Epilogues
Kingdom of Renalta
With the Queen's Blades' resources stretched thin, Queen Kouri had made the decision to focus on assisting the international front with her specialists rather than focusing on the domestic affairs of her nation. Leaving it in the hands of General Hanus Wolfblood and Dean Hansen to destroy the terrorist threat presented by James Moriarty and his Carnival of Chaos, they led a force of Renalta's soldiers to attack the carnival. They met limited success, managing to damage the carnival and force them to retreat. However, before they could continue the pursuit, Hanus Wolfblood was mortally wounded. He barely managed to pull through his injuries, and remained fairly incoherent while his vampiric body mended itself. Dean Hansen split away from the survivors, stalking the carnival survivors to figure out where to strike next to hopefully finish them off.
As Hanus and the Renaltan soldiers arrived back in the capital, the Mage's Guild alerted them that there were infiltrators among their ranks. Having been too injured to detect them and still sluggish from his wounds, Hanus was unable to stop James Moriarty and a pair of his cohorts from infiltrating the castle despite most of the infiltrators being cut down within seconds of revealing themselves. The target seemed obvious: Slaying Kouri's heirs to the throne as revenge for attacking his carnival. Luckily however, Kouri's heirs were spared as a mysterious pair of cloaked assassins serving Renalta guided them to safety. Infuriated with his inability to find them, James transformed himself into a giant, black-feathered humanoid raven that ripped and shredded through everything it found inside the castle. His two compatriots fell, and he escaped as a bird, narrowly escaping the wrath of the Mage's Guild.
Dozens of servants were slain, and several guards who attempted to stop him. There was, however, one particularly gruesome and tragic death: Mikan's son was found decapitated, his head stuck on a post, with the word "whore" written in blood on a wall in his mother's bedroom.
While the capital is still in shock from what happened, the people remain resolute and sympathetic, quickly moving to repair the damage and clean up the bodies. Mikan, however, despairs upon returning from her mission. There is a sullen atmosphere amongst the children of the city, who know Mikan as a generous caretaker that buys them toys, having no ability to help her in such a dark hour of her life.
Had the Queen's Blades been there, it is likely the infiltrators would have been detected before they got back to the castle, had they even gotten the opportunity to begin with. This would have spared the life of Mikan's child and many others whose cries of death still seem to echo within the hearts and minds of the castle's occupants...
There is no sign of Dean Hansen, either. There is, however, an abnormal number of crows and ravens near the southern swamps, and the Mage's Guild has sent a few men and women to investigate the possible connection...
The Imperium
Thanks to the courageous actions of the Queen's Blades, they managed to acquire the magical gem that the Imperium needed to keep their Eternal Empress alive and well. Florence, too, was kept safe and alive, providing a much needed boon to the morale of the Imperium's soldiers. Gryff's sacrifice became a quick symbol of bravery in the face of certain death, leaving some of the more impressionable among the Imperium's young recruits to "drink in the name of the four legged warrior!" Suitable, an alcoholic beverage has been named in his honour: Gryff's Galliancy. Nobody dare asks what's in the bottle.
Nyla returned home briefly, and though her comrades congratulated her on survival, she carried the solemn duty of informing her mother of the demise of her younger brother. It did not take long for her to then leave to Renalta's Court, as she made the decision to try and ensure that the Queen's Blades would succeed so the conflict would end as soon as possible.
Florence Merryweather returned to the capital. There, for an entire day, the Imperium celebrated with prolific amounts of alcohol. All the while, Florence spent the night in private with the Eternal Empress. The next morning, the Eternal Empress emerged with the Eternal Soul Gem planted firmly in a piece of jewelry wrapped around her neck. It was at that point that Florence then left for Renalta's capital, firmly believing that the homefront was now secure. When he arrived he learned of the tragedy that had befallen the capital, and with greate haste summoned engineers to help with the repair efforts. However, with the Imperium's efforts focused on securing the northern half of the civilized world, there was not much else he could spare for them but his sympathy.
Thanks to the Queen's Blades, the Imperium is a secure stronghold, and the relationship between them and Renalta is stronger than it's ever been before. The future is bright for this fledgling spark of what was once the only empire of mankind.
What the Queen's Blades did before returning to Renalta, or if they simply returned to Renalta straight away, is on them to decide.
As for what happened to the spirits after they escaped, one can only guess...
Kingdom of Rheinfeld
With the ambush thoroughly routed, the injured were attended to rapidly. Davian, though badly injured, stabilized and within days he recovered and was back on his feet, though still quite ginger about bending his back. While not present for the treaty being signed, he uncharacteristically approved of it and started working to help send medical supplies and trained priests to help the Republicans.
The squire that risked his life to save Davian now serves at the Templar's side, fitting his armour. Being the squire to such a wealthy man ensures he will be given an education and his family will be taken care of.
Taigyn's life was saved by the intervention of the Queen's Blades. Feeling outnumbered, the assassins that were engaging him took off before they could finish the job. Taigyn and Alida met together a couple hours later, hammering out a peace agreement. Though tenuous, The Republic and the Templar Order now share resources and training, and now plan operations together. The once mighty nation is one step closer to reunification, though the details of who will run the government when it's all over are still murky.
Taigyn spent the next couple of days planning out the next moves of the civil war with his men when he received word of the attack on Renalta's castle. Though he had intended to send Davian to represent their interests, he felt compelled to ride out himself, leaving the Templar Order in the hands of Davian. He took with him the requests he would have for the Queen's Blades, and rode hard and fast back to Renalta. There, upon hearing of the tragedy that befell Mikan's son, he tried to comfort her. However, she remained alone, and pushed him away. Concern for her swelled, and he has since ordered a full force of a couple hundred Templar to guard the castle against any further intrusion attempts by magicians.
Alida Spiegal remained with her men for a short time, but upon seeing Taigyn leave for Renalta's capital, she set out a few hours later to ensure that the Republic's interests would be represented. Upon arriving, she gave her condolences, but noted that two hundred Templar were more than enough to ensure that another terrorist attack involving magicians could never occur again. At least, not by surprise.
Eric Vadlegarf briefly returned to his comrades, though the death of the angel weighed on him. Murdering an angel was not something to be taken lightly in Rheinfeld, even if one was an enemy of the state, or straight up evil. Finding himself no longer truly welcome among his comrades but still believing in the Republican cause, he decided to leave for Renalta and try to end the demon threat with the Queen's Blades.
With the fighting wrapped up and the treaty signed, Moira seemed to almost vanish from the Queen's Blades' view. While it was confirmed that she was indeed a member of the Templar Order, it seemed she had little faith in the Queen's Blades after what she had seen and decided to avoid them intentionally. It is, however, rumoured that she visited Kasim in a tent while he was alone, to "repay his bravado with equal parts business and pleasure". This is, of course, only a rumour. Perhaps. Maybe.
Thanks to the Queen's Blades, Rheinfeld stands a solid chance of becoming the unified military superpower that it once was, all over again.
What the Queen's Blades did with their time before returning to Renalta, or if they simply went straight back to Renalta, is on them to decide.
Kingdom of Liveria
Though it was close, Princess Helénē was stabilized long enough for Gabriel and Andrea, and a couple of angels, to bring her back from the edge of death.
With the angels safe and sound and no further threats to speak of, the Queen's Blades met the couple hundred angels inside. Waiting a few hours for their leader to return, Archangel Myria and a small group of angels arrived, discovering that the Queen's Blades and Gabriel were not only waiting to speak with them, but likely saved the lives of her compatriots. Grateful, she and Gabriel quickly went over the issues surrounding the Nine Hells and Renalta. There, Gabriel discovered that the angels had been severely weakened from lost contact with the heavens and were gradually regaining it in the face of the oncoming threat of the Nine Hells. This is why one demon was able to overpower them with mechanist devices: He was sapping their strength to power the device.
With Gabriel unable to convince the Archangel to lead her people to Renalta for fear of the retribution that Renalta's people might enact upon her own, the badly injured but stabilized Princess Helénē offered sanctuary for the angels in Liveria instead. Though the Archangel didn't immediately agree, she eventually found Helénē's stubborn but diplomatic mannerisms similar to those of her sister, Queen Kouri, and agreed on the condition they would be given a place to be left alone from the people. Seeing as how Liveria thrives on isolation, it wasn't hard for Helénē to accept the condition.
The Queen's Blades were free to accompany them to Liveria and help them move supplies, or go back to Renalta at their own discretion.
In Liveria, the angels were quickly given a few city blocks all to themselves, having twice as much space as they needed in case other angels began to filter into Liveria looking for a home. Princess Helénē returns to her father, who was distraught over the harm that had come to her, but strangely understanding towards the Queen's Blades' failure to properly protect her. In some ways, he almost seemed grateful. There was a small funeral for Mila—Princess Helénē's advisor—which Gabriel attended before swearing allegiance to Archangel Myria, and returning to Renalta to serve alongside the Queen's Blades.
Though still recovering from injuries, Princess Helénē accompanied her father, Crown-Prince Xavier, to Renalta, to represent Liveria's interests.
Natalia, the dead angel found by those in the forest, had her corpse burned by order of the archangel. It took Gabriel by surprise, as angels were normally given peaceful burials, but it seemed that there was no room for error where it concerned the spread of corruption in these dark times.
The Goblin Holds
Kouri arrived without significant incident within the Goblin Holds at their capital in Kinghold, protected by King's Rangers in place of Queen's Blades. While not trained for foreign operations, they performed their duties admirable in keeping her safe from pickpockets and other such lowlifes. There, she was led to the famed Sand Palace, where she found that Xixis Madheart had been called to the front line to attend to an issue with a counter-push by the combined forces of Saylihold and Chainhold. Xixis' second in command, Nash Skullbringer, was left in his stead to inform her of the situation. There, Kouri examined and interrogated an intelligent undead which was locked in his cell.
As Kouri found herself frustrated with a lack of progress, she brought Nash Skullbringer in to try and lash the undead to his will. The undead wilfully committed suicide with a maddened howl of rage, and attempted to possess Kouri. The queen, however, is a rather marvelous magician and managed to resist. As she stumbled to recover, it took over one of Nash's bodyguards and lashed out at her, injuring her. Nash then ripped the soul from its body and banished it to another realm, though it was too late, the damage had already been done.
Within minutes, Kinghold was being swarmed with undead from the sea. Intelligent undead, who were highly resistant to control and possession attempts by necromancers and other magicians, who operated in near-perfect unison. Kouri, bleeding from her injury, managed to make her way to the top of the Sand Palace and after a few minutes of protection from Nash Skullbringer, was able to bring a cleansing fire that vaporized most of the undead.
Most of them.
A few remained alive and continued the assault, a single group of them broke through to attack her only to suddenly stop in their tracks. Instead of continuing the attack, they suddenly turned away and left. It was at this point that Queen Kouri collapsed, and healers rushed to her side.
Accounts of the dead found Nash Skullbringer's corpse. By all witness accounts, he jumped in front of a javelin hurtling for the Renaltan Queen, and sacrificed himself to protect her. His noble death will be remembered by his people.
The agent that the goblin mages had told of was later identified by the Mage's Guild as an agent of Wrath; one which sparked mass genocide within Kinghold. The Goblin Holds are now reeling from the devastation wrought to their capital, only having been halted by Queen Kouri. The Queen will need to spend some time healing, and may have a limp until the war is over as a result of her injuries and overuse of magic in this situation.
Thousands died in less than an hour of fighting.
If the Queen's Blades had been there, they could have diverted their attention to finding the agent of Wrath before he could have done his insidiously violent task. Queen Kouri would not have been injured. It's fully possible the entire conflict could have been avoided.
Now, if the Goblin Holds don't get some help soon, they may face becoming slaves to the Free Holds once more. In the face of such a threat, people tend to do rash things...
The Free Holds
The group escaped with ease from Southblood, as did the Renaltan Soldiers who joined them. By the time the Free Holders broke in through the locked gate, the party and their allies were long gone. There was almost a certain irony in Deimos investing so heavily in a gate that "could not be penetrated" saving his assassins from retribution. After a couple hours, messengers arrived from Rashad informing them that it was safe to return to Southblood. During this time, Mikan's wound was healed by the Mage's Guild members waiting for their arrival. Whether members of the Queen's Blades immediately returned to Renalta or stayed for promises of song and dance, was up to them to decide.
With Deimos dead and his succubi agent nowhere to be found, Rashad took over Southblood with ease and immediately placed one of his lackeys in charge. Reinforcements that would have arrived from Southblood to aid Saylihold and Chainhold were instead called back upon the news that Deimos had been slain, resulting in Emperor Xixis' victory in defending the Goblin Holds' latest acquisition.
Jubilation and celebration filled the streets of Southblood, with wine, gold, women, and song flowing throughout the streets. For a single night, slavers, slaves, merchants, and mercenaries, all came together for a common purpose: To break every bed and table they could find with their unbridled, loud joy. Deimos' demise ruined any chance of his faction taking supremacy, leaving only Rashad's faction as the major power in all of the Free Holds. For the first time in centuries, the Free Holds were united and ready to tackle a threat as a superpower once more. That was worth celebrating!
Unsurprisingly, Mikan stayed for the night. She visited one of the larger taverns and, after several vigorous physical acts, some of which ended in supremacy, and others in submission, she was the only one left standing by the end of the night. Exhausted though smiling, and smelling like the harbour, she returned to Renalta the following day, only to find the news of her son's gruesome demise. While she was present for his funeral a couple days following, she otherwise hid herself away from the world completely. The preppy young woman needed time to heal.
Fahim spent the night at the Free Holds with Rashad in private. The following day, he announced that he was leaving for Renalta. Wishing his master well, he packed up his few belongings and arrived at Renalta. Upong hearing of the tragedies that had taken place there, he made a request which was quickly granted by Rashan: To spread dozens of intelligence resources within the Free Hold's disposal to the Renaltan Royal Family so they could ensure that such a terrorist threat could be predicted and eliminated in advance. Beyond that, he had nothing more to offer than his condolences.
Rashan spent the night with Fahim, then the following informed his fellow Free Holder warlords what must be done for the Free Holds to survive. Leaving them each with a set of instructions, he departed for Renalta to represent the Free Holds at the next political event. He sent for professional builders from the Free Holds to help repair the damaged infrastructure of the capital, but beyond that, had already fulfilled Fahim's request for aid, and thus felt he had nothing more to give than his own condolences.
The Underdark Coalition
Though they had chosen to willingly withdraw their request for assistance, it didn't come without a price. Hundreds of drow and dwarven lives were lost assaulting the temple for the crown against the mind flayers. In the end, the crown vanished. The drow immediately accused the dwarves of taking it and hiding it for themselves, and the dwarves in turn accused the drow of being slanderous whores who never bathed: The alliance has become strained, but it remains intact nonetheless. Still, one more incident like this, and the alliance might shatter, rendering the underdark into nothing more than multiple warring factions just ripe for a demonic incursion...
The Valsharess returns to Renalta, along with the Dwarven Champion, Duncan of the Rocklover Clan. Notable, they keep their distance now, eyeing each other with suspicion despite knowing the necessity of the alliance they share.
Kingdom of Tuleria
With no-one to investigate the assassin's identity and motivation, the demonic agent easily slipped through and assassinated Varro. The assassin's identity was never discovered, though Varro's death was seen as being too convenient for King Boann, especially with his newly wedded wife and Janelle being all too cooperative with his interests. Lizardmen tribes have begun to raid all across the country, ravaging small towns and harming the influx of supplies from foreign lands. Tuleria however is a robust country, and even with a fractured military, concentrated its efforts within the interior to stymie the festering power vacuum that Varro left behind.
Though the country remains stable, it's tense, and the people living underneath either the overbearing heel of the military, or constant lizardmen raids, are nearing boiling point. The increased activity from the undead corruption to the south has led some to start panicking, as rumours spread like wildfire that Tuleria would be the first country to fall to the demon invasion. After all, they had callous neighbours, and plentiful internal strife, and allies for the demons. That, and the little barrier state that King Boann had cleverly erected had been consumed.
With the death of Varro, the right the Aavikkanian peoples had to their land was stripped from them as the Triumvirate had been broken. As the incubus in Liveria had cryptically promised to Elrithos, there had been an attack on his people by a force of demons. They happily tore through the desert sands and many of the nomadic tribe fell, despite their best attempts to defend themselves and hold on. The undead corruption from the south they already fought, in tandem with the demonic forces likely allied with said undead, was too much for them to bear.
In a single unending, unstoppable push, over 60% of the population was wiped out in less than 48 hours. The rest were forced to retreat from their sacred lands, and have become refugees. The Imperium and the Kingdom of Renalta have welcomed them, giving them small areas outside of each of their respective capitals to regroup, though the sight of a once noble people becoming broken shambles of what they once were is not helping the solemn atmosphere over the Renaltan capital.
A minor demonic incursion has begun in the Kingdom of Tuleria. One can only hope the trade winds will blow in Tuleria's favour soon...
Historians will hopefully look upon the Aavikkanian peoples with mercy, as it will take them several decades to
even hope to reclaim their forsaken home from its twisted, corrupted state.
Elrithos' mother was among the survivors. The rest of his family, whoever they may be, did not survive.
King Boann and his wife have returned to Renalta none the worse for wear, though he has nothing but his sympathies to spare for the attack on the Renaltan capital. Janelle stayed behind to try and keep the country in one piece.
It should be noted that the Mage's Guild has expressed concerns that Janelle's magi tower holds many artifacts that would prove quite deadly in the hands of the enemy. Should Tuleria fall, they will not hesitate to remove the artifacts, even at the cost of Janelle's life. This public stance on the conflict has left somewhat strained relations between Tuleria and Renalta, despite the Mage's Guild being a technically separate entity from the government.
The Amazons
With the death of the corrupted drake, the Amazonians rejoiced. Inviting the surviving two members of the Queen's Blades back to their village, they found more Imperial Scouts waiting there for them: The Imperium threw its men on the line by order of Florence Merryweather to help protect the Amazonian people from harm should the Queen's Blades have failed. Princess Ethlinn has proven her honour and been crowned Queen of the Amazons, restoring stability to the area. As thanks, the new Queen decreed a 'Day of the Dead' celebration.
There, the Queen's Blades were offered to return home should they decide they didn't care for the celebration. From there, it was on them to decide.
Queen Alexandria stayed for the celebration. Through a mixture of powerful drugs and magic, most of the village (save for a few male guards) called upon spirits of the dead to visit them. While the spirits had a very limited capacity and were not able to stay long, Alexandria did see her lost ex-lover among the spirits of the dead: Bloody Val, a notorious pirate. After a short conversation, the drugged lycanthrope shook off the effects and bolted to a few members of the Mage's Guild who were waiting to take the Queen's Blades back home. They sent her back to Renalta, where she immediately encountered her injured wife. She had been too late to warn her of the threat that Val informed her about.
The Imperium and the Amazons now share a close alliance with each other. Many within the Imperium are celebrating this potential first member-state into the new empire, but some Amazonians are skeptical of the true intentions of the Imperium, recalling ancient stories of the Imperium's war crimes against others nations that refused to stay in line. The Amazons also now view Renalta in a friendly light, seeing them less as outsiders and more as distant battle sisters.
The sacrifices of the Queen's Blades are remembered with a statue, now standing in the centre of the village that they saved from the corrupted drake.
Upon hearing of the terrorist attack on the capital, the Amazons expressed disbelief and outrage. Over fifty of their warriors have departed to join Renalta's information network, being specialists of the outdoors and master hunters they are fully capable of routing out trouble in distant corners of civilization. Queen Alexandria also received two personal bodyguards from Queen Ethlinn, as a 'personal thanks', despite no carnal activities occurring between the two of them. That being said, the two guards have already proven steadfast and loyal, staying just out of sight at most points in time unless a threat is present against Alexandria.
Unamo, after a brief amount of contemplation over the death of Naream, decided to take a vow to assist the Queen's Blades personally. Her own motivations seem more out of personal curiosity than selfless cause, as opposed to most of her compatriots, who left to avenge the deaths of those who helped them when they needed it most.
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Present—Mission Hub
Birth of the Diplomatic Union
Within the Renaltan Royal Castle, inside the throne room, Kouri sat on the floor beside Alexandria with a soft smile on her face. Defiantly cheerful, she grasps her wooden staff gently and stares at the ceiling, closing her eyes. Alexandria wraps her arms around the Queen, and nuzzles into her neck gently.
"You did what you could, love..." Kouri takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she reaches over and cups one of Alex's cheeks with her hand.
"I know that... Leadership is still a hard burden to carry, nonetheless." With a sigh, she winces trying to stand. Alexandria quickly helps her to her feet, and puts the ordinary wooden staff into Kouri's hand. She then wraps her hands gently around Kouri's hand, looking into her eyes and reflecting Kouri's smile, she speaks gently.
"I wouldn't doubt that for a minute, and I'm here if you need me... Always."
For a moment, the two simply stood and stared at each other, warmly.
Then, just as they start leaning in to kiss each other, they hear someone enter the throne room and clear his throat. Turning, they see Florence Merryweather. Behind him, a few servants were carrying in tables and chairs, papers, and food. Blinking in confusion, Kouri limps a step forward.
"What are you doing, general?" The Imperial general respectfully bows, then motions to the tables.
"Is it not obvious, queen? I ordered the chefs to prepare a banquet for one table, and have brought various plans and requests for the other table. We can hold our first meeting here." The queen's look of confusion did not evaporate as Alexandria narrows her eyes out of an instinctive suspicion towards the general.
"What meeting? That isn't for another week, isn't it? Besides, you don't have the authority to order our servants around."
"You're right, but I do." Hanus says as he walks into the room behind the general. While he had recovered remarkable quickly from his injuries, there was still subtle hints of how severe the wounds were as he gingerly made his way up to the two queens. Kneeling down slowly and bowing his head, he continues speaking.
"In gratitude of all that the Queen's Blades have done, and the sacrifices Renalta has made, all the local nations of the known world have come together to form the Diplomatic Union." Raising his head, he looks up at the two queens with an amused grin.
"In short, they got their heads out of their asses long enough to realize that we really are trying to save all of them, and everyone is coming here to work with us directly on organizing all of our forces together." Florence scoffs at the remark and rolls his eyes.
"That is one way of putting our gratitude, certainly."
Kouri looks between the two men, her soft smile growing with warmth.
"Finally, a hopeful light." Alexandria wraps one of her arms around Kouri's shoulders and squeezes playfully.
"See? It all works out when you're involved. We banished the gods, love, you can surely manage a few bureaucrats." Kouri slips one of her hands underneath Alex's hand and grasps it tightly.
"Only because I have you." Florence once again clears his throat as Alex grins viciously.
"Oh, is that a hint of jealousy I detect?" Without warning she swings Kouri into a warm embrace and kisses her. Hanus laughs, while the Imperial general stares at a wall. Kouri, meanwhile, merely wraps her arms around Alex's neck and closes her eyes, enjoying the moment for what it was.
Faction Introductions
Over the next two hours, world leaders and their entourages filtered into Renalta's palace from across the known world.
Imperium
As the tables were finished being set up, the Eternal Empress walked into the room. Her skin was still as pale as it ever was, but there seemed to be more light to her eyes as the Eternal Soul Gem had a dim glow from its place, embedded in her crown. Looking across the room, she almost seemed to marvel at the sight of the interior of the palace. Florence, upon noticing his Eternal Empress, goes down to one knee and bows his head down.
"My lady." Lowering one of her hands to his chin, she tips his head up so he would be staring at her eye to eye.
"My Praetor." The two share the gaze for a moment, a mix of respect and other, deeper rooted emotions showing uncertainty between them as Florence stands straight once more. Adjusting his leather breastplate nervously, he motions to the queens.
Kouri, keeping most of her weight on her staff, gives a half-curtsey. The Eternal Empress' expression doesn't seem to change, though her voice rings with concern.
"You were injured? The reports are true, then?" Kouri nods.
"I will send for one of my personal apothecaries. Ten thousand years may have dulled his sense of pain, but not his medical knowledge. If he can help maintain me, he can surely ease the damage to your limb. Wouldn't magic do more for you than a limp?" Kouri shakes her head, and idly runs her thumb over the top of her staff.
"The Choir's soldiers seem to have some ability to cause lasting damage that magic can only repress, not heal. Most nations have an ability to fight magic, it seems I discovered first hand what their capacity is."
The Empress manages to frown, then looks around the throne room again. Florence raised an eyebrow as he looks around the throne room himself.
"Not bad, but it's a rather drab look. Where are the curtains, the jewels, the signatures of a patriotic society?" The empress chuckles, and looks to Florence with an empty smile.
"Perhaps it reflects something about the people you do not understand. There is no markings of previous royal families, just stone, solid rock. Besides, there are royal carpets leading to the thrones." Florence glances to the thrones and shrugs.
"The only aesthetics I ever cared to master were those of the blade and the word of law, anyway."
Kingdom of Rheinfeld
Arriving to the castle with a pair of heavily armed and armoured bodyguards, Taigyn strolls into the throne room with a grin on his face. The grin quickly fades as he spots Kouri leaning on her staff. He nods respectfully to her, and she returns the favour as he walks up to her. The light coming in from open front doors shines off his high quality steel plate, giving him an almost angelic look.
"Kouri... Have you seen Mikan?" Kouri shakes her head with a small frown.
"I have not. I think she just needs to be alone right now, old friend." Taigyn's lip quivers for a moment before he adopts a stoic look.
"I understand that. I would like to see her soon, though... Try to help her cope." Kouri replies quietly.
"I would imagine Salini and Jamiahl are doing that right now, Taigyn." Taigyn seems to hesitate, then grow cold at the mention of their names.
"I'll be at the planning table when everyone is ready."
As he steps away from Kouri, he could hear a faint apology from her lips. Surprised, he turns back only to see a sympathetic look in her eyes. Lowering his eyes to the floor, he starts walking to the table, only to be interrupted by Florence.
"You know, I haven't received word from you about the Imperium's proposition to aid in your conflict--" Taigyn grabs him by the collar and glares at him.
"We are not going to destroy a tyrant to replace him with a foreign government. We are a people meant to be ruled by our own kind." Florence looks down into his eyes and returns the glare.
"You are from our kind. Rheinfeld is Gault, and Gault was an extended kingdom of the Imperium, a colonial ambition..." Taigyn's grip tightens for a moment before he takes a deep breath and exhales softly. Lowering the general down to the floor and letting go of his collar, his tone was icy, and his following words were a clear promise.
"Gault declared independence after slaughtering two legions, including their families. I promise you, Rheinfeld is a far more vicious wolf when provoked by foreign powers."
Florence adjusts his collar and sighs.
"I will take that as a no then." Taigyn grins.
"A nice, stern no. Rheinfeld is not your cookie jar." Behind them both, Alida Spiegel had entered the throne room. Instead of being dressed in plate armour, she was in a dress. Both of them look at her with confusion.
"This is a formal political affair, and I come as a representative of my people. A diplomat's outfit is more fitting than one of war." Florence and Taigyn look at each other with confusion.
"Women." Florence says with a shrug.
"For once I agree with you." Taigyn mutters.
Kingdom of Liveria
Footsteps with hard, steel-heels rang clearly throughout the throne room as Crown-Prince Xavier entered through the front doorway. The bright light from behind him cast his shadow long across floor, across the tables, to Kouri's feet. As he looks up to her, the normally hard look on his face evaporates upon seeing her in her feeble condition, empathy was clearly in his eyes for a moment before he steps to the side
Princess Helénē steps through the doorway, in a dark red dress. It's made of a high quality silk, and was made specifically for her willowy frame. Her left arm is clearly bandaged underneath the dress' sleeve and in a sling from her injuries in a previous mission, and her breathing is rather shallow. Her attempt at Liverian stoicism is belied by hints of pain in her eyes as she gives a small curtsey. Kouri returns the curtsey, and Hanus' eyes open widely. Whistling appreciatively, he looks her over.
"They know how to dress em'." She looks at him and blushes a little, looking down at the floor.
"The answer is no, general." Hanus grins, exposing his fangs as he chuckles.
"You're too young for my tastes. It's just an idle compliment."
The Eternal Empress strides over to the young princess' side and examines her injuries, concern once again present.
"First the queen, and now you? What is with this world and abusing royalty?" Leaning against a nearby wall, Florence shrugs.
"Some demented fact of preordained fate I suppose." The Empress shoots him a disapproving look, to which Florence just smiles sweetly. Kouri steps down from her throne, slowly and cautiously as she was still getting used to her staff.
"It's Liverian stoicism." Xavier blinks with surprise.
"I didn't know you knew our culture so well, my lady." The queen sighs and shakes her head.
"We are neighbours. I know of your culture, though I do not practice it."
"Explain this to me." The Eternal Empress states as an order to Florence. Before he can answer, Crown-Prince Xavier starts explaining.
"We believe that enduring pain is a natural part of life. To heal all of it away robs us of a vital, character-building exercise: Tolerance to suffering." The princess' smile turns a little bitter.
"My daughter is not exempt from the practices of our culture. Even if I would prefer to spare her from pain." Helénē rubs her injured arm carefully, the topic was uncomfortable for her. Kouri smiles sweetly and grasps the princess' hand.
"Come on. Lets try some of the food at the banquet table. It's fresh, and the trip from Liveria must be an exhausting one." Helénē looks up at the queen fondly.
"Can you tell me more about Dean? The legendary stories about his exploits aren't as detailed as yours, I'd like to know more about him." Kouri nods with a soft, almost motherly smile, leading Helénē away from Florence, The Empress, and Xavier.
Xavier watched the two of them at the banquet table, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned casually against a wall, one leg crossed over the other. He had a gentle look as he observed them. Florence looked at him, then at the Eternal Empress who had started conversing with Taigyn.
"You can't live with them..." Xavier continues watching Kouri tell his daughter a story.
"...You can't live without them." Xavier ends what Florence had started saying.
"Funny, how ten thousand years have passed, and the human heart works no differently than before." Xavier nods.
"No doubt about it."
Florence looks over to Xavier and narrows his eyes.
"So why are you really here?" Xavier's gaze didn't leave Kouri as he narrowed his eyes, the grip around his forearms tightening.
"Revenge. The kind that will make the Nine Hells shudder to think of attacking my people again."
The Goblin Holds
(Collab with
@Kadaeux )
Xixis didn't know most of the others very well as he entered the throne room, and knew that he needed to do so. The Goblin Holds couldn't be left to fend for itself long. The Imperium was probably the best bet for an ally. Though Xixis still admitted to himself that he didn't particularly like Taigyn still.
"Greetings Kouri, I heard you had an accident while visiting my fine nation, a rabble protesting a lack of rat-skull charms for the living-challenged." He jested trying to keep the mood light.
Kouri slowly sits down beside her throne to speak with the goblin more comfortable face to face.
"Of course. You know riots though, they tend not to enjoy being subject to hot summer days. I think that was the hottest one on record." Hanus quirks an eyebrow and looks around the room.
"Where's Nash? I enjoyed drinking with that sod."
Xixis' face dropped for a moment.
"Threw himself in front of a spear. The spear, unknowing, did what spears do I regret to say." The flagstones within a few feet of Xixis cracked as his magic fluxed with his rage.
"Sorry. He didn't make it, to protect Kouri." He paused...
"Or so i'm told. Kouri?" He cocked his head questioningly.
"You were there."
"It was a javelin." Kouri states as she massages her injured leg.
"I wasn't able to get out of the way in time. Nash seemed to take a fancy to me and decided my life was worth more than his own." Glancing to Xixis, an apologetic look was in her eyes.
"There was nothing I could do. I'm sorry. He was a good man."
"If it had come to a choice between saving you or him, I know Nash would have wanted me to save you as well, and I would have. I wouldn't have liked it, but I'd have done it." His face darkened like a cloud and dirt particles the servants failed to brush began to swirl faintly as if an eddy in the air carried them.
"I should have been there, instead I was off being forced to stave off another action by those free-hold animals." Xixis looked at Kouri.
"With this incident the Goblin Holds power and influence is weakened. I need allies, and I need them desperately." Xixis admitted.
"I don't want to be forced to look for magic that'd shake the world to stave off the Free Holds, but if I can't get help, I'll be forced to." He sighed. The events were bothering him enough that he was willing to admit it out loud and the inadvertent use of his magic in tune with his emotions showed a weariness in the Goblin that Kouri had likely not seen before.
Kouri frowns, and grasps the goblin's hands. The two had been friends for a long time, despite the distance that separated them.
"I can't promise anything, but, I will try to save your people. You have my word."
"It's appreciated." He nodded.
"Because being forced to genocide isn't how I want to be remembered, I'm here to make a new future of freedom to the slaves, not pass away with the blood of an entire nation on my hands... for one, it'd weight too much. Blood can be surprisingly heavy...."
He paused.
"Never get into a drinking contest with an Ogre. They cheat."
"Heh. I'm sure they do." Kouri replies, pointing to the table with papers on it.
"The... Diplomatic Union... Is authoring and delivering requests as we speak. I'll be there soon, though, Xixis, I have to warn you..." Her voice lowers to a whisper, with an almost pleading look in her eyes.
"We've received word that the Blood Sea's spirits have sent a pair of representatives here. The Free Holds will also be here... Keep your temper in check. I can't save your people if you attack foreign dignitaries on neutral soil."
Xixis grinned.
"Naturally, I'm green not stupid. Though I make no promises to avoid making their pants chafe the whole time they're here. They might complain about that when they arrive as it is, I mean that sand just gets EVERYWHERE." He said dramatically.
"And I think it's worse for guys than girls, our front end is exit only after all."
Kouri winces.
"I admit I never missed the humour..." Hanus chuckles as he walks over and kneels beside the goblin.
"You know, the banquet table has a couple bottles of wine... Warriors drink to the memory of the fallen. I don't know what goblins do, but I invite you to join me."
Xixis nods.
"We do the same, with the addition of consuming the flesh of those responsible when possible, but undead are decidely past their use-by date so I think we can skip that part of the ritual." He grinned at Hanus.
The Free Holds
A few minutes of peace passed before the sound of leather boots scuffing on the floor catches Kouri's attention. Glancing towards the open front doors, a pair of guards walked in, both bowing humbly.
"That's not very subtle, Rashad." Kouri states as she sighs.
"What are you trying to prove?" Both guards take off their helmets, revealing their identities immediately: The Warlord's Rashad and Tina.
"That you should keep your front doors locked. This is a meeting with some of the world's most important people!" Taigyn shakes his head and looks at Rashad.
"There are both Templars and Amazons guarding the premises. Nothing dangerous can slip in that we won't know about." Rashad quirks an eyebrow out of disbelief.
"And I am not dangerous?"
There was a moment of silence in the room before he tosses his helmet over to Taigyn.
"Keep it as a reminder... Friendship is as fickle as coin: Given the right circumstances, you'll lose it all." He walks over to Xixis Madheart and kneels down in front of him.
"Before you plague my outfit with yet another case of the sand dance, I have come here with important business: We can't keep fighting. I know your forces are at their limits, and I must consolidate my own power for the coming invasion." Taking a sharp inhale, he swallows back his pride, and offers a handshake.
"So on behalf of the Free Holds, I apologize. For everything we have done, and for every life taken. We do not have time for this war, not when the world is in such dire straits."
The entire room stares, stunned with the turn of events. The Free Holds never declared peace; it always waited for the other faction to concede. 'The buyer's position is always the strongest' is an adage they live by, and yet, here it was: An offer made. Kouri's voice turns soft, genuine surprise was in its tone.
"... Why?" Rashad looks up at her and grins.
"War is bad for business. It kills customers, and destroys things. Besides... I owe your people a favour. I hate being in debt..." He points to her throne.
"I overheard your discussion with the emperor." Taigyn turns, bewildered, he stares at the throne: Indeed, now visible, was a small, Mechanist listening device.
"I owe you a favour, you made a promise. I can help exercise on that promise in exchange for the favour, no?"
"You're... Liberating tens of thousands of slaves by doing this?" Florence asks with a confused expression.
"This isn't like your people." Rashad looks back at Florence, the grin not leaving his face.
"Scared of change, patriot?" The Imperial general scoffs as he waves off the comment.
"No, I'm scared of change from people known only to care for profit." Tina finally interjects, pulling a small dagger out and trimming her nails with it idly.
"There is no profit in endless war. We have been at war for ten years. Ten, long, bloody, painful years. The other warlords agree, it is in our best interest to end this war now. The only alternative is to throw everything we have to completely annihilate the Goblin Holds, which we could do... At a high cost. That would render us useless in the coming fight against the Nine Hells."
Still, there wasn't time for such things.
"Xixis." Rashad says with an unusual amount of respect, his hand still extended.
"I've answered enough questions I think. What is your answer?"
Xixis stared at Rashad with obvious distaste in his eyes and a glint of impending mischeviousness in his eyes that is equally quickly smothered. He was the leader of his people and had to make his decisions for the good of said people.
"I will accept your offer. But I cannot take the hand of one whose household still continues to hold slaves. Free your slaves to the Goblin Holds and I will take your hand." Xixis offered his voice neutral and polite. He would accept the terms offered as is, but he could not take the mans hand without such a gesture.... or Rashad getting on his knees damned tall gits..
"Well, one step at a time." Rashad says with a chuckle as he pulls his hand back and sighs.
The Underdark Coalition
It didn't take long for the Valsharess to arrive within the castle. Beside her was Duncan Rocklover, covered in plate mail which was painted in—unsurprisingly—rock paraphernalia, such as pick axes and Dwarves. While Duncan immediately moved away from her towards the banquet with a roar of childish glee, the Valsharess instead bowed humbly before Kouri. As per the usual of the Drow seductress, she wore a rather revealing, royal purple dress. She stares up at Kouri, only for Alexandria to growl: They both had experience with magical temptresses before, and both knew what to do to avoid entrapment in such vile schemes. The Valsharess pouts, and speaks softly.
"Oh, you should know my queens, it is only in my nature to try to appease your better natures." Kouri shudders and shakes her head.
"If we were to succumb to such debased behaviour, it would have been years ago, with others more deserving than you." Duncan Rocklover snorts as he dives into a meaty leg as the Valsharess shoots him a cold glare, then notices something else at the banquet table.
Something that wasn't eating, and rather, was reading a small book. Wearing a pretty little red dress.
Intrigued, the Valsharess seems to totally disregard her usual social protocol and walks over to the Liverian princess, resting her hands on her shoulders gently and glancing over at the book.
"My, aren't you refined." One of her fingers slips across Helénē's neck, causing her to stiffen up as the finger gently glides to her chin.
"So mistrusting... You fear something about my touch... Or any touch--" She is unable to finish her remark as Crown-Prince Xavier steps in and shoves her away from his daughter.
"You are not welcome to her, wench." The Valsharess purrs.
"So rough, little prince! You should know better..." Still, looking around, it was apparent to her that she wasn't welcome amongst the crowd. Save, perhaps with Rashad, but he was too wily to fall for her tricks.
"Still, I did not hear any protest from her..." Helénē responds with an emotionless voice as she continues to read her book.
"If my arm wasn't in a sling, you'd have felt my answer upon your cheek."
"Fair enough."
The Valsharess' mood quickly went from catty and flirtatious to cold as she looked to the queens.
"Then I suppose I shall make this clear: I am not welcome here, I shant pretend otherwise, but my army is made up of many such as I: Tamers, seducers, assassins..." Hanus raises an eyebrow.
"Is that a threat?" The Valsharess remains cold as she looks at Hanus. A male drow in a position of great power: That was almost sacrilegious.
"No, it is a point... My people are not welcome in this... Surface world, of convenient morality. Even my alliance with the Dwarves is based purely on convenience, not out of any mutual love." Duncan raises a mug of ale to that statement and chugs it down quickly as the Valsharess rolls her eyes.
"My people have suffered as a result of my pulling my mission from the table. We lost a valuable artifact, and now, it threatens our alliance. Should the alliance fail, my faith in this little Diplomatic Union will, too." Kouri looks at her and shakes her head.
"You can't survive alone." The Valsharess snaps back at her.
"We have before when the surface world made fools of themselves to their gods! We shall again, with the Nine Hells, if it is necessary."
Taking a deep breath, the Valsharess calms herself, her demure look returning to her once more, like a practised stroke of an art brush the warmth returned to her.
"We are alone. We always have been. If you say that we need you, than by that extension, you must need us... Either you will help us, or we will help ourselves. It is the way things have always been, for the forsaken race." For a moment, Helénē looked away from her book, empathy was in her eyes. The Valsharess noticed and smiled sweetly.
"My dear, your father was right. Don't consort with spiders as such a pretty little thing... They have the tendency to strike when you least expect it." Still, it seemed the Valsharess appreciated the gesture nonetheless. Whether that was part of the act or a moment of sincerity was impossible to tell.
Kingdom of Tuleria
There was still a slight limp to the
blue skinned king's walk as he entered the throne room of Renalta. Looking up at Queen Kouri, the bags under his black eyes showed some level of pity, but beyond that, he had little to add. The High King's nation was in direct peril, and silence followed him and his wife,
Jezmin, as they approached the planning table. Sitting down together, Jezmin gently caresses King Boann's hand. Florence walks over, quietly, and with an unusual display of humility, bows before King Boann.
"Your lands were the first to be struck it seems." Boann's face remains grim as he stares down at the papers on the table. Florence clears his throat, and speaks again.
"I understand you are likely upset, however--" King Boann slams his fist against the table, shutting Florence up as the Imperial general takes a step back.
King Boann stands up, slowly, looking Florence eye to eye.
"Spare me the dry, empty, political speech about consequences and sacrifices and 'greater goods', I've made too many of those speeches to my own people... I understand fully well, what sacrifice means." He looks at Queen Kouri, to the way she rested her weight on her staff.
"We are not a nation of helpless pups. We have conquered seas and winds that break men in twine, found ways of coexisting with ordinarily hostile races..." He glares at Rashad.
"...All without taking away the freedom of men, to smell the salty air, and feel the sway of the waves underneath their feet." Rashad merely shrugs, showing a callous disregard for Boann's opinions on freedom.
"If we are to fade away unto oblivion, we will do it on our feet, to the sound of gunpowder and the clang of sabres."
Quietly returning to his seat, he finally pulls out some papers of his own and sprawls them onto the table.
"If I am to be the last High King, give me not your pity, but your weapons, and your dignity, and your bravery... And perhaps your prayers, if you're of the sort to believe that the Gods still watch us with a caring gaze." Xavier nods respectfully, sitting across from the High King and grabbing some of his papers to read himself.
"Xavier?" Florence expresses surprise. Xavier doesn't turn his eyes away from the papers, though he does give a quiet response.
"I can appreciate a speech of stoicism. Especially one made of conviction." He glances up at Boann.
"It says here you have a lot of refugees. While Liveria makes it a policy not to welcome them, we both have ports on the same coastline. You can send them to us, and Renaltan caravans can bring them here. It should relieve you of undue internal stress." Florence looks between them and stands tall.
"The Imperium can offer refuge, simply ship them across the Blood Sea to us."
King Boann looks to each of them, then manages a weary smile.
"Perhaps this Diplomatic Union is worth even more than Janelle predicted." Florence nods.
"I agree with your mage. A rare occasion."
The Amazons
Walking in with a wolf by her side, Queen Ethlinn surveys the room. Dressed in royal blue leather armour, one could almost be forgiven for being surprised by her appearance. The wolf looks up at Florence and barks happily, to which Florence responds by kneeling and scratching him behind the ears.
"Wolves. Such noble creatures." Ethlinn passes him by to bow before Queen Kouri and Queen Alexandria, though she winked at Alexandria and giggled. Kouri looks curiously at Alex, who merely glares and shakes her head, bringing her hand up to her forehead in embarrassment.
"I am Queen Ethlinn of the Amazonian peoples. I'm here to make an announcement to all in attendance." Florence stands up and adjusts his collar, going to Ethlinn's side and placing his hands behind his back.
"The Amazons are going to join the Imperium."
Once again, the room went deafeningly silent. Rashad whistled as he leaned against a pillar.
"And here I thought they were untamable. My bad." The Eternal Empress looks between the two of them, as seemingly bewildered as anyone of the news.
"Florence, you were going to tell me of this arrangement... When?" Florence turns back and blinks in confusion.
"I sent a messenger, did he not arrive?" The Eternal Empress shakes her head, causing Florence's eyes to widen in slight panic as he looks at Ethlinn.
"Oh shit. He must have been intercepted." Ethlinn looks around the room as the Liverian Crown-Prince raises his hand.
"Not to interrupt this wonderful family drama, but what's the big deal? There's nothing stopping you. Unless there's some superstitious nonsense traditions that--" Ethlinn glares at the Crown-Prince angrily, shutting him up.
"Like Liveria doesn't have its own cultural beliefs. What was the last thing I heard about vampires? That you hunt them? Oh, right. So civilized." Before Xavier can react in outrage, Kouri raises her hands. The gesture was surprisingly enough to calm them all down.
"Before we attack each other over our differences, lets find out more about the situation." She motions to Ethlinn, who glances up at the ceiling in frustration.
"The Liverian puppy isn't completely wrong. While I would not object, many of my people are uneducated and superstitious. It's likely why Unamo left my side to come here, she and other Listeners of the tribes are often persecuted because what we don't understand, we tend to fear. Now... There is one object, a crown, that represents the ultimate authority. More importantly, that crown sits atop old scrolls, preserved by magic which are unintelligible to us. We know our ancestors wrote them to protect them, they're known as the memorium, but we know nothing else..."
Florence steps in, patting Ethlinn on one of her shoulder-pads.
"We believe they are written in ancient Imperial dialogue. We could easily decipher them to prove that, many years ago, the Amazons were part of the Imperium. A core part of it, that protected us, and us them, in times of much greater threats... Threats such as, the Nine Hells. The scrolls from their ancient ancestors themselves would be enough to calm even the most conservative elements of Amazonian society." Kouri shakes her head.
"You don't have to try and sell me on this. The two of you together would limit the amount of activities we would have to do in your area, even if I think it's a little... Premature." The Eternal Empress steps forward behind her husband, the general, and separates Ethlinn from Florence.
"You have my word I will ensure that it is done properly. I was once a diplomat, I can handle the niceties, such as ensuring that they continue to have local autonomy." She looks at Florence, who merely stares at her blankly. He was confused, it seemed.
"That's enough I think. I've made my point, there will be a request scroll made soon." Ethlinn states before looking at Alexandria and smiling warmly.
"I do hope you'll help me with the details..." Florence watches her walk to the table, before shuddering as he looks at the Eternal Empress.
"What?... Oh, me? Her? N-No. I swear." She glares coldly at him as she drags him by the collar off to a corner to talk privately. Kouri merely shakes her head and chuckles, though it was almost bitter.
"Alex." She grasps her hand.
"Promise me you will never, ever get that paranoid." Alex chuckles awkwardly.
"You don't seem worried about me and her?" She motions to the Amazonian Queen, who had a little bit of extra sway in her hips. Kouri merely shrugs and brings Alex close.
"I trust you implicitly. If you made a mistake, I know you would tell me. You haven't told me anything, so therefore, you haven't made a mistake." Kissing Alex briefly, her warm smile seems to light up the room.
"That's what trust is, after all."
Ethlinn then looks back to the open doorway and sniffs the air. A growl rumbles from her throat, as does one from her wolf.
"I smell rot approaching..."
The Choir
Indeed, something rotting had been approaching. It didn't take long for a pair of rather unsettling people to walk in through the doorway, being followed by at least a half a dozen guardsmen who were suspicious of them. One of the figures, however, looked distinctly familiar to the queens, as Alexandria stepped in front of Kouri protectively.
"... Brent?" Kouri's voice was barely audible, but the pale skinned man made no effort to disguise that he heard it as he looked up at her. His dead eyes expressed no emotion, and despite his manner of leather & cloth dress looking similar to what which the cowboy-like Brent wore, there was no sign that the Brent they knew was anywhere to be found.
"That is the name of this body." He replies with a raspy tone.
The one standing beside him was less familiar to the queens. Yet, looking at the sheathed blade at his waist, Kouri recognized something.
"That is a royal seal." The creature looks to his waist.
"Is it? This one is named... Valetorias Merra." Florence seemed to recognize the name, but mentioned nothing as he remained standing a good distance away from both of them.
"We are The Choir's representatives. We are Speakers, separated from The Song to act as bearers of the word of the many." The Eternal Empress seemed curious as she tilted her head looking at them.
"You are diplomats then." The two stare at her, though their eyes were still just as lifeless as before, their posture tensed somewhat instinctively. It seemed they were so advanced despite being undead that they retained basic human instinct.
"It is disconnected, yet, more." The Empress.
"I am an individual."
"Not always." Brent spoke cryptically as the Empress' curiosity quickly turned to suspicion.
"Yes. Not always, but I am an individual now, which is what counts." Finally, Brent grew closer to the interior of the room. The Liverians and Rheinfelders gave him a wide berth, though, with one exception as Taigyn grabbed Brent's collar and looked him eye to eye.
"Do you remember nothing of what you did?" Brent stares at him blankly, unresponsive. Taigyn sighs and reaches down to Brent's waist, taking his blade off of him.
"I will not even tempt you repeating history." Brent nods, though it was uncertain whether he understood why.
As Taigyn lets go of his collar, Brent makes a single motion with his hand, then blinks in confusion. Turning back, he stares at Taigyn.
"... It does not respond. Interesting." Taigyn takes a step away from Brent, keeping the blade in his hands as he had sensed magic at that moment. Still, there were more pressing matters than a sword for Brent as he looked up at the two queens.
"The Choir heard whispers of meeting, of the leaders of the Deaf. We chose to participate. To... 'Work together', with your kind." Kouri steps past Alexandria to stare Brent eye to eye. This was a man that had nearly taken her life once, when he was alive. Yet, her tone was purely political, with no sign of any hatred from her.
"Why?"
The two stare at each other, unwaveringly, responding quickly.
"To survive."
"Why work with us now however? The Gods were a threat."
"Not like this."
"Explain."
"Sky Voices were pitiable facades. They saw only their incompletes. Laughter, hubris, flawed individuals, cascaded, fell, broke when unable to change. Their order is their own undoing."
"While the Nine Hells is more threatening... How?"
"...Screaming, ever changing, rapid, chaotic, unintelligible noise. No limit, no point, no purpose, no rhythm, no Song. Guttural, pointless, violent, inescapable destruction. They are to Us, the ever consuming entropy: Absorbing them would destroy Us, ignoring them would destroy Us. They outnumber and outpower Us. Therefore Our only choice is to trust the Deaf to hear Us."
"How are we deaf?"
"You cannot hear The Song... Its beautiful chorus of voices, images, knowledge, dreams... You are a lonely drop, separated from the ocean: So very insignificant, so very lonely, and if you do not join us, you will be forever doomed to the ways of The Lost Ones."
"If you believe us to be so 'insignificant', why even attempt diplomacy if you believe we cannot understand?"
"We do not know. We have no other choice. We must try, even if it is pointless."
"You realize you will need to pull your weight, then. Contribute resources, work with us, stop your conflicts, and focus on the goal at hand."
"We realize this."
"And?"
"We will contribute as the segregated tribes of the Deaf do."
Kouri sighs and steps back, shaking her head.
"You used to have a lot more charm." Brent's tone was almost somber for a moment as he replies.
"Once." He turns and looks at the table with papers on it.
"Crude. Telepaths could deliver instantly." Kouri crosses her arms.
"Telepaths are also often able to read our thoughts. Even I have my secrets." It looks back at her with confusion.
"How do the Deaf function without certainty of intent from other units?" Kouri smiles softly.
"We make do." Brent stares at the papers once more.
"The answer left more uncertainty than before." Kouri chuckles.
"Welcome to life."
Brent had no further responses as he went to work writing Blood Sea requests. Valetorias, however, seemed highly intrigued by each spell caster and undead, seemingly able to pick up on all of them no matter how well they hid their condition or talents.
Others...
On the premises watching over the meeting were three more figures, who are affiliated to no faction in particular, but who are important enough to mention in passing.
Archangel Myria, the wingless older sister of Queen Kouri, stood within the meeting hall, ready to offer assistance to any who might request it for a noble cause. It was also rumoured that it was so she could keep an eye on her older sister, in the event that the queen of Renalta might act against holy forces once again. Though Liveria gave her angels sanctuary, she holds no official political affiliations, as that would go against the way in which angels do business upon the world.
Sarah Darkhammer, also known as the Abomination's Wife, was present at this meeting as she had been at the last. Though others were aware of her presence, she kept herself reclused into darker corners, only showing herself when it seemed that others required her attention. She knows much of the world, being older than perhaps even the ancient Imperium, and though undead, she seems to fear nothing from the Blood Sea's Choir. It is completely possible she knew about them long before anyone else. She likely has useful information on nearly every faction, leader, and mission, but getting her to talk about secrets usually requires doing her dark favours...
Amanda the Archmage, the head of the estimable Mage's Guild and one of the most powerful mages in the world. She was the one to awaken magic ten thousand years ago before stepping through time itself to arrive in this present day. Though middle aged and somewhat venerable, her mastery over pure energy is unmatched by any in her guild, and arguable any outside it. With a near unlimited knowledge of magic, she's usually willing to do favours in exchange for them. Though her guild is housed in Renalta and helps supplement the nation's military forces with equipment and training, the guild has no official political status and has outposts in every country except Rheinfeld and The Goblin Holds.
