The delegation passed a couple of days' journey to Aurulia with few surprises. The escort was very active in rooting out any threats that approached too close, leaving Val and company bored for the majority of the trip. Val's original plan was to swing by San Rafael on his bike then follow the roads towards Aurulia. For better or for worse, riding with the Dwarven delegation meant taking their established route, which appeared to overlap heavily with the highways. Though Val felt considerably awkward about not making it to see his friends. He had to hope to see them on the return trip or that they would not write him off as dead again.
Wielding magic without runes remained difficult, owing in part to his inexperience with the power, but also Val's perspective. According to an explanation given by Asha that sounded full of holes, Val's main problem was his understanding of natural processes. Igniting a flame proved difficult because he understood heat to be a product of movement, and burning to be of combustion. The mental burden producing what Asha did simply ended up being several times more challenging as his will was scattered among many tiny details. Presumably, for Asha, it was as straightforward as focusing on the end-product and relying on magic to bridge the gap.
Still, halfway through the second day, he could comfortably hold a flame just large enough to light his cigarettes. However, he had made little progress in deconstructing the runes; they remained a black box, input mana, output magical phenomenon. His efforts were not entirely wasted, though, along the way, Val was growing more comfortable manipulating existing substances. Provided it was the air, a glass of water, or lightweight particulates like smoke, he could move them enough to pass as something of a street magician. Twisting and shaping smoke into rings or swirling globes became a particularly amusing way to pass the time.
"Aren't you even a little concerned about your health? That's the fifth one today." Asha lounged across the bench with her nose scrunched up, taking up almost an entire side of the carriage.
"You're so bored that you're keeping count? It's not like it has much impact on my health anymore."
"Counting down till you run out."
"Hmm, actually, that's a fair point..." Val fished out an almost crumpled pack, noting only a few left inside.
A polite voice chirped up. "You know, we have a few hours left. I happen to have a few nice things I imagine you'll enjoy much more." Harken fished out a wooden case, opening it to reveal six expensive-looking cigars.
Durnham issued a low whistle. "You've expensive taste, not saving those for some Aurulian dignitaries?"
Harken smiled. "I have some cheaper things for them. Those pompous money-grubbers are not worth that much."
Val frowned slightly. "These aren't the pompous money-grubbers who are supposed to be backing us in negotiating with the emperor, are they?"
Harken sounded amused as he handed Val and Durnham a cigar each, to which Asha groaned and reclined entirely. "Oh no, they are, but don't worry, aside from your own people, who have now abandoned the coasts, Aurulian interests will be first in the Draug's warpath."
"So what's the move then? Think they'll just rally to war just like that?"
Harken smirked. "Probably not, but they can be convinced... Or misled."
"Oh? Downplay the forces already committed?"
"It's a good place to start. Many details don't need to be fully elaborated upon. All they need to know is they stand to lose as much as the Elves, if not more. We're not wholly certain of the Draug's motivations, but at least from my perspective, Aurulian land is more valuable than the Elves' forests and tundras."
Val mused for a moment, recalling the details he pried out of the sergeant in San Rafael. "Mmm... What do you know about the war between the Aurulians and the Americans?"
Harken looked at him with his usual veiled interest. "I know there have not been many battles of late. It has ground to a halt for now, at least, both sides at a tenuous standstill. How long that will last, I am not certain."
Val's tone grew serious. "Do you know what they have done with the Americans they captured?"
The mercenary lord sighed. "I don't. However, I would suspect that the ones officially captured are likely imprisoned or executed. I am sure many have been captured by private individuals. Likely, they are now circulating the slave markets. I also would not be surprised if a few of your kind have merely escaped into Aurulian territory and blended in. It's a large enough place, though not terribly diverse. Some might be hiding out among the rural towns. I can imagine what you might feel, but please avoid any rash actions."
"Don't worry, countrymen or otherwise, my priorities aren't immediately with them. I am more concerned with the possibility of Aurulians making sense of our technology. The Dwarves are one thing, provided they maintain their neutrality, it might even be a good thing for them to have a bolstered presence. I'm not sure how I feel about an empire with a history of warmongering and greed benefiting quickly."
"To be fair, the current emperor is rather level-headed, if a bit young. It's the nobility you need to be concerned with."
"Great, so a feudal empire with a bunch of private armies."
"Well... Yes."
A couple of hours later, a massive walled city surrounded by plains, farmlands, and small towns came into view as they crested a hill. The walls were not anywhere near as high as Kar Lodihr's, but the city looked to be several times bigger, with accents of gold displayed prominently. A large castle stood prominently in the center with taller inner walls surrounding it.
Val craned his neck out of the carriage, studying the emerging scene. "I assume that's our destination?"
Durnham nodded. "Aye. We have an embassy where we will stay. Believe me, the lodging available just doesn't compare to our own hospitality."
Harken cleared his throat. "Indeed. You should know before we arrive that there are not nearly as many personal freedoms granted within Aurulian walls."
"I kind of figured as much. Can get jailed for bad-mouthing the Emperor and what-not?"
Durnham chuckled. "That too, yes, but be careful where you practice your sword or magic. Use of magic or possession of arms by unlicensed individuals can land you in a cell too."
"Let me guess, only the nobility or royalty can issue the licenses? The system was put into place after a revolt by the common folk?"
Asha yawned. "That's correct. Aurulia has strict authoritarian governance. The current emperor's great-grandfather was rather publicly executed by rebels shortly before they were put down."
"What a happy place..." Val muttered to himself, reminded of the fact that politics and human behavior were identical points between the two worlds.
As they rolled through the surrounding towns towards the gates, Val noticed what looked like refugee camps. Squads of armed and armored troops were patrolling the area, keeping any trouble from breaking out. Val was scanning the crowds for any signs of Americans, but nothing about them gave him that inclination. The one thing that stood out was a peculiar squad of soldiers that were dressed differently. They wore thick surcoats over their light plated armor, embroidered with a Christian cross. More curiously, though, a couple of the people in their dozen or so number did not appear to be any sort of knight. If he had to guess, they were some sort of mage or sorcerer.
"Hey, Asha, what's up with them? Some sort of church knights or templars?"
Asha nodded. "Mm, Emperor's personal army in a sense, outside of his regular army, since he is also the de facto leader of the Aurulian Church. I avoid them whenever possible, I suggest you do the same. They worship a god who hasn't been heard from in thousands of years, and they do not like to be reminded of that point. They're all but outright hostile to other gods and their worship, a grudge passed down by their ancestors since the Crusade."
"About what I expected, got it, thanks."
Wary of the church mages and Coyote's warnings, Val had a thought. Using minimal mana so as to not let his brand or eyes visibly ignite, he channeled the Peorth rune as a self-augmentation. Asha noticed the shift in his magical presence and eyed him curiously.
Asha spoke quietly. "It's a good idea, but keep the strength of your enchantment low. If you hide all traces of your magic, you'll draw suspicion towards your identity from the Barren World instead. Better to look like an ordinary mercenary who doesn't wield magic but possesses it nonetheless."
The delegation proceeded through the outer wall gates with little trouble. Some guards inspected the first few carriages, but after a harsh lecture from some of the Senate, they waved the entire convoy through. It was much slower moving through Aurulia than it was in Kar Lodihr. While not as busy, people moved more slowly, and the roads were not as wide. If nothing else, the city reminded Val of old European towns that existed throughout the country, but on much larger scale.
There were definite signs of poor folk, but for the most part, it was a normal enough society at first glance. People shuffled about their day, stopped and gawked at the delegation as hooves clopped and plodded through the streets. Asha drew her hood down, and Val, equally disinterested in drawing attention, drew his cloak from his rucksack and put it on.
By the time the sun was setting, they had finally reached their lodging. A large estate with a mansion built of stone and marble, with several adjacent buildings, stood in contrast to Aurulian gilded architecture. Dwarven guards stood at attention to receive them. Evidently, there was enough use for the embassy to keep it in its fullest condition all year-round.
It was a much-needed relief to get off the carriage again, moving freely on the pocket of Dwarven law. Val stretched while the support staff and guards transported goods and escorted the senators. Harken motioned for Val to follow as he led their group towards the back of the estate.
Harken lowered his voice. "Believe me, Aurulian nobles will be quick to visit. Best to hide, we might as well grab dinner. The kitchen should be in full-swing right now."
Val nodded, his stomach threatening to complain from hunger. "Yeah, let's go with your idea. I've no interest in meeting nobles."
After getting some food, Durnham led them to their lodging. The grizzled guard captain himself was staying in the guardhouse, but the three of them got rooms adjacent to each other on the second floor. The room was spacious enough for Val to practice his sword, though it felt a bit unsettling having no company. As obnoxious as Asha could be, and Muninn's voracious snacking habits, to say nothing of Huginn's snide remarks, he had grown used to the company.
Peering out of the window facing the front courtyard, Val observed Harken's predictions coming true. Formally dressed couriers bearing gifts and horse-drawn carriages were arriving by the dozen. Evidently, the nobles were eager to engage the visiting senators in discussion likely intended to yield profits. Nonetheless, Val paid close attention, motivated to learn what he could about these people.
There had been few surprises so far, the Aurulians resembled pre-Industrial Britain in many ways. Magic was the main oddity, noting similar aetherite lamps like the ones used in Kar Lodihr. The difference Val could spot was that the lamps seemed to not be a public works effort in the Aurulian capital. Many of the streets they had passed lacked the lamp posts. Instead, they were burning oil or tinder for light. It made for a simple indicator to differentiate the districts by the wealth of the residents.
Bored and nearly losing his mind doing little else but study magic for the past couple of days, Val head down to fetch a few drinks. It was approaching nine o'clock at night, but he knew Asha did not sleep early and was easily persuaded to the bottle. The majority of the delegation had settled in already or were attending to their eager visitors, leaving the foyer empty.
As Val head towards the cellar, a familiar figure escorted by two guards walking down a hall away from Val gave him pause as his head snapped back in a double-take. Val energized his senses just enough to hear as one of the guards continued talking in a respectful tone. "Lady Myne, your room is just down the hall, right this way. Please do not hesitate to ask if you require anything further. High Councilor Hreidarr has instructed us to tend to anything you require."
A beautiful young woman with an almost translucent black gown exposing much of her back and fair skin was striding along between the two dwarves. She wore an indigo silk shawl around her shoulders with her visibly long, jet-black hair tied up in an elegant bun. Val was not entirely sure, but the woman looked incredibly familiar as he watched them leave.
Val shook his head vigorously, afraid to be caught gawking at someone he suspected could be a woman of nobility or anyone else that could mire him in annoying politics. No one paid him any mind as he picked out several bottles of unfamiliar beer and wine, returning up the stairs towards Asha's and Harken's rooms.