Wherever the Slaugh gathered, a Hag could be found. Part Banshee, part Night-flyer they manifested the destructive abilities of both species. The sonic blast I'd been dealt with originated as the Banshee's wailing scream; the poison dart the Night-flyer ranged attack from a hidden sheath that was usually extended only during sex.
Sex with a Night-flyer is deadly for any but other Night-flyer, their bodies secreting anti-toxins to negate the poisons that were transmitted during intercourse. Hags were an exception, they were able to vibrate a frequency that worked like a centrifuge, spinning the poisons from the barbs with an enzy found within the vocal cords of Banshee.
Hag's, in every instance, where they grouped with Night-flyers were responsible for interacting between species. Their shapes were a more ethereal version of Seelie, bi-pedal creatures that allayed the instinctive fear the Slaugh generated.
Unlike the other races, Hags were encouraged to Rank up, and their numbers contained more Ranked Duke, Princess, and Queen than any other species. Progeny were always born female, there was no male Hag. Still, even with the hardships, new births entailed, if it weren't for the bias and fear of the other races, fear that kept their numbers in check, they may have transford Talahm into the stuff of nightmares.
The Hag that attacked was strong. Easily a highly Ranked Princess or newly Ranked Queen. Powerful enough that I had to cast healing and curative spells to remove the poisons, my body's natural regenerative capabilities were unable to restore.
It was the first ti I was unable to passively out-heal the damage I was taking.
Hags were capable of flight, so I would need to use ranged spells to retaliate. They didn't have wings like Night-flyers; they had adapted the Banshee flight instead. The flowing and tattered gown the Hag wore was streaming in the wind as she moved for a line-of-sight position. The fallen debris obscuring from sight.
As she searched, I was able to expunge the last of the poisons and heal back to full. Her flight gave mobility and position during battle, but it left the combatant open for retaliation. There were ways to make use of the terrain to buttress position and minimize counterattacks. But this Hag had attacked while I was in a garden with not much to be used to effect line of sight.
As I stood, I realized the Hag was not alone. She represented the Unseelie Faction, but the portal that was closing after disgorging a dozen Ranked Duke Seelie had re-assessing this battle.
I'd thought the Slaugh that had attacked was made because of location and opportunity. But that didn't appear to be the case. The portal demonstrated that the Hag was part of a quick reaction combat team that the Seelie and Unseelie jointly fielded.
It explained so much about why no one had claid this land before now. Those that had tried were targeted and killed before they could beco too powerful. Instead of dueling one on one, I would need to contend against a dozen.
Since they had attacked without provocation, I felt no compunction about responding. My only thought was that they were idiots. They should have tested my abilities before revealing their hands. Assassination would have been the smarter move.
The dozen Seelie, I killed instantly, shards and spears of the coldest ice erupting from the ground in a spray of blood and body parts that killed them before they could respond. It may have been 'honorable' to give them a warning or allow them to retreat, but they had pissed off. There had been no honor in using a portal to engage in sneak attacks.
The Hag responded in fury and fear. Her screams echoing summoning those Slaugh guards that had been patrolling the area. Summons that were ignored. She was a Ranked Queen, but they had abandoned the Unseelie lands for a reason. They would not be constrained by the whims and fury of one that had forced their exodus.
As her voice was still reverberating, I began sending fireballs and ice spears her way. Burning plasma that echoed the fiery brilliance of the sun, followed by spears sharp and seeded with an ember of fire each, fire and ice that allowed them to explode on contact.
The Hag was able to deftly evade each of my attacks. Her distance made it possible for her to gauge the path a fireball or ice spear would take. I would need to close the distance if I wanted to end this before she decided the only prudent thing to do would be to escape.
She lost to anger at the mont, not so lost that she stopped dodging, but furious enough that she continued to shoot darts of poison my way. I was able to track the path of her attacks as effectively as she. Neither of us able to damage the other.
Until I decided to take the battle to her.
I'd wondered awhile ago what it would take for to gain the ability of flight. It seed with my bloodlines it would be possible. I'd never gotten around to testing my theory, but the gains in skills one was capable of achieving in combat made the attempt worth trying.
Fire and Ice. Hot and Cold. Tornado's and storms were predicated on the fundantals of these two opposing forces. When moist hot air ca into contact with dry cold air to create the instability required for funnels to form.
I was uniquely qualified to produce both forces, and unlike natural storms, I could direct where and when those forces would et.
Channeling both forces, I used my magic to set a focal point, a gathering nexus that allowed the forces to be contained to a singularity. A point that I could open like a spigot and direct the tumultuous winds that were produced.
I had to create a [Ice Shield] around my body, sothing for the wind to use as traction. But that was the final key I needed to create [Flight]. It was awkward at first, my body flailing as the wind buffeted around like a leave caught in a cyclone. But eventually, I learned the trick of it. Locking my muscles in place, using the [Ice Shield] to control direction.
The Hag was as surprised as I was delighted when I blasted off, the battle was forgotten as I soared across the firmants. My ability to increase the power contained within the singularity ant that my flight speed was impressive. Too fast for the Hag to react.
For those Seelie that had dared trespass earlier, I had killed them by skewering them with spears of ice. For the Hag I would return insult with insult. She had used her stinger to shoot with poison. I would use my fire to cleanse her poison forever.
I created [Fire Shield] and began to modify it. Narrowing and sculpting it until it was less shield and more glove. Once done, I took aim, adjusted [Ice Shield] to guide my path, and released all the wind contained within the singularity.
I hadn't ant to create a new spell, but System recognized actions not intent and as I released the singularity to blast myself at the Hag, [Fire Kinetic Blast] beca part of my skill set. She had no ti to react as my fist struck. The kinetic force so great that I punched completely through her, my vision obscured by blood as her body exploded on contact.
[World Announcent: King Teigh Mac de Beleros y Cyronax has been victorious in battle against Seelie and Unseelie forces. Those factions are constrained from further combat actions for five years unless Factions enter a state of War.]
[System Announcent: You have demonstrated determination and protected your fledgling Kingdom overcoming an unprovoked attack by the Seelie and Unseelie Factions.]
[Rewards: Spell [Flight] ]
[Rewards: Spell [Fire Kinetic Blast] ]
[Rewards: 1% of all Taxable Inco from Seelie and Unseelie Faction for Five years.]
[Rewards: Title Calm Under Fire: You not only overca an unprovoked attack you used the opportunity to create new System Spells Bonus to Created Spells 5%]
[Rewards: The Slaugh have witnessed and recorded your actions. Sharing the battle across multiple platforms: - 1000 Seelie Reputation, - 500 Unseelie Reputation, 750 Sidhe Reputation]
[Rewards: Kingdom nu functionality unlocked]
Coming in for a landing was a lot harder than taking off had been. After a few false starts and stops, I finally managed. It wasn't pretty, in fact, it was ignoble and embarrassing, but I wouldn't trade the ability because of a bit of wounded pride.
I wouldn't have long before I would be sward by my retainers, I had landed on the Estates roof to give myself a few monts of peace so that I could understand the changes to my nus.
My System layout had updated, new tabs were created that allowed for Kingdom administration, resource allocation, and faction managent. Trying to understand what functionality I had gained as Monarch; I began exploring the specialized sub-nus. The biggest boon I noticed was the ability to give Nationwide quests. It would help in attracting specific people to fill roles that my Court would need, and mark resources for harvest. I could also reward those that were interested in mapping unexplored areas.
Once I had finished browsing the new nus, a System ssage icon began blinking. Normal System events that were queued for later viewing were relegated to combat and resource logs. Anything else System prioritized and opened a Status screen imdiately. Clicking on the icon, I was pleasantly surprised that System had gifted with perks and boons that might level the playing field between the three factions.
[Regional Announcent: Aingeal Geamhraidh starter pack -
* You have gained three portal arrays; installation may be placed at locations selected by the user.
* Geosynchronous arrays have been distributed to allow for effective communication and updated mapping features.
* A National bank has been established and opened
* A comprehensive breakdown of dungeon resources and spawns has been made available
* A selection of border fortifications and emplacents are available for placent. These fortifications can monitor and protect against incursion and establish border control allowing for controlled migration and immigration.
* Talahm World Capital has established a link and passage between cities. Aingeal Geamhraidh's (AG) capital Saor o Shlabhraidhean (SOS) has been given access to the Talahm World Sithern.
* An embassy has been created.
* Changes to the Capital Throne room have been made.
* King Teigh has been invested and seated as a co-equal Monarch of the World Governnt.]
Acceptance of the starter pack set off a slew of new System announcents. Each one seed to be aid at either rewarding those that would join the Tuatha de Danaan faction or punish those that had usurped my prerogatives as Monarch.
[World Announcent: King Teigh Mac de Beleros y Cyronax has initiated Danu's Kiss blessing. His Lands enjoy Danu's blessing. Danu's Kiss increases fertility for all Sidhe that chose Tuatha de Danaan faction by 200%. This percentage may increase as more Anam Cara are identified.
Crops and Dosticated livestock enjoy a 50% increased yield. ]
[World Announcent: The Kingdom of Aingeal Geamhraidh has elevated Benefice Alys Wynne, Vassals Cedric D'Teigh, Anam Cara Uron D'Teigh, Lohne D'Teigh, and Knight Basil Henry as mbers of his Court and Council]
How the System determined that these people would be elevated to Court and Council, I was uncertain. Perhaps it was that they had the requisite Rank. I did lack the numbers to choose from. At least until perspective applicants decided to take the risk and offer their services. I was sure that I could append, elevate, and dismiss mbers as more Sidhe offered their fealty.
[World Announcent: Queen Mab, King Lugh, and Consort Puck are in violation of the inter-faction treaty concerning the treatnt of external-factional subjects. House mber Irvin H'Teigh, Vassals Cedric D'Teigh, Uron D'Teigh, and Lohne D'Teigh have been abducted and held against their will and without the permission of their Liege Lord, ignoring the prerogative and protocols that are owed fellow Ranked Monarchs.
Penalties accrue as long as mbers of House Teigh are held against their will. Penalties include a loss of 1% of all Seelie faction taxes collected daily, this amount doubles every week that these House mbers are detained (collected currencies are awarded as recompense to those detained).
Regeneration Debuff- Seelie Faction Regeneration and healing suffer a 10% penalty, this debuff is effective until House mbers are restored to their Liege Lord.]
While this was satisfying, and if not for the fact that Irvin was being tortured, I might have allowed their captivity to continue until the Seelie faction was bankrupt. I had no intention of not acting sooner, a day was too long to leave things as they were, let alone weeks.
Once the last System ssage was broadcast, new prompts required my attention. I prioritized them, selecting three to deal with imdiately. The first was the decision on where to deploy the three Portals I had been awarded. The second was the layout and build of the Sithern. And the final was a list of Ranked that were willing to accept my conditions to swear fealty and change faction.
I played with my Status screen attempting a display of treasury and faction mbers to display in real-ti. Two numbers that were enabled to display at all tis. Fiddling with the layout a bit, I managed to get what I was hoping for. It was the only HUD feature I toggled to always show.
[12,284,653 gold / 89,487,384 faction]
Those that had chosen to beco mbers of Tuatha de Danaan faction had begun increasing exponentially after the announcent about fertility gains for all Sidhe. I thought it likely that perk would do more to attract a slew of converts than anything I could offer. The continuing hardship for reproduction for Seelie and Unseelie had beco problematic. If things continued as they were, extinction was a real concern.
The chance to give birth, to once again have children to cherish was an enticent that would be hard to ignore. And if more Anam Cara were found and ford the ritual to bind, then the potential buff could be the salvation for two peoples.
Once I had finished reading the final notice, I decided to wait before acting. Jumping off the roof, I was greeted by only a few people. "Brianna. Basil. We need to move our people to Saor o Shlabhraidhean," I said glancing at the destruction that the recent battle had caused, cognizant of the fact that the people who were watching my actions were being cautious about entering the garden space.
"Basil, do we own this estate or have we leased it?" I asked.
"We negotiated a five-year lease with an option to renew," he reminded .
"I want most of our people at the capital," I directed, "choose a skeleton staff to stay here as caretakers until I decide if there is any reason to keep the property. Have repairs completed as soon as possible."
"Everything else needs to be packed up and ready to take up residence in our new ho," I said. Activating the M-AI mapping feature, I found Saor easily.
"The Capital is here," I explained sharing the location. "About three-hundred miles north of Delar, a trip that we can make in half a day without pushing it. I will ride ahead with Aspen, Pine, and the Duchess while you and Brianna organized the migration.
I wanted to be on-site before I started making changes to structure, placing the Capital Portal, and experinting with expanding the Sithern's functionality so that it could exist not only Underhill but as an expansive city that could connect to the harbor I had envisioned.
"Your Majesty," Gil protested, "is it wise to travel without any guards? You have beco a larger target to more people than just the Seelie monarchy."
He was right, but I didn't want to waste ti. I intended to have ala running full out. My hindbrain had been warning that those that were held in captivity may be in even greater danger now that System ssages had been broadcast.
The System made no ntion of what would happen if my people were dead, especially if the Seelie manipulated events so that their death was delayed until they stepped on Aingeal Geamhraidh soil.
"Perhaps not, but I will risk it.
"And Basil," I said, rembering the events from earlier, "Inform Duke A'Daoine of Thom's death. Let him decide how or what to tell Squire Leian."
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