The walls and gates of Nakhla had long been repaired after the battle for the port city. Towering into the sky it made anyone who looked upon them feel safe living inside of them. Mother stood in line, trying to enter the city. Ever since the war ended, trade had skyrocketed and it had beco a common sight for entry to take long when entering.
Yet its atmosphere was a stark contrast to how it was during the invasion. She could hear the sound of hundreds talking, laughing, and arguing past the gate. Mother walked forward and paid the toll. She made sure to keep her head down slightly. She didn’t know if the Empire was after her yet, but she didn’t want to take any risks.
She gave a polite smile and sped up, nearly running to her destination. She slipped through the crowd in her black robe, keeping her head down always. She saw the Ammary soldiers keeping watch alongside the city guard. She was nearly out of breath by the ti she arrived at her destination. Pushing open the doors she entered the Temple for Gaia.
She walked through the temple and went into the back room where she finally felt safe to lift her head. Sitting there, praying she saw a woman wearing the green robes of Gaia and a relaxed smile finally spread across her face. She waited for her to finish praying before walking over.
"Sister Helen." Mother said in a relaxed voice getting her attention. Helen turned and smiled.
"How have you been my dear." She was an older woman in her late 40s. Her hair was losing its colour and the wrinkles on her face faintly showed.
"I am fine. Have you t Gregor yet?" Mother asked, getting a small nod. Helen went to a side door and opened it, showing the man praying. Mother nodded and left him be. "That’s good. I’m sorry to put this on you sister but I need sowhere I can trust to et my people."
Helen just chuckled retaking her seat. "It’s fine. We are friends after all." She poured herself a glass of water, taking a sip, "Besides, I don’t particularly like this new Emporer. He’s too cruel. I’ve heard about his deeds." Helen said a silent prayer for those hard by Alfred.
"I know. But I still feel wrong for this." Helen just waved it off not bothering to argue anymore. She was happy the sound of Gregory entering could take Mother’s attention off the topic.
"Mother," Gregor said in his gentle voice, bowing towards the woman.
"Gregor." Mother returned the bow and the two took their seats. "I t Abdul. There is no chance he will join us. He’s too much of a conservative. He won’t even entertain the idea." Mother leaned forward with a wide smile, "But I think I found a way to make one. A state where we are all equal and don’t have to fear Sol’s tyranny."
"First we have to get the faithful on our side. Once we do, we begin to use the Emporers plans ourselves. First, we begin the education reforms he had started in his old borders. We use the Khorish faith to do this. Then we set up many funds and support for those suffering after the end of the war. The Commonwealth’s funding can be used for this. Second, we must also get the nobles, the rchants, and anyone with power on our side, especially in this city. The capital is too dangerous."
"Once we have the people on our side, we fight. We take back our lands. That will be hard and many will die, but if we succeed, we can create a country where we all have a voice. I thought hard about this on my ride here and I think I found it. We create a system where we all elect our leaders. Every couple of years we let the people elect a new leader. We no longer use class, blood, or any stupid criteria for our rulers. We give those who don’t rule the power to choose who they want to rule them. Our rulers will then have to work hard to stay in power."
Helen and Gregor looked at each other confused about the entire idea but found it nice. They liked the idea of choosing a leader, not having one because of their ties to a na created hundreds of years ago. If Alfred had heard her plans he would instantly recognize it as a very primitive form of democracy.
"Mother," Gregor spoke. "I will agree with you, but it’s not enough. We need to put your ideas onto paper first." Gregor cupped his hands and sighed, "And I don’t think the nobles will work with us if that’s your plan. You practically want to strip them of their power."
Mother knew this and could only bitterly smile. "We lie then, Gregor. The nobles don’t care about the faith or who rules, as long as they keep their privileges. We lie and reassure them they will keep them. Once we co out victories, we get rid of them."
"And what makes you sure they will work with us?" Gregor asked, skeptical.
"Fear of the Emporer." She replied as a matter of fact. "He has already proven himself to be soone willing to rid himself of future problems. We all have heard the tale of The Night of Long Knives. Play on that. Claim he will kill them all later, and they are being used. We can use the faith to prove that we won’t do it."
Gregor looked deep into Mother’s eyes but eventually sighed and looked away. "What do you want to do?"
Mother gave a charming smile hearing this, "Call those on our side. Have them co to the city. Summon as many of the faithful as we can. We must hold a grand eting to discuss the future." Gregor gave a nod getting up. "I think you’re right, Gregor." Mother said stopping him, "I should write a book on my ideas." He smiled hearing this leaving once more.
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Horace arrived in the Commonwealth. He walked through the streets of Torun, the capital of the Commonwealth. He stepped into a side house that he already had prepared and got changed out of his beaten clothes into a pristine suit. Horace was careful and checked every inch of his outfit. He didn’t want one thing to link him to anything other than the Livonik nobility. Each accessory and even the way he styled his hair was all important.
Finally, once he was happy with his appearance he stood in front of the mirror. Opening and closing his mouth he tapped his throat until his accent resembled a region in the west, close to the border. He got used to speaking like that before finally stepping out. He destroyed everything that could be linked to him, only shoving a few docunts into his inner pocket that would be important.
He walked out of the back ally back onto the main road. His eyes no longer resembled his usual, dark, snake-like eyes. Now they were bright and full of pride, sothing that a noble would be expected to have. He waited in the town square for a while reading a paper, waiting for the clock to strike 6:30. Once it did he got up and made his way to a building that was isolated.
"May I enter?" He asked the guard dropping a handful of gold into his palm. The guard eyed him up before throwing the gold up in the air a couple of tis. Giving a nod he banged on the heavy door and it opened, letting Horace in.
The sll was strong and he nearly covered his nose not expecting it, but stopped himself, and continued walking through. He looked around as n and won led each other into rooms, locking the door behind them. Taking a glass from a lightly dressed woman he looked around trying to find sothing, hoping he wasn’t wasting his ti here.
Looking into one corner, he saw a group of n quietly discussing. Their expressions were serious, but not so much that no-one couldn’t join in. Horace slowly made his way over, making sure to interact with people as he did. "Do you mind if I join you?" He spoke politely to the group of n who looked him over before giving a small nod. "Thank you. I was invited to this place but it’s not truly my thing." He said politely taking a seat.
"We understand. We co here simply because the drinks are cheap and no one can rember what you say." That man who seed to be the one with the most power said, getting a chuckle from everyone around. "Your accent.... you’re from the Livosy state." He asked getting a nod from Horace. "We are all from the east, Nikova."
"Tell ." Horace leaned forward putting on a charming smile, "Is it true the food is better the more you head east? I never really go there, too many responsibilities." He asked trying to break the rest of the tension on the table.
The man smiled giving a happy nod. "I will be bold enough to say that nowhere on Gaia has as good food." The n around nodded and smiled, and Horace playfully threw his hands up not arguing.
The man leaned forward and his smile slowly fell. "Tell , friend. What do you think of this new Empire? Especially considering your Western we would love to know." The table noise died and Horace knew he had to get the answer right.
He put his hand over his mouth to think but sneakily eyed up the n around. The way they dressed, the posture, and everything that could be identified. He could see none of them were soldiers. They were too relaxed compared to the likes of William and Issac. But they didn’t value wealth and jewels either, having very minimal other than those that had their house crest. Noticing one with a white dove, he made his guess hoping it was the family he was thinking of.
"I think it would be stupid of to say I don’t recognize the threat they pose. The Blood Child used the invasion to flex his strength and he definitely did that." The others nodded but Horace could see in their eyes they didn’t take the threat Alfred posed seriously. He expected this as they were in the Far East, away from the Empire. It was a good thing to know.
"But, I also have so respect for him." It got surprised looks with so squinting dangerously. "I think he is a complete madman that Emporer, but his reforms, policies, and actions on certain things is sothing that I believe should be done here. For example. The Lindonfall Academy. He purges all his nobles and then creates sothing where he can just create replacents."
He looked at the man at the head of the table wearing the ring with a small white dove on it. He gave subtle nods and Horace knew he guessed right. The man was related to the Dukedom that sent a child to the academy. The others around nodded as well. "The Emporer we all must agree was smart to create the military underneath himself as well. I an our King is trying to copy that." Horace said annoyed, getting even deeper nods from those around.
"I like King Snowid." One of them spoke up, "But to try and take away my family’s soldiers is sothing I can’t agree with. I won’t say he fears the Blood Child, but he definitely is wary." The man made sure to say his words carefully and the others nodded in agreent.
The man wearing the dove ring nodded, before looking Horace in the eye. "I don’t think we introduced ourselves properly. I am Oskar. Heir to the Laska family."
He reached his hand out and Horace grabbed it, "Jedrick Mikos." The two smiled at one another as they drank their drinks.
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