“Your Majesty we should pull out of there! We need to protect what really matters! Not some back water little country that we have no reason to support!” Argued the Arch-Shepherd from across the war table which had laid upon it a large scrawling map of the continent with counties and topographical data painted on.
It was an immaculate map that any noble of the Empire would be proud to hang as an art piece in their home, but this map was currently covered with small pieces that indicated militaries of multiple nations so that the many generals, nobles, and advisors to the emperor could see the current state of a soon-to-be hot war.
“That is not a ‘backwater country’, The Dutchy may be small, but they have been a key producer for many alchemical ingredients for decades and we can’t let the federation acquire them too!” Declared the young Emperor from the head of the table with a few advisors and a general nodding with agreement. However, that was the minority. Most of the attendees hated every word the young emperor said.
“Sir-“ One of the generals interjected “-The temple may be saying it for the wrong reasons but we must pull out! We do not have the conscription rate to support fighting now. We need to refocus efforts on recruitment and strengthening our production of alchemic materials.” The large man stood and spoke to the whole six-foot-long table as if this was a speech. “Men and Sisters of governance, we can’t forget what our job is! WE must think of our people. Of the people that produce our gain and mine our coal, and not of another country who has its own job to do.”
With the closing statement he took his seat. Many amount them already started talking to one another in agreement. The young Emperor was silent. He could say nothing, so he played the only card he could.
“This meeting is adjourned and will be concluded tomorrow.” But as he said this almost all in front of him started to complain and argue with the cowardly tactics, but he had already stood and started to walk out of the war room. His head advisor followed him out.
Once the door was closed the advisor spoke.
“Sire, you know they wont like that. Its not to late to try and win their favor.”
The young Emperor turned and faced the tall, spindly old man. His face full of grey and stark white hair that oozed wisdom that contrasted hard against the young teen’s soft and round features. The advisor knew they boy was smart, exceptionally so but not great with the intricacies of the rapidly changing political weather of the empire. The boy spoke.
“I know when you lie, I’ve spent every day for 10 years with you. There is no need to sugar coat it Jeon.” The boy turned again and started walking to his next meeting.
“Sire, you know that if you don’t try to mitigate losses you will lose it all.” He chimed out while following.
“You know I hate that saying, the only reason you say that is because you think it sounds smart.”
The duo walked in silence while they navigated the decorated halls of the castle. In truth it was more of a small town in its own right. It was a mile from one side to the other filled with Guest rooms, guard armories, and everything from a indoor bath house to a theater with all the amenities to melt the stress off any visitor’s bones, but the main core of the settlement was the Lords domain. A safe heaven that would resist nearly any form of attack and was self-sufficient from the outside world. Which made it a great place for meeting with the empire’s greatest heads of government. The next meeting was with some head priests of multiple religions, none as important to the empire as the Archshepherd but still highly regarded.
The guard standing next to the door saluted then open the door with one arm while holding his blastspear in his other. The room was stout and lit with Cool-Candles that the Castles head Wizards cooked that made the room cooler while producing light which was essential in the heat of the castle which had no windows.
The four religion figure heads all stood at the door was opened and each gave a bow and a short greeting. The young Emperor had heard it all in his time as ruler so he gave it little mind. He walked in and sat and only then did they take their seats.
“What did we need to discuss.” The young prince let out with a sigh.
“Well…” The first man said.
“There has been a report of a fallen star in the Shadow Forest in the Seventh-S District. And a few of my order have gone missing from around that area.”
The young prince looked that the man for the first time. He was a gaunt Dwarven priest in full blue ceremonial garb. He was the head of the creationists, the other three were other racial-religious leaders, with a Half-Foot, Aelfhol, and a Jobis. The three later all having to wear masks in public while in the capital.
“Well? What do you want me to do about it?” The young prince scoffed out.
“Oh uh, we need your permission to search the woods since they are Nejero lands and I would like few squads from the army to search and patrol that district.”
The young prince thought about it until Jeon tapped him on the shoulder while standing behind the emperor’s chair and leaned down to whisper in his ear. This went on for a few seconds before the young Emperor declared it was acceptable. Twenty minutes later they were done and decided to move on early. The duo walked out and went for a quick stop by the royal kitchen.
“Sire, you know the squads with soldiers from the north will hate this mission and the military as a whole with dislike this decision, so why?” Jeon asked in his silver smooth voice.
“Because, they are the only people I can trust are not out for the crown, because the nation simply would not allow for a sub-race to hold the throne.”
“Sire, you say that you can trust them, but shouldn’t you be able to trust your military more?”
“Jeon, don’t fool you know that ship has sailed. They hated me from coronation. They see me as weak.” He said with a growing headache.
“Sire, then why won’t you show any strength?” Jeon mused quietly.
The emperor went silent. He took his right hand and held onto the large, jeweled amulet his father had left him. It was a flawless alloy of titanium and adamantium with the family’s soul jewel as the centerpiece. It was vermillion crystal with flowing white veins that responded to the soul of the royal family. He was told that it would keep him safe and to wear it at all times.
“Sire?” Jeon called out quite loud.
“wh-What?” The emperor said refocusing on the discussion.
“Sire, I was trying to tell you we walked right past the kitchen.” Jeon stated with tired amusement.
“Damn, how long was I spaced out for.” He asked while turning around to reorient himself.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Hmm for about three-ish minutes.”
They walked in silence until they got to the kitchen.
It was a bustling place with steam and smoke filling the room, the sent of wild game, farm animals, and cultivated plants filled the noses of all who entered. The chefs and assistances did not stop for the emperor as it would be worse to give any of the nobles in the castle bad or, gods forbid, late meals. There was a plate and glass already full of food and wine as the duo arrived. The emperor, took a seat and started eating. He got one spoon full of a salty egg based dish he had never had, before a guard slammed open the door and huffing and puffing spoke through stressed and scared breath.
“Your Majesty!” He puffed out “An Envoy from the federation! I-is at the castle walls!”
Both the emperor and adviser jumped to standing and immediately started out of the kitchen.
Jeon spoke first while following the emperor while pulling the middle-aged guard very close.
“Why did we not hear about this sooner?”
The guard flustered and scared spat out “Tel-teleportation magics Sir!”
Jeon let go of the guard in shock and immediately gave out orders. “DO NOT TELL A SOUL ABOUT THIS. EMPTY THIS CASTLE NOW except GAURDS.”
“But sir!” the soldier argued “What can I tell them if I cant tell them about the envoy?”
“WHAT EVERY YOU DAMN NEED TO NOW GO” Jeon yelled while pushing the man away.
“Jeon, why is this happening.” The young emperor asked with a almost shaky voice and a hand on the amulet.
“Sire I don’t know but this isn’t good, you need to keep you wits about you. Go to the throne room now and wait upon the throne. Ill the get the formalities started.” He said with an obvious strain of fear in his own voice.
Not a single word was shared more as they split paths.
Multiple generals were waiting in the throne room, waiting to make appearances to the envoy. They all stiffened and moved to stand to the side of the throne, all in their ceremonial full plate mail, with blue and white gambesons of the empire’s colors. ‘How had they gotten in the armor so fast?’ thought the young emperor. ‘No. no time to worry about that.’ He was already in ceremonial garb for the previous meetings so all he did was straighten and smooth a few wrinkles that had crept into the fine gold and white Imperial Mantle. He straightened the heavy gold crown on his head which seemed to glow upon his gunmetal black hair and accented by his golden eyes. After making sure he looked his best he took his place on the throne.
While fixing his form, he noticed a new white paint floor pattern. It was a room long rectangle with words and phrases painted in a language he didn’t know with a small circle for where those who requested audience stood. It was massive and should be able to fit at least 20 people in the circle but he couldn’t ask questions about the odd new décor since he saw the doors starting to open. He ignored the small and focused on the upcoming issue.
As soon as he had sat, the grand doors opened wide with Jeon leading the convoy of federation troops and the Khanzada to the Federal-Pulveran Khanate, the federation president. The young emperor had a hard time keeping up with the Khanates culture and titles, but he understood this to be equivocal to a prince. They stood in circle painted on the ground and Jeon took his place out of the circle and farther in front about halfway from the circle to the throne. The prince was older than the young emperor but not by much. His olive skin and dark brown hair made him jump out immediately from the usual population of the empire. The heavy and dense brown mustache on the young adult’s face made him seem much older which helped him exude an air of physical confidence. The young emperor felt it like heat waves off a forge, not that he had even been next to one.
The Prince wore foreign garments consisting of a long red over coat with silver flower stitching for contrast, under he wore a black plain shirt that was barely seen and were tucked into his baggier white trousers that themselves where tucked into dark high leather pointy boots that were a nice end point to the outfits flowing design.
Jeon spoke impossibly loud with alchemic cone that slowly deteriorated while he spoke.
“Your Majesty, our Emperor Jaux Au ’Nejero; Sartaqean Khanzada, son of Pulverezan Khaqan has asked for audience. Do you allow?”
This was standard affair for the young Jaux, who had listened to many a people in these great halls.
“Aye, I will head your request and do my best as Lord of the lands to hear your words. Speak your mind.”
Jaux was able to get it out without stuttering but he still felt a cold sweat break out from his brow. He had to remain in control of this interaction, and he cant let himself fail in front of his own generals and the prince of the federation he might to war with. He has already destroyed the respect that prince of the federation he might to war with. He has already destroyed the respect that the military had for him so he must seem strong.
The prince walked to the from of the troupe and spoke with a heavy accent and practiced flair.
“Dear Emperor of Rivintine Empire, I have come to deliver message from my nation.”
He said exceptionally confidently, as if this was his home town. He looked like a performer in front of the generals.
“What is the message you couldn’t give an advance warning?” It was a strong point, if they did truly use teleportation magics to send this whole 15-man party across a continent it had to be of the most importance. Another question was who in their group was the wizard? Everyone but him wore black and red cloaks with deep hoods.
“Ah, sis is war declaration! Empire armies have been most annoying in acquisitions of ze Dutchy.” He declared without a hint of fear or worry. In fact he was smirking.
Jaux felt his heart stop then drop into the pits of his stomach. The generals nearly jumped and pulled their ceremonial swords on the man. Even the steel nerves of Jeon rusted as his eyes went wide. The guards of the room immediately readied the blastspears they held. A shorter man walked in front of the prince while the whole invading party grouped up behind the small man. The man took of his hood and started mumbling to himself. The white floor paint started to glow.
Jaux hopped out of this throne as he understood. “EVERYONE GET OUT NO-“ As he was shouting directions the world went a deep vermillion.
Everyone around him was gone, the stone of the castle evaporated and the group in front of him, most likely on a different continent by now. The faint vermilion glow subsided as he found himself in a dilapidated courtyard in the middle of a forest. He felt the biting breeze of the low mountain forest he looked down and saw he had nothing on him. His attire, his crown and even the amulet. He felt extremely weak and tired. He felt his vision filling with spots and soon enough he saw nothing at all.