Nyota found them in that state, bickering like the old men they were. Approaching Liam from behind she wrapped her arms around him, nuzzling his neck gently.

“Oh hello! Muwa!” Said Liam, returning her nuzzles with a loud kiss.

“I bumped into Arlet and dirty Jenkins on my way here. They were arguing about you, so I brought him here. Please don’t be meowed at him.” She whispered into his ear.

“Uh, what?” Stammered Liam, glancing over his wife’s shoulder.

In the doorway stood his captain. Silver armor mirroring the blood red dawn in a dazzling glow of red and oranges. Quite the menacing figure when Liam accounted for the spear in his right hand and the shield on his left arm.

Holy silver! He is practically sparkling! Did he lock himself in a room and polish his armor all night?

“Arlet, you look like you are going to war.” Said Liam, not asking his true question out loud.

“I would see what you say to the king. If your words do not serve our people then I shall be the first champion who opposes you.” Answered Arlet dispassionately.

Ah, I should have guessed that was his angle. If I go off the rails in front of the whole court then Arlet could side with the king against me. Not a bad plan, since it gives him a chance at proving his loyalty to the king. He might even be able to salvage the mess I’m about to make.

If I fail.

“A cunning plan Arlet. One I did not expect from you. I hereby name you my champion of the sword.” Proclaimed Liam.

“Ah, M’lord, you can’t just-” Began Arlet.

“Nyota, I name you my threefold champion. My champion of healing first, for that is how we met, then I name you champion of Lightning, for that is how we bonded, and finally I name you champion of my heart. My wife.”

Her cheeks turned rosy at his declaration.

“Lord Liam, really! That is quite precious, but not at all how naming a champion works–” Blurted Arlet.

“Ha! He will hear no more.” Mocked Rhendal.

The old sage buttoned the last stubborn button on his shirt and snatched his staff off the wall. Liam bit his tongue, not wanting to tell the sage he had miss-aligned his buttons and missed more than one. Fortunately for the old sage, Nyota intervened, fixing his buttons without too much fuss.

“Ah, you have my gratitude Lady Green.” Said Rhendal.

Within moments purple magic formed around Rhendal’s hand, encircling it with liquid mana, spinning slowly the mana flattened, expanding to the all too familiar shape of a flattened disk.

“That is a lovely silver dress Nyota, stay close to Lord Liam.” Said Rhendal, hoping his words would give the former slave enough confidence to stand tall amongst the royal court.

Arlet marched into the portal, lowering his spear to pierce its dark waters. Liam gave Nyota a gentle push, directing her through the portal ahead of him. Her ears flicked back, lying flat against her skull and her tail tucked itself between her legs. After the massacre of Avignon, portals made her nervous, though Liam suspected it was the destination that incited her hesitancy.

“Ladies go before Lords.”

“And slaves follow after! Mind your manners Liam!” Snapped Rhendal.

“You will apologize before the sun sets for ever doubting me.” Answered Liam, grinning darkly.

Rhendal shoved him through the portal. “And I'm the king's long lost bastard son.”

Liam’s skin crawled with the portal’s displacement. Once again, every cell in his body felt like it had been pulled apart into its atomic components and hastily reassembled with the finished product missing more screws than an ikea desk.

The Baron and his champions arrive in the royal capital. Talocandel, the sacred city of Taloc’s poets and remembrancers. Seat of the King and the Holy Fulminonimbus.

In front of the trio stood a dozen royal knights. Spears held at the ready, shields raised to cover their vitals. Weapons were not leveled at them, but not at ease either. Six mages in hideously embroidered robes stood on either flank. Balls of fire or shards of ice flowing around their hands. Rhendal hopped through the portal allowing it to close behind him.

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Beneath their feet was a marble circle that served as a landing pad for teleportation. Arcane sigils and circles covered the stone. Inlaid with golden wires that sparkled in the sunshine of the capital, richly contrasting against the pure white marble. A field of grass surrounded them and a stone wall enclosed the space to his front and left. To his right, lay the summer royal palace.

Immense battlements and watchtowers decorated the wall, complete with men at arms covered in plate armor and mounted siegeworks within each tower. Such as ballistae with metal limbs, repeating scorpions which shot dozens of bolts in sequence, and most stunningly of all several brass cannons. Too expensive and heavy to be implemented anywhere other than Taloc’s throne-city. Though the sudden admission that gunpowder existed stunned Liam, making him curse Green for being so obsessed with debauchery. How would Sintra have fared if Jenkins had been armed with cannonry and pistols?

The castle's grandeur was beyond compare, with its towering spires that seemed to kiss the heavens and walls adorned with intricate carvings that told tales of bygone eras. The entrance was guarded by a score of footmen. Each bearing the royal crest over their hearts. Wardens of the thrice gilded castle doors. Here lay the public throne room of the King. A hall built for him to enjoy the summer breeze and hold his court in the open air. Rhendal smiled, taking several steps towards the royal magicians.

“Is that you Soren Flameshadow?” He called.

“Master Rhendal? Is that really you? By Taloc! The knights told me you’d arrived, but I didn’t really believe them. It’s been at least a decade since you left the college. I thought you’d be dust and bones by now!” Cried one of the royal mages, a man in slightly fancier robes than the others.

Liam guessed he was some sort of vice commander or corporal to the royal magicians, though Green had never met a mage sober, and knew nothing of their internal ranks of politicking.

“Not yet Soren, watch our audience carefully, if we leave here alive there will be much to discuss.” Said Rhendal with a wink.

Concerned by the sage’s words the royal knights closed ranks and their leader stepped forward, placing himself directly in front of Liam.

“I presume you are Baron Green?” Asked the lead knight in golden armor, a winged helm tucked under his arm.

“You are correct in your presumption. Announce my arrival to the king. He will not want to keep me waiting.” Snapped Liam, doing his best impression of a noble with more power than sense.

Nyota’s eyes widened in fear at his words, her ears shying away from him, shrinking with every word. Arlet’s jaw clenched. But, the helmetless knight merely sighed, as if this were a routine occurrence. Something that happened every week and grew less exciting with each repetition. Though his sigh reminded Liam of someone much younger.

“Baron Green, I would strongly advise against that tone. His majesty will see you on his own time and cats are not allow-” The knight’s voice trailed off. Stunned by Nyota's lack of a collar.

“Baron! Explain yourself! What is the meaning of this!” He said, pointing to her barren neck.

“Is there a problem?” Asked Liam.

“A problem! Knights! We are taking you into custody on suspicion of treason!” Shouted the head knight, his face turning red.

Just like the instructor in Arlet’s duel…

Wow, he looks a lot like instructor Gaius Borgia. Thought Liam.

Arlet raised his shield and lowered his spear. “Watch Captain Borgia, we did not come with treachery in our hearts. I beg you sir, do not find malice where there is none.”

“You should have stopped him, Arlet!” Scowled the watch captain.

Liam recognized the man now, he didn’t just look like Gaius Borgia, he was Gaius Borgia, the instructor who had stood by and watched Blackwood abuse Arlet.

Why does trash always seem to fail upward in this world…? Is it because King Aldric is rotten? After all, he is the wealthiest king we’ve ever had, promoting his flunkies like Blackwood and Borgia would be logical from his position… Time to humble them.

“Gaius, I see you’ve ignored my missive and judge you in need of repentance. Champion Nyota, remind the watch captain that Lightning Lords are above the King’s law! Let your thunder be this insolent fool’s final warning. In fact, make sure the entire capital remembers this day with reverence!” Commanded Liam.

Chuckles burst from mages, thinking he must have gone mad. To them, the mere thought of a cat wielding magic was cause for laughter, but the idea that a cat could wield the holiest element of lightning moved to humor despite their severe duty. Captain Borgia faltered slightly, suddenly assuming the baron was putting on a performance for his arrival at court. A common occurrence and one he considered obtuse, wishing nobles would cease their cheap trickery.

But it wasn’t a cheap trick. Liam, Arlet, and Rhendal closed their eyes, opened their mouths and covered their ears with their hands, dropping staves and spear in their haste.

Nyota closed her eyes, opened her mouth and covered both ears with one arm. Her second arm extended to the heavens in the shape of a finger gun.

“Make me proud Nyota!” Called Liam.

She grinned a feline smile, revealing a mouth half-full of fangs. Today she would make the humans quake in fear, warn them that she was no longer a slave. A moment passed as she focused on her lightning, honing the sound it made into a vorpal blade.

“Ha ha, very funny. You’ve made your joke, but I tire of this farce-”

*CCCCCCRRRRRAAAAAAACCCCKKKKK*

*BBOOOOMMM*

A bolt of true lightning burst from her finger into the sky, bright enough to burn the eyes of those unfortunate enough to be near Nyota. The earth shook with the rumbling of thunder and castle windows shattered, blasted inward by the force of the gale thunder. Stained glass rained down on the king’s court, giving him the open aired room his ancestor had wished for–

–And a thousand miles away in distant Kheresh, Sarah witnessed the bolt.

–And six miles above the world, Medusa, Stheno, Euryale, and Calypso saw Hades’ beacon, forever intertwining the gorgon’s path with Hades’ will.

“God save us.” Whispered Arlet.