I changed the physical appearance of the Shining Rune. You can see the new description in Chapter Four: Part Four.

Chapter Five: Part Two

Astraea visited Niebieska Brama a few days later with a small party. She could not add Daunte or Nakula to active or support party, but she was able to add Arin. She also put Viki, Pesmerga, Viktor, and Zerase in the party as well. She didn't intend to fight but it felt like a good party to have nonetheless. Dawa insisted on being with them, so she put Dawa in the support party.

"Hey, are you two related?" Arin asked Viki and Viktor when they arrived to Niebieska Brama.

"What?" Viktor asked, his brow rising.

"Well your names are similar," Arin pointed out. "Viki, Viktor. You both even use a 'k' instead of a 'c' in your name. And you both have black hair. Are you like cousins or something?"

Viktor glanced at Viki before looking at him. "I…don't know?"

"Why?"

"You answer him," Viktor told Viki. "I only remember you from the Gate Rune War and Dunan Unification War."

"A-Ah, Viki is a nickname for me," Viki spoke up, her expression uneasy.

"A nickname for what?" Arin asked.

Viki rubbed at her forehead nervously. "I-I don't know."

Astraea's brow rose in surprise and confusion. She knows Viki is a nickname, but not for what? Wouldn't it be Victoria? Or Viktoria with a 'k' in this case. Gee, that DOES look similar to Viktor!

Viktor clearly seemed clueless about the questions and Viki looked confused. Unperturbed, Arin asked another question. "If you served with Viktor in previous wars, why does he look so old and you don't Viki?"

"I don't look old!" Viktor exclaimed, clearly offended.

"You are clearly not youthful," Zerase said coldly.

"And you are?!" Viktor retorted.

Zerase spread her arms. When Astraea saw the symbol of the Star Rune rise into the air she rushed forward. "Cancel the spell now!"

Zerase narrowed her eyes at her, but the Star Rune quickly dissipated. She looked between Viktor and Zerase. "Can you two please get along and not fight?! We're on the same side!"

"I care nothing for your cause," Zerase said. "Only that you do not abuse the power of the True Wind Rune."

"Fine," Astraea snapped. "But both of you need to stop! Don't talk to each other if you don't have anything nice to say to one another!"

Viktor frowned deeply and folded his arms over his chest. Or rather he tried to, but was unable to fully do so because of his right arm. His frown deepened as he realized this, but he said nothing. Zerase also said nothing as well.

"Let's go," Astraea said, softening her tone. "We'll only be here for a short while."

She didn't know if Lord Benedict would be around in the city but she knew that he had sworn fealty to King Franz and so Astraea knew to avoid his mansion. The first thing she did though was look for Typhon and Dudley. She was both relieved and dismayed to see the Duck warrior in a cage at Typhon's illegal stall. "For 2 million Potch you can—ACK!" Typhon shouted when he saw Astraea.

"Are you okay, Dudley?" Astraea asked Dudley.

"Have you found my halberd?" Dudley asked her.

Astraea shook her head. "C-Could you give me a hint as to what the buyer looked like?"

Dudley's brow furrowed. "He was a tall human with thin hair. He wore a shirt, pants, and gloves. And his breath smelled bad."

Astraea waited for him to continue, but he didn't. "Ah…do you have any other details?"

Dudley shrugged. "You humans look alike to me."

"Why did you put a Duck in a cage?" Arin demanded to Typhon. "He's a person like us!"

"Ah-er-uh-er—HELP!" Typhon suddenly shrieked, jabbing his finger at Astraea. "Help, it's the fugitive—"

"AH-CHOO!" Viki suddenly sneezed, and Typhon became enveloped in light. In the blink of an eye he was gone.

"Good work, Viki!" Viktor laughed, throwing his arm around his shoulder.

"Where did you send him?" Pesmerga asked, startling everyone but Zerase.

"A-Ah, I don't know," Viki confessed. "Sometimes the Blinking Rune teleports people to random places when I sneeze!"

"Oh, right!" Arin exclaimed. "You teleported Daunte into a giant tree one time!"

"Could you teleport Dudley out of this cage?" Astraea asked, gesturing to him.

"Ah—" Viki began.

"Don't," Dudley interjected. "I remember you from the Second Fire Bringer War. Your rune is too unpredictable. I don't trust you to not send me somewhere dangerous when I'm unarmed."

"Smart Duck," Zerase muttered.

"Hey, why don't we get David to come down here again?" Viktor said. "He still has a couple of gold bars left. He can buy his freedom like he bought that dragon egg."

"I must ask you to not reward that bastard by paying for my freedom," Dudley said. "Please find me my halberd and bring it back to me. Then I will embed it into his head and avenge this dishonor against me."

Astraea rubbed at her forehead and nodded. "I will save you, Dudley. I promise."

Dudley nodded. "Thank you, Milady."

Astraea discreetly went to see Gopal's trading post, and she was pleased to see her half-brother still have his business. But while Gopal was happy to see her, he still did not immediately join her. "Wheat is still doing poorly, I'm afraid."

"Then I'll help it do better," Astraea said. "I'll buy and sell it. How much is it?"

"I'm out of it here, Your Majesty. You'll do better to buy in another city."

Astraea's shoulders drooped slightly. "…I see."

There was little else to do in Niebieska Brama, but she decided to go to the Item Shop to check out their rare items. She prayed that she would find potato seeds there. To her disappointment the shop didn't have any seeds, but it did have unique items. A recipe for quiche, and…

"An Iron Hammer!" Viktor exclaimed, his eyes wide. He looked at Astraea. "You need to grab that now before someone else buys it!"

"It will surely benefit you, Your Majesty," Dawa said softly.

Astraea agreed with them both. "How much for the Hammer and the recipe?" she asked the clerk.

"15,000 Potch," the clerk said cheerfully.

"Ah…right."

There was still more to do, but she made a mental note to stop off at the Old Capital before further travel.

Astraea gave the recipe and Iron Hammer to Janna to put in the storage vault. The vault was in the bottom floor of the castle, and while the lighting was dim the vault was spacious and organized. The ceiling was very high; so high that Astraea had to tilt her head back to look at it. And the shelves stretched from ceiling to floor. But Janna was positively beaming as she took the items from Astraea. "I'll take good care of these, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Janna." Astraea looked around. "I hope you've been getting out to see the city."

"Oh, I have! Princess Sigrun has invited me to tea a few times, and Conall has changed my voice a few times with his Sound Rune!"

Astraea couldn't help but laugh. "I'm glad to hear it."

"Do you want to keep this party and head back out, or dismiss the party?" Dawa asked.

Astraea laughed again, but her voice was a little strained. "We're heading back out but…first I'm going to see Satoshi."

Astraea played a few rounds of Garapon but only ended up winning 6,000 Potch, one Mega Medicine, and two Escape Scrolls. Not wanting to waste more money she had Viki teleport them to Alfsberg. Thankfully Lord Reilly was still out of the city, so they were free to roam the city. But Astraea went straight to the Trade Post. "How much is Wheat?"

"300 Potch, Miss," the nondescript trader said.

"And how much is available to sell?"

"I have six, Miss."

"So…1,800 Potch," Astraea said. Dawa started counting out the Potch. "I'll buy all six."

"So now what?" Arin asked when they left the stall.

"Now Her Majesty sells the wheat for higher than 300 Potch apiece," Viktor said. "At least that's how I think it's done."

"But we'll have to wait for the price to rise," Dawa said.

At the Item Shop the rare items included an old Ornament, apple seeds, and pomegranate seeds. Astraea tried to hide her disappointment with a forced smile. "I'll take all three."

"That will be 10,000 Potch," the shop owner said.

It was alarming how quickly she was spending money, but Astraea didn't complain.

"So from these two shopping trips we know we need to get a blacksmith, a trader, a chef, an appraiser, and a gardener," Viktor said.

"And we need to find a human man with thin hair and bad breath wearing a shirt, pants, and gloves to find a halberd," Astraea sighed.

"We can do it!" Arin cheered, pumping his fist.

"Should we travel anywhere else?" Dawa asked.

Astraea shook her head. "Let's head back for now."

That evening after supper she summoned David to the war room to go over a few things. But David opened the conversation. "Is it true Prince Denzel and Prince Vahan are getting along better?"

Astraea gave a relaxed smile. "Yes. They've taken a few trips into the Forest of Sighs to hunt monsters in the last few days. I think they were trying to take their minds off the…memory," she said painfully. "But since they've been working together fighting monsters they seem to be treating each other better."

"I'm glad to hear that, Your Majesty."

Astraea was glad, too. She knew that both of her older brothers never had a good relationship, but they had both been disturbed by her memory of the Massacre of Innocents. Both of them had expressed feeling like failures for not being there for her. In a way, they seemed to be bonding over that.

But they're getting along better. That's what's important.

"What did you want to speak to me about, Your Majesty?" David asked.

Astraea discussed what they had learned and the people she should recruit. "I'm going to need help to find these people," she said finally.

"Yes, we will," David said. "We should look at getting an investigator who will find recruits for us."

"Why don't you use your rune to help with our finances?" Dawa asked. Astraea shot her a look.

David smiled sadly. "The Shining Rune may be attached to me, but it won't work for me. When I've tried to use it, it doesn't respond to me." He didn't mention the fact that Astraea had told Dawa about it.

But he DID say I could tell her.

"If that Rune doesn't work for you, where did you get the gold bars Viktor mentioned?" Dawa asked.

David shrugged. "I stole them."

"You what?!"

"This Rune doesn't make gold bars," David said. "It maintains the existence of precious metals, and produces said precious metals. So it produces the ore that can be melted into gold bars."

That made a lot more sense than gold bars simply appearing out of thin air. Before Astraea could say anything, David turned to her. "They are yours to use how you see fit, Your Majesty."

"Let's save them for now," Astraea said. "We are getting along fine, and have been successfully importing furniture and goods into the Old Capital without issue."

"One thing I think you should consider, Your Majesty," David said. "Is that you should rename the Old Capital. It will show your claim over the city."

"That's a good idea," Dawa said, sounding a little surprised.

"It is a good idea," Astraea said, nodding. "I'll think about what the name should be."

"Is there anything else, my Lady?" David asked.

"That should be it for now. Today reminded me of how sorely we need allies."

David nodded. "I'll work hard to help you gather allies."

The three left the war room, but in the main hall Astraea saw Daunte standing there. "Good evening, Lord Daunte," David greeted him as he past.

"Good evening," Daunte said.

"Lord Daunte, is everything okay?" Astraea asked as she approached him.

"No," Daunte said. "But since you've set up this city I thought you might have use for this." He handed a book over to Astraea.

Astraea took the book, but then quickly realized that it wasn't a book. "T-This is a script!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah," Daunte said. "I was exploring your city this afternoon and found an indoor theatre, or something. It didn't look like it was in use, but I thought if you started putting on plays you could use it."

"P-Putting on plays?!" Dawa echoed, her brow rising. "When would an army have time to put on plays?!"

Daunte shrugged. "My Army did. It helped with morale significantly."

Astraea looked down at the cover. "…'Despair in the World of Emptiness'."

"It was…something that happened during the Nagarean Civil War," Daunte said. "Not a lot of people know about it because it really only affected Viki, Pesmerga, Yuber, and I. But Nāṭaka somehow found out—"

"Nāṭaka?"

"She put on the plays in my Army," Daunte explained. "Somehow she got the details of what happened and out of the blue last year I got this script sent to me. I have no use for it, so if you want it you can have it."

Astraea laughed softly. "The funny thing is that I already have two plays; King Lear and Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe we ARE meant to put on plays!"

"Don't ask me to if you do, Your Majesty," Dawa said. "I have no problem leading an Army but I do NOT like being onstage."

"If you can make use for it, go ahead Your Majesty," Daunte said. "It's not the only copy and I have no use for it."

"Thank you, Lord Daunte," Daunte said. "And…thank you for taking Arin out with you when you visited those cities. He's been enjoying the traveling and he likes seeing new places. We arrived to Zelant before all—this happened, but because of the chaos going on it's been difficult traveling the country."

"I understand. You're free to stay in this city for as long as you like."

Daunte gave a wry smile. "I have a lot of time."

Astraea felt an unexpected squirm of discomfort. Not from his words but from his tone. It almost sounded…somber.

"I should get back," he said, bowing slightly. "Have a good night, both of you."

"You as well, Lord Daunte."

Both Astraea and Dawa watched him leave. Astraea realized she was holding in her breath and exhaled. "Did…Does he seem sad, Dawa?"

"When we visited their home, there was a conversation about ages," Dawa said softly. "I heard them say that Arin's was nine during the Nagarea Civil War, and Lord Daunte was seventeen. That would mean Arin is seventeen now, and Lord Daunte is now Prince Vahan's age; twenty-five."

"But Lord Daunte still looks seventeen." Astraea looked down at her right hand. "…Oh."

"With this power, your body will freeze in time at this moment. With this power, your life will be eternal. Immortality with a power that shaped the world."

The words the True Wind Rune had spoken to Astraea when it saved her rang in her mind. She hadn't truly thought about what those words meant until that moment. Until she got to know two brothers who had the physical appearance of being the same age, but in fact had an eight year age difference between them.

Lord Daunte got the Rune of Restoration when he was seventeen, so he maintains the body of a seventeen-year-old boy. I'm eighteen, and just got the True Wind Rune. So…my body is going to stay the same, too. I'm going to look eighteen while everyone around me changes. I'm going to look eighteen while everyone around me grows old…and dies.

"Nin mel! Nin mel!"

Astraea awoke the next morning to Brownie's shout. She swiftly sat up in bed to see the Pixie in his small form quickly around her room in a wide circle. "W-What?! What is it?!"

"Nin mel, intruders at the gate!" Brownie shouted. He did a backflip and grew big, his eyes wide. "Three humans wearing white armor! The armor does not look like your armor!"

White armor? Astraea gasped in horror and kicked the covers off her. "The Bianca Alliance!"

How did the Alliance find the Old Capital?! Were they attempting a siege?! No sooner did those thoughts leave her mind did a bell start ringing from the main gates of the Old Capital. Astraea grabbed her knout off her nightstand and opened her drawers. "Brownie, go and gather the others in the main hall!"

The Pixie quickly left her room, and Astraea quickly dressed. She was lacing her boots when Dawa burst into her room. "Your Majesty—"

"I know, I'm coming!" She finished tying her boots and straightened. "Is everyone downstairs?!"

Dawa nodded. "They're waiting for you. Our soldiers have sealed the gates so no one can pass."

"Good, let's go!"

The two hurried downstairs. In the main hall they found Sigrun, Denzel, Vahan, Ferdinand, Musashi, Kerime, Richard, Viktor, Brownie, and David all waiting for her. David stepped forward. "They appear to be from the Alliance," he said. "We did not see others but we should still be alert, Your Majesty."

"Do we know who they are?" Astraea asked.

"One human man and two human women," Brownie said. "The man spoke mainly. He had black hair, green eyes, earrings, and a sly smile—"

"Did the two women have red hair?!" Dawa asked suddenly.

"One had red hair," Brownie said. "The other's hair looked very orange. How did you know?"

"Damn," Dawa cursed. "I think I know who it is! Lord Regulus Cairo!"

"Regulus Cairo?" Sigrun asked. "One of the Council of Five?"

"Great, a member of the Council of Five is trying to invade us!" Vahan grumbled. "As if we didn't have enough going on!"

"Wait," David said, raising his hand. "Our soldiers have said there were no other soldiers with them. They may have come alone."

"They may also have reinforcements hiding in the Forest of Sighs," Denzel said.

"But if this were an ambush, would it be wise for them to send their Lord in as bait?" Viktor asked.

"Lord Regulus Cairo is a very hands-on lord," Dawa said. "He prefers to deal with confrontation directly. When the Alliance aired their grievances about their warship, he came personally to try and dock at Potsfurt."

"They may have heard about the conflict between King Franz and us," Richard said, looking around. "Since the Alliance is at war with our Kingdom, they may be seeking to ally with us."

"Or they could be seeking retribution," Sigrun said grimly.

"Yeah," Astraea said quietly. "After all, I was the one who sank their warship."

"We should tread carefully," Vahan said. "Astraea was framed as a traitor and accused of siding with the Bianca Alliance. If we entertain an actual alliance with the Bianca Alliance, the Crown will use that against us publicly."

"But there's also no denying the fact that the Bianca Alliance didn't do the Massacre of Innocents," Denzel said.

"I believe we should let them in to hear them out," David said, looking to Astraea. "Since the three of them approached the Old Capital alone, by bringing them into the city we hold the power. If by some chance they have Alliance soldiers waiting to perform a siege, worst case scenario we can take Lord Regulus hostage to make them stand down. But best case scenario, we have the opportunity of gaining an ally of a member of the Council of Five. And not just any member; one with the best reputation out of all the members."

"You know a lot about the Alliance," Denzel pointed out.

"It's my job to know, Prince Denzel," David said blithely.

"What do you think, Astraea?" Sigrun asked, stepping forward. "Should we invite him in or turn him away? Either decision will have lasting effects."

Astraea knew this to be true, and she also knew better than to believe that a member of the Council of Five would freely come there seeking an alliance. Especially from people who slaughtered hundreds of their soldiers.

…But something told her that she shouldn't ignore this. After a moment's contemplation she nodded. "Let's go to the gate and let them in."

A wall of soldiers greeted Astraea and her group when they reached the gate of the Old Capital. The massive double doors were closed tightly. "Open the gate!" she announced.

Soldiers stood to the ready but none disputed her order. Ten soldiers lifted the massive wooden slab that fastened the gate shut and then set it aside. Then they grabbed the doors and pulled them inward to open the gate. As the gate opened fully, three people dressed in pristine white armor were revealed to her. A man stood in the center flanked by two women; the red-haired woman stood to his right and the orange-haired woman stood to his left. Astraea didn't know who the women were, but she remembered hearing about Lord Regulus Cairo. And she knew the man who stood in the center was this man.

When the gate opened fully, Astraea stepped forward. David quickly followed at her left. "Lord Regulus Cairo of the Council of Five," he greeted them. "On behalf of Queen Astraea Reiser, welcome to the Old Capital."

Regulus's brow jumped slightly, and his sly smile broadened a little as his eyes landed upon Astraea. "You call yourself Queen already?"

Murmurs of outrage broke out amongst the soldiers. Astraea raised both of her hands, and the soldiers immediately silenced. "We recognize her as our Queen," David said diplomatically. "And she will be Queen of Zelant when she wins Royal Combat."

Regulus's smile relaxed a little. Almost looking genuine. "You have admirable faith in your Lady, Sir."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't," David responded. "None of us would be." Astraea reflexively smiled when he said that.

Regulus nodded, as though in understanding. His eyes however looked around at the faces who stared back at him. "You must be something, Your Majesty. Since your elder siblings have bent the knee to you, their youngest sister."

"We stand with Astraea," Sigrun said, her tone almost stern as she stepped forward.

"That's right," Denzel said, also stepping forward.

"Astraea is what this country needs," Vahan added, stepping forward.

It was Regulus's turn to raise his hands. "No need to be defensive. I mean no offense. I am merely making an observation."

"How many are you?" Musashi suddenly spoke up.

"Just Nakoa, Dinah, and myself," Regulus said, chuckling a little. "They are my bodyguards and very formidable warriors. But only just us. It wouldn't be smart to bring my forces here for a diplomatic chat, now would it?"

"How did you get here?" David asked. "And how did you know where to go?"

"We got here in a sea carriage."

Sea carriage?

"And we knew where you were," Regulus continued. "Because of your recent battle between—you two." He gestured between Astraea and Vahan.

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere," David said. He looked to Astraea. "Your Majesty, shall we invite Lord Regulus and his bodyguards up to the castle?"

Astraea knew she could say yes or no, but after a moment she nodded. "Let's go."

A short while later, Astraea sat across from Regulus in the same sitting room she had sat with Daunte. Nakoa and Dinah stood behind Regulus's couch, Dawa stood behind Astraea's couch, and David sat beside Astraea. Sigrun, Denzel, and Vahan took point at different spots around the room with their assists. Only Astraea, David, and Regulus were seated. Pete had sent them tea, and it was brought up to them.

"So why have you come?" Astraea asked.

"We have heard about your challenge to King Franz," Regulus said, folding his arms over his chest. "Since he framed my country for a war crime and then declared war on my country, it would be advantageous for the Bianca Alliance that you win Royal Combat and take the throne. We want to help you with this."

So it was an offer for an Alliance. Astraea wasn't surprised, but she didn't relax. Regulus's posture was stiff, and though he still smiled it was a smile that did not reach his eyes. There was more to his statement that he wasn't immediately saying. "There is a catch, isn't there?"

"Good," Regulus praised, pointing to her. "You caught it, Your Majesty. Yes, there is most certainly a catch. Something that you specifically need to address."

Astraea's throat tightened. "The warship."

Regulus's smile became more genuine, but there was still an edge to his air. "Very good, Your Majesty. That saves me time explaining."

"Please do not patronize our Queen like that," David spoke up.

Regulus glanced at him and then back at Astraea. Astraea quickly glanced around the room and saw her siblings were glowering at Regulus. She looked back at him. "I apologize," he said finally. "I'm letting my personal feelings affect my words. But you are right, Queen Astraea Reiser. We need to talk about our warship. The warship that you personally sank.

"There were 527 Alliance soldiers on that ship," Regulus continued. "They all died in the ambush perpetuated by your kin and you. While I can understand that you were following orders; operating under false information—and that you personally suffered an assassination attempt Your Majesty—the fact of the matter is that the 527 soldiers you killed did nothing to you. These were men and women, good men and women, who had families and lives and the only crime they committed was that they accidentally entered the very edges of the borders of Zelant. They did not deserve what you did to them. Their families did not deserve what you did to them. This is blood that is on your hands."

A long silence filled the room when he finished. The tension in the air was thick. Almost suffocating. Astraea felt violently ill. She knew that loss of life was inevitable in war, but everything that Regulus said to her was absolutely right. They had killed hundreds of soldiers because they had thought they were responsible for the Massacre of Innocents.

She had killed hundreds of soldiers because she had thought they were responsible.

Astraea abruptly stood from the couch. A few people jumped as she walked around the coffee table to the end. She stood over Regulus, who stared back at her with a calm expression. He didn't look accusatory or angry, and that somehow made things worse. Astraea swallowed hard—and sank to her knees. Exclamations of shock filled the room as she rested her hands on the floor and kowtowed before Regulus.

"I assume full responsibility for what happened to your soldiers," Astraea began, pressing her forehead to the floor. "I will not beg your forgiveness because words mean nothing. It won't bring those soldiers back, or give their families closure. But know that I am sorry for the suffering I have caused. If I could go back and change things, then I wouldn't have sunk your warship. I wouldn't have killed those soldiers. If I know what I know now, then I would have gone after the people who were actually responsible for the Massacre of Innocents.

"I appreciate that you have come here seeking an alliance with me despite what I have done. I do not know what I can offer to make things better for everyone I have hurt, but I hope that you believe me when I say that I'm sorry. And…I wish with all my heart that I hadn't done it."

"Astraea isn't only at fault!" Sigrun protested, stepping forward. "I killed those soldiers, too! She should not be held solely accountable for that!"

"Princess Sigrun," David said, and she looked at him. "Her Majesty assumes full responsibility for what happened because she is our chosen monarch. And as our chosen monarch, she understands that responsibility starts at the top. No matter your participation, or Prince Denzel or Prince Vahan's participation in the ambush, it is the job of our Queen to shoulder that responsibility herself."

Silence swept over the room once more. Astraea maintained her kowtow position before Regulus. Finally, Regulus relaxed. He moved off the couch and knelt before her. "Queen Astraea. You shouldn't bow before another sovereign ruler, especially in front of your own soldiers. It will show your weakness."

Astraea sat up fully and met his eyes. "If I don't take responsibility for what I have done, then I am truly weak. I killed those soldiers. That shames me more than bowing to you."

Regulus nodded slightly, his expression thoughtful. He rubbed a hand over his mouth and glanced over his shoulder at his bodyguards. Then he looked back at her. "I accept your apology. I believe in your sincerity, and I'm moved by your humble gesture. I know I have made the right decision to reach out to you."

Astraea felt relieved, but she still sensed more that needed to be said. "Please continue."

His smile broadened. "I want to fight at your side. To overthrow the King who called for that ambush. You already have many people who have faith in you, so I know that you will be successful. If I were to become your ally, you would have my forces at your call. I personally command 300 soldiers, and they would be yours to utilize.

"But you have killed just as many soldiers, Queen Astraea. Before I can pledge myself to you, I want you to put your words into action. You have taken full responsibility for the ambush, so I must demand retribution for it. You regret what you have done, but you need to realize the hundreds of families that were affected by your actions. I will pledge myself and my soldiers to you, but only on one condition."

"'One condition'?"

"Reparations," Regulus said. "On behalf of the families affected by your actions, the condition for our alliance would be for you to pay reparations to the over 500 families affected by the sinking of the warship. The families need to be compensated for what they've suffered, and since you have accepted full responsibility for the ambush I make it your responsibility to handle these reparations."

Astraea felt ill. She looked around the room and she saw that almost everyone was furious. But nobody could argue against Regulus's points. She looked at David last, who stood up from the couch. "How much are you asking in reparations, Lord Regulus?"

"100 million Potch," Regulus said bluntly.

Astraea blanched, bile rising in her throat. "We do not have that sort of money, Lord Regulus," David said, his tone still calm. "It would be impossible to pay you this sum right now."

"Then you may give me money over time," Regulus said, looking at Astraea. "All proceeds given to me will be given to the families of the soldiers lost. You may give me as much or as little as you are able for however long it takes. All I ask is that if you accept these terms then that you pay the reparations in full before you head to Blutkrieger to commence your Royal Combat.

"Of course," he added. "You could say no. You could refuse to pay. But any alliance with my country would be off the table. If you say no Your Majesty, then my bodyguards and I will leave and we will not be back. Nor will anyone else from the Bianca Alliance come to offer you aid. We will continue to wage war against the King and not help you. The choice is yours, Queen Astraea Reiser."

Astraea felt dizzy. Allying with Regulus Cairo and the Bianca Alliance would help them greatly, even if it might complicate her public image further. But 100 million Potch in reparations?! She was struggling enough as it was maintaining her fledging Army!

If I have to pay reparations, it will be hard to pay my own soldiers. But…I DID do this. I sank that warship and caused the deaths of 527 people. It wasn't just me, but I started it. And I have taken full responsibility. I need to continue taking full responsibility.

"I understand," Astraea said, standing up. "I accept your terms, Lord Regulus. I will pay you reparations for the soldiers lost. In exchange, I ask you to lend me your strength so that I may face King Franz and free my country from him."

Regulus gave his first genuine smile since he arrived. He shook her hand firmly and then raised it to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will fight with all my might to ensure your victory."

There was still tension in the air. David clapped his hands together as though to break through the tension. "Now that our Alliance is secured, let's make the arrangements for the arrival of your soldiers, Lord Regulus. The greater numbers will help us significantly."

"That can be arranged," Regulus.

"I have a question," Denzel cut in, stepping forward.

"What is it, Prince Denzel?" Regulus asked.

"What's a sea carriage?"

Recruits: Regulus Cairo (27), Dinah (29), Nakoa (31)