Inauguration
Midday was approaching and the public was assembled under the blazing summer sun. White-feathered Angels were standing in the audience, shielding their heads with their large wings. A Khallem delegation stood in a dark shaded corner. Some Mud Elves had arrived with the merchant ships that had brought the Angels in, and they were standing close to their Lost relatives. An Astroligan named Benny, apparently someone of importance, was also close to the main entrance to the new museum. The Aviator ambassador was also present, although he and the Astroligan leader kept their distances, probably some kind of disagreement, but the Empire didn't want to press the issue further.
The building itself was a large thing, built of white marble. A large central building surrounded by many smaller ones, all linked together by roofed alleys supported by delicately crafted pillars of white marble lined with silver. Even when there was darkness, it looked as if the museum gleamed.
An impressive contingent of security forces had been deployed with the ceremony. Not only more than half of the whole planet's Imperial Army was present at the even, most of the mages were there as well, scanning the area around the city for any sign of trouble. Events like this one, which gathered the representatives of many nations, were a nice target for any kind of activist or rogue mage seeking to show his power.
Sed Llynoth was finishing his speech about mutual respect for other races' cultures, as well as a salute to the achievements of everyone, and deep and long word of gratitude for the gifts to the museum which made it a real marvel to enjoy. Of course he did not mention that most of these had to be purchased for government gold. Another investment had been Phoenician glass. Now it was enchanted to resist blows, at least for a while, so as to protect whatever was on display in the museum.
The speech finally ended and the governor invited everyone assembled to discover the finest treasures of Ohane.
After everyone started moving inside, mages began looking at each other with worry on their mind. Making sure noone saw them doing so, they disappeared in the air. A large contingent of soldiers also discreetly left the museum premises soon after.
At the Gate
Bored but alert soldiers watched as the flow of merchants moved in through the gate. Having to stop each and every caravan was a tedious process, but one needed to be done as the safety of the ceremony happening at the same time was first in the list of their worries.
A noise went through the crowd and some people began voicing their displeasure. A soldier looked at the line and saw a figure approaching, pushing through the crowd. It seemed to be a tall woman wearing a heavy steel armor trying to skip her turn. The soldiers moved to intercept her as she looked very suspect so heavily armored. She could only be up to something nasty.
“No skipping turn, missy. Get back in line.” said a soldier to her.
“No worries. I've got a bit of an emergency.” answered she, trying to move past the soldiers.
Suddenly the soldiers tensed. This kind of person was trouble. Lots of trouble. And they were here to handle trouble. More guards poured out of the watch-houses and formed a wall of halberds, blocking all passage through the gate.
She only greeted them with a cheerful wave “There's no need to make a fuss. I'm here for the 'Tower'”.
Soldiers tensed even more at that remark. If she was truly expected by the Tower they would have trouble trying to detain her. But if she was lying, they were as good as dead as this was the kind of person who would threaten security. A sergeant spoke up, deciding that asking a few questions wouldn't really matter at this point.
“What is your business with the Tower ?” he asked.
“I'm out of supplies, and it's hard to get restocked in the deep wilderness. There's a bit of time pressure involved.”
Now the situation was clear to the sergeant and his men. This person had obviously no idea what the Tower was, and no affiliation with them whatsoever. Now it was up to the soldiers to decide if she was a freebooter or a troublemaker. The latter seemed the best answer as many angry merchants were voicing their concern over the delay at the gate.
“Like everyone here.” said the sergeant “Go back in line and wait for your turn.”
“I'm afraid I don't have that much time. Believe me, it's a good day for an exception.”
A lieutenant arrived, straight from the museum grounds, flanked by a company of soldiers. Having heard that last sentence, he answered.
“Listen, m'lady. We hear that kind of excuse every day around here. And you are delaying people. So unless you have a very good reason, you should go back in line and patiently wait for your turn.”
“I just explained. I don't have time. Speaking of which, it'd be a good idea to stop wasting it.”
“You are the one wasting everyone's time here. Either you give me a really good reason or I have you escorted to the nearest jail.”
“I now have 99 minutes, 54 seconds of battery life remaining. Although I've never experienced it myself, I've heard tell that as it runs down it becomes excruciatingly painful. And, of course, it would culminate in my death. So, as I've said, I have a bit of an emergency.”
Despite his education the lieutenant did not understand half the gibberish she said. What he did understand was that she would die soon and wanted help.
“There is a healer two streets down from here.” he said, pointing downward and away from the city walls. “Now go away before I decide to have you detained.”
“I don't need 'a healer'. I need an advanced magician with extensive resources.”
A wand appeared in her hand and she concentrated briefly. A strange aura could be felt in the surrounding area. People felt a bit refreshed, but still either angry or ready to kill at the first hostile intent.
“As you can see... Is that your final answer?” she said.
“Go get a mage.” said the officer to one of his soldiers who hopped on a horse and galopped away. “Wait here.” he said to the visitor.
Red Alert
The runner quickly got to the Tower, finding its grounds full of mages. He quickly found the one in charge and told him of the emergency at the city gate. The mage was glad to have the latest information as it saved him the trouble of trying to scry the area to find out what was happening down there. From what other mages had said, a spell of Life had been used nearby.
The mages quickly got ready and were quickly transported closer to the area by Displacers, who then set on preparing a rift to send the cause of the trouble away. Others began making an anti-magic field around the heavily armored rogue mage who was standing in front of the gate guards.
The leader of this batalion of mages, a black-robed man named Daniel, Necromancer by trade, moved to the strange woman. He observed that travellers and merchants, sensing what was to come, wisely moved away from the gate area.
“So.” he said “Disturbance of the Peace. Unlawful use of magic. Threats backed with magic power. There are at least thirty mages ready to blast you to pieces. You have ten seconds to convince me of letting you go or you shall be dealt with as Tower Law dictates.”
“Oh, that's how it's going to be, huh? ...I'll take my business elsewhere. You had your chance." A strange device appeared under her, despite the magic field.
At that all nearby mages began offensive casting. The ground shook and slowly parted under her as a blue sphere surrounded her, blocking her inside. The sphere began to sank in the ground.
A large, shoulder mounted weapon appeared over her shoulder and she looked around saying. “Don't do this.”
Daniel quickly studied the strange weapon and decided it was better to not ask questions. This person was clearly dangerous and insane, threatening the garrison of a city with a weapon and refusing to comply with the law. Still, he looked at her sinking into the ground, impassively. She fired her weapon, creating a strong heat. The blue sphere weakened, allowing some of the heat to escape and set a nearby wooden house on fire.
Under the strength of the onslaught, the mages reinforced the sphere as much as they could, keeping the energy of her following shots inside. Which looked very unpleasant to the external observers, or observer in this case, as only Daniel was close enough to see inside the sphere.
“I am afraid. This is how we deal with criminals here. Thanks to you I see why it is necessary to protect the common citizens from an insane mage's power.”
Suddenly there was movement inside, movement he did not register quickly enough. A blast of tremendous proportions came out of the sphere. Mages did their best to concentrate the blast so that it did not do too much damage, concentrating it one the area above the sphere. Still, it was powerful enough to send Daniel sprawling on the pavements nearby. And after that, he lost consciousness.
Meanwhile at the Museum
The procession moved slowly through the exhibits. At the moment they were passing through the section dedicated to the Khallem. A tiny bit of adamantine was in exhibit and was being commented on by Eye, the Khallem leader.
Trolshurga sighed. This was the last time in his life he took part in an official event. After that it would be peaceful retirement at Westwarden. He thought of his children. According to the latest news they were shaping up to be fine warriors in service of the Imperial Army. Hopefully they would rise as far as he did.
In the corner of his eye, he caught movement. A shadow behind a pillar. He focused on it and saw a crossbow pointed. In Llynoth's direction. He shouted and lunged forward to protect the governor as the bolt left its weapon. The rest was confused shouts and soldiers running after the shadow who jumped above the low wall of the museum gardens.
An Angel of Elrath ran to the General, who had received the crossbow bolt. As he got close he saw that his healing magic would be useless. The bolt had pierced the armor, breaking the half-troll's spine and crushing his windpipe. He had died on the spot, quickly but painfully.
Iliarnis looked at the dead man stuck to the wall with some kind of scimitar. A crossbow was in the dead man's hands. The squire shouted and some soldiers ran to him and looked at the body. The squire sighed and left them to their devices.
As he moved out of earshot he took a jewel from one of the recesses of his cloak. It was a jewel as large as his palm. He focused on it.
“Yes ?” he heard a voice in his mind.
“The Rook lives but the Knight is down. Everything is ready for the Queen's arrival.” he thought.
“Too bad about the Knight. He was a useful one. Yet it is good we can proceed with the Checkmate. You did well.”
“I am merely a Pawn at the service of my King.”
Westwarden
Elwyn put down the book she was studying at the moment. The death of the general had been a shock to everyone. Westwarden was now without its Protector. Work still continued as the main keep was being built. Soldiers were milling around, patrolling the area and otherwise passing time as usual.
Foresighted soldiers and officers, such as Elwyn, had begun studying Imperial Law intensively. The general's death left open a position at the top, which meant someone would have to fill it. So someone would be promoted, leaving another gap to be filled. Therefore, everyone was studying law and military strategy very hard in hopes of getting promoted.
Legal knowledge was a requirement to advance to a higher status than a simple soldier. Even corporals had to know enough of it. After all, in times of peace the army was required to patrol city streets and enforce the law.
Tower Plans
Daniel woke up. His whole body hurt but it seemed he was alright, at least few bones were broken. He opened his eyes and noticed he was in his quarters at the Tower. He tried to remember what happened before he was knocked out. His attempt was interrupted by the door opening. Kerzon entered and looked at the wounded mage.
“I see you are awake.” he said. “Must have hurt a lot. That was quite a dangerous enemy you fought down there.”
“How did it end, Grandmaster ?”
“The usual. Restraining the being proved useless, so the mages had to resort to extreme measures. We are still watching the sky for a shooting star.” he smiled “Though I doubt we will see it anytime soon. My visions tend to show she has survived. Messages have been sent everywhere, including our allies, with her description. She is wanted dead or alive, though preferably dead.”
“So, to what do I owe your visit ?”
“They have returned. The demonologists. They are going to report in an hour or so. Can you walk ?”
Daniel slowly stood up. He could still feel his muscles complaining with pain, but for now he could move with a bit of help. Supported by Kerzon, he moved to the main meeting chamber.
The demonologists who went to the Astroligans to 'help' them with their demon problem had indeed returned. For many hours they had spoken to the assembled mages of their discoveries and the mages were able to infer a lot from the information. The most worrying part was that it was likely that Khallem tunnels were overrun with demons.
That last bit came from the known presence of adamantine there and the rumors merchants were telling. With such a dangerous presence nearby it was necessary to develop the right kind of measures to contain them there, if not destroy them completely.
The day after, enchanters set to making what was required. Demonslayer blades would be produced and given to those who would have to fight the creatures. Each blade was marked with special wards as the Tower will want them returned after use.
Training the people in demon combat tactics would take a lot of time, especially with no general to command over the troops. The Tower had its elite force but preferred to keep it to protect itself for the time being.
Unexpected Guest
The tired guard yawned. Guarding the portal was boring but at least it was not as dangerous as trying to stop a drunken brawl. Suddenly the portal flared and the guard stood at full attention. Someone was coming, yet no new arrivals were expected at this late hour.
A group of people came out. Most of them were wearing travel cloaks but they were accompanied by a dozen fully armed soldiers. The portal guards did not know who they were, but they guessed it was someone important, perhaps the General's replacement. Two guards approached the party as it came out of the portal.
“Halt. No arrivals are expected at this hour. Who are you and what is your business here ?” asked one of them.
One of the travellers came forward. The guard could see it was a woman wearing an expensive travel robe. He looked at her face and swallowed hard, nearly dropping his halberd. Even under the hood it was fairly clear she was a woman of striking beauty. Yet that was not what had made the guard hesitate. What made him nearly faint were the two eyes looking back at him. Purple irises like these were visible, even in the relative low light of the nearby light sources.
“Be a good soldier and run to the palace.” said another traveller whose long white hair peered out from under his hood. “Wake up the governor so that he is ready when we arrive there.”
The guard regained his composure, bowed to the woman, saluted the white-haired man and hurriedly ran away, despite the night heat and his heavy armor.
From the tower overlooking the portal, Kerzon watched through a window as the new arrivals departed. He had been expecting them this night.
“She has arrived.” he said to himself and went to his quarters to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day...
The party quickly arrived at the palace and was guided by a servant to the meeting room. Sed Llynoth was already there, obviously angry at having been woken in the middle of the night.
“I hope you have a good reason to wake me up at this hour.” he said to the newcomers. “I have a full day ahead tomorrow and...”
His voice trailed off as he got a better look at the woman when she pulled back her hood. He quickly realized that she was a very good reason to wake someone in the middle of the night.
“Your Imperial Highness” he said quickly bowing. “Please forgive my rudeness, your visit is unexpected.”
“As it should be” said Alessia, daughter of the Emperor. “Father has received many reports from Ohane. Most of them unsatisfactory. Things need to change.” She then pointed at her companion. “I believe you are already acquainted with General Barziran.”
“Why yes of course, it is a pleasure to see you again.” he turned back to the princess “But I fail to see how events here are unsatisfactory. Taxes are paid, cities are built and valuable resources are exported.”
“First, you somehow managed to damage the jewel of the Imperial fleet. Then you were unable to keep your assistants under control” she said referring to the Silvar, who was still in a deep, dark dungeon. “And finally you lost a precious general. I have also been told you have let the Phoenicians play you for a fool and damage our economy.”
She moved forward, sweeping Llynoth aside and sat on the governor's armchair.
“In the name of the Empire, I am now assuming control over this world.”
Summary
Tragic events unfurl at the inauguration ceremony. Following that, a change in planetary politics is undertaken.
Imperia Ohanis – Lyle expands his illegal activities, earning a lot of gold in the process.
The northern expedition move along the coast, probably finding the merfolk settlement, and perhaps the snake-men as well. They also spot the second dam-bridge.
The other expedition come around full circle, passes through a Phoenician settlement and arrives to Port Lantys.
Commerce with angels begins.
Author
Topic: Battle of the Gods V (Read 27575 times)