.^^ Council Mirror's...(but silver) ^^

— Rune —

After dropping a dazed Devon and her apprentice back at her home, I re-entered my workshop, and sighed at Ulva.

"What do you want?" I growled, stalking past her.

She paused in the middle of her retort, and hummed. "What's wrong? I thought you were hunting a Behemoth with Dev-... ooooh... is everything alright?" She asked.

"None of your business. Now, what... do you... want?" I growled.

"Well, I was actually here to see how my Commission was coming, but now I want to get involved, this sounds juicy!" She smiled.

"Follow me." I ignored her bullshit, walking down to the workshop. When she entered, I waved a hand, and twelve silver mirrors on the wall activated slowly. In them, each major island of the archipelago was shown. The workshop relaxed me, as I breathed in the scent of hot metal. "Your Order is finished. Now we can discuss payment." I frowned.

She raised an eyebrow. "I take it A Favor isn't on the table?"

"No. I'm not a Charity for Rich people, you can afford my work without help. I do want a few Favors, say Three, but I also want the mirror's weight in platinum, as well as ownership of the unclaimed land of Ulfavir that you claim to control." I said dryly.

She paused. "Are you entirely insane?"

"I have just enchanted for you 144 magical artifacts, each of them multitudes more powerful than any artifact or enchantment you've ever seen, as well as permanent, and transmitting sound, something you can't say has ever been done before, as well as my work with the people of the city to not overthrow you. Don't get stingy now." I frowned at her.

She sat down, smoothing her hair back. "So let me get this straight... you won't give me these until I sign over Ulfavir itself?"

"Yes. And all the Council's Holdings within, such as the Slaver's Cliffs, and the Baked Plains, -Yeah, Don't even try to lie and say you haven't been sneaking brimstone out of there, despite it pissing off the local dragon population, putting the death they wreak afterwards squarely on your head." I shook my head at her foolishness.

She scoffed. "It's our land, we can do with it as we like!"

"Yes, well, as stupid as that statement was, and however low it has lowered my respect for you for the rest of eternity, now it's my land, because you signed a contract when you commissioned my work, and this isn't a negotiation." I informed her, and showed her the contract, rather clearly explaining the price.

She flinched. "That wasn't there before!"

"No, it wasn't. You left it blank. That was your mistake." I shrugged, and opened a mirror to her office. "They'll be delivered at the earliest convenience! Have a nice day!"

—

The mirrors installed relatively easily, and each set of twelve connected to the others, in the same way the Grapevine did, but with actual visual representation, and magic ingrained in them to see through all kinds of illusions, making them unable to be tricked. The chambers they were in were also designed to be immune to magic, like the temple and construct, so there was no way to fiddle with them.

Ulva glared at me, slapping the paperwork that said I owned Ulfavir into my hands. "Good luck with your conquest, Faequell. My mother was right about you."

"That I'm dashingly handsome, and wonderful in bed? True statements, all." I smirked, and walked through my mirror before she could curse at me.

The Emperor looked up from a scroll, as I bowed, and smiled. "Ahh, Lord Faequell, how are you?"

"I am very well, Emperor... and I bring news. The Northern Council has relinquished unto me ownership of the entirety of the Continent of Ulfavir." I explained.

He frowned slowly. "That is not theirs to give."

"True, it is no one's to give, seeing as none of the four archipelago's have a claim to my homeland." I said archly.

He smiled guiltily. "True... then why are you excited about it?"

"Because I am making all four archipelago's actively relieve themselves of the 'Rights' to a land they don't own or control. Once all four have, they will cease to be able to force themselves upon my lands. Don't fret, of course, Your Expeditionaries are welcome, all are, in fact, but I want the assurance that no Archipelago is ever going to Claim Ulfavir, and start some stupid war over our resources. So, best way to do that, is make them publicly relinquish claim to it." I grinned.

He laughed softly. "And you want the Sun Empire to also publicly proclaim the land of Ulfavir free?"

"In a way... I want you to proclaim it the Kingdom of Ulfavir, under the leadership of the Council of the Deeps. Not yet, of course... once I get all the signatures, so to speak. In the meantime, I would, in fact, like your written assurance that the Land of Ulfavir is to be given to Me, and I'll be signing it over to the Council, once it's stable. Also, I'm aware of your idea for a Western Port City, and I love it. But do remember to source local Craftsmen? Bringing your own is slightly insulting, and also the act of Exporting and Importing your people's works raises their value." I explained.

He nodded. "You make many good points... and I will do this. I have never claimed the land of Ulfavir, it is too big and too wild to be controlled from the outside... but it's residents have a much better chance of doing so. Shiro, bring me- Ah, I've just sent him off. No matter. Guards! Bring me-"

A piercing whistle ripped through the air, and eight guards instantly surrounded the Emperor in a bristling ball of spears.

I leapt to the window, and growled at the sight of Duncan, far below, clutching a bleeding shoulder. The arrows popped out of him, by force of muscle alone, and then he plunged his sword into the ground.

A lake began to form in front of him, to my surprise, as he began to use Water Elemental Magic, one I recognized, but had never been able to manage. I turned back, and growled at the four Western mages that were entering, casually walking around the throne.

Fifi tackled one, tearing off his arms with her claws, and then launched herself at the next, as I slid between two of them, and drew my father's blade, slicing straight through their knees.

I stood, and hummed, looking at the blade. "Sharper than I expected... Impressive."

The guards around the Emperor began slapping lead cuffs around what remained of the enemy mage's limbs, and halting the bleeding.

I looked at the Emperor. "I will go deal with the ones left below."

He nodded. "See that my daughter is safe."

I stepped out of the window, and came to a gentle stop, next to the horses, as Duncan obliterated the enemies in the icy water.

"Release me!" The princess snapped at Shiro, who was covering her eyes and holding her behind a barrel for cover.

"Trust me, you don't want to see that... dear god's I wish I hadn't seen that." He turned a little pale and green, but valiantly held back a rising of bile, then shook his head to clear it. "Is that all of them?" He called out.

Duncan looked around slowly. "I cannot See any others, but there's a chance they've run away. I would close down the port, and look for anyone looking to make a swift exit, see if they knew these people." He gestured at the perfectly preserved faces of the enemies.

'Hmm. He's discovered new art. How quaint.' I thought, momentarily distract.

Mae managed to look through her brother's fingers, and then stifled a scream by biting her knuckle, eyes wide with shock.

Duncan heard her whimpering, and darted over, shoving Shiro out of the way. "Are you injured? Did I not block them all?" He asked, boldly checking her for injuries, then covering her in the coat I'd made for him, properly slipping her arms into it.

It shimmered, and stretched into a full formal kimono, apparently her preferred Warrior's garb. She was momentarily distracted, and gasped, touching the magical silk. "What is this?" She asked breathlessly.

"That... would be My work... and I would like an explanation, Duncan, as to why you are bleeding." I spoke, stroking the nose of the massive onyx horse who was sniffing me curiously.

"There were archers, an-"

"No, no... I understand that, I just dealt with mages that were trying to kill the Emperor... no, why are you bleeding, as in, why are you not wearing the armor I specifically made for you?" I growled.

He blushed, looking surprisingly bashful, covered in water and half naked. A mixture of 'hot-holy-hell wet-dream white-knight' and 'Boy with a Crush'. "Well, the princess was cold, so I-"

"Gave her Your magic armor?" I finished dryly.

He blushed to the tips of his ears. "Well... yes?"

I snorted. "Well, it's fitted to her, now, there's no getting it back... I'll make you another, but your father is paying for it, this time. That one was supposed to be a loaner."

He ducked his head, and nodded. "Sorry..."

"No, it's fine, you acted as a gentleman should, which I'm sure your father will approve of, only I would have preferred to give her a blanket, or a cloak, instead of-... nevermind. Just get her inside, and up to her father's chambers." I shook my head.

He nodded and helped her stand, making his sword disappear, to my surprise, until I saw the small pouches in the gloves he wore, likely holsters for weapons. 'Ingenious... why didn't I think of that?' I chuckled.

They entered the mirror I opened to the emperor's chambers, and Shiro stayed with me, as we began to search the area around the new lake for more enemies.

He grabbed a guard, telling him to send word to seal the harbor, that there'd been an attempt on the Emperor's and Princess's lives. The guard at once saluted, and sprinted off, roaring the news and banging his shield like a gong, getting the entire city ready for a siege, it felt like, as the giant gates closed, for the first time that I'd seen, and a massive bell and war horn began sounding.

I nodded. "Impressive. Now they know they failed and they have to run. Good job."

He frowned. "If we close the harbor, they cannot leave anyway. They are trapped, like rats."

"Unless they don't want to leave. The attackers were Westerners, and the mages were Lords of Your Court. They likely objected to Duncan and Eita-Mae's pairing, like all classist rich people." I said dryly.

He froze, and then growled, grabbing another guard, informing him to round up all the members of the Lord's Court, and bring them to the castle immediately, 'for their own security, in this time of disturbance'.

"You're a clever little Fox, aren't you?" I grinned.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Save Your compliments for my brother. I don't like you."

I blinked. "Wait, he does like me? I was sure he showed interest in me, but-"

"Not the time, Lord Faequell." He hissed, and started back towards the castle.

I walked us through a mirror, and smiled at the Emperor. "Well, your son has locked down the city, and also summoned the entire Lord's Court, 'for their own safety'." I nodded.

He raised an eyebrow. "That was very presumptuous, Shiro... you are lucky I agree."

The man dropped to his knees, bowing deeply. "I did not mean to insult you, Emperor..."

"Stand up. Rune, please inform the guards that his order carries the Imperial Seal." He waved a hand.

I nodded and opened a small portal, leaning through, and poking the guard at the gate. "The Emperor-"

"AHHH!!! GHOST!" He screamed, and whacked at me with his halberd.

I dodged, and sighed, opening a full portal, and shoving Shiro through. "You handle that moron."

He quickly calmed the poor idiot, and told him to inform the Lord's Council that the order to gather held the Imperial Seal, and apparently, the full weight of an Imperial Edict. From what I had read, that meant that refusing was full-on Treason.

He stepped back through, and I closed the Mirror. "Well! That went well!!! Has anyone seen to the safety of the Empress, or the other family members of the Emperor? The Harem?" I looked around.

The emperor's eyes widened, and he clapped once, sending four of his eight guards sprinting away like the wind.

"By the way, Duncan, well done! I didn't know you knew Elemental Magic!" I grinned, clapping him on the shoulder.

He blushed again, scratching his head. "Well, I mean, it isn't much-"

"Isn't much?!? You created, from dirt and stone, a Saltwater Lake, and then Froze it! My dear friend, that is the Definition of 'Much'!" I laughed.

He grinned a little. "I guess..."

"And you saved a princess's life, so look at you, being all knightly and stuff, huh? Your siblings are going to be so jealous." I laughed.

He chuckled. "True."

The Emperor looked down from the window, and raised his eyebrows. "Well... we Had a nice courtyard. Now we have a lake... interesting."

I could see the moment the adrenaline faded, from Duncan, as his eyes turned back to their black and gold, and he unceremoniously flopped onto the ground, face first. "Aaand that's why big magic takes long preparation! Doing it all at once makes you tired, and possibly kills you from Exhaustion."

The princess gasped, rolling him over with a struggled heave. "Ugh! Why are you so heavy!?!? Someone get me some water!" She snapped.

"He's 6'2", 400 pounds of raw corded muscle, princess. He can't really do anything about it." I responded casually.

She grumbled, and splashed the water on his face when it was handed to her.

"That's not going to do much. He's exhausted, letting him sleep for now is best." I shrugged.

He began snoring softly, punctuating my statement, and she giggled. "Well, at least he doesn't snore very loudly... Fine. Guards, have him placed in my rooms, and leave some food for when he wakes. We have business to finish, here." She stood up, suddenly serious, and glared at the group of dismembered mages against the wall, chained in lead.

The Emperor watched, not interfering yet, as she marched over, and pulled a shortsword from one of the guards' belts. She nearly dropped the heavy brass blade, but then threw it with all her might

It slammed into the knee of one of the two that still had them, and she followed it, growling as he woke with a screech.

Fifi and the spirit tiger that both were currently pacing around the room paused, and then began closing in on the mages, both becoming visible and posing behind the princess threateningly.

"Let me make this perfectly clear... you are going to scream for mercy, and I am going to oblige by ending your lives, but before then, you're going to name all of your allies, and everyone who had knowledge of this little coup, and where they are hiding. If you do not wish to speak, the pain will not stop until you do. We have some of the best healers on the planet, as well as the best torturers, and the two out together spells eternal punishment for you, should you withhold anything from me. Have I been clear?" She spoke with a dark, enraged tone, one I was familiar with.

"Fear the Storm, the Mother, and the Kind." I hummed.

The Emperor recognized the saying, and smiled. "Indeed."

I had an idea, suddenly, and I carved Runes into their lead chains, enchanting them to force their captives to speak the truth. They were taken away, and the princess nodded, composing herself, bowing her head to me. "I thank you for your assistance, Lord Rune. And the Armor is spectacular... beautiful, even if white isn't really my color."

The robes slowly turned a deep, glistening gold, with red filigree; the colors of the Empire, Red and Gold. "They do change color and style at your command, Princess." I informed her, smirking.

She nodded. "Indeed... you have my thanks again, then. Now father, I believe we have business with the Lord's Court." She growled.

I chuckled and bowed. "I'll be on my way, then, if you don't have anything further to ask of me, Emperor?"

He glanced up, and nodded. "One last thing, yes... that document you wanted. I've completed it." He held out a scroll. "And, you should visit the Port City, and speak to Kuro. He has a letter for you, another one I wrote. The two are somewhat connected, I believe."

I accepted the scroll with a bow, and nodded. "I will go there now, and assure you of his safety, once it is known. We do not know how far spread this attack was, after all."

His gaze hardened. "No... you are correct... take two Lian with you, by my order. The Port City will need proper numbers. I was being cautious before, but caution is in the winds, now. Shiro, Mae, go with him, and assist Kuro in overseeing the Fort's Construction. I will send Sir Duncan along, when he wakes." He added, sighing at his daughter's half-protest.

"No need, I can handle that." I nodded, and dropped Duncan through a mirror onto the pillows of my tower, then opened one down to the docks of the city. "Let us be off, Hmm? How many is a Lian, anyway?" I asked.

Shiro led us quickly to a giant, four-storied Tavern and Brothel, called something close to the 'Warrior's Rest'. The characters of their language were still a bit difficult for me.

"This is about Three Lian." He gestured at the massive, dense crowd of close to six hundred people, spread over the four stories, all of them kneeling in a wave, as Mae entered the tavern.