"You're not planning on killing them are you? While I believe you, that Prince Mako said all those things, his people might have a different view and not believe it."
Mahaado and Baniti both knew he was right.
"Short of a confession there's no way the people of Aquarius would believe it. Even then they might not believe it. They may believe we coerced him to say it." Nitesh said. "Better to figure out how to strip their powers or at least block them from being able to enter any portal and dump both in Kangotius. It's a tiny non-magic country. In fact they hate and are borderline scared of magic. They will have a hard time getting out of that country if you dump them in the middle of town."
"How do you know this?" Baniti asked.
"It's actually an urban legend. But I have verified that the country exists and is mostly isolated and rarely has visitors."
"I know someone who might help with what we need. Meanwhile, let's switch things up. Baniti go and tell Damien to send the troops in to play. Nitesh, your men should get some rest. When I return they can join and finish this off."
Mahaado appeared inside the volcano. "Greetings Master Dartz. You're looking well."
Dartz glared at him, "What do you want Mahaado? You would never come here for pleasantries. You should be grateful that I didn't choose you to take over. You wouldn't be enjoying ruling your county or your newborn son. Living here you would have been miserable."
"You know all that do you? Then I suppose you know why I'm here?"
"Yes," Two objects appeared in his hand. "Place these on the small of their backs and it will slowly dissolve into their skin. They will keep their magic but will be unable to open or enter a portal. They can step into a portal but it would be as if they stepped into a door. They won't be transported anywhere. It will wear off in a few years. But by then your cousin will with luck have won the people over."
"You don't have an issue with Baniti taking over Aquarius?"
"What you people do, does not affect me. I'm not interested in the politics of other kingdoms. My domain is the volcano and a small plot of surrounding land. As long as it doesn't affect me or my family I care not what you do."
Mahaado smiled and quickly returned. He found Baniti with Nitesh. He gave one of the rounds to Baniti.
"What's this?"
"I was told when it's stuck to the small of the back it blocks one's ability to open or enter portals for a few years."
"You had this made that quickly?" Baniti asked.
"No, I got it from a powerful wizard I know. "
"Someone more powerful than you or anyone who works for you?"
"Yes, maybe I'll introduce you to him someday." He turned to Nitesh and said, "For now Nitesh, let's end this game. Tell your men they are free to go full power and end this charade, I'll send a message to Damien to do the same. Our wives will be pissed if we don't make it back before the start of the ball. Baniti, take King Laguz to the castle balcony and try to get the attention of as many people as you can and broadcast what is happening to the farther in parts of the country. I'll bring Prince Mako and join you."
Baniti quickly captured the king who was napping on the throne. His queen had divorced him and left years ago when Mako was 10.
Mahaado appeared with Prince Mako. "Make the announcement."
"Why me?"
"It's going to your kingdom."
Baniti sighed, "I am Baniti Akins. I am declaring myself King as of this moment." He then took the crown from the king and put it.
"Prince Mako, tell your citizens how old the bride that rejected you is. But yet you are still trying to pressure to marry you?" Mahaado said.
Baniti glared at him and whispered behind Mako's back, "Why do you care? You did it too!"
"You want me to help you get this kingdom or not?" Mahaado snapped back.
At that Baniti shut up as he knew Mahaado would abandon him to finish up if he didn't. He knew if he did it'd make it harder to keep control over both the lazy king who did nothing to fight and Prince Mako who was fighting. Then Mahaado would withdraw his troops and likely Prince Nitesh's troops as well. Then Prince Mako's troops might have enough magic to return and capture him and prevent his takeover.
With a little magic they forced Prince Mako to confess. Then the king to say he knew and approved of the marriage. Then Mako broke away from Mahaado in a rage. Mako confessed about his plans to pass Maura to his friends. Not knowing his citizens could hear him, Mahaado casually asked about what would happen if she got pregnant by his friends. He confessed to his plans for that too. Mahaado decided to twist it in his brother's favor more.
"So does this mean if you saw a pretty young girl in town you would have her brought to you as a concubine to do with as you please?"
"I've done it more than once already. I haven't killed any of them yet."
The people as well as Mahaado and Baniti were shocked. The people more so as the king had promised to start an investigation into the disappearances. All while knowing or should know what really happened.
Baniti opened the portal to Kangotius. "Do not fear. I have no intention of killing them." He said to reassure the people. 'Despite desperately wanting to and being rid of them.'
Nitesh showed up, "It's over. We have exhausted all their magic. It will take them a while to recover. They're being taken to the dungeon for now. You will have to gain their trust and retrain them. We heard the broadcast and so I sent some of my men to start searching the castle for the missing girls."
A few minutes later a portal opened near the town's edge and several young girls, ran out of it.
"Now's your chance. Make an announcement about it." Mahaado said.
"Everyone the girls Prince Mako held captive are being located and released as a speak. If your loved one has not arrived within the hour please come and we will attempt to locate them." Baniti said, not giving any form of promises or guarantees.
They were thankful that no one came. It seemed they found all the girls that had been taken and returned them to their families. Turned out Prince Mako had been doing it for years. His spineless father just turned a blind eye. Baniti promised the people he would do what he could to locate Prince Mako's friends who apparently had been doing the same thing to the girls that he had indicated he planned to do to Maura. He wasn't planning on looking for them. He had even intention of making the friends come to him and then chain them up in town and let the townspeople handle it. He hoped that would help the people accept him as their new king.
