Daniel tapped his finger impatiently on the long council table he had been sitting at for the better part of three hours. This had been his routine for the last several days, and more and more the ignorance and foolishness of certain nobles was grinding on his nerves.

  Lady Phenia, the daughter of Lord Cato, was in the middle of a passionate moral diatribe, vying for peace as much as possible. As if peace was ever really an option. Daniel sighed, looking across the table at Delmos, who was practically in a catatonic state of boredom.

  “Why then, do we instigate at every turn?” Phenia asked the council. “No emissary has been sent, no parley for peace in a time when our kingdom is in dire need of rest and recouperation. How can we call ourselves the sons and daughters of heroes if our first instinct is to always fight unnecessary battles. It is that ideology that put us in the position we are in at the present time. Not to ask ourselves if our visitors were truly the demons the Espi-Dae believed they were. Commonality could have saved many lives… and I beg the council to reconsider its decision for mobilization.”

  “Should we not at least be prepared?” Prince Leorus of the Volsung asked, looking around in confusion. “My Lady Phenia, we are not but bystanders in this conflict.”

  “Is that why we, at this very moment, have an expedition deep within Visoth territory? A secret mission? Not for peace, I assure you! But to bring more violence to their people, and turn their emperor against us. Must we see another mountain of corpses for you all to see reason? Must we hear the wails of widows and widowers echoing through the streets of Vul De Rah again!?

  “Thank you, Lady Phenia.” Alektor interrupted, looking worn himself. “Your petitions will be considered by the council, and we will vote on your nominations tomorrow during our next meeting.” There was a universal groan from many of the council members as the mention of more lecturing seemed to ripple through them.

  “Thank you, your highness.” Phenia bowed. “I pray that we all see reason, and prevent another bloody and completely avoidable war.”

  “Avoidable…” Daniel growled, more to himself, but Phenia heard it.

  “Is there something you would like to add, prince Daniel?” She asked, her tone taking on an edge.

  Daniel was about to decline, but after a second’s hesitation changed his mind. “If you’re asking, Lady Phenia.”

  “I am.” She crossed her arms

  “What part of any of this is avoidable?” Daniel asked. “The Dominician warships that attacked us, unprovoked? Killing dozens of Exous warriors in the process. Or is it the constant military probes from Visoth, who do exactly the same to our brothers in Baa’Yega? OR—” Daniel slammed his hands on the table, standing as he spoke. “Is it the hordes of demons, who’s only goal is to destroy all life in Pelemont!? Tell me, Phenia; which one of those is avoidable? Which of those scenarios can be “negotiated” away by a committee?”

  Phenia stiffened her upper lip, irritation and embarrassment burning in her eyes. She was offended, Daniel knew. But its foolish idealism like what she is trying to champion, that weakens everything they have. The demons are behind it all, and they don’t want peace. Daniel stepped away from his chair, and turned to leave, but Avria grabbed his arm.

  “Daniel, please calm yourself and sit back down.” She demanded, pulling on him slightly.

  “I won’t.” Daniel snapped, turning toward the rest of the council members. “You all know as well as I do, that you can’t make peace with evil. And you better believe that’s what’s behind this. Our only chance is to destroy it. I’m done wasting time on this bullshit, when we have people out there who need our help.” He looked Phenia in her eyes. “You can not make peace with demons, Phenia. They don’t know the meaning of the word. Have no conscience or moral compass, they have no capacity for mercy or love. All they know is suffering, and all they wish to do, is bring ruin to the souls of all of us. They are behind this, pulling the strings and making our neighbors our enemies.”

  “We don’t know that for sure…” Phenia replied, her expression one of pure malice.

  Alektor cleared his throat. “Well, I do believe this is a perfect time to end it. All further petitions will be pushed to tomorrow’s session. Thank you all for coming.” Alektor slammed his stone sphere on the table, officially ending the meeting for the day.”

  Daniel didn’t want to waste another second of his time sitting on his ass in a council meeting. He strode toward the exit, dodging several council members and nobles who attempted to get his attention. That is, until Avria’s voice brought him to a halt.

  “Daniel, please wait.”

  He breathed, turning to see his wife. She made her way over to him, a little slower on her feet now due to her swelling belly. He softened at the sight of her, shrugging apologetically. “Sorry about that.”

  “It isn’t me you have to apologize to, Daniel.” She hooked her arm around his for support and they continued walking. “Trust me, I agree with you. But the nobility… especially young na?ve ones like Phenia, do not know any better. They have always been around, and will always be after this. They are mostly harmless.”

  “Mostly harmless.” Daniel chuckled. “Until they waste just enough time to give the enemy the edge, and we all die because of it.”

  “It won’t come to that.” She huffed.

  “Oh, it won’t? How about when she volunteers to be the envoy for peace, because you know that’s what’s coming next. Then she gets herself killed, and her dad, Cato loses his marbles due to grief.”

  “You’re overreacting.”

  “I am? Maybe all of YOU are underreacting, huh?”

  Avria shot him a stern gaze, but looked as though she were barely concealing a laugh. She rolled her eyes, letting her weak grimace slip into a smile. “I guess you’re right about a few things. She can’t be allowed to go anywhere near either territory.”

  “Thank you.” Daniel grunted, “I just don’t get why Alektor can’t just order her to sit down and shut up. He used to do that all the time.”

  Avria patted him on his arm. “You are still new to the political landscape here, Daniel. A ruler is always caught in the middle of tedious alliances and balancing acts for control. The former high king, Phobos, was very good at it. And had the advantage of the Espi-Dae’s support.”

  “Huh…” Daniel nodded, only now realizing the importance of such a group. “The Espi-Dae controlled the masses, under his guidance.”

  “Exactly.” Avria nodded. “Now however, political aristocrats have filled that gap, and Alektor must cater to them in order to maintain peace. It is critical for him, now that war is upon us again.”

  “I don’t envy him.”

  “Ruling a clan and the entire kingdom are two completely different things.” She stopped in the hall, turning him to face her. He looked over her, losing himself in her beauty for several seconds. “But we must do what we can to support him.” She continued. “And outbursts, even merited ones, in a council meeting, shows instability. Instability shows everyone that Alektor is a weak ruler. And weak rulers breed usurpers.”

  “Alright.” He smiled, “I get it. I won’t do that anymore, I promise.”

  “Fantastic.” She returned his smile, her eyes flashing with hunger. “I have missed you, you know? Since you’ve returned, we haven’t spent any time together.”

  Daniel shrugged. “Well, between the assassins, research on the ascended, missing out on the mission to find Henry and training my ass off.”

  “You forgot being contacted in the middle of your bath by other humans.”

  “Yeah…” Daniel shuddered. “That is both incredible, and incredibly concerning. Either way, let’s go into the city tonight. Spend some time together, and forget all our troubles for a few hours. Whaddya say?”

  Avria grinned, her eyes turning mischievous. An expression Daniel was not used to seeing on her. “Why only a few hours? I’m sure there’s plenty of things for us to do.” She placed her hand on her belly. “I may be with child now, Daniel. But I’m not so fragile that we can’t enjoy each other more.”

  Daniel was about to make a comment, meant for her ears only but was cut off by someone calling his name.

  “Prince Daniel!”

  Daniel winced in irritation, and turned slowly toward whatever fool interrupted his personal conversation with his wife. He groaned internally as he saw three royal guards walking toward him from down the hall. “Yes?” He responded, making sure to display how annoyed he was.

  “High King Alektor has requested your immediate presence.” The guard on the left bowed. “It is urgent, highness.”

  “Duty calls.” Avria smiled apologetically. “Perhaps another day.”

  “Oh no.” Daniel chuckled. “You’re not getting off that easy. I’ll see you later.”

  Avria laughed, then embraced him, giving him a passionate kiss. “As you say.”

  ~

  Daniel did grumble a bit as he entered Alektor’s personal study. He was annoyed that he had been pulled away from Avria, but anxious to know what Alektor needed him for. In Daniel’s mind, there was only one thing that could matter enough for something like this.

  “Daniel.” Alektor sat behind his desk, lifting a bowl of wine toward Daniel, and drinking another bowl in his other hand. Beside him, sitting in a chair across the table, was Robert. Daniel shared a brief glance with the man, who turned away from him.

  Come on Rob, Daniel thought. Robert was furious when he heard that Daniel had helped Greyson when he called. Going so far as to throw around serious words like, “treason”, and “back stabber”. The whole situation was complicated, but Daniel did what he thought was right at the time. Avria agreed with his gesture, but Alektor was teetering on the edge of Robert’s side.

  “Hey, Alektor.” Daniel nodded, walking over and accepting the bowl of wine. “Rob.” He nodded, but didn’t get any response from him.

  “You know why I’ve called you here, so let’s get right to it.” Alektor leaned back, taking another sip of wine. “We’ve heard from our expedition, and though not without some extreme danger, have successfully united with Lord Pyxxis and his group.”

  “And Henry?” Daniel asked, anxiously.

  “Your friend, Henry, is among the group.” Alektor let out a rare smile. The rest of the message seems to be coded, I’m not sure what it means. It’s rather strange, so I thought maybe you were meant to decipher it.” Alektor pulled up a parchment and began reading from it. “Yo, broski. Your Sephiroth times three have all gone Magus and are on their way back to Sector seven to save Biggs, Jessie, and Wedge. We Skyrimin’ it back, so chillax…” Alektor looked at Daniel completely confused.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “I see.” Daniel nodded, trying to keep from laughing.

  “What are they trying to say? You look like you understand this gibberish.”

  “That’s from Henry. He was a huge gamer back home.” Daniel chuckled. “He’s saying that Greyson, Ashley, and Dorian have joined our cause, and are heading back to Ne’arath to save some important people who would die without intervention.” Daniel glanced at Robert, whose eyes were roiling with anger. “For better or worse, that’s what he’s saying… I think. Then again, he’s kind of an idiot sometimes and could be talking about something completely different. But his video game references are easier to read than his Pokémon or Power Ranger ones. I wouldn’t be able to help you if it were either of those.”

  “I… don’t fully understand.” Alektor shrugged, looking at the parchment again. “But I trust you.”

  “So, what happens when they get the people they care about?” Robert asked, lifting his gaze toward Alektor. “Are we really going to let those monsters back in here, unscathed?”

  Alektor eyed both of them, then took a long drink from his bowl of wine. Filled it up again, and finished that one too. “I haven’t decided yet. The situation is… complicated to say the least.”

  Robert scoffed. “These people killed, Demessa! And thousands more! They are scum! And I won’t stand here and let them… just waltz in here like everything’s ok; It’s not!” He turned his fury filled eyes at Daniel. “You should have let that demon fuck Greyson’s mind sideways, Dan!”

  “I did what I had to do, Rob.” Daniel sighed, shaking his head. “It wasn’t easy, alright? I hate those bastards too.”

  “It COULD have been easy, Dan. You could have just said “FUCK OFF” and watched that thing—”

  “Enough!” Alektor slammed his wooden bowl on his desk. “Both of you, need to calm yourselves. I can’t have you at odds with each other, not right now. We need a united front against the enemy who is very literally at our doorstep. It is a hard thing to forgive, Reku. I understand that more than you know; and so does Daniel. The very fact that he is here with us, sitting and drinking wine is a testament to that understanding. We have all done horrible things for the sake of what we believed was right.” He breathed slowly, looking back and forth between them. “Now, they should be back within the week. Afterward, we debrief them, and plan our next move. Understood?”

  “Yeah” Daniel said, followed shortly by Robert’s voiced agreement.

  “Very well.” Alektor leaned back again. “Now, is there anything else you would like to go over? If not, I am going to spend some time enjoying this wine. You’re both free to join me, if you’d like.”

  “Yeah.” Robert agreed, reaching over to grab the wine jug. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  “That does sound nice.” Daniel shrugged, “But I’ve got a date with a beautiful princess, so it’ll have to wait till next time.”

  ~

  Robert felt the effects of the wine start to take hold on his body. The warm sensation that spread through him, buzzing slightly. Alektor finished another bowl, then proceeded to fill it again. Robert raised an eyebrow, he had never seen the man drink so eagerly before; or let loose like this. “Are you… alright?” He asked, a bit of concern in his voice.

  “There are things in this world, Reku.” Alektor started, his expression serious as he stared at his bowl of wine. “That are meant to break a man. There is no other purpose they serve, but to cause anguish and hurt.” He paused for several seconds before continuing. “We will be in a full-fledged war soon. Fighting for our existence against an enemy that even the spirits fear. An enemy that knows no mercy or remorse…” He took another drink. “We are but simple men, against such a vile torrent of death.”

  Robert nodded, tasting the sweet aromatic flavor of this particular blend of wine. “We do what we can…” He shrugged. “My world came to an end, the moment I was sent here. And it was horrible, at first; you know that. But after a while… despite all the manipulation and shit… I found something to hope for; to live for, even. Even after… what happened with Demessa, I have a part of her with me now. That needs protection and love. I’m saying all this to show you that I feel the weight that you feel. The crushing responsibility to preserve our way of life, and will do everything in my power to keep it from being destroyed.”

  Alektor nodded, his expression softening slightly. “I don’t mean to trouble you with these morbid thoughts, Reku. But it will get harder from here on. Once Katrina and Turak return with the other humans, everything will change.”

  “I mean… she does have a way of complicating even the simplest problems.” Robert chuckled, taking a stab at lightening the mood.

  “That she does…” Alektor sighed. “Daniel is quite the same, when it comes down to it.”

  Robert strained a smile, but sighed in resignation. “I shouldn’t blame him for what happened, I know. it’s just hard for me to think about it and not get pissed off.”

  “I know.” Alektor placed his hand on Robert’s shoulder. “As rulers, we are often given trials that would drive anyone insane. We must do our best to prevail against our impulses, Reku. It is what separates a good king from a tyrant.”

  Robert laughed dryly, there was no humor in it. He knew Alektor was right, the world would end if he let his emotions get the better of him. And no true justice for Demessa would ever be realized. “Enough about me, Alektor. I hear you and yeah, you’re right. What about you?”

  Alektor leaned back in his chair. “What about, me? My life is an open scroll for all of Eleutheros to peer inside and critique.”

  “For starters.” Robert held up the nearly empty jug of wine. “This is new.”

  “I’ve always enjoyed a bowl or two of wine, Reku.”

  “Yeah, a bowl or two.” Robert chuckled. “Not a JUG or two.”

  Alektor sighed, “there are a great many things on my mind. The wine helps me sort them all out.”

  There was a knock at his study door that interrupted them, before the royal guard outside announced. “Lady Nasha is here, your highness.”

  “Send her in.” Alektor responded, before looking at Robert. “News from Turak, no doubt.”

  The door slid open, and Nasha strode in, her red hair swirling as she bowed deeply. “High King, Alektor. Thank you for seeing me.”

  “What is it, Lady Nasha?”

  As she lifted her head, Robert saw her eyes quickly scan the scenery before she began. “Lord Turak has reached out yet again, sending us another cryptic message. They’ve run into another group of enemies, apparently. No one was killed, but he says they might be a little later than expected.” She held out a small parchment, which Alektor took and read carefully. Nasha eyed Robert, smiling at him. “Enjoying a bit of recreational drinking, are we?”

  “In healthy doses.” Robert replied, returning her smile. He looked at her then, studying the aloof Dae girl who he had only had limited interactions with at this point. Maybe she should sit with us? he thought, before asking. “Care to join us?”

  “This is interesting.” Alektor interrupted, leaning forward in his chair. “The barbarian warriors from Vohnavix are masters of Dae-Luevix.”

  Robert raised an eyebrow. “What type of Dunamis is that?”

  “Ice.” Nasha added, taking it upon herself to sit down next to Robert.

  Alektor lifted a warning eye at her from the parchment, but continued reading after a second. Robert noticed his silent warning was left unheeded as she turned to him. “I think I will join you, King Reku. If there isn’t any objection from our High King.”

  “Don’t worry about him.” Robert waved a dismissive hand at Alektor, feeling strangely comfortable with the red-eyed Dae girl. “He’s working right now. Since you’re here, and are used to dealing with cranky loners. What is your take on our High King?” Robert noticed how incredibly observant this seemingly aloof and flirty woman was. But her eyes betrayed her true nature. One of extreme intelligence and survivability. She had quickly risen through the ranks when she served under the Ignos house, despite being the last of her own house. Now, she was engaged to the right hand of the high-king, and Katrina’s best friend.

  “I…” She looked suddenly at a loss for words, and Alektor put the parchment down to give Robert a confused look of his own. “I don’t know if it would be my place to comment in any way about our high king.”

  “It isn’t.” Alektor snapped. “In fact, you may take your leave, Nasha. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”

  “Oh, come on.” Robert laughed. “I invited her to sit with us, Alektor. Don’t be like that.” Alektor looked about ready to rebuke him, but Robert filled his bowl of wine again, and shoved it into Nasha’s hands. “Here, I want to hear what you think.”

  The Dae’s red eyes darted between Robert and Alektor. But she seemed to quickly master herself and press forward.

  “If our high king doesn’t have any objections.” She grinned, “I would be happy to give my honest assessment.”

  Robert gave Alektor a knowing look, who just sighed heavily, then flicked his hand at her. “Very well…” Alektor grumbled.

  “Right.” She chirped, her demeanor changing instantly, as though she always expected to get her way. She leaned forward, studying him intensely for several seconds, locking her gaze with Alektor’s, who suddenly flinched at some unseen exchange. “If I were to describe you, your highness; it would be difficult to hear. Aside from the pillow talk of my beloved Turak, I see a great sadness in your eyes. You hide it well, highness. But, I can see it. I think your devotion to your people has brought you down a path you struggle with. You don’t question your decisions, but punish yourself for things you know you could have done better.”

  “Alright.” Robert held his hands out, trying to get her to stop.

  “No.” Alektor narrowed his eyes. “I want to hear the rest.”

  “Your shoulders are broad, my dear high king.” She lifted her chin at him, accepting his challenge. “But the weight they bare may crush you one day. Lest you find a person to share that burden with.” She crossed her arms, cocking her head to the side. “I can see by your expression that you doubt me. I am not leading you astray on this, you can ask any one of your close friends. They will tell you the same. They trust me, and know that I am quite observant. You know that as a high king you have more than one obligation to this kingdom, and yet you keep holding it off.”

  Alektor scoffed, leaning back again in his chair. His posture stiffening as he drank from his bowl of wine. “So, you have the ability to see what’s before you. Congratulations on your astute observations.” He mocked her. “I have a few observations of my own.”

  “That’s not—” Robert tried to changed directions, immediately regretting his decision to try and have some fun at Alektor’s expense.

  “I command it.” Alektor spoke, his voice was harsh and serious. “You are a vile little grulla, that slithers her way through the court of honorable houses. Who finds the weakness in men and exploits it for her own gain. Phobos experienced this once, did he not? When you turned his favor against us? Of course, that was after you had attempted to seduce Oros of house Ignos with your venomous bite.” He barked a laugh. “For all your talents of speech and manipulation, you squander it by debasing yourself.” He leaned forward again, staring her dead in the eyes. “I will never allow Turak to marry one such as you, a mere court harlot; with a silver tongue and honied venom.”

  Robert let out a long breath, the tension in the room so palpable you could probably cut it with a knife. To Nasha’s credit, she did not cower in the face of so much ire. Instead, she stared at him, defiantly. Allowing his barbed words to go straight through her.

  “You only prove my point, your highness.” She said, her words calm and direct. “And I am at your disposal, to curse or berate. Even to kill, if you so wished. I am the last of my house; none would seek vengeance for me. Even Turak, who values your bond infinitely more than mine. If you command me, I will leave him. I will lead your armies, or fight as a line-warrior. Whatever you wish to do, you have but to say the word, and I will make it so. But, nothing you do to me. Or say to me, will change the fact that you are suffering. Or will change the truth of my words, because you and I both know. Do you know why, I do what I do? I am the last of my house, and my mother gave me one command before she died… LIVE she said to me, before the butchers of Rexun killed her in a raid. I left my home, and came to Vul De Rah with nothing as a child and made myself a person of importance.”

  “I do not care about your past.” Alektor waved his hand, “And I do not care for anything more you have to say.”

  “As you wish.” She bowed.

  “And, since you mentioned it,” He continued. “I want you to stay far away from Turak. He is confused enough as it is.”

  Her stern face cracked a bit as he finished his last sentence, but she nodded after several seconds. “I… will do as you command.”

  “Come on.” Robert sighed, finally having had enough. “Don’t punish her just because you’re annoyed that she said you’re depressed. Let’s just calm down and take a breath. You should go, Nasha.”

  “Don’t be na?ve, Reku.” Alektor said. “This should have been done a long time ago. Her constant whispering, in the ears of both Turak, and Katrina have caused far more damage than you realize. I refrained from bringing this up because frankly she had been out of Vul De Rah for so long. But, there is no reason to drag this on any longer.”

  Nasha stood abruptly, then bowed at the waist. “I am sorry that I have offended you, your highness. I will take my leave, and do as you command.”

  “Be sure that you do.” Alektor snapped. “I don’t want to see you in my court again.”

  She turned, and left the study after a final bow, and Robert was left speechless, staring at Alektor. “Fuck… that got out of hand so fast. Why the hell were you being so mean to her? Did I miss something!?”

  “You did.” Alektor grunted. “I have had every single high-ranking member of the former Lokkadonian regime observed, constantly. And out of all the fools who blunder about, still speaking usurper behind my back, she is the most dangerous.”

  “What… do you mean?” Robert asked, his curiosity peaked.

  “She has entered the good graces of every prominent house in Eleutheros, by either honied words, or spreading her legs. Including that of Turak, who she latched onto immediately. Unfortunately, I was too late to head it off with him or Katrina, but after what she tried to do tonight, I could put it off no longer.”

  “What did she do? She made a simple…”

  “Why did you ask her to stay?” Alektor’s words came like ice water to Robert. “What was your thought process before you brought it up?”

  “I…” Robert thought on it for a moment, then realized he had no idea why. He didn’t know her well, had never had any urge to speak to her either. She was an attractive woman, but he had never lusted over her, or sought any sort of relationship. The thought just popped into his head, and he figured it was a good idea. “I don’t know, actually…”

  “Exactly.” Alektor shook his head. “She has an ability to push her will upon others, Reku. I don’t know how she does it, but it’s clear. I felt her use this power on me tonight, and it infuriated me.”

  “She can… holy shit.” Robert’s mind raced at the implications of it all. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

  “I need to know more about her before I make any rash decision, and with her out of the court, I can have some space to do so. Who knows how saturated Turak is with her manipulation.”

  “Good idea…” Robert rubbed the sides of his head. “Man, it was so subtle. I didn’t even think…” Memories of Dio’Mar’s subtle manipulations came rushing back, and a nearly uncontrollable rage built within him. “No one manipulates me… that bitch.”

  “Steer clear of her, Reku.” Alektor reassured him. “I will handle it. In the meantime, ensure that Athica do the same, and any other members of your house.”

  “Yeah… you don’t have to tell me twice.”