Ray

“Tomorrow we will arrive at Poorman’s Harbor. This will be many of you all’s first time in a different village. You need to be on your best behavior.” Ray said to the group.

They had stopped for the night about twenty miles from the harbor. Everyone sat around a fire eating slabs of meat from a deer Akota was able to kill.

“I will be splitting you up into teams and giving you a job to do while we are here. Kimberly will be meeting up with Team One which comprises her, Kono, Simpy, and Jackson. Demitri, Jacie, Akota, and Yugi will make up Team Two. Sasha, Theo, Dayton and Myself will make up Team Three. Any Questions?” Ray said.

“Sir, I understand Kono is the leader of Team One and it would make sense for you to be leader of Team Three, but what of our group?” asked Yugi

“Who do y'all want to be the leader?” Ray asked, looking at each of them.

“I think Dimitri should lead.” Jacie said.

“Yeah! He is the oldest!” Akota agreed

“Do either of you have an objection to this?” Ray asked, looking between Demitri and Yugi.

“No sir," they both said.

“Awesome! Moving on. Team Three will go into the village with Kimberly to meet up with team One. I need to meet with Reese and Sir Scuttlefly and figure out a plan. Team Two will help Mr. Scully unload the supplies and then head out. I want you to find that barrier for this area. The locals call it the Pillar of Saltman. You need to find it, send word and wait until Team 1 gets there. At that point Team One and Team Two will Secure and defend it. Understood?” Ray explained

They all nodded.

“Cool, who wants to play a round of mana ball before we hit the hay? Ray asked. The younglings got excited and quickly cleaned everything up and ran out to the clearing.

Collin

“Silence in the Court!” a skinny pointed nose herald, ironically named Herald yelled out to everyone in the room. Collin positioned to the right in a small standing podium that faced the Court. A larger golden throne was positioned at the top of the three level platform with smaller golden chairs next to it in a semi circle fashion. To Collin’s left was another smaller podium like his where Wristbane Montigue, Vice Duke of Manchester stood addressing the court of his grievances of how Ray’s occupancy of the region should be forcefully taken and given to the Duke as he is the one in line to be Baron of Region XI. Wristband Montague was a medium build, Mid thirties aristocrat with multigenerational wealth. His parents left him the entire city of Manchester and all its marble walls and tall peeks. His Father, who was the thirteenth Son of the King. Well Sort of. He was in fact the grandson of King Liam, But King Liam was known to get around in his youth and had over twenty Mistresses, five Wives, and over a hundred concubines. Many of them had children. Not all of them are still alive today and none of them were the King’s True Queen. The only woman to ever hold the title, Queen of Gridarnia, was Elizabeth Dristlewood from Region III. She passed away many years ago along with Collin’s birth mother, Katrina II. Elizabeth had a total of five daughters and one son. All of them were now long passed as the King outlived all of them.

“Your Majesty, this injustice has gone on for far too long. They are now conquering other parts of my region. This needs to be stopped and they need to transfer everything over to me and the Duke. It is our right. It was bestowed to us and it has been our charge since the very beginning of our Kingdom.” Wristband pleaded with the King’s assistant.

“And what have you done to protect and care for your people here in Region XI? Where were you three years ago when our entire village was being put through utter misery at the hands of Demonic Dark Mages. Where was the assistance? We called for you. We begged you to assist our village of three thousand residents. I came to you Wristbane. I asked for your help and you turned me away. Do you remember that? I sure as hell do. I also remember fighting. Our Lord Ray fought back. Our villagers fought back. How many souls would have been spared if you had come to our aid. When we got to work rebuilding the village, Did you come and assist us then? Did you offer any aid to our starving people? NO! You hid behind your walls. Behind your money and servants. We do not treat our people as servants in the Goldenleaf Village. We all worked hard these last three years to rebuild. Ray and I established trading routes with Preceed Manor over in Region X. We set up schools to ensure that our younglings have the best possible chance to survive the compounds when they leave at age eleven. Schools I might add that your younglings attend. Ray not only defeated the Goblin King but conquered the mines and the Boar Canyon. We are currently in the process of building a rail system to the Poorman's Harbor where we can manage exports and imports with other areas using the damn sea. Where have you been during all of this Wristbane? Where has your help been? You are lazy and selfish and don’t give a damn about your people. Do you not know that nearly eight hundred of your citizens upped and left your kingdom last year to come live with us? Collin asked showing his anger and frustration with just how ridiculous this was.

“How dare you speak to me like that. You are just a Vice Lord of a small village. You do not have the authority to speak to me like that” Wristbane retorted. “ I am marked, I am an heir. I should be in charge of the entire region so that I one day will rule this kingdom and you are nothing.” Wristbane held up his hand showing the King’s brand on his lower palm. A sign that you were to be a potential Heir.

Collin unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. There was a gasp from the court as everyone noticed that he also had the same brand but above the breast on his right side. Wristbane had the #13 in the middle of his. Collin had a #2.

“I have just as much right if not more you asshole, but unlike you I do not care about the throne. I am here to assist Lord Ray as we expand and take control of Region XI. There, we will continue to protect and serve its people and the King. We already have two areas in our control with one more on the way within the next week. What do you have?” Collin yelled back.

“How is this possible? Who is he? Wristbane directed his attention to Draconis Archborn, the king's assistant who was preceding over the case.

“Collin is the first born son of My Lord, King Liam's First daughter Katrina II. This was just recently found out no more than three years ago so news has not had much time to spread around I see” Draconis answered.

“I heard rumors about this but i never thought it was actually true. It can’t be him. He is not of high class. His father was a lord of that blasted village but he was nothing.” Wristbane said. “Also, why is Ray not here? The summons clearly stated for him to be here for punishment?”

“Ray was attacked the night we received the summons. He was not in any condition to travel here. It made much more sense for me to come and handle this while he recovers before heading south to the coast. Besides, where is your Duke of Manchester? Wouldn’t he need to be here if Ray also needed to be here?” Collin asked

“The Great Duke Arthur Baldric Aramis, is currently on his way back from the frontlines. He has been graciously fighting for our safety against those demonic forces, holding the line.” The Vice Duke stated “If your Lord was of any decency he would have been out there too.”

“Lord Ray and I have already served our time. We fought in the last war with the Regelian Empire unlike you who have never known a backyard scrape much less a battlefield.” Collin yelled back. “We decided our place was with the village teaching the younglings, especially after finding out just how many of them seem to keep dying.”

“I have been trained and tutored by the best fighters and magic users that money can buy. I have won countless tournaments. You would not last a minute if we were to fight peasant.” Wristbane boasted.

“Name a time and place asshole. I’d be happy to prove you wrong” Collin stated.

“Draconis, what is the Kingdom’s decision on this? Will you give me my land.” Wristbane demanded

“Is there a way for us to settle this so we can move on? Lord Ray is currently in Poorman’s Harbor about to fight some sea monster and the only one taking care of our village right now is our Elder’s and the guilds. I am needed back home.” Collin asked the court.

“A sea monster?” King Liam asked, causing everyone to go quiet. It was rare that the King talked during open court. He mainly just sat and watched the show.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“Yes, your highness. There is a large sea monster patrolling the coast. If the reports are correct, it has sunken many ships trying to leave and enter the harbor. Ray and his team went there to try to resolve this.

“Interesting.” The King said

“How much land do you have in your control Vice Duke Wristbane?” Draconis asked.

“The Duke and Myself currently hold the areas of Manchester, The cotton fields to the south, and lake Simpson. All in all we control twenty-five percent” Wristbane answered.

“And you?” Draconis asked Collin

“Lord Ray and I control the areas surrounding the Goldenleaf Village and the Boar Canyons. Total of thirty-two percent” Collin stated.

“So about even, now am I correct in assuming that one of you has control over a battle zone?” Draconis asked

“A what?” Collin asked.

“A battle zone. Each Region of this kingdom has an area designated as a battle zone. It is where fights and wagers and other such local conflicts are addressed.” Draconis answered.

“I have the battle zone for our region, It is in the middle of Simpson lake on a piece of land we refer to as Battle Island.” Wristbane boasted.

“Wonderful, this is what we will do. Vice Duke Wristbane and the Duke of Manchester will fight Lord Ray and Vice Lord Collin. The loser gives up his control of the land to the other. We shall hold it in three months from today. Until then, neither of you are to speak to each other, you are not to harm each other, you are not to attempt to gain control of any other land of Region XI. Is that understood?”

“But sir, this is all rightfully supposed to be mine. They should never have been able to gain control from the start.” Wristbane protested.

“Vice Duke Wristbane, do you even have control over the Great Magifex?” Draconis asked.

“What do you mean? What is that?” Wristbane asked confused

“Sir, do you mean the Lord System?” Collin asked.

“Does this Lord System grant you the ability to see and control and direct magic in your area, Vice Lord Collin?” Draconis asked.

“Yes sir. It was part of the contract Ray signed when he became Lord. When we signed it, It gave us the ability to do many things. It assisted us in battling the Goblins and rebuilding our village.” Collin answered

“Ah, Yes! You are a controller of the Great Magifex. Wonderful Wonderful.” Draconis answered. “Do you have the same abilities, Vice Duke?”

“The Duke does but it is limited. It was only ever able to give us information and maps and other useless things about our city. Never power like what you described.” The Vice Duke Responded

“That would be because Manchester as you know houses the great library whereas the Goldenleaf Village was more of a fortress. It holds armor and weapons and was designed to be able to cut off the Kingdom from any would-be invaders coming from the south.” Draconis answered.

“Now, on to your original question. Although the practice for the last many years has been for the designated Duke of each region to have the land. There are deep magical laws in place that would grant an exception to the current precedent. In the past, before our King Liam was in power, back when the land was wild and ravaged by beasts and Dungeons filled with many monstrosities. Back when the first king was creating our most wonderful Kingdom, the original Lords did not just obtain control of their region. They fought for it. They campaigned and won over the land. They earned the right to become, in Region Xi’s case, The Baron of Region XI.”

“Collin, Will you show us if you are able to use the power?” King Liam asked.

“Sir I do not believe I am able to, from outside region XI” Collin answered.

King Liam pulled up what appeared to be his own system screen and began issuing various commands to it. A window popped up in front of Collin asking him to accept. Collin hesitated but decided to move forward. He pressed accept and felt a sudden rush of power wash over him.

“Now Collin, Please try to bring up your system window so we can see.” Liam stated.

Collin thought about what he should do. He decided to show the court the Map of Region Xi and the areas that were in control. This would help in further negotiations hopefully.

“System, open map of Gridarnia Region XI, Magnify scale and allow permission for everyone to see” Collin stated.

A window popped up in front of Collin providing him a control panel to work from. A translucent map formed above the head allowing all to see. It had the sections of land and the different borders shown. It even showed the areas that were under control by the Duke of Manchester. The areas not in control were grayed out.

“This is incredible, So much detail.” Wristbane gasped. “Sir you must give this to me.”

“You will follow the rules that have been given to you as I have stated Wristbane.” Draconis said glaring at Wristbane who took a step back.

“Sir, at this time, Ray is currently in Poorman’s Harbor. It does not look like he has gained control, but he is currently trying to activate the Pillar of Saltman. If you look here, you can see where they have placed temporary markers along the route to the coast. These markers grant us the ability to at least see on the map what is in the area. When Lord Ray is successful, he will have increased our control to forty-seven percent.” Collin stated.

There was a series of murmurs and whispers from the crowd. Eight of the twelve regions in the kingdom had more than forty-five percent control. Six of those eight had one hundred percent control. They were regions II,III,V,VI,VI and VIII.. Regions IV and VII were currently at seventy-three percent and fifty-five percent respectfully. Regions IX and X were around fifteen percent and twenty-five percent respectfully and Regions I and XII were completely abandoned with zero percent. The Arkadian Desert with its massive worms and extreme temperature made it impossible for anyone to locate all of the beacons and take any sort of control. There evidently was major civil war and multiple Lords fighting but no one was even close to figuring it out.

Wanting to win the crowd over to his side, Collin issued a string of commands and a large screen came overhead. “System, show us Lord Ray. What is going on in the Harbor?”

The large screen went black for a second before coming to life and showing the entire room a view of Poorman’s Harbor. It was as if they were flying over the small village. It stopped at the edge of the sea and began circling around showing everyone the layout. The village was clearly in some sort of rush. People were loading up carts and evacuating the area trying to get further inland. There on the coast coming toward them was the large sea monster Bessy. Ships were going out to meet the beast. Cannon fire could be heard through the magical screen.

“System, where is Ray?” Collin asked.

The screen zoomed in on the Cliffs and showed Ray standing at the top. He was strapped into a glider and going through his last minute procedures. Mace sat there in his special compartment. The younglings were running back down the hill to a rock Pillar. That must be the beacon, Collin thought as he paneled away from it to look at Ray launch himself off of the cliff. There was a large explosion and Ray was lifted high into the air and blasted off towards Bessy before the screen flickered and went black.

“Vice Duke, do you have anything to add to the wager against their forty-seven percent?” Draconis asked

“They don’t even have it yet. Why would I wager more on a possibility? Lord Ray may die and at any rate this would all become mine by forfeit would it not.” Wristbane asked.

“Ray won’t fail,” Collin answered sharply. The room became very still at those words.

“Wristbane, Do you have anything to wager in the event that Lord Ray does obtain the forty-seven percent?” Draconis asked. His annoyance was starting to show.

The Vice Duke was silent for a bit. He then called for one of his servants to come near and they began whispering together. There was some sort of confirmation and then he redirected his attention to the court.

“Sir Draconis, we do have something we can add. We have the Key to the beacon for the Draconian Desert portion. Although we have not found the beacon yet as it is impossible to cross that damn dessert, We do have the key. I would also wager the complete control of Manchester and its Library, but only if they agree to give up the Magifex ability to us completely. If we win, which we will, Lord Ray and Vice Lord Collin and their families will be kicked out of the region. I think that will make things fair.” Wristbane said

“So you are saying that the winner will obtain everything and the loser and their family will be kicked out of the region?” Collin asked quickly, hoping Wristbane wouldn't notice the spin.

“ Yes!, I mean...”

“It is settled!” Draconis answered loudly, cutting the Vice Duke off before he could protest anymore.

Draconis began scribbling on a tablet he had pulled out from under the podium. Once he finished, he pulled up the system and shoved it inside where it disappeared. Magical chains shot out of thin air and wrapped themselves around Collin and Wristbane’s right forearm. The chains squeezed and shrank smaller and smaller as they burned themselves into the skin. Collin gritted his teeth and took the pain. He was not about to let it show that he was unable to handle this. The wagering chains were a rare but not unheard of method for settling issues in the Kingdom. Once the chains were formed on the two persons, they were bound to act according to the rules presented until the appointed time and place where they would fight. They would only remove themselves at the defeat of the other, which in most cases was death. The Vice Duke began shrieking and crying out for his servants to come and heal him. A few ran over and began creating water orbs to cool the chains as they seeped into the skin. Their chains were finally absorbed into their skin. It left a reddish Tattoo on Collin. The pain lasted a bit longer but slowly subsided to the level of an ache similar to a really bad sunburn. Collin looked over at Wristbane and saw that his tattoo was of similar shape and design but had turned a navy blue.

“There. This appears to be settled. We shall see you all at Battle Island in three months. Court Dismissed. Everyone began clearing the room.

“Vice Lord Collin, please stay for a moment. ” Draconis announced. All left but Collin, the king and Draconis.