It was very odd to see knights wearing the crest of Vaniel throughout the castle grounds along with the beastmen that most of them kept as slaves. I could tell the aura of the air was beyond tense from their eyes as they waited for the approval of the chosen king to attack one another. Several were already at each other's throats and had to be restrained by the others in hopes to keep the appearance of a nonvolatile parley before gaining such approval. Those knights of Breura which were present for my and Thirteen's duel stopped what they were doing and watched as I strolled by with their heads bowed in respect. Then there were several Vaniel knights that thought a one armed man was easy prey but came to a sudden realization.
Using unconscious bodies like stepping stones, "Damn pests!"
Ignoring the frightened stares of their comrades, we continued our walk to where a meeting between all parties was being held. I didn't allow Nyxis to be taken away from me by the cave dwelling Hanegers nor will she be taken by the hands of Vaniel especially by the Little Fox's bastard brother. My anger boiled in the pit of my stomach with each step closer to the conference hall where my unknowing prey sat demanding reparations to be issued. More and more Vaniel knights got in my way and were quickly dispatched without missing a step. Soon enough, the doors were in sight and the sounds of voices rang in my ears as I noticed Duval and Kuval leaning against a nearby wall.
"We sensed your awakening," Duval growled as he and his sister fell in line beside me.
Kuval chuckled as we passed several maids and knights who hugged the walls allowing us full birth toward the door, "It's great to see you walking around once more, Lord. I will say that many of us began to wonder if you'll return to us."
I didn't say anything as four knights stationed to guard the doorway took a position between us with their hands on the hilts of their weapons. The five that wore the colors of Breura relaxed their posture and bowed their heads while the six that wore the colors of Vaniel remained in my way. I ignored the grumblings of the center knight who warned against my advancement as muffled shouts could be heard coming from the room beyond. Without fear, our group continued forward with me at the lead. Black flames danced in my palm before wisps erupted from the impact against the center knight who was sent flying backward through the door from one small ball of flame.
Those that remained standing were quickly dealt with by Duval and Kuval who instinctively followed my blaze. Armor shattered from the force behind serrated claws and unmatched strength granted upon such monsters. I watched as Duval lunged forward like a rabid dog pinning several knights on the ground and dragged his claws against crumbling armor fit for battle. Kuval was like a lynx moving between gaps formed by knights trying to tear their comrades free from the savage beast and found themselves on the receiving end of unseen fists. This bit of carnage was one of the several reasons why the two were considered guardians of the Grotto and my blades.
Holding up a hand for the scene to stop, I watched as a lone Vaniel knight stood surrounded by the pain stricken gasps of his fellow knights. Duval and Kuval stared at him like a stray mouse waiting to be caught as they stalked to stand on either side. Their eyes held an ominous aura to them which made the knight's legs start shaking as his fear began to overwhelm the once collective mind. The sour smell of piss filled the hallway as a small puddle began to envelope the man's feet making the two monsters laugh. Walking past the knight, I heard the sound of his body collapsing to the ground with the clatter of armor as Duval and Kuval joined the rest of us within the silent conference hall.
The hall was about the size of the kitchen in Raven's Claw and had only one large rectangular table with ten seats on either side along with one at each end. An elegant white cloth covered most of the table that looked to be made from an old honied oak from the comb like markings pressed deep into the wood. A centerpiece of elegant roses and fresh fruits rested in the middle of the table allowing everyone seated to gaze upon one another without much strain. Webs of gold dotted the sides of the table giving it a somewhat glistening tone to the dark wood and caught the eye. Goblets filled with drink sat in front of each occupied seat as their users gazed silently at my entrance as I nonchalantly used the knight that opened the door like a mat.
Thirteen was at the head of the table with both his queens placed on either side of him and two guards stationed behind them. My Uncle sat at the farthest end so that he could easily face Thirteen with Solomon standing menacingly behind him with the massive cleaver resting on his shoulders. Near the fall and facing toward the door that I entered from, Jack held a relaxed, entertained posture with his arms crossed and a smile on his face upon seeing me. Dugan and Åse wore their emotionless masks but like before in the Undercroft their emotions of joy betrayed their eyes. I smiled as Liliana got from her seat between her parents and ran to me with her arms out in front of her.
Upon seeing an unknown child running toward us, Kuval took a hostile stance ready to pounce Liliana but relaxed when Duval placed a hand on her shoulder. Both monsters stared in awe as the little whelp wrapped her arms around my waist and began to weep from joy upon seeing that her Uncle had made a full recovery. Smiling, I found the Little Bat staring at me with a grin on her face as she sat next to Veronica who seemed delighted to see my return like most of those present. My smile faded when I found Nyxis standing between the Little Fox and her brother with her chest slightly exposed. Joy turned to anger when the bastard took the opportunity to strike her cheek with the back of his hand hoping to be rid of her.
As Vaniel knights began to swarm me with weapons drawn, I appeared in front of Nyxis and glared at the Lepus daring him to continue. Fear grew in his eyes as he involuntarily took several steps back and tripped over his own feet like some fawn learning to walk without the aid of its mother's nudge. His gaze seemed to look past me and fall upon one of the nearby seats forcing him to compose himself as if his life depended upon it. Intrigued, I followed his eyes only to find a man in his mid twenties with short reddish blonde hair and a well maintained matching beard. The man did carry the posture of a person stationed highly among military authority as he held my gaze.
Like most people of his status, I quickly became bored and returned my gaze to the unwanted prince who held a blade out toward me. "It seems luck is in my favor this day. Not only do I get two brides, but the prize of claiming your head as well. Tell me, do you have any final words?"
[(Nyxis smells nice.)]
I stared dimly at the blade as Nyxis was enveloped by shadowy threads which gave way to an obsidian dress with white trimming sewn in around the bottom and along the chest. The threads were made with the aid of the Aranea dwelling in Penumbra or the part that wasn't given to Erebus when I freed him. I felt its tidings intertwined with my soul and the welcoming embrace of those that called the portion home deep within my heart. They will play a factor in my upcoming plan to rid Breura of the Vaniel pests that roam its streets. Soon, everything will come into play but not before old business is dealt with.
Turning, I found the young prince on his knees and blade some distance away from his outstretched hand as he struggled to breath. He foolishly decided to come at me while my mind was elsewhere only to receive a fist embedded deep within his gut and an elbow to the back of his exposed neck. I shifted my gaze to Thirteen out of curiosity when seeing his own son struck down and left in such a way. His eyes harbored some resentment toward me but his posture remained collected as the young prince slowly got to his feet with a wobbly blade. Anger burned deep within his eyes which grew even more upon seeing that I paid him no mind.
"I am the rightful heir of Breura," he roared, "you will not stand in my way of claiming my birthright!"
He looked to Nyxis who stood ready for anything he would try to get hold of the Little Fox and enact his first step towards his claim to the throne. Truth be told, I understood where Maddox was coming from in the sense of having your birthright taken away without you being able to stop it. Our father was to be the next king of Ironclad as stated by the time lost tradition of passing the crown to the eldest child. Since he died, his claim was passed to our Uncle who filled the void left on the throne and would eventually pass the crown to Freya, his only child. The birthright that once belonged to Veronica and I was no longer within our reach but that didn't seem to bother us.
That being the case, my pity was short lived when Maddox charged Nyxis with his weapon held up high ready to cut her down along with his sister. All at once, Thirteen and his Queens lunged forward hoping to stop him before watching the massacre play out only to freeze at the gaze of their guest. Anger burned deep within his eyes as his only son closed the gap between his heir who he willingly gave to me in hopes to protect the thread of his lineage along with the lasting memory of his name. Part of me felt sorry for the man that claimed so many lives in the arena we once called home while another was disgusted in seeing the very man who laughed in the face of death stand idly by. Time seemed to slow down matching that of a snail's pace as Thirteen's eyes gazed into mine.
Tilting my head, I glared at Maddox as he tried to free himself from my grasp and continue his attack. "They," I coldly whispered, "are mine."
The sound of a blade scraping across the marble floor sounded throughout the silent hall as all occupants gazed at the scene of Maddox Udreth silently weeping at my feet and cradling his now broken nose between his fingers. One thing my father taught me as a swordsman was to never allow an enemy to get within reach of your wrist or they might use your own hilt to blindside you for an opening. I had used the core of this idea in disarming the blade by giving it some leverage before pushing it to the side and following with a fist aimed at the point of the nose. Once he was off balance, I swept his feet from underneath him with the aid of his own shadow which faded back into hiding. He tried to scramble for his sword but was stopped when my foot was placed on his hand halting the attempt.
I half heartedly spoke staring at the squirming mongrel under foot, "You're nothing but a worm trying to imitate a mighty leviathan. A thorn in everyone's side just waiting for the very thing you wish to be to come along and pluck you free. You're hardly even worth killing but your actions will not go unpunished, especially when trying to take what is MINE."
The sound of blades being drawn and the clanking of armor got my attention as several Vaniel knights that were dealt with beforehand joined those chosen by the Vaniel representative to attend the meeting as his escort. Most formed a circle around me while another group surrounded Elesar and the others who snarled their fangs waiting for my command to kill the enemy in front of them. The idea of giving such an order did appear for a moment but wouldn't truly help Tartarus and his group for what was planned. More time was needed to ensure that those wrongfully taken were accounted for and no harm to befell them. All the planning in the short time of leaving the room I had awakened would all go to waste in an instant but that decision was upon the shoulders of the man who signaled for his men to stand down.
"Well said oh fearsome one," the man chuckled as he came to stand before me, "but even a worm like him is well perceived by the so-called leviathans."
The man reached down for the sword and gazed upon the golden hilt riddled with crimson gems that sparkled in the fading sunlight. Running his fingers the length of the blade, the man's eyes were void of emotion yet held a small spark of joy when the blade stopped just inches from my neck, turning a fatal blow into a small cut. I stood unfazed as the warm blood trickled down my neck and came to rest near the center of my chest before being absorbed into the cloth. My gaze never left the man as he removed the blade from my neck and smiled at me with delight like some crazed jester. The room held an electrified aura in it which became more intense the longer the two of us stared at one another.
It was the man that broke the silence with booming laughter as he spoke, "Not many stay reluctant to hold my gaze let alone stand before me. Fewer remain unfazed when the hand of Death comes to collect."
He walked over to his seat where a woman with long matching hair sat, "I must know Beastking, how long have you had such a warrior in your flock or shall I ask your plow horse of a General?"
At such a comment, anger burned deep within the auburn eyes of Izras who gripped the hilt of her blade waiting for the order to cleave the man who insulted her in two. Thirteen had a similar look in his eyes as well yet he kept his emotions in check for fear of breaking the parlay in place for now. His judgement would surely change when told that several of his subjects were once again taken from their homes by the very person flying the white flag of negotiations. To be honest, the plan was somewhat well thought out as it kept the King and his knights busy within the capital while those out of reach would fall prey before anything could prevent it. Such things were one of the main reasons that kingdoms in both stories and reality sometimes fell due to a distracted leader.
I felt Maddox clawing at my leg trying to free himself from the pain and to once again have feeling in his limb. "Sorry," I moved my foot from him as the need was no longer present, "forgot you were down there."
"Agusta," the wounded bird roared as he followed the man, "I demand that you kill this man and help claim my throne!"
I watched with thankful eyes as the man, Agusta, brought the back of his hand across Maddox's cheek, shutting his mouth. "You allow your arrogance to get the better of you," Agusta pulled Maddox close by the color, "just because the Emperor has taken a liking to you doesn't mean you have the right to order anyone around, Demihumam!"
[(So Vaniel's Emperor took a liking to a Demihumam, very odd and out of character for a ruler of a nation known for treating Beastmen like animals. Can't help but wonder what is truly going on behind the curtains. For now, it's best to deal with the issue at hand before allowing it to grow into a bigger mess.)]
"Feral King," Agusta spoke in a grim tone, "you have heard our request in the return of your son along with what shall befall your fair city if you decline."
His eyes turned to Thirteen as two knights slowly backed away and grabbed the wounded prince in either arm. He struggled against the knights who continued to drag him from the conference hall ignoring his faint threats and false promises of wealth to betray their master like some mercenary looking for a higher prize. I couldn't help but pity Maddox as he passed me yelling like some crazed man whose wit had long betrayed him but that feeling soon passed. A small grin appeared at the corner of my mouth when Nyxis came to stand beside me where she belonged and stared at Agusta with a cold gaze almost daring him to come for her. He too would feel my wrath if he dared to finish where Maddox had failed.
"Dear brother," a calm sincere voice came from the woman that was seated next to him, "why don't you join the others and help the young prince get situated? After all, father chose me to tag along as his ambassador while you act as his strength."
[(I guess she's the one Zeke mentioned that sought a private audience with Thirteen and Uncle.)]
Agusta seemed reluctant to do what was said at first but his demeanor softened as he kissed his sister's head accepting her counsel. With a small forced bow, Agusta turned and made his way to the exit but not before stopping next to me with thoughts of testing me once more. The two of us gazed at one another as if tunneling deep into each other's souls and uncovering what made us stand without fear. His eyes held years of conquest from childhood to adult life that acted as the forge which made him. Conquests that foretold countless deaths of those his beloved home called enemy and the enjoyment of causing such bloodshed that many believed to be nuzzled from the War Goddess's tit.
"I hope to see you again, oh fearsome one," Agusta muttered.
"No you don't," I whispered as he started to leave, "for if we meet again, you'll be begging for your pathetic life."
A broad smile began to spread on his face as he turned to face me, "Is that a threat I hear?"
Returning his smile, "No, it's more of a promise."