***Hyperion Empire***

***Soltain City***

Today, Jacob decided it would be a good idea to get some fresh air. With the man his wife sent to warn her sister of the looming threat back, the city was more alert. His nephew Arthur was almost killed by an assassin, even as far as getting all the way to his crib. That was cause for concern. Whoever put the hit on the children obviously paid a lot, for assassin's good enough to get inside the lords bedchambers meant they were some of the top tier of the Guild. Few people on the continent have enough money for a contract of this magnitude.

Mind racing, Jacob went over numerous scenarios on who would benefit from the new generations deaths. Other noble houses? Outside emperors and kings? Perhaps the elves? There were plenty who may wish to seek his son harm and he couldn't come to any thorough conclusions. He thought how it would have been convenient if the Satele's incapacitated one of the perpetrators but they were good enough to kill themselves to avoid capture. That left enough unanswered questions to cause him to feel uneasy.

He would have to do some research, perhaps even approach Kumio for assistance.

There was little known about House Kumio. They were obviously a bloodline House based off their longevity and mana capacity, but outside of that, the fox kin from Kumio we're anomalies. The emperor was the only one who could call for their aid and that was always during times of war. Though Jacob had a working theory that their bloodline undoubtedly aided them in operations of stealth and assassinations. But like all theories, that was just a reasonable guess. He supposed he could ask Sophia about it, with her previously being in a relationship with the current Head, but that was over half a century ago, and he doubted she knew much more.

Right now the best thing he can do was wait, setting a trap for the day assassins try to kill his only son. The problem was he overreacted and the city has been on high alert for days now. No assassin worth his salt would attack during the heightened security, but they didn't have to. They were sure to make an attempt as Soltain City heads back to normalcy, and the guards resume their regular routines. They would have to be patient, just like himself.

Jacob decided to go partake an inspection on the outer walls surrounding his city. With the weather beginning to get cooler again, he elected to wear his worn white cloak with the usual golden fur-lined hood. Peering out to the tall mountains west of the city, he noticed the sun would soon be completely blocked by the vast mountain range and he was running out of daylight.

Jacob snapped out of his thoughts and started walking along the wall with renewed vigor. Spotting the wheat fields to the south and great pine forests to the east, he realized that the trees were covered and snow was beginning to fall. His people had a great year of harvest, but a still sizable portion of the crops stored in the granaries were supplied from House Satele to the south. It was snowing earlier than expected this year, and the upcoming winter was going to be a dreadfully long.

---About One Month Later; Few Hours Before Daybreak---

~~~Sophia Soltain POV~~~

Ever since Ariel told me about the threat to my sons life, I’ve rearranged my entire daily routine. Taking naps with Max in the afternoons under the watchful eyes of trusted guards and servants, I’ve also changed my nightly routine.

Most nights, I would get in bed with Jacob and we would keep Max between us. They both would eventually doze off and easily reach steady breathing, but I would keep myself fully awake. Sometimes, spending my time reading or just enhancing all my senses through mana channeling, I would keep my eyes activated and wait for my prey to come to me. Jacob was right in that the assassins were no doubt waiting for security to lax, but that would make no difference. The result will remain the same. Anyone who attempts to hurt my family will suffer.

I’ve had the guards usually stationed outside our door dismissed for over a month now. We didn’t need any good men or women dying from assassin's we knew were coming. No, this pest problem can be handled by myself and myself alone. Every night I patiently waited, sitting up against the bedpost in a perfectly comfortable spot right next to my son.

And the time has finally arrived. Sensing two very faint mana signatures, one outside the far window and the other in the hallway. These two were indeed competent, but with my eyes their attempts to remain undetected were basically useless.

Staying motionless, I waited for the perpetrators to walk right into my trap. The two acted almost simultaneously, both attempting to enter the room from both sides. The runes on the window and door triggered and both infiltrators were stunned. I even watched as the one at the window remained paralyzed and fell to what I can only assume would be his death. I knew the assassins were probably better than to be beaten by some simple runes so I continued to wait. And kept waiting. And waiting.

The alarm bell started ringing in the castle, most likely from the guards patrolling the courtyard finding the assassins fallen body.

The mana signature coming from outside the door has remained unmoving for a couple minutes now.

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Wait? That’s it!? It was that easy!? Just some shock enchantments on the portals to the room!?

I picked up Max and put him in my arms. Jacob woke up from the sound of the alarm and grabbed the dagger under his side of the bed.

He looked to me and asked, “What the fuck happened!?”

I put a finger to my mouth gesturing for him not to yell. Max was still asleep and I’d rather not wake him. I stuffed a little cotton from my pillow into his ears and his eyes remained closed.

I then stood up and approached the door, baby in arms. Jacob stood behind me with a dagger channeling light magic and was ready for a fight. Opening the door we both looked down on a man frozen and paralyzed on the ground. His eyes darting all over the corridor and then back at us. I had no idea my average at best enchantments would be enough to completely immobilize the people sent to kill my son. That is just pathetic. Perhaps the Guild realized it’s success rate with killing their House targets was pretty low, thus putting newer members on it or something. I didn’t care, I just needed to get one of these bugs to William. He should be able to find their handler and consequently the contract giver.

The mana lights throughout the corridor lit up and guards started rushing towards us.

“Milord, milady, we have discovered a paralyzed infiltrator in the courtyard, he appears to have fallen from the walls and is gravely injured.”

Jacob quickly responded, “Get some of our healers to fix him right now! I don’t care if his body’s broken but I want him alive.”

“Yes, milord.” The guard rushed back down the corridor towards the courtyard.

“What about this one milord?” A female guard said, gesturing to the frozen man on the ground.

He pointed towards another man, “Check his mouth for any implanted poison and properly secure him.” and then looked back at the guard who asked the question, “Prepare a squadron of Sky Knights to fly with me to Satele City, prisoner in tow.”

They both bowed and carried out their tasks. My husband looked over the rest of the guards filling the hallway. “Secure the castle and double patrols for the rest of the night. I want to make sure these men were working alone.”

I looked back at Jacob as guards rushed to follow his orders, “William only needs one to find out what we need to know. I want the other one.”

He gave me a quizzical look and then nodded, “You should wait for him to get stabilized by the healers first. After that he’s all yours, just keep it down in the dungeons. Should I take Max with me then?”

I glanced at the toddler in my arms in then back at Jacob. “I think that would be best.”

---The Next Day---

~~~William Satele POV~~~

The man currently immobilized by Odur used to be a wanted rapist and murderer running rampant in my province. I didn’t care for his name but I was aware he had a rather powerful trained fire affinity and was considered pretty dangerous. He was rather short and had very large ears. Those had to be the biggest ears I have ever seen on human before, they were about as long as elven ears but they had a human shape! Speaking proportionally they were simply too large for his head!

I’ve been inside for at least an hour or so, and main thing I learned was that all the actions he committed were based off some childish notion that he never got enough attention from his mother. He simply wanted to be recognized by people, and through some delusional plan he decided ruining the lives of others was the way best to be seen. It’s true, he has been recognized, as half of the province apparently knows Tim? Tom? Again, I don’t care but his mind will be useful for my research.

I heard a slam on the door to my lab and pacing down the stairs. Both Odur and I looked towards the source of the noise to see my wife, son, brother-in-law, and four armored knights carrying one man. Another test subject perhaps?

Joan spoke first, “William we need you to hold off on your experiments for a bit.” Odur seemed to recognize the situations importance and threw Tim or Tom back in a cell without me saying anything. Oh well, we can finish later.

She continued, “This man just became top priority. He was one of the assassins that targeted Max and we need to know where his handler is.”

I nodded. Odur immediately wrapped around the new test subject and I asked, “How is the boy?”

Jacob replied, “Max is fine. The assassins were paralyzed by Sophia’s enchantments and never even got in the room.”

The room sat in stunned silence until I could no longer hold myself. “Hahahahaha~” Joan and I immediately burst out laughing. As both women are technically second cousins of mine, I’ve known them much longer than Jacob. Growing up, Sophia has always been abysmal at enchanting and I know that hasn't changed, these assassins must be horrible.

After about a minute of laughing, Jacob spoke up, clearly confused, “What’s so funny?”

My wife replied this time, wiping up a few tears, “Jacob, although everyone can admit Sophia is extremely powerful and a master of both poisons and medicines, she is no enchanter. Her enchantments were always extremely unstable and inconsistent. You weren’t lucky that these assassins were piss poor, you were lucky those enchantments even did what they were meant too."

I chimed in, “She may say she is a decent enchanter, but if I were you I would either start practicing or getting a real enchanter to assist you. She’s never been one for the subtlety that something like enchanting requires.

Joan decided to change the subject, “How long will it take you to get what we need to know out of him? The day?”

I looked at the unconscious man held up by my partner, “I’ve been getting better, the experiments are proving to be very beneficial, we should have plenty to teach our son as he grows. As to this guy, a couple hours at most.”

She gaped, “That soon!? Maybe I should start bringing you more prisoners, perhaps I can get Thanatos to stop killing their criminals and just give them to us.”

Double the test subjects? Now that would be very helpful. Gods I love this woman.

“I am truly blessed to have such a thoughtful wife. I would take you right now if not for the circumstances.”

Joan responded with a rare blush and Jacob started walking back up the stairs with his knights following him.

“Just get me the location of his handler. I’ll be waiting in the fields outside your castle with my men.”

I was serious about what I said, and considering Arthur was still asleep, I snatched him from my wife’s arms and put him on the couch with Katris on the other side of the room. Odur, realizing my intentions, threw the man in a cell and disappeared from my sight.

I picked up Joan and walked into one of the vacant cells at the end of my dungeon-like laboratory. She smacked her lips against mine as I pressed her against the wall in the cell. Both of us didn’t have much time so we completely skipped over foreplay. The act was rough and a bit dirty, with being inside a dungeon cell and all, but we both left rather satisfied and I then walked her all the way to the stairs.

Watching her ass sway as she continued up the flight of the steps, I only turned around after she closed the door to the surface.

I felt much better and started walking back to the cell with the shitty assassin to begin our little interrogation. I glanced over to the side of the room and saw Arthur, Katris, and Odur, all spread out on the cushions.

She forgot to take him with her!