Two Hundred And Fifty-Eight

Two Hundred And Fifty-Eight

Once back in my Territory I was greeted by the sight of the skies of the Boundary shimmering with silver light, the usual purples, greens and inky blacks starting to look washed out and pale, occasional flickers of silver lightning, glittering with rainbow lights at the edges, held within. It’s quite beautiful, but troubling. I wonder if another etheric tide is coming?

As I was thinking this, Asha the dryad strolled over to greet me, her long green hair flowing. She had regained her vitality now, and was practically shimmering with ruby earth energies. “Welcome back, Akio. You’ve been gone a while. Is everything well?” she handed me a juicy-looking fruit from the growing orchard which I bit into, tasting a refreshing, citrus tang.

“Well, there was... trouble... certainly. But for now it’s resolved. That reminds me, I need to speak to Selensha. I hope she’s here.”

“I think so.” the dryad answered. “There are lots of Fae coming and going, and many of them like to dwell in the shade of my Tree, or up amidst the treetop.” She smiled, pleased. At first she had been surprised and a little put off by the idea to turn her Tree into a spot for relaxation and fun, but having seen the care that the kobolds had taken in setting up the stairs and café, she had warmed to it in the end. “Look, here they come now.” She said, pointing, and I smiled as I saw Shaeula and Hyacinth heading my way, and since I hadn’t seen them since the whole mess with Shiro, I felt my heart ease, the small loneliness I felt at their absence dissipating like fog.

“Akio, I heard.” Shaeula said, reaching out to hug me, nuzzling close. Behind her, Hyacinth frowned, looking as if she wished to do the same, but since we were in company, her need to be a perfect servant outweighed her desire to be affectionate with me. “It must have been quite the trial. I am only sorry I could not-not be there with you in your time of need.” She did look a bit down about it, so I reassured her by squeezing her tight and rubbing her head.

“It’s not your fault. I know dealing with the Seelie Court is important. I’d hate to lose all that we’ve gained now.” I sighed. “Still, the worst case was avoided. Shiro’s still alive. That is what matters.”

“To think that wretch, the Raven Knight, was responsible for more-more of our woes.” Shaeula ground her teeth in annoyance, perhaps remembering the abuse he had heaped on her, and the ambush that nearly claimed my life. “If we had only defeated him back then, none-none of this would have happened.”

The thought had crossed my mind, but... “There’s no use dwelling on the past. We were more naïve and foolish then, we often charged in without a proper plan, and we were much weaker. However, since he spurned my sensible offer of negotiation, when next I see him...” I clenched my fist, my grip on Shaeula tight. “... well, I’m not the weakling I was then. As he’ll find out.”

“The Raven... he-he is trouble.” Shaeraggo said, frowning. He, Selensha and several other important weaselkin had accompanied Shaeula to see me, and I could see the two maids, Velna and Klena, looking on as the two of us hugged. If I’m not mistaken I’m seeing a lot less disapproval in their eyes. I suppose the tough events they’ve been through have changed their outlook. I’m glad Shaeula got Klena back, otherwise it would have wounded her badly. At my nod of greeting, Klena looked down, abashed and embarrassed.

“Yes, he’s known to skulk about the borders of the Fae lands, neither of the Seelie, nor the Unseelie.” Selensha added helpfully. “Though I’ve head tales of his skirmishes with father-in-law.”

“Yes.” Shaeraggo agreed. “He has caused many-many annoyances. Still, hearing how he has targeted my precious sister, perhaps it is time to deal with him once and for all.”

“Something we agree on then.” I said, and at that, Shaeraggo frowned, perhaps unwilling to agree with me so easily.

“Well, enough, how-how long are you going to paw at my little sister?”

Shaeula snorted at that, rolling her eyes, but I released her, reaching out to pat Hyacinth on the head, surprising her. “Well, it’s only natural I would want to hug my fiancée after a long absence, right?” I teased him. “Still, thanks for helping out, brother-in-law. I can tell the Territory is flourishing.”

As I spread my senses I could see the area we controlled had expanded by nearly half, a significant increase. In addition, I could see that the Kobold Warrens had increased to Special Rank 6, and now allowed the addition of Elite Leader-class kobolds such as Kobold High Foreman and Kobold High Artisan, as well as surprisingly, Leader-class Kobold Artillerists. I wonder if that has anything to do with Ixitt’s experiments?

In addition the Kobold Mine at the Shrine had reached Special Rank 5, and now produced significantly more bluesteel and other precious metals and gems.

“Well, I would not wish my dear sister to face any hardships.” He said, and I let him have that little victory.

“Even so, I appreciate it. You do too, don’t you Shaeula?”

“Indeed.” She agreed. “As my time has been quite-quite full with meetings with the rulers of the Seelie Court, I have not-not had the time to dedicate myself to this Territory. So it was reassuring to have your support, brother.” At her praise he seemed pleased, and she continued. “You too, sister-in-law, though I fear I have had little-little time to learn the water element as I had desired. However...”

“Yes.” I said, bowing to her, asking for a favour. “I am hoping soon to bring a friend of mine who is gravely injured, even beyond my skills to heal her, and I would ask for your assistance, as you are a master of water healing.”

“Of course.” She tightened her grip on the ornate staff she held. “I want us to get along, I would be happy to help.”

“I shall need-need to see this so-called white princess first, before you allow her access to this Territory.” Shaeula warned. “I know you believe in her, and so I would-would wish to as well, but Azuki informed me she is host to a dangerous entity. We must tread carefully.”

“I know. But... you’ll like her, I promise.” I sighed, full of difficult emotions. “Still, I understand. Her allies are equally as wary of meeting us. But if we can work together, our strengths will be magnified.”

“Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere.” One weaselkin captain said, and looking at him, I could see he was one of the black-furred weasels who had been with Shaeula from the start. “There is-is a new office that the barking dogs...” at my frown he corrected his words. “... the kobolds have-have built. That elf is there.”

Elf? Moira I’m guessing, as I’m sure the other two were helping out around the Spring. “Fine. We have a lot to do, anyway.” As we crested the hill, past the Earth Altar, I noticed that the area had been transformed. New buildings had gone up, including impressive-looking wooden and stone towers, which offered excellent firing lines over the surrounding areas. Amidst those was a pretty-looking circular building, with large glass windows, appearing a bit like what I’d have imagined an old-fashioned Viking roundhouse to look like. Although there wouldn’t have been glass windows, of course.

“Yes, that is wise.” Moira agreed. “With the kobolds and other artisans building defensive structures around these key locations as well, the extra firepower would be useful in suppressing invading foes, allowing our troops to hold for a sustained period while bleeding the enemy...”

She sounded surprisingly bloodthirsty, but then she did tell me her speciality was military logistics. Shaeraggo offered his own input, mostly about where to deploy ranged troops such as archers and mages for maximum effect, and soon we had made numerous annotations to the maps, planning walls, fortified infantry traps and hidden firing platforms we wished the kobolds to build.

“What will you do with the remaining ether, Akio?” Shaeula asked, and I pointed to a spot outside our normal area of operations.

“I did promise to set up the testing facility. So...” A Rank 1 Material to Boundary Connection and a Rank 1 Boundary to Material Connection set me back thirty-two thousand for the rush build, and pushing them both to Rank 2 cost a further hundred and ninety-two thousand. It was costly, but in terms of my promises, I couldn’t afford to wait. “Well, now we are running on dregs, but the kobolds and dwarves can use the empty queue and what we have left to establish their mines. I’ll set up Defensive Emplacements around the testing site when we return from Kyoto.”

“I see. In that case, we shall have to work far-far harder on other matters. The Fae Stone barrier around the Spring of Clear Reflections and the Warning Bell network is being re-established, but I would most-most like to extend it to this Territory as well. After all, I consider it all one great Territory.” Shaeula said, pointing to a second map, which covered the Spring in its new location, as well as the newly rebuilt mansion by the Ring Gate that Shaeraggo had provided us.

“You know, I still don’t get how the Spring will now remain with the Seelie Court and move with it.” I said, scratching my head.

“The lands of the Fae are mutable, though Territories remain fixed.” Shaeraggo answered in a condescending tone, eager to show his superior knowledge. It irritated me, making me want to annoy him, so I pulled Shaeula close again, before reaching out for Hyacinth too, who tried to protest that it was not seemly, but I ignored her, taking her in my arms as well. As he bristled, Selensha giggling softly beside him, I asked him for a further explanation.

Grinding his teeth in annoyance, he did so. “The Spring was located in quite-quite a different part of the Seelie Court before, but when it was taken by the foul Unseelie and corrupted, it broke-broke away. Therefore when the Seelie Court moved, it remained, occasionally bordering us as the Court travels from moon to moon. But now...” he lectured. “... it is re-joined, and once more is part of the whole, so will remain and move with us.”

I see. I get it, I think. It’s a bit like a block puzzle. “Well, it might be a bit presumptuous to consider a part of the Seelie Court as ours, but Shaeula, Hyacinth and I, we did manage to reclaim it, and Shaeula is in charge of it, so... yeah, obviously if it came under heavy attack, we’d send reinforcements, so it’d be nice to have some Fae technology protecting us.”

“Well, such would be unprecedented, but...” Moira consulted more documents. “...to protect a Territory of this size it is possible, though obviously the Spring is our priority for now.”

“As long as it happens, we can wait, right? That reminds me, how did your meetings go with the others?”

“Our support base is solid.” Shaeula puffed out her chest proudly. “Five stand with us confidently, and the remaining two are not-not opposed. That stupid fire-fox Duke Vulpatrius must be biting at his tail in frustration about how it has all-all played out.” As she talked happily about her political machinations, I found myself admiring her, how animated and happy she was. She may not rule the Seelie, not yet, but in terms of my Oaths to her... I like to think we’re definitely getting there...

********

“Sooo, soon we are going to this Kyotooo, right?” Hyacinth was fastening up her maid outfit, still flushed and sweaty from our lovemaking. Shaeula was still naked, the bed covers tossed back, leaving her to tantalise my eye. As she saw me looking, she spread her legs with a giggle.

“That’s right.” I had to smile at their antics. We had returned to the Material in the early hours of the Friday morning, which gave us a little time for sleep and... other activities, before we were due to head into central Tokyo and catch the bullet train to Kyoto. Lodgings had been arranged for us in a very exclusive and upmarket ryokan, and my sis and Eri were extremely excited about the prospect of that, and apparently mom and Auntie Hana too. I guess girls love hot springs and outdoor baths... “There is one thing though. Shaeula...” I said, serious, and she closed her legs, getting up to kneel on the bed carefully, awaiting my next words.

“... the Night Parade is likely active in Kyoto. We are bound to come across them, I’d imagine. What would you like to happen?”

“A good question.” Shaeula mused. “And one I have thought much-much about these past few days. Obviously I dream of seeing my mother again. I hope-hope for that. But even if I do not-not... I have business with the Night Parade. After all, those foolish cats...” her smile was wicked, and I felt a brief sting through Kin Bonding and Restoration. “... they were sent to slay me. Sadly for them, they failed.”

“Yeah, and you are part of the Night Parade now, at least that’s what my ability says.”

“Mistress should just dooo what she wants.” Hyacinth declared. “Akio too. I will support you, as a good brownie shooould. And a good mistress.” She giggled happily. Shaeula responded by patting her on the shoulder, smiling fondly at the maid she had once distrusted.

“Yes, you are right. I shall seek-seek redress, compensation. And I shall demand my due as the daughter of my mother. But before that... Akio, what is your plan for this Conclave? I dare say you are not-not satisfied with merely getting some crumbs of support now. Nor-nor should you be.”

“Akio is strong. The weak should nooot bother him, merely follow.” Hyacinth giggled.

“Well, it’s not all about strength.” I said. “But while you’ve been gone I’ve been laying the groundwork for... hey, what’s that look for?”

“Hmmm.” Shaeula pursed her lips. “From what I have been told, you neglected your duties to panic-panic over this white princess.”

“Well, I did some of that.” I admitted. “But even so, I’ve gained support from Takakura-san, who represents the nobility. It’s a shame we were told Hinata and the others can’t go, but...” as I outlined my plans, Shaeula nodded along happily, while Hyacinth occasionally interjected.

Yes. Like Shaeula and the Spring, I’ll only be satisfied coming out of this with a position of power and influence. I’m curious though, there are about two thousand four hundred true shrines in Japan, according to Chiyo-san. So there’s going to be an awful lot of people at Conclave. How many Candidates though? That’s the question...