Chapter 143 Men of Arms.
The horrors some people inflict on their fellows…
Whether it’s for greed, desire, or honor.
Men's sadism deserves pain, it deserve the worst of suffering.
Amaret, the Great Sinner.
{28} Kilako (October) the 1st
The eight warships at my port are an odd sight. Normally there is one or two merchant's ships here, only now do I realize we don’t have the space for this many ships, even ships meant for a river and not the sea. Only three ships can dock at a time, if they squeeze themselves right. Two is safer. The other ships wait down river, ropes tied up to the riverbank so they won't get dragged by the flow. They take turns docking and unloading my new troops.
Each of the warships have a ballista mounted on it, as well as a protected railing and protected masts for archers placing. Each mast carry my house' flag, a black horse on a red field. My father's flag. There's a different stylized battering ram that depicts something else at every bow, a deer, a snake, a unicorn, a half-naked woman, a mermaid, a dragon, a bird’s head, and a wolf’s head. A retracted bridge is placed right above the battering ram.
The orderly ranks of solders pouring out of these ships give me goosebumps. I realize that the docks won’t have enough space for them soon, but there is no sign of Salik.
“Where are they going to sleep? And what about food for all of them?” Kolag asks from my side like a worried mother.
“We are going to march on Green Pear as soon as possible. And you know we have enough food in store. We already talked about it.” I roll my eyes. The technical issues were already discussed, I just didn’t expect my port to be too small to contain them all. You can't plan for everything, something you didn't think about will always pop up...
Kolag... "The way you've been reacting to what we did to that assassin made me think," I mumble.
"About?"
"About you. You've been through a lot, haven't you? If you ever need to talk about..."
"I don't," he cuts me off.
"Ok..."
We stand there awkwardly silent. We watch the pair of the ships done unloading their troops and leave the docks, waving colorful flags for two others to take their place.
The soldiers form ranks on the docks, accurate squares of muscular men. Each soldier holds a round bronze shield, a long spear that reach above his own height. Every single one of them has a stringless short bow with a quiver, and a stack of javelins. Along with a short sword and a dagger in their belts.
They all wear a piece of round bronze plate strapped across their chests above a padded gambeson. Every soldier carries a large bag on his back in addition to the equipment.
My army. My pawns...
"Do you need to talk about it?" Kolag asks all of a sudden. "I know you've been through just as much as I have."
I shrug. "Maybe I do... I wouldn't even know where to begin. I tend to shove it to the back of my head until it rears its snowy head when I least expect."
He lets out a bitter chuckle. "I guess there are things we're very similar about. Can you see Salik anywhere?"
I shake my head, no sign of him in the rows of soldiers. I've been searching for a while for the familiar straw hat.
Finally, I manage to spot the hat. Salik gets off the plank of the fifth ship that just docked. He’s followed by Zoe, and to my surprise, Ovin Redspear.
Aside from his iconic headwear, Salik wears a thick golden chain with a large diamond for a pendant. The jewelry is too showy, and unfit for his casual hemp shirt and pigskin pants.
Zoe walks with her hands around his hand, occasionally pressing herself against his arm. She wears a beautiful blue dress that makes her look like a noblewoman. With how tall Salik is, Zoe barely reaches his shoulder. They are a very unlikely couple, but whatever makes them happy. Ovin behind them holds a spear similar to the rest of the soldiers.
“Five thousand Men of Arms as promised, my Queen.” Salik leaves Zoe's hold on his arm and gives me a theatrical nobleman's bow with a smirk stretched on his grizzled face.
I pull him into a hug. “It’s good to see you again!”
He chuckles, a metallic hook keeping his straw hat from falling off. “My wife would get jealous, my Queen.” He doesn’t hide the sarcasm in his voice.
“Oh? You two are serious about the marriage thing?”
He snorts. “Define the two of us.”
“Salik...” I start but Zoe slaps the back of his head and his straw hat flies off.
"Peabrain!" she calls out with fake anger. "We're married!" she exclaims, a challenge in her brown eyes.
I grin, ignoring her unspoken demand for judgement or jealousy. "Congratulations! We should arrange a feast to celebrate your wedding." How the snake did that happen? Wasn't he going to break her heart? And why is he so sarcastic? Did she force him into this with magic?
The woman blushes and averts her gaze. "I don't want a feast... Master,” she adds the title at a slight delay and a curtsy.
"Nonsense. You just got married. We should celebrate! I need a good excuse for a party right now." I can't help but tease her and watch her crumble.
“Master.” Ovin copies Zoe's respect with a bow of his own.
“We have a lot to ask about magic and…” Zoe is quick to change the subject.
I lift my hand sharply, cutting her off. “We'll all have a chance for magic later. First. Salik, get the men situated south of the city. When will we be ready to march?”
“We can march tomorrow, but I recommend that we march in two days so the men can get some rest,” Salik says, retrieving his horrible straw hat from the ground and dusting it.
“Then we march in two days. I don’t think we have enough space for this many at the docks. And we should order building additional docks north of the city.”
He nods and turns to address the soldiers. “Men of Arms! March!”
He gestures forward sharply, and the men follow him in an orderly fashion toward the city gates. Each step they take echoes loudly while their metallic gear clings. The loud march sends goosebumps throughout my body.
I turn to Zoe and Ovin who still stand there, eyeing me with expectations in their eyes. "Ovin. What the snake were you thinking by leaving Apricot City?"
“I’m sorry, Master.” It’s odd to have this burly thuggish man calling me ‘Master’ in such a humble way. “But Master Zoe was the only one teaching me magic. I had to prioritize. It was either getting stronger myself, or ruling over the people. If I’m not strong enough to rule, ruling is pointless, feel me? I left Daor in charge of my men and made sure to appoint someone in my stead to keep them in line. The man is more than capable.”
I nod. “I won’t restrict your movement if you wish to go or join on someone else’s mission. The same goes if you want to refuse a mission. But communicate. Let me know about it first. I need to know. Don't act on your own without telling me. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Master.” He bows his head respectfully.
The man has changed… Salik changed too.
What snow did Zoe mix into the brains of these two?
“Ok Zoe, Ovin. We do have two days of calm. So you may ask any question you have. But let’s go to the palace first."
*
“Master… I’d like to demonstrate!” Zoe says.
“Go on.” I arch an eyebrow. We’re in the palace yard, the place I used to train with Salik every day before the disturbing trip to Apricot City. There are a few practice dummies here, as well as Kolag's personal Peacekeeper force who use this yard for training. The men give us a wide berth with only one of them daring close for a better look.
“Nim.”
“Nimwual.”
I do not expect a combination of these two spells. Water jet releases water at a high pressure, and ‘Water to Ice’ spell can’t freeze it fast enough, it’s why I use ‘Instant Freeze’. And indeed, nothing seem to be frozen.
She cancels her water jet and I notice the tiny ice needles perturbing from the wet straw dummy. Impressive! She came up with it by herself and with the limited amount of spells I gave her! She probably mastered the ‘Water to Ice’ somehow I doubt I can do the same thing with this combination…
“Impressive!”
Zoe blushes with my compliment.
“It’s useless yo'll! It won’t penetrate the weakest of armors.” Ovin comments with a sneer.
I cross my hands. “Not everyone wears an armor, and even an armor has some gaps.” He does have a point, those needles will probably break on armor, but that also probably applies to Icy Spike cantrip without any amplifying patterns.
Zoe gives him a victorious smirk, I can only guess that the two argued about it. “Rod’ena”
“That’s it. That’s all the spells you gave us, Master. We want to learn more. I already formed the earth, wood, and water pools, as well as the crown, neck, and abdomen. I can’t form gravity, I tried, but I can’t. I also need more meditation methods. Ovin formed wood, water, and he’s nearly done with earth.
I nod. “I’m sorry I've neglected your training. I’ve been busy. Let’s go over the three meditation methods you don’t have yet, and then we’ll go over some spells of your choosing.”
“I’d like a few more wood spells if that’s possible… Master.” Ovin adds ‘Master’ only after Zoe glares at him angrily.
I nod. “It is. Except, I don’t know that many wood spells, it’s not my element."
I could give them a page or two of my grimoire...
No. That's extremely limited, I've nearly used half of it already, I can't waste it. Besides, I don't know at which point the hag will lock my grimoire again. My guess is at 50 spells... I can't risk it!
"Do you have a spell in mind?”
“Toxic gas. Something that kills,” Ovin replies.
Do I want a spell like that? Sounds useful, especially if I can control the wind before casting it... Then again, it's not my affinity. I'm not going to waste pages even if I can cast it.
"I wouldn't know about acquiring more wood spells, Ovin. I can give you more water spells, I have plenty of those. Wood is simply not my element. I'm afraid you'll have to find your own spells or somehow make them up. We may have to fight other mages in the future, I'm sure they'll have some sort of spell books in their possession. If we get lucky we may get you some new wood spells." Something I should've looked for after I've defeated Luard and Janara... But I haven't found anything of Luard's or his apprentices, I didn't look very hard, but it's too late now. I should've thought about it! This grimoire made me complacent about getting new spells. I should stop that habit!
Janara must've had hers in her capital which should be in Tiara's hands now. Maybe I can ask Tiara to share a few spells? Trade some water spells for it. Janara is a wood mage after all, she should have some.
"We're headed south soon. We'll probably visit my ally Queen Tiara. She should have some wood spells in her possession. I'll trade some of my water spells for them. She's a water mage, and she should be interested in them."
"I see. Thank you, Master. If you have anything to read about magic, anything at all..."
"Of course! Feel free to access my books whenever you please. Zoe will show you where to find them. Just make sure to keep them in good condition."
Zoe glares at me, then sighs. "Come with me, Ovin." The two head for the castle, leaving me alone in the garden.
I still want to practice and bind the Boiling Wave and Crushing Weight.
I look at the empty garden with the practice dummy, and pull out a handful of rose petals. "Myrsha, nia tsaf lah, myrsha se hod fel dian tamitsilah."
I raise my thumbs to my eye level to put the dummies in my sight between them.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
My mana drains from my forehead in volumes, and a puff of dark purplish smoke spits out a female elemental at the size of my palm.
*CRACK*
The orderly files of practice dummies collapses on the spot in heaps of wood and straw. The terrified yelp from one of the onlooking guard sends a wave of ecstasy throughout my body, I can feel their awe and fear even with my back turned to them.
This spell is terrifying indeed... Considering it should turn a group of men into a bloody pulp just like those dolls...
The purple elemental flies in front of my face and curtsies in mid air.
"Aimyrshanik, ke him myrshanik kent kolt misur?"
Surprised from the servile attitude I have yet to receive from a gravity elemental, I observe her closely. Her dark purplish skin is marred with a white starry patterns like odd freckles. Her skin seems a little like the dusk's sky filled with stars. Her face only features two purple pupil-less eyes, most gravity elementals I've met had a third eye in their forehead.
Her hair is cropped short, and combed to the left. She wears a red toga dress on her petite figure, showing only a vague hint of curves. The dress is clearly sewn together from rose leaves somehow, but I have no idea what gives the petal the fabric-like texture.
"Hen. Hod."
She curtsies in the air again, her dragonfly wings buzzing on her back. "Ke him lah sherill le tresha’ar niai mysha, aimyrshanik?"
"Hen. Rurka."
She smiles back, almost shyly. "Ni sherill myrshyatsliarzor dortsal kayil talihakteon."
"Rurka. Niam ti yas atifem."
"Niam ti yas atifem,"
That was an odd one for a gravity elemental. I wonder how their personality is determined, how similar are they to humans and other sapient races... They're clearly sapient...
I should probably avoid binding more gravity spells. It feels like a quarter of my gravity pool is gone by now... They're all very useful at least.
Enough of that. I'll test the Boiling Wave now.
I also want to organize something for Zoe's wedding. Everyone are here now, and it's a good excuse to get together and party. It's been a while since I had everyone back near me and not busy with one task or another... Jerro Sharla and Ryon will leave soon, and the rest of us will head to Pear city...
I pick some sowbread petals from my pouch, the fragile pinkish petals nearly torn between my fingers. I create the wavy patterns with my water mana, and turn to read the poetic long spell from the parchment I wrote earlier.
"Nim, oue-rissu nirissu asuli fenu, aloki niam fainega nimuwal nimgafir, uwallota ri, asano walgafir gafir nia rissalwue."
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu."
*Splash!*
The wave of water coming out of my hands covers the grassy ground and sweeps the broken practice dummies violently. It hits the palace wall with white foam and a cloud of steam. On a hunch of inspiration I take out lavender petals and continue casting.
“Reviss. Rit at kas tak. Kas at oarofisia!”
A bright yellow dot of light leaves the golden smoke and circles my wrist rapidly. A blinding flash of electricity strikes out of my fingertips and streaks toward the boiling mass of water and steam. Electric currents in the air make my hair stand on end, while the water and steam flash with tiny visible arcs of lightnings.
I cancel the spell and take a few steps back from the large electrified pool. "Nim uriss shanim."
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ouuuuuuuuuuuuuu aaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu."
The haunting singing voice of the water elemental attracts my attention. The male elemental is at the size of my palm, but unlike every other elemental I've met until now, this one is obese. Rolls and flaps of fat make out his features, but they're blue water, not skin. His hair is a shoulder length wave of turquoise seawater, and I even notice an odd tattoo of a beautiful red coral on his thick blue arm.
"Num asano nim." I say in broken Nim
The fat elemental turns to me mid air at a face level, his dragonfly wings buzzing. "Nuar nimakee num!" <___ hug me!> He demands with open arms.
Does he want me to hug him? I hope I'm understanding this right... How am I supposed to hug a palm sized creature?
I attempt to hug the creature awkwardly. He flies into my arms and melts against my chest, dampening my dress. A moment later I feel the strain at the water mana pool in my right thigh. This elemental has been bound successfully.
Odd. But water elemental are supposed to be whimsical and emotional, I just didn't expect this.
*
A few hours later I’m out of the city, inspecting the rows of soldiers. They have already constructed an orderly camp, and now they stand outside. A man holds one of my horse banners at the corner of each orderly square.
Each square of men is made out of a hundred. They have a very clear command structure. Ten commanders, each commanding five hundred. Each hundred have their own commander. And Each hundred is made of 20 units of five men. The commanders are marked by the necklaces they wear. The higher the rank, the fancier the necklace. With the five-hundred men commanders having a jeweled golden necklace that wouldn't shame an old noblewoman who tries to hide her fading beauty with gleaming gemstones.
It's funny to see that kind of trinkets on these sweaty muscular soldiers, but I assume they need to identify rank somehow. Won't feathers in their helmets do? That's how they did it back in Mansel'a... I won't understand these people and their weird cultures... I'm guessing Salik wears it to give them a sense of belonging. A smart man.
They all stand at attention with their gear on.
Salik takes off his fancy necklace and hands it over to me.
Wait... What? I raise an eyebrow.
“It's your turn to wear this oversized neck-weight, kid. Whoever wears this is the person to command these men. It’s magical, it controls them. Anyone who wears it can command their death with a word, and they’ll die at the command. The slaver killed one of them just to show us. They don't need to hear the command, you speak and the necklace hears and conveys it to them.”
I frown. “A magical necklace?”
“Indeed. The slave merchant claimed it was. I had Zoe check it, but she couldn't tell. I didn’t feel anything either, but according to the merchant it controls their minds.”
So that's why they wear these trinkets... Kolag is not going to like it. I glance at my armored boyfriend at my side, he can hear us clearly. He leans on his claymore, quietly observing the columns of men. Not even a grunt. Maybe he's not paying attention?
“Let me see.” I pick the necklace. It's a heavy piece. Eight large diamonds in an odd formation, along with four milky pearls, and twelve yellowish green peridot gemstones. The gold decoration curved into it are masterly crafted, but I'd never wear such a thing normally.
I touch it with mana from my crown-knot pool. I don’t recognize the patterns in the diamonds, but there are only six of them in each diamond, copies of the same six patterns. While the other gems are connected to the diamonds by tiny mana channels, there are no patterns in them. Control and kill all of these men?! With six patterns?! Impossible! “Let me guess, he made you pay more for the necklace?”
“Actually, he did not. It was part of purchasing the soldiers, the prices for the men of arms are set by the Sapphire Tower and are not negotiable. Is it not magical?”
“Oh no, it’s magical alright. But there’s no way this kind of magic controls the minds of five thousand men. Not to mention kill them from afar. Unless it’s a possibility that I'm unaware of. There aren’t enough patterns in this thing for a complex spell… But I don’t know everything about magic, especially not about enchantments and very little about mind control.” I wonder if I can find a mind control spell... It should be useful. It probably needs a true name... The hag used one on me. I doubt there's a first level one. Regardless, I should look it up, it's worth a page. I wonder if I can replicate the patterns in this necklace into a spell somehow...
He nods. “Not my forte. Regardless, they respond to the commands of whoever wears it.”
“If I wear it and tell them to accept orders from you, will they?”
“Why won’t you try?”
I put on the necklace, and the soldiers eyes shift to me at once. “Tans fe-lasiuak."
"A step forward."
I say calmly, my voice carries loudly across the field.
They all take a unanimous step forward. I nod to myself.
Salik winces. "You don't need to be so loud! I told you you can just speak normally."
I shrug. It's fun to order my pawn army loudly.
"Salik is your General. You will follow his orders as if they were mine." I point at him.
Each of the five hundred men commanders step forward. “We only obey the necklace bearer. No other,” they say unanimously.
Necklace bearer... That sounds funny. I deactivate my spell voice spell. “I guess it’s not working,” I murmur to Salik. I take off the gaudy piece of jewelry and hand it over to my tall general. “You wear it.”
“You’re the mage, if they do something funny it’s best if you can kill them.” He shrugs. “Even if that trader snowed me, they do seem legit. They’re raised since childhood to be soldiers, they’re injected with all sorts of magical juices to make them stronger. I’m not sure why they’re so responsive to the necklace, but they are.”
I lean my chin on my hand. I see. Interesting. Maybe those magical potions and drugs is what makes them respond to something that's just a simple six pattern array. Can I replicate it somehow? Can I gain control over other mages' armies?
“Do they not desire freedom?” Kolag voice echoes all of a sudden.
“The ones who did are already dead,” Salik answers grimly.
“Promise them, promise them freedom after two years.” Kolag nudges me.
I nod and turn to address them. “I bought you all, and you will serve in my wars for two years. After two years of service I will set you all free."
The ten commanders step forward again. “We do not desire to be free. The only freedom is death.”
“THE ONLY FREEDOM IS DEATH!”
The shout is unanimous from all the five thousands slaves.
"Don't you have any desire to be free?" I ask after their cheers die.
“We desire to fight for the one who wears the necklace,” the commanders respond.
I gasp and close my eyes, my heart beating so hard that it might break my ribs. The perfect pawns!!! Wait, Kolag's here I need to keep control of him too. "Then I will break this necklace!" I exclaim.
They exchange a look. “That will kill us,” one of them shouts. “If that is your desire, our lives are forfeit.”
"Our lives are forfeit!" The army repeats in unity.
I take a deep breath, enjoying the reaction my body has to their words. Yes! The perfect pawns! Enough of this madness!
Salik shrugs. “Why won’t you let the issue go, kid? Zoe already tried that.”
Oh very well... At least I don't have to worry about their loyalty... I nod to myself. Good little pawns, don't need to mold them. They're fully obedient and ready to serve... ENOUGH!
"We march in two days, prepare."
The five thousand men salute unanimously with a fist on their armor and turn to their camp.
I turn to Salik. "I've already ordered the kitchen staff to prepare a feast. I invited everyone in the city who wishes to have a free meal and I'm sure there'll be plenty of people there. We'll have a grand celebration for your wedding tomorrow. And we can always retire to the smaller dinner room if we want a more private setting."
The tall man shifts awkwardly, lowering the brim of his straw hat. "Zoe said she doesn't want such a thing."
I roll my eyes. "I don't care what she wants. Two of my friends are getting married, I want to celebrate that. If she doesn't want to participate she's welcome to hide in her chambers with some magical books."
Salik chuckles. "I wouldn't say no to a good drink and a feast. It's been a long month."
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: connected: 1 gem replenished per minute.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 91
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: connected: 41 neutral gems. Conversion ratio: elemental : neutral-3:1, neutral : elemental-1:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 34 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 17 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 16/26 gems
Water: Affinity 6: connected: 73/75 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 8 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 17 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: connected: 88/113 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing. Aria’s Sonic Scream. Aria's Increased Voice.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Effrat's Ember Vision. Sorladika's Lesser Heating. Nuriss’ Ignite. Oniga's Soap Creation.
Light: Noxi’s Light. Lako’s Enhance Vision. Lako’s Blinding Light. Rika’s energy hand.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet. Ayla’s instant freezem. Ayla's Flowing Shield. Ayla’s Freezing Vapors. Hot Water Conjuration. Boiling Waterjet.
Earth: Alice’s Oil Summoning, Reiko’s Acid Spray. Alf's Copper Bolt
Wood: Arigor’s Lesser Vines. Kolosu’s Vegetable Summoning.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burstm. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s Lesser Shield IIm. Imari’s Minor Telekinesism. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pullm. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body. Alino's Orbiter.
Transmutation: Oniga's Laundry.
Space: Lumina's Spatial Stepa.
Spells known:
Light: Wassho’s invisibilityb2x2. Rika's Electric Channelb1x3
Water: Mayan’s Boiling Waveb2. Tolste’s Icy Escape.
Gravity: Alino’s Weightless Bodyb1x3. Tukado's Pushb1x4. Tukado’s defense IIIb1x5m. Imari’s Lesser Flightb2x2m. Lumina’s Kinetic Blast Boltb1x6a. Alino’s Crushing Weightb3.
Psyche: Lumina's Mind Touchb3
Life: Brigit’s Lesser Cure Poison. Brigit’s Skin Restoration.
(Little letters by the spells: m=mastered. a=advanced. b=bound spell, number near the b is how many gems of the mana pool binding the said spell takes. The number is determined by the elemental's size that's bound + the number of spells bound.)
Patterns Foci:
Air: 16
Fire: 8
Light: 12-13
Water: 21
Earth: 8
Wood: 8
Gravity: 22
Social status: The Queen of Red Cedar City. Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries. Sorceress.
Carried Wealth: 200 Magical Gems. 39 Golden Peas, 27 Silver Scales.
Personal Items:
Magical necklace. Contains 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
1 potions of Lesser Healing.
5 potions of Pain Tolerance.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keeps the pouches’ content fresh. Each pouch may contain 10g of petals or six potion flasks.
40g Rose petals.
4g Lavender petals.
10g Sowbread petals.
10 empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara. 39/100. Unlocked.
Present Companions:
Kolag of house Befar.
Jerro.
Sharlafyn Nettledew.
Berthold.
Ryon.
Ovin.
Zoe.
Salik.
Loyal.
Languages:
Toml’a
Sinteo
Myrsha
Felul
Nim
A'arkalu
Injuries and scars:
Curses: unknown extracted parasite, possibly bloodline related. Gone due to an unknown bloodline magic.
-
Kingdom’s treasury: 25,485 Golden Peas. 765 Magical Gems.
Kingdom’s citizen:
Red Cedar City: 3,609 adults. 1,654 children.
Apricot City: 1,877 adults. 504 children.
Kingdom's army: 5,000 Men of Arms. 123 Footmen. 16 Peacekeeper Knights. 500 Blood Spears.
Total Souls: 12,644 souls.
Notables at Court:
Tasiya Keyholder.
Jolla SilverQuill.
Talbot Bookkeeper.
Aisha?