My Uncle leaned forward, "Sure, it's a fine scheme. But something tells me that alternative ideas are being sought. The way you phrased the marriage.. is that where the problem is? You're a Queen, keeping a paramour isn't against any cultures I am aware of."
"Dirthin doesn't like it, yes, and I don't want to upset him." I replied.
"It is the easiest option." Barak said, looking at Dirthin. "I know Sevexine didn't want marriage or her title, but she will have to marry, do you wish to be king or emporer? That would mean others fighting in your stead."
"No one fights my battles but me." Dirthin began saying.
"He is going to be declared Queen's Champion." I interrupted, then looked at James, "It solidifies my cubs rights to succeed my throne, if they want to. I am trying to not pin them with my status."
"You are, and will continue to be, royalty. Your status has already decided a fair bit of the life they will lead. It will be expected of them. Talked about to them behind your back by powers trying to control them. It will not matter that you wish for their freedom unless you renounce their heritage. The only true free people are those with no responsibility." James said.
"There are ways to handle it, James. They simply aren't going to be easy, and may mean the cub spends more time in your household than with me." I said.
"Both of you are right. It is barely doable, especially while that cub is your only child, unless you entirely neglect the cub. Which you've experienced the results of that. Marrying the Sultan and having a cub with him would alleviate the pressure on this cub. The Isla and Empire would require the pregnancy ended without life for this circumstance." Barak said.
"Well, let's just be glad that isn't the case here." Dirthin said.
"Is it not? Will the Sultan not require either you to raise the cub or it be killed? Rulers do not raise bastards typically." Barak said.
"Doesn't matter. Requiring either would just force my hand." I said. "I have no attachments to the peacefulness of these lands. If I take it over, I'd just need to balance it's status quo. I don't care to have a tyrants status."
"I have never known the Sultan to require the death of children." James said.
"I have noticed humans are the majority rule here." Barak said, "As for an alternate way to do as you intend without marriage.. that would be abdicating."
"Abdicating would do it. No one would have a reason to come after you." James said.
"A situational abdication, where you merely relinquish control of the Kingdom to the Realm, then it's reliant upon his mercy to allow your residency." Barak said. "However no nobility would appreciate it. It would cause more stress."
"I don't know if I would recommend that path." James said.
"Oddly, this all feels more restricting than this necklace ever has... oh...." I remembered Asmodeus' orders.
"Ah. The life of royalty." Dirthin commented.
"Yeah, royals get to be lesser than everyone else, but have to act like they are beyond reproach." Barak said.
"Should I have disclosed Asmodeus' orders..?" I asked.
"I don't think that'd really help." Dirthin said.
"Oh, I didn't aim for it to help.. but technically, it would get me out of any potential trouble from ignoring his orders." I pointed out.
"Yeah, that'll do it. You'll be making a lot of a show for him." Dirthin noted.
".. What were the orders?" Barak asked.
"To build an empire on this continent so he can pit it against the other empire in the far future." I said. "He's distracted by a cult currently."
"I.. am going to have to agree that it will not do any good to bring that up." James said.
"To be frank, he'd do it regardless." Barak said. "Nothing you can do that'll change what he's going to do."
"Yeah, he's got a one track mind." Dirthin said.
"I won't mind it when I'm strong enough again to rip him to pieces. Takes him a while to come back." Barak commented.
"I've already ripped apart one of his avatars. He's not a big fan of mine." Dirthin replied.
"It's just nice to see that cocky grin fade from his face." Barak agreed.
"He always thinks he's winning till the sword enters his chest." Dirthin said.
I gave James a look. "You know, I think these two'll get up to some serious mischief if we let them alone."
"Haah. I'm inclined to agree." James said.
They started actively telling eachother about their fights against Asmodeus. Barak then asked, "Have you ever fought a tromokratis?"
"Barak, no!" I said, straightening alarmed, placed a hand on Dirthin, "No." Looked back at my uncle, "No."
"It wasn't that bad." Barak said.
"Ok, I have got to know, what in the hells is that?" Dirthin asked.
I placed my hands together, and looked at the curious James for support on the telling them no. Barak said, ".. It's a kraken that is a titan."
Dirthin cracked his neck, "Where?"
"Should probably go in order. The Slarkrethel is a little weaker. And the Kraken more so." Uncle said. "I was younger than Dirthin the first time I fought it."
"That sounds like it could be a lot of fun." Dirthin said.
".. The tromokratis must not be killed." I said.
"Yeah, yeah, well it can be fought to the hearts content." Barak said.
"I mean it. It creates coral which is necessary for many sea creatures to live." I said. "It also helps prevent the corrosion of land."
"Oh, fine, not everything can be killed, I suppose." Dirthin said.
I sighed, patting Dirthin's hands consolingly, "So the options are to abdicate, marry, or ruin the Sultan's reputation."
"Which one do you like the most?" Dirthin asked.
"If I abdicate, I may appear to be a weak ruler... and that is after all the things that will have my people looking down on me already. With ruining the Sultan's reputation, I may appear fickle and dodgy. Marrying has always been a tool for nobles and royals to strengthen their standing.. Unfortunately there are only two suitors that would help my situation with the Isla, through pure intimidation, which is the Emporer or... Raiden." I said.
"From what you've told me of the Emporer, that's not a good choice, and I just don't like Raiden." Dirthin said.
Which was followed by an alarm sound going off, and the door opening. The girl, Zeraldinria came in with Jasper in her arms, "Help, dragons!" She said.
Dirthin jumped up and left, with Barak following. James stood and said, "Where is the rest if the family."
"Outside now, one grabbed Isarial up, and Snow is going after it." The girl said tearfully.
I stood and started for the exit. James passed me, and I slipped out, telling the girl to stay where it's safe. It wasn't hard to make it to the library of the house, which had been damaged when the dragon grabbed the boy. Snow pointed to the boy easily, in the claws of an ancient dragon. Snow and Barak battled one dragon, while Dirthin solo fought another, and two dragons were attacking the castle with James taking a moment to access the situation.
As soon as I left the house, I took my guardian form, after warning James to move, and reached for the ancient one, it was barely within reach, but I grabbed it. It shrieked in rage, and used it's break weapon at me.. but I pulled it to me, still, working my hands to lose the grip on Isarial. As son as I'd worked it open enough, James pulled his son from the dragon's claws.
I wasn't entirely sure how he'd gotten there, but I didn't care. I snagged them away, putting them in the houses opening. Then I let go of the dragon and returned to my normal size. "Office! Now!" James told the boy.
The boys lips pressed together, but he obeyed, turning and sprinting in that direction. "Was he hurt?" I asked James, still facing the dragon.
"Few scratches, that was about all. If you'll excuse me, I need to have a chat." He said, using Fly to confront the dragon.
With the dragon distracted, I snuck away to start looking around for injured people. The dragons didn't seem to be attacking people though. Just going after the castle and the Hearthry's. Frowning, I took out my communication item.
"Hey, Phintias, I have a hunch, but are there dragons there?" I asked.
"A few. There are less now, why?" He asked.
"Six in Valor's Crest. Targeting the palace and the Hearthry's home." I answered. "They are paying no attention to the citizens."
"It certainly does seem they are after something. Haven't bothered to ask what." Phintias replied.
This is when I heard the ancient Dragon call out in it's tongue, "*The boy is here. Call the others.*"
"Um.. please tell me if they retreat.." I said, watching the dragons leave the castle, heading towards the Estate.
"Oh, would you look at that. That's odd." Phintias noted.
"They are after Isarial Hearthry." I informed him.
"Oh, well we can't be having that." Phintias said.
I ended the contact, unconcerned with whatever that meant. I contacted Raiden, telling him to come help, then I contacted Bibs with the black stone. "A horde of dragons are after Isarial in Valor's Crest."
"Damn. That would explain where they went. We're on the way." Bibs responded.
Raiden poofed to me, I pointed to the problem. He went to attack the problem, and I notice Nia and Plight approaching. Plivht looked at me, nodding and asked, "Isarial?"
I said, "Yes. I called Phintias, Raiden and Bibs for help."
"Oh good. Is anyone injured?" He asked.
"Maybe by now. Well, Isarial was scratched up, but he's in the office now." I said. I saw Raiden climbing a dragon to get to it's head. "And there goes Raiden."
I heard laughing nearby, and turned to look. Some man nearby began to boast of the fall of the Hearthry's. I noticed no one moving to help them. A few people looked uncomfortable. I took a deep breath. And approached the dragons again. More were arriving, quickly. Plight and Nia followed me, and I noticed Phintias arrived as we began fighting.
Soon, Bibs and his friends, Kershka, Tilton and Gregor came. With everyone's help, we were able to drive away the surviving dragons. Though that wasn't the ideal outcome. We did manage to bring down the ancient one who seemed to have organized this whatever it was.
Raiden approached me, "What in the Hells are you doing here?"
I stood up straight. "Do not speak to me in that tone of voice, Little Man."
His face twitched and he took a deep breath, my Uncle circled him and stood partly before me, "The purpose of removing you from here was safety, remember?"
"Yes, I remember. It's not like this was planned, and I asked for help. I am fine. No injuries. You did your job. I appreciate it." I responded.
He looked around briefly. "Alright. When are you returning?"
"Shortly. My business here has concluded for the moment." I said. I noticed that Phintias was nearby with an amused expression on his face. "Thank you for your help, Phintias. It would have been a daunting trial without you."
"Oh, you all would have had this taken care of. Maybe a few more bodies, but it would have worked out." Phintias replied.
Raiden looked past me, then moved me behind him, nudging me in the direction of the Estate. When I glanced back, I saw several nobles and other officials approaching. Many of those officials were clearly marked as Kingsmen.
I went towards James and Dirthin, "I can order Raiden to have his men here and end this now." I said quietly to James.
"That would be good. I imagine they are about to do something very stupid." James said.
I nodded and told Raiden what I needed done in our language. He nodded, using a device, and I went to Bibs, "I apologize for the severity of what's about to occur. It was determined that it's the best course of action."
"I'm sorry, you want to fill me in a little bit more than that?" Bibs asked.
Lionfolk began arriving. I explained it briefly, and the intent for the Sultan to manage it. "This was determined because of the disdain the king had for the Hearthry's, and the fact that Dirthin is my cub's father, which is highly likely to be viewed as treason."
"Ah, yes." Bibs sighed. "Probably should have seen that issue arising."
"I hadn't planned on it being so soon, but I can defend my cubs family this way." I said.
"If you need some behind the scenes things dealt with, just let me know. I had been hoping the king would begin to do better.. but it never came to pass." Bibs said.
"False proof of some nobility from here being responsible for my abduction would be great. It was going to be the catalyst for my invasion." I said, looking at where the kingsmen and nobles had stopped where more than forty Lionfolk now stood.
"Alright, James may I borrow some paper?" Bibs asked.
A few more Tigrine were coming in, including Sangir. James handed Bibs what he needed. I approached Phintias then, "I had not intended for this so soon, but they are certainly agitated enough to be stupid, hm?"
"Oh, you don't need to agitate them so much for them to be stupid. I will return and inform the Sultan." Phintias said.
I nodded, "Thanks."
Phintias turned and left, I noted Raiden signal me to come closer. And I did so. Three paladins approached. Demanding the Hearthry's come forth. Sangir said, "Not sure who that is, however, you need to run ahead and tell your King that our Silver Kingdom demands answers over our kidnapped Queen."
Before they could respond, Raiden stepped forward. "Do hurry. You have five minutes to warn your King to see us before our Queen orders our attack for the affront."
They looked at eachother, before several ran to do as told. The lionfolk were looking around a little curiously. I understood that they were only looking casual. They'd break loose in an instant at the slightest provocation. I could see that James and Dirthin both picked up on the dangerous nature of the lionfolk.
Bibs discreetly placed the 'proof' in my hands and headed home with Kershka. I slipped it to Sangir. Raiden loftily announced that the five minutes were up. Then he have the directive to push through. Sangir signaled Dirthin to join us, so once he was next to me, the lionfolk started forward. They formed a circle around us, the Kingdom's guards being shoved out of the way as we went.
The nobility had the good sense to move out of the way rather than let the barely restrained cats touch them. The other Tigrine moved between the Lionfolk, keeping an eye on everything. Once we reached the palace, the guards said they'd allow three people entry. This was not gonna happen.
"You would make a Queen walk without proper escort? How vulgar. We are giving your King a chance to make a wrong write, and this is how you pay us back? Your Majesty, shall we bring in the ships?" Raiden responded.
One fled inside to report the matter. They returned and said, "T-ten is a proper escort."
Raiden, Sangir, Dirthin another Tigrine and six lionfolk were selected. We entered and were led to the King's Throne Room. A small man walked up and asked for our names and titles. Raiden scoffed. "This is her Majesty, Queen Sevexine Silver the First of the Isla Silver Reef. I am her Chancellor, Raiden, this is her Advisor, Sangir and her savior Dirthin Hearthry. The rest are mere royal guards of little note."
The man scuttled away towards the throne, I noticed nobles from the noble houses were filing in and towards the sides. The small man, a herald, began announcing us, introducing us to the King, then introduced the King to us. I noticed a young prince, around twelve or thirteen, in a throne slightly behind the King.
"I have been informed that you think one of my nobles kidnapped you." The King announced. "What proof do you have?"
I raised my hand, and Sangir 'produced' the document, bringing it part way forward. "The proof is a transaction between the former Regent of the Isla Silver Reef, and a noble house, Solon, of the Kingdom." Sangir announced, unfurling the 'document'.
The King raised his hand, and a guard came forward, taking the document from Sangir. He looked it over once it came to his possession. "Surely you must know I must conduct an investigation concerning this. As for the.. 'inconvenience' of you being misplaced.. how about you join me for dinner and we discuss compensation." The King said.
"Inconvenience? A noble family kidnaps the Sovereign of another Country and hold them for nearly half a year and you suggest it was merely an inconvenience? We demand land, and monthly tribute to equal the extent of pain and suffering our Queen was subjected to. We also demand the Hearthry's are rewarded handsomely for their service in rescuing our Queen and returning her. It should be no less than the worth of your Prince's life." Raiden stated firmly. "Obviously, we did the investigating for you."
"You forget yourself, Sir, you speak to Royalty. Or is your Queen incapable?" The King responded.
"I am the injured party here and I helped fight off a dragon invasion here in your capital, and you wish me to defend myself? How barbaric." I responded.
"I do not ask that you defend yourself. You are not under attack. I wish that you simply speak." The King said.
"What Raiden says is my will." I replied. "Surely you realize that kidnapping a queen is an act of war, no? Or are you trying to hint that you had knowledge of this? I want the entire bloodline of that family destroyed. The traitors on my side have already been beheaded."
"Whereas I appreciate that you have done your investigating, I will not be beheading an entire noble family at your word." The King said.
"Which would be fine, except it's not our word. You have proof in your hands." Sangir reminded him. "Surely the Hearthry's were incorrect that their King is Just."
The king looked at Sangir, then sifted through the papers again. "Bring the Solon Family." He told the guards. It took a bit of time, but the guards brought them. He looked at the head of the Solon's and said, "You stand accused of conspiring to and of kidnapped a foreign royalty. The evidence provided is fairly conclusive. How do you plead?"
"Innocent. We have no dealings outside of this continent." Solon said.
"You're home will be searched, and if it is found false, you will be executed and your family will be excommunicated." The King said. Ordering an investigation.
Raiden lazily pulled a trinket from his pocket, "Atagone, be a lamb and assist in a fair investigation. If I say nothing more in ten minutes time, call in our ships."
The King frowned, "What? You do not trust our investigation team? And yet you expect me to trust yours?"
"Our one and only High Sovereign is on foreign land, though your forces are lackluster in comparison, obviously you have some form of might to be able to leave this gods' cursed land and go all the way to our Southern Isla. Should you choose to attack outer Queen, we have a failsafe. It is not like we can trust the Hearthry's on the matter if you are a fair and just ruler, they are your citizens." Sangir explained at length. "We just chose to be open about calling in reinforcements, and hope you will do the same."
"Arrest them. I am done with this insult and farce. Arrest them." The King replied.
The lionfolk began giggling and falsely looking at me, like hyena on chains. I inclined my head. As people started forward. "Defend Her Majesty." Raiden said, releasing the lionfolk from their 'passive' command. As soon as the royal guards got close, the lionfolk dismantled them. Effortlessly.
The king vanished, I falsely sighed. "Fetch him." As Raiden vanished, I looked around the room, "Do not harm any who do not raise arms to fight."
There were those who attacked, Dirthin's assistance helped clear them by the time Raiden and Atagone reappeared with the King. I walked forward, "Come here, boy." I said to the Prince, reaching our my hand.
"Don't you leave that chair!" The King shouted at him.
"Now you threaten your child? How pathetic." I replied. The boy looked terrified, though he tried to hide it.
"I am trying to save all our lives." The King said.
"Explain, before I lose patience." I said in a bored tone.
"My court advisor has rigged these thrones, so that if we are both off of them, this entire room will explode." The King announced.
"So you left your son to die. Nice. Sit him in his seat, everyone else, if you would evacuate, please? I have no need to keep this castle intact." I announced.
Raiden and Atagone forcefully sat the King in his chair. The king grunted from the forced action. "What do you want?"
Several nobility left, several others stayed. I offered my hand to the prince again. The boy came to me and took my hand. "Good boy." I said, petting his hair. "You, take the boy outside. Guard him." I ordered the Tigrine. He immediately obeyed.
The kings wife was brought in shortly after, by one of Atagone's people. Two other Lionfolk replaced Atagone and Raiden, they came to stand with me. "Answer me, Damn it! What do you want?" The King shouted.
"I have decided to take the Kingdom. This means every reigning ruler will die today." I announced. "Feel glad, mercy has been granted to your son."
"Fine then. Kill me. Soon as you do, this entire castle will follow suit. So you'll join me." The King sneered.
"Kill his queen." I ordered, they obeyed. "Any who revive the King of Queen of this Fallen Kingdom shall henceforth be sentenced to exile in the Realm of Nightmares. End the King."
The order was obeyed, the king was killed. With his dying breath, he called out, "Cowards."
As soon as he was dead, and his body thrust forward, I recognized the runes being lit up. I grabbed my pendant and quietly said, "Asmodeus, Please do grant me the power to stop the throne you set to explode from doing so."
I heard a chuckle. He walked out from behind a throne and pressed a finger to one of the thrones, "These? But these were meant to be so much fun.. it's always nice to see such a large building crumble."
I walked up to him, "Yes, but you.do remember what you asked me to do right? It would be a lot easier to get started this way."
He sighed, "Fine." A smile returned to his face, and he re-wrote the runes to light up 'Every time I sit in this throne I will know that I am a spoil sport and must find a new way to provide entertainment.'
"Much appreciated. Late King's Advisor." I said.
He gave a slight frown at that, "And how did you know I was his advisor."
"You're handiwork is unmistakable." I replied, smiling.
"Unmistakable because it's perfect, I know." Asmodeus replied loftily.
"Do you have possession of the King's soul?" I asked quietly.
"Of course. His wife's, his son's. Had to.complete the set." Asmodeus said.
"Nice. You have some new entertainment then." I said.
"I do indeed, and do feel free to send the last piece." Asmodeus said, leaving instantly.
A single noble was still in the room. He had approached Raiden and began speaking. I took out the black stone to contact Bibs. "Hey, sorry, but can I please ask a favor?"
"Sure, how can I help you?" Bibs asked.
"Asmodeus owns the prince's soul. I am going to make the prince abdicate, I don't want to kill him.. You said you could help with that before, could you try to for the boy?" I asked.
"I suppose I could, yes." Bibs said.
"What would you like in return?" I asked. "I'll have him brought to you."
"More than likely, you'll have to fetch me a few materials, so let's keep that in mind first." Bibs said.
"Yes. Thank you." I replied.
"Not a problem. I love doing everything in my power to annoy him." Bibs said.
The thought made me smile. "Raiden, I need an official abdication declaration for the prince to sign. See to that and take the boy to Bibs. He will know why."
"Yes. Have Sangir do anything else you need for now." Raiden said, bowing and heading out.
Dirthin was wondering around. And looking at things. So I addressed the only noble left. "You there. Nobility of the Fallen Kingdom. Come and speak with me." I ordered.
He shrugged and said, "Well, when you are right, you're right. Not exactly a fun title, though." He cleared his throat, "And how may I address you?"
"I suppose I would be the Queen who conqured this place. So tell me about this Island. What is your rank and name?" I replied.
"I am the Arch Duke Heint. I am in charge of the port town, Scraver's Coast, along with a few other regions. I feel that one is the important one, though." Heint answered.
"Very well, Arch Duke. Will you and your vassel's swear allegiance?" I asked directly.
"Aye. I believe we will." He answered.
"You may do so." I said, offering the back of my hand. He performed the allegiance oath, a promise to obey, sealed with a kiss to my hand. "As my first vassel of this land, I must ask you, are you satisfied with the current lands you govern, and how is our relationship with the South? I am told it is called the Realm."
"Poor at the moment. But that was most the King's fault. But since we are under new leadership, that will probably change. I am quite satisfied with the land I currently possess. I have no need, nor desire to increase my holdings at the moment." Heint explained.
"Very well. I appreciate your candor. I would like you to organize an official envoy to invite the Realm's Ruler to visit next week, where I will declare my rights to this land, and my intentions with it. I shall be hearing from the other nobility and looking into the affairs here for now. You may go, unless you have questions." I said.
"No, I don't believe I do. I will be off to handle these tasks." Heint said bowing.
"Make sure the Envoy has an appropriate gift meaning hoping for peace and friendship." I stated as he began to leave.
"Hmm.. last I heard he enjoyed fruits. I will see what I can find suitable for travel." Heint said before heading off.
"Sangir, handle the clean up, will you? And Atagone, find the palace documents with all necessary information I need." I ordered.
As they obeyed, nobility came and spoke with me, one by one, giving their names, and fiefs, if they had one. The ones that did not, I ordered them to head to Hearthstone and come up with ideas to make their territories inviting. The dead were removed, the blood cleaned up. I recieved notice that the dragons were cleaned up, and ordered that their bodied be prepared for long storage and circulated in order of poorest to richest in the lands.
I also decreed the Hearthry's would have the lion's share of the profitable parts of the dragons. Along with that, I ordered a reward be prepared for them, due to their 'heroics'. Raiden returned with meals for me and his people.
Dirthin came back, "Found the treasure room. For how much is in there he really should have had better guards."
I smiled at him, feeling exhausted and fragile. "Such is the way of things."
"How are you holding up?" He asked.
Mindful of being watched, I quietly said, "I am exhausted. But the day is not done. I need the church to come and also fall in line, or I need to strike them."
Once the words were out of my mouth, someone from the church did arrive.. I ordered that they bring me all their charitable documents, and any documents detailing what they do. They balked, but I insisted they do this or I would eradicate their church and bring in one I liked at my own whim.
Seeing them balk, I ordered Atagone to go with them to ensure 'speedy deliverance' of the papers. Really it was to avoid tampering, lobbying and bribery. They looked positively left to hang. Though they weren't as obvious about it. They left with Atagone to get what I demanded and Dirthin had a good laugh.
"Leave it to the churchies to try and be in control." Dirthin said.
Sangir came up to us. "Raiden ordered a few to make sure the clerics and paladin don't escape. Is that fine?"
"Yes.. it's fine." I said uncomfortably. "I should have said so anyways."
"From experience, some of them are good.. it's just the ones on charge." Dirthin said.
"It's fine. There will be a screening.." I said. Atagone brought several bits of documents to me, and Raiden brought my communication table.