He'd almost been looking forward to it…the event with the young boy had gone well, Zen had won the fight with the wyvern and after being cleaned up he was put back into the gleaming showy armor and had knelt down to the boys level for pictures. The Steel Wolf had issues in his fight that same night, and had landed in the infirmary even though he'd won, so he and Zen weren't in cells beside each other again for more than a week.
The weekend fights had gone by and the Steel Wolf still hadn't returned, Zen had started to wonder if the man had been injured a lot worse than was reported until almost the end of the following week he heard people coming up the hall and the cell beside his was again occupied.
"How'd the pictures go?" The wolf's deep voice asked after the guards had gone back to their posts.
"Fine, no problems. The kid's Dad got a little handsy but I wasn't going to kill him over it and leave his kid an orphan." Zen replied honestly, he'd thought about it, when the boy's father had leaned in during some of the photos and slid his hand under the metal skirt of the armor Zen wore, cupping his ass, it had taken some hefty willpower not to grab the guy and break his neck.
He'd shifted though, jerked his head around with a snarl and the man had clambered clear, pushing his son at Zen…which had left everyone looking at him in disgust including Zen and the man hadn't tried anything else, had gotten the pictures and thanked Uram profusely before he'd left with his son.
"You were gone for a while." Zen observed, fishing to find out why, the Steel Wolf was in prime condition, the injury had been reported to be not serious…yet he'd been gone for more than a week.
"Duke Rayven…he takes good care of me, didn't like how the infirmary was handling me so took me back to Ravensdown…since I was there, he decided to wait until I'd healed up fully before bringing me back." The wolf told him.
"If…you're willing…Miri is still here, and Garret still really wants his chance." the other gladiator added.
Zen sighed, he'd seen Miri now, she was frail, sick…had a broken arm that hadn't healed right and gladiators had beaten the hell out of her probably because she was a typical Bellan…mouthy.
"Why do you care about the girl?" He asked gruffly
"Skysreach a year ago…she took a tranquilizer dart meant for me…guards were gonna have a party in my cell…she'd heard them while they were bringing her to me…jumped in the way and took it…damn near died. I beat the shit out of the guards…killed the one that shot her…she didn't have to do that…would have been loads better for her if she hadn't…I'd have been messed up, sore for a few days but I'd have been fine…not her…she had her arm broken…toes pulled off with pliers is why she limps…all because she prevented the guards from tranquilizing me. Duke Rayven has tried to buy her…the man who owns her, he won't sell her unless Rayven agrees to train a few of his gladiators…and Rayven has kids at Ravensdown…he's not letting that guy onto his property…they've been fighting over it ever since Miri took that dart for me. So…believe me, I've tried everything to save her." The Wolf said and Zen drew a breath.
Even if the Wolf had been tranquilized and the guards had gotten their fun…any form of injury would have resulted in their horrific deaths so they wouldn't have hurt him, if they had…Duke Rayven would have done just like he did this last time, finest care, comfortable recovery…but a slave girl? She be beaten, tortured for her insolence as soon as guards could get their hands on her to make her sorry for messing with their plans…nobody would stop them, it was a miracle she was even still alive. Her pretty red hair was likely the only reason she was still being brought to the gladiators, that and tough Bellan bloodlines the breeders would want to benefit from.
That she'd done what she had…was amazing. She had to know how stupid it was…that the Wolf wasn't likely to be hurt much if at all…just forced through something he'd been through before just like every other Gladiator.
"I'll do it." Zen said and he heard the Wolf move, heard him press to the wall.
"Don't you dare say you will then kill Garret…I'll find a way to kill you myself…" he growled in a low voice.
Zen snorted "Not likely…you can't beat me in a fair fight and you know it." he countered "I don't lie…I can't…I said I'll do it, as long as it's not sex…just touching like you said…I'll do it…he tries for more and I'm sorry but he's fucking dead."
"Fair…I'll warn him…Garret's all hot and bothered over you but he's not stupid." The Wolf said, settling on his bed again.
"I'll let you know when to expect it."
That "when" came that weekend and Zen wasn't happy about it once he was in the holding area before his fight. In the holding area, he was given what armor he'd wear, if any, and what weapons he was allowed, if any. It also looked out into the arena and he could see the stands, all the boxes where the Nobles sat, the regular seats where the common folks were, were packed as always, in his years in the stadiums he'd never seen empty seats in the common sections, and rarely any in the noble areas either. Gladiator fighting was the most popular sport in the country.
Sitting in the box where the Marquis sat…was King Raimarc and his brothers. His skin actually crawled seeing the man, he despised Raimarc Karadin. Glancing to the side he could see Captain Garret, the man working with the weapons runners explaining what went where and showing one boy how to work the clasps of the armor piece he had to put onto a Gladiator. The man kept stealing looks at him…excitement plain on his face. With Raimarc there, allowing anyone to touch him might invite the damned man to try…he didn't want that, but…he'd given his word and there was no way to pull Garret aside and tell him to wait a little longer.
He had all of ONE small tiny comfort…Uram was there, so were Ivan and Sergei and Raimarc tended to be a little less insane around his brothers. That…and sitting at Uram's feet was the elegant, beautiful shapeshifter…Giermo. The man was a Celestial Summoner, Uram had owned him longer than he'd owned Zen…he made Zen feel amazing…soothed him, had stood by his cell door and taught him things about his magic..told him…he was the Keeper of Angels..held almost the whole set of the keys for that title…and once he had the full set, no matter what…he was getting Zen out of Pergrand…and it hadn't been a lie.
So Raimarc was there…which wasn't good news…but…his brothers were there and so was Giermo…so it wasn't completely horrible either…maybe he'd get through this alright without having to kill anyone important…he doubted the Wolf could do much to him…no more than make his life a little harder…but Zen honestly wanted to see Miri get out of Pergrand…probably as much as the Wolf did though he'd never admit that.
"Ladies and gentlemen…Primatin Lions are amazingly dangerous so we will be raising the protective wards. Our signature battle for tonight will put no less than The Dark Eagle against a Primatin Lion from Ishvan, these flying venomous lions weigh…." The announcers voice went on, the crowd was roaring, and Zen was focusing, still and silent as the boy came into his holding area with armor pieces…they were giving him a glaive…his favorite weapon, he was skilled with many, but he enjoyed glaives, they were big, weighty, long blades easy to angle and the surface of the blades provided the ability to shield himself.
It meant this lion was nasty…nasty enough Uram was warning him by giving him his favorite weapon and armor that actually didn't inhibit how he moved. It still left half his chest, midsection and legs bare…but coverage was a hell of a lot better than going in wearing nothing but a thong…or completely nude which happened as often as not.
Zen stood still while the boy got the armor in place, giving him a small smile when the boy didn't leave. It had gotten around that Zen was one of the "safe" gladiators for the boys working in the pits. He wouldn't hurt them, wouldn't give them a hard time, and if in the practice area, was one of the ones to run to for protection. So, rather than return to the main area where he could be grabbed by somebody, the boy stayed in Zen's pre-fight cell with him, the doors would close once the fight started and the child would get to watch the fight from the safety of that cell, it was where Zen would return when the fight was over, then the boy could collect the weapon and armor from him before he went to the shower area.
The fight was as hard as he'd expected…but with glaives in his hands he'd handled it fine, had definitely broken a sweat, and took a few swipes from the lions claws but nothing deep, he'd need a few stitches maybe, but Uram had a very good magical healer so he'd just need to deal with it until he was back in his cell in the compound.
He was able to focus on the fight, ignore Raimarc, though he did notice Ephraim VonVoss was there with the black and white haired man, and a few other people he'd not seen before. When he was taken to the shower he drew a breath, bracing himself for what he was going to have to tolerate, the price for getting Miri out of Pergrand.
Garret was there in the stall as Zen was chained, arms over his head, the girls stripping off the few underpads from the armor set still on him as Garret looked carefully at him.
"Miri." Zen growled and Garret nodded "Already on a ship." he whispered and didn't wince…wasn't lying…so…Zen endured…he hated every moment of it…but Garret kept to his word…and Zen would have been alright…would have just marked it off as enduring something disgusting to get a girl free but then he heard a terribly familiar voice…
"Oh me next…" Raimarc was smirking, and nodded, guards moving forward and Garret stepped out, wide eyed…
"M…my King…" the man managed before literally running from the area.
The brothers…Raimarc, a whole group of people…the guards started tightening the chains, pulling Zen's arms higher as Raimarc licked his lips.
"No…" Zen growled
"My brother…please…Tylan is here.." Uram said and Raimarc waved a hand dismissing that, his eyes roving over Zens body, the big gladiator was tanned, and very heavily muscled, looked like a God and Raimarc circled, ignoring the wide eyed women who were there to bathe and care for Zen that had been standing out of the way while Garret had been exploring the mans body, amazed Zen was allowing it all. Raimarc glared at his brother.
"Are you going to defy me in front of him? Defy me in front of our guests? Tylan needs to learn how to enjoy a slave." Raimarc said firmly, he started toward Zen…had seen the man allowing Garret to touch him all over and he was going to do a lot more than that…while the man was in whatever compliant mood he was in, or under whatever drug they might have given him, he didn't care, this brute would finally bend under him and he was taking the chance, seizing this moment as the gift it was.
Ivan was standing slightly behind Raimarc, eyes dark on the man, a frown just barely pulling at the corners of his lips…
Zen's lips pulled from his teeth, his amethyst eyes starting to turn gold…all signs he was going to attack, enough that Giermo sucked in a breath, pushing Tylan to Uram who backed away and got to the far side of the walkway between the shower stall where bars offered at least some protection. The moment Raimarc started to reach…the black wings emerged and this time he cut the chains before he went after anyone…always he would forget in the heat of the moment and always people could get clear…not this time…he was going to kill them all…he didn't care that Ephraim was a good man, that the black and white haired man seemed like a foreigner…the only one he wouldn't touch would be the boy that was suddenly gripping his fathers arm as Uram was backing away, Zen had seen his mother die…today that boy would watch his father die…Giermo…the blonde beauty of a man that was always kind toward him, helped him…taught him…he'd leave him alive too…but the rest…he was going to kill.
The knights went down, one swing of a heavy black wing cut them all down, their cleaved bodies sending sprays of blood everywhere, gore flew as Zens wings lifted and took out the guards that rushed in, heading for the King and the others.
Garion Ellison didn't care if Raimarc was harmed, but many others were innocent in it all. The Grand duke moved and then put a hand out "enough." the voice was firm, even as he touched the other man. His palm pressing against the slick bloody wet skin of Zens chest. He was a summoner…and his spirits had well given him enough information about what the Dark Eagle really was. He knew he could stop the other, but..that didn't mean he would give the information away. "Get the King out of here. now."
Sergei was the one to move, grabbing Raimarc and dragging him away, tossing his younger brother right over his shoulder without any concern for his dignity at that moment, Uram scooped Tylan up and ran after them.
Pragi stood, wings curved around Ivan, cringing as he saw Raimarc watching, eyes wide even as he was dragged off as Zen sagged, his eyes lost the golden glow and he leaned into Garions hand, Archangel magic singing with summoner magic in those moments, summoners always had that effect on an Archangel mage, the two magics were made to work together.
Garion stood there, voice soft, his other hand cupping Zen's cheek as he met those deep amethyst eyes "calm…I'm going to step out, everyone else is gone…the guards will take you to your cell now…" he wanted to do more, wanted to take, his whole being about ached for it, he'd lost so much that mattered to him and an Archangel Mage could heal the deepest hurts that he suffered with, make him whole again and he knew it, and Zen was powerful, handsome, a man who could stand by him and truly be all he needed…but no…he wouldn't be like Raimarc, not ever.
"Yes…" Zen breathed, his hazy eyes following Garrion, making an unhappy sound when the hand left his cheek, it took a few moments for the fog to clear, and Miller was there, the Captain leading him quickly to the A-Rank cell wing, looking pale and letting Zen into his cell, putting towels down on the bed since Zen was still soaking wet and even still had soap mixed with the blood from the knights he'd slaughtered, here and there on him.
"Dry off…I'll bring your meal in a little bit along with the healer." Miller said before locking Zens cell.
"What happened?! You didn't hurt Garret…" The wolf growled, smelling blood that absolutely wasn't Zens and Zen leaned on the wall, sinking to the floor by the sink.
"Shut up….I didn't hurt Garret, and Miri was put on the ship…I fulfilled your fucking deal…Garret is fine…the Kings personal guards are all dead…but Garret is fine." Zen said grimly, feeling sick…what the hell had come over him?! He'd never ever calmed like that for anyone except Giermo, and he understood why, Giermo was the Keeper, a mage meant to help mages like him but that big man…he was built like a gladiator, moved like a serious fighter…but his touch had turned Zen into a compliant, calm…even eager thing, willing to do anything for the man. It alarmed him a LOT, he never wanted Raimarc to be able to do that…hell he didn't want that man, whoever he was…to be able to do it, his ability to say "no" was something he cherished, fought and suffered to hold onto…he moved to the sink then, started washing off the soap and blood and gore as he waited for the healer, horrified by what had happened.
------
"What the hell was that?! What did you do?! Did you give him some sort of drug? Is that how that guard was able to bathe him? He never lets men touch him…and he reacted like a fucking dog under your touch!" Raimarc demanded the moment Garion reached the VIP lounge where Sergei had taken Raimarc and all of them were gathering to make sure everyone was ok and handle the fallout of the incident.
Garion stared for a long moment and his lips curled into a small smile, "well…Your Majesty…I may have been more inclined to answer that question about six months ago…before you bought a slave out from under me and killed him."
Ivan sipped from his drink, hiding his amusement with his glass.
Raimarc hissed "That Encan piece of shit? He wasn't even a decent fuck and you're upset over that?!"
Garion's smiled turned dark, "it's a real bitch when you kill a Summoner's One, Your Majesty…we're less…helpful after that point."
Giermo, by Uram, gasped quietly, eyes wide. Palance though wasn't silent, he looked sharply at Raimarc "You killed his One?"
"Watch your tone…I killed a worthless virgin slave…he was defiant, fought every damn touch as bad as the Dark Eagle just without the lethal capabilities…" Raimarc snapped, narrowing his eyes on Palance, but the man didn't flinch, didn't back down, met Raimarcs eyes squarely, he wasn't from Pergrand, he had no reason to have any innate fear here.
"Doesn't matter, your Majesty, you did it, regardless of your little reason why?" Garion's smiled turned dark, "what I know? Is for me to know. Not you…and go ahead…give VonVoss' husband shit…I'll support VonVoss in whatever he proposes."
"So will I…" The voice came from the side…Duke Rayven stood there, drink in hand, a raven on his shoulder as there always was.
Raimarc pressed his lips together, eyes defiant but calculating…two of the three Grand Dukes of Pergrand…the Three Dukes were the counter to the thrones power, put into place to assure tyranny would never take hold in Pergrand again after the fall of the Otho Empire…the Dukes did not have to bow to Raimarc, they were his equals as far as political power…it was why the Treasure was out of Raimarcs reach right now, Grand Duke Hesha had him in Icefall far in the north of Pergrand…and Raimarc couldn't do a fucking thing about that because Duke Hesha, Like Rayven and Ellis…stood on equal footing with him…The Black Guard, his knights…were supplied by Ellis and Hesha…the military in Romell that protected the palace and kept the peace…were soldiers of Ellis and Hesha…the most elite covert ops specialists in Pergrand were "The Ravens" and were Duke Rayven's forces.
All of this by design…yes Raimarc was the King…but if he ruined the loyalty of the Dukes…they could remove him from the throne…
"Killing a One…is a horrible sacrilege against Venus, One's are chosen by her…" Palance said, not knowing and also not caring that Venus wasn't accepted here…only her sons.
"We allow Venus, but…Eros and Cupid are the primary gods of love in Pergrand," Garion clarified for Palance, knowing the man was not from Pergrand, so he would assist in making sure he understood things before it blew up in his face.
Palance nodded, bowing his head a bit toward Garion "I see…well…their power comes from their mother…but I understand the distinction…either way…a One is precious, it's a match selected by the Gods of love, interfereing in the One magic can have grave consequences."
"Fuck the Gods of Love…they've done nothing for me." Raimarc snapped
Ivan hissed and then narrowed his eyes, "Raimarc." his voice was a low warning tone. "You have angered both the Venusian and the Anubian orders. Enough."
Raimarc hit his fist on the pillar near him.
"Just give the man to me Uram!" He snapped, turning to glare at Uram, though his rage faltered a bit when he was met by a wide eyed Tylan staring at him in shock from his fathers arms.
"Why does it matter Uncle Raimarc? You say slaves are not important…why are you so upset about this?" Tylan asked and Raimarc cursed under his breath and turned, running right into Sergei, who glared down at him a full head taller than his younger brother with an actual military career under his belt instead of just relaxed workouts with careful knights.
"Get yourself together Raimarc…" Sergei said in a hard cold tone.
Raimarc snarled, stepping around Sergei and storming from the lounge.
Ivan watched him go and then took a breath, "I apologize for that being the first…impression you got of his Majesty."
Palance shook his head, not flinching away when Ephraim slid a hand to his back, the two had been spending time together, getting to know each other…and Palance wasn't rejecting Ephraim's affection, he welcomed it, he had no intentions of remaining celebate for the next two years.
"I'm with Prince Tylan…I don't understand why he got so upset…" Palance said mildly
Garion debated "he…was cursed. It makes him a little bitch at times."
Ivan scoffed "words."
He leveled a look at the grand duke and the other man arched a brow. THe two stared each other down before Garion rolled his eyes, "I apologize…he was cursed and thus he is a very sensitive soul, feeling the need to make others feel the same misery that he feels often." he smirked as Ivan just mouthed 'asshole'.
"I am…deeply sorry you lost your One…" Palance said then, looking at Garion sincerely. "I know…we only get one…but…Archangel mages can step in…become that for us…"
"I will not cross the line that I have seen him attempt to cross time and time again," Garion said firmly, "...no matter how tempting. I could not…look at my troops if I did so."
Palance smiled then "A good man…even after such a loss…you hold to your values. I'm glad I've gotten to meet you Duke Ellis."
"The grand dukes are all…decent men," Ivan admitted.
Garion bowed his head a bit, "It has been awhile since another summoner has been about…I can only suffer through that one for so long." He nodded slightly towards Giermo. "Little romantic, grates on the nerves."
Ivan snorted, "Just wait until he meets Damien…"
Giermo looked down, blushing a bit but not saying anything…he was the only one in the room wearing a slave collar…even if it wasn't turned on or even functional because Uram didn't do things like that.
"He taught my boys how to read and write…and read and write music…he's been a very good nurse to them." Uram said in a mildly chastising tone.
Ivan smirked, "I remember when he came to the family, little fluff tail." his tone was oddly fond. Giermo was one of those odd 'additions' to the family that he accepted. "I remember..all that have come into the family under special circumstances."
Garion chuckled a bit, "I'm not saying he's bad, just romantic and I've…decided to move past that need."
Palance nodded and then smiled "I have some nice brothers…" he smirked
Garion waved a hand "thank you, but no. I've a border to protect….and a King to annoy."
"Right, so…we should expect…a rather explosive week," Ivan said and looked at Sergei, "will you be staying? Or going off to get away from the storm?"
Sergei sighed "How much grief will I get if I bail and take a vacation in Xillian or something?"
Ivan eyed him for a moment, "You take the song birds…and…only mild."
Sergei was about to agree when the door opened and two of Rayvens men in black came in, hurrying to the Duke with grim expressions.
Rayven looked over what he was handed and paled.
"The new King of Enca…announced who he would be marrying…please remind me who it was and please don't say she was from Estrelle…"
"It was an Estrellan woman. Blonde. Clockwork. A joining of Enca with the empire but not in a way that would add Enca to the Empire," Ivan quirked a brow, "...why?"
Rayven closed his eyes and drew in a slow breath. "Because Princess Anastasia of Estrelle is in a fringe Reproduction center…recently impregnated with King Raimarcs seed…against her will."
Garion stared for a moment and he went from being calm, relaxed…to looking like he was bracing a bit, "..oh, gods…isn't she…the Empress'...actual blood sibling? and…Raimarc…threatened to harvest the woman? Openly?"
Sergeis eyes widened "Last month…he said…he'd harvest the Empress…that…that if he could get access to tech blood….he'd certainly have a boy…"
Ivan looked up "...and I just sent…a photograph of the Dark Eagle to Bosco two weeks ago…we are…fucked."
Sergei looked at Ivan "You…did what?!"
"Raimarc has gotten…aggressive about him," Ivan pursed his lips, "...to the point that I'm sure he was going to try to publicly try to declare ownership.." he nodded to Palance, "...and he said his family was going to Bosco…"
Palance nodded "I sent the pictures to my family…they…joined the clan of the Guildmasters…um…I guess boyfriend? I'm not sure the relationship there but the man is what you would call a Treasure…him and the Guildmaster have three sons together. I sent the Dark Eagles pictures to them the day they arrived in Bosco."
Garion stood there for a moment "if you were anyone else..I would be shaking you and asking what you were thinking, Ivan…but..I don't want to have a stroke."
"...I was attempting to stop a small war between the Traditionalists and Progressives," Ivan pursed his lips.
"He has been pressuring me more over the Eagle…I would never back down on that, father gave Zen to me…like he gave Pragi to you…Raimarc killed my daughter…he can fuck off." Uram said coldly and Tylan winced, frowning at the mention of his lost older sister.
Ivan pursed his lips a bit "...publically…yes..privately? Mortimer's got her in his family home. I pulled in a favor…but she was…harvested, just not…"
Tylan gasped, and Uram looked shocked "You…Delilah is alive and….you didn't tell me?!"
"Just like you didn't tell Damien about the songbirds until later on…if Raimarc saw you not being miserable…" Ivan trailed off, "he would have known something was up."
Tylans hand was over his mouth "She's alive…" he breathed
"Yes…well…we are ALL going to be very dead if the Estrellan Empire decides to get angry…do they know where the princess is?" Sergei asked looking at Rayven.
Ivan stood there, "so…who's up for a vacation? I hear Detroit is amazing this time of year."
Garion laughed, "no no, no running from this, you shit."
"They do not know where she is…but the dogs are in Romell…it's only a matter of time…and the King of Enca happens to be close to King Nuryev…they're friends…" Duke Rayven said and Sergei cringed
"Gods if Seven decides to leave the shit they're putting down in their own borders…Raimarc has been stringing that war on for months…we've long since lost…he keeps sending troops in hoping Nuryev will…change his mind and re-accept the marriage arrangement his mother made." Sergei groaned "The Sevenese shifter armies are…fucking nightmares."
Garion stood there, pursing his lips, "so…we offer him as tribute? And pray we don't get leveled? Because I can't spare any troops..and neither can Hesha…"
"No…Hesha can't…of course he can't he's protecting the border like you are AND dealing with the bullshit with Seven just like you…" Sergei moved and sat down.
"Gods…he's CURSED for fucks sake, what did he think if he took a blessed mage of the Clockwork Queen pissing off a different Goddess would Negate the other Goddess's curse?!" He grumbled, waving at an attendant for a drink.
"No, fairly certain it would compound," Garion replied honestly, "...so…which issue do we deal with first? Because he's going to be throwing a fit in senate next week."
"Princess Anastasia is the most pressing thing…I doubt the Boscans will roll a vast army over us…but Estrelle will have the Armada razing our nation if we don't get Princess Anastasia back to them." Sergei said
"Right," Ivan pursed his lips, "so…" He didn't look that ashamed at what he did. The man stood there for a moment, "we need to find her..and figure out what we need to do to avoid that war."
Rayven held up the file "She's at the south reproduction center on the edge of Romell…my men found where she is…and came to report this….and ask for orders."
"Get her out, to her people," Ivan said firmly, "before we get a war we cannot win."
"There's a light shining above the palace of Estrelle your grace, we learned it means the Empress has already begun the process of activating the armada." One of the men in black said quietly at Duke Rayven's side.
"So they're already…gearing up. Great…we can't exactly scoop the princess up and dump her on the front steps of the palace like a lost cat." Sergei said
Ivan stood there for a moment. His mind was going over everything. He'd had a plan in place and now that was fucked up thanks to Raimarc. He looked thoughtful as he pursed his lips, "...can't we? Unless you want to take her back, you're the oldest, they don't care about who's on the throne, only the eldest."
"I can…shit…I should, maybe they won't kill me. Gods know Raimarc wouldn't negotiate to get me back…" Sergei ran a hand through his hair.
"Once we deal with Bosco…if needed…I'll work to get you back," Ivan said, taking a deep breath.
Sergei tipped his glass, letting the dark amber liquid burn into him. Estrelle was an industrial nation known for its technology, the national religion was centered around the Clockwork Queen, a nameless goddess of machines and clockwork magic. Clockwork Mages were royalty, and the central bloodline, the royal line, considered the most precious, was Glocwaith, the Empress being the current ruler was Alziel Glocwaith. She'd had two sisters, but one, Adrianna, had died years back so it was just Alziel and her sister Anastasia now…it was known even in Pergrand how deeply the royals had mourned the loss of Adrianna…losing her last sister would not be something the Empress or the empire of Estrelle would take well.
Estrelle itself was an island nation just off the eastern coast of Pergrand but they had settled other places, enveloped larger nations and now they were a fairly large Empire and had been for the last several hundred years. That they were led by a woman, an Empress had made them entirely unacceptable to Pergrand, Pergrand was what remained of the Otho Empire that had thrived before the times of the Holy Wars 2000 years prior. When the Empress of the Otho Empire had made life…horrible for so many, the Otho Church forcing their religion on people trying to get more and more laws passed that you had to recite their doctrine before classes started in school, and you had to live by their values set forth in the edicts and psalms of their Othorian Script.
The Othorian church had the largest military force in the world, and was fighting against the demonic invasion that threatened all of humanity. The demons though were winning…until three of the elder Gods descended. Mehturt went to Stella, Ra to Sweorta, and Anubis to Tian Xia in the far north. The tale went that the Gods created the first Triad and the Othorian church…took them, used them to fight the demonic hoards and though the war lasted for over 200 years…by using the Triad, and annihilating entire populations of mages.
Pergrands laws had come about to prevent the rise of a greedy woman and to prevent tyranny like what had become common back then. Female rulers were not recognized or accepted by Pergrand, period, because of the Otho Empress that had such a history of disgusting tyrannical policies and acts. So…their Empire of a neighbor had always been a thorn in their side…but…when his father had taken a concubine to have his heirs…it had been an Estrellan heiress…and he'd had three sons from that woman before she had died, then he'd taken a woman from the north and had Uram. In a twisted way, with him trying desperately to produce an heir…Raimarc taking an Estrellan made sense because their own mother was Estrellan.
But kidnapping Princess Anastasia…it was insane.
He shook his head trying to clear the thoughts. Raimarc had always had to have the best of everything, believed he deserved it and nothing less, Sergei, Ivan and Uram had all needed to carefully watch their things or Raimarc would just fucking take what he wanted. When Sergei won a medal in a horsemanship competition at 16…it had disappeared the night after they had celebrated his victory as a family…he'd been hugely upset, had torn the palace apart looking for it, even King Gustan had taken time out of his day, had beaten some servants to death over the medal going missing, it was made of gold, he assumed a servant stole it…but almost a month after it had gone missing…he found Raimarc wearing it while riding his horse with his friends, showing off. Raimarc had said he deserved it more than Sergei, the only reason Sergei got it was because he was old enough to compete and Raimarc wasn't…though when he was old enough for the competition he'd refused to enter, smirking and saying he'd already gotten his medal.
Ivan always mused that there was an irony that every country that was in the Estrellan empire still had mostly autonomy. There were a few laws that each country in the empire had to adhere by, but they kept who they were, unless they screwed up and then..well everyone knew the stories of those that went against the Estrellan Empire: The Armada would walk the streets until things were 'put on track'.
"If you're going you need to do it now…my men can take you to the reproduction center…" Duke Rayven said and Sergei was standing, frowning.
"I'll take my own ship…it's got the Karadin seal on it…best way to get to the Empress as quickly as possible is to go in there as exactly who I am." Sergei said, turning and heading for the doors.
Rayven nodded to his men and they fell in, following
Ivan took a breath, "I'll talk to you soon…we'll…figure this out on our end…and hopefully try to get our brother from being a complete shit."
Sergei stopped, leveling a serious look on Ivan "You handle this Ivan…if I don't come back…you become the eldest…don't let Raimarc ruin Pergrand." he said firmly before he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind the three black clad Ravens escorting him.
Ivan pursed his lips, "we've been trying to keep him from doing it…I'm to the point of a medical emergency to deal with him."
"We should remove him from the throne. I'll call Hesha…but he's so wrapped up in the mess in the north because of the dead God he can't even come for Senate sessions anymore." Rayven sighed. Wolfgang Hesha was a war hero, revered throughout Pergrand for his valor on the border with Icerend keeping the undead hoards that were generated by Icerend, where Apollo had buried Hroth. The rage of the eternally sleeping God caused undead beats and humanoids to spawn and they ranged in size from doglike beasts and normal man sized bipeds to hulking 50 foot tall ice giants that required specialized repelling equipment and weapons to bring down. Grand Duke Hesha kept them all from getting into Pergrand from that frozen and cursed land, like Ellis was famed for his fighting on the border with Bellum, a land of fire and molten rock being his battlefield. They were the Generals of Ice and Fire, the pride of Pergrand. Both of them up to their necks in battles neither had ever wanted, fights that had raged for generations that both had been born into, grown up fighting.
When King Gustan had died it had fallen to Raimarc to manage the Black Queen of Seven, the Pergrand/Sevenese border was less than 13 miles wide, it was this southern pocket on the landbound western border of Pergrand where it was connected to the main continent of Ishgar-Anubia, the continent named after the God of Death because the seat of his power was in the heart of the Grass Sea in Bosco. Seven's border ended where Bellums began, and for most of Pergrand's history that section had been pretty peaceful, until Gustan got ambitious, started advancing the plans nobody knew about but the line of Kings that had gone through the Rites.
Gustan had forged an alliance with the Black Queen, Kressa, and Pergrand's immense science had joined hers. The Black Queen was a sadistic, vengeful monster of a woman, but she was also a genius in genetic science and Pergrand already had the technology to alter DNA, to genetically craft and design life, the Berserker program was that, humans converted into monsters for the military might of Pergrand. They had taken that, and worked with Kressa, to create Sevens armies of shapeshifters. Kressa had needed Pergrand birth pods, their technology to splice DNA and alter genetic code, and Pergrand…wanted Seven.
Gustan had upset the nation when he'd made the alliance, Garion's father had bitterly argued with the man time and again, because it was Ellisian that was there, the border with Seven was Ellisian land and the Ellis family would be responsible for assuring everything flowed back and forth into Seven smoothly. That hadn't been an issue…but Ellis had hated dealing with Queen Kressa, Garion's father had told him many times the woman made his skin crawl and it had nothing to do with her gender. She'd tried more than once to talk the Duke of Ellis into letting her use the sacred forge of Hephaestus that rested 70 miles from Sevens border, and Gustan had even suggested maybe they could allow it but Garion's father had viciously protected the forge…it was their families legacy, they worshipped Hephaestus, always had and no dark Queen was going to use the holy forge for whatever the hell she wanted to use it for.
There had been hope that the alliance would crumble, but then Gustan had betrothed Raimarc to Kressa's son, Prince Nuryev Alsaidian. Nuryev was a well known youth, he had inherited the dragonblood of his father, had the luminous green dragon eyes, olive complexion and thick wavy black hair Alsaidians were known for, he was a prodigy, at 12 he already had been working in the laboratories and Pergrands scientists came home with glowing tales about the Prince making breakthroughs, guiding research, finding ways to make projects work that never had before.
Raimarc was completely enamored with Nuryev…it had been out of character for their brother…Raimarc had never cared about anything but he cared about Nuryev, he spent hours researching the Alsaidian bloodline, the history of Seven, was delighted he would be marrying a Dragonblood and had made trips to Seven before their father had died to meet the young man…but…as Raimarc was so good at, he'd gotten violent with the young Prince when Nuryev had been apparently upset that Raimarc and his friends were going to have fun with one of the Grand Generals, the immortal Dire shifters Kressa had collected, from which the DNA to create the armies they had built came from.
Nuryev hadn't wanted them to harm the shape shifter, and Raimarc, showing off for friends and not wanting to lose face before a woman, since Kressa and her sister had been right there, had violently assaulted Nuryev, he and his friends using the Prince for their fun instead of the general.
Nuryev…had hated him from that moment on. That hatred had grown too, because Raimarc hadn't behaved any better when he'd visited since then, no apologies, no attempts to mend what he'd broken even though Sergei and Ivan and even their father had told him he really should…because Nuryev was meant to become his husband, his mate, finding any nation willing to marry a male heir off to a male somewhere wasn't exactly easy, this arrangement had been a huge boon to Pergrand they would rule the two nations together…but Raimarc hadn't, he'd gotten angry that Nuryev wouldn't just forgive him and accept his attention, that the Prince tried to refuse him every time he visited…and the older Nuryev got, the taller and more handsome he grew…the angrier Raimarc got that he wasn't just…in love with him like Raimarc firmly believed he should be.
It was irrational. Cruel…horrible…and so very Raimarc.
Sergei walked with the Ravens, his own men falling in with them, getting them to the airdocks where one of Sergeis ships was…by the time he reached Romell, Duke Rayvens men had Princess Anastasia and she was brought aboard immediately, Sergei bowing low before her, hand over his heart.
The woman stared at them all, looking like she'd sucked on a lemon. She didn't say anything, the look itself really did give all that she could say outloud. She suddenly smiled, "you're all bloody in trouble.I'm bloody pregnant. Which bloody puts a wash on the engagement between me and King Curtis of Enca."
Sergei flinched and stood back up to meet her eyes "We didn't know that my brother had done this until today…you have my word Princess…if we'd known he was even thinking about doing this…we would have prevented it."
She eyed him for a long moment, "If you were anyone but the eldest, I would have harsher words, but the Empress may have them. I cannot…fulfil the contract now that I am with child and…defiled." she looked down, clearly upset, and she had every right to be…Raimarc had kidnapped her, locked her away in a reproduction center and had them impregnate her…and she'd been set to marry the young King of Enca.
Sergei frowned "The King of Enca has been shooting down slave ships…it seems the official release was a slave group kidnapped you…where you were taken, nobody knew though Pergrand and Xillian were both equally suspected…Enca…" Sergei let out a breath, this was all very new information to him, Raimarc had hidden what he'd done very well…
"Enca has apparently contacted my brother, demanded to know if you were brought here…my brother, has not answered, and the King of Enca has gone to the UN…seeking help in getting you back." Sergei said, they had been focused on the other issues, so much so…they hadn't been watching international reports from the UN…hadn't known the Princess was even missing until Duke Rayven had told them a couple of hours ago…now? Now Sergei knew the extent of it…Estrelle was demanding a response from Xillia and Pergrand, Xillia was vehemently denying any involvement…and Raimarc…was ignoring it all. His silence damning his entire country.
"I did contact the King of Enca…and your sister, I told them I knew where you were and was retrieving you myself…" He told the woman.
The blonde woman stood there, eyeing him for a long moment, "I see. Well…we will see what happens..also…all your tea is shite….and no one knows how to make a cuppa."
"My apologies…if you would, please…we're underway to return you to Estrelle, but the King of Enca and your sister are both waiting to hear from you." Sergei stepped aside, holding a hand out toward a communications station.
The woman turned, she was a mess. The doctors of the center hadn't given her a hairbrush, she was in a medical gown that was stained and she had no shoes on. Holding herself high despite how she looked and moved to the communication station. She tapped a few buttons, debating on who to contact first. She let out a soft sigh starting with the King of Enca…if he decided 'no' after hearing what happened? She'd be fine going to Estrelle and disappearing for a year or so. No…that wasn't really true…she'd be crushed, she wouldn't be fine, she'd survive…but until she'd been kidnapped she'd been so happy, happier than she'd ever been been since before her sister had died, Curtis was…young, handsome, he had a voice that drained the tension from her and a smile that made her heart flutter. When he'd agreed to the marriage proposal her elder sister had sent, she'd been beside herself. She'd honestly fallen in love so quickly and had been just about floating around as plans were made for the wedding. If he cancelled it all…she'd be crushed.
Curtis himself answered the line "Anastasia?!" His dark eyes were wide, filled with worry, Curtis was a young King, only 24, the fifth born prince but Enca had had a catastrophic event when an interplanar rift had opened and a demonic invasion force had come through, Darksiders, the worst of the soldiers of Hell has decimated the Encan Guardian forces, they had lost more than 200,000 people in one night and the royal family had been wiped out, Curtis was the only survivor, he'd fought for three years with the Guardian council and had finally gained his throne…accepted the marriage offer sent by Estrelle…wanting to marry Anastasia…but then, she had disappeared.
He'd sent out everyone he could, called in favors, hired mercenaries and ended up at the UN headquarters asking the United Nations to help him find her. Getting her back had become the central focus of his attention…seeing her had his heart about leaving his chest, she was disheveled, in a plain cotton medical gown that wasn't exactly clean, looked nothing like she had…paler, thinner…except for her swollen belly.
"What…happened?!" He breathed
Anasastia took a deep breath, "I was…captured by slavers..and taken to a reproduction center…no one…was intimate, but…this lot won't touch a woman that way."
"She was…medically impregnated, your majesty." Sergei said and Curtis glanced from Anastasia at him but looked back at Anastasia.
"You look thinner..they weren't even taking care of you…Prince Sergei…Enca will not sit silent after this, I'm sure your King thinks that we're weak because of the Darkest Night but I assure you…that is NOT the case." Curtis said in a hard cold tone. "You will bring her home or I'll come there to Pergrand myself…and I promise you, if I come to Pergrand…the only survivor will be her."
"I can feel the Armada," Anastasia said, voice calm, "so…The Empress is not taking this lightly either."
"Whatever Estrelle does, Enca will support…Anastasia…please…don't cancel our marriage…" Curtis said, voice lowering now "Please…I don't want anyone else…I…I can adopt the baby. We'll figure this out…I can change the laws here….please…" Curtis's dark eyes were pleading on the screen and Alastasia felt the fear, the dread…drain away, tears threatening, her eyes stinging as she looked at the hopeful man.
In Enca…you married a woman if you got her pregnant…period, there was no question…but he didn't want her with Raimarc, didn't want her with anyone but him…
Anastasia smiled, a soft smile, "I…would not. But…the choice after this mess was yours to make.."
"I choose you…always…I'll adopt the baby, make it mine, love them just the same, I just want you, nobody but you…I love you Anastasia, I know we've never met in person but…" Curtis blushed, Prince Sergei was right there listening to him beg like a fool but he didn't care, hours they had talked over the com, every time they had free time, she would call him or he would call her and it had meant the world to him that this beautiful intelligent woman wanted him, was willing to marry him, spend her life with him. He'd burn the world down for her…
"That settles that then," Anastasia smiled, "I Just…was not going to make assumptions."
"Where are you? You had damn well better be getting her a healer Prince Sergei…I swear to the Lady I'll see you dead if she doesn't get care, she's too thin…needs actual clothes…a hot bath….Pergrand treats women horribly, don't you dare mistreat her any more!" Curtis said and Sergei raised his hands "I…do not have access to a healer right now but we're underway toward Estrelle right now, I'll get her the help she needs I swear."
"You retrieved her without a healer? After all she's been through? Are you stupid?" Curtis snapped and Sergei flinched. It was a fair insult honestly, he should have thought of it but he was in too much of a rush to get the woman out of Raimarc's hands.
"I was more concerned with getting her out of Raimarc's hands, your majesty, and only learned she was even in the country about 2 hours ago…time I spent getting to her and getting her out of the reproduction center." He said
"I'll send mine…give me your ships transponder signal." Curtis said with a scowl and Sergei hesitated…the transponder would give the King the ability to know exactly where the ship was, everything about it down to air displacement could be taken from that signal.
"Luv," Anastasia spoke softly, "our heading should get us to the capital of estrelle in three to four hours. Meet us there." she was smiling, couldn't help it, he was…adorable and…still going to be hers.
Curtis stood as soon as she said it, the view tilting a bit as he picked up the com he was on and was clearly moving. "Sirius…you're with me. " He said to someone not in view then looked back "…Anastasia…I'm on my way." he said looking back into the com and giving her a reassuring smile.
Anastasia smiled softly "I'll see you then….I'll be calling my sister soon..and pray there is not screaming."
That call ended and Sergei let out a breath "I apologize…I didn't have time to gather a healer…" He said with a frown "I should have thought of that…but Raimarc…if he knew we'd found out about you being there…he'd have moved you. I couldn't hesitate."
Anastasia sat there, "your brother is a knobsucking chit of a man that needs to learn to hold his tongue." she blinked, "and…I think I would have simply been happier with a cuppa. A good one." she moved to put in another call…and then waited as a rant was what they were met with.
"Who the bloody 'ell is calling this frequency? Who wants their bloody knob torn off? Or is it a set of tits I need to rip off?" The voice wasn't joined by a face, but the com feed showed a large room with glowing automatons.
"...hello, Sister…" Anastasia leaned forward, "Please do not jump to conclusions.."
There was the sound of a crowbar dropping and a woman covered in grease was on the screen, "Anya?!! Bloody 'ell.."
Sergei drew a breath, holding his tongue…he couldn't argue with Princess Anastasia's assessment of things…Raimarc had a serious issue with keeping his mouth shut…and with rash actions that had massive consequences he never took responsibility for…
The two women stared at each other and the Empress scowled, "..bloody 'ell…you look like…"
"I'm fine…ish," Anastasia said, voice gentle, "let's just…power down, hmm?"
"No," Alzeil spoke, voice cold, "give me one good reason I shouldn't raze it. Anya…look at what they did to you…ya look like you haven't had a proper bath in weeks."
Anastasia pursed her lips, "...there are some good people there." she managed.
"Pergrand is not its King." Sergei said from behind Anastasia "As soon as I learned what Raimarc had done with your sister…I hurried to free her, I'm bringing her home to you, please…our people are good people…we just have…" He sighed "My brother is…a cruel and foolish man."
The woman's voice went ice cold, "We will discuss more when you arrive…and we will see what happens going forward…We are still very very displeased with your king. We shall wait until we see you in person to decide the fate of events going forward."
Anastasia smiled as the call ended, "...well…using the royal We…but it looks like she was fussing about…so probably not…completely on a warpath…yet…"
"Doesn't change the fact the Armada is powering up…" Sergei observed unhappily.
Anastasia smiled faintly, "...no..probably not..but with losing our sister and the rest of our family, she's more than a little protective of me." she slowly stood and made a face, "bloody 'ell…"
"You may use my cabin to bathe and clean up Princess…I…don't have any clothes for you though." Sergei admitted
The woman nodded, "That…will do. I just need a mild meal."
"I'll have one prepared for you while you clean up." Sergei offered, leading her down a hall to the front of the ship and opening a door that led into a large luxurious cabin, it was decidedly masculine, with dark grey black and red dominating the colors used but the bed was plush, the rugs were thick and a large steaming tub of swirling water was set into the floor.
"There are robes in the closet..I'll leave you, if you need any assistance, my butler is on board and I can send him, he's from Xillian…a Raktikan, he may have an Estrellan program set…I'll check and activate it if he does." Sergei offered. He'd paid a fortune for Riley, the Raktikan people had been used by the Empire of Xillian, implanted with chips right into their brains that allowed complete control over them, their personalities…education, what they knew how to do…all of it could be purchased in skill upgrades from Detroit where the chips had been developed as an alternative to slave collars. The problem had been…most human beings couldn't survive the functions of the chips…but, Raktikan people, a warrior race from a small island off the coast of Xillian, they not only survived, but adapted flawlessly to them, and because they were strong, tall, robust people, they could be upgraded into being any sort of slave you wanted. The issue had been, there were only about 2500 Raktikans and all of Xillian had wanted one, the whole slave market had exploded with people fighting over them, and the entire race had been enslaved. Black hair, silver/gray eyes, olive skin and long lifespans with a natural rapid healing, it had become impossible to get one..but he had lucked into a rare auction of one…and Riley now served as his Butler.
He'd brought the man…because Riley was quiet, soothing, adept at handling anyone and he'd wanted the Princess to have someone to look after her until he could get her home…
Anastasia nodded, "Thank you. I will..be ready by the time we get to Estrelle." she moved to the bathroom to get cleaned up. She moved slow, lethargic, she was honestly grateful when the door opened and the broad shouldered man with silver eyes came in. He bowed. "My lady…I am Riley, my master activated an Estrellan routine for your benefit…I know how to help you, and I've made you some tea." he'd said in a soft voice and she'd accepted his help, sat in the bath while he worked out her hair, helped her bathe and then gotten her dressed in a nice thick black robe while she had sipped tea and eaten some mild lamb stew. She was clean, clothed and fed by the time they reached Estrelle.
Sergei stood on the bridge, watching through the huge view screen as they were met by Estrellan strike ships and led into the capital, he wasn't surprised to see an Encan airship already there, the flag of Enca fluttering from its high com tower, the Royal Seal of the Misericorde family beneath it.
They were met at the docks by a large group, the Empress drawn up and looking cold and detached. A man was standing there holding a bag and murmuring, "good Lady…you look like you need more than a few good meals."
Sergei had found one of his cloaks, furlined and thick he'd wrapped Anastasia in it so the simple robe wouldn't be all everyone would see her in…but it couldn't hide the thin wrists, the ashen skin or her narrowed face. The process of being impregnated in Pergrand wasn't easy on a woman's body, it wasn't meant to be…their doctors knew nothing about sparing a woman pain or suffering, they only knew how to make their bodies carry children.
She'd been given food, nutritious food meant to help the baby thrive, but nothing for her, testing to assure the health of the baby happened daily but no effort at all was made to sustain Anastasia, that was how women were treated…they were wombs…nothing more in the eyes of Pergrand and that was evident in how the Princess, after 4 months in Pergrand, looked.
The man moved to gently lead the woman away with the Encan Healer…the Empress narrowing her eyes to dangerous slits and a low growl came from her, "...we are not amused. We are not pleased." The Empress of Estrelle was a regal woman, she rarely used singular pronouns, only in private and only with those that she was close to. She had cleaned up, was wearing a jacket, breeches, boots and looking far more ready for combat than a lady of a court.
"Pergrand is not its king…I moved as quickly as possible as soon as I learned what had happened…Princess Anastasia was kidnapped by order of King Raimarc, I can only speculate as to his reasons and will say…had I had even an inkling he was considering doing this…I would have stopped him." Sergei said and he sank down to his knees…he was willing to do whatever he needed to, for his people, they didn't deserve what Raimarc could bring down on them, the people of Pergrand were generally good…just kept under the boot of a throne that had become…evil.
"Please…do not attack Pergrand, our people are good, it is our King that has…become a tyrant."
There was another low growl from the woman and she let out a hiss, "We are not stopping the activation. Attacking…you have exactly two days to convince us just how much the Armada should do." the pupils of her coppery eyes seemed to slit a bit as she watched him.
Dragonkyn…the realization hit Sergei like a train. His best friend was a Dragonkyn mage, Gregorian, and he'd learned a lot about them growing up with his friend.. They weren't beasts, but they had heightened senses, perception far above what normal mages had. He met her eyes, fear was weakness…and he wasn't afraid of her, he was afraid of what she could do, how his people might suffer because of his brother if he couldn't get this woman to at least…not attack anything but the capital.
"Then I'll have to do all I can to convince you." He said finally and got back to his feet, his tone respectful, his head held high though, he was willing to beg to save his people, willing to do so on his knees, but he was not responsible for what had been done, nor were his people.
A little bit behind the Empress was the delegation from Enca, Curtis waiting for Anastasia, a tall man with long pale hair going to greet her, walking with her to Curtis who was on her opposite side,
Anastasia gave a small, wane smile to Curtis, but she was very much exhausted still. She held herself as well as she could, but stumbled a bit. The man frowned, "malnutrition…we'll need a lot of tonics….rest..and…I honestly do not know if the child will be viable with her majesty in this state…"
"As long as Anastasia is ok…that's what matters." Curtis said.
The blond man nodded, "as you say, my king."
The other blonde man looked over his shoulder and watched Sergei and Alziel, "come along, Madame…dinner."
Alziel snapped her head around and let out a growl before she was turning on her heel and walking after the group. "...you should join us for dinner. When you are ready."
Sergei sighed, turning and walking back onto his ship, heading for his cabin and pulling out his com so he could contact Ivan and Uram and let them know what all had happened.
"So..you're still alive," Ivan said calmly.
"For now…the Empress is angry, she's not stopped the activation of the Armada, you need to get out of Romell, Ivan, and make sure anyone you care about is out as well."
Ivan pursed his lips, "....I can move some assets…the Dollhouse itself…gods..so much work there.."
"I'll help you rebuild if you have to…I just want you and and our family safe. Is Uram still with you?" Sergei asked
"Yes," Ivan said, "we've had a long discussion about me…sending the Eagle's photograph to Bosco."
"Make sure he gets the kids and gets out too, I'll do all I can here." Sergei said.
"We will…try to very quietly evacuate the civilians," Ivan took a breath.
"I'm sorry I'm not there to help…I've notified my men to help you, you're welcome to my manor in Damascas, the facility by the stadium….whatever you need."
Ivan scoffed, "right now? You're there trying to stop…or at least lessen what is going to happen. There is no need to be sorry."
Sergei pursed his lips, he didn't feel good about this, he hated leaving it all on Ivan's shoulders, he knew Uram would help, that his brothers were perfectly competent, but he didn't like leaving them there, he felt like he'd abandoned them.
Ivan looked amused, "brother…we have been doing our best to Manage Rai for years now while you've been away for periods of time. We can do this."
Sergei nodded "I'm worried Ivan…Bosco has those pictures…the Archduke will come for his son…and our brother infuriated the Empress and defiled her sister…pissed off the King of Enca and isolated Pergrand more than it already was."
Ivan was quiet for a few moments, "I am as well…I…figured that the archduke would come..I did not know he had…done this thing with the Princess. I would have waited..or found another way.." he paused, "I..getting him back to his family will perhaps help me figure out why I am so protective of Pragi..maybe…I was hoping…that the Eagle's existence would perhaps give us a way to…smooth things over there. I should have discussed it…at least with you."
"Water under the bridge now…now we make sure the flood doesn't wash us away." Sergei smiled wistfully. They had spent their lives navigating the dangerous waters of life in the Palace of Pergrand, they had become shrewd, dangerous men but had good hearts. It would take all they had to save this, if it could be saved at all.
"We'll get through it, like you said. Does Uram have things ready around the Dark Eagle? Greg should probably prepare Damascas for Boscans…" He chuckled without much humor, sitting on the bed in his cabin, laying back and looking out the window into the hazy Estrellan sky.
"...getting there," Ivan groaned, "he actually got mad for not telling him I was doing it!"
"Oh I'm sure he did, the Eagle has done a lot for Uram…well…in addition to bringing him massive amounts of grief because of Raimarc." Sergei chuckled.
"Coming from someone marrying into Pergrand, even temporarily.." Ivan grumbled "was the best way…if they just saw it in something random? Gods, I can imagine…we'd be having four war fronts at once. Bellum, Seven, Estrelle and Bosco…we've not heard anything yet, but we are preparing…hoping for someone to reach out rather than…just do….but..fairly certain the archduke will want no talking."
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