Enlightened Empire

Another day, another morning spent on a ship. At first, Corco really had hated the constant sway of the ship. However, a ship's journey was normal during the great age of exploration, an era they stood on the precipice of. By now, he had learned to endure and ignore the worst of the unsteady planks, though his mood atop a ship was never good. He really didn't like the lack of control, the feeling of being exposed to destiny. After all, it was his sworn enemy.

As he tried to stretch his nervous thoughts away, he left his cabin and reached the main deck. The day was beautiful and the weather clear, a deadly combination at high seas. Though while the sails flopped down without support from the wind, the ship still made decent progress along the great streams of the Verduic Sea. Even better than their speed was the familiar look of the black- and white-patterned castle in the distance.

From this angle, Corco began to understand much better why Rapra Castle was widely considered impregnable. Situated on a large island within the mouth of the Mayura, the strong outflow from the river made a fast approach almost impossible. Even if a ship managed to reach the island, the castle's sturdy, raised walls of cobbled stone covered almost the entire island, save for a small portion at its southern end. Now they had even added cannons, and could shoot almost the entire way across the Narrow Sea. Like this, they held complete control over the small inlet sea and the surrounding lands.

Satisfied, he looked from his home over the rest of their fleet. On their return, the number of ships had swelled quite a bit, though none of the new ones were really his. Rather, they were parts of the green king's navy. How else would he transport all the food, coal and cloth they would need over the winter? With these supplies, and more importantly these ships, they would be able to end the war eventually, though he didn't plan to use the ships unless he didn't have a choice. In the end, their position was now much stronger than Pacha's. While they only needed a few troops to hold Qarasi, Pacha would continue to burn through his wealth to support his giant army, while Corco didn't have any more pressure now that his lack of supplies had been resolved.

When Pacha froze off his butt in the Narrows until he got tired of his war games, maybe Corco could spend some more time with his friends and plan the future of the world in peace. Wouldn't that be something? The thought of peace and progress relaxed his nervous look at last. He was happy to get to dry land again, he was happy to provide for his people and he was happy to resolve their crisis, but more than anything, he was glad to see his friends again. It had been too long. He hoped they were doing as well as him.

__________________________

For the first time since he had left, the king's study was illuminated. However, neither of the two men inside were the king. No one dared sit in the king's chair, not even his friend. To the side of the large desk with the empty seat and the powerful books behind was a small arrangement of padded benches, where one of the men sat in front of a steaming cup of tea.

"Why was I not informed of anything? What happened back there, at the foot of Rapra Castle?" Too upset to even use honorifics or his usual, stiff attitude, Quato marched up and down the room, while Ronnie observed with a calm face.

"It was an attempt to snuff out trouble before it would happen," he said in a voice that would not further upset the loyal servant. "And you could not know because you were assigned to the castle, by Master Corco no less. The castle has wolf mercenaries everywhere, and other foreigners as well. With you running around in front of Mason's people all the time, how could I let you in on the secret, and risk everything?"

"But you were so... oblivious!" Mason shouted out. No doubt he referred to Ronnie's time in the laboratory.

"First of all, I believe that is no way to speak to someone of superior status." Ronnie stood up. Together with his harsh tone, it made Quato stop in his tracks.

"This servant apologizes." Without hesitation, he shot out his response. On the other hand, Ronnie had to spend a few moments to stare him down, just to make sure. He had never seen the servant so riled up. There might be a need to explain in more detail.

"Alright. Second, I had to appear oblivious. How would we have ever lured those wolves out of hiding if they hadn't smelled blood?" A smirking Ronnie thought back to his days in the lab, when he had coordinated information from all the various ghosts in the city in between experiments. Of course he wouldn't really be oblivious to the movements of the traitors. After all, he had suspected Nahlen and Mason of wrongdoings much earlier than anyone else.

"But your actions put the city in danger."

Now that Quato had calmed, Ronnie sat back down in front of his tea, his voice relaxed.

"No, letting it fester any longer would have been a danger. At least now we have managed to deal with the worst of the king's problems. This way, he does not have to concern himself with these petty people once he returns."

"Master Bombasticus!" A sudden voice boomed through the halls and penetrated the king's study, soon followed by steps.

"And speaking of petty people, here comes the next one." With more force than was necessary, Nahlen, the tall mercenary burst into the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" he shouted, his finger raised to the city's administrator.

While Ronnie remained seated, Quato stepped in front of his temporary master, his hand on his axe. At least Nahlen wasn't armed inside the castle, though one never knew if he would hide a secret dagger somewhere.

"Step back, traitor." Still unconvinced, Nahlen's anger was plain on his face, but at least he no longer closed in on Ronnie. His finger still raised high, he shouted at the chemist.

"Release my men at once!"

"'Your men'? You mean to say that those who attempted to conquer Rapra Castle and pillage Saniya can be considered yours? Are you admitting guilt?" Ronnie's tone was light, but his words were heavy.

"What guilt?" Still defiant, the wolf's growl voice had lost power. "They were tricked, entrapped. From what I heard, this entire charade was set up by the king's men. How could this be a fair assessment of their loyalty? What man would not grasp for a bag of coins when it is dangled in their front?"

"A true man." Quato answered. Only for a moment, the wolf growled towards the servant, before he turned to the master again. Ronnie leaned back, unimpressed.

"Let us not play games. The truth is: Mason would have never managed to organize such a large attack so soon if he hadn't begun his plans long before Corco left the country. Even I understand as much, so the current leader of the local forces should understand as well. Quartermaster Mason is guilty of his crimes, and anyone who denies it will be marked as suspicious as well."

"We're not your king's men, we stand under different rules." Again the wolf's narrowed eyes turned to Quato. "You say that a true man would not take the gold, but I say only a free man ever could. As we are not the warriors of King Corco, you have no right to try us under his laws. I demand you hand over Mason and the others. If they are guilty, they will be punished by the code of the wolf mercenaries, not by this charade you call the king's law."

In the distance, bells sounded, to laugh and mock the attempts of the mercenary.

"It seems best you leave now. You as well, Quato. The bells have announced the king's return. Let's see what Master Corco has to say about all of this."

After the troubling servants had left, Ronnie picked up his tea. It was already cold.

__________________________

"I've gotten some basic information on my way up. It seems like you had a lot of fun while I was gone."

In his seat, Corco always felt bigger than he actually was, even though the chair wasn't built especially high.

"Indeed. This master believes he managed to isolate Master Corco's purported 'vanillin'. Even better, Qispi the glassblower has, through your instructions, managed to create a glass bead of sufficient roundness to unearth the 'secret world'. Though I have taken a look myself, I am... unsure of what I have seen, unsure what to think. Unsure we ought to look further."

Even though Ronnie across from him should know what Corco had referred to when he had mentioned 'fun', he answered in a more agreeable manner. The king really didn't mind an easier topic than revolt to start of with. This was why he always liked his talks with Ronnie.

"So we're moving in on proper microscopes, huh? That's fitting, since I just managed to score us some proper doctors. Let's blow their minds, huh?" He laughed, even though he knew that Ronnie wasn't quite in on the joke.

"It appears your journey has been a success. Then what of the supplies?"

"We've brought more than enough food to last us a good while longer, and we now have a decent trade route to get more."

"That would make two then. Two trade routes." Ronnie smiled, no doubt happy to correct the king who always did the same to him.

"My cousin?" Corco guessed.

"Yes, captain Atau has sent us word through a runner a few days ago. He has established contact with the cities of the bronze coast and managed to evade the ships of Borna through the open sea. However, since Borna controls the east coast from Porcero to Port Ulta, he had to moor in Tocllaraju, all the way to the south of the eastern coast, just north of the Eternal Ice. Though since Port Ulta has been infested by those of Borna and Cahlia, he has been forced to take the land route through ice and snow. Without any accidents, the supplies will reach the city within a half moon."

*So about two weeks,* Corco thought with a widening smile, happy he would not have to resort to drastic measures.

"That's perfect! That means we're rid of Pacha's pressure and can develop at our leisure. Now my good uncle has no more power over us."

"That... would not quite be the case." As he felt Ronnie's unease, Corco's grew in turn.

"...who's in trouble?" he asked in a deepened voice. "Brym? Inri?"

"No, young Brymstock has done well indeed. Although he is in the constant presence of Duke Herak's men, he has managed to strike a deal with the northern king. His safety has been guaranteed, as has that of our property in the northern kingdom. The younger sister is safe as well, untroubled in the capital as she replaces her brother in her work."

"Wait, 'replaces'? Fadelio still isn't back?" He should have felt shock, but he felt almost nothing. To Corco, the idea that Fadelio was in any trouble he could not solve felt almost surreal. Still, Ronnie confirmed his fears.

"Although Lady Tamaya has attempted to free her brother, it appears as if her attempts have so far not yielded any results. She seems to have been unable to save her brother, the ghost warriors or any of the trapped craftsmen. By now, she has been forced to return to Qarasi Castle. Still, they are safe, protected by Lord Nasica."

"...for now. What's Pacha been up to?" More information. He needed much more if he wanted to avoid a hasty decision, one based on emotions.

"Still stuck in the Narrows. He has attempted another storm at the castle, with no results but a few thousand lost commoners. Though Tamaya has sent reports that the peacock king may grow restless soon."

"Well... fuck. I actually wanted to wait this nonsense out until he runs out of patience and supplies. Then we might be able to strike a decent deal with Pacha and avoid a long and costly war that would only benefit the outsiders. Turns out I was too naive again, huh?" A sad smile formed on Corco's face. Of all the things he wanted the least, a civil war among his people was high on the list. Him being the aggressor in it was even higher.

"Then what are your plans?" Tentative, Ronnie asked.

"What else? We go on the offensive."

"...but the mercenaries are still... troublesome." Although they had avoided the conversation up to now, they really couldn't do so any longer. Corco sighed as he realized the same.

"Yeah, I've gotten a report on my way here. So Mason tried his luck, did he?"

"Indeed he did. Though I suspect Nahlen was holding the troops with mixed loyalty in the camp outside until it was too late, there is no proof of any wrongdoings from Nahlen's side. Thus, he has not been held for now."

"Good, he can't be." Corco tapped his upper lip, as always when he thought hard. "We're still at war, and our cold war is gonna heat up again soon, despite winter. We can't have any infighting now."

"So Nahlen will go unpunished?" Ronnie's eyes turned sharp. Clearly he was unhappy with the king's decision.

"I can't well demote him without any proof, can I?" An unmoved Corco shrugged. "How will I justify that in front of the other mercs? If they're not convinced of his guilt, I'll look like a tyrant and the mercenaries will only make more trouble. No, Nahlen will get a promotion. I'll keep him close to me, in charge. With responsibility, he'll get enough chances to make mistakes. No worries, you'll see him punished soon enough. Just not for this."

Still unwilling, Ronnie showed a rare frown.

"Then what about Mason? Will he be pardoned as well? Nahlen has insisted on his release, that he be tried by the mercenaries."

"Good, let's do that." Corco clapped and smiled. This was easier than he thought.

"...Master Corco, with my respect, that is nonsense! Mason is Nahlen's man. If we hand him over, he will receive no more than a slap on the wrist and they will be able to plan their next move from the shadows, maybe already during the upcoming conflict."

"Who says Nahlen gets to judge him?" Corco grinned a crooked grin. "Nahlen's not the leader of the wolves, no matter how much he wants to be. I'll let Dedrick decide what to do with Mason. He'll know what's best for him and he'll make the right decision."

For a while there was silence in the room. As Ronnie stared at his ice-cold tea, Corco went through his next steps in his head. It wouldn't be fun or easy, but his chances seemed better than even.

"Then that means we'll to times of war once more?" Ronnie asked at last, with a tired voice and slumped shoulders. As a proper man of science, he would enjoy peace far more, a quiet place to search for whatever truth he eyed that week.

"We never really got out of the war in the first place. Rather, I aim to end this nonsense as soon as I can."

"But our army is much smaller, mostly made of mortals. While Pacha might lack control over his emotions, he still commands twice our numbers, and all proper warriors with cultivation, rather than mortals with guns."

Although Corco felt like Ronnie underestimated the power of guns in a large battle, he wouldn't need to make Ronnie nervous here. The guy wasn't a soldier anyways.

"We don't need to fight him directly. No need to crush his army, which is made up of my people anyways. All we need to do is make him move from his spot, create enough space for Fadelio and the craftsmen to get out of Nasica's territory. Once they return south and Pacha loses his last bit of leverage, he loses the war."

"Make him move? But he is entrenched in the Narrows, with no way past. We cannot even oppose him in his entrenchment, how will we force him into action."

"Well, you know what they say: You gotta fight uncle with uncle. Have someone call Tamaya back. Seems like I'll have to make another trip right away."