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“What was just said,” voiced Alaric.

With the look of excitement and bootleg annoyance, nightwalkers wanted to close the tale on such a tragedy hastily. No heir, nor plausible ideas going forth, he understood said matter and gathered thoughts, “-unify Hidros under a single monarch. In other words, turn Arda in for Queen Gallienne to preside over.”

“I-,” careful deliberation swept the rug under their feet. Few words and an outcome the dimmest could conjure was intoned in such a fashion the implication felt deeper.

“Igna, I wish to hear more,” said Elvira.

“Here’s speaking hypothetically. Cousin Julius will not become King nor will the little Lizzie. Big sister Eira’s headed to become Empress, and I doubt the populous to accept Queen Shanna’s return to power. That being said, we can make the latter work under the premise of a greater nation. Hidros is united save for Arda, Queen Gallienne has rulership over the other main province; which is why the current decision seems of greater impact. Yes, the argument can be said of too much land will be granted to Hidros, yet, I see it in a clearer light. The blood-King’s faction and the will-be leadership divide the already separated lands and rule as differing parties. They will be under the direct command of Queen Gallienne, who is more or less lax to her realms. Then again, let’s go over the negatives. Firstly, the loss of authority, the new rulership will be under the Queen’s close guard. There’s no telling which noble she will assign over the land. By my standard, after the split, Arda is likely to be divided further and constitute a greater duchery. Many titles will be made available and the plagued nobles will invade the province. In light of the situation, I can’t help but wonder if holding onto Arda is a viable option. The Haggard’s dynasty doesn’t need to hold onto the past, and neither does the province for that matter.”

Speechlessness and a thumbs-up from Eira. Julius smiled at the proposition; Vanesa could have cared any less. Duke Alaric sternly weighted on the situation.

.....

“Being part of a bigger circle will mark the start of a new age,” added Eira.

“The Federation,” added Julia, “-the alliance of kingdoms will falter. Balance is already timid as stands. The Argashield Federation stands on the union of Arda and Hidros for the foundation. Tell me, what is to happen then?”

“The Federation is to be dissolved,” said he nonchalantly, “-I said before, there’s no use in holding to the past. Queen Gallienne knows the risk involved. In the best case scenario, another federation is formed. Worse case, the neighboring lands grow belligerent on one another.”

“I have something to add.”

“Please do, Lady Gabrielle.”

“Not that it’s news to you lot, there’s a new Empire to the far north of Iqeavea. Tis been on the news for quite some time, travel wasn’t possible until this decade. We knew of a foreign land – the sheer scale of said area rivals Iqeavea and even defeats it. They’ve been dubbed the people of the sea. By my sources, the Wracia Empire has invited the people of the sea into their entourage.”

“It fits,” gasped Eira.

“Mind elaborating?” frowned Aurora.

“Why would the Church retreat from a bountiful land, why would they abandon the invasion, rather, why would they even bother attacking us and turning the world against them?”

“We were fooled,” mumbled Igna, “-the whole war on Arda was but a fa?ade, a world-level scheme to attain greater strength,” fingers to the earring, ‘-éclair, I need information on the new continent.’

“-as wished.”

Pages after pages, photos, diagrams, “-the scale of the emperor’s ambition are truly unprecedented,” the phone slid into the middle of the table, “-the reason we never truly adventured beyond was due to fear. The populous hates the sea, it inherits our customs, water is viewed in ways of a destroyer. The foreign land has no connection to the Arcanum, their technology is primitive at best, a virgin land ripe for the picking and expansion. Here’s the scary part,” a hologram showed part of the continent, “-it’s larger than we expect. Selendia, the land of sea-people. Resources are untouched, the people are gullible, and their tenacity is monster-class. All of them have an affinity towards water, I say much in reluctance. We don’t have enough information.”

“I-” exhaled Aurora, “-the alliance’s been made already. In exchange for technological advancement, the continent’s sworn to be the Empire’s workforce, they sold themselves to God and will do the doctrine proud.”

“In such aspect, Alphia’s not out of the question,” cried Eira, “-the imbalance will grow. A giant ally to another, does it not send shivers?”

“Best policy is to act,” fired Igna, “-debating all day won’t bring solutions. A representative should make for Rosespire promptly. Split the faction, march into the capital and reclaim the throne. Alphia’s to be left alone, they’re in peril by a sudden invasion of otherworldly demons.”

“A representative,” the clan leaders stared and gulped, “-nightwalkers aren’t much of talkers.”

“Igna,” glared Elvira, “-a member of the Blood-King’s Clan, would you do the honors?”

He cringed; “-must I also act?”

“You proposed the idea,” she scanned the table, “-the clan leaders are busy with the invasion.”

“On one condition,” he voiced vehemently.

“Which is?”

“More land,” he tapped the table twice, “-I’ve heard the rumors of the current rule. Famine and an economic crisis are about to befall the people. If duty as a member of the clan states I must do thy bidding, the same logic states, I, noble of the land, must serve my people.”

“More land?” they paused.

“You do understand,” side-glanced Alaric, “-the nobles, of whom aren’t from the clans, have their sight set on thee.”

“Which nobles?” he chuckled, “-the Count of Ritenoot?” a murderous glare shook the table, “-clan leaders, I have one thing to ask.”

“Shoot.”

“We’re still in battle against the Empire, right?”

“In the public’s eye, yes,” they dulled their faces, a conniving smirk plastered onto Igna’s demeanor.

“By such, the clause of any captured castle or village shall be bestowed onto the assailant, right?”

“Yes, tis active until the capture of the capital.”

Question about the intent halted further sentences, “-before we end the council, what say you, clan leaders.”

“I’m in favor of the decision,” said Aurora.

“Same here,” nodded Julia with crossed arms.

“I reluctantly accept,” sighed Alaric.

“Lie par le sang, shall aid any way we can,” winked Gabrielle.

“Hence, as the mediator of the council, I officially end the discussion.” Curtains parted immediately; the darkened pressure dropped. Formal chatter gave into informal and pleasant ones. The veil of sternness pulled apart, the clan leaders spoke amicably, “-Igna,” hailed Alaric, “-were you the one who brought the princess?”

“I suppose so,” returned, “-she needs closure and Arda needs a restart.”

“A hefty responsibility is on thy shoulder, go and make thy aunt proud,” he ambled to the clique of clan leaders.

‘Aunt?’ a glance showed her staring deeply to the outside. ‘-Where’s Julius and Eira?’ another look around showed the two distantly laughing. ‘-the ice princess has a warm smile, Julius seems relieved too.’

“Hey pops,” yawned Vanesa, “-are we done yet?”

“Come up here,” she rose into a cradle, “-good job on being polite,” he flicked her nose, “-I’m very proud.”

“Thank you pops,” she smiled through the reddened nose, “-I’m glad,” head to his chest, “-wake me, fo-”

‘A lovely girl,’ he caressed her head and shuffled to the window. Plenty o’ curious and nervous stares turned; an electrifying grudge sparked the air. Tis blatant enough.

“Good afternoon, aunt Elvira.”

“It’s you,” a fatigued side-glance returned to the outside, “-are you well?”

“Aunt,” he shuffled closer, “-thank you for everything,” a sudden embrace shook her core, “-we’ve been at each other’s throat since the death of Leko and Alicia. I know I was wrong and harsh; my intentions were pure and so were yours. Similar to big sister Eira, I want to clear the misunderstanding,” Vanesa unknowingly ended in a group hug, “-Lady mother and you are my only remaining families, I’m sorry.”

“Stupid boy,” she held the back of his head, “-always make me worry, do you know how much I’ve been stressed over the Alphia situation. I nearly fainted when éclair relayed the news about the shooting, anti-magic bullets, I thought we’d have lost you,” her closed heart opened to welcome a loved one, “-we fight and it’s fine,” she gave a quick peck, “-tis because we care for one another.”

“Aunt Elvira,” the embrace distanced, “-you’re awesome,” a sincere smile begot a warm inhale, her heart and nose heated in bliss.

“My troublesome little nephew,” she held his chin, “-go and make me proud.”

“Will do, auntie.”

Clan leaders shuffled closer, “-Elvira, care to explain what happened?”

“The exchanged seemed more of a lovers quarrel.”

“Alaric,” gritted Julia, “-don’t spout such disgusting nonsense.”

“Not a lovers quarrel,” she laughed, “-a normal family disagreement. I guess his time spent in Alphia was worth the stress.” Haggard’s new generation hurled shoulder to shoulder and laughed, Igna smiled in the middle with Vanesa on piggyback.

Orders to standby were issued to the nightwalkers. The capture of the already empty capital would take a few days to accomplish.

‘Kreston might be out of Arda, the corrupt nobles aren’t. There’s a scheme of divide and rule in order. I have a strong inclination towards Ritenoot – the noble, wherever they hide, are part of the Church. I hope my hunch is wrong. To drag another town into the mud... whatever.’

“My lord,” a familiar face called, “-long time no see.”

“We met an hour ago.”

“No, no,” the windy castle walls took effort to traverse, “-I meant to say it earlier, circumstances said otherwise.” They joined and stared the interior, “-sure has a lot of people.”

“Indeed. Master, how are Kion, Inesa, and Ulia.”

“They’re fine. Aren’t you worried about princess Eira?”

“Not really, if the master brought the princess, she must have had a change of heart. Forgive my familiarity, there’s great chemistry between thee three.”

“Worry not about tact, we’re comrades first, lord and stewardess second.” He spun to the new addition; “-the buildings were completed hastily.”

“We used magic and preset build-spells to firm the foundations.”

“Build spell?”

“Similar to the Ardanian wall, the church as a lesser potent version, we call it Build-Arts. Anyone with mana can utilize the arts with the correct teachings.”

“Any limitations?”

“None, only a person’s mana reserves and have the materials in close proximity.”

“Very useful.” Masses excitedly crossed the bridge for the marketplace. Sweaty, fatigued, and disgruntled adventurers arrived with chipped weapons and loot -a shared comradery encapsulated the moment. “Something on your mind?”

“Ritenoot.”

“My lord?”

“Any idea on their leadership?”

.....

“I knew it,” she mumbled.

“Excuse you?”

“I said, I knew it,” she firmed her steps, “-the town is in peril from what I’ve heard. Our distance doesn’t allow for much communication. What I know is rumors; traders from the west are anxious and deeply in need of money. They sell at high prices and buy and the cheapest they can, some use brute force to get their wants.”

“What about the noble side of things?”

“No idea, the ruler is pretty anonymous. Like you, tis the steward that runs said town.”

“Alta,” he whispered, “-we might need to lit a fire, a reason to justify a peaceful takeover.”

“I understand,” she stepped back, “-you wish to take over?”

“Correct. Use the simplest tactic,” the eyes narrowed, “-we have spies, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then, the next time a merchant heads to the town, have it be ambushed. Steal the loot and don’t kill. Afterward, sell it to Ritenoot. Would be wise to target famous traders and steal their items.”

“I see, the scheme’s rather convoluted...”

“Not yet, attack Ritenoot’s guards as well. We’ll control the narrative. Let the fear sprout amongst our people until an official called to investigate. There should be evidence of Krestonian activities in our dungeon; have it sprinkled on the site, what say you, art thine intrigue ability worthy?”

“Consider the matter done,” she smirked, “-I request men power first.”

“Deal,” a party of six richly dressed traders materialized.

“Lord Igna,” they bowed.

“Pay heed to Alta’s command, I won’t tolerate failure.”

“YES, SIRE!”