“The campaign is hard, cousin, but I trust you support my plan.” Shan-on sipped from his wine while standing on a balcony overlooking a beautiful courtyard. The trees were fading to autumn reds and oranges, and littered a wide green yard encircled by an engraved stone wall. He wore a bright red vest with orange trim, and their family emblem in black on the back.

Beside him was Samant-han, his cousin and princess of Handa. She wore a cream gown that just barely touched the ground in the back. The collar exploded out into white orange-ish fluff. The Handa symbol was on a fan she carried, two hands grasping a stone from below. Like Nat-han, her representative, Samant wore her hair long and a little loose.

“I wouldn’t want to say anything concrete without discussing with Mabony,” she said, grinning at Shan-on the whole time. “You know how he is about troops moving through his territory.”

Behind them, inside the building, was the grand lounge of Mabony itself, the closest princedom to Akahi. The place had a high roof, and Emberist sensibilities. That was to say that the decor looked something like a temple. The walls had religious iconography to Hibe, a grand flame that spreads into branches, instead of having scenic paintings or portraits. There wasn’t much finery, but there was plenty of pottery. The lounge chairs came in large circles toward the center, and the music was rhythmic and quiet.

“Yes, and I respect cousin Zo’s stances. But we have to face the truth.” Shan-on turned toward his cousin, a frown on his face. She kept her smirk going, even as he swirled his drink around. “The Emberists are in crisis. If they want to continue worshipping while Akahi stands for… that, we have to wonder which side they are on. Life, or Ash.”

She turned her eyes back to the room, though she stayed turned toward him. “I will consider again.”

“See that you do,” Shan-on said. “We have his permission, Samant. I don’t want to force the issue, but the task was hoisted onto me and I intend to do it. Even if that means crushing a few coals.”

Someone loomed just out of view. Shan-on could see Samant watching them instead of him. He turned back toward the garden, and motioned his drink to let her know it was fine if she left.

“See you later cousin,” She said. “For now, move with my blessing.”

“Thank you.”

She fanned herself, and walked back into the party, joining the dozens of figureheads in there. Samant was replaced by Greywind. They were wearing all dark colors like before, their outfit a garish mess for the occasion. They still had on their mask as well.

“Ah,” Shan-on looked over his shoulder to make sure no one else was lingering nearby. “Glad you could take a break and join us.”

Greywind came up to the balcony, then leaned in with just their left arm. It was at that point that Shan-on noticed the scar at their mouth. Their mask left their mouth revealed, and now there was a clear crack where the mask was destroyed and remade. The new piece was a grayer material. Their mouth had burns along the lip, with signs it spread further. Their right arm seemed stiff.

“A short break from scaring off your soldiers,” Greywind said. “Your buddies in there seemed disturbed by me arriving, hope I didn’t mess up your reputation.”

Shan-on shook his head, “nonsense. I asked for you to come.” Then he fished into his breast pocket and pulled out a letter. It had a Goldfeather seal on it, which almost seemed to thrum on its own. “A letter for you came to my territory. Take it.”

Greywind stood and looked at the letter for a moment. “How did it get there?”

Shan rolled his eyes, “by the Goldfeathers. Post, you’ve heard of it?”

Greywind snatched it, and opened it. When they started reading it, their eyes went wide immediately. Then they looked at Shan-on, “did you read this?”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The prince sighed with exhaustion. “Are you doing this on purpose? How would I have read it? It was sealed wasn’t it?”

Greywind paused for a moment, then kept reading. The letter was in English.

Hey Greywind,

I don’t know if this will actually get to you. Seems like they can only deliver this to you if they have an idea where you should be located. No clue where that would be for you, but I have a few guesses. Anyway, hope this finds you. It would be a real shame if we meet up again, and you’re missing this vital context to what is happening to you.

Consider this a warning. Next time we meet up, I’m going to beat your ass. See, you made a real mistake letting me live. Everyone else probably thinks you are some dark and mysterious creature of evil. I know better, you’re just a nerd, stranded in this place, just like me. Is that why you wear those gloves, to cover the chip stains on your finger tips? Did you see this as a chance to push people around after getting stuffed in too many lockers back in school?

These are real people you know, that you are killing and puppeteering. Well, whether you realize it or not, I’ll make sure you realize.

You seem like a ConflictCraft guy to me, high APM, ladder warrior type. Am I right? Were you ever top rank? I feel like you had to be if this world pulled you over here. See, there is something not even my allies know, because there is no easy way to explain it to them. I played a lot of games, a whole lot. I was good at them, though I was more of a strategy RPG guy myself, skirmish campaigns and all that. I’m actually good at them, scary good if you’ll believe it.

It was smart to try to keep me far from here, and make sure I don’t have a chance to play. Your games are all quick action, twitch motions, and trying to get as much done as possible. I work in organizing formations, units, optimizing classes and bonuses. If you would have killed me before I got a turn to play, you would have been safe. But next time, it is my turn.

But hey, no hard feelings. You gave me some helpful info, and some questions to ask. I’ll forever be thankful for that.

Sincerely,

I registered as the Violet Bomber

P.S. I’m wondering if you see this place like I do. Write me back, tell me if you have one of these field guide things.

Then the letter ended. Greywind started to crumple the paper, and then hesitated.

“Can they track this back?” Greywind asked Shan-on. “Can I go to the sender?”

Shan-on was looked at the garden again. “Goldfeather post is secure. They should be able to send something back, but they won’t tell you where it is going. You’ll just have to write your little companion without knowing where they lay their head.”

“That’s idiotic!” Greywind snapped, “I’ll force them to tell me, I’ll-“

“You’ll do no such thing,” Shan-on said back, standing to loom over Greywind. Shan-on wasn’t the tallest man, but he definitely dwarfed Greywind. “Understand me, Greywind. We have an agreement, but that agreement comes with the understanding that I am a prince and you won’t do anything that requires me to scrub your name from the garden grass.”

Greywind tried to stand tall, but Shan-on wasn’t buying it.

“Do not disturb the Goldfeather post, they are neutral to all kingdoms, and all people rely on them at the moment. A day may come where that changes, but it is not here yet. You are going to take your little letter, and skulk back to Akahi where you’ll wait for me to tell you to bark so that I can execute what comes next in this plan. Get it?”

Greywind tilted their head. “I nearly died the last time I tried to execute your plan, do you get that?” They removed their right glove, their hand was a bubbling mess of burned flesh. They put the glove back on.

“That was your own fault.” Shan-on said. He sneered, then took another drink. “Honestly, you not being able to turn over the body of the girl means you’re almost causing me more trouble than you’re worth. There should be no doubt about who rules Akahi, and yet…”

The masked villain turned their head away and sniffed. “I’ll handle it. For now, just make sure that your-“

Shan-on snatched Greywind by the collar, causing Greywind to yelp like a scared puppy. The prince lifted Greywind up, and when they went for their went Shan-on slapped their hand down with one swift motion. Shan-on pulled Greywind up until their faces were mere inches apart.

“I let you get away with far too much, Greywind. I let it happen because you did good, and you made the proper waves. Now the tide is heading the wrong way, and you are singeing my hide. So I’ll make this clear. I am the prince here, and you are nobody. Do not make me demonstrate what that difference means. With a snap of my fingers you could be strung up. I would suss out your allies in that little cult of yours, and I will put their families to the sword. So be silent, be respectful, and do as you are told. Understand?”

Then he released them. Greywind took a step back, sniffed at the air again, and nodded. “Fine then, I await your orders, prince.”

Then they turned and strode away from the balcony.

As Greywind crossed the room, they squeezed the letter tight in their good hand. One thing was for certain, they needed to figure out where this other General was located. If they were even slightly telling the truth, then the worst play would be giving them time to grow. This ‘Violet Bomber’ was going to get merc’d.