.^^ the Princess and Fa Twins ^^

— Rune —

Before he could respond, the doors on one side of this smaller room were thrown open, and three people sauntered in, laughing and shoving each other good-naturedly.

"And then, the man jumps off the house, directly into the trough, staunching the flames!!!" The female laughed, while the two males noticed us immediately, and nudged her swiftly. She blinked, then knelt. "Father, we did not mean to interrupt. Please, forgive-" she saw Duncan, awkwardly kneeling near the back, and paused, then continued. "-forgive us our intrusion into the Emperor's privacy."

He glanced at them, as the tiger bounded over, licking her face, and removing some of her makeup. She smiled and pushed it away subtly, cleaning her face stealthily during the kowtow.

"No... enter, and close the doors. We would have your Input, for now." He hummed.

They blinked, and the men leapt to follow his orders, closing the doors and standing to either side of them, until he motioned them towards him.

"This man is Lord Rune Faequell, a native of Ulfavir, the Deeps, as well as Lord Mèng Dian, his three cousins, and one man we have not been introduced to..." He glanced at Duncan.

"Because He is not a Man, yet. He is a boy of 16, Emperor, a Squire of House Roland of Forenzia, Duncan Roland." I explained.

The emperor raised an eyebrow slowly, looking at Duncan. "Truly? We thought him a fully-grown Warrior... curious. Is his size... average, in his Clan?"

"Yes, Emperor. The Island Of Forenzia, And especially House Roland, are known for their giant, and powerful, Knights, as well as their exporting expertly refined metals. I am in the beginning phases of securing a trade deal with them, as well as the city of Armada." I nodded.

He nodded. "Impressive..."

"May we ask what issue we would be asked to address? Surely we are not executing such a beautiful man?" The princess asked quietly, standing next to her father's throne.

He chuckled. "No, not in the least. They have done the Empire a great service, specifically Mèng Dian and Rune Faequell, bringing proof of corrupt members of our Court. We were debating how to properly reward their efforts."

She blinked at the information, and nodded. "We see... and what were our... options?" She asked carefully.

"Lord Faequell is a Merchant, of sorts, as well as a craftsman of the highest order. We were discussing his possible service to the Empire as our personal blacksmith, but he is apparently unhappy with the idea of Service, and instead wishes to open a Trade Route, in his name..." he hummed, looking through the open windows behind us, at the wide, crescent bay spread before us, filled with ships.

She stiffened. "He would refuse an offer from the Emperor?"

"We offered him the right to Bargain, as Gift for his service to us." The emperor explained casually.

She relaxed marginally. "We see... well, what has he to offer, in this Trade Route? A Craftsman, we have those in excess. We Export most of our Lesser works."

He nodded. "True... Special Commissions would be accepted, of course, in the event of the Trade Route Finalizing?" He asked, glancing at me.

"I would be honored, to create a work for the Great Sun Emperor. My works take time, and are not easily produced, as well as having several dozen customers and commissions, at all times, but I would take time to manage any reasonable requests... as for the unreasonable ones, I do love a challenge, but I would never claim to be able to create miracles overnight... those take time, after all." I grinned.

He laughed, and nodded. "Yes, Indeed... a Trade Route to Ulfavir... interesting concept... and what would be traded, our daughter makes a proper point?"

"Refined materials for your own craftsmen, as well as Magically Enchanted materials, and various finished works would be made available, and specially commissioned works would be also available. My preferred method of delivery is nigh-immune to pirating, and therefore more cost-effective than delivery by ship... speaking of." I stood, and raised a hand, pointing at the harbor.

Two giant mirrors slowly opened, over two empty spaces, and the two western pirate ships fell through, falling only about fifteen feet, but likely bouncing around the pirates inside.

Oops.

"There, your Pirates are... delivered." I leaned against Duncan as my vision swam, and shook myself, attempting to straighten my spine, and failing.

The Emperor stood up, staring at the ships as they bobbed in the water, the mirrors dissolving slowly. "What... was that?" He asked softly, stepping past us to the window.

"Dwarven Magic... my speciality..." I murmured, and shook my head to clear it.

"You shouldn't have done both at once, Rune, what if you kill yourself with exertion? Natva would wring my neck." Duncan frowned disapprovingly.

"Yes Mum." I snorted.

The Emperor looked over his shoulder at me, and hummed. "Are you in danger of death by exertion?" He asked slowly, and glanced pointedly at one of the two men.

He approached silently, placing a hand on my shoulder, and power began to flow through my veins, revitalizing me instantly, though I noticed the glow of his eyes fade significantly.

"Whoa... my Thanks... we were not introduced?" I held a hand out to shake, straightening my spine successfully.

He gripped my forearm, and nodded. "I am Fa Kuro, and my twin is Fa Shiro... and that was impressive." He grinned, before glancing at the princess, and steadying his features.

"They are of one of my father's Harem women. Their magical ability to share magic is extremely useful, as is their martial skill, and so they are my constant companions, as both guards and friends." The princess explained.

I nodded. "I see. Either way, that is an interesting ability... can you do it again, while I watch?" I took my glasses off, and watched his hands, as he obediently did the magic again. "Intriguing... your magical energy is shared via bioelectric stimulation... I have made something similar, but it doesn't come close to the same potency... perhaps I will upgrade it. Thank you." I bowed to him, my glasses returned to my eyes.

"So Dwarven Magic creates those Mirrors?" The Emperor asked, halting any other conversation.

"Indeed, Emperor. Though as you have seen, mirrors of that size are dangerously draining on the castor. I am the only one who can access them... for now, at least." I chuckled.

He raised an eyebrow. "For now?"

"I plan on a virtual Army of children, all with my abilities." I explained.

He laughed at that, and nodded, still smiling. "An admirable goal, if any, for the scion of a Clan! Let us deal with the further details of your Trade Route, then?" He sat back down, and looked at one of the two twins. "Inform the guards to seize those ships, and arrest the pirates inside. The Ships are property of the Mèng Family, effective immediately."

"At once, Emperor." He bowed, and talked quietly to a guard outside the door.

"Mèng Dian, you and your cousins are to be commended, for your part in this. You will return to your post in the Sanctuary, along with a Lian of our finest Hunters under your direct command, to carry out our will in Ulfavir. Let it be known that the Empire of the Sun approves of Rune Faequell's Grand Endeavor, and offers its full support to fostering greater peaceful relations with the Northern Archipelago, as well as the Native People's of Ulfavir." He commanded calmly, and Dian Bowed even deeper, if it was possible.

"It will be done, Great Sun Emperor!"

"Good. Kuro, See the Lian Gathered, and their orders given. They will follow Mèng Dian's orders, and he will follow the orders of the leaders of the Sanctuary, until the Empire has orders for them." He waved his hand, and apparently declared the matter entirely finished.

"Lord Raava Drundomidon is my Co-Founder, and his Clan is the current leadership of the Sanctuary. I take a more supervisory approach, due to my busy schedule with my crafting and Guiding expeditions." I explained, to make sure Raava was given the credit he deserved.

He blinked, and nodded. "Understood." He dismissed Dian with a flick of his fingers, and he slowly backed away, still on his knees, until he reached the door, and it opened to let him and his cousins out.

A chair was brought, but I ignored it, walking to the window and looking out at the bay. "Your Harbor is... Impressive. Shielded from the summer storms, busy as all hell... I like it. I would like to buy some property near the bay, if it's possible. A lighthouse is likely not necessary, but I'm sure I can make it less gaudy on the outside, so it doesn't ruin the skyline."

The Emperor smiled. "That would be appreciated, yes. This land is for a warehouse?"

"A shop, actually... my Repertoire of materials is extensive, and I'm more than happy to fill orders, though it may take a while for the bigger ones. My finished works are specifically for the Expeditionaries, usually, or the highest tier of rulers in the city. They're weapons, usually, though I can make just about anything. Prosthetic limbs are something I'm quite skilled at." I hummed.

When he lowered his eyebrows, confused, I showed him my metal arm, dropping the illusion for a moment, and his eyes widened. "That's entirely Metal?"

"It is. I've toyed with the idea of a heartwood version, for Elves. Metal doesn't bond as well to Elves as wood does. It's a basic attribute problem, really." I mused out loud.

"And it responds perfectly?" He clarified.

"Takes a few days to get used to, but after that, it's just like a normal limb. Except mine is special, of course... I wouldn't make a normal addition for my own body, after all." I grinned, and pointed my palm out over the city, letting magic pulse through the entire arm, through the focusing crystals, and then fired a small red beam out, slamming into the waves, and creating a massive steam cloud.

He raised an eyebrow slowly. "You weaponized your own arm?"

"I didn't want to ever get caught without protection." I shrugged, letting the shield on the right arm activate. "And I enjoyed the challenge. So about the Trade Route..."

—

I whistled a tune, poking Raava on the shoulder. He jolted awake, leaping up from the desk. "I need a little favor, and then you can go to sleep." I said simply, patting his cheeks to wake him up quicker.

He slapped at my hands, sitting down heavily. "What, Rune?" He sighed.

"Do some Earth Shaping for me, so I can learn it." I said simply, and took off my glasses, disregarding the immediate glare of magic all over the room.

He shrugged and waved a hand, causing a circle of stone to turn to sand, then glass, and finally etch itself with engravings, moving through the wall as if through water, until it rested at a different place.

I hummed, and nodded. "Good, I think I've got it. Go back to sleep." I ordered him casually, picking him up and dropping him into his bed. "No arguments, you're no good to me dead." I snapped, pressing him back down into the mattress.

He grumbled at me, but rolled over slowly, covering his head with a pillow.

I nodded and sat at his desk, organizing his paperwork easily, then filling it out swiftly. "This is simple, Not very difficult at all... but we should have some clerks do this stuff, not you... I'll handle it." I nodded, and walked out, through a mirror, into my tower.

Ulva didn't notice my arrival immediately, but she sniffed, once, and then looked over her shoulder. "Ah, there you are. Dashiva gave me a bit of a run-down, so I'll make this simple: what did you tell the Westerners?"

"The Emperor? Nice guy, seemed interested in his people's safety and well-being. Been hunting a group of his nobles, apparently, for about a decade, but only now has some good proof to back his suspicions. Also, the old council has even more bullshit to answer to, and the new ones, as well, for trying to cover it all up." I shrugged, and walked into my workshop.

She followed, and sighed. "They're cleaning up their predecessors messes-"

"They knew about them previously, though, which means it's common knowledge, and they didn't report it or put a stop to it. That's called accessory, and it's a crime. You should arrest them yourself, and get some decent council members who aren't corrupt pieces of shit, and there won't be any further problems, will there? Maybe some people from Forenzia? They seem like honest people. Blunt, honorable, kind. Good leaders." I hummed, and slowly opened the side of my arm, checking the interior for any damage from using the beam, earlier.

She plopped into a chair. "That's Not How politics works!"

"No, you don't want it to work that way. If this isn't an oligarchy, then anyone in the Archipelago with the necessary skills to lead is up for election. Prove me wrong, prove me right, I don't care. I'll just keep going until the people you place under you are squeaky clean. And don't forget that you're also on thin ice, because you knew about all this, and did nothing." I frowned at her, and oiled a cog, turning it slowly, to work the oil in.

She rubbed her face slowly. "I can't. This city is run by these merchant families, I can't insult them, and hope to run the city peacefully!"

"You will do your damnedest to keep this city Honest, Ulva Drundomidon, or I will do it for you, and you will not like my methods!" I growled, and closed my arm with a loud snap.

She frowned at me. "Is that a threat?"

"Does it sound like one? Why don't you ask your mother for advice?" I asked, then opened a mirror under her, dropping her into her mother's bed, and snagging my chair as she fell.

Natva sighed. "That's a new one."

"Lecture your daughter on how to make the city obey her without the support of the upper class, before I depose her!" I called through, and closed the portal, then walked through another, into a different portion of the house.

Talja, Dashiva's husband, looked up from his book. "Ah, Rune! What can I do for you?"

"It's your brother, actually, that needs your help. Raava. See, you're aware of Raava and I opening the Sanctuary, a village for Expeditionaries, of which he is effectively mayor, yes?" I cut to the chase.

He nodded. "Correct, I'm quite proud of him."

"Oh shush, I know you hate that your wife is gone even more often now. I'm going to offer you a chance to be in the same continent as her, at the Sanctuary, doing managerial work for Raava, so he doesn't work himself to death. Because it's looking rough." I shrugged.

He closed the book, and set it aside. "So, you want me to live there, near my wife, and do paperwork for Raava, so that I am contributing and earning my keep, and also keeping Raava and his OCD from working him into an early grave."

"Spot on." I nodded.

"Well... I don't see an issue, except perhaps that I'm not exactly cut out for life in the Deeps... I'm very much a City Boy." He sighed.

"That's easily solved." I shrugged, and went into the back of the library, selecting a private nook. "This will be Your Office..." I murmured, and gripped a large mirror, slowly enchanting it with a permanent version of the portal mirror, the other end placed inside Raava's Office, locked so that only Drundomidon's could get through, though I added in Talja, obviously. "And that's your permanent connection to Raava's Office, and therefore Ulfavir! Go on, give it a try!"

Dashiva rounded the corner, sniffing, and gripped his jacket, pulling him back. "What's all This?!?" She snapped.

"This happens to be a secret, and your hubby is now Raava's personal Clerk, meaning he gets to be near you more often, and this portal mirror ensures he doesn't have to sleep on the rough, which he's terrified of, as a 'City Boy', apparently." I said dryly.

She blinked, and then smiled, kissing him sweetly. "Aww, did you miss me, Lover? I'm sorry, I'm away too often, aren't I?"

I gagged, and shook my head, walking away. "Remember, secrecy! Especially don't tell your sister!" I called over my shoulder.

"Which one?"

"You know which one, smartass!" I snapped, and she laughed.

—

By morning the next day, all the lower class people in the city knew about the real story with the pirates, and the corrupt councils, both of them, and the rich families that thought they could control the city just because they were rich.

They were just as easy to make angry as I thought, and it spread like wildfire, until there was near-riot waves of noise around the city.

Ulva visited my tower again, her arms crossed and tapping her foot as she looked out over the city. "I don't like being manipulated."

"Yeah? I don't like corrupt politics. The only reason you weren't included is because your mother can handle reaming you, and she doesn't need any help. Now you have the support of the lower class, the people who work the fields and make money for the rich of the city. Their backbone is in your hands. Work with it, while you have it, to make sure they never try to control the Council, ever again." I snapped.

She blinked slowly. "You did this so that I could succeed?"

"Your mother talked me into it. I was going to leave you to drown in the shit you were spewing, but she thought you deserved another chance. Get her something nice, come midwinter, hmm? Now get out, until you've gotten the city under control." I shooed her out, and returned to my watching.