint of pink eye shadow and red lipstick over a smile. "M'Lord James Noxdecus. We can finally speak on less formal terms now." She said, pausing and giving a curtsy... as did the four women around her, all young and her age. Possibly warriors of some sort; one bore a faint scar over her left eye. "I would like some time to get to know you."

"Funny, I was thinking the same once I heard of a certain request." I said as she gave a soft blush, her hanger-ons (In likewise dress) giggled as she shrugged.

"Oui, well... Until now the chance hadn't arose... I spoke to your fiancees about you; you make little games as a side job, oui?" She asked as I gave her a nod.

(Before moving on I pulled both Prim and Alicia aside before the party and explained the request from Juno and Celestine's recommendation for it. I told them outright that while I knew they were mostly okay with me bedding the odd girl and 'proving my virility' that impregnation was another kettle of fish and that I wasn't even going to consider it without their input. Prim didn't even think twice before approving. The pervert. Alicia was less enthusiastic about it but agreed, for the sake of relations, it was for the best as long as I was okay with it.)

"Something of the like, yes." I said as she moved to take my arm and led me towards one of the food laden tables, two of her buddies flanking her... with the other two moving to flank Dax.

"Oh! Laaaadies." He let off as both his arms were taken and led along near my as I smiled to Lynette.

"I had a few ideas. It brings money into my family's county, makes me some good contacts with the merchants and I provide people with something to entertain themselves with, along with others." I told her. "Helps pass the time and gives something for people to do when talking or the like." She would grab two plates and we'd go to grab various things; her letting me go to pass me a plate. "Doubly so as we're recently promoted and... well, a lot of people have taken an interest in our normally rural little home."

"Well your fame has reached even us."

"I don't need praise, Lynette." I said as she started to bite into a piece of cheese. "I've had enough of that. What about yourself? I've heard you helped break a siege yourself." She blushed and after swallowed wiped at her mouth.

"Ahh, well you know of our potent gift... training in the Dragon's Breath was a little rough once I worked it out..." She said with a shrug. "I'm told the eyes glowing spooks people."

"I've done some experimentation; I should show you sometime." She blinked at me as I sipped my drink before setting it down to have a bit of food; thin meat wrapped about a block of herb laden cheese. She seemed pretty interested in that but I opted to change the subject. "But still, go on."

"Ahh, yes..." She had a faint blush as she smiled. "Well... I suppose like you I did as I needed... Honestly, I just remember when we joined the second revolution... My mother and I weren't initially welcomed, being mother was formerly a knight fighting for the royal house with rumors of being promoted to nobility but some, like Juno, vouched for us so we were given a chance to prove ourselves." Her smile would shift to something a little sadder, however at that. "There's still some that haven't forgiven us for standing with DesCieux at the start of the first war. Juno's keeping the bitterness down, but it's there if you know where to look."

"That so?" I let off as I bit into another meat wrapped cheese while glancing to the side. I opted to see if I could see if anyone was looking our way; I could see Pepin looking over our way with disapproval but I could see aides Juno looking over with disdain... That was the weakness of having such little on-the-ground information; such details slipped me by until they were pointed out... but I could see the reasons. Some of those who were fully on board with the Revolution might dislike them for their past affiliations and loyalties while those wishing for the crown to come back might dislike them for their current affiliations and loyalties.

"Roxford is that divided, huh?" I let off with a sigh. "Well, Juno seems to hold them together... Although is it just her reputation that's holding it together?"

"Mmm, on the revolution side she was one of their best leaders since the start but the royalists respect her for both her house and also believe House DesCieux acted too harshly in dismissing House DeLiberte; as well as being wrong in doing so." Lynette said as she sighed... the two friends with her giving her a worried look which vanished as she smiled to them. "But the start is always the roughest, oui?"

"Sometimes; others it's the last push that's hardest." I replied before smiling. "But we need a change of subject to something lighter, don't we?"

"Ahhh, yes... I agree..." She said with a nod.

"Perhaps..." One of her friends injected (A pretty brunette with green eyes in a yellow dress) with a smile. "We can have him regal of of some of his deeds; the ones outside of the war with Garan."

Hmmm... Where do I start on that?

[-]

"Eostian women are built different."

"It was quite the culture shock for me the first time I dealt with it." Celestine answered Xerander as he grunted once. They were looking over to James, speaking with Lynette and two of her friends hanging about them as two others hung around the Dominious Captain... with Prim off to the side giggling with Alicia attempting to look disinterested in her periphery vision... and failing. She held, in one hand, a glass of wine as she looked over to where Miika was. Mokria and Miika were both extended an invite with the former having a well made, half white half blue tunic readied for him and black slacks to go with brown boots and Miika a baby blue dress with white frills. Unlike with Eostia there wasn't much in the way of nobility here and she found various people doting on her. "But it is endearing in it's own way."

"At least it's not disagreeable." Xerander said as he sipped his own drink; comically small in his large hand. The giant of a man wore a white toga that came with a golden sash and a red half cape around his shoulders. Celestine did not want to be playing nice with him; Balanar's current problems with Justical was all that limited his desire to cause more issues to her people, she was sure. That said she wasn't doing this just to please him; she would have access to his children and, as such, influence them with her kindness and honesty. Her aim was to reform the leadership of Balanar; not in years but generations.

The benefits of an elven life scale.

"Regardless, you've met Pepin Vieverite, yes?" Xerander asked her as she nodded. "He's planning to host a small chess tournament in a few days for all the guests here. Perhaps you and Olga would enjoy joining the fun. It would be interesting to test myself to you over a board."

"Curious... I'll invite Olga then. Who else shall be coming?"

"Elizabeth at least." Xerander answered her. "As is Victor and John. I was hoping to bring the Noxdecus clan in as well."

"I'll pass the invites along..." Although Celestine neglected to tell him James would likely decline; at least with John Mandeville there. Merlin, however, she could see moving to test the elderly merchant. "I'm sure James has some of his enchanted boards on the Enterprise; I'll see if I can bring them along."

"If I may ask; did you have a hand in the creation of the airship?" He asked her, seeing a shake of her head. "Hmm. Interesting. I would consider him less a champion and more a national treasure given what he's made. One wonders how no one invented what he had before now."

"It is an amazement, isn't it?" Celestine said with a nod. The voxlux and it's boosters alone was enough of a boon to Eostia by itself... however it was what most didn't know that wasn't the true prize; that would be spell fiber.

While the ability for vehicular flight was amazing what allowed for it was going to be what drove future endeavors; she already knew Lulu planned to employ it and she could see various uses herself as well. Shielding carriages for VIPs, making them into sheets and laying them into armor for various effects that James could mass enchant, more self propelling vehicles... and all for a fraction of the cost then if one used a spell stone of the sufficient quality. If the formula could be further perfected she could only imagine what others could do with it...

Which was why until the Black Storm passed it was best to stay quiet about it. "I do not disagree. That said I worry about having both the Noxdecuses and the Mandevilles here at once; disagreements on the subjects of slavery aside we must agree there is bad blood there." Xerander spoke as he sipped his drink.

"I am sure James will be mature enough to not do anything aggressive." The High Queen replied curtly.

"Given what I have heard I am sure. But no, that's not what I worry about." Xerander let off as his eyes turned. Celestine glanced to where he looked...

At Cyrus Mandeville...

[-]

"How in the hell are you friends with... him..?" Channer sighed a bit at Cyrus' question, his left hand swirling a glass as his metallic right, hidden under a white glove, clenched tightly, a slight creak of myhtril sounding from his fist. Channer knew that Cyrus was taken with Lynette at first sight and was hoping for a night (or more) with her and to see her with James, who Channer had to admit Cyrus had cause to dislike, made the sting of her rejection worse for him. The feud between the Noxdecuses and Mandevilles that started with a single lost slave found Cyrus with a lost arm from below the elbow at the hands of that lost slave.

Cyrus came to the ball in a well made great coat that was red and open with a white, Jacob's collar over a black shirt tucked into white pants tucked into black boots. Channer came in a likewise outfit but without the collar and with a brooch in the shape of the House Blitzhaus emblem with a stone hidden on the inside of it.

"That's a story... but mostly because when we started learning enchanting together, despite our house's rivalry he helped me on our first day." Cyrus raised an eyebrow at him as he shrugged back. "I, uhhhh, bent the quill I brought with me when I dropped it and he loaned me a spare. I tried talking to him and we hit it off... Really, slavery is the only thing we really don't see eye to eye over... We just sort of... don't talk about it."

"Tsk... Frankly he's overrated..." Cyrus grumbled with a huff as he glared to James as the dragonborne talked to the Roxford Knight Lynette, the woman having a smile on her lips as she listened to whatever he droned on about. "Honestly you should be the one reaping the rewards."

"Cyrus, I haven't figured out what material he's using to enchant the Enterprise with." The Blitzhaus said as he sipped on his glass for a brief moment. "And I'm not a dragonborne either. Hell, I'm still piecing together how the voxlux works." There were bits of the device he did understand such as it's modified scry spells but still hadn't worked out how they connected to one another as they did. He had a copy of it in the works but it was... he hated to say it, primitive... It couldn't be used within scry-proofed rooms and any such proofing between one end and the other would disrupt the whole thing; even a large enough hill would reduce it's effect. And he was still working on the base connection; visual transfer was difficult and verbal was garbled.

He hated to say it but until he worked out what trick James had done to make them connect neatly and while within scry shields he wouldn't have anything approaching the voxlux for sometime... It was frustrating to be bested, to be honest. "How does he do it?" Cyrus let off with a dark sneer, doubly so as Lynette and her friends laughed at something he said; even that Dominious Captain hanging around him snickered.

"It's like he's seen into another world and stole their ideas for his use." Channer let off as he swirled his glass. "I won't deny I'm jealous but saying he didn't accomplish his own deeds through his own efforts would be a lie. Anyway, enough of that... Look, it's Roxford..." Channer began, starting to smile wider. "The night's young and so is many of the women here. This is a rare chance to have some fun... leave a woman... something to remember you by?" Cyrus gave him a look as he shrugged. "I mean it's a bad idea for me, less so for you."

"I've lost the mood when the bimbo moved to fawn over him." Cyrus let off... before a chuckle came from behind him. Turning his head he'd see Sir Balin Claraurora of Justical stepping over behind them making him wonder how long he was listening to them.

"Is she though? Is she?" Balin asked with a smile and a tilt of his head. "The Legend of James Noxdecus had reached even my ears as far away as Justical." He said, stressing the word 'legend' as if to emphasize Noxdecus' reputation. "That lad has done amazing things in a short amount of time and you... are a merchant's son with no real deeds to his name." Balin summed up as he shrugged. "He's a well known quantity. You? Who really has heard of you?"

"Silence, bastard." Cyrus hissed out... even so he couldn't argue; he wasn't able to partake in the last conflict with Justical so he hadn't earned any glory for himself.

That made it worse... That didn't change that the Noxdecus bastard didn't deserve a thing he had... "Seriously, if you could have taken him you'd be taking advantage of the local customs and dueling him. But you can't defeat him, could you?"

"That's enough out of you." Channer let off, turning fully to Balin with a glare. "We're here as representatives of our nations, not to settle grudges."

"Oooh, I'm not suggesting he should. Just saying what the local customs are, is all." Balin said with a shrug. "Oh look, more women are coming to his orbit." Cyrus's head would snap to look back to where James was as an additional pair of women walked over; although they addressed Lynette first and one was clearly Lynette's mother, herself a looker. "Clear favoritism, wouldn't you say?" He ignored Channer's harsh glare aimed at him as the Blitzhaus huffed.

"Ignore him. He's more of a foe to you then James is." The Blitzhaus said firmly as he set a hand to his friend's shoulder; a hand that was shrugged off. After all despite the friction between Eostia and Balanar it was Justical that had fought them earlier. "After all, didn't Justical have some fifteen thousand troops at your borders?"

Compared to the combat strength of a hundred thousand that Eostia recently deployed across Garan fifteen thousand would seem like a mere amount until one considered the situations on the ground; by all reports those were all a mixture of combat hardened regulars, battle ready knights and even more elite units. More over there could be a mixture of an additional twenty thousand to twenty five thousand force mixed between regulars, conscripts and irregular units that could join them in under a week. Balanar itself was still recovering and would be hard pressed to match a force in open combat and would need to rely on defensive sieges and capable tactics.

"Oh, that? They've been recalled. Before my arrival here, even." Balin said with a shrug, lifting a hand to look over his nails. "Queen Julisa Corona deemed it best to ease watch on the border for a time." Channer gave his a look of confusion; Justical was deescalating from a confrontation? Was the current Queen sick?

"How gracious of her." Cyrus huffed out as he kept his glare up towards James. The women around him let off a soft gasp; from where he stood he didn't hear it but the physical reaction showcased the gasp well enough. "I've had enough of this." Cyrus let off as he tilted his glass at his lips, downed the contents to the last drop and started to walk, pausing only setting his glass down, heading towards James and his company.

"Cyrus! No!" Channer let off as he started to give chase... as Balin smirked to himself.

[-]

When I initially starting talking with Lynette I was worried she'd be a little... dull but those worries were put aside quickly as she regaled me with bits of Roxford history and some of what she had done before I was asked about some war stories of my own. That had led me into the fight I had with Bronka and Czarina Nightsong which was (Short of Olga, the Abomination and that damned bear) one of my toughest fights that war offered me and they ended up gasping when I talked about how my horse body checked Czarina and mule kicked her back like she was punting a football.

"Oh my!"

"Such a brave beast!"

"Oooooh..." Her friends I initially disregarded as floozies but they... weren't... or rather they were but in a much different way... How do I put this?

Eostian floozies were... competitive and would yip around you like a small dog demanding your attention and would yip louder to be heard over the rest of the floozies doing the same. It was annoying and trying to disengage was frustrating or even painful in a sense. The Roxfordian floozy was... ummm, well... How do I put it..?

They were supportive of one another? More like acting as Lynette's wing-women as opposed to demanding attention for themselves; they would suggest that she talk about a certain topic or add more to what Lynette was speaking on... It was nice, if a bit weird...

(I'd later work it out; Eostian floozies did much the same thing as the Roxfordian ones were now once upon a time. The reasons, I think, was Roxford's situation wasn't secure; Eostian ones did the same during the opening decades of the Garan War to promote choice women to choice men or even vice-versa as there was a lot of fear that Eostia would be crushed or upended. Once things settled down and Eostia's position was more secure the yipping resumed.)

I noticed Cyrus walking my way and... ignored him. Honestly, I was willing to bet he wasn't worth the trouble. "So after that Bronka was a bit upset; I mean who expects a horse to wade into a two on one fight like that? Course then she decided to try attacking Peach so-"

"Noxdecus." I heard Cyrus let off... he got a few glances but...

"-so I had to put and end to that and, well, disarmed her the hard way." Cyrus sneered at that. "So I opted to go after Czarina once I mounted her. Knowing she'd-"

"I'm talking to you." I waved at him with my free hand (Wine glass in my left) in a 'not now' gesture and kept as I was.

"-worry about my weapon or spell casting I decided to do something she wouldn't expect and Peach is a smart girl so-" And then Cyrus knocked my glass from my hand; the sound of shattering glass followed as it impacted the floor. The band stopped playing (With one, long sour note being the last part of an otherwise good song) and everyone was looking to us now as two of Lynette's friends looked to their dresses, splashed with white wine, as the glass sailed between them and nearly clipped one of their hips. I sighed and finally addressed the idiot in the room. "Cyrus. Did you forget your patience in your quarters?" I asked calmly as the ladies backed up a bit. There wasn't any laughter as Channer rushed up behind him and set a hand to his shoulder.'

"Cyrus..." He hissed to him firmly. "No one... wants... a fight..." I gave Channer a look and a soft nod as a thanks; I didn't want to deal with this but that would be decided on how much Cyrus pressed the issue. "Whatever you think you'll gain, it's not worth it." Cyrus shrugged his hand off and shot him a glare to Channer's surprise as I sighed.

"Settle you." I said calmly. "I thought you were friends? Don't glare at him for trying to settle and calm things down." I said as I reached out and picked up a small, chocolate treat from the table; a four inch, thin stick with white chocolate flaked into it. Pieces of plate armor was set on the tables as decoration with a gauntlet on the same platter as the chocolate. "This is a party; relax and enjoy yourself."

"Do not tell me what to do, you bastard." He let off sternly.

"I'm not a bastard, I know who my father is." I shot back as he glared harder and moved to step into me; I used my free hand to prevent that and pushed him back a step before sighed. "Behave yourself; your king is watching." I told him as I bit into my treat. And that wasn't a joke; he was watching.

"You. Deserve. Nothing." He hissed out as he glared to me. "You do not deserve title. Your wealth. Your damned ship."

"I think he-" Acadia was about to step in but I lifted a hand to stop her.

"So what's your point?" I replied... leaving him blinking at me. "It's true that I gained much of what I do now because of the House I was born to and what I have built and made is as a result of that advanced starting point in life." I replied as I gave him a look. "That's not a secret to anyone who can consider philosophy; life isn't fair."

"I am saying a man more fit for traditions should be the one to claim it; like Channer." Cyrus let off as I ate my little treat.

"So; someone with a likewise background and education? Who is quite very capable in his own right?" I let off and shrugged. "So you really have no point. Thanks." I let off before turning back to Lynette. "So... where was I? Ohh, right... I got mounted up and we started a charge at the Matron of-"

"We're not done!" He barked out before Channer pulled him back with a hand at his neck... only for Cyrus to half turn and push him away; and not gently. Channer was knocked back two steps and nearly a third. Now I was a bit upset. "You will-"

"Apologize." I said sternly to him, catching him off guard before moving my gaze to Channer. "You just shoved your friend for trying to calm you down. That's hardly something a man of 'tradition' should be doing, is it?" He glared harder.

"Not. Your. Concern." He said as he kept up his glare. It was getting annoying.

"You just pushed a friend of mine because you wanted to have a childish temper tantrum." I told him as I started to glare back. "And you are making an ass of yourself. Stand down before you embarrass your old man." And yes, John could see as well and he was hobbling over on a cane. Chloe (Who was keeping distance from him for obvious reasons) scoffed at him before looking back to us.

"Cyrus, enough." Channer said before grabbing his arm and trying to pull Cyrus away but he refused; standing strong but at least not shoving him away once more.

"I have a score to settle with you." He let off, glaring to me hard... as I shrugged.

"I don't care." Cyrus blinked for a moment as I I reached for another chocolate. "You don't matter to me. I don't think of you. I don't worry about you. You're not someone I consider when I do anything. You tried to kidnap my maid, failed and suffered for it. That's it. I've moved on."

"You took my arm."

"Riri took your arm. While you had a knife to my sister's throat." Channer looked between us, clearly uncomfortable as... well, slavery and how Riri came to my service were topics we avoided in conversation. "And you were given a chance to stand down. Don't blame me for escalation. Ohh, thank you." A nervous maid came by and offered me a new glass of wine that I took and held. He was still glaring at me, by the way.

"Boy." John let off as he finally reached us, grabbing his son's arm with his hand. "He's not worth the trouble. Come on." He shot me a harsh glare as he pulled on Cyrus' arm to lead him away, but the younger Mandeville still refused to budge. I noticed Xerander standing by Celestine and crossing his arms as he scowled at the idiot while Celestine bore a more worried look; she could see a duel starting because the dumbass wanted to pick a fight with me. I had considered Cyrus trying something but I had also expected his old bastard of a father to keep in line... but he seems to have slipped the leash. "Boy." John hissed out. "Mind your place and where we are."

"Look, you've made your point clear. You don't like me." I told Cyrus softly. "I don't care for you either. And in life you'll need to deal with people you don't like in a civil manner. Whatever you do here and now will reflect your capacity as a merchant and aide to your king." I said as calmly as I could as I sipped my new drink. There was a long moment of silence before I gave a sigh and turned back to Lynette. "So... where were we?"

"Do... not ignore me." Cyrus let off, pulling free of Channer and John as anger came to his voice in full. "Someone needs to humble you."

"I have fiancees for that." I replied; didn't even think about that one.

"You think your so clever." He hissed out.

"No, but I have a realistic idea of my own intelligence and wisdom." I said as he sneered to me; left unsaid was that I thought he didn't have such an idea of his own. "You rage at how far I rose but I rose in part of knowing when to relax and when to not pick pointless fights." I pointed to him with the hand holding my wine glass and gave him a firm look. "And whatever you might think there's nothing to gain by picking a fight here and now."

"Beyond some pride." I gave Balin an annoyed look as he walked by, swirling his own glass. He didn't stick around and instead moved to the end of the table to find more treats; namely brownies. Christ, I didn't expect that a guy from Justical would be pushing buttons like that; weren't they all about 'honor'?

Guess not as much as they claim. Figures.

"Anyway..." I let off, looking back to Lynette. "Back to the stor-"

"Don't you dare!" I hear the old fart let off before-

Smack!

I felt a glove slap my cheek, his prosthetic hand (Mythril; pricey) exposed as he threw his glove to the floor. "I will put you in your place the way I should have in Mungale... I, Cyrus Mandeville challenge you to a duel!" I was... taken off guard; I had thought things were deescalating. Hell, aside from the thing with his arm I had no idea why he was so pissed here.

(Like always I'd learn a bit later a week after I returned home; rumors would reach me that Old Man Mandeville did contact Arnold via spell paper to summon him to Roxford to speak as Eostia's voice in the meeting. The sources were reliable but I had no tangible proof behind 'I heard it on the grapevine' so nothing could be done. I still passed all I knew onto Celestine who agreed that our arrival in Roxford undermined the interests of the Traditionalists, King Xerander and John Mandeville all in one and that I was responsible for our ability to arrive in a timely manner meant that I was the one blamed for it. On top of that, and what I'd realized far sooner, I had killed John's buddy Gywn Dychryntaan and his two underlings; underlings I would later learn were friends of Cyrus... because of course they would be... On top of that he was close to Gywn as well as if he were an uncle... Between Riri, his arm, Gywn and his flunkies, disrupting his plans here, all of that would all make his blood boil... and then I fucked Chloe where his old man, and maybe him, could hear it. I think no matter who said what he was spoiling for a fight; he was just hoping that I'd give him an excuse.)

There was a lot of ways I could have handled this. I could have told him to piss off. I could have told him to pick a fight with someone in his weight class. I could have told his old man to spank him (John, and Channer for that matter, were gawking at him with the Old Man seeming to have a look of understanding that passed me by in the moment). I could have told him that the small child present who was eight years old was more behaved then him. But no, sometimes violence isn't the answer. It is the question.

I decided in that moment, then and there, that the answer was yes. I reached over and set the glass I held down... and decided some humor could come into play as well as I picked up the steel gauntlet decorating the table with my left hand, tossed it up and caught it with my right hand to Cyrus' confusion. "I accept." I said... and realization hit him before I did as I backhanded him with the armored piece across the face and turned his body and sent him to the floor, hand covering his face. As I dropped the gauntlet (Literally) with a clang sound finally came back to crowd around us...

In the form of laughter with Dax in particular snickering harder then most.

As he picked himself up and Channer opted to heal his bruise with magic I walked over to the dance floor (The usual place for duels in Roxford... both suitable and unsuitable I'd say) as people moved off of it before I moved to stand at a point. As I did something (Or rather someone) was now visible to me; Alison DesCieux. She was standing at the balcony of her third floor quarters, hands on the balcony before her and she was looking down at the party. It occurred to me she likely hadn't been invited to the party or even told she was to stay away from it yet it seemed to me she wanted to be down here; likely as she had been once upon a time and yearning to partake of things from better days. It must have been frustrating to be in the home she grew up in, to see such a lavish function and be held at arms length. Even so, in this moment, she looked worried as she looked right at me. Channer made a weak attempt to stop Cyrus but, in the end, he was unable to as the idiot marched to stand before me and drew what looked to be a mythril rapier; I suppose it's golden hilt was golden mythril then. Okay then.

My vision flashed to watch him from a low angle as rather then just take a stance he opted to spin and turn the blade in his hand (Given how the weight distribution was in a rapier that was a bit tricky) and spun it to his left side then right before taking a combat stance as the boss music spun up. My guess was as he was doing this with his prosthetic hand he was showing off his dexterity as a means to impress people. "I'll show you your place..." He hissed out as my view panned back.

_Heir of a Mercantile Empire_
Cyrus Mandeville

As my view shifted back to normal I finally drew my saber and stood with my right shoulder facing him, sword point low as I opted to not show off and just wait. I didn't wait to draw my blade second for no reason, I wanted it clear who the aggressor was; for that same reason I'd wait for him to attack first.

I didn't need to wait long as he opened with a sudden thrust to the heart. I easily batted it aside with a swipe and, to his credit, he didn't over-commit or put so much force into it that I could easily counter-attack; a quick, half hearted swipe from me was deflected as he stepped back and took my measure as I resumed my stance. Roxford tradition states no magic is to be used in a duel (Save to prevent loss of life) so he was likely betting he could take me when I wasn't using spells. This time I opted to attack; starting with a testing thrust and moving to a quick, slashing attack pattern that he responded with a step back out of range then a series of blocks. I'd keep up the pressure but now putting more effort into it and speeding up my strikes. I didn't go all out here as I wanted to see what his skill and capacity was... and...

I was not impressed.

Oh, don't get wrong here; he wasn't bad, nor did he suck and he was a threat but I was used to punching over my weight class and he was seven levels under it. He was a threat to me, don't get me wrong, but I felt as if I had a clear advantage. That said I was aware he could be holding back so it was best to not get sloppy... but it also occurred to me that he was well trained but didn't have much, real combat experience like myself. He deflected one of my strikes before thrusting hard; I pressed his blade to the side with my own, spun around and behind him and swung and hit him on the rump with the flat of my blade; an audible smack coming as he jumped and yelped as people laughed at his misfortune. "You're coming at me too hot and angry, learner. It does you no good to let your emotions rule you."

"Do not lecture me like you're better then me." He barked out as I raised at eyebrow. He let off a battle cry as he swung to strike me; I deflected it and stepped back out of range of another as he moved to tackle at me, forcing a blade lock as a test of strength, perhaps thinking he could bowl me over. I held him back for a moment... before side stepping, spinning and swinging and with a loud thwack I struck the side of his head with my blade's flat as he cried out; he was ready to block but closer to his mid-region.

"I can say if I used the business side of my blade you'd be half a head shorter." I quipped as a soft chuckle came from the crowd. He snarled as I set my left arm behind me as I resumed my stance. "Now, take a deep breath, consider what just happened and then consider-" And he swung hard as I stepped back. "-or bull forwards without a plan; you do you."

"Shut up and stop acting like your my teacher." He let off with an angered hiss as he started to swing at me before adjusting to a thrusting pattern.

"Why not? I'm taking you to school." Despite my warnings he was getting more and more upset; a rage I couldn't place a full origin to (Again, I wasn't fully aware of it in the heat of the moment) but it made him sloppy and reckless. One hard hit from me and his weapon was sent to the side (He kept his grip on it but was clearly caught off guard with how hard I swung) and then I did a proper, cutting slash... and cut his Jacob's collar off as it fell to the ground; causing the watching crowd to gasp as he stumbled back, patting his chest with his free hand as I resumed my 'point low' stance. Again; that's the third time I could have drawn blood or worse on him. "This is where you stand down." I deadpanned calmly to him.

"Shut up!" I could see the look his old man had on his face as he charged back in; he looked horrified and scared for his son's life... and not without good reason as I had him dead to rights at least three times now. Cyrus thrust hard, getting more and more sloppy as he got more and more enraged as I deflected his attack to the side wasn't difficult with my D-guard before stepping in and slamming my guard to his face with a firm jab; knocking him back two steps as his nose flattened to the right and broke with an audible snap as I slipped back and resumed my stance. "Grahhhh!"

Blood dripped from his nose to the floor and someone (I didn't know who) called out 'First Blood!' which would normally be where the duel ended. I had a feeling Cyrus wouldn't consider it over.

I was right.

He growled out and charged and started to stab at me once more with hard, reckless thrusts and by now I had enough of this; I'd catch one of his thrusts, twist my wrist, spin my arm and with a flourish disarmed him, tearing the blade from his hand and into the air before setting my blade to his throat. He finally lost the look of rage as shock over came him while my eye tracked his sword in my peripheral vision and with my off hand caught it by the handle before inverting my grip on it and threw it towards Channer who deftly caught it. "You've lost." I told him bluntly as the boss theme ended. I turned my blade and used the flat to tilt his chin up as I could see Cyrus' old man looking like his eyes was about to pop from his head... and Chloe at the other side with a feral grin. "Now you can go and complain about what happened or settle down and self-reflect. I'm sure Channer will help you with the second, if you want." I then finally stepped back and sheathed my weapon as the crowd around us began to clap in earnest. I then turned on my heel and started to walk back to Lynette... while subtly casting Ring of Alarm.

I had a feeling... Just a feeling, but...

Gasps came from around me. I could see Alison on her balcony before me; her visage was one of relief a moment ago but now turned to shock. Channer let off a loud 'don't' while Miria cried out my name as I paused mid-step and sighed; anyone looking to my face would see I knew what was coming as my hand moved back to my blade as I popped Reflex Boost... sure enough, from where Cyrus was someone was rushing me, arm raised and something in it. I drew my weapon, turned and held the blade out at eye level to spook him off and...

I saw him wide eyed and unable to stop with his feet slipping and his face about to impale onto my blade with a thin dagger with a small, round guard in his hand in a reverse grip.

Killing him (In public...) would have been a bad look, even given the circumstances and thankfully (Mostly for him) I was fast enough to cast a small shield on the end of my blade... just after his eye impaled onto the tip. This had... a couple of effects; one being when he fully rammed his face to my blade the shield hit the back of his eye socket and not my blade tip which, given the sharpness of the Dragon's Claw, would have gone through his skull... the other was the shield expanded inside of his eye... which would squash it into his eye socket and utterly destroy it beyond repair (On top of any damage hitting the back of his eye socket to a shield would cause).

...

Ummm... Whoops?

...

I wouldn't lose sleep over it, anyway.

That said he reacted as one would expect; with a blood curdling scream. He dropped his dagger and stumbled back, tripping himself up and landing on his back hard as he clutched his eye... or where it was. I made a point to kick the dagger away and towards Juno who was pinching her nose in clear frustration before glaring to Cyrus. Xerander seemed outright pissed and the Old Fart...

"Cyrus! My Bo-Gahhhh!"

Was clutching his chest and fell to his knees, cane dropped... as I realized he was having a heart attack.

...

Couldn't happen to a better man.

"I have you!" And yet even the worst of us will have some compassion shown to them. From her balcony Alison jumped to stand on the railing and leapt towards the old fart, using Levitate to fly towards him until she was low enough and landed by his side.

"Princess Alison!" Someone (Pepin, it turned out) cried out as she set a hand on Mandeville's back and the other to his chest and started to cast a healing spell; the old man's breathing quickly returning to normal as she worked to undo his heart attack. He wasn't the only one in motion; Celestine quickly reached Cyrus and started to heal his face. I sighed, looking at the blood on the end of my blade.

Suddenly I wasn't in the mood for sex that night.

[Defeated List]

Cyrus Mandeville=5000XP
+20% Hero of Eostia Bonus
Gain 6000XP Total

[-]

Later That Night
Quarters of Sir Balin Claraurora
Palace of the Starlight

"Heh. The little fool was easy to goad. Didn't seem to need much of an excuse though." Balin let off, writing on a sheet by candle light. The sheet was a dark blue in color and the ink he was using was white, his quill making fine print as he smirked to himself. "Then again what our spies said seems to be accurate. Quaint. Sadly he didn't provide for good sport; Noxdecus is a clearly skilled and experienced fencer but I cannot tell his upper limits. With luck he won't be an issue... but we'll need to be ready..."

He smiled a bit as he chuckled lightly. "I suppose we'll see. We'll see..." He would turn his quill about and set a small spell stone to it and after a second a hint of steam came from the sheet; the ink instantly dried. He would set the quill aside and fold the sheet into a paper bird and move to his window, whispering something to it before throwing it out of the window, facing the outside of the palace. After a moment the sheet rose up into the air and soon it would be all but impossible to make out against the night sky.

Balin smiled before shutting the window to turn in for the night.

Soon...

Soon...

[ - Author's Note - ]

Dun, Dun, Dun!

So... Let me explain a little.

As I said at the top my idea was Roxford would be 'France Post-Revolution' and leave it at that... Then I came up with the idea of Alison DesCieux and... well... things fell into place in my head and I felt it was better then what I had; or rather it expanded on what I had up until then. The main beat I had in place, the duel, was there but... well the chapter is over 24k words, sex scenes can wait for another time. But I just felt Alison brought a lot and made the situation an interesting shade of gray.

Make no mistake; Juno DeLiberte is good and honest but she's also bearing emotional scars and trauma of her own associated with House DesCieux... but Alison herself is innocent of anything beyond having the family name. What will come of it?

Well I can't spoil that much, can I?

That said; one must ask what does Balin have planned?

So then, that's it for now. As always comment, say what you liked, what you didn't like, what you'd like to see and so on. You know, the usual comment and critique.

Until next time!

~Eostian Scribe