Helios nodded to his Knights as they departed, bowing towards the Queen. Elly nodded in return, eyes glancing at the men and women he'd just dismissed, and Helios suppressed a grimace.
He hoped the Queen wasn't setting her sights on the Knights. She could forge them into a terrifying order, no doubt, but taking more from the nobility would only worsen things.
The King was focused on a war he didn't want, the Queen focused on securing her people, and both missed the subtleties of politics. How the Loyalists were slowly falling apart despite his best efforts, the war stopping it from becoming a rapid tide of desertion. How the Isolationists were stronger than ever, their new Duchess proven right when the Empire invaded.
The Moderates were wounded, but they'd also pulled together. Unified under the threat of Imperial occupation, their slaughter of the First Tower, and how their levies would soon be hardened by war.
Many would die, yes, but the rest would be experienced. Well armed and loyal to Hargraf, because the Duke was no fool. And while the royal family was building their own base of power, that was part of the problem.
Factions within factions dividing the Kingdom into fiefdoms, Helios' best efforts never quite able to fully mend relationships. It was a rather thankless job, and probably pointless, and Helios expected a civil war within two years should the Empire retreat.
The Queen spoke, Helios dragging himself out of the what-ifs. "Marcus sends word that his ritual is going to wipe out nearly all Imperial summons within the hour. I want the army to begin assembly the moment that happens, but not before. It's a small hope we can move before they spot us, but I'll take a small chance over none at all."
"Of course," he replied, patting his sword. "I'll make sure all forces answering to Mirranian nobility are properly prepared for the journey."
"Thank you. Now, what can you tell me about someone called Mitzi?"
Helios frowned. "Adopted daughter of Duke Hargraf, the most talented Life Enhancement warrior he has in his employ. They have a good relationship, last I heard, so best to assume she is loyal to his goals. Blooded, exceptionally well trained, an obvious candidate to lead Moderate military matters in a few years. Before she was chosen to lead his special project, of course."
"So educated, politically well-connected and smart."
"Quite so," Helios confirmed. "May I ask why you're inquiring about her?"
"She showed up, offering her services and those of her people. I'm having her jump through some hoops, but she's obviously a political plant. Doesn't mean she can't be useful, though, which I suppose is the point. I really dislike politics."
Helios smiled mildly. "Hargraf is a logical man. It might be wise to let him 'win', especially if it comes with potent military assets. The man can be sly and dangerous, no doubt about it, but he won't move openly against the crown."
"I'll ask Marcus to sic Vess on him if he steps out of line," the Queen decided, tone firming. "Thank you, Helios. Excuse me."
"Of course."
The Queen moved away, followed by a small but seemingly tightly woven group of guards, and Helios turned towards other business. He had an army to rouse, and frankly it was going to take some work.
His own guards moved with him, and though it was objectively a war-worthy escort, it paled in comparison to pretty much everyone else's. A dozen soldiers, hand-picked, along with two mages. One Life Enhancement warrior, a man who Helios had noticed rarely went without something to chew on, and that was it.
Rather thin compared to the Queen's own protections, who moved like predators stalking through the woods, or the King's massive party. But it was the reality that while he was important to the Kingdom's inner workings, he was not so important to the war.
Two others could take his place when considering the necessary political background, and four more had the skill. He was replaceable, and his protections reflected that.
It wasn't a conscious decision made by anyone, really. Just necessity and limited high-quality fighters forming in the shape reality demanded. Nevertheless, he had a job to do.
The tight and orderly camp of the Royal Mirranian Army was left behind for the far less orderly lines of the Garther levies, equipped with weapons and armor stamped by the symbol of Hargraf's house. Some were groups nearly forty in size, some minor Lord leading his contingent of troops, while others numbered only five or six. A Knight with their attendants, watching him move through their camp with narrowed eyes.
But most of all it was peasants trying to make do with almost nothing, huddled around fires and clutching basic weapons. Axes and pitchforks were most common, only some of the latter reforged into spears, with the occasional family sword or weathered shield.
It was a mess, too. Sprawling outwards without much rhyme or reason, making checkpoints near impossible and blindspots common. The contrast was all the starker with him just coming from the main army, and for all that he internally complained about the Queen's lack of political skill, he couldn't imagine what this war would look like without her and her people.
A decisive defeat followed by swift occupation, actually. So yes, he could imagine. He could imagine it very easily.
Deeper into the camp he finally found a semblance of security, the center being barred by watchful guards. Household troops, trained and equipped over years. Higher quality than levies, individually more skilled than the Royal Army, but quite frankly he found they made for mediocre soldiers.
In battle it didn't show, but outside of it? They relied too heavily on the nobles that paid them, lacked experience with large-scale maneuvers and often held divided loyalties. It was workable, and Mirranian Kings and Queens had been working with it for a very long time, but after seeing the silent professionalism of their replacement?
He was complaining again. Helios nodded to the guards as the way was cleared, receiving salutes in reply, and made his way deeper inside. He was, after all, in charge of them. Above even Hargraf, though actual loyalty was more complicated.
They met, for once, not inside a tent. The weather was too hot for it, so apparently the Duke had cleared a small hilltop. It was crowded with guards, and this time Helios and his people were tested by mages before being allowed entry. Hargraf nodded as Helios approached, and though Duchess Soema was absent, one of her Barons was there in her place.
Baron Zolman glanced at him before turning away to watch the hillside, Hargarf offering a silent shrug when Helios looked at the man. He cleared his throat. "The Queen has ordered us to begin preparations for departure, but to hold off until final confirmation is given. The King's mages have found a way to neutralize the Imperial summons, after which we are moving towards a secondary position."
"At once," the Duke replied, flicking his hand at one of his retainers. The woman bowed, moving away to carry out the order. "Where are we going?"
"East. There is a flat area of terrain near the town of Edwit, one that the Queen believes we can force the Empire to fight on. It would take time for additional legions to be marshalled, an-"
The Baron cleared his throat, turning towards them fully. "We must discuss the possibility of surrender."
Hargraf sent the man a warning look, though the Baron didn't seem to care. Helios frowned at the noble, both for being interrupted and for what the man had said. Hargraf grunted.
"You might speak with Duchess Soema's authority, Zolman, but do not presume to interrupt when one of us is speaking. We are still civilized men, are we not? Now elaborate."
Zolman bowed his head. "Apologies, Duke Helios. No offence was intended. I was briefly overcome by the beauty of our lands, and how they might look once the Empire has burned our forests and salted the fields. The King is young and morally bolstered by early victory, the Queen strong-willed and driven to not relive the fate of her homeland. Admirable qualities both, but reality must be faced. We cannot win against the Empire, and the longer we fight the more widows we create. Should we be forced to negotiate after defeat our position will only worsen, and it is precisely the fact that we are currently on even footing that I speak."
Helios didn't reply, forced to concede the man had a point. It was one of the better traits of the Isolationists, the fact that their council had limited seats. It forced competence, lest one Baron be replaced for another.
"I do not disagree," Hargraf said, folding his hands. "But the King is powerful and popular. Neither he nor the Queen will be easy to convince."
The Baron spread his arms. "Is that not one of our oldest duties; to advise the Royal Family? To guide the young souls charged with leading our Kingdom?"
"Careful," Helios warned. "Advice will be listened to, any attempt to control their actions will end with the noose. Like you said, the King and Queen are popular. No one will risk moving against them while at war, which means there is very little but compassion stopping your body from swinging in the breeze."
The man seemed unworried, but Hargraf spoke before things could spiral further out of control. "Duke Helios is right. Had there been a divide between the King and Queen there would be options, but there is not. Had the Queen been a political puppet there would have been options, but she is not. The Royal Family is secure, far too secure for guidance."
"I am a loyal servant of the Crown," the Baron assured, tone smooth. "My point, however, remains. Attempting negotiations now, before any further losses can occur, is a sound strategy."
It was. Helios didn't think it would go anywhere, even if they got the Crown onboard, but they wouldn't be the only ones thinking it.
Hargraf proposed a change to supply management, arguing that he now provided nearly thirty percent of it and was thus invested in its security, and by the time that was done Zolman was arguing for increased Isolationists involvement despite their own levies being weeks away.
It was looking like a long, long day.
REPLACE WITH LINE BREAK p^o^q REPLACE WITH LINE BREAK
It was morning again before the ritual was activated. Helios saw how it irritated the Queen, how the delay made her nervous and impatient, and he didn't have answers to give. The King had apparently been working on it through the night, forgoing sleep to modify an already impressive feat.
Helios didn't know the specifics. His mages barely knew the specifics, and they'd spent decades studying all manners of the arcane. But apparently spatial runes made their eyes ache, and few were willing to inspect the stone too closely.
The stone. He was told it had been twice the size of a man before. Now it stretched well over twenty feet. Oddly thin, oddly willowly, and the King was beaming at it like a father would his newborn child.
The Queen was by his side, not saying anything but clearly displeased. The old witch was with them, if a few feet apart, and even though Helios didn't know her well he did know she was an ill-tempered woman.
Now she was nothing but smiles, directing her mages for the final activation. Dozens of them, holding smaller stones to their chest and sweating profusely. Helios was not a stranger to magic, not when it came to direct applications and results, but this felt older. More ancient, from a time when the world was larger and the dungeon still spewed its monsters forth unchecked.
Much fewer of them in that time, of course.
Power rose as Helios watched, his own near-zero talent for magic starting to pick up on the sheer might involved. He couldn't even weave the simplest of matrices, but this? Even a blind, deaf pig could feel something was happening.
There was no ceremony for its activation. The old witch barked a command to her mages, power spiked, and that was all. The feeling left, their camp was already temporarily emptied of summons, and by the King's smile it had succeeded.
Anticlimactic. Helios shrugged, turning as new creatures were summoned. Birds and elementals, demons and more. All mages had been instructed to begin the replenishment of their numbers the moment the ritual was done, a marked advantage over the Empire.
They would be confused, need time to figure out what had happened, and send replacements for their lost spies. All of which would take time, and Helios could already see the army shudder into movement.
Two days. That's how long the King had calculated they would be unobserved. One day for the Empire to replace their summons, another as Mirranian creatures went to war against the Empire's.
Mortal spies would negate that effect, but the Queen had been thorough. Even assuming any were left, none would dare risk sending a message now. Not with a great many eyes waiting for them.
Things went quickly after that. The King was shepherded away by the Queen, a small army of bodyguards blocking both from sight within moments, and Helios turned to his own guards. Joined them as they moved towards the levies, who had slowly prepared to move out over the last twelve hours, and frankly it was probably a good thing the departure had been delayed.
The Royal Army could be up and going within hours. The forces Helios commanded could not. Not even close. Especially not if he wanted any form of cohesion and unity.
Days passed quickly. Too quickly. A storm nearly threatened to halt them until the King and three of his most seasoned mages altered the weather, something Helios felt too exhausted to really dig deeper into, Soema was very nearly poisoned not by the Empire but a disgruntled cook—who was possibly working on the orders of another Isolationist Baron—and he had to spend nearly an hour assuring the Queen that Mirranian peasantry were not plotting something when nearly seventy percent of taxed settlements offered up supplies freely.
It brought him here, watching the army marching further away into the distance as the King stared at a lake. The forest they'd just moved through was to their right, far enough away the trees blended into one whole, and Helios wasn't entirely sure why he was here.
He was only just internalizing the King had delayed a storm when it proved inconvenient to the army. Helios wasn't sure if he was ready for something else so soon.
The King turned, his advisor stepping out of a shimming portal as he did. The succubus smiled at him with a crooked grin, just like his wife did, and Helios suppressed a flash of guilt-born irritation.
He had not touched the woman, no one in their right mind would dare to, but she knew too much. Far too much.
At least her arrival seemed to complete their party, Helios turning fully towards the King as he spoke. "Vess, how goes the mission?"
"Soon," she replied, tone perfectly pleasant. Unnaturally so. "My brothers and sisters and I need time. Time to prepare, to wait for the right opportunity and time to assure we are not being baited."
The King hummed. "Very well. Helios, thank you for coming. I wished to keep the party here small, though I don't think I can possibly keep what I'm about to do a secret. It's necessary, however. Vess, the potions?"
"Keep what a secret, your Grace?" Helios asked, managing to remove caution from his tone. He took the small bottle when it was handed to him, drinking it at the same time as the King himself. "The messenger was not specific."
Rain was starting to fall when the King replied, great droplets impacting his helmet. All three would be soaked in moments, no doubt, and distant lightning heralded a clap of thunder. The storm, it seemed, was returning with a vengeance.
"I'm a tier five mage. That means a lot of things, but the one aspect that I haven't dared to test is linking all matrices to one attack." The King took a breath, turning back to the lake. "Little within the domain of magic is as destructive as arcane fire. The elementals themselves are frequently used in war for that exact reason, but flame stands at their peak. What you just drank should stop it from killing us. Thank Vess for supplying one of her very expensive heat-tolerance brews."
The King fell silent for a moment, face shifting to one of concentration. Then it shifted to confusion, from confusion to wonder, from wonder to fear. Fear turned into grim acceptance, and Helios averted his gaze.
It didn't matter. Not really. Light and heat washed over him like a wave, evaporating the rain in moments. Hot, extraordinarily hot, but his skin didn't burn. His hair didn't catch fire, nor did his eyes boil.
The vast majority of energy went outwards, and as Helios looked through narrowed eyes he saw a world on fire. The lake was boiling, great plumes of steam rising up and up as a stream of liquid heat rushed forth. The King himself was invisible, frame hidden by the fact it was standing close to a miniature sun.
It vanished as quickly as it came, having burned for three long seconds, and the King collapsed. Vess caught him before he fell, but Helios wasn't looking at them. He was looking at the lake, and how fish were drifting to the surface. Cooked alive as the water turned near-boiling, the shoreline having receded a number of feet.
The lake was not the largest around, nor particularly deep, but the sheer power required to boil away that much water in a moment was astronomical. Impossible.
A cough caught Helios' attention, and he turned to see the King watching the water with blood-shot eyes. His entire face was red, nearly to the point of burning, and the man's hair was looking distinctly crisp.
Vess helped the King to his feet, who fell again the moment she let go, and Helios watched fish rise to the surface in greater and greater numbers.
"What the fuck," Helios whispered to himself, the rain finally remembering it was supposed to be falling. He held up his hand, relishing the cool water, and shook his head. "What in the actual fuck."
The King continued to fail to rise to his feet, mumbling something about power expenditure, and Helios walked back to the army without saying another word.