Politicking to Save Reality II
It was another day of organized chaos in the castle. The military was being dispatched to help restore order, mages were working hard to figure out the causes of the disturbances, guest rooms were cleaned to prepare for foreign dignitaries, and the queen's dog raided a governor's sandwich and led nearly half the garrison on a merry chase...again.
"Caesar stole another sandwich?" Queen Mercia groaned as she looked up from her desk to see an irate governor scowling at her.
"Forgive my manners your highness but I must insist that your hound learn some manners. I turn my back to fetch some more ink and next thing I know my lunch is being carried away in slobber!" the governor exclaimed.
With a deep breath Mercia put her pen down and stood up, "I understand and he will be disciplined appropriately. That being said, it's just a sandwich and you leaving it at the edge of the table is just asking for trouble. Whether it be Caesar, a battlepup, even a negligent servant, a sandwich on the edge of a desk can be taken or knocked over."
"It was nowhere near the edge. He jumped up on my chair, stole my lunch, scattered documents everywhere, and tore up my financial report."
"Oh… I...see… Get yourself a fresh meal from the kitchen and bring your reports as soon as they are ready. Outside of more pressing matters, yours shall be the first I examine," she wrote a note down and handed it over, "And before you ask, yes Caesar shall be disciplined. Of that you can be assured."
Satisfied, the governor accepted the note and turned to leave. Before he could open the door, it burst open and nearly smacked him in the face.
"Your highness!" a guard rushed into the room, panting.
"Watch yourself," the governor growled as he left, muttering under his breath as he slammed the door closed.
"Don't mind him. What is it?" Mercia asked the guard.
"Vaulter diplomats have arrived as well as a party from the Forest of Nibel."
Mercia blinked before sitting back down with a frown. The Vaulters she had been expecting, the Spirit Guardians she had not. Cherrystone was not devoid of the Light and there was a Spirit Tree within the borders of the kingdom, but typically the Guardians kept to themselves. The fact a well renowned and distant forest such as Nibel was reaching out meant something else was afoot.
"Thank you for letting me know. Are they in the guest quarters?" she asked as she opened a drawer and pulled out a map.
"They are on their way there now, your highness. However, there is one other matter of concern… It's Lord Valder, he wishes to proceed with the meeting," the guard shuddered.
Mercia paused in her examination and let out another tired huff, "Find Emeric and tell him I wish to speak with him before you return to your post. If you see Caesar, also send him my way."
"As you wish, your highness," the guard bowed and quickly exited.
Mercia huffed once more as before resuming her examination of the map. As expected, Nibel was nearly half across the world and had almost nothing of immediate note about it outside of being a recognized location geographically and due a few events that have disappeared into the pages of one (or a few) of Emeric's books. Rolling the map back up, she stored it in the drawer before she opened another one and pulled out a document. She remembered the day she signed it, an impromptu ceasefire between the Kingdom of Cherrystone and the Felheim Legion to face a far greater threat. It had been a bitter affair to sign it as she and Valder, her former enemy at the time, had several hostilities towards each other. While their feud had been built upon lies, false evidence, and misdirection, there had been plenty of legitimate grievances between her and Valder as a result of vicious fighting and devastation.
It's easy to wield a sword. To wield a pen requires great strength and even greater wisdom, she reminded herself before closing her eyes to hold back tears, Dad… What would you have done had you survived? How am I supposed to be a queen when my reign has been nothing but conflict fit for a warrior?
Rill was a Vaulter who understood engineering, magic, and science very well. She was experienced in foreign relations, understood the stakes placed upon her, and knew that there were higher beings in play with whatever was going on. She had been chosen by Opbot to initiate these talks on behalf of the Great Orrery and she had no intention to fail.
That being said, she found Cherrystone Castle to be quite vexing as she could not help but sneeze constantly. The amount of dog fur everywhere irritated her nose and something smelled like it had crawled through a sewer, died in a mutated swamp, and then covered in tar before being lit ablaze. As far as first impressions for hospitality, she personally was not impressed no matter what the architecture of the castle was like. The fact that her entourage was left behind and she was being escorted deeper into the castle where the things bothering her nose were getting worse only made her more annoyed.
"We can offer a potion to help with your sinuses," the escorting guards offered.
"Achoo! Ugh… That w-w-would-Achoo!" she sneezed before pinching her nose, "That would be appreciated."
"Are there gardens within the castle?" a Guardian walking beside her asked.
Taking careful breaths through her mouth, Rill glared at her unexpected companion. As her misfortune would have it, she was also allergic to their fur as well. She had nothing against Guardians personally but she was not looking forward to negotiating with them. Nibel lacked even the faintest pretenses of civilization, had nothing to offer for the Vaulters, and its residents irritated her sinuses. Still, she was a professional and she would-
"This is an outrage!" a booming voice yelled as power surged through the air, everything turning pixelated in the process.
The sudden shout caused her to flinch and reach for an ax that was not on her belt, resulting in her to sneeze once more as she let go of her nose. The Guardian next to her also flinched, hand sparking with the power of the Light before it dissipated.
"How much longer does she intend to keep me waiting?! I could have been home a week ago had this girl not wasted my time," the voice snarled through a partially closed door.
"That 'girl' is our queen you foul necromancer," the guard muttered in barely restrained fury.
"And yet this is a formal meeting between leaders and diplomats. Had you left a week ago, you would have been left out of additional negotiations that may prove beneficial for the Legion," a wizened voice replied, "And it seems others have finally arrived to attend the negotiations."
The door opened fully as Rill let out another sneeze. Clamping her nose again, she turned her head and saw that the occupants in the room were Lord Valder and Greenfinger Zawan, leaders of the Felheim Legion and regional Floran Tribes respectively. Taking a deep breath disguised as a sigh, she knew her job just got far more complicated.
"You must be the other delegates the Queen has been waiting for," Zawan said with a courteous bow, "I look forward to fruitful discussion within the coming days regarding our shared calamity."
"Indeed," the Guardian replied but gave Valder a cautious look, "I am Danse, representing Nibel. My companion here is-"
"Ril Ajandek on behalf of the Vaulters," Ril spoke on her own behalf around her hand pinching her nose once more, "Please forgive my lack of decorum but I'm afraid my allergies would interfere otherwise."
"It is of no-" Valder spoke calmly as the world became pixelated, "-concern… As opposed to this situation. We can hold proper discussions later, once you have rested and you are...able to do so without interruptions. Forgive my outburst, I hold great concern for my homeland as I am sure you understand and let my temperament get the better of me. We will properly speak under better conditions. Good day."
Exiting the room, the lord was flanked by two skeleton swordsmen. As he passed Ril, she felt a sudden wave of cold and dread that made her shiver involuntarily. Before she had time to think about it, the feeling passed and Valder was already walking down the hall with his escort.
"Please forgive Valder," Zawan said, "As he has said, we are all affected by this situation and he is most eager to return to Felheim."
"Troubles are brewing for my people as well even ignoring this," Ril replied as she took another breath and adjusted her grip on her nose, "If you don't mind Greenfinger, speaking like this is uncomfortable and unbecoming of my status as a diplomat."
"I understand. Hopefully our next meeting will be less unbecoming and more beneficial for our peoples. Have a good day and may nature's gifts serve you well," Zawan bowed and closed the door.
For a brief moment Ril and Danse stood in the hallway exchanging looks between themselves before their escort spoke up, "Well that was unexpected… Shall we continue?"
Emeric sighed as he put his pen down and rubbed his brow. While he was quite comfortable in his study on most occasions, being cooped up for hours in administrative work was enough to rattle even the most patient of individuals. Add in the fact that Valder was getting agitated, an unfamiliar Guardian was flaring their own power, the distortions, and Ceasar walking in with a sandwich in his mouth and a far too smug expression to go with his most recent heist, Emeric was understandable having a difficult day. If he had the option he would put aside his duties, pull out one of his books, order a plate of fresh cinnamon muffins and cider, and spend the rest of the day in the gardens.
Hard at work I see, an unexpected voice commented, And I'm inserted back into the story as well… Strange.
Emeric regretted looking up, "Jackal… How may I help you today?"
Any luck in your research?
"Unfortunately not. Even with assistance I've had no luck in investigating the relics you have told me to search for. Either we don't have the records, we're unable to translate them, they're incomplete, or they have been destroyed."
Caesar walked up and gave the Jackal a sniff, Don't you have a friend to return to? No, don't give me that. I'm busy and need to speak with those with political connections… How am I a bad dog?! I'm trying to help you and your Kingdom, you unwashed pooch!
"Well this is quite entertaining," Emeric chuckled as Ceaser yipped and barked at the Jackal.
How is this relevant to the plot at all? , the Jackal sighed before giving Caesar a hard look, If you're going to stay here then leave me alone and let me do my job. If not, go do your job and keep Mercia company… And you'd deserve it! Go on! Go!
Caesar whined but did as instructed. Just before exiting the study, he turned to give Emeric a pleading look before walking out the door with his tail between his legs.
"It will never cease to amaze me how smart he is," Emeric commented before he faced the Jackal with seriousness, "How much are we going to rely on that intelligence?"
Quite a bit if what I've seen is any indication, the Jackal answered, You'll have no shortage of traditional foes to go up against and your riflemen are going to earn their place within your army soon enough. As unwashed as that pooch is, I can't deny that he is a brilliant officer and your forces will need him.
"So soon after our last war… If only we heeded your words sooner…"
That was another story that had its own conclusion. I can see many things Emeric but I'm not omnipresent and some things are unavoidable no matter how much we try to avoid them. Much as Sigurd would have found a way to create a diversion for her own goals, there are events that will happen such as what happened to the Second. By the time I told you about what happened, I already lost track of the survivors and had other situations to investigate and report upon , the Jackal replied, You want to stop this conflict from getting worse? Bury the hatchet between Cherrystone and Felheim and negotiate with the Vaulters tomorrow.
"They've arrived?"
Along with a representative from Nibel, the Jackal nodded.
Emeric leaned back in his chair in thought. Long before he became the royal advisor and archmage of the Cherrystone crown, he had visited many distant lands. He had seen the busy streets of Crossroad, the ancient manuscripts of the Floran Tribes, the expansive archives of the Broken Lords, the restored library on top of the Niwen Wellspring, the political manifestos and doctrines of the Iceshelf, and so much more. He was well versed in the various cultures of this world and the political game he was about to enter. Guardians rarely leave their forests for political reasons and when they do it usually means something extraordinary was about to occur (and that was before higher beings like the Jackal were involved).
"This situation appears to grow more complex with every passing moment," he mused as the world changed back to normal.
If it helps, the arrival of the Guardians caught me off guard also, the Jackal confessed, I'm actually surprised Sein had the forethought to act as she did .
"I suppose we'll get answers tomorrow then," Emeric stood up and felt his joints pop, "Any other surprises I should be aware of?"
Have your navy ready for anything. The nuclear submarines might be too valuable to spare from the Iceshelf but whoever is pulling the strings has a sizable fleet of surface ships profiting off of the war between the Broken Lords and Allaya. I don't need to tell you what Dust based weapons can do.
Without another word, the Jackal turned and left. Emeric gave a small stretch and began to leave as well before a guard walked into the room.
"Lord Emeric! Forgive the intrusion," the guard said apologetically.
"There's nothing to forgive. If you're looking for Caesar he should be already on his way to the queen," Emeric chuckled.
"That...is one thing handled I suppose. The queen wishes to speak with you."
Emeric felt a wave of concern and exhaustion roll over him. As Mercia's advisor, godfather, and honorary uncle he was deeply worried for her. Mercia was a strong ruler but an insecure one. Just when her confidence as a peaceful ruler had begun to finally become genuine as opposed to a mask, this unknown situation had thrown everything into chaos. The Kingdom was teetering on the edge of panic, its soldiers tired and still recovering from the Requiem War, and all turned to the warrior queen for guidance.
Forgive me Mercival, he thought as he took a deep breath, "Thank you for informing me. I shall be on my way then. Dismissed."
"Yes my lord," the guard gave a quick nod before leaving.
Taking another deep breath, Emeric strode out of his study. He had a duty to serve his queen and his kingdom and regardless of his fatigue, he would not fail in this service.
Not again…
Sein double checked the Elements. For the past week, the Decay had been making aggressive probes into Nibel and she refused to let another Blindness destroy her home. She had messed up eighty years ago when she had searched for Ori and attempted to burn the Decay infestation at the time out simultaneously. She swore to never let the forest pay for her recklessness again whether it be failing to monitor the Elements, overuse the Light, or simply think of herself above the other denizens of her home.
Of course, her caution did have the unfortunate effect of hesitating when she noticed the first wave of infiltrations. Now the Valley of the Wind was contested and the Misty Woods was completely overrun. The only good news was that the Decay had its forces in complete disorganized chaos as they failed to properly navigate the Woods and whatever true formations were wasted in futile assaults trying to take Sorrows Pass for whatever reason.
Well things have escalated since I was last here, a visitor spoke up.
"Jackal… This is a surprise," Sein turned her attention to her new guest.
You're going to want to watch the southern pass of the Valley. A raiding party is trying to freeze the Element of Wind, the Jackal warned after a quick hesitation in replying.
Sein examined the location and realized she had miscalculated the Decay's single mindedness in taking Sorrows Pass, "Thank you. You just saved several lives from my oversight."
You're welcome and you're busy. I understand being overwhelmed by too many things to focus on better than anyone, the Jackal nodded cordially, Now to the actual reason I'm here; You sent a delegation to Cherrystone.
"I did," Sein replied, keeping her tone neutral.
That's quite the distance from Nibel.
"I was hoping to ask for assistance against the necromancers that have been spotted along my borders."
The Jackal paused before replying, Sound logic but that's not all of it. Judging by the activity, those necromancers only showed up recently. You likely sent your delegation long before the dead were given life once more.
Sein sighed, "You already know about the situation Ori faces in regards to the Wellspring Glades. I was hoping to gain the influence of their scholars and diplomats to resolve the tension."
One, that's still a fair distance away and there are closer civilizations that could do the same. Two, Niwen isn't Nibel Sein.
"I know… But Ori is too kind for his own good and he needs more than another Spirit Tree to help him. Cherrystone is open to the Light as well as technology. Its people don't judge us for our ways of life."
The same can be said for other nations that are closer… Why Cherrystone specifically Sein? You despise politics and you're diving straight into a birds nest of them, the Jackal insisted.
Sein huffed, "Because Cherrystone honors its deals with past alliances. My grandfather had one centuries ago when he fought alongside King Mercival the First against the Second Allaya Imperial Crusade. I need flexible mages here to fight a threat I don't understand, Ori needs diplomats to help resolve a problem that is tearing his home apart, and you have made it abundantly clear that we all need to make bonds with others as opposed to shutting ourselves away. I am not one of those Light obsessed fools who blind themselves and believe they are holier than all others," she finished with a snarl.
The Jackal hesitated in replying, Well then… This story has gotten more interesting since I was last inserted into it. Thank you, Sein.
The statement caught Sein off guard, "I'm sorry?"
Clearly Cherrystone is where I should be paying attention. Something is happening there given the amount of attention it's getting, the Jackal chuckled.
Sein held back her question to that statement. The less of a headache she got trying to understand the Jackal, the better. She had more immediate matters to concern herself with and she had explained herself. Nibel and Niwen were too isolated to deal with every minor catastrophe that showed up now that the Decay was on the move again. Both her and Ori needed help and while it was true that Cherrystone was far away, the kingdom was honorable and earned the favor of the Light itself multiple times despite being outside of its influence.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked after taking a mental deep breath.
See if you can't scrounge up a few more fighters and make a push on the center after the next attack on Sorrows Pass. Once you break the line, push the Decay back into the Misty Woods. Then if you could spare a few volunteers to assist Irslan that would help, the Jackal replied, I'll be back to give you updates about the negotiations.
Without another word, the Jackal left Sein alone. Examining the battlelines, she saw that the Decay indeed was reliant on holding its center in order to maintain its footholds.
Break that and I really can trap the Decay in the Woods, Sein thought to herself, And then support Irslan… Not my first choice but there must be something going on in that mountain kingdom. Might as well earn some extra favors and reestablish Nibel's influence.