A small group had gathered for the Duchess, and approached where she sat on her now-singular throne. Of the three visitors, one carried a suitcase, and bent to one knee as she opened it and presented its contents.

“Your Grace, the item you requested is ready.”

Far’nah looked over the object – to the unknowing eye, it appeared as nothing more than a livery collar – and she reached forward to lift it up. Hanging from the base of that thick, plated chain, was a medallion bearing the crest of the Kitezan royal family.

“May I?”

The Duchess nodded, and rose-up from her throne. Taking a few steps down towards the main level, she handed back the collar, and stood patiently as the woman unhooked it at the back and lifted it around her shoulders from behind. With deft fingers, the collar was latched, and Far’nah turned around again to face the trio as the third of them returned to the group, “Is it already working?”

“Please touch your fingers to the crest and hold for three seconds, Your Grace.” One of the others noted, and as the Duchess did so, the crest glowed briefly.

All around the fiery-haired woman’s body, a ripple expanded, emerging from the talisman and enveloping her from top to toes. It hummed quietly, and as the ripple completed its circuit around her, the hazy effect faded, and Far’nah was left as her normal self again.

“There, Your Grace. You are now as well-protected as the Vindicator.” The first woman beamed, “So long as you wear that, the Eidolon cannot harm you.”

“And such devices are being disseminated to the Magistrates and their officers?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” The third finally spoke, “We are presently augmenting the shield capabilities of all of the ships in the fleet harboring a piece of the SSCF Kitez’s original Warp Core. We have seven such ships fully online now. The rest will be ready by tomorrow evening.”

“…Everything is going so smoothly.” Far’nah was impressed, and traced her fingers around the crest’s edge, “I can hardly believe I waited so long to get this all moving…”

“Kitez and her people stand ready.”

“I think I want to go see my husband.” The Duchess commented quietly, and her personal guard came away from the throne-platform to flank her quickly, “Continue your good work!

“Your Grace!”

.

Mardu had picked his lips and cuticles raw from the stress; skin was chapped and pock-marked, and his hair was heavy with unwashed oils, laying across his scalp like sheets of dark paper. He still wore the same garments he’d had on when he’d been arrested in the first place, and his cheeks were noticeably gaunt. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and he looked as exhausted as he was starved.

He had no reaction when it was made known to him that his wife had come to his door, but after a few seconds, he managed to roll over on the cot he’d been provided with, and set the soles of his boots to the floor.

“I’m told you refuse to eat.” Far’nah’s voice commented quietly, “I can have something more palatable brought to you.”

“…I…want to leave…”

“Of course.” She gave a sullen nod, “But we both know that’s not possible. You’ve turned against me, my love. Against Kitez.”

“I did no such thing!” He refused weakly; his hands trembled where they gripped the edge of the thin mattress, “You turned against Kitez! Your ambitions will bring us nothing but ruin! You march us headlong into oblivion!”

“I wish you could see what I see.” She answered, and looked on with a disappointed gaze through the opened window in the door, “The grander picture that I have…”

“Your vision is pure folly…” Mardu said, starting to weep into the palms of his hands.

Far’nah’s brow crinkled slightly, “…I remember how things used to be. When we were young, naïve, and full of hope. And how that all came crashing down the day the Fafnir invaded into the Exclusion Zone, and forever put a crosshair onto the Council.” She drew a long breath and sighed, “The sheer hubris of that Captain to attack our General during a parlay… And the unapologetic defense that Rylen gave for the man’s actions. The way Xanarken stole-away one of Kitez’s children and brainwashed him into being a lapdog for the Council…it was as though they knew exactly how to insult us.”

Mardu’s ragged fingernails dug against his skin, leaving little red marks against it, “So all this insanity is because of me…? Because I couldn’t give you an heir? That this could have all been avoided if I wasn’t…”

“No, my love.” She discouraged, and shook her head, “None of this is your fault. It was always going to end-up this way… Perhaps the only thing you did was stall the inevitable by your pleas for nonviolence. The time for that is over though. I…don’t know how to explain it; I feel as if a haze has been lifted from my eyes. I can see everything so clearly now. I know exactly how to bring the Council to heel and push them back, to free this world from the yoke of the Hadiran Accord and give everyone the autonomy they so rightfully deserve.”

”They’re in an alliance, Far’nah! They weren’t conquered!” Mardu argued desperately, “Please, give the Council their colony ship back, and stop this war-march! You can’t possibly win against the entire world!”

“But I can. And every day that passes brings me closer to total victory. The Council’s greatest claim to authority is also its greatest weakness; and even more-so now especially, that capability has been rendered irrelevant, so they are nothing more than toothless dogs.”

“…I don’t understand how you can say that when the Sixth Wing has blockaded the entire border…”

“You can understand though, if you return to my side, and pledge obedience to the Kitezan cause. The Conclave is in complete agreement; the military is armed and ready; we have our strategic targets and a surgical plan to fatally gut the Luminaries.” Far’nah explained, and played with the medallion hanging from her shoulders again.

Mardu was silent, save his hiccupped breaths.

“…You don’t believe me. I understand. Let me give you a taste then…” The Duchess supposed, “The Council has grown proud over the centuries. They think themselves omnipotent and untouchable, so much so that they’ve put the very seat of their power at the top of a spire; one that’s visible from miles away, and effectively undefended but for reputation and precedent. One well-placed shot and the entire World Cloud goes offline…and then, what Eidolon? Their greatest technology will rain down all around them like ash, and they’ll be leaderless.”

They still have Lord Gabriel… Mardu thought, but kept quiet. Through his gently shaking fingers, he’d spotted the unmistakable image of a hawk perched on the floor, hidden in a corner between the latrine and the wall. Though confused at first, he knew exactly what it meant to see the creature there, Latheroux… I have to tell them…I have to warn them…

“Promise me that you’ll think about it.” Far’nah’s words continued, and the former Duke looked up towards her, “The Council and the Eidolon are nothing but a cancer. Once removed, we’ll be allowed to chart our own course - and make our own alliances - without their antiquated influences.”

“…I…will never…agree to such violence…” He answered stiffly.

There was nothing more to do then. Far’nah sighed quietly, “As you say… I’m afraid I’ll have to keep you here, in that case.” She turned away from the door and started to leave, “See to it that he’s better cared for. He clearly has no interest in doing it himself.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The window closed, and Mardu was left in uncomfortable silence. Through his fingers, he gazed to the falcon, and waited for something – anything – to happen. The hawk crouched on its awkwardly-long curved claws, and peered around the chrome bowl, waiting to be sure that the coast was clear before speaking, “Your Grace…please keep your voice low, or respond only in physical gestures if possible. Do not react to my presence.”

The former Duke gave a subtle nod.

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In a cell further down the hall, Latheroux’s ‘normal’ self continued to snooze on his cot, unmoving save for the maneuvers of breathing.

“I come to you on behalf of the Emperor of Sargon.” The hawk spoke quietly, its motionless beak emanating the words like a whisper, “And the Eidolon of the First and Fourth.”

Darkened eyes trembled, and Mardu gave another nod.

“Plans are changing. If you wish it…Emperor Iresha is willing to reach out to the Duchess and see you sent to Trazad with her consent.” Latheroux explained, “Blink hard once if you understand.”

“Did you hear what was said?”

“About her plan to shoot directly at Agartha? Yes.”

.

Xanarken paced idly as he waited for an answer, watched by Gabriel, Rylen, and the Emperor in turn.

.

“You have to warn them.” Mardu continued, and made the fool of a move to sit – fully clothed – on the latrine. The hawk narrowed its eyes slightly, but said nothing, “You have to tell them what she’s going to do. Forget about me if you must… Her plans cannot be allowed to unfold!”

“Lord Xanarken already knows. But the Emperor needs to know if you are amenable to the negotiation he’s proposed. If he can convince the Duchess to send you to Sargon…it would be much better than the escape we already have planned for you.” Latheroux explained, and crouched on the floor like a nesting bird, “I will see to it that you are freed from this place either way.”

“…I cannot fathom the sacrifice Iresha will be asked to make to have me sent to Trazad. Far’nah would sooner make a bid for the return of Lord Gabriel himself before she agrees to send me away.” Mardu explained pensively, “And that says nothing to the blockade…or anything else…”

“The Emperor is not asking what you think you’re worth to him. He wants to know if you’re open to the idea of his direct involvement.” Latheroux asked, returning to the point, “Let him decide what he’s willing to give up in exchange.”

“I feel backed into a corner. How could I possibly refuse him?”

“I still have allies in this place. If you don’t want your elder cousin to barter for your transfer, then I will see to it that you are absconded into Luminary custody instead. You will never be Duke again, but you’ll live.”

“…I don’t care about being Duke. I only want to do whatever it takes to prevent all-out war. Far’nah, she…she’s convinced she has some kind of Ace up her sleeve that guarantees her victory over the Sixth…over the entire Accord…” The tepid man explained, hands shaking all the more, “Tell my cousin to do what he thinks is right. Whether I step onto a Sargonian ship or one of yours in the end, I leave to all of you.”

.

Xanarken lifted his head and looked to the trio, “Mardu has agreed to do whatever is asked of him, but he didn’t say one way or another about how he wants to get to the end of this journey.”

“I guess it’s as good as anything.” Iresha acknowledged.

The Fourth cast his eyes to his adopted son, “He also suggested Far’nah may ask for you in exchange.”

“…Heh? Why me?”

“You’re still a son of Kitez, in the end.”

Gabriel scoffed, “I have no ties to that place.”

“I guess it doesn’t matter; a hostage of your level would be ideal for her regardless of your origins.” The Fourth noted, and stroked at his goatee contemplatively, “If we got you into the Eidolon System before the exchange, they wouldn’t even know you’re using a mantle…”

The Vice narrowed his eyes, “Why are you already making plans like that’s what’s going to happen? I’m the negotiator, not the offer.”

“Trading cops for hostages isn’t an unheard-of tactic, Gabe.” Xanarken answered, “In any case…Your Majesty?”

Iresha was already lost in thought, “…I won’t permit it. You already have my son, I won’t be held hostage to the responsibility of sending Lugios into the mouth of madness, too. He’s not mine to send away.”

Gabriel felt a pang of relief to hear it, but he turned his sights towards the First after that.

“Then the blockade isn’t up for negotiation either.” Rylen commented, “Kitez already feels that the Council’s presence in Sargon is an overstep; you should just lean into it and say we won’t move, even if you ask. …It would make even more sense if Sargon joined the Accord and became part of the collective. We would have every reason to build a formal defense-system on your behalf.”

A tingle went down Iresha’s spine, and he visibly shivered, “Far’nah would never speak to me again if I did that.”

“Is that really such a valuable contact at this point?” The First countered, and stepped closer to the Sargonian royal, “You might as well cut your losses. Come into the Accord, and we’ll pluck Mardu out of Kitez in a joint maneuver, with the full approval of the alliance. There are plenty within it who already feel Far’nah has overstayed her welcome on that throne, and her constant saber-rattling is becoming a nuisance. Among other problems…”

Iresha wasn’t sure how to answer.

“Just consider it. Joining the Accord would get around a lot of Sargon’s difficulties. Trade barriers coming down being least among them, but which would please the people the quickest. The Council’s buffers aren’t unlimited.”

The Emperor leered slightly, and turned his pale eyes towards Gabriel, “You’ve never mentioned the potential of that support being terminated.”

“That’s because it’s not supposed to be mentioned.” The Vice answered, staring daggers at the First, “I specifically said I would never pressure anyone into joining the Accord.”

Rylen just shrugged and turned his nose up, “And thus, I continue to anticipate the worst, even if the preventative measures are simple.” He said, and dissolved his mantle before his point could be argued.

Gabriel let out a disgruntled sigh, “Your Majesty…I sincerely apologize for that. That’s a classic reason why Lord Rylen doesn’t typically get involved with these kinds of talks…”

Iresha simply shook his head and glanced to Xanarken, “Is that it, then? Is that all there is to say?”

“The situation out there is a bit complicated at the moment. If you have anything further to say to the Duke, it would put both him and Latheroux at risk.”

The Emperor glared away irritably, “…I swear, I should ask for him to be sent here, too, to finally answer for the crimes his actions perpetrated against my family.”

“Whether you ask for Latheroux to be extradited as well is entirely up to you, Your Majesty.” Xanarken noted, and bowed his head, “If you need me for anything further, please let Gabriel know.” He then dissolved his mantle as well.

Gabriel’s brow crinkled, Having a mantle makes it so easy to bail… He grumbled in his thoughts, but then turned to the Emperor again, “Is there anything more I can help with?”

“…I don’t think so. Not yet.” Iresha answered, and turned his back to leave in turn, “I have work to do.”

“Your Majesty.” The Vice gave a subtle head-bow, and waited for the man to leave before rising up again. Once the room was completely empty again though, he didn’t hesitate to summon the Fourth back, and waited with crossed arms for the Eidolon to remanifest. It took nearly 10 minutes, but Xanarken did finally return, and Gabriel had questions, “…Why does it seem like you’re deliberately withholding certain bits of information?”

“Thank you for noticing and playing along.” Xanarken answered, as though it was a bit of a game, “You were always pretty quick to follow along.”

“But why are you doing it? I thought you and Rylen were thick as thieves. Why keep him in the dark?”

“Because he has a hair-trigger.” The Fourth answered, “Though you’ll have to be a bit more specific on what you noticed I was withholding. It could honestly be anything.”

“The fact that Latheroux is using a mantle. You might as well have been holding up a flashing neon sign saying ‘I’m not gonna mention it’ with how loud that void was.”

“There’s nothing to be gained from telling Rylen that someone he despises is using a mantle like we are. He’d carpet-bomb Kitez out of spite.” Xanarken explained, “Being Fourth means knowing when and how to divulge details, and to whom.”

“…He’s a nobody though. Latheroux, I mean. In the grand scheme of things…and yet, he’s living his best life like an Eidolon. And that doesn’t seem to bother you in the least?”

Those wizened eyes looked on quietly for a moment, only for Xanarken to look away, and out through a nearby tall window, “Maybe you haven’t hit that point yet, but…after three hundred years, you develop a certain apathy for the way other people think. Rylen abides by the laws and finds ways to get what he wants within the confines of what we’re allowed to do, but…personally, he couldn’t care less anymore about what either the Emperor or the Duchess think. He maintains a sense of responsibility towards the greater peace, because creating a world free from the strife of the Earth we left behind was always his personal mission. But, he’s getting impatient with the petulant, needy whims of these last two hold-outs, and that’s exactly why he threw a flash-bang grenade into the room a minute ago.”

“Threatening the Emperor with abandonment is hardly the best way to encourage him to join the Accord.”

“Maybe not, but it sure lit a fire under his ass.” Xanarken shrugged and started walking towards the window. He stared outside at the clear blue sky for a moment, then turned back to look at Gabriel again, “Rylen is teetering dangerously close to acting on his own to resolve this issue with Kitez. At some point, he will employ the ‘ask forgiveness instead of permission’ ethos, and do what he feels is necessary to nip things in the bud. That is why I’m strategically keeping certain pieces of information to myself…from him, and even from you.”

Bicolored eyes widened, “But…how am I supposed to be effective if you’re keeping bits from me?”

“Because you have a level of impatience with the Duchess that lends itself to siding with Rylen. The last thing anyone needs is for you to tell him something that’ll set him off. There’s already plenty about the Duchess that could give him the excuse to light the match…and maybe, just maybe, with the consent of the Accord. But the whole reason you’re in charge and not Rylen is because we don’t want to carpet-bomb the countryside. The people should never have to suffer for the machinations of their leaders.” The Fourth explained, and started making his way back again, “I raised you to always look for the peaceful way through any problem. So…if you want to be an Eidolon one day, I expect you to learn how to manage the others.”

“…One day?” A brow went up skeptically, “You already promoted me.”

“So? Is my point any less valid for it?”

“…I guess not.” Gabriel slouched a little.

“In any case, try not to put too much thought into Latheroux using a mantle right now. It’s not the priority. We can figure it out once the Duke is safe.”

“…Have you thought about how he’s doing it at all?”

“Sure I have. But figuring it out doesn’t get the Duke into Sargon any faster, so I’m not wasting the energy. Neither should you.” Xanarken discouraged, and took a step back as he readied to leave a second time. He saw that anxious look on his son’s face, “Don’t linger on things you can’t do anything about. You’ll only frustrate yourself.”

“…Yeah, yeah…”

The Fourth hesitated a moment to go, but then left anyway without another word.

Gabriel just sighed, alone again in that big space, “…Don’t linger, he says. You’ll only frustrate yourself, he says. Yeah, let me just find that setting in my personality and toggle it off…”