Elsewhere, another hellish conflict continued with extreme prejudice. Though, no one liked this particular conflict… Yet it still continued on.
The Katze Plains, a familiar part of the landscape now. And one many men would rather live their whole lives than ever lay eyes upon. Because this is where they fought, fought a senseless war. It was seen as a meat grinder for both sides of this conflict.
On the Baharuth side, they had some mildly trained knights, and then somewhat trained soldiers, and with every clash they grew more effective killing machines. However, there was one more important thing about this particular nation… They had recently abandoned the worship of Night Silver, as their goddess, substituting in the religion of the Slane Theocracy. And among their upper class, there was one man who'd been strongly opposed to this idea, yet could do nothing about it.
"This move, it's dangerous. Far too dangerous. He doesn't even realize that he's opened up his citizens to wanton slaughter…" Fluder spoke aloud to one of his trusted aides.
"Lord Fluder, what should we do about this? We might not be able to reverse course completely, but we may yet still have means to end this war, even if only for a moment." The aide, clearly panicking, asked what should be done.
It was a question that need not be asked. And one that needed no verbal answer. Someone would have to do what would normally be considered unthinkable. Looking around the room, Fluder recalled something. But before he could finish the thought, someone spoke up.
"Don't worry, I'm sick of him as well. To think he'd dare say my mother is a demon. That deserves death. Any sane person would understand that, provided they knew what our history was actually like. I'm planning on being the one to penetrate him this time. I can't allow myself to be penetrated by a demon worshiper after all. I never even liked the guy in the first place, robbing me from my home, and then raping me every week, for his own pathetic pleasure."
"You would hang for it…"
The woman shook her head, looking at all the fine tomes of magic Fluder had gathered. "I won't hang for it. He'll never find me ever again. No one will. For I have been blessed by my mother, and will return to her… Her loving embrace, the one surpassing all others." She smiled, almost in tears. "I'll have to leave the rest to you. Please guide this country back towards the right path."
"You've spoken with her?!" Fluder's staff fell to the floor, his shock quite understandable. "Did she say anything about me?! I… I wish I could have done more to help the situation. I fear I've miserably failed in my duties."
"She didn't say anything positive, nor did she mention anything negative. Mother is very understanding, and doesn't judge people based on some over estimated version of someone's abilities. Even with your abilities, you are far more limited than the average Nadairian caster. You can only do your best."
The voice that spoke felt different, and when Fluder looked up he saw it, the source of the voice wasn't the Emperor's concubine, but rather, the little friend sat resting upon her breast. It was one of the powerful fae creatures that Night Silver had given life.
"It is an honor to bear witness to such a magnificent being, One I don't deserve."
"Pfft, mother was right, you've always been this way. Just relax. All of her kin and worshipers are actively being rescued. Man's forces are fighting back against the demon worshipers of the Slane Theocracy. Just do what you feel you can to steer the people back to her grace. If you can't, then at least try to get them settled upon no worship at all. Mother always said that worshiping her as a goddess wasn't the right thing to do, lest it felt right. Just don't actively become her enemy."
Fluder watched as the woman walked out of the meeting room, and the fae just vanished behind an invisibility spell even he couldn't sense.
I will endeavor to do my very best, my utmost! I'll continue to forge ahead. I'll build up a magical institute to combat that of the Slane Theocracy. And one strong enough that in times of need I can leverage my existence against those who would cause religious strife. And I will do what I can to rescue as many enslaved elves as I possibly can. With a clandestine force I would be able to do far more…
That night, in the Emperor's bed chambers. A reluctantly naked woman, covered in the blood of her rapist, watched as the shocked look on his face drained of life. The Emperor of Baharuth coughed up blood, and grit his teeth.
"Why? I gave you everything, including my love… Yet you try to kill me? Wretched woman."
"No, I am not wretched. It is you, the one who killed my parents, stole me from my home when I was but 12 years old, and then you raped me every week since then… I never asked for any of the things that happened to happen. And now, to prevent more senseless deaths, your life must be used in exchange."
Her words conveyed the message, though her words were relatively confusing, and didn't make much sense to the man now bleeding out.
"You bitch…" He managed to utter in a final act of defiance.
This resulted in him getting more than a few more holes… Then in the open area of the bed chamber, a portal appeared. Out of it came no one, this was the woman's out, she didn't hesitate, a woman, with her childhood cut short, the loss of her family, and everyone she'd loved. Now has a chance to regain what was robbed. She leapt through the portal.
On the other side, her eyes widened at the beautiful sight before her. Fountains of warm bath water filled the room before her, the sight of so many people enjoying the public bath, and of course, the one woman responsible for all of this development, and the one welcoming her here… To Tus Nadair. The woman snapped her fingers, and the blood covering the new arrival was all gone.
This new arrival, crying, dove for Night Silver, wrapping her arms around her body, and burying her face into her bosom. "Mommy!"
Night Silver smiled, and held the new arrival close, and snugly. She gave her a kiss on the head, they shared a skinship. "You've been through a lot… Welcome home, my child. I love you."
…