“This isn’t what it looks like.”

King Harlen, floating just above the wood grain flooring, shifted his smile to something more obtuse. Jovial, like a fox extorting his way into a hen house, Harlen silently arced around Leland, looking at him through various angles. As he did, he made grunts and hums, each bounding with enough ghostly off-blue mist to water a greenhouse.

“Royalty indeed, I was unaware the Curse Lord is a vile sort.”

Leland, his eyes still enhanced, scanned for possible exit paths or attack routes. King Harlen, unfortunately, was a friend of Aunty P. and the Palemarrow Kingdom. Banishment was the least of Leland’s worries if Harlen decided to blab.

“Oh do calm down, young Harbinger,” Harlen laughed. “All that tension isn’t good for a young lad such as yourself.”

“I-I can explain.”

“No need, none at all. And no need to be thinking of death at a time like this. Voidlings are quite hard to kill.”

Leland swallowed and resolved himself to ease the lump in his throat. He kept the distance to the nearest window in his mind, however – not that he thought the information would do him any good.

Still, there was one card Leland figured he could play. Harlen knew of the Calamity – the Lord of Curses. Harlen knew the history of long dead Lords and even seemed to respect Leland because of this when they first met.

So, Leland made his back go firm and said, “I am also the Curse Lord Champion.”

Harlen didn’t break from floating silently around Leland’s bed. “Oh, look at that, a Harbinger and Champion. A rare sight. But you know what might be more rare?”

Leland didn’t dare ask, feeling the question a trap.

“A Harbinger and Champion who is a complete imbecile.”

Anticipation drained away like a sink without a stopper. “What?” he asked.

Harlen didn’t rub his eyes in irritation, instead summoning one of his specter citizens to do it for him. A ghostly arm reached in from beyond the world, a ripple in space marking the weakened spot in reality. The arm consoled its King, pampering him in the face of such buffoonery.

“Do you even know who could be listening?” Harlen then asked. “Because you are sharing a cluster of homes well within range of one of the greatest spies in current human history.”

Leland thought for a moment. “Carmon is the—”

“Not Carmon, who is a Blade Dancer, are you serious?” The ghost arm went back to massage its King. “Think lad, think.”

And Leland did. His parents were out, as was Jude’s. The Huntress, he supposed, but she was more of the fire arrows and ask questions later type. If it wasn’t Carmon, then it could only be— “Aunty P.”

“Exactly. That woman is more devilish than she looks. Best remember that.”

Leland suddenly sucked in a breath. “If she’s a spy, then that means—”

“Not to worry,” Harlen interrupted. “The Void consumes all, even sound. This room is currently nonexistent to her. Best we keep this brief, otherwise she might notice your lack of snoring.”

“I don’t—” Leland stopped himself, that wasn’t important. “Why were you watching me?”

“Oh, I don’t know. How about because you called for the Void and the Void answered. I am a Priest of such a power, not only just a dashing King of a long dead kingdom.”

That… actually was a really helpful answer for Leland. It confirmed his earlier thoughts about the white space between a Lord’s domain and human realm. What he’d do with such information was yet to be seen or known.

“What… what is the Void?”

Harlen quirked an eyebrow. “The space between.”

“Between what?”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“The clouds of dust that make up the Realms.”

There wasn’t much known about the Realms, as humanity only existed in the human variant. Although sometimes beings from other realms are summoned, escape, or invade into the human realm, thus bringing new information to those who conquer, capture, or contract them. Unfortunately most of the time, these beings know less about their homes than humans do. Or they are lacking in the intelligence needed to communicate.

Either way, the Realms didn’t pertain to what Leland was hoping to have answered. “What about where Lords live?”

The question got a smile out of the Reflection King. “The Void connects all.”

That created an idea, one that Leland figured would be endlessly worthwhile. It was a gamble, especially giving the company currently standing – floating – in his room. Harlen was a wildcard, one that Leland trusted more than not. It was strange, but someone knowing his secret and not attacking forthright did wonders to gain his respect.

Although… technically the Toy Maker's Harbinger knew Leland’s true identity as a Harbinger and didn’t attack outright. It was after a bundle of threats and emotional deterrence. But Leland didn’t count that.

“What do you want from me?” Leland finally asked. “You must have something you want in order to keep your silence.”

The question was a gamble, as Leland really didn’t want to owe any favors. But what could a King who could only return to realty once a year truly want? A means of returning to life? A new body? A servant?

Harlen chuckled. “No, no, child, you misunderstand. I only wish to see what being could enter and exit the Void with such ease.”

“But surely you want something.”

“Not so much. I have a kingdom at my fingertips and all the time in the world, literally.”

“You don’t want me to open a route to the Void and let you in or out?”

“Why would I want you to do that? I can do the same thing.”

“What about a soul to eat or something?”

“Do I look like a savage?”

Leland flinched. He had consumed multiple souls at this point. “What about—”

“Lad, you are not powerful enough to give me what I want or need,” Harlen interrupted with a bite of blue mist. “Come back to Ruinsforth in a few centuries and maybe we can come to a deal.”

Leland, purple halo still blazing above his head, gave a weak nod. He rapped his fingers together. “Then, may I ask a question?”

“You’ve already asked several. I wouldn't stop you now.”

“It’s about your Lord.”

Harlen’s eyes went stark white. “I see. Proceed.”

“Do they have any hobbies?”

A dull silence filled the room. “What?” Harlen eventually asked, his eyes returning to a haunted blue.

“The Lord of the Void, do they have hobbies? Maybe a favorite snack? Anything you can tell me about them?”

Harlen’s sides quaked with laughter. He hunched over, spittle spewing from his mouth before fading into nothingness, until the trembles released his ethereal flying. He toppled over himself, somersaulting up to the room’s ceiling.

Leland was not amused.

“Lad, that is a good one! Had me going!”

Leland muttered, “It was serious.”

“Let me get this straight. You, a mortal, are asking what the Lord of the Void does for fun? Are you wishing to become buddies? Chums? Good ol’ pals? Offer a gift for eternal life? Maybe even—”

“What?” Leland asked.

“What were you doing in the Void?”

“Err… just visiting?”

“You were traveling to a Lord’s domain, weren’t you? What could you possibly—” Harlen cut himself off, finding the glass shard resting on the nightstand. “What is that?” He drifted over to it, picking it up and unraveling the cloth around it. “What is this? I can’t see through it.”

“Information, for Glenny.”

Harlen twirled back to Leland. “Information about what? And from who?”

There was a line here, Leland realized. Just how much should he spill to the ghostly King to get him to go away? Too little and Aunty P. might become involved. Too much and maybe Harlen will want a favor.

“Part of my Harbinger… power, is the ability to contact Lords. I asked the Chameleon Lord to help Glenny. That glass shard is the answer.”

“What does it do?”

“I don’t know. Glenny’s eyes only.”

Harlen licked his eternally dry lips. “C-can you contact other Lords?”

“For the most part. But,” Leland decided to bend the truth a bit, “most will not talk to me without a built relationship.”

“Like being best friends with a Lord’s Legacy?”

“Exactly so.”

“What else have other Lords given you?” This time Harlen’s tone was calculated, like a hawk waiting for a mouse to walk out into the open.

Leland answered instantly, already thinking it over, “Well, the Lord of Endurance made me run around her domain multiple times. In return, she created an exercise regimen for me.”

Harlen burst out laughing. “A personalized regime by a Lord? Now that really is something.” He went silent after a moment, this time using his own hand to rub his face. Eventually he said, “The Lord of the Void is a passionate person. She’d have to be to live in isolation for eternity. When you meet her, just speak with her for a few hours. She loves a good story…”

With that, Harlen stepped through reality, appearing somewhere else.

Leland let out a rough sigh of relief.