"Start from the top and don't leave a single bit out." Adeline's voice curious making Yorric let out a deep long sigh. "Of course Miss Adeline." Yorric mused, his tone nervous as he began his rant. "Guinevere had never been the one to venture out and conquer lands but rather stay in her hole and doing God knows what."
"When the abominations of beasts reigned through the lands, her manor similar to the rest of Othare was hit pretty hard, though she couldn't make it out of the kingdom in time. That was the last time I heard of her, well before I heard that she took over Redfall that is." Adeline narrowed her gaze, her mind trying to make sense of what she heard.
"Had she ever shown any intrigue with power or getting stronger?" Hoping that her documents were wrong. "Never. She preferred staying indoors and indulging in tea and such." Yorric's words though hesitant shone with truth. 'Then how did she come to be a Hollow Saint overnight?' Still a vital piece of the puzzle was lacking as she was hellbent on finding it.
"Well that will be all Yorric, you can take your leave." Her hand gesturing at the door. "Of course Miss Adeline, and if you have any questions for me do not hesitate to ask." Adeline watched his figure leave the room before falling into thought.
'If she got some aid from the demons, I'm sure that even they wouldn't have expected her to come out to strong. But how would they do it? Technology maybe, in this aging world of technology and wonder, all kinds of surprises pop up all over.' Her mind drifted to a kingdom near the human elven border.
It had been under the firm indirect rule of the elves however overnight they began to climb to the top. Sure the death of the elites was shocking but what greatly helped them was the technology that she was learning to master as well. With a new threat on the loose, humans from earth had grown even harder to keep let alone cross over.
'The rifts to the earth world are growing more unstable. If this persists then we will be completely cut off from them.' As much as it would pain her, she knew that a long term bridge between the two world would turn hectic eventually with a war coming to be. 'Luckily those earthlings can't wield malcore.' She sighed with relief in her heart, taking a sip of her tea.
'As for Yorric, it's a shame to see a man fall from grace to such a state.' He still had some credibility to his name however the fortunes he managed to hoard during the skirmish of Othare were starting to run thin. "Make sure that you give him something to do, with his experience in trade he should make a valuable asset."
She ordered a maid that quickly left the room. 'He was on neutral terms with Guinevere so should she show him some grace he will no doubt have to spill it over.' She as well as Yorric knew the purpose of his summon and yet neither bothered to voice it. 'Let's hope that this gamble pays off.'
If it succeeded then she would be on the queen's good side receiving multiple benefits and luxuries. However if it failed then she ran the risk of prosecution by association with Yorric around thus she kept him within her reach. Not far enough for him to forget but not too close enough to draw attention.
'Let's see how the game plays out from here. Guinevere, do you know the game that awaits you or do you think because of your high rank that people will follow you blindly?' From Yorric's words, she knew that with Guinevere's closeted lifestyle that it would be difficult for her to have exposure to ruling or governance.
A flaw that those around her would no doubt exploit and she had planned for her share of the pie. 'However with her sudden skyrocket of power, maybe other fields of her have risen as well. Maybe there's someone aiding her in the shadows casting the title of Hollow Saint to her.' The more she thought about it the more probable it seemed.
'They would rule Redfall and she would be nothing more than a puppet queen. However if this is the case then my plans are thwarted.' Her eyes narrowed, her hand swirling the tea in her hand akin to wine. "Well regardless, the path for you won't be easy at the slightest." Regardless of how she saw it, their rise to the top was laced with all kinds of adversities. Most out of fear of what she would be later down the line.
'I would be lying saying that her rise would be great. If it came to pass then wouldn't she rule over the human kingdoms with an iron fist?' She had heard about her temperament and so far it had been what she disliked. 'Aloof and distant. It would be hard to get close to her, harder to gain her favor.'
With a heavy sigh, she rose to her feet and made her way back to her office. Adeline was a revered merchant with show bands and wagons all over Redfall however with the sudden emergence of anomalies, her business as well as many had to come to a halt.
'Not to mention I have to consider about Callista as well. What is she doing here in Redfall? If meant to serve Guinevere then that would mean that she's the master in the shadows or someone could be above her as well.' Her golden beads flickered to a piece of documents that detailed the death of Jarren Velros.
'Another monster like Callista however it's a shame that he died too soon....Or not soon enough with his equal.' Her intent on Jarren shifting from intrigue to that of hate. 'However word is that Callista doesn't have a good relationship with her father so she's somewhat hesitant to go back. Maybe that's why she's here with Guinevere.'
A thought that faded as quickly as it came. 'However my main question being, how did these two meet and when exactly?' Guinevere was a shut in, Callista engrossed with her studies and yet somehow they had an alliance, quick and easy that made her scalp tingle with dread.
'However I'm sure that Calledra should see them as a threat and curb their growth. However with the sudden emergence of such godforsaken beasts, even they would be bothered before shifting their target to Redfall. 'As for you Reuthar, what choice will you make?'
Her tone laced with a playful edge. As a merchant, being an analyst came naturally with her occupation. 'If they choose to overlook Callista's wrath then they should rise to power however I doubt this being the case. James and Atherion have a close relationship. Not to mention they're busy with finding Diana.'
The more she thought it the more she realized that Reuthar wasn't a fitting candidate to take on Redfall at the moment. 'Most of these kingdoms are still in their infant stage, the emergence of technology merely speeding up their growth. Wait! These infant kingdoms could be lured by Guinevere for a deal. With her status on the table, not many would dare turn down her offer, that is if she knows how to play the game right.'
Her fingers drumming her antique table, her eyes wandering all over her room for a solution about Guinevere. 'I can't just ignore her and moving isn't ideal either. It would be best to take the gambit here and hope for the best.' As much as she hate that she was forced into relying on luck, she knew that she had no other means around it.
'The top of society are getting way too greedy with the monopolization of technology as well.' Redfall was a prime example of this given that the cities around the capital all had luxurious sky scrapers, well paved roads and some with armed soldiers while the rest of the kingdom was more or less the same before the rift opening.
'If they had spent more on the kingdom then the abomination problem would have been dealt way better.' She sighed at the losses she made. 15,000,000 blue shards in loss. Damage to attacks by the rampage. 'Looks like I'll have to wait for the game to unfurl to know the winning side to pick.'
***
"Queen Guinevere, Delilah is back." A subordinate mused ushering Delilah who wasn't that thrilled to be back. "Delilah, how have you been?" Guinevere's taunts further irking Delilah. "Thanks to your odd level of information, the demons have perceived me as a traitor and want my head. I'm not the only one here with ears."
"Luckily I managed to make it back here. Though I can't promise anything from our deal now that my cover has been compromised." Her voice dripping with disdain as she watched Guinevere shift her body on the throne. The other seats were removed leaving only hers. "It's definitely a shame that you won't be of any use to me. However don't take me for a fool Delilah."
Guinevere's smile faded in an instant. "If those bastard demons wanted you deaf then you wouldn't have managed to crawl past the border so come clean." Delilah's face remained the same intriguing Guinevere's curiosity at her acting.
"It would seem that you're not that easy to fool so I'll come clean here. Someone in the court gave me a heads-up with what they planned for me and gave me an exit however in exchange I make sure that you comply to his needs as the new queen of Redfall." Guinevere's smile returned far too quickly for Delilah's comfort.
"Oh please do tell what he wants." Gulping down, she began with the list of demands. "He wants you to grant him free movement in the kingdom and his subordinates as well. For you to allow the free passage of arms into Redfall and the thrive of underground markets. You'll naturally get a cut from this, thirty percent of all profits."
Guinevere's face turned into that of skepticism. "Huh, well those are intriguing demands, what does he offer?" Delilah went on. "You'll get free labor to work on the technology in his kingdom from the earth world. An army at your disposal constituted of hellions of demons in your dire state of security and exclusive privileges to the court of demons."
Guinevere's fingers tapped her arm rest, her head tilting in contemplation before finally giving her verdict. "I'll accept these terms with a save exception. His can come in as he pleases however his men will have to be assessed." She knew that this wouldn't come to be as he would easily find loopholes around this.
"Of course, I'll be taking my leave now." Watching her back, Guinevere couldn't help but chuckle at Delilah's act. 'Hunted by the court of demons! How amusing. However I do have to give her credit of her exemplary performance as an actor.' Her eyes probed far deeper than the veil of reality but concepts themselves.
She watched hoe Delilah staged the whole act, watched how the demons back at the wastelands plotted to ensnare her and watched Delilah make her way back with her useless fibs. 'Let's see if this little lie of yours manages to pay off. ' She knew that this world was on a death timer so longevity for Redfall wasn't on her mind.
'Callista, do you have to kill so mercilessly?' She couldn't help but sigh as she watched the girl's cruel games. 'Why not add some flare to it? I guess felines really do love getting their paws stained with blood.' She muttered beneath her breathe as she formulated a letter with her mind.
"Send this to the kingdom of Dreshaire." Her tone callous as a servant picked it off the floor. "Of course madam." The letter was quickly whisked away. "Should I warn her about that one or let her figure it out?" Her murmurs audible to her alone. "It would be amusing to see the look of shock on her face." She grinned maliciously as a devilish plan formulated in her mind.