King Gryndor P.O.V.
“Your Majesty, how can we be safe with a dragon inside the kingdom?” Baron Deepwell asked, though I know he is just a front for Viscount Riverrider. The only reason I tolerate this is because I can see why he would be afraid given the viscount’s proximity to the Hearthbound duchy. “I heard rumors it's as strong as a champion, if-”
“The dragon Aurexion is bonded to Duke Hearthbound.” I cut him off looking to silence a lot of the conspiracies forming throughout the royal court. “That bond is the only reason a dragon can enter humanoid lands without provocation. Or are you suggesting that you want to capture the bond of a Duke?”
The silence fell heavy in the massive room. A third of the people here had ford bonds and almost all of them had grown to care for their bond, a good part of them have also had their bond die so the re insinuation is revolting.
“What about the boon?” I recognise the heir of House Smithmade instantly. He is a bit slim for his tall size but then again enchanters weren’t known for their imposing size. “He is already delaying helping others get it, he has been back for almost a month.”
It's easy to see why House Smithmade would want the boon to spread. They don’t know of the danger that cos with it. They only see the profits their House could make, as the best and most reliable high end crafters in the kingdom with only my own royal crafters being even close they would stand to grow their wealth enormously with a sudden increase in highly Mana dense reagents.
“Duke Hearthbound was recalled from his expedition by .” My own heir answers, a smart move since he is not yet king and the Smithmade heir is not yet Duke it balances out the power dynamic. “Not only was his return more speedy than expected, it was mainly done as a response to the requests made by this very court.”
“Your Highness, we made no requests to recall the Duke.” A nice bit of backtracking, it shows he hasn’t been in court as of late that’s going to cost him as he just gave my son an opening. While he might have the decorum his brother lacks they both have the sa killer instinct when an opponent shows an opening.
“We had been getting three or four requests a week to have House Hearthbound contribute to the war effort.” My son snaps back. “The Duke has returned as I asked of him and he and his bond will be joining the war.”
The back and forth continues for a while. So far the argunt about Ajax’s schooling hasn’t spread with most still observing the developnts, they are more interested in their new quarry city and the cent they have finally started to share with the capital.
“Are you sure this was the right move father?” My son asks
as we leave court for the day. “We all but admitted there would be no other dragons joining the fight.”
“It’s fine since they wouldn’t be coming anyway.” I reassure my son, I had spoken of the matter with Ajax and Aurexion before they started their delves in the dungeons here in the capital to ensure any information I spread would protect them. “Plus my wording also implies more dragons would co if the one we have is killed. That should deter anyone from trying to specifically kill Ajax and Aurexion.”
That what was spoken about in court would beco common knowledge within the month was no surprise and it was why no truly sensitive matters were discussed in open court unless the decision had been made beforehand or they were brought up by an idiot. Sadly the latter happened more often than I liked.
“With the number of champions they have, it’s possible that Ajax and Aurexion might be killed before word of this spreads.” I can see why my son is concerned but they aren’t the only ones I consulted before I made the decisions.
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“Acording to Rex that might not be the case.” A small chuckle escapes . “He is not confident in winning against the two of them. He is sure he could kill Ajax as they are right now, also fairly certain he could escape Aurexion once the backlash of the bond hits but that is only because he is a good match-up into them, not relying on magic. The two of them together would only be in danger at the high end of champion combat.”
All of that also isn’t ntioning anything Ajax hasn’t yet decided to share with us. As loyal as the kid is, I know he was holding back. Even with his new social Skills he needs quite a few more levels before he can get one past . He skipped out on a few parts of his story in the Wild Lands, alas a Duke is entitled to his secrets even if I preferred to know them as well.
“Let us go et with the Republic’s ambassador, I’m sure he’ll be delighted to learn we are sending a dragon to help.” I nod towards a more reclusive part of the palace.
“Lets hope he remains that way once he hears we want that dragon to delve their dungeons during their downti in the war.” That way of looking at the glass as half empty is the last thing I have to try to counterbalance before I let my son take the throne, it would surely serve him well early into his reign but it would also slow progress and progress will happen early in his reign, we need to keep up with the tis.
Emperor P.O.V.
“Now is our chance, Your Highness.” Duke Septimus all but yells with a manic look in his eyes that his Skills can’t hide from . “With their champions leaving we can move in and take a good chunk of Gryndor for ourselves. We could have two, maybe even three of their dungeons. We could then give them back as part of the treaty once the war ends and we need to establish peace.”
“No.” I take pleasure in the way his face drops at my word. “I believe I expressly ordered you to leave any thoughts of vengeance buried in the lands you lost. This is your final chance, I will not hear another word of this. Now get out.”
I don’t need to raise my voice as Septimus quickly shuffles out of the throne room. “Grandfather, though his motives are thinly veiled, he is not wrong that this is quite the opportunity.” Sandor says.
“There is no opportunity.” I don’t hold back my rebuke. “That shortsighted fool would doom us all.”
“The Duke is right that we could conquer a good portion of Gryndor now that they are vulnerable, young prince.” Roger explains to my grandson. “ The problem is what happens after the war ends. Even with a strong treaty with Gryndor we wouldn’t be able to get access to delve into any of the other nations' dungeons since relations with Gryndor will be strained.”
“And that’s ignoring the fact that we might all be dead before that cos to pass.” Zilfallon’s words surprised even .
“That’s quite the high opinion of Gryndor you have, little brother.” Solderon’s eyes narrow.
“Not Gryndor.” Zilfallon cuts us off with a shake of the head as he pulls out a small scroll from his sleeve. “One of my personal spies just got word back to
that Duke Hearthbound has returned from his expedition.”
“He has already returned?” That’s news to
as well. “They haven’t called for him back all that long ago, either he didn’t venture out too far or he was already on his way back from a short journey.”
“Maybe he just went to delve the two nearest dungeons.” Sandor suggested.
“Or he found sothing valuable out there that he wanted to get started on.” Denisa seems to have a good opinion of House Heathbound, she also has a liking for the half-beasts. She won’t take the throne but it might be best to have her handle any interactions with the that House in the future.
“I don’t think his options are that limited.” Zilfallon says with a smirk that makes
think he still knows sothing we all don’t. “The reason for his speedy return is that he found himself a bond in the Wild Lands.”
“So people have all the luck.” Sandor complained. “What is it this ti? A wyvern? Maybe a Wind elental? Another griffin?”
“A dragon.”
Two simple words plunge the entire room into dead silence as so of us process but I first take a close look at my son's face to make sure this isn’t one of his bad jokes. The serious face tells
it isn’t. This changes everything.
“Roger, let House Septimus push for an invasion openly for another two days before shutting it all down and dropping them to the rank of Baron.” My words co out calm, hiding the spike of anxiety I feel at processing what the presence of a dragon as a bond for soone like Ajax Hearthbound could an for the Empire as a whole. “If necessary remove their current head.”
“It will be done sire.” Roger bows deeply before leaving the room to carry out his task.
“What is the boy doing?” I ask Zilfallon.
“He ca back missing an arm.” My son continues his report. “He’s grown it back and is now heading off to war with his new bond.”
That’s good. It ans I still have ti to make so moves. There is a small hope that both the prodigy and his bond die in the war but I can’t rely on that. If they survive and thrive in the war they would only grow stronger after feasting on the spoils of winning the war. Duke Hearthbound has a sister, Sandor is closest in age but their interaction is already likely bad. Maybe once she is a bit older Zilfallon might make a good match for her. He is older but with his early investnt in Vitality compared to her it shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Then again one tie might not be enough. From the way Denisa speaks she looks up to the Duke but he might not react well to the offer of a second bride. He did grow up as a commoner and he already has a fiance. This would be much easier if his nephew wasn’t part beast.
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