The talks of Ost
We were now at the entrance of the palace and as expected, we were stopped at the entrance. The guards ask us to tell what is our business and Aktor shows them the necklace and they let us in. One of the guards goes running inside the palace and another guard tells us she will show us the way. The rest of the guards seem to talk behind our back about something I couldn't understand.
We head inside the palace and to the throne room. There we see a woman sitting on the throne with a veil on her face. She, like everyone else here, has dark skin. On her side there is standing a little younger looking girl with a veil on. Only some of the women here seem to be wearing some sort of veil on their face for some reason. Perhaps it is a symbol of status or something for women.
The woman on the throne starts talking
- So you finally come back. How long has it been? 10, no, 20 years since you came here to greet me. What is your reason for absence?
- I already told you that I'm a traveler and I go where I happen to go. This place just hasn't been in my sight in some time.
- Is that so? For 20 years?
- It has actually been 16 years.
- So you DO remember. Well then, have you thought of my offer yet?
- As I told you before, I won't be marrying the red ruby.
- Is that so.
The woman rises from her throne and starts walking toward us. The girl behind her walks shortly behind her and the guards seem to be leaving the throne room. This doesn't look good.
The woman gets closer and closer and I start to sweat. Aktor did tell me she could snap his neck with a thought. Are we screwed?
The woman gets right in front of Aktor with the girl behind her. Then she asks.
- Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a worthy man to Jade? I already approve of you as a man so what is the deal
- Yeah what is the deal daddy?
What?
- I already told you to not call me that. And I also told you that I won't be bound to one place. I would always stay as a man who travels.
- You just need to stay at a ceremony and give her your seed and you are good to go.
- But the people will look down on me for leaving. I can't have that.
- What is the big deal? It's not like you haven't left your child to someone else.
- Good point. But she is the next ruler of Hiék. I can't have that.
- If you stay the night with her today and attend a small ceremony I won't bother you again.
- I'm only here to observe the talks, then I leave.
- If you won't do what I ask, I won't allow your and your companions presence in the talks tomorrow.
- You!... Ahh... Grr... Fine... One night and a ceremony and we are good right?
- It's a deal. Now I won't have to force you to do it.
- So there was no choice this time either.
- If you wan't, your companion can join the ceremony.
- If he wishes.
I say.
- I'm already here, so might as well witness my friend's big day.
- Yay! Now someone from daddy's side can watch our promise. I'm so happy daddy came here today. It was getting quite depressing.
She hugs Aktor while I look at him disgusted. He notices and says.
- I swear, she isn't my daughter. I only saved her. That is all I am to them. I have no blood relations with this family yet.
- What are you on about my dear. We already did the thing that one time and that made a child.
- ... What?
- You didn't know? We have a child named Amber. The yellow ruby.
- We made... huh... Well... Damit...
I look at Aktor and he has a dead look in his eyes. The face of a defeated man.
I see that we are heading toward a big door. Whan crimson ruby opens it music starts playing and I realize we are already at the ceremony. That's why those guards were talking and why the guards left when the crimson ruby stood up. They prepared this in a short notice somehow. I am guided to the side as a witness and I look at the ceremony. Doesn't look like the kind of ceremony I would see up north.
The ceremony goes on. I keep watching and then it ends. Then we have a party. There are some people from other countries and it seems that they were expecting this. I somehow manage to go talking with the man and woman of honor and we do some general greetings. Then the crimson ruby comes to us and starts talking to Aktor.
- I knew things would end up this way. You come around usually in situations like these, so I got everything prepared beforehand.
- I knew something was off when the soldiers left the room. I really don't know how to deal with you.
- Well, if you just come and visit more often, then I don't have to do things like this. Now my daughter can live the rest of her life with peace in mind that she doesn't have to marry someone she doesn't want to. And now I get a third heir to the throne when I'm gone.
- At least I can do what I came here to do.
- Don't worry about it. I make sure you have a seat on the table in the talks.
The party goes on to the night and I'm separated from Aktor, who went with Jade to her bedroom. I wish Aktor good luck and I'm shown to my room in the other direction.
The morning comes and I see Aktor sitting in the courtyard so I go and talk to him.
- Morning. How was the night?
- At the start it was terrible when I couldn't get it up, but after she used some blood magic we got it going. Thankfully she was satisfied with one round of us both reaching the climax. After that she just fell asleep and didn't want a second round. She was a lot easier to deal with than her mother who wasn't satisfied until she hit her sixth climax.
- Glad you didn't get your neck snapped.
- I was so afraid when the crimson ruby came to the room. I was glad she didn't want to do it at the time. Though she did consider it.
- Glad it is over now. Do you know when and where the meeting happens?
- I got some information on that and found out it will happen at noon in the conference room.
- So in a couple of hours. Let's get something to eat.
- Yeah. I'd like that.
We are guided to the room where the ruling family eats and there are servings for us both. We sat down and had a small chat.
- So how was your night Jade?
- It was so wonderful. Daddy was so gentle.
- Glad to hear it. I hope this will bear us some fruit.
- I actually tested it with magic and it seems that I got pregnant.
- That is wonderful news! Now I don't have to worry about inheritance.
Aktor started talking.
- There is still a chance that they are assassinated so I wouldn't be so carefree.
- It is nice of you to worry about us but you don't have to worry. I'm not some fool who would let my children get murdered. I will make sure that no harm will get to them. Always.
- And now you go to the overprotective side. At least you know how to fulfill your duties.
- Don't worry about me. How about you have a nice chat with your daughter for once.
- You say that but... What should we talk about?
Amber answers.
- How... How about you tell me about the world?
- The world? Would you be satisfied with that?
- Yeh. I only know about the outside world from books, so... Pleace... If you would...
- Alright then...
Aktor starts telling some of the stories about his travels he has been in and some later he tells about my story. Amber seems to be focused on hearing about the stories so much that she almost forgets to eat. She pins some comments here and there but still fully focused on hearing the next thing. We eat during these stories and when we are finished, Aktor and Amber keep talking about the stories they know to each other. The rest of us keep silent and listen on the side until a guard comes to us and tells us it's the time. Amber looks a bit sad to hear that it is over, but perks up when Aktor promises to talk with her later.
We head to the conference room and the atmosphere is a bit suffocating. The pressure each side is given is enormous. Crimson ruby sits and we are to stand on the side. The talks begin with greetings and introductions on both sides.
- My name is Opal Lay Darah O Ost. The ruler of the nation of Hiék and a mediator for these talks between the united front of Ehstos and a movement of demonication. First, Introductions from the representatives of the united front of Ehstos.
So she is the mediator of these talks. She is taking a neutral side on this. And what is with the ruler family being called something ruby? Is it some rule that the ruler family or the royal blood is to be called something ruby? Even Aktor calls her the crimson ruby, even though he is quite close to her.
- My name is Julius Ahtur the XIV. King of the kingdom of Ahtur.
The king who rules the town Thorn. Blond human with blue eyes.
- My name is Alvin Watser. A representative from Toros.
He didn't give us his rank. Maybe he is just a noble who the ruler of Toros trusts. He appears to be human. I hear that Toros is quite industrial in nature and is heaven for inventors. I also hear that there are a lot of dwarfs in there. Toros appears to be north of Ahtur and has quite many mountains.
- Name is Lucrezia Von Lisben Aresia the IV. Queen of the kingdom Aresia.
She looks as wealthy as she is elegant. Aresia is south of Ahtur and is known for their prosperous farmlands, especially the wine. Taican is on the east side of Aresia and Hiék is south of Aresia. Lucrezia seems to be one of the beast folk. A cat folk, to be exact.
- Aslak Hurton here. The leader of the Unup clan and the representative of the Urthom alliance.
Urthom alliance is apparently a collection of clans in the northest point in the continent of Ehstos. Toros is south of Urthom. According to Aktor, they are descendants of both giants and humans.
- This one is called Jau'klom. A Scale of the great soul tree and representative of the forest of Ehen.
Didn't expect one of the scales to be here. Though Siel'Kel did know lot about the happenings of the world so maybe it has some interaction in politics.
- I am Lohus Yorm the XXI. King of the Jorm kingdom.
Lohus is one of the giant race. He is on the taller side of giants, meaning he is three times the size of an average human. Normally they are about two times the size of an average human, but according to Aktor, the royal family has always been taller than the normal giants. Thankfully the room is large enough to accommodate him as well, as we are outside. The Jorm kingdom is in the middle of Urthom and Toros. It is on the western side of the continent of Ehstos and it doesn't share borders with the forest of Ehen. It is also one of the oldest counties in the world.
- My name is Osvald Yrd. King of the kingdom of Taican.
So this is the guy who Lex trusts the ruling of the kingdom. As you would expect, he is an elf with quite silky hair. He is also tall. I still think that Lex should have come here himself, as he is the one that basically rules the kingdom.
All the representatives from the united front of Ehstos introduced themselves. Will the movement of demonication introduce themselves without a problem.
- And now, the introductions from the representatives of the movement of demonication.
- My name is Rufus Honum. Leader of the military of Deroth. Nice to meet you.
Tall demon with five horns that make it look like he is wearing a crown. He has a tough look on his face and seems to have fought many battles. If I were to fight him, I don't know if I can take him. I think Aktor should be able to, but I hope he doesn't need to. Though he has a tough look on his face, I have a feeling that he comes here with no interest in fighting. He strangely gives me a feeling that he doesn't want to be here.
- My great name is Sario Arca the II! Leader of the movement of demonication and the speaker of our god Exitium Ruina. Be honored that you can breathe the same air as me!
I have a feeling that this guy is the sole reason the movement of demonication exists. He does give me a dangerous feeling, so I should proceed with caution.
Crimson Ruby: Now that the introductions have been done, let's proceed with the topic of the day. The aggressive way of making people turn to demons. Sarius Arca, what do you have to say about this matter?
Sario: I'm only doing you people a favor! If you remain as you are, you won't see the light that our god, Exitium Ruina, has to offer! He has told me to bring people closer to it so that people can be saved from their ignorance! For you do not approve of him as a one of the gods! You only see that there are only five gods! But you are wrong, there are six gods in this world! He has proven it to his followers!
Julius: If he is one of the gods, then where was he when the world was created? For all we know, this god you speak of is one of demon princes, speaking to your ear to carry out their deeds.
Sario: Preposterous! He has always been here. You people just have not opened their eyes to the truth!
Crimson Ruby: Then Lohus Yorm, what is your take on this? As your kingdom has the longest line of records, you should be able to spread some light to the situation.
Lohus: We have records of a powerful being creating the entirety of the demon race. But since he was absent on the creation of the world, we as the believers of the five do not see him as a god.
Sario: How dare you...!
Lohus: However, as a being who drastically changed the world by himself, he deserves some recognition. Thus, we as the believers of five accept the demon race's belief of their god, as he created them. However we don't accept him as an addition to the five gods.
Sario: You are not a demon and you recognize his power as godly? You have my praise Lohus.
Lohus: I'm honored.
Sario: Do any of you have complaints?
Aslak: I do. How about the people who force their beliefs on others? In my opinion they should be punished or at the very least disciplined!
Sario: I do acknowledge the existence of these disciples who have gone their way to cause harm on others. But because they did it in the name of our lord, we have forgiven them, as our lord's ways are sometimes a bit brutal.
Lucrezia: Those who let people, who cause harm on others, go should expect chaos in their future endeavors.
Sario: Wise word, but it is our lord's way of spreading his light. It is only in these times when we expand that our lord's darker side is shown.
Alvin: But if people who have been turned into demons associate their current state in a negative way, should they blame the demon god as the cause and start to hate him. Or in other words, reject his light.
Sario: Hhm... You bring a very good point. Perhaps we should make it so that should cruel ways of spreading emerge, we shall discipline them accordingly. Even if it was our lord's way.
Osvald: Glad you see our ways.
Sario: But this does not mean we will stop spreading our lord's will! We will only lessen the cruelty of our ways.
Lucrezia: If there is no forceful turning happening, I think we are good.
Alvin: Being a demon doesn't concern Toros as it will not affect the constructiveness of a person. As such, we don't mind the spreading of demon belief.
Lohus: If people turn willingly, then the believers of the five should not have anything against the spreading of the demon god belief itself.
Julius: I think that would suffice.
Osvald: I believe this is not a problem to us as well. Or so I think at least.
Jau'klom: This one thinks the Watcher has no issue with this.
Aslak: If the army Deroth goes away, then I'm good as well.
Sario: That is not what we agreed on!
Crimson Ruby: Rufus Honum, what is your response?
Rufus: The military is here only in case lord Arca's wishes threaten his life or the lives of the believers of demon god. If the threat is taken care of, then I see no issue of taking the military back to our homeland.
Sario: But as long as I'm here, the threat to my life always exists. We cannot have the military leave.
Rufus: With all due respect, lord Arca, you have been away from our homeland for nearly 5 years. There are sure to be matters that only you can take care of, so I believe that we should return as quickly as we can.
Sario: But... Our great cause is still...
Rufus: Then you should appoint someone else to be in charge of the spreading of demon god Exitium Ruina. This was supposed to be a 2 year long trip.
Sario: But... Fine. I will appoint someone else to handle our cause.
Crimson Ruby: So we have come to an agreement. The movement of demonication will start to discipline the people who are accused of forcing the belief of the demon god and it will take its military force away from Ehstos. On the other hand the united front of Ehstos will allow the spreading of demon belief on their lands. Are there any objections?
Alvin: Will there be any payment for the damage already caused?
Sario: We should not...!
Rufus: We will pay you for the sum we come up with. We will make sure it is fair compensation.
Sario: But why should we...!?
Rufus: Our welcome has been long overdue. Our stay has almost caused a war against an entire continent. Even if our military could deal with them, our race's reputation of being messengers of destruction will become more true than ever. Do you wish that?
Sario: I... But a god tells me we shouldn't... Still... Your words have sense in them... Fine... I accept this.
Crimson Ruby: So in addition to the thing said earlier, the movement of demonication will pay for the damage already caused to each country respectively. And this sum will be negotiated between each country respectively. Are there any more objections?
The room is silent.
Crimson Ruby: Then it is decided each representative will sign this magical contract.
The contract goes by each representative.
Crimson Ruby: Now that the contract has been signed by the representatives I, as the mediator of these talks, will sign my name as well to prove that all the people present, who represent their own groups, have signed their part. As my name is on this contract, I officially declare this meeting over.
People at the table disperse and leave the table empty. It is over now.
- Aagh... I'm tired. Aktor dear, could you join me for a drink?
- Because of this heat, I think I will accept this offer.
I ask.
- How about me?
- Since you are a companion of Aktor, I ask someone to fetch you something to drink. Me and Aktor on the other hand, will have some personal talk to do. Tough maybe we will invite my daughters to it, but if it goes late, then I will have Aktor by myself.
Aktor sighs.
- What have I signed myself into now? If we are going to invite your daughters, then why don't we let Nor come along. I think Amber would like to hear stories from someone other than me.
- Fine. Nor may come along. But if it goes to night, I will have you by myself.
- Right, right.
Then the rest of the day is spent hearing stories of Aktor's past on top of some eating and pauses here and there. Until the night comes and the crimson ruby takes Aktor to her room and I wish him good luck.