“Are you sure about this location, my Queen?” Ina asked hesitantly, sweeping her gaze across the view before them.
Regina shrugged. “You’d have to ask Galatea, I guess.” She turned to her friend, who was standing a bit further away, hands folded behind her projected body and calmly watching everything. From what she could pick up from her mind, she was pretty sure she was considering the ambient mana or something. “Are you sure?” she repeated the question.
Galatea shrugged shallowly. “It was the best I could think of,” she replied. “Will there be problems with the construction?”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” Ina assured them, frowning shallowly.
“We’ll need to set up logistics to have materials transported here,” Tia added. “But personally, I think it will be an interesting challenge to work with the terrain.”
“Build the temple from white stone,” Galatea suggested. “It would work well, with the blue of the water. We can shore up the island or enlarge it if needed.”
They were in rather mountainous terrain, although not as bad as the Alps. Regina hadn’t been to this part of Nerlia before, but it was beautiful. In particular, the clear, calm water of the lake, nestled in between several peaks of the lower mountain range. There was a word for lakes like that, she felt, but it escaped her at the moment. They were looking at a small island in the lake, a bit off-center and probably a bit too small to add other buildings, pretty overgrown as well. But those were all fixable issues.
“When you first mentioned the idea, I thought of something a bit more accessible to people,” Tia admitted.
Regina nodded and shrugged. “I think something a little secluded wouldn’t be a bad idea,” she said. “But you have a point that it’s a thing kind of made for visitors.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be as big of a problem as you might think, Tia,” Galatea added. “Secluded mountain monastery aesthetics aside, it’s not going to be that hard for people to get here if they want to make a pilgrimage, especially if you prepare for it and maybe add or expand some roads. And treating this as such a pilgrimage site might be better, anyway.”
Would Leian want to have pilgrims, or value the concept? Regina wondered. She chewed on her lower lip. Well, she was a goddess of transport, right? And probably a goddess of travel too? So it would seem thematically appropriate. She glanced at Galatea. I guess I get what she means.
It still felt weird to think of someone she knew in those terms, especially since Leian had always presented herself as a person and didn’t even seem all that enthusiastic about being a goddess, but she supposed that was the way it was. At least when Regina wanted to build a temple for her.
She’d had some second thoughts about that idea, but still decided to go ahead with it anyway. They could start construction and always turn it into something else if she changed her mind later. This wouldn’t be a bad place for a castle, either. Or a holiday resort. Maybe if she just thought of it as a holiday retreat for Leian, would that make it easier?
“We can add some material to the island, then,” she said after a moment. “And perhaps build a walkway to the shore. And we’ll just use white stone, as you said. I’m not sure if there’s a source of marble around, but limestone should be fine, right?”
“We can take care of it, Mother,” Tia assured her. “I’d rather not commit to specifics right away, though.”
“Of course, that’s fine. So, you think you can handle it? Ina?”
“I’m not truly needed at the capital construction site right now,” Ina assured her. “I can definitely split my time between them, and the experience I’ve picked up there should be very useful here. Especially if we want to limit who else is involved in this project.”
Regina nodded gratefully, and they spent a few more minutes hashing out logistical details. They’d already decided on the general shape of the building, although it would be subject to revision and they’d get more detailed plans to discuss as well. The frame was inspired by historical cathedrals; Regina had decided that a somewhat gothic style, with high arches so the building looked to be striving for the heavens, would be suitable. The temple wouldn’t be built in a cross shape, though, and it might be a bit smaller than all that.
“That’s all I have time for right now, I’m afraid,” Regina finally concluded. It was a bit of a shame, she’d have preferred to explore the area in more detail. She’d just have to watch over the psychic link when one of her drones did. For now, she had a schedule and didn’t want to deviate from it too much.
“Good luck in Nerlia, Mother,” Ina said, already turning to confer with Tia.
Regina smiled at them and left. Thor had noticed the end of their conversation and set down nearby. He had no interest in architecture, he’d said, so he’d been flying and watching the area while they were discussing the project. Regina waved to the two girls and then climbed on, securing herself with the leather straps Thor had brought, before he took off. She could have flown the distance herself, especially with her recent upgrade, but she had to admit he was probably faster, and she didn’t want to be too tired when she arrived. A flock of Swarm Drones circling overhead, a few with riders, converged on them and they were off.
Instead of spending the whole flight immersed in the psychic link, she watched the Nerlian countryside below her and considered her approach. She hadn’t spent nearly as much time in this country — former country now, she supposed — as she had in Cernlia. It had never seemed pressing; the Nerlian nobles weren’t making that much trouble. At least not for her. But Galatea was probably right. She’d declined to go with her when Regina asked, but she didn’t doubt she was still seeing many things. And besides, Regina liked the excuse to travel a little.
From above, there was no obvious difference to Cernlia. They used a pretty similar architectural style for the settlements she saw, which were dotted in a similar manner among fields and meadows. It probably hadn’t changed that much in actual thousands of years, the aftermath of the Cataclysm excepted. Maybe what people grew was a bit different, and the landscape was obviously not the same either, the mountains at the horizon looked different from here, but overall it was easy to believe this was part of the same country.
Regina considered stopping and setting down in a few random towns, but she wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Security considerations aside, it would probably be a bit rude to just drop in on people, and she wouldn’t have a firm plan of what she actually wanted. Max and a few other drones were still accompanying her on their own flying mounts and she wouldn’t leave them behind, so they were a sizeable group. Besides, she did want to make it to the Nerlian royal court in a timely manner, especially since she’d let them know she was coming today.
Once they got closer to the capital, the distinction was a bit easier to see. Nerlia-city was younger than Cera and had clearly been planned more extensively, following a vague grid system. Instead of the concentric circles (or meandering vaguely egg-like shapes) of city walls that had been built beyond as the city grew, there was really only one outer wall, which did make a good effort at being a circle. It was still a large city, especially by local standards, and she knew it was still growing. The houses generally looked a bit more uniform as well, and from the reports she knew that the Imperial facilities and workshops that had been set up here were well-positioned, close together and easy to supply.
The obvious centerpiece of the city was the royal palace, which didn’t impress Regina particularly. It was pretty big, she supposed, and she knew the side wings had to house a lot of court officials and governance. There were only sparse gardens, one big but honestly a bit overdone fountain in the middle, and a remarkable lack of defensive installations. She supposed they relied on a large guard complement instead. And historically, the knowledge that any noble who tried to take Nerlia and stage a coup would be ganged up on by all the others. Or maybe her standards were just too high.
Stolen story; please report.
Thor circled overhead twice to give them plenty of warning, while Max already sent a few of the other drones to the ground. Security reasons, presumably. She wasn’t going to contradict him, Regina would rather avoid another assassination attempt in a new place. Besides, she was planning to make an entrance, as much as she could when traveling as lightly as they were.
Accordingly, Thor set down directly in front of the main doors, arcing his wings to show off a little. Regina gave it a moment and then slid down as gracefully as she could as he half-crouched forward dipping one side. Luckily, she had a bit of practice. As Thor straightened up behind her, she turned and calmly stepped forward.
The Nerlians had organized a welcoming committee, of course, which she’d noticed scramble to line up as they set down. She swept her gaze over them, taking in names and Classes from the System and matching some to the briefings she’d had. Her attention was caught by one familiar face; Prince Raymond had been chosen to greet her personally.
“Your Imperial Majesty,” he greeted her with a deep bow, mirrored by the rest of the group. “Welcome to Nerlia. We are honored to receive you. I hope your stay will be productive and enjoyable.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. “ It is good to see you again, my prince, and I am sure it will be.”
He straightened up fully and gestured at the door. “May I escort you inside?” She noticed he didn’t actually make any effort to offer his arm, though.
Regina kept smiling and agreed. She would have expected introductions to a few of these people, but she wasn’t entirely sure of the finer details of their etiquette and she didn’t fancy standing around outside, anyway.
Raymond led her and the few drones with her into a parlor where refreshments were prepared, and Regina gratefully took a glass of juice. Now was apparently the time for introductions, and she paid attention as Raymond introduced some important court officials from Nerlia, as well as a few more distant members of the royal family.
“You know my son Max, of course,” she said in turn during a brief pause, gesturing at where Max was stepping up to her side.
“The Empress’ firstborn, of course,” the prince murmured, bowing politely. “A pleasure to be able to host you as well, Milord.”
“The pleasure is mine, Your Highness,” Max answered, bowing back. Regina noted he made sure to keep the angle roughly the same as Raymond’s.
Regina didn’t comment, but continued with the introductions, and the prince politely greeted each of the other drones in turn. The gathered courtiers echoed their greetings.
She thought it was over, before there was a bit of movement in the loose crowd as someone stepped forward and the rest subtly backed out of the way. A middle-aged woman, looking maybe forty, approached them. She had the same hazel eyes as Raymond and wore a richly embroidered gown. To her embarrassment, it took Regina a moment after reading her name in the System notification to place her.
Rosalie Harlon. The former queen of Cernlia.
“Allow me to introduce my aunt, Her Highness the Princess Rosalie of Nerlia,” Raymond said. If he felt any tension over this meeting because of the awkward situation regarding Cernlia’s royal family, he managed not to show it, although she could sense his focus intensifying a little. “I do not believe you have met?”
“I have indeed not had the pleasure, but I am very pleased to meet you now, Your Highness,” Regina murmured, inclining her head.
They were probably leaving off her royal title of Dowager Queen of Cernlia for her sake. If Regina recalled correctly, under normal circumstances she should still be entitled to the address ‘Your Majesty’ for it. Of course, Regina had kind of financed an insurrection against her late husband and then fought them to support it, and the actual status of the late king in Cernlia was still a bit ambiguous.
The former queen curtseyed deeply. “It is entirely my honor to meet Your Imperial Majesty,” she said, her tone even and courteous and not giving anything away. Her mind echoed it. Clearly, this woman was experienced at the political game.
She probably hates me, and it wouldn’t exactly be unjustified, she’s just not showing it. Regina honestly felt a little bad for her, but she couldn’t let that influence her decisions. Still, she hadn’t come here to tighten the proverbial iron fist, either.
She smiled through the introductions of the rest, making sure to keep her body language relaxed and project confident assurance without verging into condescension, or appearing too threatening. Still, the way a few of the people here stared just a little too long at her hands or her face showed that they still weren’t as used to Hivekind as they would be in Cernlia. Regina was relatively simply dressed, in contrast to most women here, because of the travel, but she wasn’t going to feel self-conscious about her trousers and blouse, either. At least she’d added a necklace and a few rings.
Finally, refreshments were finished and Raymond started to escort her out of the room to meet the king. Regina was looking forward to it. She still hadn’t met him in person, yet. Her initial vague idea of treating — or checking out — his illness hadn’t panned out. Supposedly, King Roger’s health had improved and there was no need to trouble Her Imperial Majesty with examining him personally, thank you. Their first meeting would probably mostly be an exchange of polite formalities, though. It was the following interactions during her stay here in Nerlia that would be interesting.
They were still accompanied by a few others, including a quiet Rosalie. Regina glanced at her, then noted the rest of the entourage, all high-ranking people.
It seems like a bigger court than in Cernlia, although I don’t think that’s exactly accurate, she privately commented to Max.
Their royal family is certainly bigger, he responded, and she could sense his focus passing over some of the second cousins following Raymond. I suppose it has some advantages for them.
Bigger than Cernlia’s and definitely bigger than the Empire’s, Regina agreed.
That’s not hard, Max responded playfully, but then she could sense his focus sharpening a bit. Is something the matter, Mother? They seem harmless enough. Except for the prince and queen, obviously. I wouldn’t leave you alone with any of them on principle.
No. Regina answered, following their escort down a turn in the hallway, then sighed internally. I have been thinking about expanding the Imperial royal family. It’s been suggested to increase our diplomatic and representative ability.
And we all know that’s the most important goal, Max said drily, but before he could continue, his focus shifted as they reached their destination.
Regina pulled in her attention from the psychic link and instead turned it to the people they were coming to meet. They were being led through a side door to the throne room, avoiding having to walk down the entire aisle, and it looked relatively sparsely filled for how many people the large hall could fit. It was lightly decorated with large windows set with colored glass letting light play through the space.
King Roger rose from his throne and stepped down the two stairs to greet her as they arrived. He was an old-looking man, although Regina knew he couldn’t be that old, especially given his level; he was only in his sixties from her information, but clearly weathered. His illnesses hadn’t entirely been fabrications. Beside the throne, his daughter watched.
Roger Harlon - Level 63 Noble Arcanist
“Empress Regina, welcome to Nerlia. We are honored to receive you,” he echoed his son, bowing lightly. “Pray forgive I do not kneel to Your Imperial Majesty, my old knees aren’t what they used to be.”
Regina half-bowed back, a bit shallower as appropriate to their rank. “King Roger. Thank you for the welcome. Of course I know I can be sure of your allegiance without such gestures, Your Majesty.”
They went on, exchanging a few more courtly pleasantries. He expressed his wish that her travel had been pleasant and assured her that they had arranged appropriate accommodations for her and her retinue.
At the same time, she was focusing on what she could sense of them. Princess Adelaide was a bit anxious, which was easily apparent, since her mental shields weren’t quite as good. Roger’s were better, she supposed, but they also had a harder task. She probably wouldn’t have been able to pick up fleeting shifts in his mood and had very little idea what he was actually thinking, but his mind screamed one thing loudly enough she got it anyway — distaste. He hated having to greet and humble himself before her. He hated being subject to her at all.
Well, at least that’s not coming as much of a surprise, Regina thought, suppressing any outward change in her expression, as their exchange came to an end.
His actions were what counted, here, and they showed that he had accepted their deal with little hesitation. She was backing the Nerlian crown against unruly or overly ambitious nobles. Said crown was in no position to rebel against her, and as much as he might privately dislike it, King Roger would not be stupid enough to try. It didn’t take looking at his well-shielded mind to tell that, although she was pretty sure it did confirm he wasn’t stupid or feeling murderous, at least.
Regina kept smiling as they were led away to their quarters to rest after their travel, instead focusing her senses on the younger generation. Those who would matter going forward.