As the third month of spring arrived, the remnants of winter were long left behind, and the once mud-covered landscapes now blossomed with lush green meadows.
Perched before what was now known as the Fallenic Path, which led to the soon-to-be, Temple of Fall, his castle stood, a commanding monument that overlooked the bustling city below. Though it may not have been the largest or most opulent, it served its purpose of being a place to isolate himself in silence, to store his belongings, rest, eat, or anything else that an ordinary home would provide.
Its chambers and corridors were vast and mostly empty, simple in design, with ease of access from one room to the next with large, open walls. There was a sense of solitude within, from the drapes that cascaded every polished glass window, and a silence that came from the lack of servants.
Innah'vadah began to thrive and prosper under his rule, with enough homes to house his people and more, as even Drow had begun to seek refuge within his land. Of course, this arose the issue.
("Lord Erik.") A begrudging tone in Elvish spoke. ("We thank you for your audience.")
In the grandeur of Erik's castle, the Drowvish Elders gathered before him, their figures standing side by side within the confines of his castle home. Erik, occupying a plush and cushioned chair, presided over the meeting in the great room, the largest and most significant space located right at the entrance of the castle.
He stroked the back of an owl, roosting on his lap. His demeanor was that of a king sitting on a throne, and his apparel, befitting a noble and wealthy king. He was garbed in black, a sleek black suit similar to the common noble wear in Highland, enclosed with a row of eleven buttons going down the center, with a matching coat resting on his shoulders, which acted like a cloak, cascading down his back, its sleeves left unoccupied. His clothing fit him perfectly, tailored for him specifically. Underneath, he wore a crisp white dress shirt. His trousers led down to black leather boots.
Of course, the elders recognized his clothing to be of their silk, woven from their spiders' silk.
"Lord Fall." Erik responded in a correcting tone of voice.
"Lord Fall...?"
("Yes. Erik is my name, and to speak it is disrespectful. My people refer to me as my lord, but as you are of a higher standing, and this a diplomatic discussion, so lets use our respective titles. You shall refer to me as Lord Fall, and I to you, as Elder Nax, no?")
("Yes... I see... Forgive my impoliteness, Lord Fall.")
Seated before the crackling fireplace, it's flickering flames casting a warm and inviting glow. Astra, Marasia, and Kalia, all pushed chairs into place, just behind the elders. Each one of them, wearing a modest, comfortable, and elegant dress.
("You are my guests, please, sit.") Erik extended his hand, offering them the seats, which they obliged. The crackling fire was overlapped by the elders clearing their throats and the steps of three women walking over to seats on the sideline.
After moments of otherwise silence, one of the elders finally spoke, breaking the silence in an almost annoyed manner. ("Agh, enough of this. Lord Fall, we sent a letter of notice that we wanted to speak with you, days ago.")
("Yes, Elder Nax, and I returned said letter with one of my own.")
("You refused to make the journey to meet us, having us, instead, come out to meet you.")
("Is that not fair? I made the journey to Ferin to meet you, during the winter season and on foot. It is now spring, and I saw it fitting that you would be the one to take the journey this time, and I thought it was a good chance to show you around. We have come a long way in a year's time.")
The elder momentarily collected himself, recognizing the logic in Erik's words. ("Yes... Very well, that is only fair." He acquiesced.)
("Isn't it?")
("Lord Fall...") One of the elders politely spoke. ("If I may...")
("You may.")
("Thank you.") He paused in collecting his thoughts. ("...My understanding is, you are the leader of your faith.")
("Yes, but I am more than the leader, and the being of worship.")
("And your faith is called..?")
"Fallenism."
The elders exchanged bewildered glances with one another, their brows furrowing and their expressions clouded with uncertainty.
("Lord Fall, we mean no disrespect, but you see, the reason we wanted to meet with you, is that you have allowed our kin into your city. This has arisen issues with us, as with so many of our kin, abandoning their land to live here...") The elder's lips refused to spit out his next words, purely out of embarrassment, but after a few moments of grinding his teeth lightly, he finally did. ("...We ask that you turn them away.")
("Turn them away?") A faint, dry chuckle escaped from Erik's lips, causing a subtle rise at the corner of his mouth. The sound was soft, almost imperceptible, and carried with it a hint of wryness. ("Forgive me, but, here, following the Fallenic path, acceptance is a virtue, as is reciprocation. To your kin who chose to convert and earn their place in my city, they are now considered my kin. I will not turn them away because of their past, and would only do so if they were to refuse to reciprocate our kindness. If you want to try to convince them yourself, there is nothing to stop you, but the choice is theirs entirely.")
The elders again exchanged looks with each other.
("Very well.") One of the elders stood up, bringing rise to the rest as they followed in his action. ("We shall take our leave now.")
("Elders, please.") Erik interjected. ("Since you have spoken what you want, I ask that you hear me out now.")
The elders sat back down to hear him out. ("Yes... Very well. To leave without doing so would be rude on our part.")
("I appreciate your kindness. Now, I understand your troubles, and I want our people to continue our relationship. I prefer bluntness, so I will say it clearly. Defect to me. Now, before you argue against the idea, I ask that you hear me out first. If you know that you would never do such a thing as to betray your monarch, then I will understand, and you can leave, and our relationship shall end.")
The elders each considered his words, but even after seconds upon seconds passed, none of them ended up standing up.
One of the elders snickered at the thought. ("It would seem we are willing to hear you out, Lord Fall.")
("Good. You pay taxes to the crown, and you suffer for it. Your rulers do not care for you, they do not even see you as equals to their own serfs. You are less than the common peasant, you are slaves that nobody wants, purely because of the differences between you and them. I, however, do not care for your skin color.")
("Lord Fall, I ask that you skip the pleasantries. We are old, but we are not senile. We are willing to hear you out, so please tell us your offer.")
("Very well. I will seize control of your land, and your people will convert to my faith in worship of me. I will do what I have done here, better the lives of the people, better the land, and increase development rapidly. What I offer to you specifically, is the position of Counts of Ferin as a vassal to me. You will defect from the crown, and Innah'vadah will absorb all of Ferin.")
("And what of the fates of our kin?")
("My word will be law. There is no currency, and anything of value, such as metals, will be offered to me for my sole possession. Identities and familial ties will be recorded. Citizens may learn and speak other languages, but common is required. The education of every individual is to be taken seriously. Children will learn young in preparation for adulthood at the age of fifteen, where they will be allowed to marry and work. Marriages will be monogamous and must be solemnized by the clergy.") He extended his hand toward Marasia. ("Incestual and extramarital relations are a sin. Deviancy is a crime. Citizens may learn and speak other languages, but common is required. Cleanliness is a virtue, addiction is a sin. Everyone must keep clean and sanitary in order to halt the spread of sickness and disease. Men and women may choose their occupations, but every adult will work in order to earn their place at least once a week.")
("Is that it...?") The elder asked, a hint of irony in his tone.
("Also, littering is a crime.")
("What of murder?") Asked another elder.
("To be left into the hands of the family of the deceased and assailant. Now, is this acceptable to you all?")
("This is no such easy matter!") One of the elders furrowed their brow. ("Even if we were to agree, there is the issue of the empire defending deeming us traitors and sending their armies to defend their borders, and to bring religion into this, invites the Unnarion Circle. Are you able to give your word, your promise, that you would be able to defend against their onslaught?")
Not a hint of worry dampened Erik's calm guise.
("The druids.") He said after a moment's pause. ("I have learned much of them from your books, as well as word of mouth from your kin. I must say, I am unimpressed by the tales of a bunch of elves, fucking animals, and praying to stars. Do not worry about them. They are weak, and they will most certainly condemn us, however, do rest assured, that they will not succeed. The Oravin Sea will ensure they will not reach our shores, and that their graves, will be at the bottom of the sea, where their flesh will be torn apart by the sirens.")
His words were persuasive, too persuasive for them to turn him down despite their worries and reluctance. Within the coming days, Erik would take control of Ferin, securing its borders, mapping out its land, and indoctrinating its people.
He would begin to reign in all the wildlife across the whole of the county, as he did Innah'vadah, and a pathway would be constructed through the mountains that would connect the two lands.
His days as a king would be long and busy, and progress would be steady under his rule.