"My late parents made a deal with Asmodeus that took their lives, and gave him possession of my soul to remove a Rakshasa from the Empire." I said.
"That sounds like an incredibly bad deal. I feel like Asmodeus could have dealt with whatever it was, way easier than that." The Sultan said.
"I don't know the specifics. I was two when it occurred, and all I know about it is what I've been told. A Rakshasa is a demon that shapeshifts into influential people to sow chaos and eat humans." I replied.
"That does sound incredibly difficult to deal with." The Sultan said.
"Incidentally, the idiot king also traded his, his wife, and son's souls to Asmodeus. I asked Bibs to release the boy from the deal." I said. I then defended my actions in leaving him alive, "I have his abdication papers, he was merely a scared child."
"Hopefully, he grows up and wants nothing but a peaceful life." The Sultan said.
"He has a chance, anyways." I said. Then I smiled warmly, "I was expecting disapproval."
"For not murdering a child?" He asked.
"For not removing a potential future problem." I said, "Raiden disapproved, he just simply didn't bother to question me, because he doesn't care."
"Everyone in existence is a potential problem. If you end them all, then who do you rule?" The Sultan said.
"Everyone on this continent are a lot less cutthroat. Is that why you've settled here, Phintias?" I asked.
"Indeed. They are not so gung-ho." Phintias agreed.
I nodded. "Was there anything else we should discuss?"
"You said you planned on taking over the Empire, when were you wanting to do that?" The Sultan asked.
"Honestly, I wasn't expecting this to be as big of a mess, or done as soon as it was. The opportunity just presented itself and I moved on it." I thought on it a moment. "I think four months after my cub has been born would be a decent time. If not, a year from now."
"Alright. I can help you with this. I have many resources saved up in case the Kingdom had decided for war, you need only ask." The Sultan said.
"I would just need to distract Sangir and Raiden long enough to get to the Emporer. His only strength is cruelty." I said.
Phintias smiled, "I can be a very good distraction."
"You can be, and I don't think Raiden could kill you." I noted.
"It would be a blast, I assure you." Phintias said.
"An oddball advisor you are." I grinned.
"I'm a classic, what can I say?" He replied in a good natured way.
I chuckled, "Well, if we've covered everything necessary, shall I show you the complaints book?"
"Yes, let's go and see this book." The Sultan agreed.
I stood, and dismissed the magic, leaving the room with them. Sangir anxiously gave me a once over, "V- Your Majesty, I am told more people have arrived to see you."
"And they are..?" I asked.
"A tabaxi, some poor people, and an emissary. The rest of their people are held up in the town between Winter's Halt and Scraver's Coast, they said." Sangir answered.
"A tabaxi?" I asked, the rest was standard or expected.
He checked a paper he had. "Jaden was all that was said."
"Ah. That's fine then. He's fine." I said.
I headed for the throne room, where I saw the people on the outside. I announced, "I'm not seeing to any religious people today, you may stay in the church."
Then I looked at Jaden, blinked and went inside the throne room. I picked up the complaints book along the way, and inappropriately signaled the Sultan and his wife to sit with me in the three thrones, handing the Sultan the book if complaints.
"Hoh, I am sure they are going to love that, let's see what we have here." The Sultan said.
"You were going to check on Isarial?" I asked Phintias.
"Oh, trying to dismiss me? Alright, I'll be on my way. Who knows, I might leave the door open on my way out." Phintias said.
I laughed, "If I thought you were bothered, I'd explain my intent. I am certain the boy will entertain you more than I can."
"I don't think he is currently planning to take over an empire, but he does do some interesting things." Phintias said.
I glanced past Phintias towards the amused looking Jaden. "I'll have you know, Jaden, that I am still offended from the last time we spoke."
He looked at me confused, "Oh? And what has you so offended."
"Mm. I regularly find that lowly peasants have better memories." I attempted to remind him of his words.
"Oh, right." He bowed, "My apologies, Your Majesty. I will try to mind my words a bit better."
I stared at him and said, "So, what do you want? Kittens don't normally visit tigers."
Phintias turned around from the doorway to watch, super amused. Jaden said, "Even kitten's have claws, though mine may have dulled over the years."
"Mm. If it wasn't for the fact that I spooked you significantly, I'd take better heed of your words." I replied.
"Words of wisdom should be heeded regardless if they come from rats. Regardless, I just came to pay my respects." Jaden said.
"I always listen to wise words. Just haven't heard any recently. Come here, so I can show you my tiger." I told him.
With a look of confusion, he approached me. I had to signal the guards to stay back. I took out the tiger carving Kershka did. And showed it to him, then showed him how to turn it into a tigrine.
"Ah, that's some fine work. Who, pray tell, is the craftsman? They must have many fine pieces." Jaden said.
"Kershka made it for me. He made me a tree, too. It grows." I informed him. "Isn't he a wonder?" I took out the tree, and showed him how it grows and matures. "He worked so hard on these and just gave them to me because he wanted to."
"What an interesting fellow. He could charge quite the pretty coin for this." Jaden said.
"You should seen him toss an assassin like a rag doll. It was funny." I said.
"I truly feel I should meet this fellow. Where does he reside?" Jaden asked.
"He lives in Dueling Rivers with Bibs. He's a stone Goliath. Don't you annoy him, common probably isn't his first language." I said. "Really, if you do annoy him, I will be cross."
"I'm ashamed that you feel that you have to give me such a warning. I will be on my utmost behaviour." Jaden said.
"I just adore Kershka." I said quietly. "He's a tolerant person."
"Well, if he's such a tolerant person, I'd have to work at annoying him. Which I don't plan to do." Jaden said.
"So, you say you came to pay respect? You didn't want anything?" I asked.
"Oh, several small islands." Jaden said.
I rolled my eyes, "Well, there is a place like that, just take over the tribes and you can call it yours. The neighboring island has a volcano, though.
"Oh, that sounds like a pain." He said.
"Only if you are selected as a sacrifice for the God of the volcano." I said.
Sangir cringed, "I had forgotten about that incident. Thanks."
"Sounds like there is a story there." Jaden said.
"Eh, not so much. We were sailing during a bad storm, wrecked on the volcanoes coast, and decided to check out the island. The tribes decided I looked like the perfect sacrifice, but when I escaped, Sangir became it instead." I said. "Still confused on how they caught him."
"Look, we already know you are the superior swimmer, Your Majesty." Sangir said.
"Don't worry, he only got singed before Raiden saved his fluff." I said.
"Well, that sounds greatly amusing, but I must be heading on my way. I am glad you seem to be settling in." Jaden said, abruptly.
"Mm. The Lord you report to about Hearthstone is Tilton, the Reis and Mayor of Dueling Rivers. Any and all issues with the land should be filtered through him, though I don't mind if you or one of the council members do it. This will change in a month." I informed him.
"I'm sure Tilton is more than capable of handling anything that comes his way. Bit should issue arise, we will be there to assist." Jaden said. "What do you mean by it changing in a month?"
"I will be marrying the Sultan soon, and then he will be the one to handle such business, if that is his way." I replied.
"Getting married are we? Well, I will certainly have to mind my manners now." Jaden said. "I would hate to offend two kingdoms at once."
"Well, we are actually rethinking what to call it, since we will be forming it into one." The Sultan said.
"Indeed, this is called a dual monarchy.." I said. "One ruler over two kingdoms."
"Well, whatever you end up calling it, I am sure it will be astounding." Jaden said.
I looked at the Sultan, "The cats on this continent are not very expressive. They tend to mirror humans."
"I'm sorry, unfortunately I don't know much about feline expressions. It is a skill I will certainly have to work on." The Sultan said.
"Well, for instance, Jaden's stiffness would be considered rude, and aggressive. Whereas my body indicates a slight bit of stress, but mostly confidence. It's only the fact that I understand there are far more humans around that allows me to understand he's just being proper." I explained. "A tense cat is a fighting cat."
"I will have to surround myself with more feline company and brush up on my feline linguistics." Jaden said.
"I hope for you to have some luck with learning." I replied.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll have it mastered." He said. "I wish you all luck, until we meet again."
He headed out with our permission, and I saw to the problems the people for a few hours. The last of the people I saw, I recognized. It was the old man and teen who'd come across my hunt, that I'd eaten with. Their surprised was evident. They'd come to give their thanks because their lord, Sunder, was now fixing their village properly, past what I'd done, and given them aide.
The Sultan asked for the story behind the situation with the pair, and I told him about how I'd been exploring the woods, hunted a kill too large in the woods when they'd happened by, and offered me some treated leather to wrap the meat in. I'd been surprised by their assistance, and gave them the meat in exchange for a meal. While they'd cooked the meal, I'd patched up their homes with my meager magic.
Then I'd gone on my way, and investigated the very place they told me not to go to. I told him a little about how I'd found it and restored it, and how I was fixing it up. I told him about the pool, and how I'd gotten a druid to grow Jungle trees there. Then I informed them about my dome. Which was a space I told them that I might share with them occasionally if they ask, and aren't afraid of heights.
"I would love to see this place. Maybe we can see it soon." The Sultan said.
"That will be fine. Technically, I should already be arranging a tour of the North to survey it personally, and let everyone see my face." I commented. "That can be moved back, because that would be necessary for you, too, when you rule it. Or is that not a practice done here?"
"It's not one the previous king performed, I believe, but it is one that was done previously. Not that it is particularly impressive, but I toured my territories as well." The Sultan said.
I looked at him evenly for a moment, "I don't really agree. Having seen both places, besides a weird smell in Winter's Halt, the people are in better condition than I've seen in the North. Though, I also only visited Winter's Halt and Ymir's Town."
"That is what I was meaning, I only have the two major cities. And a few small villages." The Sultan said.
"My Isla only has one large city, and a sprawling of homes. The population is probably equal to this continent, though." I shrugged. "As long as I can get the Archdruid to agree, we can help the Realm expand and spread out."
"It would be nice to give my people a home they can grow." The Sultan said.
"If the Archdruid refuses, I can ask Nia to grow Jungle trees with the Residuum in the desert. Once enough are growing, it can help hold water at the surface, which will heal the land some." I said. "Nia is a druid."
"It would be nice if we could simply find an Archdruid to do it, but it's good to have an alternative." The Sultan said.
"Feathergrass and brittlebush are plants that have success with growing in desert climates. A sandy part of the Empire became soul again through that method. Why hasn't that been tried?" I asked.
"I don't know if we have those plants. If we did, I am sure or would have been tried." The Sultan said.
"I forgot that those plants may not be native here. Then again, the Empire also has science." I said, thinking.
"What is this 'science'?" He asked.
"It is the study and process of understanding the natural world through observation, theory testing and experimentation." I answered. "They've learned a lot about humanoid anatomy, and environmental things. Not much about medicine, though."
"Well, that sounds like a fine practice, but medicine should rank higher." The Sultan said.
"There is a heavy reliance on magic." I said. "It hinders what should be studied."
"The Empire sounds like a very fascinating place. Very different values." The Sultan said.
I was about to say something else, but Raiden popped in. He stared at the Sultan and his wife for a moment, then looked at me. "What are you doing?"
"I don't appreciate the tone you're using." I replied.
The Sultan said, "Who is this particular fellow?"
Raiden clenched his teeth, then looked at the Sultan. "I am Raiden. Chancellor and Sword of the Emporer Penrose of Arverent."
"And I am the Sultan Vernado, pleasure to make your acquaintance." The Sultan said.
Raiden turned his gaze back to me. "What are you planning?"
"Lost your patience, huh? The Empire doesn't require this place. And we both know if I die during childbirth that there is no revival. I am securing my home and ensuring it will be looked after by someone with similar views." I explained in a bored tone.
"And the Isla?" Raiden asked.
"What about it? I control it. I only offered the North to be ruled through our union. Now I have a more experienced ruler I can pester for advice that won't just recommend I kill those who are bothering me." I shrugged.
"Queen Vexie, your future actions.. consider them carefully." Raiden advised.
"Are you quite done yet, Raiden?" I asked.
He looked at Sangir, "Continue your post. Mind who approaches."
"Of course." Sangir acknowledged.
"There are more spies around our Queen than I would prefer." Raiden said. He handed me a stack of papers and left.
I sighed and looked at the Sultan, "Sorry about Raiden. He's just that way."
"He seems very determined to keep you safe or use you. Maybe both." The Sultan said.
"It does boil down to that." I acknowledged. "It is both. In return I use him as I need to."
"I suppose, atleast it is a mutual exchange." The Sultan said.
"There is a degree of fondness." Sangir commented. "Either way, the banquet hall is almost ready. Will your Majesties head there?"
"Ah, time to eat, I suppose. Again." The Sultan said.
"I have no actual ide what the Lucky Stone organized for this." I admitted. "When I declared the company to be the Royal Merchant, I asked that they organize the banquet for welcoming you. Earlier, you simply surprised me by showing up when I was cooking."
"Ah, so it was perfect timing then." The Sultan said. "I didn't know you're a cook."
"I love to cook." I said, standing up. "I am aware it's inappropriate, but it's a survival skill I learned young."
"Maybe I should try my hand at cooking sometime." The Sultan said.
The wife looked at him, baffled, "Why would you bother?"
"It's good to be well rounded." The Sultan said.
"About that.. you can simply say that it is common for rulers to cook in the Isla, and for Her Majesty she can say that she learned the skill is common for rulers from here. Then both sides would be insulting each other if they put down the skill." Sangir suggested. "Then it will not matter if her Majesty cooks, and, as she is likely to do, Her Majesty can teach you her skills."
"That's a fine idea. Shall we go and see what James has put together?" The Sultan suggested.
I inclined my head, and headed there with the royals and our entourage. Once we reached the doors, I noted James, Isarial and Phintias there. "Welcome, James. I appreciate your attendance. I see you have the mini boss with you."
"Yes, he did not refuse to come, so I brought him along to experience this." James said.
"For the record I don't like being called mini." Isarial said.
"Alright, I will not do so again." I replied, entering with them and the Sultan. Quietly to the Sultan I asked, "By the way, is there a reason you did not bring nobility?"
"They do not know how to behave, so like children, I left them at home." The Sultan said.
I could not hide my great amusement, even with the hand I tried to cover my mouth with, I still laughed a little. "Should you need help, I am willing to assist."
"They will be reigned in with new toys, then reeducation with a heavy hand will keep them in line. I hope they will learn quickly, I do not enjoy being heavy handed." The Sultan said.
"Why not do what Ve-Queen Vexie is doing? Once they have their 'new toys', put them in charge of making something of some land, turning it hospitable and profitable, and reclaiming it if they fail?" Isarial asked.
"That could be a better way of handling them." The Sultan noted.
"It drains them financially, plus you can impose other rules to make their usage of the land stricter, such as enforcing that it has to have soldiers enough to defend it, but also not so many as to build a private army. Those who succeed become assets, those who fail get shamed." Isarial suggested.
"Reminds me of an old saying about finding diamonds in the rough. It's an excellent plan Isarial." The Sultan complimented the boy.
".. I mean, it isn't a bad idea at all, though that isn't why I set that up. I set it up because I didn't want to deal with it, and I believe everyone should live in a well maintained home, regardless if they are able bodies or not." I said, clarifying my I purpose.
"Well, same result, just different intent." Isarial replied.
Our seating was prearranged. At the U-shaped table, I would sit in the previous Kings place, to my left would be Phintias, and James. To my right would be the Sultan, in the previous Queen's place, followed by his wife, and Isarial, then a few high nobles and their wives. At a separate table were merchants and the lesser nobility.
"I recognize that this is a touch inappropriate, but I figured that this would be the best way to handle seating, along with the accompanying announcement." I informed the royals and Phintias.
"I think we're grown up. I think it will be ok." Phintias said.
"High praise for an old man." I said quietly.
"I am not old, I am ancient. There is a difference. The audacity of these young people." Phintias said.
I giggled, amused. Then I waited for everyone to settle. Once everyone had, and eyes were directed towards us, I chose to make the announcement that the Kingdom and the Realm will be uniting through marriage to promote peace and unity on the Continent.
Seeing the mood was positive leaning, I continued on, acknowledging that I had not seen any of the Kingdom's merchants yet, but that I would begin the next day. As I'd done with the Lucky Stone, Nobility and the Church, I told them to come by with their ledgers first thing. I would be reviewing them and compensating where necessary based on raided or destroyed goods, and taxes that may have been unfair.
The reactions from the North's Merchants were telling, some suddenly looked hopeful and others looked concerned. Others were neutral. The Southern merchants didn't really react, as expected.
"If we feel our taxes were fine, and our goods well stored, would it be possible to not bother you with our ledgers? I would hate to add to your workload." A merchant said.
I stood, and braced my hands on the table, "James, which merchant is that?"
"That is David, the owner and proprietor of the Gold Shilling." James answered.
"My thanks, James." I said, before taking on a fierce expression. "The Gold Shilling knows better than the Queen, is what you say?" I snapped my fingers and a tigrine shadow stepped to my side. "Go to the Gold Shilling and seize anything that looks like a ledger. Take three Lionfolk with you. Allow no exit or entry until I have the ledger reviewed." I straightened, pretending to calm myself down. "My orders are as good as law. Do any other merchants wish to spare me work?"
Another merchant began to snicker. The Gold Shilling, showing some anger said, "As Her Majesty wishes."
"Pardon me, Your Majesty, but if we have our ledgers on us, would you like them now, or after the banquet?" Tibin asked.
"Ah, Tibin." I smiled, sitting down. "You may bring it after the banquet. For now, please enjoy the banquet, with much appreciation to the Lucky Stone and it's proprietor for preparing it for us." I gave the signal for the food to be brought out, "A small surprise for the occasion, We have prepared Sake and Soju from my homeland, they are fine alcohols made of grains. Please enjoy."
With that, all the pretty and elaborate foods were brought out, filling the tables and samples of alcohol were handed out. The Sultan leaned towards me, quietly asking, "Why do you need their ledgers?"
"I don't. I just want them to bring them." I answered, equally quietly, covering my mouth to prevent reading lips.
"Simply to see who will listen and who will rebel?" He asked.
"Sorta. I am aware of some issues that I want to deal with. One of them being the corrupt merchants. Did you notice how some perked up and looked hopeful? I mean to help them, if there is a point in doing so." I replied.
"I believe there is hope for some of them." The Sultan said.
"And fear for the rest." Phintias commented, using a magic like Message to be quiet.
"Least it will be dealt with before it's your problem." I told the Sultan.
"Oh, I am sure plenty of problems will pop up. They always seem to." The Sultan said.
"That's ok. I have already offered to aide you." I said.
"And I am sure I will take you up on that offer more than once." The Sultan said.
I felt my cubs little movements again. It had been frequent in it's activity today. "That'll be quite fine. I didn't agree to this to completely avoid my duty. I just wanted the freedom it would allow me."
"Just don't fly too high, little bird." Phintias said quietly.
"You needn't fret, Phintias. I accepted responsibility, so I'll do what I must, but I will do it as I please." I said. Then jokingly added, "Which means I'll be up a tree where no one will talk to me."
Phintias started laughing. I was glad my joke did well. The banquet went on without any more issue, and soon the dishes were taken away and the mingling began. Plenty of people approached us, asking about my homeland, or just idle chatter. Isarial initially elected to chat with Phintias, until Phintias decided to go mingle himself.
The mingling was a great chance for networking to be done, and James took advantage of it. Straight up until his son got tired. He approached us, carrying his sleepy boy, and excused himself. I thanked him for his hard work, and he went home. Having broke the taboo like a king.
Mostly merchants to get their things in order for tomorrow. This is when Tibin approached us, again, along with a few other out of city merchants. Understanding this was now business instead of social, I stood up and invited them to an office. I knew once the Royals had left, people would begin going home.
The Sultan and Phintias came with us. Though his wife went to her quarters for the night. Once we reached an office, I informed them I would see them one after another, starting with Tibin.
"I appreciate your bravery, Tibin." I said, taking some papers out of my bag and laying them out.
"I'm not sure if it's bravery on my part, I just know I have nothing to hide, and really I just wanted to talk to you and see how you went from having me hold onto a very nice sword for you to ruling this land." Tibin said, taking out a small book and writing out a rune that said 'verify Tibin', the book expanded and retracted. "Safe to read now."
"Well, firstly, you reported correctly your losses and taxes to the Crown, correct?" I asked.
"Of course, it seemed like too much of a hassle to try and lie about it." Tibin said.
"Then due to Tilton, everything is in order, you haven't been gouged and it seems your wares have been handled well. Now to sate your curiosity.. My aunt, the late Regent for my home, had me kidnapped from the Isla and held on a ship. I was able to escape on this continent. When I visited you, I had decided to rob my Palace back home to teach my aunt a lesson because she sent an assassin to kill me." I smiled, then continued explaining, "Then Dirthin decided to help me save my ailing Uncle, and killed my Aunt in the process. Which led to some annoying situations, and I had to take over my birthright. Rather than live in my palace, I am choosing to live nearby here, which I may have been able to strong armed the King into allowing, but the King had issues with the Hearthry's, and due to a personal reason, I figured that a hostile takeover was the easiest way to have my way."
"It sounds like you have been through quite a lot in such a short amount of time." Tibin said.
"Probably the best part of it all is that I don't even like people. I didn't actually want to see anyone's ledgers, but the way. And I hope you'll keep that secret." I said.
He chuckled. "You have my word, I'll keep it a secret."
"Excellent. Have you been made aware that Tilton Starnar is officially the Lord of the lands surrounding Dueling Rivers and Hearthstone?" I asked.
"No, I hadn't been told this." Tibin said. "He will make for a fine world. I do hope you didn't put him in charge of anything other than Dueling Rivers, I don't think he'll care much about it. Just a hunch."
"Just it and Hearthstone." I said.
"I believe Isarial will be fine with that. He was not much of a fan of the previous lord." Tibin said.
I nodded. "Alright, well, if there is nothing else, we can conclude here. Might I ask another favor of you?"
"By all means, what can I do for you?" Tibin asked.
I took five gold pieces from my bag, "Please have someone stop by the Bakery in Dueling Rivers and bring some sweet goods to Kershka. The change can be kept for the hassle of doing so."
"Easily done." Tibin said, accepting the money.
He went out, taking his ledger with him, and a few more merchants came in, I dealt with them swiftly, issuing them compensation where needed, then an etton came in.
"Hello, your Majesties." One head said. The other grumbled through a gag.
I bit my lip, briefly, to keep from laughing. "Greetings. You run the odds and ends store in East Haven, correct?"
"Indeed your majesty, we do." He acknowledged.
"East Haven does well.. why is your brother gagged?" I asked.
"He is is gagged for all of our best interests." The etton said. Followed by muffled words from the second head.
"He will not offend me. You may remove it. Anyways, it would appear your lord is excellent at covering surplus in taxes and loss of goods. You have no complaints?" I asked.
He looked at his other head, "No biting." He then removed the gag. "Yes, our lord has been doing quite well by us."
"Atleast no one has tried to stab us with a pitchfork.. lately." The ungagged head said.
"Excellent. Are there any complaints?" I asked.