.^^ Dragon River ^^

— Fa Kuro —

The princess fussed in front of the mirror, muttering over her choice of dresses. "-No, not that one, too slimming... he's a warrior, he'll like women with meat on their bones... not this one, too bold... he's a cherry-boy, no need to scandalize him... hmm, maybe... shows off my calves and arms, without showing too much else, or seeming to cover me up, either. Perfect." She settled, after two hours of looking, and Shiro groaned.

"Finally! Honestly, he's a Baby Ronin, for gods's sake! Why are you getting so worked up? He's only a year younger than you, but the difference is clearly obvious." He commented.

"Because he's beautiful, and also father wants the Forenzian Bloodline to mix into our own! And he's very sweet, and I don't really mind it at all, which is an exceedingly rare combination of my Duty as a princess and my Wishes as a woman, one that not many princesses get a chance at! Now shut up if you're not helpful!!!" She snapped, blushing.

He smirked. "Ooh, is that so? How adorable."

She threw a shoe at him, and stormed over to me, plopping down in front of me. "Kuro, can you?" She pointed at her hair huffily.

I set aside my quill and parchment, and began braiding her hair with soft, practiced strokes, then coiled it into her formal bun, pinning it carefully with the platinum spikes she'd gotten enchanted, a few years ago, to hold her hair in place, and also to pierce the hardiest of armors. They cost the Emperor about as much as an elven Engine, but he relented, when she explained that they would help protect her.

"At least it wasn't that Faequell Boy. He would've been a bad match, I think. So irreverent and Crude." Shiro shivered.

I blinked. "I found him honest, and his courage was appealing. Not many people can say what they think around the Emperor, even when they are told to do so."

"You call it courage, I call it arrogance." Shiro shook his head.

"I call both of your points valid, actually. He was beautiful, and Honest, and brave, but also rude, and arrogant. Arrogance and Courage aren't mutually exclusive, after all..." the princess nodded, and stood. "Anyway. Out, both of you, I'm going to get dressed."

We bowed, and let in her female ladies' maids, standing guard at the two entrances, until the emperor's own guards called on us.

—

"Sit, both of you." The Emperor commanded quietly, pointing at two chairs to his left, between him and the windows that looked out over the city.

We sat down obediently, silently, wondering what he wanted.

"Did you both get the feeling, from Rune Faequell, that he means to honor his word about our Trade Agreement?" He asked after a moment of thought.

I spoke hesitantly. "His Aura showed no signs of treachery, nor did his face and voice...?"

He nodded. "Yes... good... I wonder, though, if this will cause issues with the North... we've had peace, for 42 years, ever since my father died, and I don't plan to break that peace..."

"If the North or South believes we are a state of increased military might, they will break the peace." Shiro said calmly, and absolutely.

He nodded again, setting his chin on his fist. "Yes... yes... so while I would like my soldiers to be equipped with the best of equipments available... doing so would cause a War."

"It is likely, unless all four Archipelago's received the same increase, and then really what's the point of the upgrade, if we're back where we started?" Shiro shrugged.

"Exactly... That is what the Councilor said..." he sighed.

"Unless you only arm your Expeditionary forces, and specifically disallow them to bring their new weapons home to the Islands. In that way, you are not militarizing, and in fact you are seen as being fully compliant with the current peace. Having an exclusive contract with the supplier of said weapons, to prevent their spread here by other means, would prove effective in this regard. Great Sun Emperor, in his great wisdom, has already completed that task." I realized how familiar we were speaking, and attempted to repair the damage.

He noticed, and cracked a smile. "Indeed... a good plan... making sure that the new weapons don't touch my soil is imperative... but I will need a Sanctuary for my Hunters, more specifically... leave a Dozen of my Hunters in the Sanctuary, and then two Lian can be focused into the main camp, while they are not busy taking care of the contracts..."

"The Great Sun Emperor honors us with his counsel." I responded respectfully, and kicked Shiro. 'You were JUST saying you found Rune's familiarity arrogant! You hypocritical ASS!!!' I hissed at him through our Twin telepathic link.

He blinked, startled, and bowed in his seat. "And we apologize for the familiar tone with which we speak." He added quickly.

He waved a hand casually. "I don't care, we're alone, and you're my son's... Kuro, I want you to inform Rune of my plan, and ensure that Mèng Dian receives the skeleton of my orders. He is to occupy a Fort, and continue his work as normal. Shiro, you will stay with the princess, and make sure she is appropriate, with the Forenzian Knight."

We bowed. "By your Order, Great Sun-"

"Bah, just say 'yes, father'!" He interrupted, and walked over, patting our faces. "And Kuro, I saw you eying Rune... if he is open to your affections, I see no reason you may not pursue him. Deposed or not, he is of Royal Blood, and as such is a worthy match for you, should you be compatible." He added, winking.

I blinked. "Wait... he's a Royal? I thought-... oh, those Faequell."

He nodded. "Raised apart from them, thankfully... he is a very honest, down-to-earth man. Blunt and Arrogant, but considering the blood in his veins, I am not surprised. Illyria makes him look like a fucking Saint, the way she acted, constantly fighting with everyone over the smallest of insults." He chuckled, the disparaging comment seeming tempered by other, fonder memories.

I nodded slowly. "I will relay your orders-... Father."

He smiled brilliantly, and kissed my forehead. "See? Was that so hard? Now go, and take a second Lian with you, as well as a few Earth Mages, Masons, blacksmiths... They may come in handy. Also remember that your sister and stepmother and I will all be visiting this place, as well, and perhaps staying the evening, once in a while."

"All will be to your specifications, Emperor." I bowed, unable to help at least that much formality, still shaken by his direct attention, and backed out of the room with Shiro at my side.

As the doors closed, I breathed a sigh of relief, then slapped Shiro across the back of the head. "You hypocritical, annoying, brat of an ass! You couldn't even make it five minutes after saying you thought someone else was rude before doing it yourself?!? GODS! This is why I'm the oldest, to keep you from doing stupid shit like that!!!" I growled.

He frowned, rubbing his skull. "No need to get so worked up about it, I apologized."

"No, you didn't!" I protested.

"Oh... sorry. There. Apologized." He grumbled.

I turned him around, and shoved him down the hall, starting walking. "Let's Go, you ass, you have to play chaperone so our sister doesn't embarrass herself."

He straightened his spine, and we both resumed walking correctly, heads poised perfectly, as the empress entered the hall. She smiled at us, and dipped her head gently in acknowledgement, then entered our father's meeting chambers.

I let Shiro run off to find our sister, and then followed the road out of the Castle, down Into the city and all the way to the docks, finding without difficulty the 'Hunter's Respite', a large Tavern/Brothel/Meeting Hall that the Hunters of the Empire concentrated themselves in between Contracts.

As I walked in, the bawdy noise halted, and everyone stood up. They didn't bow, as I wasn't a Crown Prince, but because of my station as a son of the Emperor, they stood, and ceased speaking.

I raised my voice slightly, letting it echo out to the large, two-storied room. "The Emperor has Spoken: a Lian of Hunters, as well as a number of Earth-Mages, Masons, Blacksmiths, and royal servants, are to leave tonight, to join the Lian in Ulfavir! We will be constructing a Base of Operations, not unlike the Sanctuary, which we will retain favorable relations with! This base will also host the Imperial Family, and, of course, the Great Sun Emperor Himself! You will camp on the Western Shore, where the Pirates recently were destroyed by the Mèng Clan. Those of you who know the exact spot, lead the way. Begin your preparations, and Bring Glory to the Sun Empire!" I barked, releasing them.

They roared a response, and scattered, dashing about, gathering allies and forming groups, taking roll, leaving for their allies, and dragging them inside, until they had gathered their Lian, and taken roll again. Then they scattered, and each group brought back a few masons, blacksmiths, Mages, and servants, sturdy ones such as Mason's Apprentices that didn't have master's; servants could survive the hellish conditions, and would actually benefit from the experience.

I grabbed one man who was organizing the transports. "Find an empty transport to take me all the way to the Sanctuary, as well as a few larger ones to gather our allies, and bring them to the others. We are to leave exactly 12 of our Hunters, and replace them in the Lian that is joining us, so add 12 extra, to balance it all out."

He nodded. "Yes, Lord Fa."

I walked to the castle again, and found the Royal Blacksmiths and Masons, eating an early lunch. They stood quickly, and I waved, sitting down amongst them. "Hello, my friends. The Emperor asks for skilled Builders, Architects, and Masons, worthy of him, to oversee the construction of a Fort, on the western coast of the Deeps, which is not only defensible, but beautiful, and worthy of his patronage." I sighed.

They nodded. "A Fort, you say? Not a Summer Castle?"

"He will be visiting, and perhaps staying there for many nights, and so yes, it must be perfect. The same area will hold a village, also defensible and beautiful, for two Lian of Hunters, a Lian of Mages, and Blacksmiths, and another of Servants. Dragons populate the area, and so being invisible from the sky is a necessity. There will also need to be a very large area for the storage, refining, and creation of Flyers, as well as Materials to be transported across the ocean, to this city. Perhaps underground, or in a hollow mountain, like the Amber City." I nodded.

They hummed, and began muttering amongst themselves, voting on who should go. I ended up with two Master Craftsmen, two Master Masons, two Master Blacksmiths, also the Head Designer of the Mèng Clan's Flyer Business, who was happily in attendance, and three of her Apprentices, all from her Clan.

—

Mèng Dian was there to meet me, when I stepped out of the transport, kneeling immediately. "Lord Fa, please allow the Mèng Clan to welcome you to Sanctuary." He bowed until his head touched the floor.

"You need only bow your head to me, Lord Dian. I am Lord Fa, not Prince Fa." I corrected him gently.

He stood, bowing his waist. "I could never, Lord Fa, you are highly respected, amongst my Clan."

"That will do, then, if you're going to be stubborn about it. Here, read this immediately, it is the Emperor's Edict." I held out the letter I'd penned under father's direction.

He kowtowed immediately, and accepted it on his raised palms, as was proper. "The Mèng Clan is honored to receive the Emperor's edict twice in one lifetime..." he muttered, sounding confused, and slightly scared.

"It is not a rebuke, if that is what you're afraid of. In fact, it is a promotion. You will be taking the same position as Raava Drundomidon, upon completion of the contents of the Edict." I glanced at it pointedly.

He respectfully cut the wax seal open, and unrolled the scroll, reading quickly. When he went to show it to his cousins, I frowned. "It is not a letter to pass around, Lord Mèng, it is the Emperor's Edict!"

He flinched, and rolled it up quickly. "My apologies, Lord Fa!"

"Select the Dozen of your Lian to stay... perhaps the ones you wish to punish." I looked at the pigs nearby in disgust.

He blinked, and looked down. "Have you never seen the Sanctuary, Lord Fa? It is quite beautiful, on the inside. They have allowed us to decorate, and so it is a Proper Home, now."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Show me, then, I must speak to Rune and Raava anyway."

He bowed, and led me to a metal grate, with the Architects and Builders right behind me, curious as well.

His cousins respectfully left us the grate, and walked down a set of stairs that had been hidden, beforehand. The metal shivered, and I flinched, my hand on my blade, until it began lowering slowly, into a gorgeous underground village, lit generously by thousands of lanterns; in the Northern style, but nonetheless a glorious sight.

I gasped softly, and gazed at the intricate metallic scrolling all over the railings, metal doorways, and further inward, in every layer of this leveled... city, almost! It was actually big enough to be considered a Town, instead of a Village, and held everything that a city would need. I saw a brothel, several taverns, and an Inn, in the first few floors after the apparent Warehouses, and then near the bottom was all the Craftsmen.

Gnomes, Dwarves, Demons of all kinds, working hot metal, or carving wood, tanning and sewing hides, crafting armors and basic weapons, but all of an extraordinary quality, despite their casual appearances.

At the bottom, I found myself looking at a nexus of tunnels, in every direction imaginable, and then my eyes found Raava Drundomidon, speaking to a tall humanoid female with green skin.

"I've said it time and again, Thera, I don't want poisonous plants in the Sanctuary! Keep them in the Trap Tunnels, or don't grow them at all!"

"But they're for medicine!!!"

"And they can be grown in the tunnel for medicine! I'll pay you a little extra for the trouble, but it's worth it for the safety of all of us here!" He growled.

She smirked, instantly ceasing her pouting, and skipping away happily. "Thank you, Raava!"

He sighed, and rubbed his head, spotting me and Lord Dian, as the builders had rode the lift up again, examining its workings and the Sanctuary again. "Oh! And you are...?" He held out a hand to shake, in the Northern Way.

I gripped it. "Lord Fa Kuro, of the Western Empire. The Emperor sent me with this missive, for your personal perusal." I held out the second scroll.

He accepted it easily, and sighed, opening it immediately. He read swiftly, his eyes squinting at some of the letters, and nodded. "Understood, I'd be happy to help you guys get started. Rune actually said this might be coming, so he picked out the perfect spot for you. If you don't like it, it's fine, but I think it's pretty fucking spectacular. I'm very jealous, actually. Very." He led us up to the top, and into a flyer, whipping off towards an unknown destination as soon as the builders had joined us.

—

I looked down at the canopy, and hummed. "I see nothing."

"Precisely." Raava smirked, and tapped the pilot. "Go slowly."

We dipped into a small, barely noticeable seam in the canopy, into what I realized was a Ravine. At the mouth, a small building sat, across the lip of a waterfall, the water running underneath it, far below, where it splashed into a continuing river.

On the sides of the ravine, there were a few small cottages, clearly abandoned, and footpaths that would need renewing, and I didn't see anything special, yet, beyond a nice location.

But then, the flyer turned around, and I gasped at the beautiful view of a sapphire Bay, which met the end of this ravine as the river drained into it. The walls of the ravine glittered with the mist from the waterfall in the low, red-tinted light from the red canopy above us, making it look like it was covered in sparkling rubies of varying shades.

I could hear, in the distance, the soft sound of the waves, mixed with the waterfall, to create a soft, oceanic melody. An Island Sound if I ever heard one; a sweet, peaceful, sound, and a constant reminder of Home.

The walls, as I studied them closed, were in fact lined with crystals, of an unknown origin, until I saw a matrix in one of them. I smiled slowly. "Fire Opals... oh my, indeed... I owe Rune one hell of a debt for this spot..."

Raava tsk'ed. "Damn, I was hoping you'd turn it down... but the Pirate's Cove is only about 200 meters to our south, as the crow flies, so it's kind of perfect... and damn, look at that view... I mean, our place is coming along nicely, but... damn!" He shook his head morosely.

I chuckled, along with the builders. "Yes, I would also despair, in your place... but don't worry, it's not like you can't visit, eh?" I grinned.

He chuckled and shook his head. "True. Anyway, One last point... please don't piss off the dragon." He sighed.

I blinked slowly, and cocked my head. "Come again?"

The waterfall far beneath us erupted, and a massive blood-red dragon burst from a tunnel that apparently merged streams with the waterfall, spiraling and spraying water in every direction, painting the walls in water, and making them shine even brighter than before.