Tomas shifted uneasily under Lord Kind's scrutinizing gaze. Since being forced into this political marriage alliance, he still felt unsettled around his new father-in-law. Though jovial on the surface, Tomas sensed the man's cunning ruthlessness lurking beneath.

"You know, I'm quite fond of you, boy," Kind remarked, pouring himself more wine. "You have spirit, like my roguish ancestor, the great Emperor Peace Tigherfang himself."

Tomas raised an eyebrow. "The debauched Thorneborn ruler? How so?"

Kind grinned wolfishly. "Why, did you think we Tigherfangs were always nobles? Bah!" He leaned forward conspiratorially. "Peace was a street urchin before destiny called, just like you."

Despite himself, Tomas was intrigued. Kind seemed eager to boast of his house's colorful origins.

"Go on," Tomas prompted.

"Oh yes, the other houses feared him for his common roots," Kind continued. "But Peace never forgot where he came from. The Tigherfang name still makes them anxious, ha!"

Kind gave Tomas a calculating look. "With you joining our clan, we'll show those inbred peacocks our strength once more." His smile turned predatory. "Starting with that serpent Mingus."

Though uneasy with Kind's vengeful rhetoric, Tomas managed a thin smile. "Yes, together we can curb dangerous factions for Aeron's sake."

Kind barked a laugh and slapped Tomas on the back. "Good lad! We'll make a proper Tigherfang of you yet."

As Kind sauntered off, still chuckling, Tomas suppressed a grimace. He prayed distancing this ambitious, ruthless family from power was possible after using their influence. But Kind's seemed to have other plans, eying greater status now that Tomas brought imperial connections through Aeron. This uneasy alliance felt more volatile by the day. But the trap had already sprung shut around him.

***

Amara glanced around nervously at the other soulbound gathered covertly in her private archives. Gideon had suggested these secret meetings to discuss their growing concerns about Aeron's volatility. But if discovered, they could all face the emperor's fearsome wrath.

"Are we certain this is wise?" Amara began hesitantly. "If Lord Aeron learns of our...discussions, I fear it will only anger him further."

Gideon met her eyes solemnly. "You know as well as I that Aeron's temper festers unchecked. We must intervene before he harms himself or the Imperium irreparably."

The others murmured agreement. Sensing their resolve, Amara continued. "Then we are agreed - gentle guidance must be applied to safeguard Aeron's spirit from darkness."

"But how?" Jasper asked bluntly. "He refuses all counsel lately."

"Patience and discretion can soothe where confrontation inflames," Amara replied thoughtfully. "Small steps to calm inner turmoil, not force."

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Menadue nodded eagerly. "Well said. We can temper brewing storms through compassion, not coercion."

Keith glanced between them dubiously. "Admirable sentiments, but Aeron may require...firmer action to restore balance."

Amara gave him a quelling look. "Treatment should match the ailment, never overpower it. The healer's art lives in such nuance."

Chastened, Keith inclined his head in acquiescence. "You are the physic here, my lady. I defer to your wisdom."

"Then we are agreed?" Gideon said. "Subtle aid applied gently when needed?"

One by one, they placed hands together in solemn pact. Amara prayed their tenuous bond would hold strong enough to guide Aeron back from the abyss's edge. By tradition, the soulbound supported their Thorneborn unwaveringly. Aeron's light still flickered, though dimmed. Together, they would nurture that fragile flame steadily and without cease until the darkness lifted at last.

***

Kammy grinned defiantly as she strode the deck of the Nightmare, salt spray stinging her face. After months harrying imperial ships and evading capture, the time had finally come to take the fight to Aeron's doorstep. Today, the rebellion against Imperdom rose in earnest.

Around her, the crew buzzed with anticipation, sharpening blades and preparing explosives. Their numbers had swelled with each successive raid as more flocked to Kammy's audacious banner. None could resist the siren call of freedom she represented.

Spotting her first mate Gen barking orders at some new recruits, Kammy made her way over. "How fares preparations?"

Gen flashed a wolfish smile. "We'll be ashore and halfway to the palace before they even sound alarms. The bastards won't know what hit 'em."

Kammy nodded approvingly. "Good, make sure we hit hard and fast. No holding back."

Her expression hardened. "These Imperdom dogs need to learn what happens when you back the sea wolf into a corner. We'll drag their gilded empire down around their heads!"

Her crew roared approval, lusting to finally unleash fury on those who had hounded them for so long. Kammy stalked the Nightmare's deck, savoring their shared hunger for vengeance.

Soon enough, Aeron himself would witness firsthand the chaos unleashed when you sought to chain free spirits. Her rebellion would shatter his rotten kingdom's hollow facade in an orgy of violence and retribution. All the Imperium's wealth and ancient pedigree would not save them from her righteous fury.

Let them cower in their palaces a bit longer, Kammy thought darkly. Ruin sailed swift on the tides toward them now, and nowhere left to hide. These sheltered nobles would learn the meaning of fear when the full wild wrath of the oceans descended upon their gilded shores at last. Kammy and her Lumauders would show no mercy. The Imperdom would burn!

***

Mingus sipped her wine pensively, contemplating how to discreetly undermine Neonatal and the rebellious pirate Kammy who both threatened her ambitions. Open moves were too risky given Aeron's capricious volatility. This required a subtle web of coercion and deception.

A quiet knock heralded the defector lord Ben, one of many loose assets Mingus had discretely courted. "Matriarch, I have secured the contacts you required."

Mingus raised an eyebrow. "So Cyron, Vicus and the pirate rogue Rakoth will serve our ends without realizing?"

"Yes, they believe me an ally against Aeron, nothing more," Ben confirmed.

"Excellent. Then coordinate their actions per my instructions," Mingus said. "Undermining Neonatal's authority is paramount right now."

She met Ben's gaze. "Rakoth's pirate affiliations may prove useful on that front. Have him target imperial shipping discreetly to weaken Neonatal's standing."

Ben bowed. "It will be done. You shall have full deniability."

After he withdrew, Mingus allowed herself a small smile. The time of direct action neared, but only after she had woven an inescapable web of complicity and implication around her helpless puppets. They would tear each other down serving her ambitions without ever knowing their true master. It was almost too easy. But such was the privilege of a spider sitting unseen at the heart of her vast web. All roads led back to Mingus in the end.

***

Aeron paced before his throne, struggling to contain his simmering temper as he confronted Neonatal.

"How can you still fail to end these cursed pirate raids on imperial shipping?" he demanded. "Our grain stores dwindle by the day."

Neonatal met his glare evenly. "My navy pursues them tirelessly, Your Eminence. But the scoundrels strike unpredictably then vanish like ghosts."

"More excuses!" Aeron snapped. "I expect solutions from my Regent, not flimsy justifications for incompetence."

Neonatal's eye twitched but he remained composed. "Of course, Your Radiance. I only ask patience as we strategize more effective countermeasures."

Aeron slammed a fist down furiously. "Patience? My people starve while you equivocate! I will suffer this ineptitude no more."

He stabbed an accusatory finger at Neonatal. "Crush these pirates immediately and resupply our grain reserves, or I shall find a Regent who can!"

Neonatal paled slightly but merely inclined his head. "As you command. I shall redouble our efforts against the raiders."

As he withdrew, Aeron continued fuming. Neonatal was either a fool or intentionally allowing the piracy to undermine imperial stability. Either way, Aeron would not tolerate such failure in his inner circle any longer.

If Neonatal could not quickly produce results, harsher options awaited. Aeron had extended too much leniency already. He needed not counsel but obedience from his subordinates.

The Regent was walking a razor's edge with his endless prudent platitudes that excused incompetence. Aeron's temper neared its end. If Neonatal wished to retain any authority, he had best remember his place and obey his Emperor unconditionally. Aeron's wrathful patience was finite. The time swiftly approached for reckoning if matters did not improve.