《Lord of Starlight》 Pilot - A Night to Remember Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle: Arrays of light of every shape and shade coloured the evening sky. The Kingdom-city of Meraedas was showered in a light show befitting the event. Carriage after high-class carriage funnelled into the main castle courtyard, towards the royal Gala. Specialised mages used their spells not to destroy but to inspire, as ascending balls of magic exploded into dazzling colours and shapes, from the basic, flowery explosion to complex insignias of the many royals joining the city today. The common folk enjoyed the night in their own festive way, with street vendors of every flavour, magical gimmicks and song and dance, flooding the streets to story the day when the three realms joined hands in unity. For the royalty who would bask in the glamour of luxury, they stifled their emotions. Tails twitched, beards were stroked, horns were nervously fiddled with. Many promised themselves they would not be distracted from their objectives, mentally reciting speeches as they exited their carriages with grace befitting them. The guests of the main event were greeted by a grand castle of expertly polished marble brown stone, whose entrance was upheld with towering pillars depicting the proud history of the land. The castle was a monument in and of-itself, reaching high into the sky and the heavens. The sturdy walls guarded the city''s edge stoically, reinforced over the years from battle, fortune and time, reaching far towards the distance, defending the hundreds of thousands within. The once meagre fortress had become a true citadel, a bastion of safety to whom the poor and the rich would live and prosper in trade, magic and safety. At the welcoming entrance to the castle, royal guards stood proudly as the appointed herald announced each noble guest to the fanfare of trumpets, thrusting them into the overwhelming spectacle that decorated the royal hall. The odd jester here, a mage¡¯s spectacle there, and the overhanging gymnastics of various animal species who danced and flipped elegantly above them, there was naught on display that would bore, the lovely tunes of the most famous of bards singing and playing the night away. As the royal guests mingled, they shared the majesty of the very kingdoms they represented, whether practised or true. While many were to peacocking as fish were to water, the wise and desperate among them knew their royal titles were on the line. Through benign talk and the right question asked, they attempted to gauge the true strength of their allies for reasons they would rather keep to themselves. For all the glamour, all the entertainment, all the beautifully presented food, this was unmistakably social warfare, where the unprepared would be swallowed whole. Despite this, there was indeed a strange air of unity. While the event was always in the spirit of unity, the guests were making particular efforts this time around to mend old relations. Verbal deals were formed and round-about apologies were spoken to circumvent pride and honour as estranged kingdoms embraced the festivities together. The spirit of unity had dwindled from the event, decade after decade due to the stagnating need for the alliance. Now that there was a need, the alliances grew anew and the battlefield of royalty and words calmed to that of mutual peace. Something that had been absent for a very long time. In a small corner of the ballroom, a gathering of lizard-like beings cordially conversed. ¡°I must say, it has been a very long time since I enjoyed these Galas.¡± Spoke the Kobold. ¡°Too long have we dealt in petty squabbles, no more of that! Let us enjoy the festivities! Speaking of, isn¡¯t that Erobian fire-dancer from your court Lord Espart? She is a thing of beauty!¡± The Alligor being bellowed happily to the third member of their troupe, the dragon-kin Lord Espart, who took his fellow¡¯s musings in stride. ¡°Indeed. I realised it was a disservice to have her remain in our kingdoms court.¡± The dragon-kin bore a humble grin. ¡°And as much as I would like to muse upon my people¡¯s beauty, I believe there is a greater topic we should touch upon; the grand new realm that will be joining us this evening.¡± The royal Alligator and Kobold stood in surprise at their companion¡¯s brusque change in topic. ¡°My word! Such blunt conversation is unlike you.¡± ¡°Oh, my dear fellow. We have danced this royal dance a thousand times, and what has that gotten us other than the distance dividing us? Now is the time for unity and I will not soil it with half-hearted words.¡± This change in Lord Espart¡¯s demeanour surprised the two. Between them all, they knew he was the most charismatic among them, whose words always hid more than one meaning, shrouding the truth. A skill that had earned and kept him his royal titles. If this royal mirage of a man would stoop to honest conversation, should they not meet him in kind? The dragon-kin spoke again. ¡°I would like to know your thoughts on this kingdom of manaless miracles.¡± He offered his knowledge in hopes they too would partake in honest conversation. ¡°¡­so the rumours are true then. They truly are manaless?¡± ¡°I am surprised too! If their achievement in the defence of this city is true, then how could they be manaless?! Are they not Elves?!¡± ¡°They are not elves my friend, only elf-like.¡± ¡°How do you know?¡± ¡°A young noble of my people was part of the recent battle. He told me he thought they were elves too. But unlike them, they were without elven grace or guile. They were brutal, efficient, and deadly in the battle. Some bore armour that turned them into fortresses with legs.¡± ¡°Oh, so they were dwarves!¡± ¡°Not quite, they were still tall and agile, but the mana in the air neither quivered nor moved with their words. And their staves bore no semblance to the trees or the wild fauna. They knew only one spell, where their staves breathed fire and spat metal.¡± ¡°I heard they march with iron war wagons! I¡¯ve heard that they contain the rage of a thousand lightning strikes within them, and strike just as hard!¡± ¡°I think we have strayed from the path of constructive conversation¡­¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Many conversations just like this began around the hall, attempting to deduce the nature of the guest yet to arrive. ¡°They are simply disgraced elves taking revenge for their dishonour. Their short ears are proof enough!¡± ¡°Their soldiers drank one¡¯a mine under the table! I like ¡®em already!¡± ¡°The Can¡¯ar kingdom is the closest to them, if anyone would have knowledge, it would be them.¡± ¡°We must bring these distant elves back to our fold. Dishonoured or not, with their strength, we could only win. They will surely desire to come back to their people.¡± As the many conversations continued into the night, the trumpet fanfare blaring out again as the appointed royal herald announced a familiar face. ¡°Presenting! Lady Rastalk Tenyar Can¡¯ar, of the Kingdom of Can¡¯ar!¡± The Wolf-lady walked with powerful strides and momentum, the warrior towering over most of her fellow royalty. Her royal garb were symbolic to the military nature of their people. Strong, disciplined and fearsome. What pieces of mana-forged steel plating showed were used to exemplify function over form, the breastplate emblazoned with symbology. Boldly coloured cloths of red and white were embroidered with golden yellow thread, complementingthe outfits design. Though the brash nature of Can¡¯ar royalty often made them outcasts, it was a unique piece of cloth on the lady that gathered the most attention. A Heuke of plain design, without embroidery or outstanding colours, bore random splotches of various greens that almost mixed together, but with the same high-quality tether and mana-steel shoulder-pad affixing the shoulder-cape to the woman. Though most mused that the Can¡¯ar were finally becoming fashionable (albeit poorly) those with knowledge in textile dying knew this was something of importance. Displaying one¡¯s wealth at such an upper-class event always means a political move. And when the Can¡¯ar start making political moves, it means business. ¡°Prince Sorat! It is wonderful to see you again!¡± Began the wolf Lady as she strode towards the Avion representative with open arms. Theirmulti-coloured feathers and bird-like features made them stand out from the glamorous crowd, if their high-quality garments didn¡¯t already. The Can¡¯ar had few allies outside of their kingdom, but those they did were kept near and dear, for loyalty was the standard virtue among all Can¡¯ar warriors. ¡°Lady Rastalk, it is a pleasure to have you as always.¡± The avian returned the gesture with grace, though struggled to match the enthusiasm. The gesture was appreciated all the same. ¡°I do apologise for my tardiness, I¡¯m afraid I had business that required attention.¡± ¡°Nonsense, fashionably late as they say. And I must say, that is a very unique piece you have on you. That fabric is entirely one piece is it not?¡± ¡°As sharp as always, Prince Sorat! This piece is not the amalgamation of many cloths, but the multi-coloured dying of a single piece of the finest fabric.¡± Although changes in fashion is most common in high-society, to do so with such a time-consuming method of dying, with such dull colours, for a member of royalty known for their warfare, was a thought of insight that caused many nobles nearby to perk their ears up. Just as the Lady wanted. As the two waded their way through the ballroom, their benign talk caught some interest to the many others. The Can¡¯ar involved with the defence during the recent city siege, strange non-elves in green, iron wyverns crossing the skies at speeds unheard of. And a strange name that encompassed them: ¡®Humanity.¡¯ ¡°¡­I still find that all quite hard to believe. Not that I doubt your honesty.¡± ¡°I don''t blame you. But it is true, I swear on my honour.¡± ¡°Do you think they could be hostile to us? To the Union or us all?¡± ¡°If they are, then the Can¡¯ar have made history as honourable peacemakers. It¡¯s not a title I would have chased but I would wear it proudly.¡± ¡°Peacemakers? You have spoken to them?¡± ¡°I have done much more than spoken to them. I was invited upon one of their prized ships! The size of it, oh!¡± Confirmation at last for the local eavesdroppers. And their introduction to the realms was through the Can¡¯ar? Was this good or bad? Gears turned in the many nobles¡¯ heads on how they would leverage this, remeasuring their relations to Can¡¯ar nobility. ¡°They asked that I act as their guide to this fine event. I have to admit I was hesitant, but this was an opportunity I couldn¡¯t afford to miss.¡± ¡°Well now you have perked my interest milady. I do hope they arrive safe and swiftly. It is quite the distance from here to the nearest sea. But with you as their guide, I have no doubt on their arrival.¡± Prince Sorat spoke candidly to his partner, turning inwards to contemplate the idea of this novel civilisation. If Lady Rastalk would speak so highly of them, then truly they have some worth. And they are a sea-faring people too, that alone opened possibilities, massive vessels notwithstanding. But as he turned back towards her, he saw only a confused expression on her face; face tilted and an eyebrow raised (which was hard to see given her fur-covered face). ¡°What would the sea have to do with them?¡± ¡°¡­Well, you met them on their ship did you not?¡± What part of his words were enough to cause confusion? No sooner did Lady Rastalk understand the wrong assumptions of her words that she let out a hearty chuckle. ¡°HAHAHAHA Hahahahaha!¡± Now it was his and the eavesdroppers'' turn to wear a confused expression. ¡°Haha oh, oh forgive me my dear friend! Clearly I have disregarded some vital context.¡± Rastalk began to explain earnestly, savouring the confusion she knew her words would sow. ¡°Heed my words for I speak nought but truth; I have never left for the continent¡¯s coast, but I did indeed meet them upon their ship.¡± ¡°¡°!?¡±¡± ¡°It was by my advice that, if the many kingdoms of the realms were ever to give them the amount of respect they deserve, then they must prove it. Display it in grand detail. ¡®Own it¡¯ as they would say. For as peaceful as they are, words mean nothing without the fangs to sink it in.¡± Sorat¡¯s eyes widened to the words of his friend as he was overloaded with new knowledge to process. Rastalk continued. ¡°My tardiness this evening was not without reason. The hardest part about my arrival was having the Union of the Rising Suns agree to their display. Assurance of a peaceful demonstration, damage costs, etcetera etcetera¡­¡± ¡°Their demonstration? What do-¡° No sooner, a flux in the mana fields pulled him from the conversation. As if on cue, Lady Rastalk grew a wide, fanged grin that spread across her face that had only one meaning: ¡®It¡¯s showtime!¡¯. Lord Sorat wasn¡¯t alone in his confusion, as many other mana-sensitive nobles were suddenly silent as they felt the same flux in mana pulse throughout the ballroom and beyond. The nobles who worked particularly close to inter-realm portals knew that this was the arrival of the newrealmers, but never before have they felt a surge this massive. Without hesitation, a fanfare of trumpets signalled the royal herald¡¯s announcement. ¡°Lords and Ladies! Kings and Queens! Nobles of every rank! It is an honour to be the royal herald of the URS to announce the arrival of the newest realm that will be joining us today!¡± The many nobles found the source of the mana surge to emanate from outside the castle, far away in the distance above the local mountains. Like insects to the fire, the nobles made their way to expansive terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows to watch this strange phenomenon with mixed feelings. Very mixed feelings. Some real, some fake, others from the heart. ¡°They¡¯re opening a portal above the mountains? What¡¯s the point of that?¡± ¡°I would rather not meet the new realm as flattened chunks of meat.¡± ¡°Well, ¡®go big or go home¡¯ as they say.¡± ¡°You must pardon me my fellows but is no one else worried about the INCURSION SIZED PORTAL OVER YONDER!?¡± ¡°From that distance? They better make it worth our time.¡± ¡°IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THE PEACEFUL ARRIVAL OF THE FOURTH REALM TO JOIN THE UNION OF RISING SUNS!¡± The announcement echoed not only throughout the castle but also into the city and town district below. The mana surge made influx as the door between realms opened with a great bang. But only momentarily as the portal immediately shut close. But this moment was all the new realm needed, as in that moment, a massive flying ship suddenly flashed into existence, arriving like earth-shattering thunder that never touched the ground. What the nobles saw was a sleek, silver vessel that cruised across the mountain sky like a great dragon. Mana artifices on the ground lit up the sky to reveal the vessel in blinding light, showcasing the ship in all its massive glory. Who put those greater-torch artifices there? Did they know this was happening? The nobles of the event stared with maws, beaks and jaws agape as the vessel made its way towards the city that was as wide as the castle, as sleek as the most beautiful wyvern, swept across with silver wings. But there were no wings, no spell circle of levitation, no bend or weave of the mana fields that made any remote suggestion that the vessel was propelled through the air with mana. The nobles realised that all the rumours were true. This must be them. ¡°I PRESENT THE REPRESENTATIVE BODY OF THE REALM OF SOL, THE UNITED NATIONS OF EARTH! AND THEIR PEOPLE, HUMANITY!¡± Chapter 2: Preparations and Egos Earth, Sol-URS Embassy, 2 months prior: ¡±-And do you expect me to take these new modifications with an ounce of respect?¡± A holographic screen showed the Minister of Foreign Affairs speaking dryly with a hint of annoyance. His wrinkled complexion gazing down at the data-pad with detachment, the resulting silence only reinforcing how absurd he saw this request. ¡°We¡¯re already sending an Olympic-class cruiser, I am not allowing you to turn it into some kid''s notebook doodle. I''ll remind you again that this is a military cruiser and not your personal limo.¡± The final details pertaining to humanity¡¯s first royal appearance was something he had half-a-mind to dismiss and move on. The text on his data-pad read many page¡¯s worth of amendments. The new modifications awaiting his signature to be made on the UNE ¡¯Sky Breaker¡¯ cruiser were outlined under a single title: ''Aesthetic Modifications to Olympic-class cruiser to meet affluence standards per Diplomatic narrative''. To the minister, this sounded like an unnecessary hassle and a ¡®waste of tax-payer money¡¯ which was coincidentally a good excuse to dismiss this. ¡°When the public finds out that this is how we waste tax-payer money, how do you think they¡¯ll take it?¡± ¡°They¡¯ll think that their government is poor, stingy and would prefer to spend that money for their personal luxuries, Minister O¡¯Donnell .¡± The immediate reply pulled O¡¯Donnell out from his dismissive mindset, looking back towards the screen to the URS representative. A lupine individual with black and brown fur returned the gaze with determination. He was dressed in sharp robes of white, black and red while a deep blue sash draped across his body, bolstering his achievements and experiences. None of which mattered to the minister, now occupied with the backhanded comment. The Can¡¯ar took this change to continue. ¡°Displays of wealth is a universal sign of power, whether they be magical in nature or not. It is not enough for your representatives to simply appear, you must do so with showmanship befitting your status.¡± ¡°While your input is indeed valuable¡­¡° O¡¯Donnell looked back at his data pad to remember the Can¡¯ar¡¯s name, ¡°-Lord Rasmuth, humanity employs its strength as necessary, we do not need overt displays of flagrant wealth to achieve our needs.¡± ¡°I do not doubt your strength minister, only your lack of effort. I have seen first-hand your displays of military power and there is no doubt to your efficacy. But we are not talking about military might, we speak of the barbaric impression you will leave unto the realms and its everlasting effects." Lord Rasmuth spoke factually, undeterred by the ministers dismissiveness. "To show nothing more than savage force is equal to a declaration of war, the complete opposite to your diplomatic narrative." "Our narrative, Lord Rasmuth, is our continued, peaceful existence and our intent to defend ourselves against those who would put us to heel. Regardless of our impression, our territory in Terrador will remain. What our mere existence in Terrador would provide is invaluable to you and your people. The very fact that you''re here, begging us to bend to your customs, is proof of that." With a glare, the minister declared his stalwart vision for humanity with a callousness that the lupine was all too familiar with. But the minor lord would press on. ¡°What you would provide is nothing that hasn''t already been given. The charity of your government is not so dissimilar to the benevolent nobility of the realms; the support of safety, infrastructure, promises of a better future. I could go on." Rasmuth knew better than to barrel towards minister''s confrontational statement, instead he sought to break his arguments down. "But the admiration of the masses is worthless compared to the invaluable respect of the powerful Lords and Aristocrats. Lords and Aristocrats, like yourself, who may see you as an obstacle instead.¡± O¡¯Donnell was not use to this amount of back-talk, leaning towards the screen, his face an iron mask that held back his disdain for the wolf, ¡°And a flying warship would not achieve that respect?¡± ¡°To the realms? Filled with dragons, fairies, beloved gods and their miracles? No, they would not be impressed Minister O''Donnell.¡± Spoke the wolf bluntly. O¡¯Donnell held his gaze as he contemplated that the supposedly ¡®medieval realms¡¯ was not impressed with humanity¡¯s feats of technology. He recalled the many reports that summarised the entities and governments that composed the realms of the URS. While they did mention dragons and the influence of magic, it still did not sink in for the minister to see descriptions of a child¡¯s fantasies in professional government reports. Before he could respond, the representative sought to put one more nail in the coffin of the minister¡¯s doubt, changing his confrontational stance to a pleading one. ¡°You would not be the first to attempt a flying fortress, Minister O¡¯Donnell. Should you arrive as you are, they will not see a gleaming vessel of innovation, but a warship, baring your people''s banner. They would see an enemy.¡± The minister narrowed his eyes in silent contemplation at the knowledge of humanity¡¯s technological might not being the persuasive hammer it is. The Director of Inter-Realm Administrations who was also part of the meeting, Mrs Tasha Horn, was stunned silent, though not by the revelations. She was surprised by the breech of conduct by the URS representative. Regaining her composure, she returned to her position in the meeting, quickly backing up Rasmuth with her original answer. "The nobility of the realms do not put much stock in subtlety and they''re already used to other kingdoms threatening them. It''s as Rasmuth described it, the alterations are mostly aesthetic and would emphasize our importance on the arts and design and not of war. We have already organised the necessary funding for both the aesthetical and the functional modifications well within our budget." The minister gave intentional side-eye to the director''s add-on comments in a dispassionate attempt to assert himself. "Either way," she continued, "We have been meaning to make a display to the public that we have officially started relations with the other realms. With the alterations, we would be making a big statement of peace and power and an Olympic-sized step further into the realms." As the director and the minister continued to trade words, Rasmuth held his tongue. Though the realms did have air-ships once upon a time, they were severely underwhelming compared to humanity''s warships, not to mention counter-spells disabling their levitation enchantments were already wide-spread and surely within humanity''s grasp. Unbeknownst to the minister, Rasmuth was well and truly bluffing. But he had to. The minister was right. Bringing humanity into the realms brought an unprecedented opportunity. Now that centuries had passed since the Union was formed, it was seen no more than a placeholder for a power vacuum, made under the pretence of ¡®unity betwixt realms¡¯. With relative peace made between realms, the plans to cement the Union as an established power were made too late, and it fell from grace to its current state as a fancy inter-realm trade and diplomacy guild. With a new realm, arriving with unprecedented power, the realms would be thrown into disarray, the Union would fulfil its duty and return to their former glory. But he had to be careful. Statute he may be in court politics, he was still in an alien world. With alien politics, unknown alliances and entirely unique powers, he was courting dragons. The stress had resulted in sleeplessness and was slowly chipping away at his strength. He needed to hold out. The fruits of his labour were close to blossoming soon. He returned his attention to the conversation between the minister and his human colleague who had almost sealed the deal. "Sky Breaker will be our first impression and our flagship to the realms. The rest of the fleet won''t need the same modifications. This display will save us far more trouble than you think. If we do this right, we won''t have to do it again."Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. O''Donnell paused with his signature grave silence, weighing the pros and cons. Eventually, he sighed, relenting to the request. He did like the idea of touting ''the most beautiful starship'' with his signature on it. With a heavy sigh, he relented. "If it''s going to have glitter on it, then we might as well put the bow on top. I want this ship to look so good, the peasants of the realms start worshipping it." Tasha and Rasmuth felt their stress immediately lift. The hours spent practising and revising their pitch was worth it. "That won''t be an issue, Minister O''Donnell," spoke Rasmuth, "Your metalworkers have the same zeal I have seen in all craftsmen." He straightened back up, put on his best smile and spoke with confidence. "For your species have mastered the fine art of overkill."
10 minutes later: "''The fine art of overkill''? I keep forgetting how good you nobles are with flattery.¡± With the meeting wrapped up and finished, the two made their way out of the meeting room. With the minister''s approval, the final touches of humanity''s introduction were established. While Tasha Horn would oversee Earth''s preparations, Lord Rasmuth would see that the royal gala of Terrador is ready for their arrival. "It is not so difficult. When your entire life is spent around the aristocracy of many kingdoms, it''s a skill that comes naturally. Though I must admit that I drew todays flattery from an unexpected source." Tasha raised an eyebrow to Rasmuth''s response. "I had once flattered an Orc Warchief in a similar manner, whose barbaric ego dwarfed his intellect, his mood eternally sour." Rasmuth leaned in for the punchline. "They and the minister both had a¡­ ''stick up their ass''." Tasha paused before a grin and a gleeful chuckle took over. She soon managed to stifle her laughter and return to her professional demeanour. He knew how to get on a person''s good side, she would give him that. She realised that skill was perhaps why he was chosen as the URS representative. "I see the language lessons are going well for you. I didn''t know they included slang as part of the modules." "Oh, it was not taught in the classes. I had overheard the term from one of the soldiers during my time here. I was quite puzzled by what it could have meant, though my question was answered upon our meeting." They both continued through the hallway with a smile on their faces. Rasmuth had taken note that the majority of the Sol English lexicon was inherently akin to the commoner tongues due to the non-existence of upper society. That meant certain phrases used words reserved for more¡­ intimate subjects, though he had no issues in learning it. It meant that he would not have to learn the grammatical distinctions between the higher and lower tongues which he personally struggled with. Still, the very concept of a society without nobility still puzzled him. ¡°While I knew the minister would not be the most agreeable of individuals, I did not expect him to be so¡­ callous, is the word I believe I am looking for.¡± He gave his thoughts out to Tasha, hoping to understand more about the mind of the minister. ¡°That¡¯s just how he is. His stubbornness got him into his office and his ruthlessness keeps him in it." The lupine regarded her words deeply as they contrasted to his initial speculations. "I had at first believed that a government made of its common masses would have been a gentle one," he responded, "That the minister would see the benefits of raising his people into a brighter light. Instead, I met a man who is infamous for his dour attitude and stood firm against the subtlest perceived insult." "Heh, I think you''ll end up finding lots of people like him all throughout Earth. Whenever people get a taste of some form of power, it goes to their head." She gazed out of the windows that lined the hallway as if looking at a memory. "But for whatever reason, the people like what he has to say." "His words do not resonate with you?" The dissenting statement was not one he expected from a person who was essentially the minister''s subordinate. "No. But I understand why he''s earned his seat. Old, stubborn men like him have a sincerity that makes them likeable. That, and the last few ministers we had were actual garbage. He may be an old bastard, but he''s honest about everything he does and that earns my respect." While Rasmuth was surprised at the complex answer, he did understand her. In his early diplomatic days, the most troublesome royalty he encountered were those who wore a smile like a mask. They were the most likely to break their promises for some dastardly, selfish reason. But the ones who''s disgust were on proud display? They made their reservations clear. Their aims were understandable, which made their cooperation all the stronger. Lost in thought, he turned to the wide windows that allowed him to peer outside to the strange world beyond. The differences between this realm and every other were numerous. The distinct aura of mana that had wrapped every realm in its gentle caress was non-existent here. The faces of its people were both eerily familiar yet distinct from the elves he was used to. The buildings were monolithic, the horizons bore no forests and everywhere he looked, impossible artifices were treated as everyday tools. He was however thankful that the quality of the food was on par with the noble fare he was comfortable with. Though it was certainly not his biggest concern, it was a trial he is thankful he would not endure. But what surprised him most of all was their collaboration as one, as their realm was already united when they crossed the bridge between realms. His life''s goal, definitively proven possible in a foreign realm. Though he did not like to admit it, he was indeed jealous. No sooner did he find himself outside of the building, an artificed, mechanical carriage called a [limousine] waiting to bring him and his awaiting assistants back to their realm. "I am glad to have you as our guide to your realm Director Horn. It is rare to find such good company so far from home." Stepping towards the vehicle, he turned to regard his companion with sincerity, a currency that he found invaluable amongst the powerful. "As am I Lord Rasmuth. This could have hardly gone this smooth without your insight." Sharing a smile, the noble wolf entered the limo to its comfortable interior with some final words. "With the stepping stones of peace in place, all that is left is the step forward. I hope to see you soon." "Likewise." She spoke with a smile. And with a gentle hum, the limo left to take the representative back to the inter-realm portal. He appreciated the director''s short answers, speaking all she needed to with as few words as possible. As the director''s silhouette slowly faded, he glanced once more to the building they had left, a vertical castle that he knew he would see again in no time at all.
Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Above the Eastern Mountains, Present Day: "Gear Check! I want those LEDs green people! Captain, what''s our ETA?" "ETA is 3 minutes sir. Make sure to get some souvenirs for us." The smug reply crackled on the comms. Onboard the starship, the hanger bay was buzzing with activity as atmospheric jumpsuits ruffled and tussled and weapons clicked with satisfaction. Final checks on personal gear and equipment made sure this first impression went smoothly. The soldiers that would accompany the delegation mentally rehearsed their roles as ''human royalty appointed knights'', slightly annoyed at their vapid roles. Their gear were akin to modern full-body armour that, while indeed wore and felt awesome, reminded them of wearing military space gear. Heavy and bulky, with no benefits of zero-g save the internal exo-suit. Their full-face helmets held their complexions with discipline laced with nervousness, though they were grateful they were not the delegates, whose calm complexions neatly concealed the raging nerves beneath their exterior. Unlike the soldiers, whose equipment, armour and helmets shielded them from mana, the diplomats were injected with the finalised product of the Mana-Absorption Organelle vaccine. The explanation was (although the details were the last thing on their mind) that rather than preventing mana from reaching the human body, the nano-machine organelles would absorb mana particles and digest them into something the body could handle, with some minor side effects. This allowed them to wear their professional clothing and jewellery, to look and act the part as humanity¡¯s noble delegates. While they were assured that the vaccine is safe, seeing the hardened soldiers in the room covered head-to-toe in what might as well be slim spacesuits, they still couldn¡¯t calm their nerves. But to their credit (and training and experience), they focused their attention back to the event in front of them. In about 2 minutes, they would be announcing their official presence before hundreds of kingdom representatives, each a part of 3 distinct universes, not to mention that they were representing the entirety of the human race within the Solar System- erm¡­ Sol Realm. The specific linguistic terms needed to be digestible to their new universal neighbours, especially since they would need to learn the new language, [High Raegal]. Practising her speech in the different language over and over, Ambassador Melissa Tarith of the UNE looked back at her delegate members once more; Director Tasha Horn, the military representative Colonel Xaviar, some government officials and their aids and finally and their bodyguard, Jonathan Wiles. A super-soldier at 2.3 meters tall, clad in army-green armour plating and a rifle to match his size, he reminded her of one of those sci-fi games her son played. The soldier looked down at her, sensing her gaze, the tinted lens of his helmet concealing his face. The helm turned slightly towards Melissa sensing her worry. ¡°Take deep breaths ma¡¯am.¡± He spoke with an assuring tone, heavy with authority. ¡°If anyone here can represent humanity, it¡¯s you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t but chuckle at such a cheesy compliment, the super-soldier himself having a small chuckle as he himself cringed a little. She realised she was fiddling with a lock of her hair again, a nervous tick she thought she had gotten rid of. With deep breaths, she steadied herself. She had practised a hundred times, was practically fluent in the language, with as many possible contingencies she could think of ready to act. Her political position be damned, she is the representative of humanity, and she would do her species proud. With the regal smile she had practised across her face, she turned back to her delegate, each meeting her in kind. ¡®What should I say to motivate them?¡¯ She thought. While the best speeches formed in her mind, she realised that it was best to keep it simple. ¡°Let¡¯s give them a show they won¡¯t forget.¡± Everyone in the room smiled. And in the room, the spark of human pride glowed bright. The comms buzzed once more. ¡°Mana shielding deployed. All systems nominal. Lowering Hanger Bay main ramp.¡± Chapter 3: First Impressions Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Lord Rasmuth The display was progressing well. The human ¡®starship¡¯ sailed smoothly through the air and the artifices we placed to light up the sky made every angle of the ship visible. As I looked upon the spectacle upon the highest terrace of the ballroom, the look of amazement coloured the many faces as varied as they are. ¡°W-w-well, isn¡¯t that gaudy.¡± ¡°Is that completely made of metal? How is that possible?¡± ¡°Where is the spell circle keeping it afloat? I can¡¯t see the spell circle.¡± ¡°You fool. Clearly it is hidden in the underbelly of the ship. You just need to find the siphon taking mana in¡­ somewhere¡­¡± ¡°The levitation circle needs to be outside of the vessel! Are you even paying attention to the mana-streams? They¡¯re undisturbed! That ship is manaless!¡± ¡°So here comes the humans¡­ I hope they¡¯ll pay their respects to us.¡± ¡°They¡¯re a whole different realm ya knife-eared numbskull, they don¡¯t owe ya a damn thing.¡± ¡°They are short-eared elves you barrel-shaped excrement, it is my people¡¯s duty to guide them into this realm, under our care.¡± ¡°¡­¡­Servant! I am going to need another glass for this¡­No, not the one glass, give me the platter. Shoo, shoo¡­¡± The results are as expected; reactions of shock, realisation, amusement and the untempered ego of the prideful. The crowd has played their part, and it is time to play mine. I made my way down the staircase, thinking back to the previous month of unending work and running about like a madman. I am accustomed to the petty politics of my peers as my own rank and stature garnered its own respect, but using it to convince the many nobles to let in the ¡®manaless, stone-age newrealmers¡¯ into the lands was a nightmare, especially on how hard I had to strain my relations. Thankfully, the humans could hold their own. Minor displays of manaless artifices quickly changed their minds, not to mention their reputation during the city¡¯s defence. The majority of the convincing required me to put my reputation on the line as well. If this goes well, the political rewards were immense. I didn¡¯t even want to think about the consequences of failure. I could feel my fur bristled beneath my clothing as I forced my shoulders to relax. To say I was nervous was an understatement. A hundred worst-case scenarios threatened the edges of my mind as if they hadn¡¯t already. But I was prepared. I had prepared humanity too. I had weaved the complex risks of the realms and politics of nobility into a narrative they could understand. They know the depths of the dangers that their presence here heralds. I have pushed away the egos that would see this event descend into chaos. I have done my duty, I have performed my preparations, all that was left was action. I was half-way down the stairs as the many nobles crowded the windows, terraces and any other vantage point they could find. The wisest, or perhaps the more egotistical among them, stayed in the back, splayed regally across chairs or small corners, sofa chairs or lounges, eyeing their fellow nobles with scrutiny for their uncouth behaviour. Among them were a small group of elves in the corner that observed the spectacle with disinterest. At their centre was a tall and lithe elf, with silver hair and obsidian black skin, a sign of upper royalty. While she also beheld the same disinterest as her peers, her eyes turned elsewhere, towards me, as if knowing I would be there. Her gaze sent a chill down my back as if she could look into my soul. This unnerving feeling did not stop as she looked upon me, a feeling she punctuated with a bewitching smile, beckoning me to answer her questions. My counter-spell training took over as I shook myself out of my trance and focused back to my task. I have too much riding on this moment to be distracted. I felt the gazes of the other nobles looking for answers to the event as I reached the bottom of the stairs. While I was required by my station in the Union to answer their qualms, my duty came first. I drew a small incantation in my mind and moved my mind across the ballroom as I warped across the floor to the entrance of the ballroom. While this was indeed rude, their questions would drain me of precious time to my final preparations. Time I did not have. The dizzying sensation of a blink-jump quickly subsided, finding myself next to my peers and fellow nobles of the Union. Thankfully, they knew the responsibility that rested upon my shoulders and gave me swift words of comfort, ushering me to my place in the welcoming delegation. ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way, Lord Rasmuth.¡± Finding comfort on standing on my own two feet, I looked to my side to the king of the city, King Demaque the Fourth. An aged dwarf whose very ancestors had built the very foundations of this city. My mentor and guide while he was a prince, his wisdom and guidance made me the person I am today. He knew of my struggle that led to this event, and aided me with an invisible hand. He regarded me with a warm smile before we turned our attention back to the skies. ¡°When you told me of their manaless ships that sailed the skies like the air vessels of old, I thought you had grown a liking to fantasies and tall-tales.¡± He huffed at his own short-sightedness before chuckling a final quip. ¡°Perhaps I should indulge the occasional fairytale too.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t recommend it. Their realm had me questioning the reality I thought I knew.¡± ¡°Oh? Was the trip really that bad?¡± ¡°Worse. It was without an ounce of deception.¡± Personally, I would¡¯ve liked a bit of deception on the sheer grandeur of their realm. There was much you could learn from the lies a person would tell. Instead, Sol-realm hit me with their unbridled truth, and I was forced into an uncomfortable reality. Though I¡¯ll admit that it was refreshing in comparison to the endless charades of our own nobility. His confused expression silently asked that I continued. ¡°I would gladly tell you all I have learned about their realm, but perhaps it would sound better coming from their own mouths.¡± ¡°Were we so distant that your own words would not hold their truth to me?¡± ¡°The words barely hold their own truth," I said chuckling with self-depreciation, "regardless if I or another spoke them.¡± My words were filled with a tired frankness that often took hold of me in my mentors presence. Ordinarily, such a conversation would garner a king¡¯s scorn, but he knew of my struggles to bring the human delegation to the event. The first of the informal meetings the humans had with the king had gone peacefully. Whatever my words failed to tell him, the humans seemed happy to tell themselves. A trend I believe would continue even now. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. We made our way to the centre of the courtyard, watching as the ship began its final descent onto the edges of the castle¡¯s outer courtyard terrace ever so gently. The guards and knights cordoned the area with discipline and practise. The clash between the unyielding descent of the iron ship, to the aged castle stone, to the natural wilds that stretched to the mountains beyond was a sobering sight. With a steady voice, King Demaque spoke, ¡°I believe we are entering a new era Rasmuth.¡± His words echoed in my mind as I looked at the alien site before me, reaffirming my belief that nothing would ever be the same. ¡°Without a doubt my king.¡± He turned once more to me, ¡°Would you lead us into the new era, Lord Rasmuth?¡± And I would answer with conviction, ¡°Without question my king.¡± The ship¡¯s descent slowed as the apex of tonight¡¯s event arrived. I willed my spirit still and strong to enact my duty as I and my chosen aids stepped forward to greet humanity and welcome them to the realms. Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Diplomat Melissa Tarith As the ramp lowered, the distant noise of the castle filtered slowly into the deck before it slowed to anticipating silence, excluding the silent hum of the ship¡¯s thrusters. Together, our entourage stepped onto the ramp, our steps a mix of hard taps and metallic stomps, the deck''s speakers playing a slow and low composition of trumpets and wind instruments. I took in the sights before me, a looming castle straight from medieval history towered far above, refurbished for daily use, marble white, glowing from the town''s light. Before it, a great hall housed many onlookers that would serve as tonight''s destination and ballroom, made from the same stone. The URS flag hung from the ballroom''s entrance, three golden suns emblazoned on a red tapestry representing the first three realms, beneath it a golden shield embroidered with the symbols of its four governing bodies; the mercantile, the governing, the scholarly, and the military. To the side of the ballroom, terraces overlooked the town below and beyond, windows on every side gave a complete view of the castle''s surroundings. Tonight however, each terrace and window was filled with nobles, royalty and aristocrats of the many kingdoms of the realms, watching us with eager anticipation. Every single face that gazed upon us was alien yet familiar in different ways. I could compare many of the faces to different animals on Earth, while others were a unique mixture of mammalian, avian and reptilian features, yet with strange aesthetics of nobility, given their status and appearance. There was no moment before this that truly let it sink in that I was in another world, so far removed from humanity. Inaudible whispers came from the crowd while most were simply enraptured by our spectacle. While our appearance could have been mistaken as a sudden development to the Gala, this was well and truly scripted. This was essentially our formal self-introduction to all the kingdoms that are unaware of us. A formality to be reductive, not that the stakes of tonight''s events were any less critical. This was our first impression that would set the tone for all future interactions with every known kingdom, whether they were here or not. As we reached the bottom of the ramp, we stopped just before the final step down onto the courtyard. A small but symbolic and cultural gesture that we would not intrude onto their land without consent. The quiet instrumental concert slowed to a stop as I reached into my pocket to my wireless microphone to begin my speech. Right now, every kingdom did not know who we are, our intentions, our desires, our goals or our ideals. It was this speech that would address these concerns and open the doors to diplomatic relations, trade and information exchange. I focused back on my speech and forced my nerves to relax. With a slow inhale, I held up my microphone and let my voice echo from the ship, speaking in their tongue. "On behalf of the Realm of Sol and the people of Humanity, my name is Melissa Tarith, and I am the representative Diplomat of our governing body, the United Nations of Earth!" I pause to let my words sink in. Most of these people have never seen a human before, it was best to give them time to take us in. "I bring with me Director Tasha Horn, members of our government, and our finest soldiers who protect and serve our realm! We have come from beyond the veil between realms, to learn of the many kingdoms and their people. We have come to give, as you give to us. We wish to understand your culture, so that you may understand ours. We arrived into this realm with the tenants of peace and harmony in our hearts and our souls. We wish to join your union in conjunction to its tenants of trade, peace, knowledge and law." With a sharp inhale, I would punctuate this first speech with a line that was as fitting as it was old. "We come in peace!" As the echo of my voice subsided, Lord Rasmuth stepped forward, reaching a few meters away from where the ramped touched the ground. Pulling his own magical microphone crystal from his pocket, he began his part of our dialogue with the unique elegance of medieval nobility. "Noble representatives of humanity, I am Lord Rasmuth Sepor Can''ar, Lord of Exchanges to the Union of the Rising Suns! I am honoured to welcome you to the realm of Terrador and the city of Meraedas!" "By the authority granted unto me by King Demaque Meraedas and the Union, I recognise your request to join the Union of the Rising Suns! However!" He held the pause for long enough to assert his authority. "To be a recognised kingdom of our unity, you are required to swear an oath! An oath that states that you, Melissa Tarith, the appointed representative Diplomat of Earth, understand the tenants of Life, Honour, Law and Knowledge, that uphold the Union and all we represent!" "Do you accept the Rite of Induction of the Union Oath, as the appointed representative of humanity!?" "I do!" I answered swiftly. With a nod, Lord Rasmuth turned to his aid at his side, who held a scroll atop a display cushion. Unfurling it with wide motions, another aid came between us, putting down a waist-high pedestal made of ornate wood. On top of the pedestal, a leather book inlayed with gold lay open, magically flipping to an empty page by itself. With a tap of a crystal, its quill jumped out of its pot, poised to write down our every word. While the event did feel daunting, it felt more like a spectacle, one that did honour their traditions. The crowds now leaned in interest if they weren''t already. I focused back to Lord Rasmuth as he began to read aloud the scroll, the crystal microphone now floating before his mouth. "Do you swear to uphold the sanctity of life?" "I swear to uphold the sanctity of life and the dignity of all who behold it." "Do you swear to uphold the rites of honour?" "I swear to upheld the rites of honour and the duty of the righteous and honourable." "Do you swear to uphold the rule of law?" "I swear to uphold the rule of law and the actions of the moral and just." "Do you swear to uphold the gift of knowledge?" "I swear to uphold the gift of knowledge and all it would inspire of wisdom and wit." With my final answer, I expected the closing statement of acceptance to start, but a budding feeling of dissatisfaction arose from me as I glanced at the crowd on the terraces. Rasmuth wore a slightly distressed expression as the nobles stared expectantly, as if wanting more. "The oaths were written to ensure peace to all, by accordance of a shared agreement to the tenants of life, honour, law and knowledge. A shared love for peace. For from peace, comes prosperity. Prosperity of Life, prosperity of Honour, prosperity of Law, prosperity of Knowledge. So I ask you. I ask humanity¡­ Do you swear to uphold prosperity for all?" It was then that I realise my answers may have been too short. It was easy to swear to your words, but another to follow them through. My swift responses perhaps seen as dismissive of the oaths. I decided to make this last speech worth it all. As the question hung in the air as thick as the anticipation, I raised my microphone once more. "We swear to uphold prosperity for all who rally beneath the banner of peace! For it was under peace that the cradle of our people united as a species, where together we explored the realms beyond our skies, to realms beyond realms, to Terrador! We see a garden as unique and beautiful as its people. A garden that can grow even more than we could ourselves. We wish to grow with you in mutual respect and harmony! By the tenants that uphold the Union of Rising Suns and the realms that rally beneath it, we swear to uphold prosperity for all!" "Your answers are received and honourably writ by the Great Book of Oaths! If you truly swear by your promises, I ask you declare them yours upon the great book!" With a sweeping gesture towards the pedestal, the quill finalised the last strokes upon the book, writing every word I spoke and dropping itself back in its pot. Steadying myself, I took the final step off the ramp towards the book. I reviewed my words, proud that I stood for peace, and gently signed my signature with the quill. The once animated quill became still in my hand, gliding across the paper like a high-quality ball-point. The ink glowing lightly on the paper as I wrote. Once I placed the quill back down, the glow dulled instantly, the recent letters and strokes drying and every stroke appearing as if they were printed. Taking a step back, Rasmuth came forward to review the page with satisfaction. Turning to me, he bowed, taking the book into his hands, raising it high above him to the crowds. "By the power bestowed unto me, I, and by extension the URS, accept humanity''s oaths! Under the guidance of King Demaqu Meraedas, Fourth of his name, and all the powers that be, we welcome humanity to the realms beyond!" Instantly, joyful trumpets sounded across the courtyard. The banner of the URS that bore 3 suns magically transformed, a fourth sun now emblazoned upon it. Cheers and applause erupted from the balconies and the castle''s festivities began anew. As the rest of the delegate came down the ramp, we followed Lord Rasmuth into the ballroom as the real stress of tonight began. Chapter 4: Honeypot Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Lord Rasmuth Their introduction had gone as smoothly as could be expected. Their responses, while short and honourable, lacked the necessary extravagance of their station. My final query prompted them into a quick anecdote of their people to satisfy the more egotistical individuals of tonight''s event. As I welcomed them towards the castle I offered Melissa Tarith a quick congratulations. While I would have offered more words of comfort, my familial relations would take my place. "Lady Tarith! It is wonderful to see you again!" Howling her greetings, my aunt and Queen Regent, Lady Rastalk welcomed the humans with arms wide open. "Lady Rastalk, it is good to see you. As energetic as always." "Haha! With an entrance like that, who wouldn''t be? And I believe these would be your fellow guests!" Following behind Melissa were the rest of the delegates, each offering their own greetings. The crowds from the terraces quickly made their way back to their spots around the ballroom. However more than a few of them quickly gathered to the entrance with burning questions of their own. Though not without civility as they patiently waited for their turn. "With that being said, I do believe this is your first time at such an event. Might you allow me to accompany you as an informal guide for this event, Lady Tarith?" As she spoke, she curtly offered a hand to the diplomat as a prince would to his bride. "I would be glad to, Lady Rastalk." Said Lady Tarith as she took up the offer, taking up the Queen''s arm. My aunt turned with the diplomat in hand with a smile, a smirk flashed on her maw as she turned to the crowd. While seemingly innocuous, my aunt had perhaps made a powerful statement of her strong relations to the new realms. The more romantically driven of the nobles blushed at the display of forbidden love, while the politically driven scowled at a missed opportunity to establish themselves. Regardless, the new guests entered the ballroom to the many nobles awaiting the newrealmers, no doubt with the intention to grill them of every ounce of knowledge they had. Lady Rastalk however would take the charge and pronounce herself as the human''s self-appointed guide with all the majesty of a Queen Regent. "Humans, I would like you to meet Prince Sorat Karchat Avion, of the kingdom of Avion. Considering that you both will be sharing the skies, your people will want to be comfortable with each other." "There is enough of the skies for everyone Lady Rastalk, more than enough to share." He said to Lady Rastalk with a friendly scowl before turning back to Lady Tarith. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last. The stories of your people travel far and wide milady." "It''s a pleasure to meet you to Prince Sorat. I''ll admit it that our display was quite over-the-top, though we do have a lot to compensate for. I do believe you know why." Prince Sorat gave a chuckle as he chirped. "Manaless, but not hopeless. You have done plenty to assert yourself among the Union. And I do believe I can speak for the crowd here that we are happy to welcome such allies." The crowd voiced their own affirmations though it was clear they would prefer to have their own questions answered. One such individual would make himself known through a short burst of harmless heat. A dragon-kin stepped through a gap in the crowd seamlessly, asserting his presence as his outfit was a stunning display of draconic iconography, metalwork and deep colours. The crowd was peeved at the sudden intrusion before realising who it was. Lord Espart was an individual that garnered respect as his kingdom''s industries were prevalent across the lands and realms. Settling himself, he calmed to a welcoming stature as he spoke. "You are indeed correct Prince Sorath. I would also believe that it would be unbecoming of us to hound our new guests just as they entered as if we were hungry beasts. Perhaps it would be best to allow the humans a place of comfort, one that I have saved for them." Lady Rastalk stepped forward to answer him. "Your charity is boundless Lord Espart, though I am sure they would prefer not to be lead into a dragon''s nest." "Oh, you sully my good name milady. What I am offering is a seat for the humans and for us all. I dare say that we all have enough questions to last ''till the sun rises, and that they, and us, would be far more comfortable if we did not spend it entirely on our legs. Was it not Lady Tarith''s words that they wish to exchange our culture? In mutual respect and harmony?" "Indeed I did, Lord Espart." Lady Tarith quickly stepped in. "While I am grateful for your offer and protection Lady Rastalk, I am here to answer everyone''s questions with what little time we have." Lady Tarith placed her hand on Lady Rastalk in comfort before answering Lord Espart. "I trust that the place you would lead us to, is where questions would remain unobstructed to, and from, the people?" With a swish of his cape, Lord Espart bowed slightly with grace born from superiority. "Your trust will remain unbroken milady. I would welcome you, your delegation, and the many curious nobles around us, to a comfort far more fitting than the ballroom entrance." To which he led the large group to his reserved spot that sported many small lounge chairs and comfortable seats. It would appear that the Lord''s charity did indeed come from a sense of goodwill. My indication of such a perspective was the hanging gapes of Lord Espart''s fellow-lizard entourage at the change in their friend¡¯s demeanour. A visage shared by a few of the nearby nobles who knew of the lords more ravenous nature. I relaxed as this first impression was thus far without incident. Though I should have known better than to be lulled by this minor break in the tension as a new problem suddenly made itself known behind us. ______________________________________________________________________________ Tasha Horn''s Aid ''Overwhelmed'' was an understatement. He did not know how everyone else did it. Externally, the director, the Captain, Lady Melissa and everyone else in the room was composed as could be. Himself, however, was blinded at the spectacles before him. Simulations and practise did nothing to prepare him for the real thing as non-human acrobats soared through the air, magic shows with literal, magical displays and every non-human imaginable covered every inch of his periphery. As one of the Director Horn¡¯s aids, he joined the delegation to assist in diplomatic dialogue and as a contemporary ''servant'' to the ''Lady Tasha Horn'' which was expected of a noble of this realm. His focus for the evening was to support the delegation with information regarding Earth, emphasis in his presence merely being support. While he did expect some attention to be pointed towards him, his ''lower status'' meant he would be mostly ignored in preference to the main delegation. Or so he thought. At the entrance of the ballroom he listened intently and silently so he could assist the delegation as needed. But at the corner of his eyes, an alluring figure caught his attention. A lithe, beautiful elf with tanned skin and platinum blond hair stared back at him and smiled as if inviting him. As she sat on her chair, his eyes drifted across her, her dress a gentle weave of fabric, wealth and grace, her body a canvas of everything he could want. Catching himself, he focused back to the delegation at hand as they departed further into the ballroom, following Lord Espart. As he followed, he risked a glance aside at the figure that caught his eye, only to find that she was not there. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Hello human." Came a whisper from behind him. His head turned to find the same elf now inches away from his face. While he did have experience with the opposite sex, having such a beautiful women so close to him shattered his composure. While he knew that elves weren''t human at all, the sheer likeness and beauty raised all the flags for his instincts. Tanned skin that was immaculately smooth, silky blonde hair that framed her like a portrait and perfume that clouded his mind with joy. The elf smiled as if enjoying the moment before she grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him away from the delegation. "Won''t you join me? I would like to know more about you." She said with a beguiling smile. He was too uncomposed to refuse and found himself following the ethereal beauty. Until an alloy-clad hand shot towards his shoulder, holding him still. "I''m afraid he is busy, milady." Said the Sergeant in his gruff and intimidating voice. Turning back, he saw the Sergeant towering over him, his helmet a faceless visage. The shock of the moment pulled him back to attention as he became very aware of the two forces that pulled at him. The sergeant''s hand encompassed his entire shoulder, ensuring he could not move a singular inch. The elf however had both arms wrapped around his arm possessively, the aid becoming aware of the pain in his arm through the forcefulness of her grip. A grip far stronger than she appeared to have, but no amount of force had yielded to the Sergeant''s iron hand. Realising the futility of it, she instead opted to lean forward onto the aid to address the towering soldier. "Oh my, no need to be so scary. I''m just borrowing him for a little while. I''ll give him back, I promise." Her every word dripped with allure, punctuated with a beautiful smile. "He. Is. Busy. Milady." Spoke the Sergeant once more, each word a force of its own as the beguiling elf and the iron-faced soldier began a silent and fearless stare-down. ______________________________________________________________________________ Lord Rasmuth "Lady Waesmer, the human is indeed correct. It would be in your best interest for you to release the poor boy." Lady Can''ar is the first to notice. Breaking away from us, she strode directly to the elf, looming over her fangs beared. Lady Waesmer, no doubt part of the higher echelons of elves, only wrapped herself tighter around the human''s arm as if completely departed from the tension. "Oh I''m just playing with the newcomers. There''s no need to be so beastly Lady Can''ar." Her voice a sultry melody as she refused to let go. The minor notes of mana from her voice left no doubt of a passive incantation to persuade us, though I am unsure if this was simply her nature or her skill in magic. Without warning, Lady Tasha Horn stepped up, grabbing the human aid by the collar of his clothes and dragged him back. "We are here to answer everyone''s questions. You should join us if you''re so eager to get learn about us." Lady Horn flashed a forced smile as if telling the elf to ''cease their ploy''. Though in the short time I''ve known here, she would have used much harsher words if possible. The elf''s friendly visage did not waver at the invitation, before she decided to step forward towards the young aid. "Well what are we waiting for? We are keeping Lord Espart waiting." She said as she forced her herself around the arms of the aid as if he was the one escorting her. Flashing a seductive smile at the crowd, her brute-force method of separating a human now changed into a forceful entry into the entourage. "How tactless! I''ve always known they were trouble." "Careful now, you don''t want them to hear that." "Damn knife-ears can''t wait their turn." The scornful whispers of the surrounding nobles did nothing to deter the elf''s grip on the human, who now was pushed with ''her escort'' to the middle of the group to join us. Now unable to escape, she and the group began to sit down on the lounges and seats prepared. Those who could not find one stood as gracefully as they could in their position, each of them getting comfortable as drinks and refreshments began to be called. As I ultimately ended up behind the group, I suddenly became aware of the armour-clad soldier who had halted the elf''s attempt. I craned my neck upwards at the warrior, clad in green armour of a strange design unique to the humans. Though by no means a hidden presence, his mana-less existence juxtaposed his imposing figure, his each step rendering a dull thud from the tiles beneath. Few were tall enough to reach my aunt''s height, fewer still taller as this man was. He stood beside me, outside of the group circle as if methodically evaluating each noble before us. The bulk of his armour hid any intent of movement, but his sheer being felt like a predator waiting for its moment. No. Like a soldier, awaiting orders to act. The delegation did say they would have their soldiers with them, which is not an uncommon request. But it was stranger to have a soldier of an entirely different species with them. I felt the obligation to address the warrior as he was indeed part of the delegation and to sate my curiosity. "Greetings. I believe we have not met. I am Lord Rasmuth of the Union. The Lord of Exchanges" "It''s a pleasure Lord Rasmuth. I am Captain Jonathan Wiles, I''m in charge of our security and safety." The man''s voice was a deep growl as authoritative as his stature, reminding me that he was unlike any of the humans I''ve seen thus far, which spurned my next few words. "I apologies if my question would offend you but I must ask, you are indeed human, correct?" The helm turned slightly to me, the shaded lenses of the helm concealing any emotion. After a pause, he gave a huff of mild amusement. "I am." He answered shortly. "It''s my height, isn''t it?" He guessed the obvious indicator of my question, to which I could only chuckle at. "I have yet to meet a human of your size. I wondered if there was a reason for your stature." "Let''s just say I''m a bit special and we leave it at that." said the man cryptically as if spoken through a grin. Before I could push for a deeper answer, the voices of the circle of nobles began to rise, each begging its own question or compliment. "That air ship was indeed spectacular milady. How did your people accomplish such a feat?" "Surely your people aren''t mana-less! Such a thing is preposterous! What other lies will you tell next?" "That there ship is a mighty work of craftsmanship madam! Who is the shipmaster who built it?" "Ladies, Lords, patience please. There is plenty of time for me to answer all your questions, I only ask that you give me the opportunity to answer. Ahem I believe there was someone who asked about our mana-lessness?" Lady Tarith gently waved down her hands for calm as the crowd settled, nodding as their curiosity was slowly sated. "In the most straightforward of terms; Yes, humans and in extension my delegation and I are indeed manaless. We are incapable of casting spells or directing control of the mana in the air around us. In fact, mana is very dangerous to us and it is only due to our advance medical research that I can speak to you unimpeded." The crowd gasped at the Diplomat''s answer before calling to the clear discrepancies. "And yet here you are. I can see the mana around you, unaffected by your presence. But how can you say it is dangerous to you?" Spoke a voice from the crowd which Lady Tarith diligently addressed. "Please know that my understanding is from our researchers who themselves have only learnt the basics of mana from your people." Her tone was slow as she humbly spoke of her people''s misfortunes. The pronunciation of her words were outstanding given she would not have had much time to learn our language at all. "Humans do not have a ''mana-field'' that emanates from us. Under normal circumstances, our bodies would be overwhelmed by the strange energy in our body and would fall sick in an attempt to remove such a foreign presence. I believe many of you saw our soldiers outside dressed head-to-toe in armour?" Lady Tarith gestured to the ship that had docked outside on the edge of the courtyard, human soldiers stood on guard, decked out in [military-grade exo-suits] as the humans called their armour, with nary a sight of skin to be seen. The ship in all its beauty still captivating the sight of many nobles gazing out on the terraces. "If any of our soldiers out there were to remove any part of their suit, they would quickly become ill, and if left untreated, die. Our medical science had managed to create a vaccine that would allow us to temporarily sustain ourselves in a mana-filled environment. Such medicine was given to me and my associates before we arrived to the Gala." Lady Tarith explained as such before revealing a small case within her jacket, which she opened up, revealing a device akin to a syringe and glass vials containing a silvery liquid. "Though I''m afraid I''m the wrong person to ask as to how it works." The crowd jostled at each other to see the device unlike any they''ve seen, many of which gave their perspective on the artifice, cooing and gasping in amazement. Many commented how they appeared similar to the needles used by the doctors and healers. But while most were captivated by the small devices, others weren''t satisfied. "That is a very impressive artifice Lady Tarith." Lady Waesmer''s voice has the unique allure, distinct across any room she spoke in. "Are all your people''s artifices so¡­ obtrusive? You shouldn''t be sticking yourselves with such ghastly things." "It''s hardly an issue for us. We lack the spells and miracles to heal others with a wave of our hands, so it is only natural that we would innovate." "I don''t consider blood-letting to be very innovative." The elf''s eyes narrowed as she spoke, appraising the human''s response to her remark, but only briefly. "But I digress. It would be unbecoming of me to judge your people on a singular artifice. Instead, I would like to direct our attention to the more important spectacle of your arrival." The elf who was sharing her seat with the aid began pulling him closer as if keeping him hostage. "I would like to know about the even greater artifice that we appear to have completely ignored, the great airship that you have arrived upon." The elf''s voice carried through the room like a melody of self-importance. The nobles whispered to each other at her rude interruption, though they could not deny they were also just as curious about the ship. Some even thankful for the elf''s intrusiveness. "Would you please enlighten me about your ship Lady Tarith? And pray tell, what exactly did you meant when you, ''Explored the realms beyond your skies''?" Chapter 5: Starlight and the Prince Terradar Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Prince Sternea Waesmer Alas, my poor luck has once again abandoned me to suffer the wills of others. My attempts to hide as the anonymous wallflower had led me centre stage as the impromptu representative of my kingdom, much to my dismay. The forced meeting with my father had sealed my fate. When my family gathered in the throne room of our castle, each of my siblings gave their excuse as to why they could not (or more accurately, why they would not) attend the Union Gala as our kingdom''s representative. As fate would see fit, my studies dwarfed my apparent responsibilities to our castle, and thus I was sent away with the Elven delegation, on our way to Terrador. No matter how many decades pass, my nerves would never in the presence of the greater royalty. In the carriage on our journey, her Majesty Freda Dawnwake saw fit to appraise me for whatever it was worth. Her eyes and her very being weighing down on me effortlessly, finding nothing of value. Or perhaps she did see value in me as an unwilling pawn? A thought that sent shivers down my spine as I tried shrinking myself in my seat. "My lady, you are scaring the poor boy. I assure you he will behave for the event." My aunt who had accompanied me on this occasion did little to ease my worries. Though I was indeed of a higher rank than my aunt, it was specifically her whom the main family wanted to bring for this event, my appearance being a formality. Her seductive guiles and alluring charisma she exuded as naturally as she breathed was an unmatched skill in the world of nobility. Fortunately, she took the reins of the conversation away from me, thankfully leaving me alone with my thoughts. Why would my father send me of all our siblings to the event? I was the most insignificant of my ambitious brothers and sisters, this delegation would have surely been better off with someone competent by the side of the royal family. I had learnt early as a child that I would not survive the cut-throat world of nobility, my blood being the only tying factor to that world. Oh, how I longed for my peaceful life back in my room with my telescopes and books. How I dreamed of a life free from the chains of nobility, the only limit being the stars in the sky. The distant birds, my tales of adventurers, the endless horizon beyond my grasp¡­ Even now on the terrace of this castle, I hid myself away to my own little corner, away from prying eyes. The Elven delegation happily scheming away downstairs in their corner. I was not blessed with my family''s aptitude for politics and schemes. Such skills are unneeded to know their thoughts regarding me, for the very words have been whispered behind me all my life. The false son, the runt of the litter, and every other belittling title their creativity would allow. I would only be an obstacle to their plots as each of the ladies in waiting told her of every drama available in the Gala. My aunt in her kindness sent me away from their clutches, or perhaps out of their way? I would like to think it''s of the former. Upon my place on the terrace I could not help but watch the scene around me. I had been to this particular region only a few times. The architecture and the aesthetics had grown on me overtime considering I was the one usually sent beyond my family''s castle to deal with less-than-important matters. Unlike the elven castles back home, the cities and structures of Terrador were, simply put, designed for function. Gone were the fanciful murals made of ivory carving and crystal light, replaced with tapestry and candle light. The natural fauna did not constitute the castle itself, instead used as tasteful decoration to breathe life onto carved stone. The air itself tasted strange, not of the scent of fauna and flower but of candle smoke, of mountain air and perfume, likely due to the nobles who take every inch of space they can. The ambient mana is far less dense in this realm too. While not enough to cast sickness, it is enough for minor discomfort. The skies are alien, the people are strange, and my books and stories far, far away. The only constant being the nobles scheming and plotting to overthrow one another, as they would in all the realms. I look around and feel in my heart that this night would likely not be a quick one. And yet I can feel a pleasant wave wash over this event tonight as I can see, despite my lack of political talent, that the many nobles are in affable moods. Significantly more smiles feel genuine, more laughter in the air, the buffet tables emptying faster than I thought. What could be causing such a cordial mood to take over the event? It would appear the answer would reveal itself as an immense surge of mana jolts me to my senses. I turn back to the mountain view to see the source of the surge just over the mountains, the swirling, condensing storm of mana signalling¡­ an inter-realm portal? Above the mountains? At that size?! ¡°Lords and Ladies! Kings and Queens! Nobles of every rank!" The booming voice of the event''s royal herald directs everyone''s attention to the mountain view. My personal spot on the terrace now flooded with pompous nobles caring only for their own place on the terrace, myself being pushed to the edge for a front-row seat. The surge of mana came to a precipice as it suddenly made influx with a flash of light, the condensed mana being replaced with a sight from legend itself. A floating vessel, sleek and silver, careened across the mountain range towards the castle, beautiful, emanating power¡­ and completely mana-less? I focus my sight to the ship in search of any tell-tale sign, only to be met with a loss. I had read about many an airship in my personal time, Avion merchant balloons, Dwarven battle barges, Dragonkin sky-wings. All of them emanated some form of levitation spell or arcane glyth. Not this ship. No spell circle, no flapping wings, instead it cruised smoothly as crisp, blue flames shot out from beneath its belly. The identity of these newcomers announced with fervour by the herald. ¡°I PRESENT THE REPRESENTATIVE BODY OF THE REALM OF SOL, THE UNITED NATIONS OF EARTH! AND THEIR PEOPLE, HUMANITY!¡± Humanity? Earth? A fourth realm!? Arriving tonight!? Were they the reason for tonight''s change in mood? How was I not aware of this? "It''s them, the manaless ones. What did they call themselves again? Hyu-mans¡­ Such a weird name." "And so the main event arrives. I wonder what these young upstarts have for us¡­" "Barrel shaped excre-! Listen ''ere ya twig shaped twat, this castle ''ere was built by my kin so WE will be meeting them first!" "No, you may not have one of these drinks, they are mine! I will need them. If you want your own platter, find a servant!" Apparently everyone else was aware of this and I alone was left in the dark. Wallowing in my ignorance, I remember that this topic was one of the many spoken of on the carriage ride to this castle. Once again my social ineptitudes failing me on grasping vital information. The ship gracefully descended onto the edge of the courtyard as one of the vessels outer faces opens down, doubling as a ramp. Using both the ramp as a protective wall and a platform for a vessel, how clever¡­ As I and the many nobles around me lean forward for a better look, out from the vessel''s belly steps out¡­ elves? Wait, no, they don''t have ears, or perhaps they are very small? Their faces are akin to ours and yet so very different. And their mana fields are¡­ completely gone. There is a stark difference between their men and women, far more than between the Sun Elves. Every crease of the face emphasised, every masculine feature emboldened, effeminate curves enhanced. I remember the historical indignity the elves faced upon discovering the realm of Duramar, as both my people and the dwarves were deeply disgusted at the mockery of the other¡¯s visage. Would such a rivalry dawn upon our people once again? I shudder at the thought. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The cacophony of whispers around me was incessant as the crowd scrutinised every aspect of their being. Their soldiers dressed head to toe in matte fabric and unpolished armour. Each bore strange staffs, their helmets enforced by a glass-like face-plate. The main delegation themselves were unique in their apparel and wear, fitted cloths of clearly fine material yet without an ounce of decorative embroidery, clearly patterned as a uniform but emphasising function over fashion. A choice in stark contrast to every noble at this event. Among them stood a giant of a being that dwarfed their fellow delegates, clearly as the highest ranking soldier. At first glance they appeared as a slim Ork and yet they strode with the discipline of his fellow soldiers. Perhaps the hierarchy of their soldiers is decided by height? Many questions and others flew from the crowd around me that it was almost suffocating, a noise that quickly silenced when a voice echoed from their ship. The voice of the delegation was projected from the ship itself, reiterating her every word. As I watched on, the eyes of the nobles around me narrowed further. While these spoken oaths were important for them, they always meant the same thing to me; fair trade, peace, sharing knowledge, follow the law, etcetera etcetera¡­ My excitement was focused inward as my thoughts raced over the existence of an entirely new realm. The existence of new and strange cities, different beasts, strange magics- wait no, they said they are manaless¡­ Manaless? Manaless people, a manaless ship, does that also mean a manaless realm? The implications of such a thing shook me to my soul. How is that possible? While I do consider myself magically independent, I could not imagine my life with any semblance of ease without it. Wasn''t anyone else concerned? Clearly not as they were far more concerned about where they stood in their arbitrary hierarchy. I once again became aware of the claustrophobic crush of people around me, to which I allowed others to the space before me as I moved to the back of the crowd, anywhere where there was less people. I politely pushed my way out as I grasped at the open space of freedom, anything to get away from here. "- together we explored the realms beyond our skies, beyond our stars, to realms beyond realms!" The very words struck me still in my steps at the mention of stars. Beyond the stars? Beyond the skies? If this was their show of grandstanding flaunts, they did so with spectacular analogies until a thought shimmered unto my mind. Their ship floated through the sky with great skill and a smoothness that many an airship struggled with. Manaless airships always struggled with altitude, the ambient mana far less dense above the clouds. Perhaps this ship could do the same? Could it go much further? If it is manaless, does that mean it does not struggle from mana suffocation? Have they have overcome the hurdles of high-altitude flight? The spells and techniques needed to solve such problems have been lost to us, and yet they use them so readily? What else do they know? Curiosity consumed me as a thousand questions raced across my mind, my attention now directed at the newcomers of the party as everyone returned to their usual corners of the ballroom. On the other hand, me and many other nobles made our way to the ballroom entrance, my mind racing as to how I might approach the humans. Unfortunately, my societal etiquette classes never stuck with me. Fortunately, one of the dragon-kin would take the initiative on behalf of the group and no sooner were we on our way. Though not soon enough it would seem. My aunt flowed through the crowd, preying on one of the humans who had fallen behind. He appeared much younger than the rest of the delegation, likely an assistant of sorts around my age. As silently as ever, she coiled herself around the human''s arm like a naga, seduction spells silently emanating from her mouth as she pulled him away, only to be stopped, surrounded and brought along with the delegation. I doubt her willful abduction was part of her plan but she soon found herself joining the center of the delegation. Meanwhile, myself and many of the eavesdropping nobles found ourselves getting comfortable around the circle of sofas and chairs, I myself standing awkwardly at the back of the crowd, a drink I managed to claim barely keeping me calm. I listened to the delegation''s answers to the crowd. For a new realm so departed from us, they spoke our language quite well. They did indeed have a unique accent that portrayed their realm but such a thing is expected. Did they receive help from the Union nobles? They are responsible for inter-realm trade after all so it is likely. As I listened I pondered how I could broach the topic of their ship. I gazed once more towards the towering entrance to the courtyard. Beyond the onlookers who were still entranced by the sight, the silver-grey ship hung over the courtyard''s edge like a fairy tethered by an iron chain. A gentle hum silently emanated from the vessel, heard only by those who focus upon it. Its stiff, iron ramp seemingly being the only anchor that tied it to the rock and stone of the keep, guarded by armoured soldiers. Even the air itself was changed, a small yet distinct, burnt charge could be smelt in the air, pungent yet sharp like the aftermath of a lightning spell. The ship floated ethereally, a sight I found ironic as I once again searched for any sign of magical manipulation, only to be met short of any answer. What other way is there to explain such a magical sight without a whisper or whisp of magic? "Would you please enlighten me about your ship Lady Tarith? And pray tell, what exactly did you meant when you, ''Explored the realms beyond your skies''?" It would appear that my aunt would take charge in search of that answer. Her question was one that hung in the air the moment they stepped into the ballroom. While her abruptness offended some minor decorum, the many ears of the ballroom undoubtedly tuned in for their answer. "Your hand in opulent boasts and anecdotes makes up for your appearance, but, and I believe I speak for everyone here, we would like to know the truth. I do hope you don''t expect me to believe you flutter about the skies on slabs of rock." Her words were clearly a provocation for an answer, one that I felt unease in. I could see the cold calculations behind her smile and it reminded me of why I disliked the ruthless world of politics. I imagine the same calculations spreading to the minds all around me, each noble ready to pick and pry at the humans. I worried that this could take a turn for the worse, for a new realm to be faced with the unrelenting eyes of the nobles was a fear I was familiar with and still had trouble reconciling. But I hardly consider myself in the position to chastise those around me, after all I myself had left my corner to do the same with the intent to learn about their ship. However, it would appear that my troubles were unfounded as the human had taken the question in stride. "I stand by my intent to answer your questions, and I will do so to the best of my knowledge." Lady Tarith''s smile was not fazed as she took a long sip of her drink. She slated her thirst slowly, savouring our impatience as much as she savoured her drink before she eventually, gently, put it back down, cleared her mouth, and began to speak. "Humanity has always wondered if there were others like us. Our early history led us to scour every corner of our home. From the tip of every peninsula to the edges of our seas." As she spoke she pulled another artifice from her clothes. This new artifice looked like an oversized medallion, symmetrical and round akin to an oversized drink coaster. Placing the artifice on the central table, she appeared to tap an indent, only for a flat section of the device to light up, which she tapped a few more times. With a final tap, a construct of blue light appeared above the table, taking aback everyone watching with wide eyes, except for the humans. The construct appeared to be a floating map dictating the land, mountain ranges risen above the land, towns marked with what I assume is their language and the surrounding sea. Everyone around us went wide-eyed in surprise as they gawked at the construct and the artifice. There was a clear distinction between those who valued the map more than the artifice, the former appraising the map and the density of its towns and the latter as the wide-eyed many, including myself, that gawked at the display. Lady Tarith gave a chuckle at the scene around her as she sat amused with a smile. "Oh please, I hardly consider this is at all impressive, if I''m to believe what magic is capable of." Some of the nobles turned towards her humble remark with astonishment to which I found myself joining in too. Light construct magic is an intermediate skill, yes, but such magic is hardly practical for use. For those that do use it, it takes practise to make constructs as refined as this, even more to maintain them. And such appraisal has yet to include the device itself; mana-less, mysterious and made of an unrecognisable materials as foreign as its owner. I was left stunned at such a marvellous artifice that I was left gazing at the human for more. "Once we had mapped the entirety of our realm, we were disheartened that we were alone in our realm. And so in our curiosity, we looked to the stars." And with another tap, the map expanded further. And further. And¡­ further? The once diminutive, flat map that covered a portion of the table began to slowly rise to make room for more. But then I watched as the map did something no worthwhile cartographer has been able to correctly depict. The expanding map began to curve downwards as more seas and land masses emerged. Foreign names appeared and mountain ranges jutted from the projection as the massive map now floated above the table as a glowing blue sphere without any of its detail diminished. What was left was an entire realm mapped, with every sea depicted and every continent named. But that was beside the point that has now overtaken my attention. They know of the Spherical Realm Theory! They know the realms are round! "And with the spirit of exploration, we ventured outwards, in hopes that we would find sentient life beyond. On our ships, we rose to the sky, higher and higher until eventually, we-" "You''ve broken through [Aterial''s Ward]?!" Chapter 6: An Important Question Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Lord Sternea Waesmer I blurted my words out without any regard and with utter enthusiasm. So stunned was I at the revelation of one who has reached beyond the skies that my learned decorum had completely left me, only for the realisation to collapse upon me like a boulder. My eyes darted to the side to see everyone''s eyes lay upon me and my outburst. My own aunt who was but a moment ago an exemplar of elegant nobility now stared in disbelief at my outburst. I could feel the clockwork of her mind turn as she formed a subtle, rebuking reprimand as I now recoiled at the attention my exclamation brought me, but not before Lady Tarith could intervene. "I haven''t heard of [Aterial''s Ward] before, but I''m assuming it''s akin to the upper layer of the sky?" The response had pulled me away from my self-inflicted sorrow as I faced a question that called deeply to me and my own personal interests that I kept close to heart. But I realised that I had brought myself deep into the clutches of noble etiquette, to which I immediately sought the guidance of the familiar, my aunt. Where I expected to be bailed from another pit-trap of etiquette, she instead flicked her eyes in a subtle command, to continue and answer Lady Tarith''s question. My eyes raised in surprise at the turn of events. "W-well yes Lady Tarith, that is indeed a component for Her Ward. *ahem* [Aterial''s Ward] refers to the upper limits of the skies. The Goddess [Aterial], who''s sovereignty is the skies and stars, watches us from above, the name coming from the highest limit that the realms have tried to traverse. Through the very skies that is her domain. A-as history has recorded, many in the past have tried to reach the stars for their own purposes. But as they rose to the skies, they began to face unseen challenges such as¡­ uhh-" "The air becoming thinner? Freezing temperatures, literal suffocation and the climb itself becoming more difficult?" Lady Tarith finished my explanation. My eyes widened as she described esoteric knowledge that many in the upper echelons of society were not aware of. ¡°Y-yes! Indeed! Historical battle barges and air-ships could only rise so high before their limitations began to surface. Ambient mana reduction, the lack of air, the integrity of the vessels themselves, the list of issues goes on!" I couldn''t help myself as I began to delve deep into the wonderous knowledge of non-assisted flight. To think I would be able to describe the wonders of flight with others who are perhaps as knowledgeable as I am! Or¡­ are they? Perhaps I''ve gone ahead of myself once again as I realised the circumstances that I had found myself in. "I-I must say, I''m surprised you would know about such esoteric knowledge Lady Tarith. M-might I ask about where you acquired such information?" I squeaked out my question as I tried to recompose myself as the competent noble I was meant to be. "Well I must admit that I''m not an expert on aircraft. But I can say that we humans absolutely have lots of experience when traversing the skies. The ship we arrived on is by no means the only vessel we have.¡± As she spoke, she once again fiddled with her light artifice, new structures began forming above the maps surface one by one, each a different size, increasing in size. ¡°We have many forms of what we call aircraft back home, all specialised for certain needs. From light and quick aircraft for emergency response, larger aircraft meant for intercontinental travel, to super-carriers meant for cargo. The very ship you see, the [Sky Breaker] is what we call an Olympic-class cruiser, meant for military uses and operations. Today however, it is simply our mode of transport." ¡­ I was stunned at the revelation that was just laid bare before me. A realm with dedicated aerial vessels for specific purposes? Such a concept was only heard of in the greatest of the Avion kingdoms but even then the rumours say such vessels are limited. "A-aircraft you say? I-I must admit that I like that name more than ''Aerial Vessels''." I could only mutter out such a meek response. "Preposterous! The skies alone are a danger to traverse. How many aircraft have you lost from dragon attacks, hmm?" "How big are these ''super-carriers''? How much can they transport?" "I demand proof! We have only seen one example of such an ''aircraft'', I would like to see proof!" It appears I was not the only one awestruck with the revelation as almost every noble and aristocrat began pouring out their question. The poor human was suddenly struck by a mountain of queries as she desperately asked for calm to answer each one, her companions eventually having to assist. The commotion caught the attention of other nobles further away who attempted their own means of eavesdropping, the nearby bards having their song disrupted by vain nobles. As the commotion slowly climbed, another question formed in my mind. One that was completely overshadowed by the revelation of a veritable fleet of air ships. Just I would begin my attempt to have my question answered, I word rang through the air like a cathedral bell. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Silence.¡± The voice belonged to none other than my aunt who had intervened. The human aid expelled from her seat as she claimed her position in the room, glaring at the rude commotion before her. ¡°Whilst I can understand our collective enthusiasm for our guests, it does not constitute the need to throw away our civility. As such, I would like everyone to calm themselves and return to expected decorum." Each and every syllable of her words were pronounced firmly, declaring her annoyance. Her sultry tone soaking in the cold, condescending distaste that elven nobles have perfected over millennia. Plentiful scowls drew upon many a face, but ultimately receded to the comfortable distance of where they once were. Having achieved the collective calm as the bards began theirs songs once more, she began her conversation once more. "That was a rather unsightly display of us Lady Tarith, I do hope you can forgive the nobles for that." Deflecting the entirety of the uncouth display to everyone but herself, she returned to her comfortable posture. "Before we continue, I believe it to be prudent of me to introduce you to Prince Sternea Waesmer , Prince to the Kingdom of Waesmer, and my nephew." "Th-Thank you Lady Waesmer." Having attention suddenly returned to me, I give my best courteous bow as I turn to the humans. "It is an honour to greet humanity to the realms at this esteemed event. I should likewise introduce you to Lady Nimrara Waesmer, advisor and sister to the king of Waesmer and an esteemed Lady-in-waiting to the noble royal of the high elven court, Princess Freyda Dawnwake of Etherium." With my monologue complete, the human diplomat also gave a courteous bow. The introduction that my aunt had drilled into my head prior had paid off, seeing she did not glare at me any longer than she needed to. "With introductions out of the way, I believe we can resume with my answers?" "I''m happy to answer any questions you have Lady Waesmer, but I have made a promise to answer everyone''s questions this evening.¡± The smiles on both the ladies did not waver as the pause stretched uncomfortably. My aunt was surprisingly the first one to relent as she leaned back into her chair. ¡°You grace us this evening Lady Tarith! Might I request the next query?¡± One of the lizard men spoke up bombastically before Lady Tarith gave him a nod. ¡°You regale us of your mastery of the skies and have gone so far as to arrive in one such vessel! But what about travel by land? I don¡¯t believe you have entirely foregone the far simpler method of travelling across the land.¡± ¡°Oh of course not!¡± Lady Tarith answered at the absurdity. ¡°We do have vehicles that can haul cargo across land, but they are limited by the local infrastructure and road sizes. Going by sea or air simply allows for more cargo at a faster pace and access to resources that distant continents would have in abundance.¡± ¡°¡­You have access to resources across different lands?¡± The diplomat gave a pleasant smile to the hidden revelation her answer would have. ¡°Yes, yes we do. The resources on some lands tend to be limited. To be able to openly access resource-rich islands or lands that make typical traversal problematic, access from the skies makes these problems a non-issue.¡± The human''s answer caused a cacophony of whispers to erupt. The implications caused many to spiral into their own imaginations or outright denial. One could hear the odd "Bollocks!" or "Absurd lies!" being pelted out while others dwelled amongst themselves. What kind of kingdom can freely access resources across the seas? Or more importantly, how powerful must they be? But for me, it gave only a discrepancy. What was once a lingering thought grew to a recognised incongruent fact that Lady Tarith had eluded to answer. The simple question of- "Then what has taken you so long?" The half-finished question immediately grabbed Lady Tarith''s attention while eliciting confused expressions on every noble''s face. Interestingly, the rest of the humans also gave smiles, as if waiting for this question. I realised that my question might have violated some other obscure rule of decorum, only to have Lady Tarith give me a nod to finish. My aunt, seeing the strange reaction from the humans allowed her gaze to linger on me, urging me to continue. "W-well¡­ you have said so yourself that your people can travel across the seas and the skies. Um¡­ that you have ''mapped the entirety of your realm''." I gazed back at the light construct that still hovered above us, the sphere that was Sol-realm. "And clearly you have been able to grasp the objective limits of a realm; a finite, gargantuan mass of earth and sea. Gargantuan it might be, but finite it certainly is." I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. I knew I was making lots of assumptions about Sol-realm but I was already too far into my question to stop. "I-If your people have fully explored your realm to the point that you can pull resources from distant lands, then you should have already found the portal to the realms." As I finished my question, the many nobles around me nodded in understanding, grasping at the incoherency of facts I had found. I recalled what history lessons were taught to me by my tutors back home. Every realm managed to discover each other through ancient ruins containing realm-portals. While it took some realms time to fix and activate the portals, these ruins could always be traced back as the emerging gateway that every denizen ever used to spread to other realms. It was only recently that the Grand Maesters of the magical arts managed to replicate the portals artificially. Even with this newfound knowledge, it was only possible to reach other realms through existing portals. "It- It did not take any of the realms to map their whole world to find the required portal ruins, as rare as they were. While I know not of your people¡¯s struggles, you have managed to map your entire realm in such detail, master the very skies, all through manaless means, and then travel across the portals to reach us here. And so I must ask, with all due respect L-Lady Tarith. What has taken you so long to reach us?¡± The air became palpable as everyone nearby turned in expectation. Many wore a grin as the flagrant narrative the humans built for themselves slowly began to crumble, excited as to how they will embarrass themselves. I felt guilty to put them in such a situation. I know firsthand the shame that is felt when you humiliate yourself at a noble event and the thought that I had just put another in the same situation made me feel sick. And yet, the humans would defy expectations once again. Instead of a crumbling expression that concealed humiliation, her features instead relaxed as if relieved to hear the question. "I was wondering when someone would bring that up with us." She said as a smile slowly grew on her face as she enjoyed the moment, much to the puzzlement of many noble around us, their entertainment nowhere to be seen. "There was no practical way I could outright give an answer to that question. Personally, I was worried that I would be monologuing this entire evening until I could reach the eventual topic." I thought my question rather innocuous as I asked to slake my curiosity. My first theory was that, due to their manaless nature, it took longer to repair the portals, or that it was guarded by some mythical beast. What kind of answer would warrant such a long-winded explanation? As she settled in her seat, curiosity grew as she paused to build intrigue, only to give an answer that was as shocking as it was short. "To simply put it, the portal that allowed us to travel to Terrador was not on our world. It was in the stars." "¡­Pardon me?" Chapter 7: Honoured Meeting Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Diplomat Melissa Tarith ''Well, not in the stars but close enough'' I thought to myself. I could feel the haughty attitude of the nobles starting to rub off on me as I answered Prince Sternea''s question with more flare than I intended. Back home, the department and the higher ups had a meeting on how we would tell the rest of the URS that we are a space faring civilisation. How would we even begin to explain such a concept? From what Rasmuth told us, the realms were akin to the 17th century empowered with magic. Their studies in astrology more akin to mysticism and its connection to magic rather than their empirical study. A part of me was grateful that Prince Sternea started asking his questions as we didn''t need to manoeuvre the conversation anymore. Pre-empting a clarification I began looking through the holo-projector''s files. With a final tap, the projection above us shifted, the once massive sphere called earth now shrinking quickly and with it a projection of the moon, then the nearby planets, the sun and one-by-one, the rest of the planetary bodies that make up the solar system. The projection finally expanding into a massive, floating holographic display of the solar system, complete with orbital lines, asteroid belts, labels and the accelerated orbit of the planets. While I''m not personally excited by astronomy, humanity''s knowledge of our universe was always something to behold. Satisfied with the display I look back down to the nobles to see a host of many reactions. More than half were impressed or non-fazed by the display as if it was another spectacle at the event. Many of this half whispered and sneered to each other at the interesting but lack-lustre display on how it was only one colour or how it shimmered slightly instead of a solid projection. While it wasn''t the most advanced projector I could bring, it was the best in terms of hologram quality and reliability for a hand-held projector this small. Despite the projector''s shortcomings, I was not particularly affected by the insults. As for the rest, they were definitively easier to pick out from the crowd. To begin with, their eyes were as wide as they could possibly be, and if it not then it was their mouth that was. Many were still clinging to the manaless aspect of the projector and how it could possibly work, mumbling to themselves and to the magically inclined like them. Many of the entertainers in the back found themselves staring, only to forcibly continue their acts despite their growing curiosity. Two greying wizards debated, one noble dropped his wine glass, and lastly, there was Prince Sternea who stood enraptured, awestruck and still without a word. "What you are seeing is what we call the Solar System, or the Sol System if you prefer. The Sol System is comprised of its sun, planets, their respective moons and other bodies. To answer your question, we discovered the portal as we took to the stars in search of-" "What is the accuracy of this light construct?" My explanation was cut short by an unexpected question. Prince Sternea''s eyes were no longer of curiosity, instead they were replaced with a hunger for knowledge, sharp and focused. "Pardon me?" I stammered out to clarify what he meant. "I want to know the accuracy of this projection. No models I have seen have an accuracy to this degree. The elliptical orbits of the realms, their moons , their rotations, even their distances to the sun meet approximated measurements. This construct is impressive in-and-of itself but it is not merely made to be aesthetically pleasing, is it?" The question caught me off guard. I was expecting questions to their veracity or outright denial. Curious, I decided to see how informed he was. "Yes, this hologram does have some accuracy to the actual models." I replied, "This depiction is a sped-up view of our solar system. The main difference between this and true 1-1 models would be the orbits and speed of the planets around the sun." I was surprised that the elf''s fixation was on something entirely unexpected. "May I ask how you know?" As the question left my lips, I could see his eyes light up with passion, "Well!..." before he reeled himself back. "First, I should say that I am not one to passionately announce my scholarly status whenever possible, but I do definitely consider myself a budding scholar of the astronomical studies. Many a kingdom have averted crisis from the foreknowledge of cosmic omens, to which it is the endeavours of those within our niche that we map the astral bodies to anticipate such omens! Our current models brought to fruition by Great Mage Merlos Delor Maramure who-" ''Ahem.'' The interruption to Prince Sternea''s dialogue was politely interrupted by Lady Waesmer. "While I must thank my nephew for his interesting tirade, I do believe we have other topics we should breech tonight. It is by your words that you would answer everyone''s questions tonight?" While the prince was slightly downtrodden from the interruption, I was still obligated to interact with everyone at the gala. "Indeed, it is as you say Lady Waesmer. But it is by no means an end to our conversation Prince Sternea. We will be staying in this realm for some time after all." Looking back up at me, he nodded in understanding as we began to broach other topics. Although we had moved on from the topic of spaceflight I could feel the other nobles weren''t as comfortable as to disregard such a concept as another mammalian noble would ask another question. "How do you feed the crew of such an enormous ship? I for one have personally seen the sacrifices that sailors must undertake for a given voyage." "Well, I''m glad you asked. While we certainly stick to preserved foodstuffs that are still viable over long periods, developments in food production have allowed us to turn small, enclosed spaces into fully functional farms that can output more food than they would as simple storage." ¡­ "Do tell."
Sergeant Johnathan Wiles Standing outside the circle of nobles and diplomats, he kept a keen watch on the area. While many simply ignored him, others gawked at his massive stature. Though what interest his presence there gathered was soon taken away from the conversation at the centre. Which was fine with him. He was personally uncomfortable with this form of diplomatic dialogue and was content in being the watchful protector he was tasked to be. The whole scene was interesting to say the least as he found his eyes constantly drifting aside despite his best efforts. In his helmet, the auto-translator did its best to decipher the many conversations around the room with its limited knowledge of a language only learned a couple of years ago, compiling every person''s dialogue into neat little subtitles above their heads. Like hell he or anyone would be able to understand twenty conversations at once. Little glances in his general direction hinted as to who saw him as the topic of conversation. Despite the constant noise, one word kept popping up, their word for ''Orcs''. Whether it was an insult or a description he didn''t care beyond that, other than petty personal grievances for appearance. He personally liked how his armour looked. Despite the personal peace he found in simply watching on, he soon found his attention focused on an elf making her way towards the group. The elves were somewhat easier to pick out from the crowd than the rest as they were the only ones that looked relatively human. This elf however flowed through the crowd like a lithe stream of water with a gracefulness he could only describe akin to a fairy. His back was turned towards her, expecting her to become another onlooker to the crowd, watching her from the corner of his eye. To his surprise, she instead moved towards him, standing gracefully at his side before she spoke. "Good evening Sir Knight. I am of the understanding you are here as the protector of the human delegation tonight. Is this true?" He turned his head towards his sudden conversation partner, using as little effort to demonstrate he would rather not have a conversation but polite enough as not to offend. "I am," he spoke simply. He didn''t want to be another centre of attention in this room any more than he was now. "Is there something you need of me?" "Indeed there is Sir Knight. I am Lady Flormali, Lady-in-waiting to her majesty Lady Freda Dawnwake, who wishes to make an audience with you." She said as she bowed slightly and gestured to a prominent figure sitting at the back of the room. The person in question did catch his eye earlier as she was a figure that stood out from the crowd, seemingly having made no moves until now. And it was his definitive intention not to participate in the Gala any more than he had to. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "I am honoured but I have my duty to the protection of Sol-realm''s delegation, and respectfully refuse." "I am afraid that I must insist on behalf of my lady. But, in her insight, she understands the inconvenience of her request and is willing to compensate, assuring that you will face no further problems at this event¡­ any more than you already do." "¡­" The moment he heard the thin threat behind the veiled words, he turned his whole attention towards her, staring her down in silence. He faced her with all the coldness of 500kgs of armour-rated plating, his metal boots thudding from his sheer footfalls on the marble floor. The suddenness of his action startling the elf. "Elaborate." He said plainly. "¡­My Lady is as curious as the nobles about your people¡­ but noble decorum would see that the best compromise of her situation is to have you greet her appropriately." Using ''noble decorum'' as a reason to have him meet this Lady Dawnwake was a terrible excuse the elf could have used. However, he recognised the name from an earlier briefing before they arrived, the name belonging to high elven nobility. While it was within his position to ignore this, he was technically part of the delegation. He was also prepared to participate in the Gala just as Diplomat Tarith was. With an inwards sigh, he eyed his HUD to message one of the officers that was part of the delegation. With a knowing look, the officer within the crowd gave him a nod, positioning himself within the crowd to take over Johnathan''s duties. Seeing that there would be no further issues with security, he turned back to the elf. "Lead the way then." With a quick flash of relief crossing the elf''s face, she bowed her head again and led him back towards her master. While she weaved her way through the crowd like a fish through water, he found his path through the noble crowd parting before him. While she stepped gracefully around the guests, he realised he stood out like a sore thumb¡­ covered in heavy armour, guests quickly moving out to avoid being trampled, not that he would. While he did try to step softly, there was little he could do to stop the sound of heavy boots against marble floor. He realised that he was perhaps more intimidating than he thought as looks of indignity quickly subsided to awe and timidness as he stood physically higher than the guests. Eventually, they arrived at another corner of the ballroom. One that bore mostly elves. This corner felt specifically tailored for its inhabitants compared to the rest of the ballroom. A soft rug covered the ground as exorbitant couches and lounge sofas circled around it and him, elves sitting gracefully, whispering amongst themselves like gossiping fairies with a slight tinge of cattiness. Magical whisps of warm light hung just above them, lighting the corner wonderfully. As he was guided to the centre of the corner, he stood before what was undoubtably the highest royal elf in the room, splayed regally on her own sofa, a hand supporting her soft cheeks and her watchful eyes. Compared to the rest of the elves who bore fair skin and fine, fanciful clothing, Lady Freda''s skin was obsidian black, gently gleaming in the light, her attire long, luxurious and beautifully patterned as it flowed down from her shoulders, across supple curves and down to her feet. At her side, a dragon-like being stood straight and strong, wearing what was akin to a butler''s outfit, a platter in hand to serve his master. The dragon servant eyed Johnathan vigilantly from top to bottom with an intimidating gaze, though it was somewhat fruitless as he had to crane his head up somewhat. With his final footfalls muffled by the rug, he stood before the obsidian elf as the elven servant returned to her master''s side with a bow before turning back to him. "My lady is thankful that you would accept your appearance before her. As a guest before Lady Dawnwake, you are required to bow deeply and greet her with your full name and titles." She spoke fluidly and concisely with a tone of authority that did not belong to her. Eying the elf before he turned to Lady Dawnwake, he heaved a nasal sigh that he concealed within his helmet as he decided he would follow through with this spectacle. With a deep nod of his helmet he spoke. "Greetings, Lady Freda Dawnwake. I am Sergeant Major Johnathan Wiles of the UNE Navy Fleet. It is an honour to meet you." On que, the elves around him gossiped once more as the obsidian elf narrowed her eyes. "I am pleased to meet you as well human. I am Lady Freda Othello Dawnwake, Head of the Elven Royal House of Dawnwake and Heir Apparent to the Elven Royal Throne. I greet you in the benevolent light of the gods." She answered stoically, unmoved from her seat. "Will you not bow before me as per your station?" she asked with a slight tone of command in her voice. "To wilfully bow or kneel would be to swear fealty in our culture. As a sworn soldier to humanity, it is outside of my ability to swear such fealty to you Lady Dawnwake. I am here simply due to your request for my appearance." Her face remained unmoved, pondering over his response. "Indeed you are. I will forgive this slight in your decorum as you are new to us. For now. Though I expect that you will ensure no such mistakes occur again in the future." "I have no issues to practising and enacting the proper conduct and ceremony of a culture that demonstrates good will and intent towards us." Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if taking offence at the answer. John imagined that anyone else in this position would be somewhat intimidated; the whispering of the surrounding elves, their scrutinising gazes and the dragon servant''s visage slowly morphing to that of complete contempt. All of which were mitigated from his height advantage. "If this is your demonstration of noble etiquette, then you have disappointed my expectations for your people. At least you bear some value to loyalty for your superiors, that has to count for something¡­" She said as she trailed her sentence off with dispassion. He responded immediately before she could continue. "I am here as the delegation''s guardian and security, my duty as a representative for humanity is secondary." She was beginning to find his cold responses a source of annoyance, like having a conversation with a stubborn wall. She thought she might as well prod at the wall for some meaningful information. "You do not consider yourself worthy as a representative then? Understandable¡­" "Delegation of duties milady. I have trust in Lady Tarith''s work." "Are you sure that''s the whole reason? Loyal as your appear, you do not appear human to me" She replied, eyeing the relatively diminutive humans beyond. "I can assure you that I am human milady. I would not waste your time with a pointless investigation." "Your consideration is appreciated and also pointless. There is clearly a dissonance of appearance between you and the humans. Do you not see it?" "Are you referring to differences beyond the obvious milady?" The floating lights above them shimmered just a little in tune with her mood. Johnathan pretended not to notice, remaining stoic as he has so far. Clearly, clever parley and rhetoric would get her nowhere with this being. "No, I am not." she said, deciding to reluctantly stoop down to his bluntness. "You are physically different compared to the delegation and the other soldiers. I simply want to know why that is." As a response, Johnathan straightened himself with what could be taken as pride. "My appearance is the result of the medical and surgical advancements of humanity. Through careful selection, training and technological advancement, my physical being and my senses were enhanced so that I may better carry out my duties." The obsidian elf pondered his statement emotionlessly. The thought that humans knew of means to enhance the physique of their warriors was interesting but nothing new. While there were implications to ponder about the manalessness of such procedures and the borderline repulsiveness of it, such thoughts were for a later time. She was preoccupied for now. "So you are a mutant." She surmised slanderously. "In a manner of speaking, yes." He responded swiftly, her jab falling short. "The needless particulars of such a topic are pointless. You were stripped of all that makes you human and turned into a weapon. Do you not see the transgressions of your leaders? Their defilement against nature itself?" She pushed further towards the heart of the soldier. ''Just how loyal do you believe you are?'' she pondered. "Your sentences just then were all entirely incorrect milady." ¡°¡­¡± The sudden change in topic gave her pause to her thoughts. Did this ¡®human¡¯ truly just disregard her every word? While she considered some form of punishment for his disrespect, it would be beneath her to pursue such a path out of pettiness. And to do so to a new realm, let alone a new civilisation, would only bring its own problems. Instead, she compromised. ¡°It is in your interest to elaborate, human.¡± ¡°A mutant implies a natural or occurring change that would otherwise not exist in a typical setting. My mutations, all of them, were theorised, studied, tested, and then intentionally applied. If the only qualifying feature to be human is their physical appearance, then our civilisation would have run itself to the ground centuries ago. And I would not be here. A transgression suggests that they had disrespected my right to a choice or an opinion to the matter of my transformation.¡± He took a step forward, his heavy steps a declaration of his word. Her dragon-kin servant stepped forward towards the human that had taken one step too close. An act that did not diminish his next words in the slightest. "I volunteered for the procedure." The elf was left stunned by his statements, that elicited naught but disgust on her features, and it showed as the rest of the elves surrounding them went quiet. To desire to have yourself unmade and remade as per the desire of others was something she hated at a fundamental level of her soul. She would not tolerate that. "So you are not a mutant, but an abomination instead." "In a manner of speaking, that is also true." She was beginning to grow tired of his bluntness, however polite he spoke it. "Is that why you hide behind your helmet? To hide the rot and failure beneath?" "It is a formality of my duties milady." He reached up to his head swiftly. Upon contact, a hiss emanated from the neck of the helm accompanied by mechanical clicks, his gauntlet grasping it as he lifted his helmet up and off, revealing his face. "I have no issues speaking to you face-to-face. So long as the safety of the delegation and myself is respected." The elf was left stunned by the reveal as was the rest of the elves surrounding them. The human finally stood before her unmasked, but that did little to appease her mood, for all she felt in that moment was simply and undeniable, disgust. And it showed slightly upon her face that had otherwise remained unchanged throughout the gala until now. For what she saw was not the face of a grizzled warrior or a visage alien and unique to itself, but a savage mockery of elven dignity and heroism. "¡­That is enough. I have nothing more I want from you." She waved her hand dismissively. She had received her answers and she would not waste her time on this being any more than she already had. "You may leave." Her statement more akin to a command. Johnathan took a moment to regard the obsidian elf, the elf''s eyes curling in distaste with every moment he took. Eventually, he shoved the helmet back on with a locking click and a suction hiss. "Thank you for your time Lady Dawnwake. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening." If he could not remain respectful, he would at least remain professional as he turned to walk away, the whispering resuming as he left. As he returned, he thought about why they requested him. Clearly they wanted to grill him for information, but, and if the stereotypical scheming of the rich and powerful remained the same throughout realms, there was likely more to it. He would have to discuss it later once the Gala ended. For now he went back to the crowd. As their voices became clear, more nobles had joined the conversation. Instead of humanity being the centre of attention, others had begun to regale them of their own kingdoms. The history, its people, culture and other worthwhile topics as it was Prince Sternea¡¯s turn to talk once again. This continued further into the night as endless question followed more. Time flew by quickly. ¡°The spires of my home frame our kingdom in the most inspiring of stone and crystal embraces, I would love to invite humanity some time. Lady Tarith¡± "That sounds lovely Prince Sternea. Should time permit it I would love to come and visit Etherium." "A visit that I would be honoured to have you upon." As Prince Sternea kept his courteous composure, a thought suddenly crossed his mind as his eyes went wide at the idea. "Which does remind me, Lady Tarith, a-and I do apologise if I''m being presumptuous. I believe it is custom that kingdoms that join the Union would also prepare a tour of their kingdom. Might I enquire as to when such we would be honoured with such an event?" Chapter 8: Time Flies When Youre Having Fun Terrador Realm, City-state of Meraedas, Meraedas Castle, Present Day: Lord Rasmuth Can''ar Prince Sternea was not a prominent figurehead by any measurement, a prince who lived overshadowed by all around him. While his siblings were far more prominent within the elven noble circles, one would have to search other sources for the youngest sibling of the Sternea family. Little was known about him as his relevance to his kingdom matched his anonymity. Which brought his sudden appearance as a far greater surprise. ¡°Oh, of course. The cultural tour to Sol would be in 14 days Prince Sternea. Considering that everyone here went to such lengths to bring themselves to the Gala and Terrador, we wanted the tour to be as soon as possible.¡± Ears could be seen perking up at the topic. The humans had clearly demonstrated that their realm is indeed a novel one and nobles would be nothing if they were to allow such an opportunity to pass by. The crowd quickly became a shoving mass as the nobles attempted to get their own questions answered by Lady Tarith. "I believe that I speak for most of us when I ask as to what the tour of your kingdom includes Lady Tarith." Said Lord Sternea, eagerness on display to continue on the topic to which Lady Tarith complied. "Well, we intend to make this first tour of Sol to mainly be about our culture and industries. Our exports, food production and our technology will be some of the things we would like to demonstrate to you." "This ''Tec-norogy''? Is that what you call your artifices?" "That is a subject we would be happy to discuss over time." She hurriedly replied. "What is the condition of the living accommodations? I will require extra space to accommodate my servants and my many wears." "I pray you do not expect us to walk about like peasants. I will need my mounts to have appropriate station and bedding. Of the highest quality of course!" Naturally, the nobles were already beginning to make demands for their stay as if they have already agreed to come. I felt the need to interfere in the discussion as the nobles clearly thought that this tour would be akin to any other. However, the crowd was more overwhelming than I thought as I struggled to have my voice heard. "And how many reservations are available for us? As a High Lord of my kingdom I am owed certain priorities, I''ll have you know." "We would gladly accommodate you all to the best of our abilities with appropriate acknowledgement beforehand. As for reservations, I believe it is only fair that we allow it to be first-come-first-serve. However, our first tour would be made for a small group of 20 nobles, excluding additional personnel. You would be able to receive more detailed information from Lord Rasmuth, who has graciously assisted us in our preparations." Lady Tarith, recognising my attempts, transferred attention to me. Such acts of fellowship was akin to a breath of mountain air as I once again took the mantle of the advisor. "Thank you Lady Tarith. It is as she has spoken, I have prepared detailed information ready for everyone as required, including accommodation specifications, request forms and other relevant details. Such information is available at any major Union guilds in the city and will be made available in other kingdoms in due time." I said with a bow. Many of the nobles had called their advisors to make notes. While Lady Tarith did say she would prioritise whoever arrived the earliest, I would ultimately have to sort the requests by the pedigree of their authority. "And where would the portal to your realm be Lady Tarith? I may require travel by your ships if it is quite the distance." Said one noble who certainly lacked the skill of subtlety. Though such unsubtly was not the subject of focus as I could see the hesitation in Lady Tarith, as this was a rather large point of contention. "As for the portal that will take you to Sol¡­We would respectfully ask that you find your way to our colony to the north of Union Territory, the Altoran Plains." It was at this statement that the nobles had quickly become hesitant, as the Altoran plain bore its own reputation. A dead and deserted territory fit only for the prepared or the mad. Over time, it gained the reputation as a cursed place, as many have staged desperate warfare on its barren soil, only for none to leave their new tomb. Many feared this place out of fear or peasanty superstition, ultimately leaving a swathe of land on the border of Union territory unclaimed. A deserted plain that just so happened to be perfect for the manaless humanity. "Pardon me, but did you say the Altoran Plains?" Remarked the same noble as his snobbish attitude began to fade. "Yes, you heard me correctly. I understand that the area has garnered a bad reputation and that it is a cause for concern. With the assistance of the Union, we can assure you that a secured road can take you from the main routes safely to our territory. You have our word." Lady Tarith gave her best assurance with a steady and confident voice, though it did little to quell the stirring nobles as they began to whisper amongst themselves, my keen ears picking up their words. "They were given those lands? The Union likely didn''t want to give them anywhere else." "I have heard the stories, and I have read the tales. Those plains are left alone for a reason." "Hmm, if the humans are indeed manaless, then those plains are perhaps the only area they could truly settle on. Do they prefer such cursed places?" Whatever their opinions, the information had an immediate effect of dampening their interest in the cultural tour. The change in the air could be felt by their hushed tones, tones that were abruptly swept away by the booming voice of Lady Rastalk. "Well about time someone had the guts to tame those lands! That bandit infested blight had always been a knife in my side. Would you be so kind as to fulfill my curiosity Lady Tarith?" Her bravado had swept away the uneasy tone that was slowly taking over. Lady Tarith, surprised at the turn of events gave a nod to my aunt to continue. "What is the strength of your command over the Plains of Altoran? Have your truly secured safe passage all the way to the main routes?" Sensing the opportunity to blow away any worries, Lady Tarith answered with returning bravado. "We have indeed Lady Rastalk. Our main military bases have been stationed and fortified on the Altoran Plains and we have extinguished the bandit and monster threat that operated there. We have also taken the liberty of reinforcing local infrastructure such as roads, bridges and security checkpoints so as to ensure the safety of our people and any who wish to visit us." "Then let it be known that the Kingdom of Can''ar is thankful for your efforts to both the safety of the realm and as your neighbouring kingdom. I would be honoured to enjoy your company and hospitality during the tour of your realm." "It would be my pleasure to have you with us." The two shared a smile at the impromptu duet. The Can''ar Kingdom shared a border with the Altoran Plains and have been consistently troubled by the threats that had once called the hidden caves and valleys home. Spurred by the return of pace, conversation began anew as other nobles such as Prince Sternea voiced their own interest in the tour. "W-while it is not my position to represent Etherium, I would also like to express my interest in the cultural tour of your realm." "We would be happy to host whoever is interested, but as we have said, you can learn about the specifics from the Union guilds." "T-thank you Lady Tarith!" The young elf in particular was especially interested in the tour. Was it out of personal interest or at the command of someone higher? "Might I enquire any immediate specifics from you concerning the tour? Would the weather be any concern to us during our visit?" "Well, the weather is not something you do not immediately need to be concerned about. Though I would suggest you arrive with attire that will not restrict your movements, considering the lack of gravity¡­" "¡­Gravity? What do you mean by-" TANTARARAAAA Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets blared passionately from the back of the ballroom. "Dearest Nobles! Lords, Ladies, Kings and Queens! On behalf of the Union of Rising Suns, it is an honour to says that we are thankful to have each and every one of you joining us tonight!" With a booming voice, the royal herald that had announced every noble''s arrival now announced the end of tonight''s festivities with the closing ceremony. "The Union of Rising Suns would like to extend our deep gratitude to King Demaqu Meraedas IV who, in his generous and compassionate soul, extended the very castle that houses this wonderful ceremony!" The King in question appearing on a high balcony that overlooked the gala, accompanied by applauses and cheers all around us. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. "We also extend the warmest of welcomes to the realm of Sol! Whose fantastical appearance had truly given us a night to remember!" Another round of applause echoed as Lady Tarith stood and waved. "And as it is with all things that are good, we bid you all good night and safe travels! May your hearts find peace within yourselves and each other! To which I welcome once more The Golden Gallivants to serenade us into the night one more time." And it was with that final announcement that the nobles began to take their leave with courteous goodbyes. I took out my time piece as its glow indicated how deep into the night we had gone, far deeper to my surprise. The troupe of bards and dancers began as flutes and lutes, gilded and beautiful, whistled and strummed a glorious melody of past victories and future endeavours. Many of the patrons raised their goblets in praise as they began to trickle out into the night. Some stayed to enjoy the last song, others began to feel the ever restless pull of sleep, seeking to leave post haste. Outside, the courtyard became a buzz of activity as coach-masters brought there transports and beasts, summoned by their masters who waited patiently, servants finding drinks and refreshments to appease their need for timeliness. Humanity too began to take their leave. But unlike the nobles, they did not need to wait as their ship floated effortlessly over the courtyard¡¯s ledge. They took their time to greet everyone who offered their names and titles. "-you have made quite the impression on us Lady Tarith, and I do hope you take the time to delight us about the wonders of your realm some other time." "It would be my pleasure. I also look forward to learning about the many kingdoms of Terrador." With a smile, she greeted another noble who offered a last-minute greetings in hope of some form of impression upon humanity. Whether or not such a play would take hold, only time could tell. Other nobles simply gave respectful nods as they passed by or other subtle gestures of civility, all of which assured that humanity made a positive impression upon the nobles, a sign that lifted the weight of gnawing concern off my shoulders. With my primary concern out of the way, I made my way towards them to finish the last of my duties for the night. "Lady Tarith, it was a pleasure to welcome you to the Union tonight. As a courtesy of good will and duty, would you allow me to accompany you tonight so that we may discuss the details of your future endeavours?" While we had already discussed that I would accompany them upon their leave prior to the gala, it was still dictated by decorum that I announce my intentions in relation to the Union''s duties. "Of course Lord Rasmuth. We would be happy to have you." With a nod, I arrived by their side as we made our way to their ship, a short walk across the courtyard. While the controlled chaos of coachmen and nobles made order of the small garden, the nobles around us watched with what could simply be described as envy at the significantly more sophisticated and elegant means to leave. I followed the humans up the ramp, into the maw of an entrance to the ship, my footfalls barely making a shift in the ramp, let alone the natural stomps of their guardian Johnathan Wiles who I have come to know. A minor observation that made me wonder at the magnitude of this ship and its power. As the last of the human guards followed in behind us, I cast a glance back towards the castle as the ramp transitioned back into a gate, nobles and servants peering in wonder, the great castle slowly seceding from view, and the eyes of my old mentor wishing me farewell. With a heavy clack of metal locks, the ship sealed us in as it ascended into the skies. While I could hardly tell such a thing without any windows to see, the shift of the ship moving beneath my feet beseeched me to find purchase on convenient railings for support. The surprising steadiness of the ship a minor comfort as it continued to move through the air until the sway of the ship became steady and slow enough that purchase on my two feet alone became manageable. "Cruising altitude reached. Returning to base. Awaiting mana decontamination checks." A muffled voice echoed from from corners of the ceiling, the voice of what I would assume was the captain. As I returned my eyes forward, the delegation stood still, waiting for the word that they may continue through the ship as the way further in was partitioned, finding ourselves in a small room of metal walls. Lady Tarith beckoned me forward with concern. "Are you okay? Hold onto the railings until you''re steady." "Thank you Lady Tarith, I am alright. I will find myself steady soon enough." "It takes some time to get used to it when you''re new. Will you be alright for the decontamination?" "I will Lady Tarith. You may proceed as you may." With a nod, she signalled the sergeant to proceed, who in turn pressed a green light on the wall. Slowly, small artifices from the ceiling descended as the mana in the room began to be siphoned out through the holes. This was an uncomfortable feeling that was difficult to get used to but it was necessary. What would have been a minor discomfort for myself was a matter of life and death for the humans who did not have their miracle cure against mana. While I could feel the strength of magic leave from my fur, I fortified myself as to keep the mana within from pouring out. It was a skill that required practise, my visits to the Altoran Plains spurred the need to learn it. Even as the room settled into what was an unsettling stillness, my mana within still threatened to leak, the skill to withhold myself felt akin to the constant minor tensing of a muscle that stretched the length of my body. Eventually, warning lights changed from red, to orange to green as the partition before us opened, allowing egress. The soldiers around us took off their helmets and breathed in deep the air that was a clear far cry from the stifling breath of their helms. As we moved forward, I once again took in the sights of what was the lower hold of the ship, buzzing with activity from the sailors aboard. It was simply a large and reinforced atrium, clearly capable of moving great amounts of cargo at a time. Iron claws hung level with the upper floor as more sailors went about their business and lists. Machines covered in canvas-like material and tied down, small windows that peaked into the reality that I considered normal and yet alien to my hosts. I pondered whether it was even right to call these working humans sailors as the term was reserved for those upon the seas. I realised that I was diving too deep into my curiosities at the novel sight. While it was not my first time aboard their ships, such a sight never ceased to enchant me. "I believe that I am in the correct position to say that your introduction to the realm was, without a doubt, a substantial one. One that, I dare say, was quite the positive one." Considering this was their first introduction to the greater realm, there was much to discuss about their future plans and what is to come. Turning to the diplomat, Lady Tarith''s appearance was one of deep exhaustion. While I was quite used to such events, I would not have lasted as long as she did considering she was quite literally the centre of attention. "Thank you Lord Rasmuth. I''ll admit that I was not as ready as I thought I was, but I am proud to say that I gave it my best." "And I would venture to say that your best has done your people proud. Though I suggest that you reserve your strength as there is a bit more to discuss before we can call it a night." While she remained upright, her shoulders slumped as if they carried all her remaining strength. "I agree, though we should keep it short. I don''t think I''ll be able to keep myself up much longer." The fatigue in her voice made me aware of my own tiredness that carried upon my own breath. This day was by no measure a short one, and I would no sooner spend another minute awake then I had to. Quickly, we made our way through the ship towards the upper levels. It did not cease to amaze me the sheer scale of their ''starships''. Rather than an exhausting drudge up endless stairs, we instead headed towards a platform, a manaless equivalent to an elevator that was designed for handling heavier equipment as well. As each level passed us, activity continued to buzz about by the dutiful crew who were not saddled with physical labour but as well as the administrative as they ran about with their glowing tablets. As the platform reached its destination and we walked to our own, brief viewing ports gave a stunning scene of Terrador that was only possible upon a Wyvern''s saddle. I did dearly wish to take in the sights before we continued, but the need to debrief the humans of their introduction took priority. I can, reluctantly, see this view again another time. A meeting room appeared with the crisp swish of a sliding door, a room with a long table and simple chairs took the majority of the floorspace as one of their ''display screens'' took up one wall. As the main humans of the delegation settled in their seats, Lady Tarith initiated with a quick summary. "I believe congratulations are in order for everyone. We gave a smooth introduction to ourselves and Sol, and we managed to address the greatest concern that would appear once they arrive for the tour." "I concur, Lady Tarith. I had learned that the expectations set for you all tonight were much higher than expected. And yet, you all performed as well as was expected of you." These words were my true analysis of their actions. While they could have led with bluster and impertinence, they behaved with the calmness and dignity of high royalty. The other representatives around the room gave a minor applause that gave our spirits some much needed uplifting. Their primary soldier Johnathan agreeing with a firm nod. "And for that, you have my gratitude." "Thank you for your words Lord Rasmuth." This time, their military representative spoke, a man by the name of Colonel Trevor Xavier, hairless, a face like chiselled stone and a voice that ensured discipline and authority. "But I believe that we should address the matters of the Gala as soon as possible." "I concur. Please continue Colonel Xavier." I answered instantly. He moved forward to address a matter of grave concern. "First and foremost, we should talk about any issues that arose during the gala. While most of the nobles were preoccupied with themselves, the elves made plentiful moves throughout the night. While no one was harmed, we should address it. I want your opinion on the matter as well Lord Rasmuth." "Ahh, of course." I muttered absently. "I did expect that they would be personally interested during the gala, but I did not expect them to be so forthright. But we should see that Lady Tarith''s aid, who was the main target, is still of sound mind." We all turned to the aid who occupied a corner of the table. Nervously he cleared his throat. "O-of course. While her appearance was surprising, it did not escalate beyond the first interaction. She mainly kept close to me as to stay with the group. She did not ask me any question beyond my name, but she was quick to push me out of my seat. After that, I was basically left alone." Knowing that particular elf''s more enigmatic tendencies, this was a matter that needed addressing. "And what is your opinion of her? I understand that she is considered quite beautiful by human standards." The aid was flustered for but a moment as he understood the serious undertones of my question. "Well, that is something I would not deny. But I know that these kind of tactics were to be expected. I can say that I hold no lingering feeling for her at all. Besides, I do have someone else I love back home." His answer is better than I could have hoped. "Might I also enquire as to your health? Any particular feelings of note as of right now?" He pondered for a moment. "¡­ Does a mild queasiness count?" Seargent Johnathan immediately answered resolutely. "I believe that is a side effect that occurs from the mana-vaccine if you survive some form of magic." That alone answered the question I seeked. "Thank you Seargent Johnathan, that confirmed my suspicions." I turned back towards the table with my answer. "The elf that approached us at the beginning and stayed with you until the end is a high-ranking noble by the name of Lady Nimrara Waesmer. Sister to King Waesmer of the elven kingdom of the same name, and relative to Prince Sternea Waesmer, 7th in line to his throne. Lady Waesmer is quite capable in the ways of elven politics, and has made a rapid ascent as a Lady-in-waiting to her master, the High-Elf you saw with pitch-black skin. While her charisma, political fortitude and intelligence are themselves remarkable, it is her natural, almost passive skill and charm that has earned her the position she now holds." The eyes of Colonel Xavier narrowed, "Now when you say charm, you aren''t saying that in respect to her appearance, right?" he asked, expecting the rest of my answer. "You are correct. We call it the ''Kiss of the Fae'', a rare blessing among the elves that can pacify or influence even the most stalwart of souls, akin to and as potent as a Charming spell. And ordinarily, I have seen many nobles fall for her honeyed words, and I suspected your aid must have fallen all the same. But to my surprise, his heart remains unfazed. A result that is perhaps both a blessing and a curse of the nature of humanity. I believe the Representative of Science and Technology can offer an understandable answer as to why that is so." I passed the right of the speaker to another of the representatives, a women whose intellect delved into that of their knowledge and research. "That I can do. To put it simply, any magic, whether ambient mana or casted by a fireball or what-have-you, would kill us whether or not we survived the ball of fire." She spoke quickly, her mind faster than her mouth with words that came easily to the humans than to myself. "That''s because it is the mana itself that would kill us. Mana is essentially radiation, like being hit with a nuclear explosion but with magical flare. The vaccine simply absorbs the radiation and processes it to something our bodies can digest and expel. Because of that, mana doesn''t work the way it does normally when it comes to humans. Whatever messages the elf put in his head, most likely turned up as static. What concerns me more is that if the elf literally injected mana into our dear aid''s brain, then perhaps we should consider it a miracle that his brain isn''t currently a warm soup within that noggin of his. Why we haven''t sent him to the infirmary yet is another mystery that I would like answered. Any questions?" ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ Her words fired from her mouth in rapid succession as I barely managed to understand half the words she spoke. From the words that I could grasp, the looks of mild concern for the aid were quite understandable. The poor aid himself wore an expression of a presumably doomed man. Considering that the aid was still with us, I would take it that his mind would not be turning to¡­ ''warm soup'' any time soon. Though I am not one to tempt fate. "If we have nothing else to add that concerns the aid, I believe it would be best to send him to your healers post-haste." My comment elicited silence from the room, to which the aid was allowed to leave the room. Watching the aid leave made me realise that I myself was barely holding on to the reigns of wakefulness. While it was my duty to assist humanity in their smooth and practical entry into the Union and its practical aspects, it was also my duty to do so with a sound and sharp mind. "While I am sure that there are other concerns that we should address as soon as possible, I worry that the rest of you may also face similar concerns. I believe it would be prudent of us to see that we are all of sound health and mind." "There''s no need for that. I''ve seen the vaccine''s limitations. A stomachache is the most the poor boy will probably face. Unless anyone else is feeling a bit queasy, then I think we can continue on for the debrief." ¡­ It was moments like these where the bluntness of humanity''s language was truly regrettable, as the representative women''s words elicited another moment of silence as my means to restfulness was bluntly severed. The blackened screen on the wall lit up with documentation and information as the humans prepared once more to enquire more about the nobles that made the evening ever so delightful¡­ I was correct in my assumption that today was truly going to be a long day¡­ Chapter 9: Much to Discuss Terrador, Telmira Region, Symphonia Castle, Present Day: Northeast of Meraedas City bordered the Telmira region, a region known for gathering the most prominent of mages and magical talents across the realms. As such, the major race for the region tended to be elves for their natural skill with the arcane, this including the nobility of the region. As night was well within its crawl over the evening sky, white, sleek and elegant carriages made their way through a separate gate of the castle walls kept especially for nobility. A retinue of stag-mounted royal guards flanked the central carriages as they made their way into the castle proper, each movement a purposeful step that ensured protection from every feasible threat, moving lightly, quickly and precisely. The carriages rolled to a slow stop before Symphonia Castle, a marvel of design that invoked the memories of old myths and ancient forests, overlooking its domain from up high. Weathered stoned carved like old oak wrapped the outer walls of the castle, antique runes that still held strong blurred the line between a stalwart castle and a living home, held aloft by thick tree roots that extended the courtyard out from its cliffside placement. Such a beautiful estate did ease the mood of its current master, who had more reasons than naught to find the evening displeasing. The knights ensured that proper procedures would be followed, no matter how much it would displease their charge. The knights dismounted and castle servants flowed out to receive their royal master. Once all was in place, the appointed knight opened the carriage door, allowing Lady Dawnwake to step out and into the castle as her retinue, both civil and knightly, followed behind her including the prince and lady of the Waesmer kingdom. While she was advised to attend to her evening meal, there was simply too much to discuss while the play that was the gala was still fresh within her memory. She was escorted to the main manor''s Solar, a great chamber where she could retreat to gather her thoughts. Here, her knights left her, where she and the more important of her retinue made themselves comfortable, where she took the centre most lounge. The room was spacious, warm and luxurious. Soft animal pelts lined couches and sofas and an ornate rug softened every step. The walls, while simple, were lined with sconces that lit up the room, the warm glow of their crystals lighting the room from high up, lighting a fantastical mosaic of the fae. Tall windows that reached to the ceiling let in a cool breeze while the city lights down below gave a lazy glow, framing the view as nothing less than picturesque. Those who settled first in their seats were the first to talk about the evening''s events. Casual elvish chatter that could easily be assumed as gossip instead told of the many developments that unfolded across the kingdom. "The mines in the western kingdoms seem to have slowed down recently. The Lord in charge seems to be quite stressed about it." "Did you hear about Lord Espart''s recent law amendments? I think he''s attempting something with the trade guilds." "The dwarves are ramping up their weapon smithies again, we will have to dissuade them. Have we spoken to our friends in the south?" Lady Waesmer would stand in as tonight¡¯s record keeper as she listed out every note spoken on a leather bound book. While she wanted to prioritise her insights on to the new guests, they were best reserved later on. The little things needed to be sorted out first. ¡°And there was the strangest thing I¡¯ve found. There apparently haven¡¯t been any misgivings between kingdoms either. Most are either consolidating themselves or remaining neutral between territories. Like scared dogs forming packs.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think they¡¯re doing it out of consideration, I think something is scaring them.¡± ¡°Of course that¡¯s the case! That¡¯s the first thing I heard them chatting about tonight. The newrealmers had apparently made a fight a few months ago.¡± ¡°Right, that minor Lord¡¯s little rebellion. He died didn¡¯t he? Was that really humanity? I was told that it was a slaughter.¡± Eventually, the conversation led to the highlight of the night, the introduction of the fourth realm to the alliance. While they considered other factors, there was little denying the collective analysis. Kingdoms reforming defence pacts, changes in the trade guilds, weapon productions beginning anew, they all pointed to the recognised potential that a new realm would bring to Terrador. And no one was foolish enough to ignore the newcomers and the new realm they represented. "I find that hard to believe, their soldiers might use tactics we''ve never seen before but there''s hardly much you can do without magic." "You did see that giant ship floating outside the castle right?" "That ship proves only that they have a flying ship and they are good at concealing their mana. They are trying to hide their mana for reasons we have yet to uncover." "What reason would they have to hide their magic? Perhaps by doing so, they conceal the weakness of their ship?" "Whatever the reason, they have taken huge efforts in doing so, and that alone warrants an investigation." The elves in service to Lady Dawnwake bickered and chattered, and they would have continued to do so into the night had she not stopped them. "There is no need to debate it." When she spoke, everyone listened. Out of fealty, loyalty and recognition of her status and power. Lady Dawnwake is known for her wisdom and intellect. No elf would willingly deny her out of meagre disagreement, not unless it was to their lady''s benefit. "I did not see any indication in any of the humans that could suggest they are concealing their mana. If anyone saw tangible evidence that suggests otherwise, I would like to know now." The elves simply relaxed in silence, shoulders slumped as they knew that they only had speculations and theories, nothing more, content with silence as their answer. Lady Waesmer raised her voice as to her own thoughts. "Their lack of mana can be confirmed more intimately in due time. What concerns me was the abruptness of their entrance. The entrance of the very ship itself felt too organic to the event. I believe that they have already woven themselves into the Union of Rising Suns long before their entrance, specifically through the Can''ar." "Yes, the ever neutral Lord Rasmuth. He truly is a sly one." Continued one of the ladies, "I have heard that he was making quite a lot of noise prior to the gala. I have little doubt he is perhaps the closest to them, especially as he left with them on their ship." The diplomats of the Union were essentially neutral entities, serving the ever peaceful status quo between their allies. But for the Lord of Exchanges to suddenly be so involved with the new realm was a cause for concern. "Shall we also keep an eye on him as well my lady?" Lady Waesmer posed the question to her master. "Yes. He is moving far too much for my liking. Inform me of any developments in regards to his actions." With a wave of her quill, her words became absolute and individuals would be dispatched or assigned at the soonest convenience. ¡°Is there any other concerns we have of the other kingdoms? If not, then I would like the room to myself and Lady Waesmer.¡± The many elves in the room had no other subjects to discuss as they bowed to their mistress and bid her goodnight. But not before they shot jealous glares to their colleague who has gained the favour of their lady so quickly. One by one, the elves left still chatting amongst themselves about their thoughts until only the two elves remained in the room, Lady Waesmer''s smile never once faltering throughout the night. With a courteous bow, she bid her mistress to continue. "My lady, did you have something you would like to discuss?" "I want to know your opinion on the¡­ ''humans''. You were able to get quite close to them this evening. What are your thoughts of them?" She said with modest curiosity. The name of the new race was still unfamiliar on her tongue as she asked. Lady Waesmer took a moment to gather her thoughts as her mind combed through tonight''s events. "To begin with, I can say that they are manaless, but not in a way that you could ascribe them as harmless. The mana in the air reacted in a way I''ve never seen before. It did not merge and strengthen them, it merely passed and phased through them, like a common flower." She thought back to the time when she had their servant in her clutches. She remembered how it felt when she spread her mana around him in a subtle attempt to put him under her control. But there was no will to caress and bend, the pull and push of mana did not feel like moulding clay but like moulding air that slipped out of her hold. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. The implications of it deeply disturbed her, both at the time and now as she grimaced at the thought. She did feel something akin to a will, a soul, echoing within. But it was intangible, or something that she simply could not grasp, confounding her now in retrospect. She lifted up her hand as if repeating the intangible movements. "I do believe that they are incapable of magic as they have said. While I cannot be certain, a spirit such as that couldn''t possibly be capable of the heave and weft necessary for magic. Whether the other humans were of a similar condition, I can only speculate." She turned to look at her mistress, who acknowledged her and bade her to continue. "They seemed to also have adapted quite well into Terrador. They clearly retain their own cultures and mannerisms while their command of the noble dialect is just enough to pass them as common nobility, though I presume that is due to the language being new to them. If I were to surmise the holistic nature of their being, then there is nothing remarkable about them other than their seemingly natural aversion to magic." She continued, marking her next words with a sterner tone, "That is of course how I would surmise them through their physical, individual nature of themselves. A nature that does not reflect what they have spoken of that concerns their realm." Lady Dawnwake remained silent as her mind moved like clockwork, measuring the abject difference of what she knows of kingdoms lacking magical talent and those who thrived from it, the power of such kingdoms and how they kept their power. "Did they truly say that they lack any magical talents?" She asked Lady Waesmer, not quite believing the very words themselves as the very idea was outright ludicrous, attempting not to call her own objective observations impossible at the same time. Instead of an answer, she was met with silence. Silence that spoke louder than any answer. Lady Waesmer could not speak as she found herself stuck. She was considering the simple explanation where the humans were lying, and that was her point of contention. It was not that she could not scrutinize the nature of the humans, but because her scrutiny was unnervingly familiar. "¡­There was a familiarity to them that I could not call anything less than disturbing. Their mannerisms, their faces, it felt so¡­ elvish. Everything about them stated that they spoke the truth. A truth that they clearly believe." No matter how much she thought about it, she could not see that they were lying. Their eyes did not waver, nor could she feel their heart change rhythm. Every elvish tell of a lie was not present in them. Could such tells even apply to these ''humans''? And if they were lying, they were very good at it, which only disturbed her more. If she could tell if they were lying, could they tell if she was? She pulled herself back before her thoughts spiralled deeper. There was a primary concern that they should address first as she turned to her lady. "Would you allow me to enquire as to your thoughts with a question?" "You may." She replied, knowing her question as it was the same one that floated in her mind. "Why would they look like us?" The truth was that they were also caught off guard about the arrival of a fourth realm. Their appearance struck a chord where no other being ever had. The idea that there was a civilisation beyond the fabric of reality that looked like them was one that was never truly considered. Admittedly, there are obvious differences but there were far too many similarities to be ignored. "We can only speculate their appearance. But perhaps it may give insight as to their civilisation. If they look like us, perhaps they also have to meet similar needs." "Yes, though we should probably consider the fact that they might not have lied about their people being manaless." Lady Dawnwake slipped into her mind and her knowledge of history. Using her own people as a reference point, it was not hard to imagine they they might have similar kingdoms as they do. Towns and kingdoms of stone sparsely populating many corners of their realm, castles standing tall to protect themselves from each other and beasts in the wild. She considered the use of their ships as travel between kingdoms, that perhaps there are too many kingdom cities, all of them squished together. Their peasantry are most likely like their own, prideful in their own species as they look up to their flying ships from their huts and farms. If they are manaless, she can only imagine how barbaric and primitive their military is. But now was not the time for speculation. "What they are and what their nature would bring does not change anything, it only confirms that they are worthy of suspicion. We will need to inquire deeper into their realm." She would not allow this evening to devolve into a pit of conspiracy, she would have her answers and she shall act upon them immediately. "Can I take that as a confirmation that we shall send representatives for the tour?" "Yes. Prepare a list of possible candidates that we shall send on our behalf. But first, there is the matter concerning Prince Sternea. Bring him here, I want to know more about him." Lady Waesmer bowed as she left to retrieve the prince. As she waited with wine in hand, she thought about what she knew about the prince. The 7th in line to the Waesmer Throne was not a noteworthy individual, his family surpassing him in both achievements and worth. The necessity of his arrival more akin to a formality as Lady Waesmer, advisor and sister to the king, would need to be accompanied at the express permission of the Waesmer royal family, who happened to have a son of little importance available. Lady Waesmer took priority of course, her gift from the Fae was a boon that turned most discussions to their favour, an especially useful skill to any discussion with nobles outside of Etherium. And yet, tonight would have it that her progress would be second to the prince. A surprising turn of events that revealed more about the humans than they thought. Eventually, the doors swung open as Prince Sternea and Lady Waesmer walked in. The prince was an ungraceful open-book of emotions. His timidness filled the air, his steps meek as he clung to whatever grace that was expected of him as he made himself as little as possible. Clearly, he was not use to meeting royalty of such standing as herself. She had seen similar reactions in fresh servants at the palace but none as clear as this. It was embarrassing to say the least, that among the elven nobility there was an elf such as this that held the title. Regardless, it mattered little. She would see him put to use as he appeared to have an interest in these humans. "I-I am Prince Sternea Waesmer of the Waesmer Kingdom, Son of King Waesmer and loyal servant to the Royal Elven throne. I am at your s-service." The boy was at least capable of giving a proper introduction. "Prince Sternea. You made yourself quite predominant tonight. And in doing so, you have managed to uncover more about the humans than one could at first glance." The prince''s lips grimaced at the statement. Perhaps he expected to be rebuked? "Tell me, what are your thoughts about the humans?" He was stunned at her question which was clearly not what he was expecting. You could see his mind run beyond his control as he stammered to find an answer. "In what way... do you mean Lady Dawnwake?" Only for it to ask for meaningless clarification. Her impatience was growing in her, an emotion that she was not in the mood to conceal tonight as the prince shrunk a little further. "In the way of their nature, as a supposed civilised people of an unknown realm. Do you believe them to be peaceful or violent? Are they masters of their world or servants to a greater power? What do you believe is the nature of their people, who have presented themselves as they have?" She studied the boy as he slowly formed his words. The Waesmer family was known for its many talents; their sons and daughters rising individuals in the practical aspects of their kingdom, from the mercantile, to the political, to the militaristic. Yet this boy, seemingly lacking any such empowering skills, engaged with the humans with, dare I say, passion and optimism. A dangerous combination for nobility. "They are¡­ interesting, to say the least. Although my time with them was brief, I saw in them a kindness that was¡­ genuine. I felt an earnestness in their voice as they spoke about their world. They had¡­ pride, in themselves and their people, but not the boastfulness that I have often heard as nobles talk about their lands and kingdoms. I-I must apologise Lady Dawnwake, I do not consider myself an accurate judge of character." Timidness rising from him once again pathetically. "You also touched upon other aspects that bordered upon the scholarly, did you not?" "Y-yes my lady! They were particularly enthusiastic about Astrology. I was surprised that they were so knowledgeable about such an obscure topic. Though I must say that they did not cover the definitive nature of the stars as much as they did¡­ their mastery of it." This was the topic that was the centre of her attention. The ship was clearly used as a statement for a rather unimpressive people but it was not its existence that concerned her. It was its details. Details they will delve deeper into. And the boy would be their bait. She needed to see the clarity of this boy''s will so that he could properly serve her. "The truth of their audacious claims can be uncovered later. I want to know about you. Why have you taken such an interest in them?" She put force and authority into her words. She would not need much to compel the boy. The prince felt the scrutiny of her words carve into him like nails, scaring him into a mild panic. What noble education he had, it keep him nailed to the spot before those he was commanded to serve. "The-they merely had an interest in a topic I enjoyed milady, n-nothing more!" "Nothing more?" she echoed with dismissal. "And are you an expert in such a topic?" "N-no milady! It is merely a topic of personal interest. It¡­ it is rare to find a conversation partner for such a topic." So this boy was academically inclined, to pursue such an esoteric topic out of personal interest. She dug deeper. "You were not disgusted in their similarities to us? In their motives and plans for us?" "W-w-well, the same can be said for the dwarves, could it not?!" His comparison of the likeness between elves and humans to elves and dwarves stopped her tirade for a moment. Did this boy really just make such a na?ve analysis before her? Thousands of years of conflict watered down so poorly? He did. He truly just did. She considered that perhaps this boy did not possess the same strength of character that his family did and most certainly not the adequacy to be in royal company. If his interests are that of the scholarly, then perhaps he might gain more knowledge about these humans than most. While not the most adequate pawn, he would do just fine. She sank back down into her chair as she continued to eye him. A sign the prince understood that her tirade would take a pause. She had made her decision. She let out a sigh as she decided that the humans were indeed worth their time. "I did not think that I would waste more than 5 minutes of my time on one such as you. But alas, we must make do. I will have you properly prepared for what is to come." The prince''s mood sank further, that among the first words from high royalty to him, it would be that he is a waste of time. But her next words did even less to ease him, that she had further plans for him. "You will be joining the tour to the realm of Sol as a representative of your kingdom. Before the appointed time, you will learn all you need to properly serve as a steward on our behalf. I will appoint appropriate assistants who will join you during your time there. You would do well to listen to them." ¡­His mind went blank. He would go on the tour to the human realm? First, his fascination took over. What are their kingdoms like? What of their people? Arts, culture, academics, magic, wait they don''t have magic. The clink of a goblet being dropped back down on a table snapped him out as he realised that he is still subject to Lady Dawnwake''s whims. "It would also serve you well that you are to arrive as per my instruction. I expect to learn a plethora of knowledge of their people and realm upon your return. And that you will do so in a quality that is befitting your station. Do I make myself clear?" "O-of course, Lady Dawnwake! As you command!" The situation now hammered itself upon the prince like a nail. He may not truly have the time to immerse himself in their novel culture as he had thought. No sooner was he dismissed and he left to return to his room as every step came with the realisation that the necessary preparation for the tour would be far more monumental than he thought, as the crisis that would arrived upon him crashed down the deeper he went down the hall. With silence returned to the room, Lady Waesmer and Lady Dawnwake took a pause to consider the choice. The boy will not need to act as an example of superiority of the realm of elves. He simply needed to learn all he could about Sol. "I should apologise to you Lady Waesmer for my treatment of your nephew. I know how much you value your family." "I understand your choice Lady Dawnwake. It''s a shame we did not have an adequate representative on hand. Besides, the prince does need to accept more responsibilities. Though I would suggest that I accompany him along for the tour." The Waesmer''s family''s personal relations were one to envy. It was not uncommon for royal families to compete viciously amongst themselves, she herself knowing it personally. The slight forcefulness in her request to join her nephew spoke volumes to how much she valued them. It did not change her decision anyway. "Of course. I would have sent you without him if there was no need to send royalty." While they could simply send a subservient noble in Terrador to go instead, there was too little time to prepare for that. Not to mention the assumed risk to such nobility. "I do believe your safety is guaranteed. While a relatively small sample, they are not barbaric or idiotic enough as to allow harm to come to you." To allow such a disaster to occur on the very first diplomatic tour would destroy any future attempts for humanity for peaceful relations. They made their intent on arrival clear enough to know that. Once they hammered out the finer details, Lady Dawnwake was left to her own thoughts and Lady Waesmer reviewed the necessary plans she was making. She looked over information regarding the tour to Sol. She secured it before they left Meraedas City, so readily prepared by Union representatives on their way out of the castle. She cast her gaze over a problematic section that concerned the necessity of mana concealment and the entrance point being in the concerning Altoran Plains. It appears that there would need to be more contingencies in place for this particular tour. It became clear that this would also be a long night for her. Chapter 10: The Young Scholar Terrador, Telmira Region, Symphonia Castle, Present Day: The last decisions for the tour were soon concluded and eventually the two elves found themselves deep into the night. The days passed by far quicker here in Terrador, a fact than had been measured long ago and is still uncomfortable for Etherium Elves to this day. The elves still needed time to adapt to the pace that the alien sun and moons set for them, and so they called it a night. Lady Waesmer would relay her master''s orders and the master herself would settle for much needed rest. She strode quickly down the hall where the rest of the elven delegates resided in the castle, she was eager to get this business over with. With a polite knock, she entered another room where the ladies remained, burning the midnight oil for their own purposes and exchanges. Specifically that of snacks and gossip. While most of the elves in the room respected her, no amount of polite demeanour and noble education can hide jealousy. ''I can settle things with them later'' she thought, unwilling to give them the respect they think they deserve. She had business here. Speaking with the authority of her master, she relayed her instructions. They would all oblige whether they liked it or not, such is their obligation as both elves and nobles. She would no sooner finish than she would stay as she left and began her last trek in the castle for the last person of importance, Lord Sternea Waesmer. However, this last order of business would be far more delicate, as her nephew did not bear the same social constitution that the rest of the elven delegation had. She found her stride slower as she considered how she would handle this. Ultimately, she cared about him. Not simply because they were of the same flesh and blood but also because he struggled. He struggled with the skills necessary to bear their noble heritage. A struggle that made him more sincere and virtuous than anyone she''s ever had the pleasure to meet. As she reached the doors to his room, she noticed the lights within were off. Perhaps he had made for an early night? She knocked politely once more. "Lord Sternea, are you there?". There was silence in the room, and it lasted far longer than she liked. ''Oh no he ran away again, didn''t he?'' she thought. While not so publicly know, the young prince was known to escape his responsibilities when they overwhelmed him. Such was his personality. She pushed the door open, expecting to see the windows open, curtains swaying in the breeze. Instead, the room was tidy, the windows closed and the prince still in the room, slumped over a table in the corner still illuminated by warm crystal light. "Hello auntie. You may come in...", muffled the boy, still face down on the table. Relieved that she would not be chasing the fairies tonight, she allowed herself a moment of relief. The room was still untouched, the servants having long finished organising it, the corner where the prince was seated held the only signs of residency. Beside him, his personal luggage was rummaged, the books that were his favoured possessions lay stacked on the table, one of which opened but left alone. She sat at the table in front of the prince. He in turn lifted his head like it was a heavy rock, revealing a depressed and glum expression. The duty of his responsibilities still weighing down on him. Considering that tonight was far more eventful than they had thought, seeing the boy still here was worth some praise. "You did well tonight, I''m proud of you." She said earnestly. The prince forced a meagre smile in appreciation. "Thank you. I don''t think I can handle another event like that auntie." "I think we have some time to collect ourselves before the next one." She said smiling, enjoying the boy''s frankness. "There''s a next one?" He replied, terror in his voice. "Ohhoho, no. I sincerely hope not." She chuckled. "I know you were busy tonight during the Gala, but I would have liked to know that we were welcoming an entire new realm." "I would have told you. But the simple fact was that we didn''t know either." The prince was surprised at the rare admission of ignorance from his relative, who was also known as the Spy Master of Waesmer. "They did well tonight, keeping us in the dark. Of course, we knew that the kingdoms were arranging themselves cordially for a guest, but we did not expect the new kingdom to arrive on a flying ship." "I suspect they only told the news mere days ago. No one else was truly prepared for them." She let the self-depreciation sting at their unpreparedness. While there was not much they could do, the nobles in Terrador would have prepared offers made in gold and power to the newcomers. If they were able to. Instead, they had all settled on cordial display and welcoming hands. That, and the event''s decorum made it explicit that this would be a peaceful event. Simply put, they were all forced to play nice. "None were prepared that night, none except for you." "I don''t consider rattling on about my personal interests to be the equivalent of preparedness. My sisters made sure I knew that." "And yet, you were able to extract more information about them than we could have hoped." The prince downplayed his role but it allowed the event to develop further. The humans were trying to guide the conversation to a narrative that clearly took time to create. And yet the prince, already knowing some prerequisite knowledge, sped their narrative up so they could move on to more topics. Unfortunately, she had to stop him from going further as not to aggravate the other nobles, but it was enough to make a statement. Scholars with a particular enthusiasm for their research were prone to overtalking, just as the prince was. If the prince was left with them a little longer, what else would he be able to dig up? Such was the effect the prince had, and an advantage for the elves. "Which is why we will be sending you to join the tour with us to their realm." *Thud* "¡­uuuunnnnhhh¡­" The prince slumped back down onto the table with a thud and a groan. While it was unbecoming of the prince, she still found it adorable. Childish, but adorable. Her eyes drifted to the books that sat on the side of the table. Curiosity pulled the opened book on top, flipping through a few pages to know that its topic was of historical recordings. Specifically that of the flying barges and ships of new and old, those that could be found all across the realms. To think that such a relevant book would be the personal item of an inconspicuous person. She was not sure whether to be thankful of fate or to question its timing. "A topic of personal interest?", she asked the prince. "A dwarven sky-barge from the Rothdrawg Era, built specifically to cull the growing population of dragons in Duramar. They were later converted as transport for large-scale mining expeditions. Only two still in service." He replied, glancing at the open page and correctly identifying the depiction. His answer was yes, it was a personal interest. His face plopped back down afterwards. There was something to admire about scholars who loved what they studied, the passion in their eyes could tell fascinating tales by themselves. It did however make them easy targets to persuade if you give them a taste for more. Tantera Valo Tolando. The elvish phrase for tempting someone with forbidden knowledge. Lady Waesmer knew it worked from personal experience, and it would certainly work now. Though she did feel guilty for doing it to someone close to her. "What do you think of their ship? I have never seen anything like it. Do you have any idea on how it managed to fly?" She broached the topic to the boy who was clearly the expert in the room. The question roused the boy from the table, his eyes became sharp in contemplation despite his features still droopy. After a moment, he took back the book and flipped to a specific set of pages, detailing air ships that were related to the past glories of Avion kingdoms. He flipped to a page with a ship that was long and silver, with clear artisan designs inspired by wings and birds. It bore the most likeliness to the human''s ''starship''. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "The White Wings of the Eastern Avion Kingdoms, also created during the Rothdrawg Era. These were built for transporting goods across the seas. They are slim and fast, the propulsion artifices and spell circles were placed in the rear of the ship, the wings on its side were for maintaining direction and orientation. It made it easier to propel the whole vessel forward." He paused as he would say his next words with solemness. "Unfortunately, they were quite vulnerable because of it. When counterspells were developed that could easily disable flight and levitation spells, the exposed artifices made them easy targets. Among the first actually. There are no more is service." Then he went quiet as his mind now moved to the human ship as he considered everything he saw about it. When the humans had left, he came to on the courtyard to get a better look. Lady Waesmer silently watched him, her rosy cheek resting on her hand, until he noticed her gaze, asking that he speaks his mind. "¡­Most ships that were ever built were mostly made of lightweight materials, enhanced and processed by magic, like enchanted iron wood. Not their ''starship'' however. That ship was clearly made from metal. From bow to stern. A-at least its exterior was. Such fortified ships were attempted during the later years of the Rothdrawg era, but they were always slow and easy targets for counterspells. Not to mention the starship''s size. By the gods, few ships were ever constructed of that size, and they were all beautiful. The interiors were said to be luxurious as they were made for long distance travel. They were also fitted with control artifices that allowed for the youngest of captains to steer through the air with ease and smoothness. I think there was one that remains in Etherium in the norther-" "Sternea, please." She wanted them to remain on track. "Oh, right. Their starship, I believe they called it the Sky Breaker. A rather violent name, but they did say it was formerly used for their military so I cannot fault it. It does stay true to its military heritage through its speed alone. It was fast as it departed." He sated his drying mouth with refreshing water poured for him by his aunt. She was invested in his analysis right now. "There was clearly no magic involved in its flight. Or if there was, it was concealed deep within the ship. That would mean that the ship pursued the significantly harder method of artificed flight, that of propulsion-based flight. The glowing flames of blue that emanated from behind and underneath it were clearly from the propulsion artifices that enabled it. The placement of these propulsors were similar to the White Wings. But that is where the ship intrigued me the most." He leaned forward to further demonstrate his next point if his moving hands did not. "Propulsion-based flight requires far greater control and skill compared to levitation-based flight, where propulsion was only used for moving about in the air. They would have to constantly manage the ship to even remain upright. But when I first saw their ship land on the courtyard, it was perfectly still. It stayed afloat on the courtyard''s edge like a bird perched on a window. So I naturally suspected levitation-based flight, but that was before I managed to look at the undercarriage. The blue flames underneath were placed at specific locations that ran along the side and at the bottom, each of them, tens of them, flickered on and off with a precision and timing that no captain alive is capable of. This gave the illusion that the ship was anchored to the courtyard only by its ramp. But that is not the case. It was simply a trick of the eye enabled by perfect control of its altitude and movement. That means they either have extremely skilled captains, or control artifices that are far more advanced than anything ever seen in all the realms." "These ''starships'' are perhaps one of the most advanced aerial vessels in know history." Lady Waesmer was stunned at his assessment. All that from a distant glance? They were truly lucky to have brought him along for the gala. But the prince was not finished as he was still contemplating one final piece of information, one that had burrowed into his mind since the gala ended. "¡­They also implied that they have ships that can break through [Aterial''s Ward]." He flipped through the book once more. "There are no ships in recorded history that were capable of doing that. Mainly because no ship has ever attempted such a feat, nor were they built for it. Only one ship had ever gotten close because it needed to evade a dragon by climbing up, but even then it didn''t breach the ward¡­ If their starship is truly capable of such a thing¡­" Lady Waesmer put a gentle hand on the prince''s own, to gently bring him back from his mind. She wore a serene, thankful smile. "Thank you my dear, I am glad that I have you with us today." He gave a genuine smile. He was not often praised for his actions during events, and this one made him feel good inside. It was a nice feeling. "Rarely does the unexpected fall so politely upon us, rarer still are the times when solutions present themselves so eagerly. I know that you are not looked kindly upon for your hobbies, but perhaps there was a reason for it all. I would like to think that perhaps your eccentricities were meant for a greater story that you will take part of. But as for this moment, I am simply glad that you are here." She meant those words from the bottom of her heart. The Waesmer family always pushed its children to their greatest heights. It was by the unknowable weft and will of the gods that the youngest son would not bear the will of the Waesmer family his siblings bore. He bore an innocence and a kindness that never left him even as he grew older. She watched him grow from a young child to the young man he is now, his heart never wavering. She did always feel his mother was stricter than she should have been and it did hurt the boy. She would come to grow a soft spot for the boy, one the lingered even now. She felt like a second mother to him. And it was this motherliness that would ensure that the boy was ready for whatever the future held. "And now that you are here, I will make sure you know all you need for the tour to Sol." With a wave of her hand, she conjured her book that held all her notes concerning the prince''s education. Immediately, his face soured. The hand that comforted him now held his down in a shackling firmness, his hand buckling on instinct. "I hope you were pulling your hand away so you can grab a quill and paper. I will not burn the midnight oil on such a late lesson, but we will organise your syllabus for the next few weeks." She may have a soft spot for the boy, but she would always ensure that she prioritised the boy''s future. She was the noble advisor to Lady Dawnwake of the high elven court and she would remain professional for as long as she held that title. She slowly let go of his hand but her eyes did not relent in their silent command. He too conjured his notebook and quill out of fear as she began to dictate his life for the next few weeks. Of all the people he could disobey, she was not one of them, and she knew it. A single tear fell onto the paper as his personal time was ripped away from him one word at a time.
Terrador, Altoran Region, Altoran Plains, UNE Sol-Terrador Inter-realm Portal Base, 2 Weeks Later: Lord Rasmuth Can''ar The weather was kind to us today as the room was lit by its warm midday glow. While it would have otherwise heated the ordinary room uncomfortably, the cooling artifice that quietly bellowed from the ceiling did well to dissuade the heat, making the room a comfortable dwelling. Comfort that we were in dire need of. Lady Melissa Tarith and the Director, Lady Tasha Horn were pouring over the final details of the tour in the Director''s office. While the stress is a fraction it was but two weeks ago, it was still very much present. We spoke back and forth over last minute details; dietary requirements, living needs, contingencies. With the last agenda settled, we all collapsed back into our seats, content with what we had, though not without our own grievances. "I didn''t think they would actually bring their own animals along. I had hoped they would listen when we said we''ll take care of transport." "While your generosity would have been deeply appreciated, they had asked more so out of their own personal security. Ensuring that they would still be able to come and leave should problems arise. This was to be expected." "They still believe we''re just a swaddle of mismatched kingdoms across some grassy plains. For all they know, our ships were probably built to defend against dragons." "Indeed Lady Horn. While Lady Rastalk made her own attempts to persuade them, your realm is still quite the hard concept to believe." Lady Tarith appeared confused at my statement, though I could scarcely blame her for it. Though I doubt that she has not been informed of the dangers of the realm, her personal experiences with our realm is that of grand castles and safe-havens of the common peasantry, like a sheltered princess who has only known her castle. The last few weeks were spent with her transferring between Sol and Terrador after all. "Lady Tarith. Your realm is just as fantastical to us, as ours is to you. While I know you have taken strides in learning about our realm, you have yet to meet the defining differences that truly set our worlds apart. Of all the four realms that make the Union of Rising Suns and all the kingdoms I have seen, your realm is, by my personal opinion, the strangest of them all." Her features curled incredulously as if I had mistaken her for a child to be mentored. But I know she is an intelligent person. Her face slowly softened as she realised the shallowness of her experiences in this realm. With a sigh and a smile, she acknowledged her ignorance. "I''ll take your word for it then." It is small moments like these that I am thankful that the pridefulness that comes with dealing with those of noble blood was not present in the humans. "We will have plenty of time together in this realm. I would be happy to show you its beauty once time permits us again." "I look forward to it, Lord Rasmuth." "Well I''m glad that we are already planning for the future. I''m sure the cultural tour can wait for a little while longer." Lady Horn, ever the delicate individual, decided to push the agenda forward with gusto. "Of course. Nothing would please me more than making powerful nobles wait for me to finish my talk and tea." Chuckling, she stood up as we followed to leave the room, to begin what would be a very important day. "Heh, look at you, so eager. And you''re beginning to pick up sarcasm. I''d say that today may just go alright." I couldn''t help but join her in joviality as her sense of humour was indeed something that was growing on me. This ''sarcasm'' was something a lot of humans seemed especially accustomed to use, especially so for this women. While hardly acceptable within noble circles, it was not entirely unheard of from the more eccentric. If anything, I found it beginning to be an enjoyable break from noble custom. We made our way down the corridors of the building, another reminder of today. This fortress was for all intents a military installation, toned down for expecting trade and traffic. The construction of this particular building was unique to the humans. As per what I''ve come to gather was their military doctrine, they prioritised function and efficiency over form. The walls were made of materials entirely processed, ''plaster'' they call it. Lacking any major decorations except for the informative and other respectful portraits, its interior was simple and well-lit from the plentiful glass windows. Paperwork and the clicking of their artifices could be heard in the distance, the clockwork of their military ceaseless. Outside, the feeling of misplacement did not change as soldiers and personnel continued to move about, towered by more alien buildings. Great buildings, akin to storehouses fit for a noble, housed their aircraft and other similar carriages. While humans milled about, my own staff also made their way to-and-fro, our hoods and cloaks making us distinct in the landscape. Barracks, office buildings and other foreign but recognisable constructs dotted the landscape as we made our way across to our destination. Another storehouse much larger than the rest appeared, but clearly fortified to indicate its importance. Guards stood at attention while others ran about to prepare for the delegation, the portal that would take us beyond the fabric of reality sitting patiently, waiting, humming with energies beyond my comprehension. It would have to wait a little longer as I would need to welcome the would-be guests. Past another facility that would take in merchants, goods and coin, we made it to the entrance of the fortress where their manaless soldier carriages, an ''APV'', awaited to take us to the nearby town, human soldiers in their protective armour and my own staff awaiting us in candid conversation. Lady Horn would be left here to oversee the last of the preparations while Lady Tarith and I would welcome the Delegations. With some last words, we had left the fortress, the armoured carriage smoothly riding over the terrain that had not yet been fully refurbished with their ''asphalt''. Slowly, the natural forest that I was familiar with came into view. It would not be long now until we reach the town in which the delegations awaited. I calmed myself, recited my speeches in my mind and prepared. For this was a new beginning. Chapter 11: A Town of a New Beginning Terrador, Altoran Region, Duskshire, Present Day, Mid-day: Lord Rasmuth Can''ar The town of Duskshire bordered the Altoran Plains. Once, the plains were contested territory, a no-man''s land that spelled doom to those who dwelled too long upon it, and death to those who mistook its quiet for peace. Ancient magic long forgotten had awakened deep below the surface, absorbing all mana that came close to the plains. Misguided beliefs and fear left those plains abandoned, a fitting base for the exiled, the criminal and the dangerous. Duskshire was built as a staging fortress to watch over the plains, built high and strong, prepared to meet any threat with the fury of the Can''ar. When humanity arrived and asked to peacefully occupy the plains, Duskshire stood ready to meet the new threat. Now, the fortress that stood as the watcher of the plains now became the hub that would welcome its new neighbours. As the convoy rolled to the entrance of the castle, both human and lupine guards came to welcome us in. As the Altoran Plains was recognised as Can''ar territory, so was this town. Their chatter was casual and friendly as the relations between the Can''ar kingdom and Sol were that of allies and friends. Inside the town, various other species could be seen going about their business, from the avian, draconic, mammalian to the lacertilian. The humans in particular stood out from the crowd. The majority of the humans here were military personnel and wore their gear, those in particular who did not have the privilege of their mana vaccine still wore their thick armour, jealous of their kin. The variety of races around the town was an interesting sight as this town was usually dominated by its Can''ar citizenry. The reason for such a colourful sight was obvious for those informed; opportunity. When humanity officially introduced themselves, the merchant and the optimistic came in droves. A new realm meant new goods, new goods meant new opportunities, new opportunities meant more coin, and in turn, more coin brought more people. Within the time it took us to prepare for the tour was enough to turn this rudimentary town into a bubbling pot of trade and activity. Street vendors brought their specialties freshly grilled, unprepared market stalls were emptied faster than they could be refilled, and merchants were showcasing distant wares that were once a rarity in this region. The humans were enjoying themselves too. Those freed from their suits were experiencing the town like they were visiting. While most humans belonged to their military, there were few who were independent, sampling merchant goods, making notes, eating the food and speaking with the peasantry. It was interesting to watch them integrate themselves into the town and learning about Terrador, taking in its people and its culture. As I watched the scenes go by, I realised the silence from within the carriage, that I had perhaps ended my conversation with Lady Tarith rather nonchalantly. I turned to see her also taking in the sights. I imagine that this sight must be even more amazing to her, so different from anything in Sol realm. I suppose that we did have delegations to welcome and that we might as well go over some minor details, despite it feeling rude to pull her from her revelry. "I pray you find the view entertaining Lady Tarith?"
Terrador, Altoran Region, Duskshire, Present Day, Mid-day: Diplomat Melissa Tarith I didn''t know where to begin. It was a medieval town in all aspects. Brick and mortar houses with wooden eves that would have belonged in a European history book. Town houses, some two to four stories tall stood on either side of the streets paved by various grey, flat stones. Small sidewalks of similar stone allowed entry to these buildings where races of various animalic people shuffled and bumped shoulder to shoulder to reach their destinations. Their clothes simple and comfortable, lacking any flare besides simple embroidery that reminded her of country towns. A castle''s profile could be seen above the buildings, its towers overlooking the town and the plains beyond, the first destination for today''s events. Stalls lined the sidewalks with merchants and vendors selling anything from cheap goods to grilled meats that smelled both savoury and alien. Merchants shouted their wares with enthusiasm to catch anyone and everyone''s attention, overlapping into a cacophony of advertisement. Some shuffled their stalls closer to the sidewalks on wooden wheels as we drove by, still shouting their goods. In place of words, signs with artistic symbols of their wares hung from any post they could. Some painted with colourful talent, others with amateurish spirit, all of them flowing with customers from different walks of life. Some sparkled with rainbow glimmer, a sign of magical endorsement. They were particularly present on shops where hammers banged and fell on anvils or glass windows bore assorted glass tube and vials filled with eerily coloured or iridescent liquids. I remembered watching fantasy series as a child, with scenes as magical as this. But what truly set the scene before me apart was the abject lack of humans. Every media I''ve ever known had humans walking along the streets. Now they were a rarity, spottable in small groups with their unique green clothes and armour. It was an interesting scene to see once a quiet town become so lively. "I pray you find the view entertaining Lady Tarith?" I looked back to see Rasmuth with a stately smile. "I do. I have yet to see everyday life in this town. There''s nothing like it back on Earth." "I also don''t mingle with the common folk enough.", he admitted. "But I can say that your people have made themselves quite welcome into the town. I''m beginning to see more humans around that aren''t wearing your military''s uniform. I suppose your trade guilds and merchants have begun pushing their way into the realms?" "Naturally," she said chuckling, "They want to see what they can sell to the people of Terrador. I''ve heard Terrador''s merchant guilds are also trying to find purchase here, to be the first ones through the portal." "As if they would do anything else." Said Rasmuth. "Though I suppose that is the same for anyone with the ambition that would cross realms. Though I''m surprised that so few delegations have arrived for the first tour." "You were expecting more than five delegations to arrive?" "I was. I admit that I was somewhat hopeful that your appearance would draw in more interest. But I suppose it has been a while since the idea of a new realm was on anyone''s mind. I would guess that the majority of the realms had more to worry about with this tour in particular." "¡­Do you mean Earth''s lack of mana was a particular turn-off?" "More so than I thought." Rasmuth returned his gaze back outside the APV to any magical moment he could see. "You can''t see the flow of mana, can you?" "I''m afraid not Lord Rasmuth. Nor can any human." "I know it is a rather bothersome topic to be asked repeatedly, but it is something fundamental to us. To all the realms. Everywhere I look, the flow of mana weaves through everything. Even you, a people who have never once touched its gifts." With a whisper of a word and a wave of his hands, a dim orb of glowing light appeared in his hands. "To imagine a whole realm without it, unable to touch the very essence that has shaped our world as we know it¡­ is a lot to take in. " He finished with a chuckle, dispersing the light. "I barely held my composure when I first arrived in your realm." I couldn''t help but smile as I myself had the same experience. "Well, imagine how I must have felt when I heard people could summon balls of light with a flick of a wrist." "How about a realm full of cities that could brush against the very skies?" "I guess I can''t compare it to dragons ruling whole mountain ranges." "Or small bricks of metal that can communicate across continents." "Or little, tiny people who can grant you your heart''s desire." Our impromptu competition ended with a mutual stare that broke down into polite laughter. Raising his hands in half-surrender he calmed himself. "-haha, well, I suppose our guests today are in for quite the shock. The unknown is scary to anyone without the heart to take the risk and leave the comfort of the familiar. The bravery of these first guests should be applauded nonetheless." "True. That''s why we''re here. Speaking of which." The APV slowed to a stop before another set of metal gates. This one was far larger than the town''s first gate as it led to the castle proper. Cleared once more through a gatehouse, they arrived at an extended courtyard that was practical for a defensive castle, one that could double as a training ground for soldiers or in today''s case, parking for vehicles and carriages. Built for sieges, the castle was made of solid, aged stone, overhangs and defensive towers pockmarked by dents and gouges told of the castle''s standing history. Can''ar Knights stood at attention to welcome another set of guests inside. Meanwhile, carriages of varying designs were parked and attended to by coachmen, each with different races representing their kingdoms. Some had t-rex like lizards tethered to the carriages while others had horse-like creatures with bird-heads. It was a strange sight to not see horses instead. As we pulled to a stop at the castle doors, knights and URS officials came to greet us. A Can''ar Captain stepped forward with a fist to his chestplate and a bow, his armour more decorated than the knights around him. "Lord Rasmuth Sepor Can''ar, Lady Melissa Tarith, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Duskshire Castle." He said, speaking in Raegal. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. "Thank you Captain. I pray that the morning has gone well for the guests?" "To the best of our ability my Lord. Though I suggest we continue inside post haste." To which the Captain turned to lead the way. As we walked inside, it was clear that the APVs were of particular interest among some of the soldiers. As they were driven to the parking lots, the abject differences between them and the beast-driven carriages raised many eyebrows among those seeing them for the first time. I was told that they also had beatless carriages here but I guess an APV is the closest they''ll get to seeing one. Inside, we walked quickly, the Captain speaking as we walked. "-we managed to extend the castle to accommodate whoever we could and renovated manors in the town for additional guests, though there is only so much we could do in time." "I know Captain, this castle was never intended to accommodate large amounts of nobility. You have done well all things considered. Were there any complaints?" "Other than the expected lack of d¨¦cor, none. Lord Kaldis is entertaining them in the Great Hall with some of Sol-realm''s artifices and goods. For that, Lady Tarith, we are thankful for your assistance today." I smiled politely at the Captain as I returned my gaze to the castle''s interior. There were portraits and tapestries hanging across the walls, carpet covered the tiled floor as well as many other decorations; decorated pots, old weapons, plaques, etc. I wouldn''t call it lacking in d¨¦cor though. But then again, compared to Meraedas Castle, where every stone pillar was carved and every surface was a polish sheen with carved, artisanal design, this castle is a poor comparison. Finally, we reached a set of tall, wooden doors where voices could be heard inside. Knights standing in guard opened the doors to reveal a gaggle of nobles inside, voices filled with intrigue and curiosity as they sampled the goods before them. The Great Hall was a simple room meant to house banquets and people, today it was abuzz with minor nobles and royal diplomats. Hung from the back wall was a great tapestry that belonged to the major Can''ar house who ruled the castle; the Tusk''ar family. Along the side, six more tapestries of the present royalty hung, the Can''ar emblem of the main family, an Avion Emblem of the bird people, a Dwarven emblem with a warhammer, an Elven emblem of the Waesmer family, a Draconic emblem of the Radagon Alliance, and finally, Sol''s emblem of the United Nations of Earth. The nobles were chatting amongst themselves at the tables with servants buzzing about with snack trays. Around the nobles, both human and URS representatives assisted with the displays of goods. With the knowledge of the realms now public knowledge, companies have started sending their goods through the portal in hope of acquiring potential customers. Rasmuth and I began our walk to the Can''ar group who were happily talking with a human representative. Dwarves were also amongst their group, holding various tools that were manufactured on Earth. As we approached, a wolf in particularly lavish attire called to welcome us. "Lord Rasmuth, Lady Tarith, it is a pleasure to have you with us." This wolf was Lord Kaldis Tusk''ar, the reigning Lord of the castle. He put as much enthusiasm in his voice as he could but it was clear that he was particularly tired as his eyes slightly drooped and his tail a slow wag. No doubt he entertained the guests as much as he could in our absence. "Lord Tusk''ar, I am beyond words for your help today." I began. "You have my utmost gratitude for your assistance on this fine day." "Such efforts are expected for a day like this. It is considered an honour to be the host for such a historical event." Lord Kaldis bowed a tired bow, just as a familiar face began her jaunty stride over to us. "Lady Tarith! We meet once again!" The howling voice belonging to none other than Lady Rastalk Can''ar. At her voice, the over Can''ar nobles behind her jumped at her sudden shout, choosing to pull themselves away from their Earthen fascinations to do their job as stewards. "It is a pleasure to meet you once again Lady Rastalk. Have the last few weeks treated you well?" "Oh, as well as it could! Though I suggest you reserve your sympathy for yourself on this day. No seer is needed to know that your future will be quite the busy one. I pray your gods give you their strength." "Thank you. I''ll be sure to take care of myself as well." Soon after, she introduced me to the nobles that would be accompanying the tour with the Can''ar delegation, nobles who represented different sectors of their economy. "While I was also excited to join our delegation to your realm, I''m afraid that my arrival must be delayed. I believe this would not cause an issues with you?" "Not at all Lady Rastalk, we were informed a week ago. We have already made the arrangements for your late arrival." "Your consideration is greatly appreciated. As you know, Lord Rasmuth would be taking my place among our delegation. I also assume this would not be a problem?" She turned to the Can''ar nobles who nodded in acceptance. "Of course Lady Rastalk." Lord Rasmuth spoke up, "I have already informed the delegation ahead of time that I would serve as the Can''ar kingdom''s temporary foreign minister. There would be no issues." He had finished talking to Lord Kaldis, returning to greet Lady Rastalk. "Oh nephew, why must you be so distant? The blood between us may be shallow, but you are family all the same. You may refer to me as your aunt at this time." "I am here as a representative of the Union of Rising Suns, Lady Rastalk. I''m afraid that I must remain respectful in this instance." "Haha, same as ever. Very well, I am glad to have you here all the same." The conversation between the two was a one sided tirade of optimism against a wall of stoicism. It was entertaining to say the least as the other Can''ar nobles muffled chuckles or hid their smirks. ""Ahh! An honour it is at last! Ya must be Lady Tarith I assume?" A dwarf walked up with a welcoming smile. His attire was half that of engraved, ornate metalwork, fit for royalty, the other half was that of sturdy and decorated colour and craftsmanship. The armour worn looked like light armour, complementing the intricate clothing of earthy colours with light trimmings of royal red and gold. Gems embedded in his armour and into his jewellery of thick, gold rings and necklaces gave him an imposing and powerful figure. His hair neatly kept with his beard braided with golden clamps ensured to everyone that he was a figure of great importance. "I suppose I didn''t properly greet ya at the Gala some days ago, didn''t I? I am Lord Rombira Whitmane of the Great Whitmane forge castle! Lord of the mountain where the greatest craftsmen in Terrador toil in their art and craft! But you may simply refer to myself as Lord Whitmane milady." The extravagant introduction was a mix of informality and grandoise, layered under regal and humble expression, still maintaining the polite vocabulary of Raegal. "It is a pleasure to formally meet you Lord Whitmane, you can simply refer to me as Lady Tarith as well. It must not have been easy coming all this way." "Bah, I''ve travelled longer for less. I''ll admit that having the tour so soon was somewhat of an inconvenience, but I suppose it''s better to get these things done with sooner than later. Besides, your lot made quite the entrance! I''m sure this tour will be one to compliment it!" "I''m confident we''ll meet your expectations, we have quite the itinerary planned for you." "So I''ve seen! Well, if anything here has been an indication of what to expect, then I''ve no doubts I''m in for a surprise!" While I''m sure they were simply being polite, it was good to see that the tour was being well received. So far, the other nobles were excitedly chatting with our representative and our goods. There was initial worry that we would be openly dismissed but so far there was none of it. It was a welcomed relief. With a proud chuckle, he continued on to the goods that were on display. As I came closer, I saw Can''ar and Dwarves were fiddling about with our goods, specifically, working tools and liquor. "One can tell the worth of a people by the taste of their alcohol." Lord Whitmane began. "And you folks pass all doubts! Oh, to think there was another realm out there who knew how to make good firewine!" He took a shot glass and poured for himself with some ice cubes in a bowl, before promptly downing it like a shot. "And how to drink it too!" "I am glad that you are enjoying yourself Lord Whitmane," interrupted Rasmuth, "but I must ask that you limit yourself before we pass through the portal." "Oh, you are indeed a stick in the mud like your queen says. Very well, if I must. But let it be known that Lord Whitmane can hold his own drink!" He chuckled as he soon passed over the tools that sat further to the side, a placement that I realise was probably a mistake, being so close to the alcohol. "And your tools milady¡­" He brushed his hand over the tool sets. Screwdrivers, bits, retracting measuring tape, even electric drills were on display. To the side of it were smaller boxes that held smaller, precision tools. The dwarf handled these more even more carefully, daring not to touch them as he did the larger tools. "I''d dare to compare these to a clock-maker''s tools. Your people are far more interesting than I thought." He said with a tense tone, "Ah, I believe I''ve taken enough of your time. I think I''ll take the liberty of looking over this fine assortment." before ending the conversation with a kind smile. While I did want to speak a bit more with him, I did indeed have other nobles I needed to greet. There was plenty of time later for it so I excused myself with Rasmuth joining me. At the other table, Prince Sorat of the Avion Kingdom and other lizard-like beings were enamoured by the cloth before them. "Lady Tarith, a pleasure to meet you once again." "For us as well Prince Sorat. Was the trip here any trouble to you?" "Not at all, though perhaps I should thank Lady Rastalk for informing me earlier of the necessities for the trip. I can see you have been quite busy these past few days." "Oh, more than you know Lord Sorat. I''m just glad the day is finally here, the stress of knowing this day would come was itself numbing." While I let the anxiety fade away with a chuckle, the understatement of the fact couldn''t have been more clear. Many of the government officials of the UNE fought tooth and nail to have them arrive in their territory or breathed down my neck for favours. Not to mention security details upon security details, business representative trying to get a foot through, if I wasn''t organising the day then I was fighting people off all night. It was by sheer effort and will that we managed the tour to happen on neutral territory. "While I have you here, might I introduce to you the delegation from the Radagon Alliance? Our kingdom has close ties with them and asked that they arrive with us." "Of course." I replied courteously as a draconic being stepped forward. My first encounter with a draconic being was with Lord Espart during the Gala. While it was a civilised and comfortable first-impression, ''Radagons'' as all lizard-like beings are colloquially called, are known to be ambitious, regal and avaricious like the dragons they emulate. The person before me fit all these qualities. At about 6ft tall, he towered over me, his red scales reflecting light, complemented by his extravagant attire, encrusted in gold, silver and gems in every colour. His horns, arching long and backwards, had thick golden, glimmering chains wrapped around and between them, a makeshift headdress just short of a crown but demonstrating his noble claim. "Lady Melissa Tarith. We meet at last." "Indeed. Lord Lothar Demigor I presume? We are grateful to have you on this tour with us." I said with a bow. His name was among the list of delegations that would join us, a list I took the time to memorise as the more egocentric nobility preferred to have their names already known. Lothar didn''t respond immediately, instead he stared down at me with narrow, reptilian eyes, a tilted head, and the swishing of a long, barbed tail, evaluating me with scrutiny before he finally spoke. "You truly are manaless." He said as if not believing it himself. His face appeared almost disdainful, that at any point he would sneer in diminutive scorn. "Yes, that is the case for all of humanity. I do believe I''ve made myself quite clear on that during the gala." "So I have heard. I did not have the pleasure of seeing your introduction. It is a truly¡­astonishing sight to see up close." He returned his gaze to the goods on the table, sets of fabrics of varying rich colour. Silks, high-thread fabrics and others rolled tightly in bundles. Besides them were sets of jewellery, the main focus of the Radagon delegation behind the Lord. He walked up and picked a golden ring made with intricate craftsmanship, examining it close. "And yet, I am met with a tale that tells of a people who are far beyond helplessness. Tell me, are these fabrics and jewellery truly made without the aid of magic, as I have been told?" He asked, giving side-eye to the human salesperson behind the table. "They are, as are all of our goods that we''ve brought from Sol." Another glare of scrutinizing eyes accompanied his words. "Then perhaps you are indeed worth the effort of our arrival. We hope you will impress¡­ despite all odds." "We aim to demonstrate our best Lord Lothar. We intend to have our realm speak for itself." "Then let it be so," he replied with reluctant enthusiasm, "We shall judge your worth and your people''s worth by your actions, Lady Tarith.", returning to look at the jewellery. I kept my polite smile throughout, though I was surprised by the openness of his hostility. Lord Sorat came to my side with a discomforted look, offering support. "Lord Lothar speaks only as appropriate of his station Lady Tarith, you should not take his words as harshly as they appear." "Thank you Lord Sorat, I''m alright. This was to be expected after all." I was briefed long ago that the realm''s nobility would not view us as positively, due to our lack of magic. I thanked Lord Sorat nonetheless as we spoke a bit more. "Though I must say, if the goods you have readied for us are anything to judge, then the intrigue that is your realm will only grow from here." "That is our intention. We want to bring in as many people from the realms to see our goods and services." "Ahh, no doubt from the pushing of your merchant guilds and governments. I know their whining well." "Them too, as well as many others. They were very eager to start trade with the realms, the most we could do was limit them to this town." "¡­You limit yourselves to this town alone to trade?" "That is something the URS had decided before hand." Lord Rasmuth interrupted first before I could respond. "It was a suggestion from our scholars that trade with new realms should be extremely constricted at first. Our advisors from the merchant guilds realised that if exotic goods were suddenly flooded into the realm, the effects would be catastrophic." I could see that Lord Sorat was confused more than anything, silent in contemplative thought. "¡­I suppose that suddenly filling markets with alternative goods would upset many a merchant, but I would not go so far as to call it catastrophic." "It is not a simple concept to grasp at first Lord Sorat, I will tell go into detail with you another time. For now, I believe we have one more guest to welcome." Both Rasmuth and Sorat turned to the door expecting another guest. I was puzzled as I had thought that we would see the last noble in the room, a kobold in the corner speaking to a drone. Instead, as if on que, the wooden doors opened to reveal the elven delegation that had finally arrived. "Nobles and royalty of the realms," shouted an effeminate elf, snideness in her voice. "I present, the Elven Delegation of Etherium, on behalf of the royal elven court!"