Ruipur’s streets were narrow and crowded but cleaner than the city of Ygg.

No city or settlement in Daksinisthan had ambient mana that was as dense because of the distance from the world tree. The only exceptions were the rare settlements with local Wells of Power, and Ruipur wasn’t one of them. As a result, mages were slow to grow and gain ranks. Much like most Daksinisthani powers, they survived by investing in and excelling at artisanal crafts. The local mana density and environment also somehow produced the ideal environment for the growth of a variety of magical flora and fauna. The local dungeons and frequent rifts also ensured that the cities were rarely short of crafting materials.

Nox watched from his inn’s window as a magical, city-owned cart drove by, clearing the streets of dirt and debris. More street lamps were magically powered, and the use of alchemical substances seemed commonplace. His products were already in several stores around the city but faced stiffer competition.

The lack of horse-drawn carriages meant there were no horse droppings. Fewer coal fires meant no ash and less soot and smoke. Despite the seemingly disorganized city, the signs of well-maintained sewers were apparent. Nox wondered whether his visit to the city was pointless. He worried things would end like they did in the Imperium. They had tried to buy the rights to his creation and refused to sign the necessary documentation. When things didn’t go their way, the Imperium banned direct trade with the Ratra name, forcing him to rely on Queen Mercer for trade. He hoped things wouldn’t be the same in Ruipur.

Nox would have no choice but to turn to Akash Das, Woodson University’s head of alchemy, to accomplish what needed doing in Baruipur or Mohirat. The man would undoubtedly expect favors or a partnership, which Nox refused to partake in. He preferred the Ratra name to remain independent.

A loud clatter in the suite’s bath snapped Nox away from the window. He rushed to find Aria still in the water, her belly sticking out like an island. The back-scrubbing brush lay on the flour just out of her reach. Aria stretched for it in vain, looking like a river turtle flipped onto its back. Nox retrieved it for her.

“Thank you.” She sighed. Instead of continuing to scrub her back, she placed it next to the tub and sank into the bath until only her face stuck out of the water. “I needed this. The Greywing is great, but—”

“Is everything okay, Lady Edelweiss?” Her bodyguard asked through the door leading to the corridor outside the washroom, knocking loudly. He tried the handle, but Nox had locked it from the inside.

“We’re all good in here, Zaire,” Nox said. “Lady Edelweiss just dropped something.”

“Yes, my lord,” the man replied. “Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

“Enthusiastic about his job, isn’t he?” Aria chuckled, pointing at the jug of water on a table across the room.

“You don’t become a guard in the Mercer Palace without skill, merit, and enthusiasm.” Nox filled the cup for her.

“Thanks, love.” Aria lifted her head out of the water for a kiss and got what she wanted. “Your mother is going all out for her first grandchild, isn’t she? I noticed you left her off the list of names.”

“I did the same with a lot of people. Unlike you, wife, I’m picky about our child’s name.” He stroked her belly, taking a seat by the tub. “What do you think of Ernest if it's a boy?”

“If you check the scroll, you’ll find that I’ve marked it as my top pick for a boy name,” she replied, flicking water at him. “I wouldn’t be here if not for him. He deserves honoring even if Michelle will never know or probably care.”

“Lord Ratra,” Zaire said through the door, interrupting their banter. “You have guests, and they’re unwilling to wait.”

“It's fine,” Nox said. “We’re expecting them. Show them into the lounge. I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I hate how that sounds.”

“It’s what you get for marrying a to-be baroness.” Aria accepted his help, rising from and stepping out of the bath. Nox assisted her with her robe, but she found her own towel. “In all honesty, I liked Sir Ratra much better. A knight is much more attractive than a stuffy lord or baron. It feels more earned and masculine.”

“And we both know that I'm the epitome of merit and manliness.” Nox laughed. He heard muffled voices through the wall. “I better go entertain our guests before they show themselves in here.”

“I’ll try to be fast,” Aria told him. “I’m famished. Ensure they’re ready to go by the time I’m done. Please.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Nox swiftly dried his arms and switched into a nicer set of clothes. They would be stepping out, and even though it was unlikely they’d face hostiles in the middle of the city, he strapped his pouch of shaped essences and flask of alchemical cocktail to his belt. He only wore a long vest over his shirt—it was too warm and humid for a coat—and it just about hid the additions. Nox liked feeling secure and prepared. He also summoned Otis.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The gremlin’s planet growth had turned him into far more than the humble name suggested. He looked like a cross between a monkey and lizard. His face was very human but lacking a nose, and two rabbit-like ears grew out of the side of his head. The tail was thick and reptilian. Otis’ velvety black fur often made him look like a stuffed toy, and the clear crystal spikes lining his spine and the bigger shards jutting out on either side of him added an element of threat. People who saw the familiar couldn’t make heads or tails of him.

In the seconds following summoning, he was the size of a six-year-old but quickly shrunk down to pocket-size.

“I’d like for you to behave tonight,” Nox said. “No stealing. No poking or pinching people. No pranks. Is that understood?”

Otis’s characteristic ear-to-ear smile disappeared. He let out an almost canine nod.

“I mean it.”

Fine.

The word echoed in Nox’s head. It was soft as a whisper. Otis rarely spoke, but when he did, he always meant what he said. The gremlin seemed to understand the importance of Nox's visit to the city. His intelligence felt on par with that of a twelve-year-old, except he was far more vicious and needed significant convincing not to cause grievous bodily harm with his pranks.

Otis crawled along the ceiling as Nox finished dressing and grabbed the bottle of wine and other gifts he had brought from the City of Ygg—the first came from Oakheart cellars, and the other were products of the Galleria. Mou and Sapna had both fulfilled Nox’s requests, preparing goods for the occasion. He had people to please and impress, after all.

“Mr Ambassador!” Nox greeted, entering the lounge. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“That act was tiresome the last time we met, and it is even more so now,” Louis said, taking the wine bottle and the other smaller packages. He placed them carefully on the coffee table before clasping hands with Nox. The half-brothers hugged. “Please. No more Mr Ambassador. Brother is fine. Louis is even better.”

“I don’t mind titles or honorifics,” Swati said, pushing aside her betrothed and pulling Nox in for a tight embrace. “When was it I last saw you? Was it two years ago?”

“No. It was during the wedding. Just over a year, I think.” Nox waved to the lounge’s large couches, and they all took seats. “How are the pair of you keeping? Is the wedding planning going well?”

Swati nodded. “Everyone has an opinion and input. Nobody likes no for an answer.” She tucked into the presents, unwrapping them. “You know how it is. I’m sorry we couldn’t put you up personally. We’re still renovating the ambassador’s mansion, and moving in together before marriage is a touch more controversial here than up north. Also, my mother is still unhappy about what happened with the Singhs, and she blames you for it. I didn’t think putting you up in my family estate was a good idea.”

“She’s not wrong.” Nox laughed. “I may have gone a bit overboard and am profiting dearly thanks to ownership of their property. Apparently, they’re settling in just fine in the Imperium’s eastern outskirts. The inn is just fine. It's far more palatial than any such establishment back home. Besides the Galleria’s new guest house, of course.”

“You don’t need to market to us, Brother,” Louis said, putting an arm around Swati. “We’re well aware of the establishment’s reputation. Mother won’t stop going on about it. Speaking of. When was the last time you saw her?”

“We’ve all been fairly busy since the wedding,” Nox answered. “She’s invited herself to come over and stay with Bella for a while just before the birth. I think Mother is too scared to ask if she can be around for it.” His eyes hesitantly moved between the couple and the door to the bedroom. He could hear Aria moving around. “Would either of you like a drink? I—”

“Spit it out, Nox,” Swati said, eyes narrowing. “I know you have a favor to ask.”

Nox smiled, failing to hide his embarrassment. “I have a meeting with one of the ladies in Ruipur’s council. It was supposed to be tomorrow but got pushed back to next week and—”

“And you don’t have the time to spare and want me to use my connections to make it happen sooner.”

“It would be nice, and I’d be eternally grateful.”

“What is it regarding? Only the truth, Lord Nox Ratra,” Swati replied. “It's not good form to lie to your sister-in-law.”

“I have two purposes,” Nox answered. “My slime research has progressed a fair bit since the myconid plague. My latest creation can be programmed to consume targeted materials. In its decent state, it will dissolve all biological waste—namely fecal matter, rotting vegetation, and flesh. You could fill your sewers and dumping grounds with them to reduce pest numbers and prevent the spread of disease. The City of Ygg is using it. As is the Golden Isles.”

“Let me guess. You need another recognized greater power to sign off on the product and your exemplary work for guild recognition and the Expert Alchemist license?”

Nox nodded.

“Do you even need it at this point?” Louis asked. “Despite the Imperium’s hatred of you, almost every store west of the Arid Lands carries some Ratra brew. Thanks to your incredible sibling—” He smiled proudly. “—the same is happening in Ruipur and her two sisters. Your accomplishments and Wizard title are enough. What is the point of the Expert Alchemist license?”

“Pride? Legacy?” Nox shrugged. “I only know that I want it. The Council of Ygg nominated me for it without my asking, and Trade Empire jumped to sign off on it. When the Imperium declared my work insufficient and refused, it must’ve sparked something. I want to prove them wrong and show them off for the petty, blighted dung eaters that they are.”

“And here I thought you were all grown up, Brother.” Louis sighed. “I told you, Swati. You got the most mature and better rounded of Lydia Mercer’s children.”

“I’m afraid Bella has you beaten there, Louis.” Nox laughed. “She might be eighteen, but I swear she feels older than me sometimes. I’m sure she’ll be the finest queen the Golden Isles has since—” Nox paused, trying to think of Trade Empire’s long line of female rulers and their accomplishments. “—since the founder, I suppose.”

“You’re probably right. She’s the one who convinced Mother to relieve me from my royal guard duties and serve as ambassador here. Bella Mercer has been a terrifying force since she escaped the palace and started university. That girl is going to change the world, I’m telling you.”

“She’s had good examples,” Swati said, smiling at both men. “It can’t be easy growing up with two incredible brothers. The pressure must be immense.”

“Well, Bella can rest assured that she isn’t the generation’s screw-up or disappointment,” Louis stated. “Edward holds the position well.”

“How has he settled into life under house arrest?” Nox asked.

“Let's just say his liver, lungs, and heart aren’t happy about his way of living.”