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Fulgen
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"Your High Majesty," a [Griffin Ranger] knelt before Sariandi, "The humans are fighting among themselves. We witnessed several armies fighting each other over one city last month. Our diviners reported heavy magical interference but the death toll is tens of thousands. Civilians and soldiers alike. The city was razed and burned to the ground. We also witnessed siege magic being used on the human armies, at the level equivalent to an [Archmage]."
"What about the spies we sent to the plains?"
"From the Abode of War, we got a report of one of our own princesses visiting there, allegedly one of Spring's granddaughters betting on centaur fights at the arena. She bankrupted several bookmakers."
She shook her head. Sariandi knew none of the princesses would travel that far without a retinue two dozen strong, and she knew none of them would be interested in betting on something so mundane as pit fights.
"Any news of remarkable centaurs?" She asked, trying to suppress her impatience.
To her relief, the scout nodded, "Yes, my liege. One mare, with pure white fur, caused quite the commotion there. She visited Queltphion's temple and seemed to be long-time friends with the priests there. She was the one fighting a chieftain in the arena."
The mention of pure white fur tickled something at the back of her mind, but for someone that lived for thousands of years, she was used to that. Nevertheless, she remained diligent and made a mental note to ask a loremaster about it.
"Anything unusual about her? Besides the fur color."
"Yes. Several witnesses reported she looked very young, was level forty-eight, and defeated a chieftain in the third tier. Without a single scratch, either."
Sariandi smiled. "Do we have a name?"
"Yes, my liege. She was called Snowdrop."
She now could barely hide her mirth. "Anything else to report?"
"No, sire."
"That is all. You're dismissed."
The [Ranger] stood up and saluted. "For Aiur."
Once he left the throne room, Autumn gloated, "Mother, we should invade and seize the land between the Forest and the ocean! The humans are weakened and without their fortresses to protect them!"
Sariandi knew the elves wished to strike back at the humans, but she also knew how important was to keep a path between the eastern plains and the western human realms open. if they closed that path, they would surely seek to find another. Fulgen would have to deal with pressure from both sides. What's worse, if Snowdrop was in Pekothas rescuing the centaurs, she would need a way to bring them back to the plains. Closing it off could put them at odds. More than they already were, to be honest.
"That's foolish, daughter. We will retake what we lost, but not more than that. Leave that land to the humans."
Autumn wasn't happy but didn't push the issue further.
Sariandi stood and left the throne room through the back door. She had a message to send.
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After the duel, I went around, killing stragglers and collecting the bodies and souls of my kills. Then I led everyone back to the plantation, making sure to cover our tracks.
The cloth golem scoffed,
I chuckled and shook my head. It was the only way to deal with the cantankerous [Archmage].
Back at the plantation, I made sure everyone was healed and comfortable, then contracted all the centaur ghosts, making sure of their absolute loyalty. Satisfied, I led the centaur ghosts to my sanctum. Vesper once again helped me make cloth bodies for them. I earned five points of [Silkweaver] proficiency, bringing it up to 140.
Two weeks later, I returned with my new retinue. Stephano would be subordinate to Talysius and third in the chain of military command. Marlowe wasn't beholden to either of them, though.
A surprise awaited me. A {Messenger Bird}. The critter chirped and blew into a cloud of smoke. In its place, a tiny piece of rolled-up parchment, obviously not waiting for an answer. Someone already knew about me and that put me on the defensive.
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> Snowdrop,
>
>
>
> Do not worry. I do not know where you are, and the bird won't reveal it either, that's why I set it to refuse an answer. You know where to find me.
>
> I'm sorry about everything. After a lot of soul-searching, I recognize how poorly I treated you. I will not hold it against you if you never want to see me again.
>
> We have a common enemy, you must be well aware. I won't ask for help and won't offer you aid in your campaign either. I know you need it not.
>
> But I will give you one free piece of information. If you ever get face-to-face with the King, look into his throne. Nothing can be absolutely invincible. There must be a gimmick and maybe you are the key to this mystery. I dare not say more else you may think I'm misleading you.
>
> My heart aches. I should've known better, but my sight was clouded by my own faults. I hope the acorns are growing well. The Home-Tree asked about them.
>
> I would be overjoyed if you sent a message. But if you don't, I'll understand. At least, try to talk to the Home-Tree about the acorns. She eagerly awaits news.
>
>
>
> Your adopted unworthy daughter,
>
> Sariandi.
I felt bad. I had a great deal of elven and fairy Perks, and my connection to Nature and the Forest was no fainter than any elf. I wished to bask under the mighty of the Heart-Trees with the same innocence Lily once did.
That was impossible.
I took her advice to heart. The King's throne surely held some secret. Eliminating him served both of our goals. Bitter though it was, the chasm between us was a hard one to mend.
But the elves dug their own grave.
Again, nepotism reared its ugly head. I already had an idea of how to avoid it on my Centaur Kingdom, if I ever created one. Getting a divine sponsor for the centaur species would be awesome. That would put our species on the same level as the others and grant minor but plenty of benefits for us.
The humans were losing territory to the other species ever since Bundeus died and their cheat-like Perk shop became crap. Without a stratospheric Luck score, it was hard to get anything decent, much less what you aimed for if the rarity was high enough. Pekothas was an outlier in this Age, but that was all due to that throne.
My back was turned toward the Fulgen Forest. I had a higher purpose this time. My troubled heart calmed down when I thought about defeating the humans' ambitions and burying them forever. That would be everything the elves needed to conquer the territory they lost and grow the Forest again.
I tasted salt at the corners of my mind. A sorrowful tear shed in mourning of old, happier times. Innocent ones. I felt my heart devoid of hatred or grudge against the elves. While that wouldn't turn back time, it meant I could move forward.
The Unicorn King's spear resonated with approval. A pure heart is untarnished, was the idea I got from it.
My plan was working. I felt the breakthrough to the next rank closer than ever. I just needed one deed to complete this leg of my inner journey and take the next step. That meant I had to move forward with my schedule.
I sat at a desk and started to write letters. For Galatea, for the priests in the Abode of War, for the elders and the priest of Zacheia all the way on the other side. The contents were the same. That I had the spear, that it accepted an enchantment to guide me in mastering the Unicorn King's virtues. I wrote about Nobility, Purity, and the centaur way going forward.
I also discussed how I believed the Unicorn King behaved, mixing in some folklore from Earth. How he liked maidens because they represented one aspect of Purity and how he treated them with respect. I talked about the tabletop RPG tales of warrior maidens riding unicorns into battle. Surely the Unicorn King had unicorn children.
All to push the narrative I wanted into the System, through the eyes and deeds of the people that could influence it.
I then talked about more mundane issues. Of the Quest I'd been issued, and the consequences and benefits it would bring our kind. I made sure to include a mention that other deities would also be worshipped by the centaurs but in a minor capacity. Queltphion would be our major patron. Our war campaign. Of our victories, the loss of centaurs, and the ones we already rescued. I didn't address my plans going forward. It would be too risky since these {Messenger Birds} were relatively safe but with a focused effort, they could be intercepted.
I let Marlowe know what I was about to do, so he could adjust our magical camouflage against scrying. Going outside with the letters, I summoned the birds and sent them without the option for a reply.
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The next month saw two other armies marching into the now almost entirely deserted County. The people fled the villages after news of the razed city and the dead armies spread. They started to fight on the outskirts of the ruins when news of a third army reached them. This one was composed of elite knights from the King as well as a contingent of two hundred mages in the second and third-tier.
It all happened too fast as if the King's army was waiting to see who would come to fight. Against that many powerful soldiers, I decided to not attack them.
Playtime was over. The King's men quickly put the warring armies on the run with little effort and took control over the County. A steward was assigned and the population that fled was forcefully brought back.
Our position at the plantation was precarious. We had to kill some invaders that attempted to seize or raid the apparently abandoned complex.
I sent the centaurs back to the east with Marlowe. I wouldn't commit them to battle and risk any more deaths. Honestly, they were a liability. Without them, Nenandil and I could roam freely and attack targets of opportunity.
We were done with Brasso county. The damage was done already and the King's next campaign was delayed. They'd lost thousands of soldiers and one traditional noble House. The fools that sent armies to conquer Brasso would need to answer to the King for their failure.
But the people wanted bread and circus. After six years of cheering for the bloody sport called war, they became addicted.
For that reason, the King decided to host a tournament to kill time and recruit talent.
Nenandil and I were on the next fief, ruled by Baron something. I didn't care about the name. I raided the treasury, killed the nobles, torched the barracks. What interested me was the scroll with the tournament invitation.
"Come all, to the grand tournament," it read. "Adventurers, wizards, warriors! Glory, fame, and fortune await you. The winners will be awarded their prize by the King himself. The opportunity of a lifetime."
I rolled up the scroll and exchange a mischievous glance with Nenandil. We were grinning.
"Seems we are heading for a tournament arc," I told her. I almost could hear the sound of glass threatening to crack.
"To the capital of Pekothas!" The fairy shouted. "Glory, fame, and fortune await us!" She mocked.