“What?” Kulea asked.

“I, Zuri, will be assisting you in the government of Medelona. I may not be the smartest or strongest woman in the kingdom but if there is anything you need help with, Sidus, Cento and I are more than willing to help.”

Kulea glanced at the two Helma behind me before softly laughing.

“That is… fine and all, but you and I barely know each other. Shouldn’t his highness be here to lead us through this?” She asked.

“He is currently speaking to High Priest Ranak. The two will make their way to Aurenia later where they will work from now on.”

Kulea nodded before crossing her legs.

“So, what would you have us do, milady?”

“I was hoping you could tell me that.” I said with a smile.

“Mmm… I will have to refer you to High Lord Gera. He knows all about the inner machinations of the province. However, should you find yourself curious about the more religious side of things, come to me.”

“Well, from what I’ve seen, your work across the kingdom has been effective. I take it I have your permission to assist those below?” I asked and Kulea nodded.

I stood up and walked toward the teleportation platform.

“Mmm… what will we do when the work day ends?” I asked Sidus.

“Will we return home or will we have to spend nights here?”

“Ah-ha! There is a building made specifically for cases such as this. I’ll show you when we’re done.” Sidus said before we were teleported into what seemed like a grand library.

We asked the many bookkeepers where their superiors were and they directed us to an office within which sat an old man who was documenting various things. He wore a dark and formal looking robe which had the crest of the sun sitting proudly at its centre.

He had a head full of greying hair and had tanned, wrinkly skin.

I gently knocked on the door prompting him to look up.

His eyes widened slightly upon the Helma but they eventually settled on me.

“You may enter.” He said. His voice vibrant and loud.

We did as instructed and after taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but-

“I know very well who you are, lady Zuri. I beg that you forgive my frankness, but there is much work to do so I’d prefer if we dropped most formalities. Oh- my name is Gera and I am the High Lord of Medelona.”

I nodded before taking a single step forward.

“I would like a report on all of the state’s urgent needs. Also, is there anything we can do for you right now?”

Gera tapped his cleanly shaven chin before nodding to himself.

“As I am sure you know, Our relationship with Agna is tumultuous at best. And although my heart sings with joy in knowing that his highness the king is in the Silver State trying to mend interprovincial relations, I believe that change starts from within. Could I ask that you visit the city of Serenumlatus and speak with Lord Tannin. Ask him to visit Litoribus so that he may find common ground with lord Ferrahn of Eastern Agna. Umm… if it ends up being necessary… use force.” Gera said while glancing at the Helma.

I knew what he meant.

Some people couldn’t be convinced with words.

Caligo actually came to mind, but I’m sure there was a reason why he was so stubborn.

I shook aside all thoughts of Caligo and nodded.

“Good. Handle that and I’ll handle Lord Xion to the south.” Gera said.

I nodded before leading Sidus and Cento out of the office.

We were then led to another set of teleportation platforms which took us to a very windy place.

My Heart jumped excitedly as I turned around to find that we were standing on a stone platform that overlooked a wide blue sea.

The platform on which we spoke was on the side of a rather steep cliff so nothing obstructed the vista before me.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t enjoy the view since I was being pelted by rain.

Sidus and Cento quickly accompanied me into a large building and we were confronted by several guards.

“What brings you here, sir knight?”

One of the guards asked.

“She would like a word with Lord Tannin.”

The guards all looked at my wet self before nodding to each other.

“Give us a moment, but in the meantime, please make yourselves comfortable.”

The guards said before suddenly storming out of the terrace and into the building proper.

The terrace was shielded from the rain by tall glass walls which allowed me to look at the rainstorm as it raged on.

It was quite the sight.

I then lightly gasped as Sidus placed an open hand above my head.

Rays of light then bathed my cool body.

I looked up at him and gently smiled as the light slowly dried my skin.

Two servants eventually arrived and they led us into the lavishly decorated building.

It reminded me of old European castles only there were a lot of portraits of Caligo.

We eventually arrived at the Lord’s office we promptly entered to find an extremely skinny man dressed an a robe that barely stayed on his body.

He looked at us with brown baggy eyes before bowing.

“To think that I would one day be visited by not only the Helma, but the prince’s consort. The pleasure really is all mine.” Tannin said with a weak smile. His strangely dark eyes sat half open.

I nodded before standing before him.

“Yes and since you already know who we are I’d like to get straight to business. You are to make your way to Litoribus where you will speak with Lord Ferrahn about mending the relationship between your states.” I said clearly.

Tannin glanced at the Helma before looking at me once again.

“Forgive me, my lady, but do you know why things are the way they are?” Tannin asked while opening one of the drawers in his table.

He then retrieved a small leather pouch from which he pulled out what looked like a pill from it before returning it into the drawer.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“I only know that things have been like this for almost three hundred years.” I said as Tannin threw the pill into his mouth.

I then gasped as his eyes glowed green and wisps of white smoke rose from his nose.

Sidus and Cento moved in front of me defensively but the Lord of Serenumlatus raised his hand and shook his head while making a pained expression.

“Don’t- don’t worry about it. These just help me relax a little.” He coughed.

“Anyway, this all began with Agna’s prized creation, the Yilon and how they betrayed us.”

Distant thunder subtly shook the air a little as Ferrahn sat back.

“Please, sit. I do not plan on disobeying your orders but I beg that you see how Moonless War affected us.”

I nodded before taking the seat in front of the table.

Ferrahn’s eyes rolled back a little before finally settling on me.

“The three treacherous Yilon, Baylion, Kitari and Gulanimphen, turned their swords towards their brothers and countrymen all in the name of greed and power. Tens of thousands were slaughtered in a war that should never have happened in the first place and do you want to know what hurts the most?” Tannin whispered with half closed eyes

“None of the original traitors were caught. The other Primair knights were sent to hunt and kill them but the Stormhawks ignored the call and the Blood Ravens returned empty handed. Years of death and destruction and what were we given as recompense? Nothing. Those… bastards in Agna called us murderers for protecting our home. So, lady Zuri, I will go to Agna and I will ask that they send goods to the mainland while offering what services we have, but just know that if talks fail, it is probably a fault of theirs.” Tannin said through gnashed teeth.

I nodded before looking up in thought.

“Do you think that if I talked to Lord Ferrahn, I could reason with him?”

“Perhaps. Actually, I think it would be best if we went together.”

I nodded before standing.

“Then let us go-“

“But it’s raining.”

“Surely the fate of the kingdom matters more than us getting a little wet, no?” I asked.

Tannin let out a sigh before standing as well.

“You’re right. Although I would have preferred of you rested a bit.” He said as he walked up to me.

“We can rest once our work is finished.”

Tannin’s eyes narrowed as he looked me over.

I knew that he was inspecting my golden lines but I couldn’t help but feel a little self conscious.

“Shall we?” He said after sighing yet again.

I nodded before following out of the office.

We then made our way back to the teleportation platform outside and although it had stopped raining, the sky was still grey and harsh winds threatened to close my jacket away.

Two of Tannin’s servants, a knight and a half Rendaro woman came with us.

I knew was some parts Rendaro because her hair was grey and her were the whites of her eyes.

I learnt this is what happened when specifically a Nemen children with someone of another race.

We made our way to Litoribus where we were greeted by several guards and after identifying ourselves, we were led to Lord Ferrahn’s palace.

One thing that distinguished Agna from Medelona is that the banner of the moon hung from almost everything.

This was common in the capital, yes, but not to the extent that even flower pots were decorated with the Moon King’s sigil.

We eventually arrived at Ferrahn’s office and he, unlike Tannin, looked normal.

He was rather old, yes, but his cheeks weren’t hollow.

We sat before him and after introducing ourselves, we got straight to business.

“What would it take to mend relations between the two states?” I asked after realizing that the cross armed Tannin probably had nothing but unkind words to say.

“Milady, forgive my… frankness but what exactly did he tell you about our past as sister states?”

I told him what Tannin told me and this made the Lord’s face twist with what I could only imagine was fury.

“So… he said nothing about how our knights are treated there? How they’ve been treated for centuries? He said nothing about the utter incompetence of Aurenia and the misuse of resources on both their parts? We, the citizens of Agna, are the only reason why the kingdom hasn’t completely fallen-“

“We wouldn’t be in such rough condition if it weren’t for your betrayal!”

“How can you blame the people of an entire state for the actions of a few hundred?”

“Those were a hundred fucking knights, whoreson-!”

Tannin stopped as Sidus and Cento pointed their Lances at the necks of the two Lords.

“Need I remind you that you who you are in the presence of?” Cento asked.

The two Lords glanced at each other before looking at me with strange looks.

Did they want me to pick a side?

That, unfortunately, I could not do.

I was also too uninformed on the exact truth of what happened in the past so…

I turned to Sidus.

“What do you think we should do?”

The Helma lowered their Lances.

“Lord Ferrahn, do your men still sing songs of The Silver Wolf?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I see. We cannot and should not forget the past. Everything that happened, good and bad, should be documented, studied and learnt from. It is true that half of the Yilon betrayed us but we should not forget the countless golden knights who went rogue shortly after. Lord Tannin, in this moment, I want you to acknowledge that it was not the people of Agna who wronged us and Lord Ferrahn, I acknowledge the many hardships silver knights- no, anyone from Agna faces on the mainland. The only way forward, the only way this knight sees… is through forgiveness and acceptance.” Sidus said with the tap of his Lance.

“Eloquent.” Cento commented.

“I know.”

I turned to the Lords and awaited their responses.

Ferrahn lowered his head while Tannin groaned.

“It doesn’t have to be instantaneous. We know wounds take time to heal, but as they do, we can work together to rebuild Lanceberg.” I said with a gentle smile.

Ferrahn sighed before standing and fetching a blank sheet of paper from one of his many shelves.

He then began writing something as we sat in silence.

A moment passed and he eventually handed the paper to me.

“Those are conditions. None of which will be broken if this new partnership should stand.”

Tannin glanced at the document.

“Discrimination against Agnani will not be tolerated? Is it really discrimination if you’re guilty?” Tannin asked only for him to visibly shudder as he glanced at Sidus.

“Ahem! I suppose perpetuating this dark age any longer would be pointless. But I’ll only accept that if you tell us all the truth about the traitorous Yilon. Where are they?” Tannin asked.

“I do not know.” Ferrahn said.

“You do know the punishment for lying here will be…severe, right?” Sidus asked and Ferrahn lowered his head in response.

“I do.”

“Mmm… alright. May I list a few of my own conditions?” Tannin asked and Ferrahn nodded prompting me to hand over the paper.

Tannin the wrote several conditions, one of which seemed… unreasonable.

“Lord Tannin, I suggest that you cross over that condition.” I said, he frowned at this.

“Milady, we need all the resources we can get. Winer fast approaches and the sooner we lay the foundations better.”

“True, but to demand twice more crops… no, I cannot allow it. You will receive the same amount.”

“But farming is all these idiots are good for- I… mmm… then how will we make it past this winter with all the work we’re going to be doing?”

“Ah-ha, High Lord Gera should be in Helia as we speak. He will ensure that everything is ready before the cold truly arrives. And besides, I think it would be better if Medelona learnt to feed its own people.”

Tannin let out a deep groan before once again writing his conditions.

He then handed the paper back to Ferrahn who read the conditions over.

“Mmm… these are mostly acceptable. Expect a revised copy within the week. You’ll then send back your own revised copy and once all that is done, we’ll send them to the High Lord who’ll review it. With that said, I think our business is concluded. Allow me to see you off.” Ferrahn said before leading us back to the teleportation platform.

We were then taken back to Serenumlatus where we bid Tannin goodbye.

We then returned to Medelona in the dead of night and although most of the Golden Spire was empty, High Lord Gera was still in his office working tirelessly.

“Good to see you back so soon, milady. How did it go?”

“Talks between the two states are currently ongoing.” I said but Gera scoffed lightly.

“We’ve been here many times before. Ah well, now we wait. Please, rest up. I’d like you to accompany me to Helia. The fields I saw today were in horrible shape but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a large supply of life force.”

“And where do you plan on getting such vast quantities of life force?” I asked.

“Ah… you’re standing in front of two such sources.”

I gasped before turning to Sidus who sheepishly tapped his helmet.

“It’s true. We gathered a lot across the many battlefields we’ve walked. So much so that if I were decapitated, I could just regrow most of my body, although it would be a smaller, much weaker version, haha!” Sidus laughed but I shuddered at the thought for two reasons.

The first one being dread as I wondered what in the world could decapitate a Helma and the second being my own mind imagining a Headless Sidus.

“Oh- ok. Then I’ll see tomorrow.”

“Mmm.” Gera sounded as we left.

We then made our way to the place Sidus spoke of.

It was a large building by the northern wall of Middlen.

I say large in the sense that it looked like it was built with Golden Knights in mind.

We entered it and I learnt that it was a secondary residence for the prince, but after asking who used it when the prince wasn’t I was told no one.

Couldn’t they just make it a hotel of some sort when he was away?

I asked such a question and they told me that no one other than the prince and his chosen few were even allowed in the building. Meaning they weren’t even going to consider opening it up for commercial use.

We made our way to the largest of eight bedrooms.

I spotted a bathroom was attached to the room and so I took a quick bath before joining Sidus and Cento who were out of their armour.

Covering their skin was a tight dark bodysuit.

Sidus noticed I was staring at him as we waited for the servants to arrive with food and so he picked me up and place me on his lap, allowing me to feel the suit’s strange texture. It was like rubber only it felt… alive.

“What I’m wearing is actually made from the outer skin of a Mimuru. A an extremely rare, dark and slimy creature found in deep, sunless caves. It’s skin is extremely tough and it feeds off mostly moss and other plants. You see, it’s a life magician and so, as it crawls across the cave floors it sucks up whatever life it can find. Unfortunately, Mimuru can only grow to the size of a plate and their skin is extremely thick. So my bodysuit is extremely expensive. Do you want one?” Sidus asked.

“No, but thank you. I see no need for a non combatant to have one.” I said but both Cento and Sidus droned in response.

“No, I definitely think you should get one-“

Sidus stopped as a knock came from the door, signalling that our food had arrived.

We ate and went to sleep shortly after… even though the three of us barely needed any sleep.