Fredrich spoke, “I will wait outside the throne room, Sire.”
He then bowed and left the room.
Hopefully the expected tediousness of this event is worth it.
Bryan checked that his sword and armour were attached firmly by pulling on the straps.
“Thank you, Clara,” he said before opening the door and being escorted down the hallway by several royal guards.
Once they walked down the stairs into the hallway outside the throne room.
Gregory is still here; imagine he will go back after the gala.
Fredrich walked up and spoke, “Sire, I should have assumed you would wear your armour. We will stand atop the stairs as the guests arrive.”
“Is that the best use of our time?” Bryan asked.
“Yes, Sire. It is expected and will aid relations to seem proper,” Fredrich said.
I would have expected winning the war should have been enough, but he understands this kind of thing.
They walked to the large doors, opened them and stood at the top of the staircase facing the palace courtyard.
A marble stone path ran from the main gate around a large fountain and up to the staircase.
They stood for ten minutes waiting for the guests to arrive.
I could really use an ale.
Clara lightly tapped him on the shoulder; he turned and saw a tray with an ale on it; he grabbed it and sipped on the ale.
Impressive.
A carriage with the intricate design of a rose on a shield, pulled by horses, could be seen in the distance, coming from the noble district.
Once it got into the courtyard, it went around the fountain and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
Out of the carriage, a well-dressed man, two women and some guards stepped out.
Fredrich quietly spoke, “The king of Greenvale”
The group walked up the stairs, and the finely-dressed man bowed as one of the women handed over a box to Bryan.
Bryan squinted at the box as he took it, looking towards Fredrich.
“Thank you, the king humbly accepts your gift,” Fredrich said before bowing. The group bowed back before walking past into the palace.
I do not understand what is happening.
Fredrich shuffled over closer to Bryan and spoke, “Sire, many are likely to bring gifts. Some because they lost the war, others to try to win your favour.”
Bryan furrowed his brow as he opened the box to see a delicately designed necklace of jewels and gold.
“This is useless to me? I do not see value in these ‘gifts’… At best, we could use them to buy things for the city,” Bryan stated.
Fredrich rubbed his head and then replied, “I had a feeling you may feel this way. Please avoid saying that to them at least.”
Surely they must know it already, though?
Bryan sighed then spoke, “Ok, I don’t get why. But I’ll accept them”
The next two carriages were Vaelmar and Northridge; they handed their gifts, bowed and entered the palace.
Both also brought jewels, odd.
The next arrived, a large carriage with rustic wood carvings embellishing it. Behind was a large cart hauling a twenty-foot boar.
Out of this carriage stepped a large, muscular lion man, accompanied by a catlike lady with blue hair that had black stripes.
Rharzar is here, curious.
Fredrich tilted his head and spoke quietly, “This is supposed to be the carriage with the beastkin king.”
Rharzar and his attendant walked up the stairs with a big smile on his face, showing off his fangs.
“Haha, Bryan. I expected a bit more shock on your face. With how you read movements in battle, I shouldn’t be surprised you expected this.”
I did not expect him to be a king, but it matters little.
Rharzar then bows deeply before speaking, “I hunted this boar; it seemed like the appropriate gift”
While walking past, Rharzar firmly patted Bryan’s shoulder and nodded.
That is a useful gift.
The carriage moved off to the right, and another could be seen in the distance.
“I’m curious, how are they all arriving at the same time? It seems like a logistical nightmare,” Bryan asked Fredrich.
Fredrich chuckled, then responded, “Yes, it would be. They all arrive whenever they get here, but the guards hold them in the market district until it’s time for this ceremony”
That is a waste of time.
A carriage pulled up to the fountain, embellished with roots and leaves.
Out stepped a tall, slender man in green and brown clothes, adorned with green jewels and a silver crown.
Accompanying him were a male and female in similar armour with bows on their backs.
Fredrich whispered to Bryan, “The king of the elves”
Once they got to Bryan, the man bowed just his head and gestured to one of the attendants. The male attendant handed over the large box in his hands to Bryan.
Bryan opened the box. Inside was an intricate bow with green jewels along the length of it.
“We had heard you were a practical king; the jewels in the bow are Mana stones,” The Elf king said before bowing his head slightly again.
“Thank you,” Bryan said, returning the gesture.
The elves then passed and entered the palace.
Fredrich smiled then spoke, “Not too many left now”
The remaining carriages arrived, and the gifts were handed over; the servants behind Bryan all had arms full, holding them.
Bryan turned to Fredrich and spoke, “Are we done with this now?”
Fredrich nodded; Bryan immediately turned and walked into the palace.
Once back in the hallway, Bryan looked around as Fredrich joined him.
“Are they all in the throne room?” Bryan asked.
“No, Sire. They are in the ballroom,” Fredrich replied.
Bryan scratched his head, then spoke, “Didn’t know we had one”
Fredrich placed a hand on the back of his head, then spoke, “The throne room is too small for this kind of event. It is the purpose of the ballroom”
Bryan thought for a moment before replying.
“How many rooms have I not been in?”
Fredrich chuckled briefly then spoke, “A lot, I’d imagine: the ballroom, the council chambers, the glass garden and various reception rooms”
A council chamber may have been useful to know.
“I’d assumed you avoided them because you found them impractical,” Fredrich said.
Fair assumption.
Bryan then shrugged before they walked down the hall past the stairs, down another corridor and into a grand ballroom.
Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling; a large square of tables around the perimeter of a large floor, where people stood talking.
Yes, this room is not practical for most things.
Fredrich gestured around the room, and then said, “Ok, Sire. You should speak to some of the Kings to start”
Bryan looked around the room, and his eyes settled on Rharzar, who was standing, talking and sipping an ale.
He is likely the most interesting.
Bryan walked over; as he did, Rharzar turned and, with a booming voice, said, “Bryan!”
Rharzar walked over and extended a large clawed hand, which Bryan grasped and shook.
“Wanted to speak to me first, did you?” Rharzar stated with a smile.
“I was curious why you hid that you were the king of the Beastkin?” Bryan stated dryly.
Rharzar’s brow furrowed, and then he spoke, “Well, I am king of one Beastkin nation. There are three others.”
Taking a brief pause to sip ale before Rharzar continued, “As to why I hid it… It was that us fighting may have caused an international incident” Before he then broke into raucous laughter.
His attendant gave him a serious scowl in response to this outburst. She spoke,
“Lord, please be a bit more appropriate with company like this”
It’s not just me getting told things like that at least…
Rharzar, while still laughing, patted her on the back and spoke,
“Lighten up, Tali. I don’t think Bryan here is one for formalities… am I wrong?”
Bryan shook his head and spoke, “I do not see the value of traditions or ceremony, but I have learned. If you have good advisors, it is wise to listen to them”
Rharzar’s smile dropped and he suddenly had a serious expression when he responded,
“Wise words from the mighty king Bryan”
After a brief pause, he spoke again, “But he also basically agreed with me”
Rharzar then smiled and bowed to Bryan.
“I am hungry; I am going to get some of the boar you graciously had prepared,” Rharzar said before walking off.
I’m sure since they attended a trade agreement should be possible.
Bryan turned around to look for an ale; Clara was waiting behind him with two on a tray.
Taking one, just as a finely-dressed man approached Bryan.
“King Bryan, an honour to meet you. I am Caleb Detrianus, King of Vaelmar,” The man said, bowing low.
Fredrich rushed over and stood beside them both.
“I am glad we could put our past grievances behind us and resume trading,” said Detrianus.
Well, yes. We won the war.
Bryan tilted his head at him and responded, “Re-establishing trade was the most efficient choice for us both”
Detrianus squinted before replying, “You’re very gracious. I heard tales of you healing the coalition soldiers after the battle. That was a very merciful choice.”
Bryan shrugged, “Well, the war was over. Loss of life at that point wouldn’t achieve anything”
Detrianus took a pause before he replied, “Indeed, either way I’m hoping the ongoing relations will be fortuitous for both of our nations.”
Bryan just stared blankly at him for several moments.
What is he waiting for?
Fredrich then spoke, “Thank you, Sire. We look forward to a long, beneficial relationship for both nations.”
Detrianus then bowed deeply again before turning around, and he walked away.
Bryan looked around the room as Fredrich spoke,
“Ok, we should find another delegation to speak…”
Before Fredrich could finish, a cloaked man walked up to Bryan and bowed before speaking.
“Sire, sorry for interrupting you. A large Fire Lizard has been spotted to the east.”
Sounds interesting.
Bryan replied, “What is the plan to deal with it?”
“Yarek is working with Darius to coordinate an extermination group made of guards and adventurers,” said the cloaked man.
That will be slow.
“You can tell them not to bother; I will handle it myself,” Bryan said while turning towards the door.
“Sire, you can’t leave in the middle of the gala,” Fredrich said as quickly as he could.
Bryan walked out of the ballroom and towards the courtyard of the palace.
“Sire, should we accompany you?” Said a royal guard.
Bryan stretched an arm back, detached the cape and handed it to the guard before rushing off.
Walking, he went through the courtyard and noble district until he reached the market district.
The streets were still busy with people eating and revelling. Bryan slipped through the crowds until he reached the main gates.
He exited the city and began walking down the dirt path.
See if I can find it.
Threat Detection
Bryan closed his eyes while he walked until he felt a large amount of Mana to the northeast.
It’s around the forest, unsurprisingly.
Making his way towards the creature, he could see black smoke pluming from the forest.
Entering the forest, he carried on until he neared a clearing.
It’s in the clearing based on the sounds; should reduce Mana use.
Bryan dispelled Threat Detection as he entered the clearing surrounded by the orange glow of flames.
In the centre a thirty-foot-tall, red-scaled lizard had its face buried in the body of a giant boar.
I’ll test it first… Bubble shield.
Firing a Fire Bolt from his hand it smacked into the creature and exploded; its attention snapped to Bryan.
He walked calmly towards it, as the creature reared onto its back legs, lifting its head back, fire dripping like liquid from its teeth as it lunged forward, throwing a large fireball that smacked into the shield.
An explosion encased Bryan, but he continued walking forward.
The creature fired large fireball after large fireball, burning the ground around Bryan.
Physical Enhancement Rank two.
Bryan dashed forward, avoiding two more fireballs as he unsheathed his sword and swung hard at its forelegs.
His sword glanced offpou its scales, creating sparks. Bryan landed, and the creature immediately brought its hand down to crush him; it collided with the shield and stopped.
Blink
Bryan appeared further away from the creature; it took a moment to notice him.
Its scales are relatively tough; it would be logical to focus on the soft belly.
Physical Enhancement Rank four.
Dashing forward at the creature, it lunged its mouth towards him. Bryan slid on his back to avoid the bite and then used Air Bolt to launch himself at the belly.
Bryan drove his sword into the belly of the creature and, using his momentum, dragged it down the length. He landed on the ground below as blood poured out of the creature onto him.
Sidestepping to the left, Bryan avoided the creature as it slumped to the ground.
Should put out the fire.
He collected the bounty parts of the creature and walked out of the forest into a field.
Bryan turned to face the forest and focused with both hands in the air.
Water Bolt Rank Ten.
A large ball of water formed from each hand, accumulating water from the air around it.
Bryan directed more and more Mana into it as it rose above the forest.
The ball began shadowing the forest below it.
Explode outward.
With a loud crack, the ball burst apart in all directions, raining down on the forest below in small droplets.
Enhance Senses.
He stood still for a moment, listening and looking at the forest.
Ok, that both moistened the forest and put enough fire out to handle it.
Back to the gala, I guess.
Bryan turned and made his way back towards the city.
He walked past the city gates and through the crowds.
The people are staring… perhaps this is the positive effect of the tournament Fredrich spoke of.
Continuing to the palace, once he got to the courtyard, the guards rushed over to him.
“Sire, are you injured?” One said while they looked him up and down.
“No, I’m fine. It was just one monster,” Bryan responded while continuing to walk.
Bryan opened the door to the palace and entered.
Turning to the side, Bryan saw the guard still holding the cape.
Logically, I should put that back on.
“Can you put the cape on me, please?” Bryan said to the guard.
The guard frowned, looking at him for a moment before complying and attaching it to his pouldrons.
Bryan thanked him and walked towards the ballroom.
Walking into the ballroom, and within a few moments the room fell silent.
They are silent and staring… odd.
He walked towards one of the tables and waited a moment.
Rharzar burst into loud laughter before speaking,
“Now that is a king!”
Bryan turned to look at him, seeing Tali scowl at him and whisper in his ear.
“No. It is appropriate. He is a king who handles issues himself,” Rharzar stated.
Clara rushed over with a cloth and began wiping the blood off Bryan’s arms.
Not sure what the issue is, but clean arms will be needed for eating.
Clara cleaned the blood off his arms, hands and face before he thanked her.
Fredrich rubbed his head while he walked over to Bryan.
“Assume it is best we find others to talk to, yes?” Bryan stated.
Fredrich sighed lightly, then responded, “Yes, Sire. That would be good.”
They wandered around the gala for a while until Bryan spotted the elf king.
Might learn something useful here…
Walking over, he bowed lightly; the elf king returned the gesture.
“King Bryan, Interesting choice to handle that monster yourself, instead of allowing your subjects to,” The elf king said.
“It was the most efficient solution,” Bryan stated in response.
A slight smirk from the elf king before his face returned to blank.
“Yes, I imagine it was. My attendance here is to congratulate you on the war and establish relations,” Said the elf king.
He took a brief pause before continuing, “I do this as head of house Elartia; the houses of Delari and Llanthross send their regards. But they are otherwise engaged and thus could not attend,” The elf king said in a monotonous but smooth tone.
Bryan nodded along with a blank expression before speaking, “Expanding trade would benefit us both, I’d imagine”
The elf king looked at him piercingly before speaking again.
“We are particularly interested in the technology you used in the war; if the rumours are to be believed, it would be interesting to study,” The elf king stated.
He appears to be sizing me up…
Bryan frowned and looked towards Fredrich, who spoke,
“I’m sure it could be a possibility if we established a formal trade agreement”
The elf king’s expression returned to blank; he then spoke again,
“That is a shame, but logical. It has been nice to meet you, King Bryan,” The elf king said, bowing his head lightly.
“Len and Ellowin, locate the king of Eldridge, Please,” Said the elf king before turning and walking away.
Fredrich whispered to Bryan, “That was odd; he didn’t state his name and seemed very interested in getting his hands on our military technology”
Bryan shrugged at him and responded, “I couldn’t tell if he wanted to fight me or not. Anyway, next person”
Turning to the left, Bryan wandered off towards the crowd.
A man adorned with gold jewels and flowing green robes approached Bryan and bowed deeply before speaking,
“King Bryan, I am Atticus, the king of Oakenhold. Would you mind me asking you some questions?”
Bryan nodded at Atticus.
“I was curious why you chose to join the church of the Four Arches over the church of the Supreme One,” Atticus asked while smiling.
No idea what that religion is…
“The religion of the region was the Four Arches, and they pressed me to join… It seemed logical to avoid unnecessary conflict,” Bryan stated.
Atticus rubbed the back of his head, then responded, “Well, I did not expect that response. Did the teachings not call out to you?”
Have not read them…
“They do not get involved with statecraft and the oaths seemed reasonable,” Bryan said.
Atticus paused and squinted at Bryan, dropping his smile very briefly before speaking.
“I was going to debate how the Supreme One may be a better fit, but I don’t understand your reasoning.”
They both stared at each other for a few moments before Bryan spoke,
“Ok, well I am going to eat now”
Atticus then bowed as Bryan walked away to the head table and sat down. Clara brought over a large plate with boar meat and an ale for him.
Food is decent and seasoned with garlic.
Bryan ate and sipped his ale while looking around the room.
Rharzar was trying to get his attendant to drink with him, but she refused. Other human kings were eating and quietly talking.
The Elf king was delicately eating food from a plate in silence with his attendants.
After another hour of drinking, conversation and revelry, Bryan was sitting thinking.
The event was useful for foreign relations as Fredrich said…
But I think I’ve learned all I can tonight; i think I’ll go elsewhere.
Bryan then stood up and walked over to the exit, catching a glimpse of Rharzar nodding and raising a tankard to him.
Nodding back, Bryan left the room and headed to the throne room, with Clara following close behind.
He pushed the door open, walked into the empty room and sat down on his throne.
Clara stood beside him quietly until she spoke,
“Sire, I told the other servants to be ready to run a bath once you go up”
She smiled after saying this.
She has become very efficient at her job.
“Thank you, you have become very good at your job,” Bryan said.
She chuckled lightly, then spoke, “With all you do, it is the least I can do. You do so much for others, and someone needs to look out for your needs”
“I assume no one is in here because everyone is busy with the gala?” Bryan asked.
Clara nodded and responded, “Yes, Sire. They are busy with the gala or other work around the palace”
Bryan slumped his head into his hand and thought.
Will need to figure out what I need to do next…with the refugee issue on its way to being fixed, there is nothing pressing at the moment.
They remained there for a while in silence.
Tomorrow I should see if Fredrich can arrange trade with Rharzar’s nati…
The thought was interrupted when Bryan noticed Clara diving in front of him.
Bryan’s head snapped to the left, a cloaked man dashing towards Clara with a dagger, extending an arm while jumping out of the chair he pushed her forward onto the red carpet.
A red-hot searing pain in his stomach as he looked up, and the man was right next to him.
Incinerate
Bryan raised his left hand, and the cloaked man burst into flames and turned into ashes in an instant.
He tried to take a step forward only to collapse onto his back.
Oh fuck… the dagger is in me…
I’m getting weaker…it must be poisoned.
Clara got up from the carpet and ran over to him, kneeling down; tears streamed down her face.
“SIRE!” she sobbed, trying to examine the dagger in his stomach.
“Why did you save me…. My life is nothing compared to yours!” her tears falling on him.
The room darkened and faded to black.
…
Floating, naked in the void.
Why did I push her out of the way…
Logically, it makes no sense…
Why did the act feel significant?
Bryan grasped his head and scrunched his face.
I don’t understand this at all…
Fuck…
He thought for several more moments.
Since it’s the first thing that felt significant in a long time…
I should try to replicate that somehow.