Karan’s Coronation was one of the most heavily guarded events in the history of Gan kingdom, in addition to the full attendance of all the Pirunese war mages, there were ten Aku’andan Elite War mages, seven Navon Special Warrior mages, six Seyrulan Supreme War Mages, in addition to the Sungan Mages.
The mages were hidden within the cityscape moving along with the procession at alert. Karan was extremely nervous during the coronation, fearing an energy attack could snap his neck in two, or explode his cranium from nowhere, but he feigned bravery for his people, smiling and waving on top of the platform as the crowd screamed his name and jubilated.
Karan’s mother, the old queen of Pirun, refused to attend her son’s coronation. She decided to stay in her room in Aku’anda, However, the citizens of Pirun didn’t seem to care, Karan was a city favourite, mostly due to his exemplary performance as a War Mage. A crowd quickly formed as soon as he entered the city and it only continued to grow larger and larger.
The city center, a wide open space, originally used for jetcoaches, which had been repurposed to try to execute Ganz had been repurposed again, this time to crown the prince. The procession reached this poing and he alighted, ceremonial kingmakers held the crown out as Karan walked towards them.
The hidden mages tensed as Karan walked closer to the crown that had been held out, attack spells just on their lips ready to be triggered at the slightest sign of conflict. Lakan, who had been assigned to a building north of the center sat down calmly on a reclining chair on the roof of the building and ate an apple. The Seyrulan Mage that had been assigned to him looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
“Why are you so relaxed, Aku’andan?” He asked.
“Ganz is not going to attack today.” Lakan replied. “He would be a fool to do so.”
“The fact that he tried to take over an entire kingdom is itself an act of folly, no?” the seyrulan replied.
“No, I think he took a calculated risk.” Lakan replied. “... and he succeeded for a while. He correctly assumed that Aku’anda would pursue diplomacy, because that’s what we always do.”
“He ultimately failed.” The Seyrulan remarked.
“Well that’s because he didn’t foresee the Sungan attack. Nobody foresaw the Sungan attack.” Lakan replied.
“Sounds like without the Sungans, he would not have been ousted. So why is your kingdom still sanctioning Sungan?” The seyrulan replied.
“Oh you know, there are processes, Aku’anda has a reputation to protect.” Lakan said, winking at the Seyrulan Mage. “We really shouldn’t allow other kingdoms to behave any way they please.”
The seyrulan chuckled. “You Aku’andans act like you’re better than the rest of us.”
“We are better!” Lakan chuckled and winked. “Want an apple?”
Karan was crowned without incident, the ceremony ended and the crowd dispersed, and the mages decided to stand watch until the following day, although nothing happened over the night either, nor the following week or even month.
Pirun resumed functioning with its new king, and peace more or less returned, Ganz began to fade away, becoming a distant memory, that is, until Segi found him, Three months later.
--
Hark was at the hospital, Where Lara was undergoing recovery therapy. She had only woken up days earlier from her coma, luckily she still had an intact memory, but her muscles had atrophied and she couldn’t walk properly.
Hark was helping her walk around her room as part of her daily exercises when a wave link prodded him. He led Lara back to her bed, stepped out, then accepted the wave. Segi’s voice boomed into his ears as a loud whisper.
“Hark, our intel was right. Ganz is in Seyrule.”
“Oh my goodness.” Hark exclaimed. “Are you sure it’s him?”
“Definitely.” Segi replied. “I’m actually surprised at how accurate Lord Kardo’s paintings are. That man has an incredible memory… Also, this is the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Hey! What about me?” Hark complained in jest.
“You’re a cutie pie Hark, but this man makes me want to abandon all my allegiances and follow him into the sunset immediately.”
“Well, where are you? And what is he doing? Do you need backup?” Hark asked.
“Not yet.” Segi replied. There was a short silence.
“I found him at a tavern here in seyrule,” She continued. “He comes here every evening with a couple of friends. They even have a regular table they always use.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“You’re pretty well known yourself, Segi.” Hark said. “How do you know they haven’t noticed you also?”
Segi laughed. “Hark, do you think I earned the title of best investigator? I’m currently disguised as a seyrulan prostitute, If I were right next to you, you wouldn’t recognize me either.”
“So what’s the next move?” Hark asked.
“Well I need a couple of you guys in Seyrule as soon as possible. I can’t be arsed to wave to multiple of you, so I’m just going to pass the information to you instead. I need five Elite Mages in seyrule within three days. Elite! You hear me?”
Hark laughed. “Why would I ever bring regular war mages?”
“Altey did that to me once. He almost ruined the mission and got our asses kicked.” Segi said. “So I’m relying on you this time, okay?”
“Okay We’ll be in Seyrule in twenty four hours.” Hark said.
“No, no,” Segi objected. “Don’t crank up your speeds that high. I’ve given you guys three days, come here at a more leisurely pace. We might have to act as soon as you guys get here.”
Hark dampened the wave, and five hours later, he was in a meeting with four other elite Mages: Lakan, Regar, Binko, and Shuma. He relayed what Segi had said.
“He’s attending a tavern daily?” Shuma asked in confusion.
“I thought that bastard would have been bedridden by now!” Binko said. “Bloody seryulans! See? This is what I’m saying! These other kingdoms are super incompetent. How did it take an Aku’andan mage from miles away to discover the villain right under their noses?” she ranted.
“Relax, Binko.” Regar said tiredly. “I’m sure the Seyrulans don’t know what he looks like.”
“Lord Kardo reproduced his features.” Binko said.
“It doesn’t matter now anyway.” Shuma said. “I can’t come with you. Hark, I can’t believe you invited me here. You know I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“I was actually hoping you could postpone it.” Hark said. “I want to attend your wedding too.”
“Are you crazy? She’s going to kill me!” Shuma exclaimed. Prompting Lakan and Regar to burst out in laughter.
“Ha ha ha, very funny guys.” Shuma said, rolling his eyes.
“Isn’t your fiance a store manager?” Binko asked. “She can’t even hurt a chicken, you can level cities. Just postpone it.”
“See? this is why all of you guys are hopelessly single.” Shuma exclaimed as Lakan and Regar were doubled over in laughter. “I love my fiance and I wouldn’t do that to her. We should have done this months ago, I postponed it back then when Ganz attacked. Why would I do that again?”
“When does Segi need us there?” Lakan asked, wiping the tears off his face.
“Three days.” Hark responded.
“Let's do Shuma’s wedding and then rush down there after.” Lakan said.
“With Shuma?” Regar asked.
“Of course not.” Shuma said. “I’ll be on my honeymoon in Majankila.”
“That far? Wow.” Regar exclaimed. “So who’s going to replace you?”
“Is Mullam available?” Binko asked.
“Mullam isn’t doing field jobs right now.” Hark replied. “It’s a whole thing.”
“Bah, we’ll find someone else,” Lakan said. “We’ll attend your wedding. Hope your missus still remembers me?”
“She doesn’t remember any of you.” Shuma said.
“What the fuck, why?” Lakan asked. Binko found that funny and burst into laughter. Shuma smiled.
“Hey, I’m leaving now, last minute preparations.” Shuma said. “Hey you guys behave yourselves tomorrow.” He said, pointing to Lakan and Regar, who crossed their hearts in promise.
--
Shuma’s wedding took place at at cathedral Galta, A large religious building at Catcres, which was a district at the northen part of Aku’anda City, and many Mages were in attendance from multiple fields. Elite War mages rarely got married this young and so it was the talk of the town, in fact, the next youngest married Elite War Mage was a mage called Jadre, who had married in his mid thirties. Lakan and Hark, who were still in their mid-twenties, didn't even think about marriage.
Shuma’s wife was from an extremely wealthy family, owners of a highly successful potion store chain in Aku’anda, They even lived on a floater, The combined clout of both the groom and bride had attracted quite a lot of guests.
Cathedral Galta was filled to the brim. Hark was near the front where a seating area had been cordoned off for Shuma’s War mage colleagues, when a wave link had prodded him.
The priest was currently joining the bride and groom together, so Hark ignored the wave to watch the event, however as Shuma was putting the ring on her finger, the wave link prodded him again. He sighed and snuck out. Once out, he latched on to the pillars of the building and flung himself to the roof. Then he picked up the wave.
Segi’s panicked voice burst through the wave as soon as Hark picked it.
“Hark! I’m in trouble!” She whispered, “They found me!”
“What?!” Hark said, his heart rate skyrocketing. There was a loud bang behind segi, she screamed and a voice came in through from the background.
“Turn it off!” the voice said.
“Who is that!” Hark shouted. “Segi!”
“Please!” Segi said, talking to whoever was on the other end. Hark was confused. Segi begging? How??
“Segi, talk to me!” He said.
“Turn off that wave link now!” the voice shouted.
“Help…” Segi said quietly and as the wave faded away.
“Segi! Segi! Respond to me!” Hark screamed. He was interrupted by Lakan who jumped up onto the roof, shushing him.
“Hey, keep it down! They can all hear you down there!” Lakan whispered loudly. “What did you do piss her off this time?”
A strong breeze blew across the roof of Cathedral Galta, blowing around the ceremonial white, blue and orange Aku’andan Jackets and scarves of the men. Lakan noticed the shocked expression on Hark’s face, his face grew concerned.
“What happened, Hark?” He asked quietly.
“I think Ganz found Segi.” Hark replied.