Kathyln POV
I sat alone in the main conference area we had constructed here at Etistin Bay. A sideways glance showed me the window that displayed the outside world. The skies were overcast with dark grey clouds slowly moving in as the seas that reflected that dull sky showcased a greyish black color.
Word had already reached everyone here that Grey had arrived unannounced. From what I had heard he was just at the Wall a couple of hours ago. What matter of business he would have here, I had no idea.
We have constructed and fortified Etistin as Grey had instructed, preparing for the fleet of Alacryan vessels that would soon make landfall. Lance Bairon had already informed me that he was escorting Grey and his guards along with the noble officials positioned here.
There was still a clear animosity between the higher nobles and our newly crowned king. Perhaps Grey had come here for just that reason. Grey seemed to deem Etistin City an important enough asset to pour his resources into, and having a bunch of unruly nobles in charge wouldn’t be a comforting feeling.
As well as the Lances, many of them still held disdain for Grey. Who they merely viewed as an usurper.
“Why the long face, dear sister?” Curtis said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. Turning my head to look up at him I could plainly see that he had grown. He had let his mahogany hair that resembled our father’s to grow out, while his facial features became more defined and sharper.
While he was still working as an assistant instructor at the Lanceler Academy he made frequent visits to my post here. No doubt for concern for my well-being. I could quite tell if I should be touched or annoyed by his actions. While I understand his care for me as his sister, I am still a high tier yellow core mage. But I was still handled like a brittle flower.
“What do you think our lives would have been like if this war didn’t happen?” I asked mindlessly with a small sigh.
“What a sudden question.” Curtis replied as he placed his hand on his chin in thought.
I didn’t necessarily need a reply. At least my fate was clear as to what would have happened. I would have liked to have continued my magic training but I would have been most likely married off to a noble family or any of the other royal families. While my brother would continue to be trained and groomed to be the next King of Sapin.
“You know, I also contemplate such thoughts.” Curtis spoke.
“That’s quite a big word for you.” I pointed out as Curtis mocked a surprised gasp.
“Hey, at least give me some credit. I ain’t a complete idiot.” Curtis shot back, seemingly content with lightening my mood a bit.
‘Says the prince who is planning on overthrowing Grey.’ I mused in my mind. Ever since he had taken me to that secret meeting I was dragged along by him on multiple occasions. And while the actual identities of those conspirators weren’t revealed to me yet from the way they spoke they seemed to be people from the upper echelons of society. With many of them hoping to leverage their wealth and power to unseat our new king.
While some of them wanted to use Grey for their own purposes, and even viewed him as a potential political ally to elevate their own position after the war was over. It was always schemes within schemes with any dealings with royal families and nobles.
My mother had taught me well on such subjects. A hand that gives a gift, could also quickly turn to bury a knife in your back.
Still, it was a maddening thought. It was only a couple of years ago when the Lances were seen as untouchable. And now a mysterious man comes along and trounces all over them as if he was dealing with children. I have seen Grey when he still went by the name of Arthur, and even then he was no ordinary mage.
Putting aside the unique mana arts which I have never seen, the air he exuded was that of an experienced killer who was confident in his own abilities. We should be considered lucky that he hasn’t already slaughtered any of the remaining royal families to properly secure his place upon the throne.
The door of the meeting area swung open as I quickly rose from my seat as Curtis joined me by my side. We both stood at attention as Lance Bairon was the first to enter. His face was twisted into an unfriendly grimace that lightened only slightly when he saw us. He gave us a small curt nod as he walked to the large central round table. Just behind him a string of generals, captains, and nobles filed in. All of them showed a variety of emotions ranging from discomfort and uneasiness, while some seemed almost ecstatic.
And lastly Grey entered. Dressed in simple clothes that were of no doubt high quality but you wouldn’t be able to tell unless close up. A white button up shirt with matching black pants, a loose jacket of deep navy hung around his shoulders and danced in the air like a flowing cape.
He seemed to have grown taller since the last time I had personally met him. Being at the same eye-level as Bairon now he was an imposing figure even without taking his status into account. His piercing blonde eyes made a clean sweep of the room as he entered, and as his gaze passed by me I felt a cold shudder travel up my spine as our eyes briefly met.
There were rumors, mostly from the cult that was slowly forming around Grey, that he possessed the ability to peer into the future. That he was truly able to see multiple places across multiple times, that he was all-seeing. If so then the conspiracy my brother and I were a part of was no secret to him. I could feel my throat tightening as sweat ran down my back. Channel a tiny bit of mana I tried to cool myself as I tried to keep my mind away from such ideas.
They were only words of a cult after all. And if Grey truly saw all then I doubt I would even be here let alone still alive.
By his side was a young girl, appearing no older than ten. She was a mirror of Grey’s features, the same eyes of molten gold, pale wheat-colored hair, and milk-like skin. If it weren’t for the set of horns that grew from her head and curved downwards I would have mistaken her for a relative of his.
However the aura of intimidation as well as a look of unknowable wisdom within her eyes, to the way she conducted herself I wondered if she was the dragon bond Grey had. Being a part of the asuran race I had heard dragons, as well as all of the asuras could have multiple forms so perhaps she was no different.
As Grey and the little girl entered they were closely followed by a wolf seemingly made of purple flames and shadows, who also possessed a set of onyx horns. The way the fire of his mane seemed to dance was almost hypnotizing.
Lastly two fully armored men entered the room. Each of them was at least eight feet tall donning an armor of jet-black and brilliant gold. Despite what their looks suggested I felt as if my eyes wanted to gild right past then as if they weren’t even there. From how they appeared and how they were scanning the room as if looking out for threats they seemed to be Grey’s personal guards.
Why a person such as Grey would even need guards and if so, just what kind of threat was he preparing for I didn’t bother wondering about. But if these two warriors were Grey’s bodyguards then they would at least be a match for white core mages judging by how I couldn’t even detect their mana signature.
The two guards closed the door and stood by them. Each of them with a massive halberd in their hands as they didn’t move. Actually seeing them like that just made them look like motionless statues.
And soon enough everyone found their seat. With Grey at the far end sitting in the middle with the little girl and shadow wolf sitting at his side.
Grey cleared his throat as he began to speak. “Now, I am sure you are all wondering why I am here.”
The others at the table stayed silent, while some of them nodded slightly to answer. Grey seemed slightly disappointed that these people who were supposedly working for him feared him so much as to not be able to vocally answer. When Lance Bairon raised his hand.
“Yes, Bairon?” Grey beckoned, as a school teacher would to a student who was raising their hand in class.
“I don’t believe a pet and a little girl should be present in such a meeting.” Lance Bairon said, pointing an accusing finger at the pair of them.
Grey’s face didn’t change but his tone and aura did. The air in the room seemed to grow heavy as Grey’s voice was ever so slightly altered by mana to show his displeasure at Lance Bairon’s words.
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“This wolf is a living weapon that could level an entire city in a matter of minutes. And this little girl here.” Grey said as he placed a hand on the girl’s shoulders.
“She is my bond I deem as my own flesh and blood, who also just happened to be a dragon. So if you have any complaints please take it up with her personally.” Grey said, giving a small smile to the Lance.
Lance Bairon looked down at the little girl. And the girl looked back up at him as she spoke.
“Unless you have a death wish I warn you to not look at me as a helpless little girl.” Her words were in the voice of a little girl, but the force of each of them hit like a hammer as her skin began to glow gold.
“You should learn some manners before you get killed.” This time the wolf spoke, as his form began to expand and the fire of his mane grew to cast the entire room in a glow of purple and pink.
The dragon and wolf stared down at the Lance as Bairon was visibly sweating from the pressure the trio was exerting. Everyone in the room could feel it, the only reason why some of them didn’t bolt for the door out of fear or pass out was because all that bloodlust and intent wasn’t focused on them.
The air within the meeting room was tense as silence continued for a few more agonizingly long seconds. Until Grey finally spoke again.
“Manners can be taught, fortunately. Let us not waste any more time.” At his words both the dragon and wolf let go of their aggression towards Bairon and turned their attention to the rest of the gathering.
Grey gave the others a couple more seconds to gain their bearings before continuing. “We have been closely tracking the Alacryan fleet and they are projected to make landfall within the coming weeks.”
At this announcement several of the generals and nobles broke into conversation amongst each other. Arguments on how to deal with the oncoming threat or complaining about how little time they had left. All of which were silenced as Grey raised his own hand.
“However it should be known that these vessels only contain prisoners of war. Most likely as a distraction from the true threat.”
“Prisoners of war?” Bairon asked in an annoyed tone which earned him a sharp glance from the dragon girl.
“While Agrona reigns over Alacryan as its supreme leader the continent is actually split up into multiple domains, each ruled by a different sovereign. With all the sovereigns reporting to Agrona who in turn is the High Sovereign.
While Alacrya is still a singular entity at the end of the day each domain and sovereign have slightly different goals and temperaments. And they each vie power which sometimes leads to warfare between the domains.” Grey explained.
“And you know all of this how?” Bairon asked, not trying to mask the suspicion he clearly had on how Grey knew of such things.
Grey smiled at the Lance, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “This is war, Bairon. Knowledge of the enemy is key.”
“And what of the true threat that you speak of?” One of the braver generals raised his voice.
Grey disengaged from his confrontation with Bairon to answer the question.
“Agrona intends to tire our forces here by sending these prisoners as the initial wave. And after that a clean up crew will make short work of our depleted defenses. Most likely a Scythe and/or a Retainer.”
The title of the highest threat of the Alacryans sent a chill down everyone’s spine. While I’ve never actually seen one, the way the Alacryan soldiers spoke of them was scary enough. And from what I have heard from my parents Lance Varay was actually capable of killing a Retainer, but the fight seemed to have been a struggle. If a Retainer could match a Lance then I could only imagine what a Scythe could be capable of.
“Well your majesty, what do you propose?” The general asked again, this time with his voice shaking.
“Worry not. I do not intend to lose Etistin Bay after all the resources I have poured into this place. You’ll be given my more accomplished aides for the upcoming battle. If you’d allow, I would like to have one of my own to take over leadership duties here.”
“Ye- Yes of course, your majesty.” The general quickly stammered, which only seemed to further enrage the Lance. The general was overstepping his boundaries as a mere general in front of a Lance but I couldn’t exactly blame him in this situation.
“Good, my men will reach out soon. As for the other matter at hand. I would like to invite some of you to attend a little celebration at the Dicathen Castle if you wouldn’t mind?” Grey said in a more light tone.
“A celebration at such a time?” Bairon scoffed.
“It may seem insensitive but public morale is still an important factor Bairon.” Grey replied.
“Of course if you truly dislike such an idea I’ll take your disapproval into consideration and perhaps even cancel the event if you’d like.” Grey proposed.
Quite an unusual thing for a king to do. Trying to take into consideration the opinion of his subjects. Or perhaps he already knew the answer and was only doing so to project a more positive image to his war generals.
When Grey was only met with silence he smiled once more. “A celebration it is then. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it won’t take too much time.” Grey said as he looked back at Bairon who only replied with a scowl.
Arthur POV
The door closed behind me as I left the meeting room with my entourage in tow. It went off as I had expected. Bairon still absolutely hated my guts, I didn’t even need prescient powers to see that he was slowly working at a way to overthrow me.
‘Subtlety was never a Wyke family’s strong suit.’ Regis reminded me as he trotted along.
‘Still, if he keeps acting like that he is just asking for it.’ Sylvie added. While she was still young she still knew your importance and position.
‘Anyways, where to next?’ Regis asked as he hopped back into my core.
‘I was thinking we make a short detour to-’
A door slamming open interrupted my thoughts. Turning my head to look back. I saw Bairon at the far end of the hallway. Choosing to ignore him I turned to continue walking when Bairon called out.
“Arthur Leywin!” As he said my vessel’s birth name I stopped dead in my tracks. It was only a matter of time before my past name was revealed, I was the assistant director after all. But to think that Bairon had the balls to use it now of all places.
‘Fine, if that is how you want to play then I will oblige.’
Aether thrummed from within my core as I unleashed my intent. The bricks of the walls and floor began to tremble from the sheer pressure I was exerting upon this world. I slowly turned to face Bairon as his usual scowl was replaced by one of shock.
I slowly made my way to the Lance, each of my steps cracking the floor as I touched the ground. If Bairon knew my real name then it wouldn’t take much to find the rest of the Leywins. And while I did cut ties with them if anyone were to harm them.
Soon I stood eye to eye with Bairon. From his expression I could tell he was realizing the mistake he had made. From this distance I had to applaud Bairon for not collapsing. Nearby windows shattered into tiny pieces of glass as the entire building shook as if an earthquake was ripping through the earth below.
I could feel the very time and space around me distorting as the aether reacted to my emotions. I could so easily erase Bairon from existence right here right now if I deemed it worthy. Heck, I could probably rip a sizable whole within the fabric of reality here to delete both Dicathen and Alacrya.
No, that would put a wrench into my plans. For now I will have to put this unruly Lance back into his place.
I placed a firm hand on Bairon’s shoulder. Reaching out for the earth-type mana I condensed it until it had the desired effect. Bairon’s entire body shook violently as he tried to fight the increased gravity only to fall to his knees. The stone floor beneath him began to crack as I drove him down.
I kept increasing the intensity. The entire building was violently shaking now, as if it would come down at any moment. From Bairon’s nose blood streamed down as he struggled to stay conscious. Eventually his knees gave in and he fell onto his stomach. The rest of the meeting’s attendants eventually came out to see what was happening. Only for them to see a Lance at my feet struggling for his life.
Oh how easy it would be to just kill him now. So that he posed no problems for me in future. I didn’t have any need for a Lance anyway. They all swore their lives to their respective royal families, not to me. In fact, why didn’t I just deal with the royal families when I can?
My eyes darted up to see both Curtis and Kathyln. I could deal with the two heirs right here in one swoop. After that their father who I never liked anyway. It would be an easy way to secure the throne after all. Any well-respecting person would do so to gain the throne.
It was only when Bairon was shouting in pain that I snapped back to my senses. I shook my head slightly as I let go of the gravity spell holding Bairon on the ground.
‘What the hell was that?’ Regis asked.
‘I don’t know.’ I lied as I locked away my thoughts from my two bonds. It would seem that King’s Gambit, or perhaps even aether in general didn’t mix very well with the Grey persona. Or maybe it mixed too well.
Still, I had to put Bairon in his place. Bairon was on the floor struggling to get back up when I pushed him back down with my foot.
He tried to regain his footing but only coughed up blood as a result. Leaning down, I spoke directly to him.
“You think I’m not keeping a close eye on you, Lances? Don’t think you are the powerful white core mages you once thought of yourself as. And I will have you all publicly slaughtered if you act against me. Got it?” I threatened.
But Bairon gave no reply.
+GOT IT?+
I projected my voice directly into the minds of everyone present.
Bairon finally seemed to relent for now as he croaked his reply. “Yes.”
“Good.” I said as I lifted my feet off of the Lance. “And for your information you wouldn’t even have gotten a foot into their door before you were killed.” I said to Bairon.
While I have removed myself from my vessel’s family it didn’t mean they had to suffer from my actions. I had already placed 24/7 guards keeping watch of the Leywin family, Helstea family, as well as the Twin Horns.
“Now, go clean yourself up. I am still expecting you at the celebration, Lance Bairon.”