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)

113. Act V-Ch I: What Path Is Forwards?

[ - Author's Note - ]

Here we go; the first chapter of Act Five... Man, we've come so far... So... story stats?

On FFDotNet the word count (Before this one) is 1,926,550... Most of the way to two million words; I never knew the story would be so big... There are also 2,360 reviews, 2,692 favs, 2,848 alerts and the current views are (Baring in mind the periods FFDotNet didn't count) 974,800.

On AO3 we have a 1,884,320 word count, 4,178 comments, 1,476 kudos, 365 bookmarks and 309,255 hits.

I do think it's notable that despite all the images I add into the AO3 version that the FFDotNet one is still more popular by far; that's understandable. The site's showing it's age but FFDotNet is still an easy to use, intuitive site and AO3, for all it's perks, can feel hard to navigate at times. Oh well.

I tried getting this out before the new years but, ya know, adult responsibilities and all. Among other distractions. But hey, new years day isn't to bad! Starting off 2025 with Act Five.

So this chapter... Well, obviously, more context and information on the Waterlily Rebellion, Olga calls James for a favor and we do get a brief meeting as the Traditionalists talk about the aforementioned rebellion...

...annnnd anything else would be spoilers. I will say that one of the Questline's chapters wound be useful to read before this one, but it's not needed. So...

Let's go!

[ - Act V - Chapter I: What Path Is Forwards? - ]

"Well?"

Once more Anncastel looked to Benterra as he looked over the system before her well before sighing and turning to look at her. "I can't prove it, but I think he left a backdoor last time he mucked around inside the system. I've done what I can to ensure nothing else can be done by Freddy the Meddler." He said as Debcorra looked on.

"Honestly; he's always been trouble." She let off with a huff, hands moving to her hips. "Can't he mind his own cluster? ... What Cluster does he oversee?"

"A modest one..." Anncastel let off. "The La Blue Girl cluster." Deb looked to her and blinked.

"Isn't that the one with the monsters that-"

"Yes."

"Annnnd the ninja girls who-"

"Yup."

"Where everyone fights by-"

"Yeah."

"...That explains nothing and everything about him at the same time."

"Tell me about it." Ben injected as he sighed and stepped from the well, turning to Ann. "Makes me wish we could choose who we deal with, at times."

"Agreed." Ann said with a sigh. "Regardless, on a better note our insert has found out who the real enemy is, even if it came at a cost... and is out of reach, if for the moment..."

"It's always like that; it can never be as easy as pushing a button..." Ben said with a deep sigh. "At least he's about par with where he should be, at least for the moment in terms of level... but sooner or later the confrontation will happen and he'll need to be stronger for it..." He shrugged and looked back to the well. "At least with the Enterprise he has a major ace in the hole to ensure he comes out on top. Although it can be a crutch if misused..."

"What about Vult?" Deb asked as she moved to take a seat. "Has he ever been exposed this distant from his plan's execution?" She asked as Ann shook her head.

"No; there are some where it's exposed before he claims Garan but by then he's usually on his conquest and the Eostian lords would hold it's forces back to let the two sides weaken one another... It always ends the same way; Vult either had enough time to consolidate his forces, Eostia is undermined from within or both. In the one time they had enough sense to attack to pincer Vult they failed to kill him, sparked an invasion from Rycall, Balanar and Dominious and caused a decade long war that saw Vult take eastern Dominious and northern Balanar as well as all of Rycall..."

"Needless to say that's a problem." Benterra added with a long sigh. "That said the threat is now known and with Garan as neutral at worst and a possible ally at best Vult's plans are scuttled; or at least they'll need to be heavily modified to work."

"Of course there's the catch..." Ann said, looking back to the well. "With the die so cast we can only wait and hope..."

[-]

I think the worst thing isn't a big problem set right before you; it's there, you're looking at it, you can go deal with it. No, that would be the problem that's set somewhere you can't get to; you have to let other people go and deal with it... and you don't always know how that'll turn out. It's frustrating to want to help but be unable to.

~James Noxdecus during a conversation with Dominic James Pencraft

[-]

Once home the corn flakes kitchen was built and ready to be furnished. I bought un-enchanted equipment as I could tailor them to my pleasing and it would save more then a bit of cash. The next part would be to get staff, train them up to do the job, find someone I could trust to supervise and train them up to both handle the job and manage the staff and then it was just trial and error until the corn flakes were being made just right.

For transport the choice was heat sealed, waxed paper bags made in a rectangular shape and stuffed into paperboard boxes... better known as cardboard. Yup. Thing was the local paper mill was set up to produce them but my old man was still looking for someone to sell it to... well, he could sell them to me for boxes! A little glue and some simple, black ink prints on the front and we'd have something that would stand out on the shelf of any general store. A couple printing blocks made up would make it easy to make. I had planned to just have a basic title for the box of 'Mungale Corn Flakes' but talking to the Yellowfields, my father and Edmund pointed out the tall boxes would gave a lot of room and we might as well print an art piece for it.

The Noxdecus emblem was suggested but I advised against it; that seemed a bit much and I wanted the product to stand on it's own despite the family connections (Unavoidable as it was) so I suggested a farm animal of some sort as a basic emblem. I wanted to avoid a rooster as an emblem.

So of course everyone thought a rooster would be the best emblem. I guess somethings can't be avoided. I did say we couldn't couple it with a sun lest it look like we were copying House Sunfield's banner. Instead it would be coupled with six, eight pointed stars similar to the ones on the Noxdecus banner, three above and three below two roosters facing away from each other. Above them in large, clear, if Gothic font was 'Mungale Corn Flakes'. The block would be set to the front and back of each box with basic, black ink. A second block for the sides of the box would explain that it was made locally in Mungale with corn harvested from our farms and to pour some milk onto a bowlful and to eat with a spoon.

Something to note was this sort of branding wasn't normal for normal foodstuffs; expensive teas, coffees, wines and other alcoholic drinks (Outside simple beers and ales) and snacks did but not something for peasants; normally that was just listed with what it was, where it was made and a small maker's mark of some sort. Sure, it was basic and simple in terms of design but it would be eye catching. That was the good news of the day...

...overshadowed by events to the east of us in Albia.

Quick little refresher for those who have lost track; once upon a time Tiffany's parents, the rightful heirs of Albia were assassinated. The assassins were killed in turn, likely catspaws of Roxellia Ardon, the current Baroness of Albia. She ordered Tiffany killed but thanks to her cousin and Aurelia Embercoat she would survive, adopted as Aurelia's own daughter. House Waterlily, effectively, is dead unless Tiffany opted to retake that name. Even if she didn't she was still considered by many to be the rightful heir of Albia, even if her right to rule wasn't recognized formerly.

Something not touched on before; once she took over the barony Roxellia cleaned house. Which is to say 'started removing minor lords that would argue with the new boss' not 'picked up a feather duster and cleaned'. Some of those lords took the hint, picked up sticks and left without a fight. Others resisted and either eventually fled or found themselves a head shorter, usually with some excuse to see them executed or meeting an 'unfortunate accident'. Roxellia has since ruled the barony with an iron fist, keeping a grip on the territory... but squeeze too hard and things slip out...

Since her rise members of House Waterlily's staff, guard and minor nobles have been trying to undermine and dislodge Baroness Ardon's rule and there were rumors that over the last year they collected arms and armor for the purpose of uprising... even finding an odd stockpile that was hidden somewhere in a cave they wanted to use as a base; maybe a Black Storm stockpile? Mind this intel was mostly new... and only reported on because the potential uprising became very real...

Thing is, Roxellia might have left some powder kegs here and there but managed to avoid sparking any of them enough to kick off a rebellion to her rule while she tried to deal with them... but someone in her government, likely an idiot paper pusher, did a thing to make a big spark near a keg. More over he did a thing to a hero; Magnus Clay...

A brief biography on the man; Magnus Clay was a man of humble origins who was born to a blacksmith and ended up conscripted some fifteen years ago during an incursion. Despite being given little more then basic training, a spear, a shield, a militia club and some gambeson he excelled as a solider and fought in several battles, establishing himself in the Battle of Catervillie's heavy urban combat by holding a temple and defending the people within along with seven other men; he would be the only one to survive despite the five to one odds he and his unit started with.

He would enlist as a regular afterwards, quickly rising up the ranks. Seven years in he was a lieutenant, well equipped for his rank and leading men and defying the odds time and time again. In the last incursion he was in the Bladeguard front, taking Tendagger City and fought notable opponents from two lowborne houses and would slay Masya Goldtomb in two on three combat with two of his men earning him the rank of lieutenant commander. That only touches on what he's done. While I outshone him to many he was still a hero to the realm in general and to Albia in particular; the 'Spear of Albia' was his nickname even... To the common man he was an exemplar of what a man should be, to his fellow regulars he was the man you wanted to lead them and to the nobles an icon to use to their ends.

By all accounts Magnus was... if not loyal to House Ardon then loyal to Albia and at least followed his Baroness as a leader and rightful ruler... But as mentioned, something happened...

See, the man had two daughters... and a visiting Hol'canna slaver took a liking to them... Doubly so the ten year old... So the man opted to kidnap them, strip them, toss them into a cage and start heading off home with them. Magnus caught up with him and... well... the kind of guy who can challenge a Garan Matron in combat isn't someone you want to piss off... The slaver and his assistants were killed and swiftly. Had he used the girls before hand it likely wouldn't have been as swift a death as it seemed to be; brutal as a beheading was it was a swift death.

Thing is Albia is a slave state and killing slavers is a bit of a no-no... Even so, one wasn't allowed to just kidnap someone like that to enslave, even in a slave state (On paper). More or less you could argue the issue fell under self defense but the slaver's family argued what he did was excessive and demanded his head. The people were firmly on Magnus' side. The military were firmly on his side. Even the nobility, likely Roxellia's yes-men and women among them, were on his side, if only to present themselves as caring. By all accounts Magnus should have been let free with nothing more then a slap on the wrist, even in a slave state.

A dumbass bureaucrat decided Magus was subject to Obvious Culpa or Obvious Guilt, something some states still had; referring to an act that someone was so clearly guilty of that a trial isn't needed to determine it or some confession to the act has already been made. It's popular with some local lords as it makes 'house cleaning' easier. Because of that he was declared guilty, no trial, no hearing, no judge, no nothing and was arrested to await sentencing... with a chance of the 'victim's' 'property' being returned to his family.

Pleas went out to Baroness Ardon for mercy, to have him pardoned... and in response, nothing. She made no response to assist Magnus or even to condemn him. Her response was damning silence. And between the voxlux, spell paper and that the town he lived in was two days ride from her capital, where she was at the time that all she gave was silence to these pleas was just as damning in it's own right.

Again, I stress who Magnus Clay is; a gods damned hero of the realm! A Matron Slayer! Literally the only bad thing I knew of him was that he served Roxellia. That's it. And she didn't lift a finger in response. Why? I don't know. Roxellia, what little I know of her, isn't stupid; you don't pull a coup like she did by being an idiot. Maybe she didn't care? Maybe she didn't think she needed a hero after the war's end? Maybe she hated him or saw him as trouble and decided this was a problem solving itself? Maybe somewhere between the report and her someone skewed things? Maybe she was told events that were incorrect? Maybe she was arrogant enough to think it didn't matter? I don't know. That said...

...the bitch failed to read the room...

The guards let him out of his cell an hour after he was shoved in with daughters and wife reunited with him. Then someone demanded he be put back in and brought twenty friends to make it happen.

Magnus argued with ten of his... and when the argument turned violent he won.

He would be then taken in by the Waterlilies... and took two hundred and thirty of the regulars with him, as well as caused the Bladed Horses, a mercenary unit working for House Ardon, to turn coats as well which bore another hundred members. That doesn't sound like much but Albia was a barony; they could only have a standing force of seven hundred and fifty. That was a third of the standing army and, if what I heard was right, a fifth of their mercenary forces. Rumors were other merc orders were hanging around that were, nominally, attached to other traditional states but even so Albia's combined forces were around four to five thousand thanks to those mercs.

Which brings us to what happened before I arrived home; the fall of three Albian forts; Aldune, Kincaid and Hilher. The Waterlilies took all three in sudden, rushed sieges with a thousand men to each one. The forts were, by all accounts, undermanned and on Albia's eastern side. They made their intent clear with a spell paper letter sent to Baroness Ardon and High Queen Celestine; they were rebelling against House Ardon and sought Roxellia's overthrow.

And House Ardon, in this fight... was on it's own...

Something to remember; Eostia was the Seven Shield's Alliance and each state had a lot of autonomy... but also had to manage many of it's own affairs. The Waterlily's weren't rebelling against Eostia or Rad, just House Ardon. This meant that unless the Council of Lords voted for intervention everyone was, to put it simply, not allowed to interfere. Indeed, at the moment the response to Roxellia asking for help was either going to be a helpless shrug or to say 'that sounds like a you problem'.

(It shouldn't need to be said but Roxellia's allies would be helping her indirectly... as her rivals undermined her indirectly... I hate politics...)

So this was an isolated rebellion, in effect, that was growing in power. However the optics were... unclear. As stated we estimated House Adron to have a standing force of four to five thousand and I'm sure more mercenaries interested in supporting her would arrive sooner or later... well, to both sides... depending on who was supporting them... Officially from the two contesting sides, unofficially, maybe not.

The Waterlily's numbers weren't known, however. We knew at least three thousand... but that didn't include anyone held in reserve. More importantly with Magnus in their corner there was a high chance they could get the support of the people who might offer food to resupply them, places to hide, intel... If the populace took a side and that side was the Waterlilies then Roxellia had a major problem on her hands... more over while any territory suffering rebellion would be worthy of note and have nobles looking at various opportunities to get influence and make things work out in their favor Albia's position made things much more important.

Over the centuries the number of slave states dwindled, leaving them connected via the Great Slave Chain and, as of now with Xenera going Abolitionist, every part of the chain was only connected to one other part save two; Maros and Bongal. Albia was connected to it via Maros and if the rebels won and decided to go Abolitionist as well... one branch of the chain breaks as Cual and Elddale would both be isolated from it. No more slave trade down the chain. That would be harmful to both of them but doubly so House Blitzhaus of Elddale; with their dark elf breeding farms shut down due to the Treaty of Mungale they've been trying to shift to breeding high elves... but that didn't matter a damn if you only could only trade with Cual.

Needless to say the Traditionalists were very interested in seeing House Ardon remain in power, or failing that someone on their side... and Abolitionists across the land had the opposite position, wanting to dislodge her by any means available. There was one, major problems the rebels had; no one among them had any right to rule Albia on paper... in fact there was only one known person in Eostia who could...

Theophania 'Tiffany' Embercoat, once of House Waterlily...

Needless to say... a meeting was called in Mungale Manor and in addition to the usual suspects we also invited Jamaica into the meeting who, in turn, brought Campbell. Once we brought everyone up to speed on what we knew Jamaica was the first to speak. "Ach, it's gonna be real rough on the people there in the short term... but if we can find a way to pitch in, at least as we can, we can deal a cripplin' blow to the slaver arses."

"Agreed. We should prepare voxluxs to send out. That said; there's a question." Merlin began before he looked to me. "Do we send out a Cloud Rider for their use?"

"Good question." I replied with a thoughtful frown. "And an important one to answer. The question is this; how much of the Council would bitch about it?"

There wasn't any question people would intervene but due to the rules of the Aegis Alliance Accords no one could do so blatantly or openly. Sure, 'discounts' on weapons and equipment was common... but the Cloud Riders were another story entirely; they were rare and only given to use for Mungale and the High Throne. A group of rebels having a flying transport would raise a lot of eyebrows and cause unease, even to our allies and more neutral parties; it would suggest we were willing to use our power and influence blatantly to effect outcomes. Sure, everyone was doing it but there's a difference between, say, sneaking an extra scoop of ice cream when no one was looking and piling three extra scoops when everyone is looking.

"They would... and likely in a manner neither the Grand Duke or High Queen could leave unaddressed." He replied as I nodded. Even giving one to Tiffany and shrugging my shoulders saying it was a gift would be too much.

"That said we need to answer a much more important question then what we send out." I began before looking to the pigtailed blonde in the room. "Tiffany. What do you want to do?"

Called out so, Tiffany squirmed a bit, hands on the table we were gathered around, biting her lip before speaking. "Honestly... I don't know... I'm not sure I'm ready to be a baroness, but I also want to help... I don't know enough to really say..." She let off; the girl was usually bold and forwards about her feelings but even she could be confused about them. "Either way I want to hear from the rebellion before anything else..."

"That's reasonable..." Campbell said with a nod as she looked down to the map. "We do need to hope something happens to help them out though... If the rebels win the Traditionalists are cooked." She said as I nodded.

At the tail end of last year Delconna, Xenera and Maros switched away from Slavist states to Abolitionist save the now Limited Maros. The Traditionalist influence was waning; there was only nine Traditionalist lords and six slave states. If Albia turned that was minus one on both counts. If I was in Tiffany's shoes I'd be on my way yesterday but I couldn't make choices for her.

Before things could carry on my voxlux pinged; I expected it was Celestine (She knew we housed Tiffany and likely wanted to start talking to her) but it wasn't... it was Olga... Maybe she wanted my take on the bullshit happening at her border?

(As it turned out Celestine contacted both her and House Goldtomb once shit started; Olga was up to date on what was going on.)

I answered and smiled to her. "Olga, good to see you. Can I be of help?"

"I am hoping so; Celestine has once said you provided legal council to... a ship of pirates?" She asked as I nodded.

"Yeah, long story... Their position didn't really allow for easy access to a proper council..." I explained as she nodded.

"So I was told. And while I know it is not your profession of choice I must ask you provide such once more." Uh oh. "I have a lowborne merchant arrested for murder in Maros' capital. While my ambassador could only speak with her briefly she is convinced she is innocent and sought to hire legal council... and, as you may expect, not many are excited to come and represent a Garanian..." Yeaaaaah, I can see that... And no, in Eostia you will not be appointed a lawyer if you couldn't afford one.

"You haven't had any luck in finding someone in the profession to-"

"It's not that." Olga cut me off as I blinked. "I consulted with both Celestine and the local Count; both think there is a high risk that anyone who would decide to represent her would do so to undermine her defense." I sighed deeply. I could see that. "Under normal circumstances I would not ask you to do this on my behalf, however she is an economic advisor working closely with Eostian merchants and is assisting in securing required materials to rebuild Napreryvnyy City. Needless to say if she is jailed this will hurt Garan, more so if it is unfairly."

The idea of playing Pheonix Wright a second time didn't excite me... but it was Olga asking and that wasn't something I could ignore. "I won't make any promises; but I'll go see what I can do."

"I thank you. I do not know the details and if she is, in the unlikely event, guilty it would be best she be jailed. But I suspect something foul afoot and not in the realm of murder. I'll have someone forwards you what we know." She said before giving me a nod. "Good luck." She said before hanging up as I sighed.

"Looks like I have a new job..." I mused.

[New Quest Gained: The Case of the Murdered Merchant]
[New Objective: Meet with your client]

Oh, hello quest system, I missed you.

[-]

Once the rest of the meeting was done I was off via Enterprise; Riri and Mokoto coming along as bodyguards while I did my work. I also dragged Dawn along because, let's face it, assisting me is her job now. Maros' Burnside City wasn't too out there for layout, defenses wise; one wall around the city, one walled palace within. What did stand out was that the walls were sixty feet tall and forty feet thick... Yeah, that's a lot of girth. Oh, and enough siege weapons on those walls to bury an army of trolls. Count Pugnator would, of course, host us but the palace wasn't our first destination.

So one Cloud Rider bit of travel later we were at the local jail to see my client, wearing my Armor Weave outfit. I was led down to a sitting room to wait for her with Dawn; this wasn't the sort of room to have tea and read in, sadly. It was just a room with a table and a couple of chairs. I had Makoto and Riri to go around and ask questions for me while I waited to speak with the girl. Soon the constable and a guard led said client to me. "Here she is. Zlata Coinwheel." The constable said, almost shoving the woman in as I gave him a disapproving look before looking over the girl and she was... different looking.

Standing five-five with a modest, large B-Cup and wider then normal hips she bore emerald eyes and the dusky skin of a dark elf. The clothes were much different; black, tight pants, a red blouse with black ruffles framing the black buttons on white cloth and short, wide, gold trimmed sleeves showing longer white sleeves under them. A thick, off gold colored belt with hanging chains that hung over her hips. Short, black boots were on the feet and a red bow over her neck finished the look for her clothes but it was her hair that stood out; thigh length and bubblegum pink on the outside and cotton candy blue on the inside. It was... different... She looked to me, wrists bound in chains as she looked to me with a dumbfounded look. I was surprised; she wasn't issued a simple tunic and pants as was expected for a prisoner... something was off...

(Answer; she was issued them... the reason she was in her usual clothes would be a surprise that I was about to find out...)

[(⸜/ ) Meet with your client]
[New Objective: Speak with your client]

"Zlata." I began as she jumped softly, looking to me as the door was shut behind her. "I am James Noxdecus; Queen Olga asked me to help you with your... legal issue."

(-)

Name: Zlata Coinwheel
Title: Merchant of Dark Kingdom
Class: Merchant/Fighter
Level: 11
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 55
Status: Healthy, Worried, Frustrated

Romance Rating: 89
Corruption Rating: 13

Known Traits
[Here Comes The Money] Investments you make seem to pay back more the usual; 5% money back on all profitable investments

[?]
[Count of Quick Counts] You can count anything very quickly! 20% speed making any mathematical calculations.

Former chocolate smuggler, she is a lowborne of a merchant house who would use the funds from her smuggling operations to found new industry within Garan. After the destruction of Napreryvnyy City she used her connections within Garan to make new ones within Eostia to gain the building materials to help rebuild. While making coin is important to her she also wants to to make her nation greater then it had been; for everyone.

(-)

"Oh, thank the giant!" She let off, moving to the chair and sitting down, almost collapsing in it. "A-ambassador Whisperwind said she was going to do everything she could but I didn't know she'd find a professional council!"

"I'm... not." I said as she blinked at me. "As a lord and heir of Mungale I'm expected to be educated in the matters of law and have acted as council once before but it's not my profession."

"...oh..." I didn't blame her. Then she was hit with recognition. "...Wait, aren't you the one who... defeated Queen Olga?" She asked as she pointed to me as I nodded.

"Indeed. And maybe we can talk about that sometime but I think it's best to get to business." I replied, smiling with as much reassurance as I could. "What happened exactly? Did you know the victim?"

"Umm... y-yeah... I... How do I put this..?"

"Just be truthful to me; I need to know, even if it's embarrassing or harmful. Better I know now then mid-court." I said as calmly as I could.

"...I... used to smuggle chocolate, okay?" She said, waving her hands as much as the cuffs would allow. "I'm not sure how much you know but chocolate, cigars, certain spices; there was a demand and... I got the supply." She said with a semi-roguish smile. I gave a hand wave and she seemed to relax; picking up that I didn't mind or care about what she did. "W-well once the war ended I re-adjusted my legitimate businesses to start getting what we needed to rebuild Napreryvnyy... but I finally had the time to get back in contact with my old supplier for chocolates and such. With the new laws I wanted to go from smuggling to above board trade. I... I asked to meet him in a usual meeting place; north of here at the outskirts of a forest and by the cliffs." She then had her face turn downcast, looking down to the side as her voice softened. "And then... I found Eric dead, on the ground with a dagger in his chest... And it was then some high elf started screaming and pointing with a patrol following and... I-I-I got spooked tripped and... ended up here..." She said sadly as I hummed. That was a start of understanding the situation.

"When you... saw him did you touch him? Or the weapon?" I asked as she shook her head. "You're sure? No lying to me, no shame if you did."

"No, no I didn't. I b-backed up right away..." She let off, biting her lip. "I was just... I know humans are going to die long before I will but... oh thank the giant I was never conscripted..." She shivered before me and while it was possible she was putting on an act Observe listed her as worried and frustrated; Observe might be imperfect but it's never lied about the current emotions of a person. She was innocent. I was sure of it. The trick was going to be figuring out how to prove it to-

-annnd the door came open as someone burst into the room. "Little late for council, eh?" The man let off as I raised my eyebrow at him as Zlata flinched and shrank in on herself.

"Is there a reason for the interruption, Mister..." I let off as I waited for him to supply a name as he looked down to me with a sneer. He wore a suit of leather gambeson although with a steel breast plate, pauldrons and plates over the forearms and shins. The leather was a dark gold in color with a brown under layer. The House Pugnator emblem was over his left breast with a series of stars around it with an additional ring around it all; a sheriff of some sort then. He stood six foot even and bore black hair tied back in a braid of some sort, blue eyes and beard of stubble along his cheeks and chin.

"Sheriff Harkon von Percy. This is my dominion lawyer." He let off in that 'I have a title of power and therefore am important and to be kowtowed to' tone of voice. You know the one.

"Lord."

"...Beg pardon?" He asked as I stood and tapped my shoulder where my house emblem was.

"James Noxdecus, here at the request of Queen Olga Discordia." I said before standing up as he finally recognized who I was. "Now then; I asked a question Sheriff. Is there a reason for this interruption?" He even took a step back and gulped.

"Ahhh... Y-yes, Lor-err-Champion Noxdecus, sincere apologies, honestly." He said in that 'let me kiss your ass' tone as I waited for him to get to the point. "But, err, her court case is coming up... as in... we need to leave now for it..." He said grinning in a nervous manner, as if expecting to be a head shorter for his offense... more over it's now!?

(Yeah, the reason she wasn't in prison clothing? It was to be presentable for court. Well... yeah...)

"I see... Well nothing to do..." Shiiiiiit! "If you'd be so kind as to make sure I have a copy of the reports so I can start getting ready; I'd appreciate it."

"Ahh! Yes M'Champion, right away..."

I already hated this man.

[(⸜/ ) Speak with your client]
[New Objective: Defend your client in court]
[New Bonus Objective: Determine who the real killer is]

[-]

While we shuffled into the court room and awaited the judge I started to read the reports as listed which was... well, yeah. On top of what Zlata told me was covered with other details, notes about the high elf's testimony, reporting the collection of the dagger, notes on the crime scene and more. There wasn't enough details on the victim for my liking nor about the witness beyond 'high elf'.

As you might expect I sat in the front with Zlata and Dawn on either side of me and I took a moment to use Observe on my opposing council of the day; Terra L'emeraude. Short green hair and matching eyes on the five three woman was where it started and she bore a thing, gold circlet... but her clothing was... curious, even for Eostia. A black vest with gold trim and buttons with detached sleeves that moved to the upper biceps, a white blouse showing under said vest and a red bow tie, a high collared cape that was black on the outside and red on the inside, short, white gloves with ruffled edges, red, high heeled boots... and a thong in lieu of pants or a skirt. Yeah. She looked like a cross between a stage magician and a Victorian era vampire.

(-)

Name: Terra L'emeraude
Title: Courtly Court Council
Class: Wizard
Level: 24
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 88
Status: Healthy, Confident, Patient

Romance Rating: 91
Corruption Rating: 16

Known Traits
[?]
[Objection!] You are very vocal when you need to make an objection. 2 to volume in court when objecting

[I Can Handle The Truth] You want to hear the truth of the matter; no matter how damning it is to your own cause.

Although young she's been a talented prosecutor for three years, winning seven of ten of her cases. Known to chase leads, make connections of evidence and lean towards finding the truth over all else she seeks over all else what really happened in any case; even if she hurts her case doing so.

(-)

There was some muttering as the door to the court opened and I was a bit confused, turning my head to see and almost did a double take; two people walked in chatting lightly with each other... and who they were caused the muttering, Lulu and Claudia of all people; in an Armor Weave great coat and bloomers outfit with boots in a gray/darker gray with the House Leventine emblem over her left side. That Lulu was here didn't surprise me; I imagine she wanted to be anywhere else then a court room but this was the first time a Garanian was charged with a serious crime in Eostia post-Treaty of Mungale so Celestine might have wanted her on hand to oversee things, and if not her then Lulu's father as the ruler of Ansur. Claudia was a surprise though and I'd need to ask later. Needless to say they seemed surprised to see me and seemed to ask each other about it before taking their seats.

About another five minutes a man would walk out from a side room near the front of the room, moving to the seat before the desk as one of the guards banged the butt of his spear to the floor on a block. "All rise!" He let off as everyone stood up. "The case of the People v Zlata Coinwheel shall now be heard! Judge Ore'la Oakhandle presiding!" The judge in this case was a dwarf; five-one, so tall for the race. He wore the black great coat of a judge, badge on his chest; nearly covered by a braided, black beard. His hair was pulled back and into bun at the back of his head as he moved to his seat. Once sat down the guard tapped the spear once more. "Be seated!"

"Aye, aye, quite the case here isn't it?" Ore'la let off, looking over his notes, glanced over to my client, me, over to my opposition before blinking and looking back at me in a double take. "Wait a second... is the defendant being represented by James 'The Blue Dragon' Noxdecus!?" Welllll, that's not how I expected this to start. I stood up and smiled a bit as I nodded.

"By request of Queen Olga Discordia, your honor." I said as he blinked to me. "Regrettably I've just arrived and have had very little time to assess the case as is."

"I see... Well then, this'll be something to tell the wife." Ore'la said as he looked to his notes. "Well then let's be gettin' on with it. Your client is charged with the premeditated murder and manslaughter of Eric Caulder. Do you accept or refute these charges?"

(Some quick notes; one does not plead guilty or not guilty in an Eostian court. It's 'accept', 'refute' or 'justified'; which would translate as guilty, not guilty and not guilty due to circumstances. More over we didn't have 'innocent until proven guilty', instead it's 'reasonable proof of guilt' which is to say if there is reason to suspect the defendant is guilty within reason then the verdict should be guilty. That said if there's enough proof that a guilty vote would be unreasonable then innocent is the call. I planned, at the end of this day of the trial, to ask for an extension beyond the usual, shorter trials Eostia had. If I was lucky I'd be given the time to look into things more.)

"Refute, your honor." I replied calmly before taking my seat. He nodded and huffed before looking to Terra.

"Terra, you may begin by presenting evidence or witness testimony of your choice." Ore'la let off as Terra stood up with a smile.

"The prosecution moves to summon Ettrian Galeleaf to the stand as a witness." She said as someone about three rows back stood up and brushed off his robes before moving to walk down the aisle to the stand. As mentioned; he was a high elf. Waist long, blonde hair slicked back, a slightly hawkish nose, emerald eyes, fair skin and a smug look. He wore a set of red robes that fell to the knees and a set of navy blue pants, both trimmed with golden colors and the robes boasting intricate designs on it in golden threads making a series of diamond patterns; patterns that was somehow unbroken along the sleeves. Leather boots in red, gold trim on the top and separating the red from the black treads were on the feet with a likewise diamond pattern on it. Silken gloves were on his hands in white and as he passed I could see raised stitches on it in a slight off-white color to give them texture. A silver circlet on his head with two smaller emeralds on it flanking a larger one, all oval in shape; and yes, emeralds, not spell stone. I could feel a stone in it but it was likely hidden on the inside of it. Emerald, stud earrings were on his pointed ears; two per ear with one at the lobe and one closer to the tip.

I already had to ask who this guy was; he seemed rich. Very rich; as rich as I was if not more so. Why was he out in the middle of nowhere to find a dark elf and a dead human? I'm not saying there was no reason, I didn't know anything about him beyond his name at the moment but if he was some sort of rich merchant, socialite or noble then I need to ask why he was on a random hike in a forest, seemingly alone. I was sure his outfit was Arcane Robe of some sort thus suggesting he was a mage of some caliber.

(-)

Name: Ettrian Galeleaf
Title: ?
Class: Sorcerer
Level: 35
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 61
Status: Healthy, Amused, Relaxed

Known Traits
[?]

[?]
[The Magic Touch] You can use any magical item to it's fullest potential! Any item that increases your Mag, Mnc, magical attack or magical defenses is boosted by 10%
[Knife Nut] You love your knives and you know how to use them. 1 Damage and 2 Dex when using Knives.

A socialite and noble, he's known as a haughty, self-important man. Well educated in various topics and doubly so magic he's considers himself a scholar and sage of exceptional note.

(-)

So I was right on his being a mage, but the question marks for a title was worrying... Black Storm? Or was it some sort of spoiler in regards to the case before me? And a very short bio on top of that... Huh... Ettrian was sat down next to the judge as Terra moved before him, the guard speaking. "Ettrian Galeleaf; do you vow to tell the truth as you know it to be; to speak of events as they were before this court?"
"Naturally. I do." He let off in that posh 'punch me in the face for I am vapid' manner. Terra would nod at that and smile before clapping her hands once.

"Mister Galeleaf; let us begin with short introduction so the court knows who they are dealing with." She began. "Who are you in occupation and upbringing?"

"I suppose I am a bit of a socialite as you'd say; curse of the third son being what it is." He said with a shrug. "I maintain some investments here and there to hold some independence from the rest of the family and such. Really, I... think delving into it overmuch would be boring..."

"Very well then..." Terra said, seemingly unsatisfied but willing to move on regardless. "Let us begin with the events leading up to your witness of the murder in question. Before you stumbled over the situation what were you doing?"

"Welllll..." Ettrian began with a annoying, pretentious drawl as he smiled and folded his hands together before him. "I had been seeking some local ingredients for potions; I dabble in alchemy now and then as a bit of a hobby. Normally I have someone collect things for me but I felt I could use a bit of a walk and such; I'm an able enough mage should it come to that..."

"And that is when you found the murder in progress?" Terra asked as he nodded. "Can you describe the events of the murder in question?"

"Of course!" He said in a... too pleased tone. Maybe I was reading too much into it but those question marks had me paying close attention. "As I said I was fetching some things here and there when I reached the tree line and found it a bit curious that our little drow murderer was hiding behind a rock. Next thing was the human was coming by and moving over there; not sure why. Perhaps some... strange rendezvous? I didn't stop to ask. Regardless once he was close enough she rounded the rock to stab at him."

"And the... victim didn't react?" Terra asked as he shook his head.

"No, the sun was in his eyes during the assault. He might have heard something but he'd have had a hard time seeing the attack being so blinded." He said spreading his hands out with a shrug before folding them back together. Zlata grit her teeth and seemed to grind them as she watched on, likely angered at the slander.

"So she was looking over rock to see his approach?" Terra asked, pacing a bit as he spoke.

"No, peeking around the side a bit; it was clear she was looking to his shadow to tell where he was." I blinked. Wait...

"And she was able to track him with that?"

"Yes, very easy; the shadow was pointed towards her, after all."

There! A contradiction I could use to start prying the truth out. And best of all... this time I could do the thing!

"OBJECTION!"

There was a bit of a jump around the court as I stood and pointed at Ettrian. "Eh?" He let off as he blinked.

"You expect to convict my client on such a blatant contradiction?" I let off as I looked at him.

"What contradiction Lord Noxdecus?" Ore'la let off and now I was blinking. No one... no one else noticed? I looked directly at Ettrian as I spoke.

"Mister Galeleaf; you are saying, under oath, that my client was able to strike due to the sun blinding the victim, correct?" I asked as he rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I just said that."

"Furthermore you said she tracked him by his shadow pointing towards her, correct?"

"Yes, yes. That's what happened." He said... and Terra stiffened slightly as Ore'la's eyes widened.

"And you see nothing wrong with those two statements being made about the same situation?" I asked as he gave me an annoyed look. I gave a small smirk and glanced about for a moment. Finally I would look to the Judge. "Your honor, I think a practical demonstration is in order to explain if you would humor me." Ettrian huffed but Terra looked to him.

"The Prosecution would like to support this, Your Honor." That made the witness flinch a bit and look at her in confusion as the Judge nodded.

"Indeed. I think a visualization would do well to explain things for every observer within this room." He said; permission granted I moved to the side of a room to grab a table, usually used for evidence, and moved it closer to the middle of the room to the side. I would tilt it over, as if to use it for cover and let it stand on it's side.

"Can the room be darkened a hint, Your Honor?" I asked as he nodded, reaching over to his side. The window started to tint after a moment; a feature some rooms like this had to brighten rooms for late court night or dim if the light would make something hard to see. Once it was dark enough I looked to my apprentice. "Dawn, come over here. I want you to hover up and when I ask cast a light spell behind the table to be our sun; up a little." She nodded and rounded our desk, moving near the window. It was little effort for her to lift up with Levitation. "That's good." She would stop as I looked to Ettrian. "And if you'd be so kind, Mister Galeleaf, to play the part of my client. Crouch behind the table and I will play the role of the victim and approach you and call out when you see my shadow; this is the set up you explained, right?"

"Yes, yes, let's get this waste of time over with." He said, moving to the table as I walked to the other side of the room. Once he knelt down, hidden by the table I knew it was set. "I'm ready."

"Dawn." I said as she cast a light spell over her head, playing the role of our sun. And then I started to walk forwards to the table and soon you could hear whispering and muttering in the room from the crowd as I kept my steps as quiet as I could. I started about thirty feet away; off set to the left of the table.

Twenty five feet, no reaction.

Twenty feet; he said nothing.

Fifteen feet, still nothing.

Ten feet, still not a peep.

Five feet, still no word.

Finally I reached the table and peeked over it impatiently as he looked to the side then moved to the other as I set my hand on the table and leaned on it. "Having trouble, Mister Galeleaf?" I asked as he jumped and looked up in shock... and this time looked well around the table to look... and paled as he saw my shadow behind me. "As you can see I am facing the light." I said as I backed up a few steps. "Blinded as he said and yet... as the light is ahead of me my shadow is cast behind me." I said as I turned about. "Yet if I were to face the direction of my shadow that means the sun is behind me and the killer would be blinded; at least in the scenario he explained." Ettrian gawked to me and now he realized his screw up. "I can not be blinded by the sun while facing the direction of my shadow. These two things cannot happen at the same time. Two things you claimed happened at the same time... under oath."

That 'under oath' thing isn't just a minor deal either. I didn't know the penalties for breaking that in my old world but here... "Guards! Arrest this man for contempt of court! We'll have his hearing when the chance arises." Ore'la let off, gavel banged down onto it's block.

"You... You can't do this to me, do you kn-" He started to walk to the Judge, lightning coming to his hands in a cast, guards moving to defend... before he stopped dead in his tracks because I used an Arcane Weapon to make a rapier and set it under his chin as he stiffened.

"Sir... Think very carefully about your next choice." I said sternly, one guard fetching mage cuffs. He sneered to me and looked ready to fight about it but let his cast go and dissipate before raising his hands. The guards were swift to set mage cuffs to his wrists and ankles and then I ended my own cast. As he was led out I watched him for a moment before looking to the Judge. "I apologize; I know it's not a council's job to cow a witness into behaving."

"No... but it was justified so I see no reason to complain." He said as he sighed. "Needless to say our witness' report is unreliable."

"Agreed..." Terra said as she looked to me for a moment. "Nominally this is where you would call the next witness to stand. As you said you had little time to prepare; may I call the next then?" She said as I thought about it. She wasn't wrong and while this devastated the case against my client the case was going forth still. But I could use her request to my advantage.

"While I'm not opposed I'd ask a favor in return." She tilted her head to urge me to carry on. "As mentioned I had little time to prepare; as such I would ask your support in requesting an extension to this case." I said as I looked to the judge in turn.

"That, I would agree, is fair, Your Honor." She replied as he hummed.

"Agreed. Maybe someone looking into the case on the defendant's behalf would benefit the truth of the matter."

"Thank you, Your Honor." Nice. If nothing else I bought time; while Ettrian's testimony being tossed out on it's pointed ear was crippling there was no 'reasonable doubt' clause so I wanted to put in more work to be sure the truth came out. I would return to my place as Zlata gave me a smile that I returned.

"The Prosecution would like to summon Sheriff Harkon von Percy to the stand." As she spoke I heard a shuffle as the sheriff moved from the gallery to the stand... and as he did I took notice of someone I hadn't seen until now; Amram Stellaclamor with a man on either side of him and one ahead and behind him in Church colors. That was a surprise to me; he likely hadn't arrived for the ongoing court case... More likely then he was here on other business and opted to bear witness to what was going on himself. That was... unexpected. Soon the sheriff was sworn in and I moved my full attention ahead of me. Once done Terra began. "Sheriff Percy; let's begin with an introduction. Who are you, briefly?"

"Well, I have been a guard of the city for almost fifteen years now, five as sheriff." Harkon began. "I've been involved in multiple cases, although I admit it's odd to switch from chasing escaped slaves to chasing down slavers. The times, they are a changin'..." He let off with a shrug. "I was on hand for the patrol that day; normally I don't do out of city patrols these days but sometimes a man wants to get back to his roots."

"It was that patrol you were found by the... witness..." Terra began, with clear disdain for calling Ettrian a witness.

"...Indeed..." Harkon began. "I can say he found us quickly and summoned us to the scene very swiftly. We found her standing over the body and, well, things seemed obvious..." He said with a weak shrug.

"For the record; you didn't see the act itself, just the accused standing over the victim?" Terra asked as he squirmed.

"Err, yes. In fact he came rushing to us, hands a'wavin' to get our attention, cryin' bloody murder. He was quick to report and say we could catch her before she took off with... whatever she was after, he claimed she was robbing him..." He said... and for the most part there were some other questions asked but in the end what it amounted to was 'there was a witness screaming bloody murder and pointing at a dark elf by a dead body' and with that witness being unreliable...

Yeahhhhh...

I finally got to stand for my cross examination as Terra sat at her table and I did have some questions not answered. "Sheriff, pleasure." I began curtly. "To begin; is the murder weapon in the court room now?" I began as he blinked and shook his head.

"Errr, no M'lord. I didn't think there was good cause to bring it along." He said as my brow furrowed. Ore'la hummed a bit as he looked at him but said nothing. "The prosecution didn't request it be brought along so I opted not to bother." I turned my head to look at Terra who stood to speak.

"It is common practice to bring the evidence; by the arresting guard, a supervisor or some other member of the guard." She said as she looked back at me. "I shouldn't have needed to." Harkon winced as I sighed.

"I will ask to see and examine the weapon. It is stored correctly in the condition it was found in?" I asked as he nodded. "Then in the meantime can you describe the knife used; what sort was it?" I asked as Terra sat and I looked back to the sheriff.

"Oh, I can answer that; it was a Colson knife." I blinked at him for a moment; the style of knife was better known in my old world as a Bowie Knife, a blade associated with the Old West there... and Steel Lock here. I took a moment to cast an Illusion of one, hovering over my open palm as I held it out.

"Like this?"

"Ahhh, the clip was a bit longer and it had a fuller... yeah, like that." He said as I adjusted the Illusion and looked at it with a thoughtful frown. "...What's with that look; a knife's a knife."

"Yes, but this is an Eostian knife..." I said as I started to pace before him. "A design that originated in Steel Lock. I imagine the design is semi-common around the duchy and her neighbors and less common in the rest of Eostia... It's a knife used mainly by outdoor workers, hunters and a side arm for Steel Locks musket-men. But it isn't a Garanian knife... Most Garanian knifes have a curve to them or are double sided." I stopped pacing and looked at him. "Why would a Garanian merchant be using an Eostian knife in a mugging?" He squirmed in his seat as he looked around. "While on the subject; how long between Galeleaf catching your attention and your arrival on the scene?"

"Ahh... I'd say... three, maybe four minutes, sire." He said as he coughed into his hand.
"Let's assume, then, he took an equal time to find and bring you back." I began as I paced once more. "And let's assume he bolted the moment the knife was plunged into the victim, and assume his testimony was reliable for a moment. You're saying she had between six and eight minutes, maybe as much as ten to rob his corpse? That sounds reasonable according to his report, right?" I asked as he nodded. "Was any item of the victim's found in her possession?" I asked as he bit his lip.

"Errr... well... no..." I could see Terra frown at her table as she realized what I did.

"So... According to this report she stabbed him with intent to rob and as opposed to... well, rob him, she stood over the corpse like a deer in lantern light for as long as ten minutes and did... nothing..?" Muttering came from the crowd as I looked to him as he squirmed. "Even if it was her first kill she shouldn't have been just standing there. Even six minutes is plenty of time to start to take things and go. On that subject what was the victim carrying that was worth stealing?"

"Well... he had a coin pouch..." He said as I looked at him... "...with five silver in it..."

"Was it in my client's possession or still on the victim?"

"...she didn't have it..." I half felt bad with how he was shrinking in on himself. Oh my god...

"And how much did the accused have on her at the time?"

"...Maybe fifteen gold and... her inn room had another platinum's worth in gold and silver." More muttering came from the crowd as he squirmed in place.

"So to conclude..." I sighed as I started to speak once more. "A witness, an unreliable witness, claimed to see a lethal mugging by a dark elf who took nothing and seemingly hung around doing nothing to rob the man, what there was to steal would be considered pocket change compared to what she already had, had no other motive to kill him and used a knife that has an origin outside of her home nation and was a more niche one within the nation she was visiting? ... On that subject did the accused have a sheathe for the knife in question or any other weapons?"

"A... short sword and double sided knife but... no sheathe for the Colson knife..." I could see the judge pinch his nose and grumble under his breath. Already the case was falling apart.

"Thank you sheriff. No more questions." I said before looking to the judge and moving before him. "Your honor; given the situation I think the case against my client is rather weak. Despite this I would request an extension to investigate further; including a chance to examine the knife that killed the victim."

"Hmmm..." Ore'la let off as the sheriff took his leave to slink away to the stands. The judge looked over to Terra. "Does the prosecution have any objections?"

"No, Your Honor." She said as she shook her head. "I would like to look into this case further as well. Perhaps that will make things clearer." She would look back to me. "I assume you would ask she be allowed bail? I would not oppose it."

"Err, apologies!" Zlata let off, waving a chained hand as she stood. "What is... bail..?"

"You'll be asked to deposit some of your wealth with the court." I said as I turned to her. "You'll be allowed to roam free once you do but you must return to the court on time; if not you'll lose the deposit and be hunted down. Regardless of the outcome the bail will be returned to you if you show."

"Consider it a trust between the court, the people it represents and yourself. And indeed, I say at this point bail is allowable." He said as he looked to a sheet to his side before using a quill to scribble something down. "We will resume this case in two days time at three o'clock. Bail will be set at fifty gold. Until then everyone is dismissed." He said as I smiled and nodded as he banged his gavel. Once done I looked over to Dawn.

"Give Zlata a hand with sorting out her bail. I have someone to talk to." I asked her as I walked closer as she nodded. Soon those two would be walking off as people filtered out of the room, Terra reading a sheet as she left. Honestly; overall win here. Half of that, I'll admit, is due to Terra being... not a bitch and more interested in justice then a strong record.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky then good, right?

I wasn't surprised as Lulu and Claudia walked over to me, moving to let people by, as I waved. "Ladies. I'm not surprised to see Lulu here, but I am shocked to see you so far out from Geofu, Claudia." I said as the brunette smiled.

"One of my... retired seniors lives in Burnside..." She said, moving a hand to her chest. "She... lost her husband years ago and I sought her for assistance in coping at my own loss. It's been helpful." She said as I smiled; although not as wide as I'd like.

"Good to hear... I am a bit sorry I haven't been able to help more to-"

"Don't." She said, cutting me off as she shook her head. "You've done much for me already... and thankful as I am for the support I will not ask to be the center of your attention; if not to make your women jealous." I chuckled as I shrugged.

"So, Olga put you up to this?" Lulu asked as I looked down to the halfling.

"Yeah; given the situation she... wasn't sure who she could trust on short notice." I said with a sigh. "I presume you're here to observe on behalf of Ansur or the Alliance at large?" I asked as she nodded.

"Yeah, all this stuff is boring really, but it is a major case. At least I got to bump into Claudia." She said with a smile as I nodded. If nothing else maybe I could ask Lulu to help me investigate further. I know I could ask Claudia but she's off duty and I'm loathe to trouble her. I didn't even get to ask before a sarcastic clap started to sound; I didn't even need to look to see who it was.

"Bravo, Champion. Loathe as I am to admit it the contradiction with the shadow escaped me." Needless to say Lulu and Claudia half turned to him as he walked closer, flanked by his guard, now no longer needing to move away from people moving out. "Very clever."
"Cardinal Stellaclamor; I'm surprised to see you here as well." I said as calmly and formerly as I could. "Did you come to Burnside on Church affairs or did this case catch your attention?" I said in as... cordial a tone as I could.

"Ohhh, this is a distraction from more... private affairs, although I admit I am doing some business while I'm here." He replied as he looked to his nails, as if there was something interesting growing under them. The tone he used (And I used, to be fair) was very much 'I don't like you but for appearances sake I'll be polite' that most would pick up on. "But enough of that; I'm surprised Olga trusts you enough to personally request and entrust you with this task, let alone that you deigned to answer it. I assume the rumors you two are friends are true, despite... stabbing her through the shoulder."

"Well, what's a little impalement between friends?" I half joked. "To be more serious; like all of our nations we are trying to set aside past differences. How did it go; 'although into flame goes two foes to fight if they emerge forged as one they are greater and stronger then alone'?"

"Tsk. Yes, that is the wisdom of the good word." He said, his grin faltering a bit; best of all that comes from the Primum Verbum as opposed to the Biblica Lux; the preferred book of the Church. "And while I doubt I'll be singing the Dark Queen's praise anytime soon I do see folly in restarting any wars with her. Regardless I have things in need of attention and I assume the next court will be held soon." He wasn't wrong... "I bid you farewell, Champion..." He said with a smirk and a nod before turning to leave his guards following. We gave him a short head start before leaving ourselves...

[-]

Duchy of Anvil
Castle Anvil, Outside of Sanguinis City
Office of Alundra van Bludhorn

"HOW COULD YOU ALLOW THIS UTTER DISASTER TO HAPPEN, YOU SHORT SIGHTED *HARLOT*!?" An upset Alundra was not an uncommon sight. One seeing her barking in anger or annoyance was semi-common within Castle Anvil, enough that all knew the difference between her clicking heels when she was in a clam mood and an upset mood. She normally could control herself enough to not start shrieking at her staff, and usually never did so to her allies.

It was a sign of how serious she considered the situation to be. On the off-chance James Noxdecus could listen in she had tabs kept on him; he was off in Maros as a legal council for some drow wench on behalf of Queen Discordia. There was a chance he had everything recorded, had others listening for him or even the damned Blackwatch; in the end it didn't matter as the Traditionalists needed to coordinate and Roxellia couldn't leave Albia in that moment; it was voxlux or nothing. Of course just because they called a large, remote meeting didn't mean she couldn't berate Roxellia for being an idiot...

"While extreme, Alundra is correct." Arnold let off from his own projected image as Roxellia shrunk in on herself. "You could not have been ignorant of who that man was." He said sternly as Ryan Stoneshard frowned from his own image. "You chose to ignore a hero of your realm when he was in need. You could have prevented this rebellion with as little as three words if you chose to do so. You had to have known this would spark something; yet you couldn't bother to lift a damned finger." He let off, his tone speaking of deep anger and frustration.

"He was a peasant, he shouldn't have mattered." Baroness Ardon replied in her defense as she hissed. "It wasn't a big deal!"

"IT IS NOW YOU GODS, DAMNED, BRAIN DEAD CU-"

"ENOUGH!" Alundra glared at the image of Siegfried Doppiodrago as he barked back at the two of them from his own projection. "I agree that Roxellia was foolish but berating her at this point will gain us nothing. We need to speak of what we will do here and now."

"Unless you've forgotten the stakes here are not insignificant." Stark Angelus let off from her own projection. "Beyond significant even; we risk a link in our chain breaking in twain. If it does my House and Blitzhaus will be isolated from it in totality. Without the slave trade to pad our accounts my House may be required to shift positions to remain economically stable. I stress that this would be against my desires, but I would have my hands bound by the needs of my realm." She gave the voxlux, and thus her peers, a stern look and reached up, removing her glasses in a rare act for her. "House Ardon cannot be permitted to fall. My house may fall in it's wake if it does."

"Tsk..." Alundra let off as she sat at her desk, teeth gritted as she stroked her pipe with her thumb, left unlit for the moment although loaded with tobacco. She knew Stark well; as passionate of their traditions as any, if tempered with her calm, analytical nature. She would not be pulling her glasses off to emphasize her words except in a truly serious moment; she was yelling in a manner that didn't involve her voice.

"Indeed; I am even worse off. Without my drow breeding farms I've been forced to pivot to high elves." Arnold von Blitzhaus hissed out as he frowned hard. "I have spent good coin to begin this enterprise... If I have no route to trade then I'll have a difficult time keeping solvent as a duchy... Worse our own air travel is still... being tested..."

Officially the Cloaked Crown's Eagle Carrier was a design of Channer, although with assistance from other sources and, as such, a product of Elddale and House Blitzhaus mainly with influence from Alterun and House DeSagesse. This was done for two reasons; the Eagle Carriers needed to be tested in real conditions sooner or later and the chances they'd be spotted was moderate once they were. It also allowed them a means to bring in funding from outside the Crowns and one could be... taken by a mercenary group that took a... new contract in Albia; there was little chance House Noxdecus would grant a Cloud Rider to the rebels lest they be seen as acting against a fellow lord unlike himself who would be seen as assisting a fellow lord and, thusly, given more leeway to part with such a transport.

"I assume you'll send one my way?" Roxellia said with some desperate hope in her voice.

"It's in the plan. That said..." Arnold said, looking serious as he tried to keep the anger from his voice. "What is the situation?"

"I've lost the east; at least a quarter of Albia. The rebels pulled a feint to push around the north while thinking they were going south; a patrol caught wind of it and we adjusted but they hold the high ground and have more archers. Mages are in equal number and they're using Fort Hilher to hold Hilher Pass to limit how my armies can maneuver." The baroness answered as she sighed and looked to a report on her desk. "And one of our assaults was delayed as a supply wagon exploded... In my barony's center."

"Rebels or civilians?" Aram Stolzerlowe asked her.

"Either is possible..." The baroness sighed. "One of the reason I want those wagons is to get supplies moving where they can't be intercepted. More over there's mercs streaming in from Maros and Peerus and they're not joining me..."

"Tsk... Of course; we should have known we wouldn't be the only ones sending the mercenaries..." Ryan Stonepick let off with a huff. "I'll send what I can but I fear House Pugnator might slow down their march." Alundra winced; on the one hand Hol'canna being east of Albia meant a mercenary army marching from there could pinch the rebels and force them into a two-front war but there was a chance Pugnator would move to counter it unless they made... concessions as to the state of Maros.

This wasn't the first time such a rebellion happened in Eostia (Even if the last was centuries ago) and observers from the High Throne were already in place overseeing things; they played the role of a referee in these conflicts and while it made it sound like this conflict was a sport the reason was to keep the conflict from flowing to other territories or, in this case, another nation (Garan) as well as ensure limited civilian casualties. It also acted as an insurance to all of the lords that while there was an ongoing conflict the situation was under some control. There were a certain number of rules (Written and unwritten) in these times.

Nobles could not enter or leave the territory in rebellion except under permission by the High Throne or the kingdom's ruler (House Guildford of Rad in this case) unless they were a noble local to the region and seeking to join the fight. Likewise a noble could not leave the contested region except to escape and could not reenter; if the ruler did so they forfeited their right to rule.

Unlike a contest between states anyone could join the fray on either side so long as they made it clear whom they fought for and that they had no current liege not in the disputed territory at anytime. Certain rules about tampering with supplies, however, didn't apply to a rebellion unlike a Trial by War. Not razing settlements was an unspoken rule, but one usually obeyed if only to prevent other settlements from joining the other side in retribution or revenge.

"I think a larger concern should be asked." One said in the call; clad in a white great coat with golden trim and the emblem of House Zigmund on it's left side the man bore purple hair in a deep tone along with a well trimmed beard and mustache; Oxmund Zigmund. Grey eyes looked over to Roxellia's images (From his point of view, anyway) as he asked a question. "Theophania Embercoat is the only one the rebels can rely on to hold a right to rule. Has Celestine recognized such and regardless of that have the rebels contacted her?"

"Celestine has made no comment in either direction; her aide that I spoke to said she was 'investigating the matter with all due haste'." Roxellia spat out. "I doubt she will given the precedent it can set... but it isn't impossible. As for that slut; I can't say. I have some intelligence in the rebel camp but none on the subject."

"We wouldn't know if she's been contacted by voxlux or spell paper." Arnold added as he hummed. "And I am keeping some tabs on Mungale Manor thanks to a man in their city; if someone's come in person I am unaware of it. What little I am aware of is she herself is unsure about her actions in regards to it... However..."

"We have to assume that if requested she would act to assist..." Stark began as she sighed. "And if she were on hand when Roxellia fell her lineage would ensure she would come into rule; even if Celestine's 'investigations' turned up nothing she might do so if it gave that last push..." She sighed as she bit her lip. "I stress once more; House Ardon cannot be allowed to fall. And if it were it cannot be to Embercoat. At worse we must let it fall to a... Reformist House, even if that is still distasteful."

"Now that is a bitter pill to swallow..." Alundra finally set her pipe to her lips, using a flame on her thumb to light it. Once she took a puff she sighed. "...It's time to unify. Regardless of how and why we ended up this what matters is how we emerge from this..." She pointed to her voxlux with her pipe. "We. Must. Not. Fail. We cannot fail... If we do it's another nail into a coffin built to bury our traditions." She said before Roxellia directly through the projections. "I don't care if it kills you... Crush the rebels... Utterly..."

[-]

I brought my things to Maros Palace and greeted the Pugnators warmly (With a big hug from Flannery that saw my face buried in tit for a bit) before heading back out to investigate what I could. For the moment I had four main things I wanted to look into; the witness, the victim, the murder location and murder weapon. Before leaving the court I arranged with Terra to join her at the local prison where the weapon was kept for examination together (A common thing to ensure no tampering) so I'd worry about that later.

That said both Lulu and Claudia offered to help; I wasn't sure about putting Claudia to work given... you know, but she insisted and I couldn't argue... I opted to send Lulu and Dawn off to the murder locations with the warning I didn't expect much, asked Claudia to call over to Whitewell (Something that confused her until I told her I was unsure how honest Galeleaf was about who he was and I was curious if the name came up in the elf heavy territory) which left me, Riri and Makoto to go off and speak with the victim's family and associates. Learning he had a wife I decided to start there; hopefully my reputation would help her open up a little. Finally I arrived at Eric Caulder's home, flanked by Riri and Makoto, in the residential district; it was a modest house but showed a level of casual wealth. Not opulent or anything but you knew the guy living here wasn't impoverished. I walked up to the door and knocked on the front door with three firm knocks and waited.

It took a minute for the door to open, although feet shuffling could be heard in the meantime, before it opened and I saw a woman within; middle-ish aged; maybe early thirties? She was lovely; short brown hair with matching eyes, five four, modest, B-Cup breasts but wide hips and thick thighs shown off by her... very short, blue dress with a red vest over it. "Mrs. Caulder, I assume. James Noxdecus; I'm trying to look into your husband's murder."

"Oh! H-how did you get called into this!? Of all people?" She asked, hand moving to her lips to cover them as I smiled.

"That's... a bit of a story. You weren't observing court today?" She shook her head, looking down sadly.

"N-no... It was... As long as justice was done I was fine with it; it was... hard to bear..." My smile turned a little sad for a moment.

"I understand... I have a friend who lost her husband as well, recently. May I come in? I'll get you up to speed but things turned out to be more complicated then they appeared." I said as she blinked and nodded and invited us in. We were seated in a modest living room and despite saying we needed nothing we given tea and some biscuits. I opted to explain how got involved in the situation, Zlata's side of the story, Ettrian's blunder on the stand which she seemed to take hard as she looked down. "If I can ask; how well do you know Zlata? She said your husband supplied her with things like chocolate to smuggle into Garan."

"Y-yes, that and cigars, whiskey and a few other things. He even told her how to blend in, at least to a point. I..." She frowned as she moved a hand to her chest. "...I always asked myself why she killed him... What reason she could have done so, if it's just a case of... tying up loose ends but... ...Why would Ettrian lie... ...he was as much a good client as Zlata was..." Now that was a surprise...

"I'm sorry; you and your husband knew Ettrian Goldleaf before this event?" I asked as she nodded.

"Indeed; he used my husband to help supply his own enterprises." She said as I frowned in thought, sipping on the tea offered. "He seemed a bit... haughty, like elves tend to be, but not a bad sort. He arrived just after the end of the war, in fact."

"He never mentioned that on the stand..." I mused as I enjoyed my tea. "Hmmm. Interesting... What do you know about him? Did he mention where he's from before coming here?"

"Well he said he lived in Whitewell before coming here... Although come to think of it..." She muttered on the last part as she thought for a moment. "...He never said he was born or raised there... That's... shouldn't be important, but still..."

"It's fine; the more I know the better." I replied with a smile.

"Ahh, I see." She said with a blush. "W-well, as for what else I know; he runs a transportation business mostly that focuses on finer goods..."

The talk would last awhile, while I learned a bit the details of Ettrian was worth coming alone... Once done I would return to the palace and start to share notes once everyone else gathered.

As I suspected the murder scene had little of note for us to use; they worked out where the patrol would have come from and where Ettrian likely was when things happened.

Claudia's report was much more interesting and I knew it would be useful come next court. The following day I arrived with Terra to the prison to examine the knife; it was kept it a box with a spell glass panel that was grade nine or ten; too weak for any real use but malleable enough to be easily shaped by the right person. You could see something and, with cotton gloves, Terra pulled it out for a closer look and I knew we had the proof we needed not only to ensure Zlata's innocence was proven clearly but maybe even nail the real killer to the wall...

Next court was going to be interesting...

[-]

Duo Pugni Cathedral
Burnside City, County of Maros

"Honestly, more talk of whom will replace the Archbishop should be occurring." A man said as he grunted with his punches into a padded, leather bag filled with something (Sand he was told) to give it heft; three feet tall, cylindrical and hanging off a chain with another chain anchoring the bottom to the floor he was punching at it roughly with padded gloves; topless and wearing only a set of loose pants with a red sash around it.

"Indeed; no one gets younger, sadly." Amram let off as he watched the man in question practice his boxing. Being in Maros, a place that practiced unarmed combat more then any other, the Duo Pugni (Two Fists) Cathedral bore it's own boxing gym that, at time, hosted events and many of those who worked within was a boxer to some level; the very man before him, Cardinal Michael Firebrand himself, was an avid boxer.

"And yet you think that you would be the best candidate to follow him?" Michael let off, giving the bag a harsh, right body uppercut. "As opposed to one like Darkpurge?" Amram tried to not let it show but his smile faltered a hint.

"Of course, of course, I know I am not the only good option to replace him." He said as he watched the man hammer his fists into the bag. Michael wasn't tall; five eight but built like bull with a bald head and ram horns tattooed into his head and skin darker then most humans but not to those of the Sunkissed Continent, he looked intimidating at the very least but none doubted his devotion. "And we all have our weaknesses; lest we forget Darkpurge's focus on only approved nobility being allowed to rule would cause more friction if she rose to the rank." He heard Michael huff with another hard body blow as he held back a snarl as he hid a growing smirk; Michael was a friend and supporter of Xander Pugnator and Darkpurge made it a point to question his rule among others.

That Lucilius never reprimanded her stance and seemed to silently approve of it was something he wouldn't bring up. He didn't need to. "Aye, aye... Even those less of the faith can be put to good work, aye..." He said with a huff as he finished hammering the bag and moved to unbuckle his gloves. Amram was, of course, moving over with a towel in one hand and a flask of water in the other. The boxer would take the towel first to wipe off his sweat. "I'll make you no promises yet but I'll consider what you've told me, Amram."
"It is all I can ask for." The other cardinal replied with a smile on the outside... and inside a considerable smirk was coming to him; he was sure that he had Micheal's backing now, perhaps not a written promise... but these sort of meetings rarely if ever had such... At the very least he would back him and not Darkpurge should the vote come...

One step closer...

[-]

We all sat back down as Ore'la began court once more. Zlata was still looking nervous as she sat by me but told me she was glad to be out of prison for awhile. After a moment the judge spoke. "Right then. We're pickin' up where we left off. Prosecutor L'emeraude, would you like to call your first witness of the day or is there evidence you wish to showcase."

"Your Honor-" She began, standing up to address him. "-the prosecution would like to defer such to the defense." She said before seating herself, causing some muttering.

"Very well. Lord Noxdecus." I smiled and stood up to speak.

"The defense would like to call Ettrian Galeleaf back to the stand." Ore'la gave me a surprised look. "I requested he be moved to the courtroom's holding cell for this. While he is summoned, however, I would like to collect some evidence if you could humor me."

"...Very well..." He let off, nodding to a guard who marched off. As he worked I held up a few items to the judge; two sheets of paper, a pad of ink and a quill. I set one paper before Zlata and used the pad to put ink on her fingers and directed her to press them to the sheet. Once satisfied I scribbled her name on the sheet and offered her a moist cloth to wipe and clean her hands as I waited for it to dry. Soon Ettrian, unhappy looking with a sneer on his face was brought back to the stand. He was made to speak the oath and while more formal about his reply no one expected him to hold to it.

"Welcome back, Mister Goldleaf. I'm sure you're a little confused as to why you were summoned back here." He glared to me as I shrugged. "To start; I assume that wasn't the outfit you were in when you witnessed what you claimed last time."
"Of course not." He huffed, wrists still in shackles. "I wore something more suited to travel." I nodded but looked off to the sheriff who, in turn nodded. Satisfied I collected the ink pad, a second sheet and my quill as I walked to him.

"Your Honor, I would like to remove the witness' gloves to coat his fingers in ink and press them to the sheet here." I said, speaking to Ore'la who narrowed his eyes.

"I assume there is a purpose to this?" He asked as I nodded. "Very well. The witness shall comply." He said giving the elf a stern look; Ettrian glared but didn't fight what came next. Soon inked fingers were pressed to the sheet and I wrote his name on it. I also offered him a moist cloth and he started to wipe his fingers as I took the sheet.

"Allow me to begin with an explanation. Dawn." I let off, setting the sheet before the judge as Dawn took Zlata's sheet to the judge, handing it over before moving back. I took off my own glove and held up my bare hand. "If everyone would like to look closely at their finger pads you may notice several swirling and curving patterns upon them. These are fingerprints." I began; and no, what I was about to tell these people wasn't common knowledge in Eostia. "A good... late mentor of mine complied dozens of studies from his peers into a report; a bit dry and boring, trust me I know, but the information is a bit fascinating once you understand it. Your fingerprints are yours. No one has a fingerprint like your own. Even identical twins do not have shared prints and this isn't just a human feature; halflings, dwarves, catalans and even elves have fingerprints. And each one is unique in pattern. And when myself and my counterpart examined the knife used in the murder what did we find upon it? A single fingerprint." Ettrian stiffened on the stand, looking to his fingers as Terra, on her own accord, moved to where the evidence was kept and lifted up the weapon's box, bringing it to the Judge before moving back to her table. "Your Honor. Would you care to examine the print on the weapon and compare it to my client's?"

"Very well." He said as Ettrian sweated on the stand; Zlata looked nervous as well, doubly so after looking at what a fingerprint pattern looked like. Ore'la took out a magnifying glass and started to compare Zlata's prints to the weapons. There was near silence as he looked over each print once.

Then twice.

Three times then four.

Five times then six then seven.

On the eighth he looked to me. "I do not see a match." Zlata sighed in relief as Dawn patted her shoulder while muttering rose from the crowd. And now...

"Your Honor... Would you be so kind as to compare the print on the weapon to Mister Galeleaf's." Ettrian had a bead of sweat roll over the inside of his eye and down to the tip of his nose where it dripped off as he shook. The Judge looked over the prints, got half way and compared one print to the weapon's. He looked over it once...

Then twice.

Three times then four.

Five times then six then seven.

On the eighth he looked to me. "The thumb print of the right hand matches the weapon's." He said before looking to a paling Ettrian.

"Funny thing; I spoke to our victim's widow and I learned you had business dealings with him. Something you failed to bring up before." I began as I looked to him. "I have to wonder if that's how you learned about his meeting with a dark elven woman he sold chocolate that she could smuggle into Garan for her own profits. I have to wonder if you knew what she was planning to do to start with."

"I-I-I have no motive and you know-"

"Save to maybe cause tensions between Eostia and Garan; after all you were born in the United Elven Kingdoms under the Emerald Throne." More muttering came up from the crowd as I spoke to him. "I asked someone to call over to Whitewell to learn if you had any connections and imagine what I found; you came as an ambassador's aide." I said as he gulped and looked about nervously. "Oh, I can't prove it's your motive, nor if you were acting independently, under orders or saw an opportunity and took it. I imagine that will be looked into before your day in court. Needless to say I'm sure our good Prosecutor will be happy to handle your case, whom I must thank for being dedicated to justice and not padding a reputation for her assistance." I said before looking to the judge. "Your Honor. The defense rests it's case."

"The Prosecution offers no objections, Your Honor." Terra said as I walked back to my client.

"Indeed. This case is over." Ore'la began as he glared daggers (Or given he was a dwarf, axes) at Ettrian who shivered in place. "The Court will fine Mister Galeleaf two hundred gold for his contempt of court and false witness; three quarters of which will go to the accused as recompense." He began as he looked to my client. "Zlata Coinwheel; this court finds you, in the case of the murder of Eric Caulder to be not only not guilty of all charges laid against you but innocent of all charges laid." Back in my old world there was only one case where people was declared innocent as opposed to just not guilty; the Duke Lacrosse case which is... well, to call the whole thing an abortion of justice was an understatement... It was more common in Eostia but still rare. "This case is concluded. Someone, get this elf back into a cell and out of my sight." He said, pointing to Ettrian before banging his gavel.

[(⸜/ ) Defend your client in court]
[(⸜/ ) Determine who the real killer is]
[Quest Complete: The Case of the Murdered Merchant]

[Gain 5000 XP]
[Gain 10 RSP]
[Gain 10 RTP]

Oohhh, stat points and trait points... I'll take that.

"Oh thank the giant!" Zlata fell back into her seat in relief as I chuckled and pulled her in for a hug. "I was still worried..."

"It's fine now... It's all good..." I said as I stood and smiled as I saw Lulu and Claudia walk over. "Ladies. Thanks for the help."

"Ehhh, I didn't do much." Lulu said with a pout, crossing her arms as I ruffled her hair through her hat.

"Maybe, but you might have found something. Besides; I am still grateful." She did smile a little at that.

"If I can ask; was Klaus' work really that dry?" Claudia asked as she looked to me; there was some hurt at the reminder but she hid it well, maybe mitigated by the fact her late husband's work was helping people even now...

"Sadly there's little you can do to make the tips of your finger exciting when it's not pressed into someone else." I said as I sighed. "Not helped that he was dealing with other reports and studies which were even more boring."

"I'd like to thank him..." Zlata said as she stood next to me, flanked by Dawn. "...W-well, I would but..."

"He would have been happy to hear it, trust me." She said, moving a hand to her chest with a smile. "Thank you."

"So what are you ladies doing for now?" I asked them as I set my hands to my hips.

"I'll be going to Steel Lock for a bit; they're doing work on the Peacemaker and I want to see if I can help." Lulu said as she grinned.

"You just want to fire it."

"...Don't blame me..." Lulu huffed to my quip. I couldn't help but chuckle before moving to look at Claudia.

"I'll be staying sometime, but thank you regardless." She said before I glanced to Zlata.

"What about you?" She blinked at me before coughing into her hand.

"Ahh, well I was going to go to Angglash City so I could visit the Dark Citadel and offer some thanks to Queen Olga for her help, err, even if it was just sending you..." She said as she blushed before frowning. "And next time I come back I'll have to see if I can make new contacts... I do want to keep up the chocolate trade, now it's legal..."

"Well I can give you a ride over on the Enterprise if you can get set to leave in the morning." I told her as she perked up and smiled.

"Oh thank you, you've already done so much but... thank you..." She said before blinking. "Hey... what's an 'Enterprise'; I mean it doesn't sound like a business if it's meant to move people..."

I smiled...

[-]

"OH MY GIANT!" Zlata was gawking as the wind caught her hair as she looked off the side of the bow of the Enterprise. She was surprised to learn that Enterprise was A) a ship and B) a flying ship as we powered northwest (After spending sometime going due north to avoid Albia) and set course for the Dark Citadel. She was dashing about to look more at the world zipping by under us. "This is amazing!"

"Worth the effort and cost, I'll say." I mused as Dawn minded the controls, chatting with Riri as I spoke with Zlata. "On a more serious note; how is the rebuilding going?" I asked as I tried to focus on her... but something else was weighing on the back of my head.

As I didn't need them in court with me I gave Riri and Makoto leave so they could take a short trip to Farmer's Flats so Riri could visit Mother Claire and Tommy for a bit and, from her, heard some interesting news and rumors; Amram was up visiting Cardinal Michael Firebrand and while why wasn't known Stellaclamor took the scenic route and came through Farmer's Flat's along the way to pay them a visit. By all accounts he was friendly with the local church and orphanage, had a little speech about how the recent changes in Maros would 'uplift the common man to the goddess' and left a generous donation. Mother Claire was, of course, thankful and wouldn't say anything... untoward about Amram but it was clear she though he was playing the role of the pious, kind cardinal instead of being one... but only mentioned it to Riri, in private, behind closed doors because she couldn't afford to let those thoughts get loose to the wider public.

"Slow, but steady." Zlata replied, still smiling as she looked back to me. "We've the lumber needed but other materials are coming up short; Eostian mortar and tools is making up a lot of shortfalls and, well, nails and such as well." She would look back at to the world below in wonder with a smile. "It all looks so small from up here..."

Amram was making moves behind the scenes... and the timing made me wonder... If I had to guess this had been going on for awhile but not that long, a year at most... maybe a few months... Could Amram know something about the Black Storm... or worse... be a part of it? That could be an issue... but it gave me an idea.

"There's going to be a lot of work to do in the future..." I mused... If elements of the Church, or worse, the Church itself supported the Storm that could be a problem if left unchecked... but if the Church could be hampered or exposed before then...

Aside from boasting a sizable army still the Church bore a lot of soft power with the lords of Eostia, local and minor alike, as well as those beyond it's borders. A few words by the Archbishop could make some people act or stand down... and maybe even pull lords to his banner if, say, he was to march on the High Throne... Lucilius was cautious and patient; he wouldn't expend any of that soft power before he was ready or even hold it in trust for an ideal, future moment... but Amram... someone with much more ambition...

I could see him making a move... I could see him trying to pull a stunt that dragged as many as he could under his banner to align with the Vult; maybe not as part of his empire directly but to split Eostia in two and claim his share... or even ram a dagger to Vult's back, claim the Storm's leader has fallen and he is the new leader. Amram could cause a lot of damage because of it... so that begged a question; how do I stop it before the Storm kicks off..?

...

I needed more information; I'd have to see about getting my little information network to refocus to listen in on anything Church related... I'd need to plan...

A flash and my view shifted to watch a close up of Zlata looking off to the distance as she grinned and looked about like an exited child as that narrator voice came to speak once more. "With the foe now exposed a question yet remains... now how does one fight, when the enemy is out of reach? A decision made the future becomes clearer if yet distant..." The view shifted to let Enterprise fly by before positioning behind it and turning to look westwards to Albia. "With the nation's attentions focused on the Waterlily Rebellion, an uprising seeking to unseat a cruel baroness, our hero sets his attentions elsewhere..."

My view shifted fully to a fort with the old banner of House Waterlily where men practiced; armored men be it in leather or steel training their spear work, archers their aim with bows, cavalry their mounted maneuvers with lances in hand. "Yet the weight of the rebellion within the borders of Albia bears down upon the minds of the Lords of Eostia. Here, in this relatively minor territory a balance of power in the state of slavery rests."

Another shift and I could see inside of a war room as military men hovered over a map of Albia as Roxellia Ardon hunched over it, a woman I assumed was her daughter, Brienna, flanking her with a worried look as the baroness glared to the map. Markers with small flags on them, blue or yellow, was on the map as a man spoke and pushed one, yellow flagged marker, to the map's west. "Traditionalists fear the slipping grip of slavery's hold will collapse within Albia causing for them untold levels of disaster as they act to counter the rebels."

Another shift and men under the banner of House Waterlily marched; a mix of what seemed like conscripts, mercenaries and even unarmored civilians, each striding with purpose. "The rebels, in contrast, act to what they consider a cause most righteous; unseating an unworthy ruler and seeking for themselves freedom from the specter of slavery." The view would pan above and behind them, a fort before them in the distance with the House Ardon banner raised over it. "Champion and commoner alike seek a future better then what they know; free of the darkness that looms ahead..." Finally the view shifted to look to the fort alone, rising up to bring more and more of the sky into view.

Act V: Strive Ever Forwards

[-]

One thing I noted as I landed before the Dark Citadel was it bore no anti-levitation defenses which was... odd... But as I thought about it I guess it made sense; gargoyles used to be the best way to get messages out and they did need to use a likewise style of innate magic to fly so not having anti-levitatioin fields meant it was easier to land on higher floors and take off from them as well; one assumed those defenses were in place by default I guess.

It also meant I could land on the building itself if it had anywhere flat to land. I suppose I could park by it but whatever. Soon we disembarked with Zlata, Makoto, Riri and Dawn and found Olga striding out to meet us; Chloe and General Dreadblade flanking her. "So I see you were successful in the endeavor I entrusted to you. I thank you." The queen said as I shrugged.

"Luckily for us the sole witness gave a major contradiction in his testimony I could use. And was the murder himself." I replied with a sigh. "As imperfect as any system is the Eostian one is usually fair."

"Usually." Dreadblade said in a... tone of dislike as she crossed her arms.

"At ease, Gavrilla." Olga said calmly. "It is more fair then ours has been." The general said nothing but how she turned her head told me she wished she could argue. "Regardless you have done well."

"Ahhh, y-your highness." Zlata finally got out as she curtsied. "Thank you for everything... If it wasn't for I might have..." She let her voice trail off, unsure what to say.

"You are welcome... If anything I should thank you for your work in the rebuilding; it is why I was adamant about sending such aid." The queen replied with a smile. She would look to her then myself. "As you are here then I invite you to stay for dinner and the night before seeing you off in the morn. I would hear how this 'court' works and, moreover, how the case went."

"And maybe you can introduce us to your new bodyguard." Chloe let off as she looked to Dawn as I chuckled.

"Apprentice, actually." I replied to her surprise. "This is Dawn; and yes how she came to her position is a tale in itself."

"Another for you to tell in dinner, then." Olga said as she turned on her heel before looking over her shoulder to me. "No human has set foot in my Citadel before. Come be the first." She said before walking in. I opted to follow as everyone else trailed after us...

[-]

I had the chance to sample Garanian cuisine during the occupation; a lot of it is a bit spicy (Ranging from mild buffalo wings to raw ghost peppers depending on the food; usually the more mild, thankfully) but good and they made their juices with an additive that helped dull the heat. I asked why the focus on spice; knowing those in warmer climates used it to help preserve their food (And cover some... taste if the meat wasn't fresh, we'll say). According to Olga it was a case of their homeland was a bit colder and they wanted something to bring additional heat in the winter which was interesting. Moreover they imported a series of peppers from Garan for that type of food; the snake's tongue pepper (Think a jalapeno pepper that split into two near the tip), the devil's apple (A bright red pepper that looked like a shriveled apple the size of a golf ball) and the living inferno (An orange one that looked serrated on the top, as if it was a saw blade). I mentioned exporting them might be an idea; although the most popular markets would be well south of the Great Lake. Desh Kaho food was notoriously spicy and found enjoyers in Eostia and I was sure those chefs would love new peppers to play with; doubly the living inferno which might compete with the hottest of known peppers for spice.

Olga took note but ensured most of the talk at dinner was explaining the court case and Dawn's story. I was a bit surprised at how well Dawn handled the spice of the food (I also noted Makoto needed refills of her drink more then once) and once the main stories of the day finished the two began a conversation; it seemed Chloe's hatred for humans was toning down. For the record the food was excellent and I offered my complements to the chef to the servants (Then had to explain it was semi-common for people to ask the message be carried over to the cook as thanks) before retiring to quarters for a time... and then be requested by Chloe to go and see Olga in her quarters.

That was a bit curious... So up we went along the tower, past guards (Elite given the armor) and Chloe... entered without knocking, to my surprise. I followed, door shut behind us as I saw no Olga as Chloe moved to a statue; two feet tall, golden, ugly face... Chloe moved and set a finger to the back of it's head and I felt a small shift of magic inside of it as she gave me a stern look. "She invited you here. I shouldn't have to explain this is a grand honor." She said... as the wall shifted to form stairs upwards. I wasn't surprised; a lot of nobles had hidden rooms, but I was surprised at how it was revealed. She walked up and I followed as I moved up into what would be called a damn fine living room. Books, big couches, fine furniture... really; add in a big screen TV or a projector and you could have movie nights and game nights here.

Hell, get a booster and movie nights are on.

"Thank you, Chloe." I head from a couch as I walked over, Olga resting her arms on it's back... and that was when I noticed a lack of anything she normally wore; that her cloak was missing wasn't a surprise but I didn't see the detached sleeves of her outfit... until I did. On a table. Folded with the rest of her clothing.

Well now... "I figured you'd get cozy in a place like this, but not so cozy as to be naked in it." I quipped as Chloe shot me a look while Olga chuckled.

"I sometimes need to unburden myself of all the pressures of rule and weight of such. Even my very garb is a symbol of my station. It is... freeing."

"And you invited me here, knowing all I'd see." I said as she gave another chuckle. "Thank you for the trust." I heard the stairs slide back into place as Chloe retreated where she came from. "Should I do likewise? Or would that be uncomfortable for you?" She had seen me nude during that heroic painting fiasco but she also gawked quite a bit. I well knew what she had done by letting me set foot in the Citadel was a major honor she gave me, bringing me up here was a major show of trust. I wasn't expecting sex... yet I also sensed something was planned by her.

"If you would wish; I would prefer it but will not pressure it." Curious... There was something there, but what I didn't know. Regardless I moved to where her clothing was and disrobed myself as well. Once nude I would move to the couch she was on, sitting down and keeping a seat worth's of space from her. She stared (And I enjoyed a look myself; damn) as I leaned back.

"Wow, this is cozy..."

"I spared no expense." Olga replied a lot of her attention set to my groin; yes, I was still limp in the moment. "But I didn't summon you here to bask in the comforts I can provide." Damn... no dark elf sugar momma... just what I always wanted.

Joking aside... "I half imagined." I said as I looked to her. Most people always considered Olga to be Celestine's opposite and in terms of looks that was very true; both were tall, beautiful to an amazing degree and stacked but while Cele was a fair skinned, blonde beauty with a warm look that spoke of a motherly aura Olga was a dusky skinned, black haired woman with a cooler look that spoke of a more... distant nature; I imagine under other circumstances her beauty would be as popular in Eostia as Celestine's and in certain crowds more so. Her breasts were smaller then Cele's but that was like saying a hundred feet is shorter then a hundred and five feet... Yeah, but it's not like they're that far apart. "What's on your mind?" I asked.

She didn't answer right away, looking out to the distance; a distance with more green then last I came by during that test. It took a moment of thought collecting before she spoke. "Understand there are few males I would trust this discussion to; dark elf or otherwise. Only you for what I will ask. I had recently spoken with Chloe and while the... starting point was much different we arrived at the topic of sex and birth. You may not know this but I was tasked by the Pure Council to slay humanity as a means of proving my worth; officially. In truth it was a means to remove me politically as well as prevent me from birthing a Trueborne by the giant's seed. Given my interaction with the council's speaker I doubt I'll be ever given access to the giant's chamber. Ergo to become a mother I'd need to do so the old fashioned way at while I'm... unsure of who's child to bear I feel a need to correct my... inexperience."

"And... you want me to correct that inexperience?" I let off as she nodded. "I'm honored; and I'm not just saying that. I am surprised you didn't pick a dark elf, mind."

"Given what I've heard from Celestine and her shields you'd become quite experienced in the arts of the sexual; I imagine I am in good hands." She replied with a shrug. "More over you pressured me to take on a fear I would rather ignore and, in a sense, better me in a way I never knew I needed. There are fewer hands I can trust to force me if I need the push without overstepping bounds best not reached."

I finally opted to slip closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist; she stiffened for a moment before relaxing as I pulled her a bit closer. "As long as you're sure. I would have a hard time saying no to enjoying a woman like yourself. But I dislike unwilling ladies."

"You are not worried about a woman so old with so little experience?"

"Everyone starts somewhere." I replied as I moved to cup her cheek and pulled her into a kiss on the lips, soft and gentle, testing her feelings and desires as I moved a hand to her inner thigh. I was testing her comfort; I believed her reasons but she was a virgin so best to take it slow... and unlike with Celestine I didn't intend to plow her through a bed.

Tempting as it was.

She did kiss back and, on her own accord, moved to sit on my lap as I let my other hand move to cup her ass. She gave a soft moan as I moved my hand from her thigh to her breast, cupping it gently as my thumb brushed over her nipple as I groaned into her breast gently as she shivered and almost gasped into my lips. I had a feeling she was sensitive but I wasn't aware of how much so... Still I'd work that out soon enough. She moaned, arms wrapping about my neck as the kiss deepened as I gently moved to lay on my side, pulling her to spoon her from behind. She gasped, likely as the position pressed my cock to her ass, between her cheeks as it grew closer and closer to it's full size.

It was then that I moved my hand to her sex as I cupped her breast and pinched her nipple softly. I gave her clit a soft touch, finally, and she hitched her breath and arched her back into me; she was clearly sensitive and as I rubbed at her clit that thought was confirmed by a long, low groaned and a long quiver of her frame. I was more then happy to get her nice and warmed up with my fingers; she was a bit moist but not wet and I wanted to be sure when I went in it would be smooth and easy. After all; there was a cherry to pop and I popped enough to know to take it easy when you do it.

...

...I just realized this would be the second time I penetrated her while drawing blood... Just a... very different saber this time. And maybe not a joke to make.

I rubbed her for a long moment more before moving my hand to guide my cock to her slit. I rubbed her sex with the cockhead as she looked at me for a moment as I finally pushed into her as she gave a small whimper. Slowly, bit by bit... and finally I stopped short of the hymen... I rocked my hips slowly as I nipped her ear with my lips. "Relax... Breathe... It'll hurt for a moment but if you relax it'll be easier..."
"Do not think I cannot handle pain; this will be the second time you've drawn blood by piercing me." She replied... and I admit it, I snickered.

"I was thinking it but I thought it was in bad taste to mention it." She gave a chuckle; one I've not heard before. It was soft but throaty and deep with a small but kind smile as she looked to me.

"How strange a pair we are; foes to lovers in such a manner." She mused as she smirked... and finally I pressed in hard enough to break through her virginal barrier as she hissed softly, leaning back into me. "Ahhhh..." She hissed out softly as she quivered a bit but, otherwise, showed no sign of pain...

...

...I mean, considering last time...

I held still inside of her, moving my hand to cup her thigh and lift her leg up a bit, letting her adjust as I kissed at her ear. "I suppose if I wanted to be mean or playful I could declare that I've come to conquer you with my cock." I teased as she moaned out as looked back at me.

"In fairness, I would find that defeat preferable. Do you know how often I've seen myself stabbed on that booster of yours?" She let off.

(Yes, she had a viewer up here to watch Eostians plays and programs on; I just hadn't noticed it yet. I shouldn't be surprised, really.)

"For what it's worth I'm only sorry it needed to be done." I replied as I started to thrust into her, making her gasp in pleasure and lean back into me. "I would much rather, ahh, give you pleasure over pain... Fuck you're a tight one..."

"You had, ahhh, best treasure this..." She let off as she rocked her hips back as she arched her back into me, only a thin trickle of blood leaking from her sex, thankfully. She started to pant and I could see her eyes roll back as she groaned. "Ahhhh... I have little experience with this but... giant, this is a new form of bliss..." She let off as she shivered as I kissed her ear. "Giant, such is... ahhhh..." She let off as I rammed into her roughly for two strokes before moving to thrust normally like before. "Ahhh!"

"Ha ha, consider it a queen's reward for her work." I told her as she shivered on my cock.

"Do not think you, ahhh, can judge me so..." She let off as she started to pant a little faster; she must have been sensitive.

"Do you, mmm, want me to slow down?" I asked her as my hand tweaked her breast softly.

"...I-I would prefer the opposite in fact..." That was... surprising, but if it was what the lady wished... I would start to rock my hips into her with more speed and force now as she gasped and arched her back into me as I started to really pound into her; I didn't go all out but I didn't hold back either, groaning into her neck as I focused. I even moved my hand from her thigh to give her ass a good, firm smack as I groaned into her once more.

"What the queen desires, then." I replied as I moved my hand to her hip, using it as a grip to ram into her with a little more ease. I kept up the pace and pressure as her face, and I'm not joking, went full aheago on me as she gave a longer moan as I hammered into her over and over, groaning deeply as I did so. My pelvis hammered her buttocks with each thrust, groaning out as we pleasured one another. She came first; it didn't seem surprising as she seemed more sensitive, but I was able to last awhile longer, her moaning growing louder and louder as I hammered her until I could finally cum, groaning as I hammered into her one last time and held myself there as I pumped my load into her as she cried out once more, groaning deeply myself. I panted as she slumped into me as I moved my arms to hug her waist...

"Gi-giant..." She let off as she panted as I finally pulled myself free from her. "And human women are not... addicted to this..?"

"Some are, some enjoy it without that happening and some are moderate about it... some even down right prudish." I said as she chuckled as we laid there. "Damn, I've slept on beds less cozy then this couch..." I let off as I sighed.

"I've slept upon them often enough." She said, reaching out and pull a couch pillow over sliding it under her head. Taking the hint I settled in behind her as she sighed. I don't know who fell asleep first but we spent some time just enjoying the company; we had some idle chatter but we mostly didn't talk and laid down.

Finally sleep claimed us in the end.

[Fucked List]

Olga Discordia=100xp x 5 First Time Bonus=500xp
20% Hero of Eostia Bonus
Gain 600xp Total

Achievement Unlocked: Worship the Dark Queen
Had sex with Olga Discordia, Queen of the Jagged Crown and Ruler of Garan

Achievement Unlocked: Taking The Two Queens
Had sex with both High Queen Celestine Lucross and Olga Discordia

[ - Author's Note - ]

Well, there we are. Those who read Queen & Knight from Questlines will have a little more context but no so much more as to make anyone who skipped it confused. Beyond that, what else is there to say? Corn Flakes are closer to being a thing now, James finally gets to do the Pheonix Wright thing (Remember, dramatic pointing is not optional in that), Amram is making more moves behind the scenes and, indirectly, gives James a new direction... right before giving Olga her first time.

Somewhere Vult feel a great and terrible anger but isn't sure why...

With that James will need to work out from here how he tackles the Church... as the Waterlily Rebellion blazes in the background...

I will say Act Five might be the hardest for me to write so far; I have an end game but the path there isn't as clear for me as previous Acts... oh well, time to muddle forwards... Welcome to 2025... Strap in buckero, still a ride.

Until next time! As always drop a comment, tell me what you liked, didn't like and would like to see! Glad you're all here joining me on this ride!

~Eostian Scribe