Chapter Four: Part One
One week later…
Faro del Vento, the Capital of the Bianca Alliance
"Civil war?"
The Council of Five had convened in the Alliance Chamber. The once pristine snow white chamber looked like a hurricane had passed through it. Pages, empty dishes, and cups were all over the place. The table, which was in the shape of a star, didn't have a single area clear. Each of the five members sat at the five points of the star. Four of the five had stiff postures. Only Regulus looked relaxed; his feet propped against the table and he was reclined far back in his chair.
"Yes, a civil war," Lord Massimo scoffed, shaking his head in disgusted. "One of King Franz's children made a claim for the throne. They call it "Royal Combat"—a barbarous practice of choosing a ruler through a dual. The King responded by rallying his entire forces to crush the would-be usurper."
"Doesn't he have like 100 kids or something?" Lord Steiger asked around a sarcastic laugh.
"Forty-six," Lady Catalonia sighed. "According to the reports it was his youngest heir—ah—" she picked up a page and looked at it. "Princess Astraea, who issued the challenge."
"Isn't that the girl whose "death" was the whole reason they sank one of our warships and killed hundreds of our soldiers?!" Lady Rafaela said incredulously.
"And she's making a play for Zelant's throne," Lord Steiger sighed. "King Franz should settle family matters before committing war crimes."
A silence fell over the Council of Five for a few moments. "So, what do we do?" Lady Catalonia asked. "We have our ships stationed around Zelant watching the island. We've allowed foreign ships to get through, but obviously Zelantan ships have been apprehensive of sailing past our ships."
"Unlike the Kingdom we don't sink ships unprovoked," Lord Massimo said.
"But we WERE provoked when they sank our ship!" Lady Rafaela snapped.
"Can we get back on track?!" Lord Steiger interjected. "With King Franz focusing his efforts on his daughter, we need to act! Since Princess Astraea has become a rebellious princess, that surely means Lady Dawa has joined her! That means Potsfurt has no proper lord or lady watching the city again!"
"Then we'll move to seize Potsfurt while the idiot King is distracted," Lady Catalonia said. Her brow furrowed and she stood up partially from her seat to survey the table. "Where is our map?"
"Somewhere over there," Lord Massimo said, pointing in the general direction of the center of the table.
"Excuse me," Regulus said, raising two fingers. "May I make a suggestion?"
"Yes, Lord Regulus," Lord Steiger said sarcastically. "Please give us your input! You have not said a single word since we started this meeting!"
"We should hold off on invading Potsfurt for now," Regulus said, lowering his hand. "This whole war started under the mistaken belief that the Alliance was responsible for Zelant's Massacre of Innocents. As much as we need retribution for our warship, we will not endear ourselves to the people of Zelant if we take advantage of their civil war to invade."
"I frankly do not care about endearing myself to the Kingdom," Lady Catalonia said. "They killed hundreds of our soldiers."
"I don't deny that. Recall that I was the one who went to Potsfurt demanding an audience with King Franz? But we need to be careful. I'm sure you all heard the reports, right? Oh how many people it was that sank our ship?"
The other members of the Council of Five exchanged glances. "One," Regulus said, holding up one finger. "One person sank that ship. And do you know who that was?"
"The rebellious princess, right?" Lady Rafaela asked.
"Then we should definitely invade," Lord Massimo said harshly. "King Franz blamed us, and Princess Astraea slaughtered our soldiers. They're BOTH rotten to the core. We should invade and wipe the entire Resier bloodline off the face of the Earth!"
"Good luck with that," Lord Steiger scoffed. "King Franz sowed his wild oats with too many women, and his spawn are scattered across the world. His bloodline will carry on somehow."
"All I am saying," Regulus said. "Is that the tide is turning drastically in Zelant. We can either follow the currant or swim against it. I suggest we follow the currant."
The other four looked at him for a long moment. "So what do you have in mind, Lord Regulus?" Lady Rafaela asked.
Regulus smiled. "That you leave it in my hands."
HQ
"How is your hand, Astraea?" Denzel said.
Astraea raised her right hand and showed her healed palm. She stood at the head of the war room table; Dawa standing to her left and David to her right. Sigrun, Ferdinand, and Viktor stood on the right and Denzel and Musashi stood on the left. "Dr. Tieling healed me."
"Okay, good."
"…Didn't you notice that before?" Sigrun asked him. "It was healed days ago."
Denzel barked out a laugh. "Well see, that makes too much sense!"
Everyone but Musashi burst into laughter. They quickly sobered when they heard someone approach from the stairs. Astraea smiled when she saw Richard appear, all smiles. "Your Majesty." He moved to stand in front of the table and saluted. "I finished my survey of the city. Sorry it took me this long."
"No, I appreciate your hard work," Astraea told him. "I had you do this survey even while our troops were getting situated in the city."
"The Old Capital is quite large," Richard said blithely. "It stretches all the way down to where the Życia River forks."
"How many houses are in the city?" Denzel asked.
Richard shrugged. "I'm afraid I do not know, Your Highness. I lost count."
"That's good, though," David spoke up. "There will be plenty of room here for our allies."
"We're going to need the allies," Sigrun said grimly, shaking her head. "The problem though is finding these allies."
"One place we can start is the Tablet of Stars," Astraea said. "Everyone in this room is listed as one of the 108 Stars of Destiny. Filling that Tablet should be one of our priorities."
"Good luck," Viktor said around a laugh. "Some allies are gonna fall into your lap, and others it'll be damn impossible to recruit 'em!"
"Speaking from experience, Viktor?" David asked in a dry tone.
"He's not wrong," Richard said. "I faintly recall Prince Freyjadour recruiting some people by the skin of his teeth."
"The real trouble though is where to start," Dawa spoke up. "Almost every noble household in Zelant publicly threw their support behind King Franz."
"Ah, but we must also consider the circumstances of their publicly display of loyalty," David said. "And whether or not it was sincere gesture or if they were compelled to throw their support to the King."
"That's a good point," Astraea said, nodding. "The soldiers who defected said everyone was gathered in Blutkrieger and that they were basically told by Sir Albert that they would be making a pledge of loyalty."
"But we must also consider those who were sincere in their loyalty pledge," Sigrun said. "Distinguishing between those who are truly loyal and those who were compelled to swear loyalty will be crucial to us."
"Fear not, I have an idea," David said. Everyone looked to him. "I propose that we have regular recruitment quests. Go out and travel across Zelant to find allies for the Reformation Army. And to find the other 108 Stars of Destiny."
"A recruitment quest is not a half-bad idea," Denzel said. "Let's get a group of volunteers to travel and go to different towns. We have many soldiers we can arrange to do this."
"Actually," David said, looking to Astraea. "I propose that Her Majesty go out and lead the quest."
Astraea's brow rose in shock. "That's not a good idea," Dawa said. "The entire country is hunting Astraea! They know her face!"
"Yes they do. And because of that it's best that she recruits the allies. People need to see her; the person who will be Queen. They need to see her unafraid and ready to face any obstacle."
"That will put Astraea in danger," Sigrun said sharply. "And besides, who ever heard of an Army leader—and a future Queen—doing such grunt work?! That will show desperation more than inspiration!"
"Master Tir did it," Viktor said. "So did Lord Riou."
"Prince Freyjadour also recruited for his army personally," Richard added.
Sigrun flushed but then shook her head. "I think it's an unnecessary risk."
"What do you think, Your Majesty?" David asked her. "Would you like to go out and recruit allies? Or would you like to do as Prince Denzel suggested and send out recruiting parties?"
Astraea looked around the room. She knew that it would be risky, but at the same time she was reassured knowing that at least three other people had done it in the past with some success. But before she made a decision, she needed more information. "Has there been any word of the Royal Army bringing their forces here?"
"No, Your Majesty," David said. "But Musashi was kind enough to do some intel for us—"
"They are mobilizing, Your Majesty," Musashi interjected. "Specifically units for Prince Vahan and Princess Philomena. They are doing drills together."
Denzel made a face. "The King paired Vahan and Philomena together for a campaign?! Are you serious?!"
"Quite serious, Prince."
"Do they not get along together?" Viktor said.
"From what I observed they have a cordial relationship," Ferdinand said. "But I have never seen them do drills together."
"Ferdinand is correct," Sigrun said. "Vahan and Kion usually did their drills together. Philomena…" she let her voice trail off.
"She's more of a princess classic than a warrior princess," Denzel explained.
"Denzel," Sigrun admonished him softly, but Denzel shrugged. "I'm not wrong, Sister. I respect Philomena as one of my older sisters and I naturally love her for the same reason, but she wears makeup to battle. I've never seen her with an imperfect manicure and I've never seen callouses on her hands. She doesn't have the hands of warrior woman like you do."
Sigrun's brow arched at the off the cuff remark. Oblivious, Denzel glanced around the room. "She's military trained, but let's be honest—being the King's favorite child has done her a lot of favors. If Vahan and Philomena are going to challenge us, then the only one we need to worry about is Vahan."
"And they are only doing drills now?" Astraea said. Her tone was soft as her throat tightened. She managed to keep the outward appearance of calm.
"Yes," Musashi said. "Your Majesty," he added after a moment.
"And only their units are doing exercises?"
Musashi nodded.
"Then we should take this opportunity to get allies," David said, looking to Astraea. "So…what do you say, Your Majesty?"
The option was open to her again; send groups out to find recruits, or go out herself. She knew the latter was extremely risky, but at the same time she had a sensing feeling that it was the right decision for her. Astraea nodded. "I'll go myself."
"Astraea—" Sigrun protested.
"Excellent idea," David immediately jumped in. "You have my support, Your Majesty."
"If you insist on doing this, then I'm going to stay by your side," Dawa said. "Whether it be your active party or support party, I'm not leaving your side again Your Majesty."
Astraea nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Dawa."
"I think this is reckless," Denzel sighed, shaking his head. "This is the kind of thing I would do, Astraea. But if you want to do this…" he threw his hands up in the air. "I'm not going to stand in your way."
"If you want to do this," Sigrun said forcefully. "Then we need a plan of action. We need to know where you're going, and how long you'll be away from here."
"E-Excuse me?" The room turned to see Viki approach. She was clutching her staff with one hand, and in the other she held an object that fit into her palm. "I'm sorry to interrupt Your Majesty," Viki said. "But I need to give you this."
"Give me what, Viki?" Astraea approached her.
"Here." Viki pressed the object into her hands. Astraea looked down to see a mirror with a platinum-colored frame. The glass in the mirror however was dark, and when she tilted it in different directions she did not see her reflection, nor did she see any light catching the mirror. "That's the Blinking Mirror," Viki told her lightly.
"Don't ever lose that, Your Majesty!" Viktor quickly spoke up.
"What is this mirror?" Astraea asked.
"It's linked to my mirror downstairs," Viki said. "So long as you're not in a deep dungeon, this mirror will instantly teleport you back to this headquarters from anywhere in this country. So long as you're within the borders of the Kingdom of Zelant, when you activate this mirror you will be brought straight back here."
"That's amazing!" Denzel cheered. "Then it doesn't matter how far you travel! Travel-time will only be based on when you travel away from here!"
"So that's the Blinking Mirror," David said, looking at it over Astraea's shoulder. "I've heard so much about it. It's surreal to see the real thing!"
"Is there more than one?" Viki asked, looking alarmed.
"Don't you know?" Dawa demanded.
Viki shook her head. "There shouldn't be! It always comes back to me in the end!"
Astraea was confused but she decided not to press it. "Thank you, Viki. I'll make sure nothing happens to this."
"If that mirror can instantly bring you back here, then I feel more secure with you going out," Sigrun said. "But we need to decide where Astraea will go."
"We could start with where Her Majesty should start," Richard suggested.
"Good point," Denzel said. "Do you have any ideas, Astraea?"
Astraea contemplated it for a moment before she decided. "I want to meet the werewolves first."
Regulus stood on the pier, Nakoa and Dinah flanking him. They were in their Bianca Alliance armor and their personal bags were on the pier around them. Regulus kept a nonchalant air about him, but his two bodyguards were tense. "They're late," Nakoa observed.
"Yes, they are," Dinah agreed. "Ten minutes to be precise."
"Relax, relax," Regulus reassured them. "They'll be here when they get here."
"They are not affiliated with the Alliance, are they Lord Regulus?" Dinah asked.
"They are not," Regulus confirmed. "But that works out better for us."
"And they are not affiliated with the Kingdom of Zelant?" Nakoa asked.
"Not as far as I can tell, no."
Nakoa and Dinah exchanged a look, but they said nothing more.
Suddenly, the water in front of the pier began to churn and bubble. Right before their eyes a tubular metallic…vessel broke the surface of the water. The vessel had a glass casing, and two people could be seen inside. Cries of shock floated around them from others on the docks, but Regulus was unmoved. There was a loud hiss, and the glass casing burst open. "James and Xi An?" Regulus called out.
The man and woman inside the vessel stood in unison and removed their goggles. James settled his eyes upon Regulus. "You Regulus Cairo?" he asked.
"Lord Regulus Cairo," Dinah interjected.
James shrugged. "So?"
"Do you have the 50,000 Potch?" the woman, Xi An, added.
Both Nakoa and Dinah bristled, but Regulus raised both hands for calm. "I do," Regulus confirmed. "And in exchange you will take in…this—"
"Sea carriage," James supplied.
"Right," Regulus said. "You'll take me wherever I want to go?"
"That's right," James said. "We accept payment upfront, though. Maintaining the sea carriage costs a significant amount of Potch."
"I don't doubt it." Regulus glanced over his shoulder. "Nakoa?"
Nakoa picked up a large bag from amongst their bags and tossed it down to the pair. James caught it and set the bag down in his seat. "We'll need to count it," Xi An told them.
"It's been counted over ten times," Dinah said.
Xi An frowned at her. "Please excuse my bodyguards," Regulus told them. "They have only my best interests at heart."
"It won't take me long to count," James said. "I can count 50,000 Potch in two minutes easily."
Regulus laughed softly. "That's amazing."
"Excuse me."
Dinah and Nakoa immediately perked up when they heard the unfamiliar voice and moved to shield Regulus. Regulus glanced to his right and saw a man in his twenties standing two meters away. He had dark auburn hair that looked his had been recently shaved, and shockingly intense amber eyes. He had the build of a warrior; a tan-colored jacket over a zebra-print shirt. But it was the hilt of the sword peeking over the man's right shoulder that caught his eye. The sword seemed larger in life, but not in a physical way. It was weird. The sword itself seemed to…give off a presence.
"What do you want?" Nakoa demanded.
"Are you traveling in—whatever that is?" the man asked, gesturing to the sea carriage.
"We are," Regulus confirmed. "If you're thinking of joining—"
"50,000 Potch!" James called from the sea carriage.
The man's brow rose, but his stoic face was otherwise unmoving. After a moment he shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. I will pay it."
"Now I'm interested," Regulus said amusedly. "Who are you?"
"There's somewhere w—I need to be," the man said. "This sea carriage looks like it will be get me there faster than a boat."
"Where do you want to go?" Dinah asked.
"There," the man said, pointing out towards the water.
Regulus laughed again and looked over his shoulder. He looked back at the man. "You mean Zelant? Or the Island Nations?"
"Zelant will do," the man said. "Drop me off at a beach or something. I won't travel the whole way with you."
"This is 50,000 Potch," James confirmed, tossing the bag behind his chair. He waved to the man over his shoulder. "You next. Full payment upfront."
The man did not seem to be carrying much, but he somehow produced a reasonably size bag and lowered it to Xi An. The pair opened his bag to count it as the man straightened. "Since we'll be traveling companions you may as well tell us your name," Regulus said. "I'm Regulus Cairo of the Council of Five. This is Dinah and Nakoa. And you are…?"
The man gave him a long sideways glance before he answered. "Edge."