Chapter 151: Champion, Chapter 80: Alliance

Aidan

The Realms

Fifthday, 2nd week of the 11th month, Age of the Chosen 1

Early Morning

Caer Macht, Mistvale Highlands

Congratulations! You have reached level 15 in Air Magic.

Congratulations! You have reached levels 2 and 3 in Aura Control.

Congratulations! You have reached level 16 in Light Armor.

Congratulations! You have reached level 31 in Magical Theory.

Congratulations! You have reached level 18 in Glyphs.

Congratulations! You have reached level 19 in Incantations.

Congratulations! You have reached level 24 in Persuasion.

Congratulations! You have reached levels 5 and 6 in Negotiation.

You are now a Novice in Negotiation; when shaping treaties, the other parties will be slightly more amenable to your terms.

Congratulations! You have reached levels 8 and 9 in Seduction.

Congratulations! You have reached level 78 in Sex.

Congratulations! You have reached level 36 in Foreplay.

Aidan woke in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar woman in his arms. It took him a few seconds to recall the previous night's events. He opened his eyes, and, sure enough, Eldrid's bright blue hair was spread out on the pillows around him. Remembering the notification he dismissed in an emotional moment, Aidan brought it back to the front of his vision.

Congratulations! Your relationship with Eldrid has advanced from Friendly to Trusted.

She now views you as someone she can rely upon through even the worst of life's troubles.

Congratulations! Your romantic relationship with Eldrid has advanced from Intimate to Lover.

She welcomes your attention and responds eagerly to your touch.

Congratulations! For earning a new Trusted Lover relationship, you have earned 6,000 experience points.

You have earned an additional 300 experience points from Novice rank in Animamancy.

Aidan dismissed the windows with a scowl. Those notices still felt wrong to him. As if sensing his disquiet, Eldrid stirred. "Aidan?" Her voice was soft and fuzzy with sleep.

"Yes." His confirmation was met with a contented sigh.

"Good. Last night wasn't a dream, then." Eldrid pulled Aidan's arm tighter around her. Silence reigned for a while, then she said, "You were naughty. I'm a good Catholic girl. Don't you know birth control is a sin for us?" She paused, no doubt waiting for him to tense up, then giggled. "Not! Catholic, yes, but I take precautions. You don't have to worry about a royal bastard."

Aidan opened his mouth to tell her there was another, better way to ensure no bastards resulted from their union. Then his mind caught up. That would be too much, too fast. Why was he so impulsive lately? "I see the truce is over, then," he said instead.

"Kind of." Eldrid turned around in his arms and pressed a brief kiss to Aidan's lips. "Last night was special. I hope you feel that way too." Aidan nodded. "It was what I needed when I needed it. I'm a complicated girl, though." Eldrid's fingers made idle trails through the hair on Aidan's chest. "I like the relationship we had beforehand, too. The flirting, the teasing. The struggle for control."

Tension Aidan wasn't even aware of released. "Good," he said. "I do, too."

"Good," Eldrid agreed. Then she grinned. "How long do you think we have until they knock the door down out of sheer frustrated curiosity?" Her hand drifted down. "Long enough for an encore?"

"Oh?" Aidan arched an eyebrow. "I thought only last night was free. Or, maybe, since it's you asking me, I should make you earn it instead?"

Luminescent silver eyes met Aidan's. Eldrid smirked and said, "I'm okay with that." Aidan made sure to renew the Sound Barrier as she slithered down his body.

Aidan

Mid-Morning

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Aoife said to Aidan by way of greeting. She stalked up to him, ignoring Eldrid's state of undress, and pressed her body into his. "You were unbearably rude, you know, Master, blocking all the sound like that. We wanted to hear our hero making another conquest."

Aidan gave her a wry smile and kissed her forehead. "Which is why I did it."

"Hmph." Aoife pushed off his chest. "At least you are not trying to deny it. You both stink of sex and each other. Go bathe. Breakfast will be ready by the time you finish."

Aidan caught her wrist as she spun away and pulled Aoife back into his arms. "I love you," he told her. He knew she was only putting on a show for Eldrid's sake—their emotional link carried only a slight hint of jealousy—but felt she deserved to hear the words anyway.

"I know." She rose on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. "But you still smell. Go on, shoo."

Twenty minutes later, having shared a mostly platonic bath with Eldrid, Aidan sat down at the dining table. Still nude, Eldrid sat across from him, leaving his sides free for his fiancees. Or perhaps she just wanted to tease him some more with her bare breasts. It's both, Aidan decided. A minute later, Aoife deposited a platter bearing various sliced fruits, a steaming bowl of porridge, and a crisscrossed stack of bacon slices.

"Serve yourselves," she said, claiming Aidan's left side. "Sunnild! Brighid! Breakfast!"

Aidan

Noon

Ceallach Macht

All of Ceallach Macht turned out for what Aidan hoped would be the final day of Summit meetings. Centaurs and catfolk filled the tiered seating to the utmost capacity, spilling out into the gardens around the Forum. A few entrepreneurial children waited in the aisles, ready to dash out and sell up-to-date information to those who arrived too late to claim a seat inside.

The harpies, meanwhile, appeared to have gotten industrious. Huge cargo nets dangled from the ceiling, lined with cloth and stuffed with feathered spectators. It was a clever idea. Aidan made a note to incorporate more permanent—and dignified—flier-only seating when they upgraded the Forum.

When Aidan entered the main Forum chamber, the crowd hushed rather than cheering like they did the previous day. Their anticipation was a palpable thing. It pushed at Aidan from all sides. He was grateful he never developed a phobia of public speaking. If he had, he'd have been a nervous wreck. He was unsettled enough as it was.

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Aidan was, by design, the last to arrive. All the other dignitaries clustered around the table, speaking in low tones. Of particular interest to Aidan was the unknown harpy in pristine uniform armor speaking to Alektryon. He also noted that the others were giving Searlas a wide berth. Not the best sign, but Aidan couldn't say he was surprised. The man hadn't earned himself any friends the day before.

As Aidan took his place at the head of the Council table, the others returned to their seats. The instant the last of them sat down, Aidan spoke. "Good day, everyone. I hope you all had a restful night or, failing that, have spent your time considering the matters at hand. Those are twofold. First, there is the expedition to hunt and slay the dragon Karsarrym. Second, there is the formation of the Sapphire Star League." A faint murmur spread through the crowd.

"I will start with the latter because it affects the former. As of this morning, the Sapphire Sky Horde, the Starchasers, and the city of Ceallach Macht joined together in a formal alliance. The major terms are as follows." Aidan glanced down at the paper in his hands, more to steady his nerves than anything else.

"All League members must come to the defense of any member attacked by an outside agent. As part of this provision, all member states agree to maintain small garrisons in the other members' capitals. Further, the Sapphire Sky will set up permanent teleportation circles to facilitate emergency communication between signatories. The materiel cost for the enchantment falls to the member states." And boy, were the gargoyles unhappy about this one. They hadn't cared much about the rest, but Aidan had to threaten to walk out of negotiations to get League-wide mutual defense into the treaty.

"There are no internal borders between League members. Therefore, trade will flow freely, without tariffs or subsidies. However, each member state may define a limited number of restricted goods for their own territory and petition the League Council for League-wide restrictions." Ailis suggested the restricted goods clause. It would allow the tribes a degree of control over both imports and exports while still being under the League's overall authority.

"Each League member may sponsor adventuring parties to explore Caer Macht's Labyrinth. League-sponsored parties pay a reduced tax rate compared to freelancers. They may also pay their tax in coinage rather than a share of the loot." A minor clause for now, but one Aidan expected to be increasingly important as time went on.

"All League members are forbidden from interfering in each other's internal affairs. This includes, but is not limited to, hindering the enforcement of local laws, fomenting rebellion, and treating with anyone but the League-recognized ruler." A hard clause to enforce, but necessary anyway.

"All League members will continue to rule their own territories as they do now. A League Council will be formed with one representative from each signatory. The Council has limited authority only to enact and enforce the provisions in the treaty. Leadership of the Council will rotate every year, with the leader breaking ties but having no other special authority." There was more text in the treaty regarding the Council than everything else combined. Aidan glossed over most of it out of sheer expedience. The important part, from his perspective, was that both Ceallach Macht and the Starchasers had seats on the League Council, giving him the tenuous start to a voting bloc.

"Finally, the League has joint supervision rights over any individual or object deemed a strategic military or economic asset to the League as a whole, as decided by the League Council. Such supervision is in an advisory and oversight capacity only—no private individual is beholden to the League." Because Aidan fully expected to be placed in that category sooner or later, and he'd be damned if he ever let himself fall under another's power again. It would also keep infighting over the dragonlings down.

Aidan stopped talking for a moment while assistants distributed copies of the treaty around the table. "For the record," he said while the various envoys skimmed the papers in front of them, "Ceallach Macht itself will remain an open, neutral city. Everyone is welcome here who does not bring war to our doorstep."

Once most of the dignitaries turned their attention back to him, Aidan continued. "I once again invite each of you present here today to join the League. Together, we can achieve peace and prosperity. I ask you, not for myself, not for any of you, but for all our descendants. Will you join us?"

Silence echoed through the Forum for several long breaths before the new harpy leaned forward. "A question, if I may?"

Aidan nodded. "Of course. May I have your name first?"

"Of course, my apologies. I am Flock Colonel Osgyth, representing the Ash Shroud Sisterhood. Flight Major Cynehild," she gestured to the woman seated next to her, "requested my presence as someone with the authority to sign treaties for the Sisterhood."

"I see. Thank you, Flock Colonel. Please, ask your questions." Interesting. Yesterday, the harpies were prepared to withdraw all their forces. Now they're sending a Colonel?

"I only have two, Lord Aidan. The first is in regards to the free trade and internal politics clauses. The Sisterhood depends on a steady influx of males from other tribes. What is the League's stance on this?"

Aidan glanced at Alektryon, then back to Osgyth. "The League has no formal stance at the moment, as we have yet to hold a formal meeting of the League Council. Therefore, I can only speak as Ceallach Macht's pro tem representative." Ailis had flat-out refused to take that role. She claimed to have enough to do already, and Aidan couldn't dispute that.

"The League's purpose is to smooth out issues like this between our members. As you know, but others here may not, the Sisterhood has permission to openly recruit men here in Ceallach Macht. So far as I am aware, it has been very successful so far. I would be happy to bring a measure before the League aiming to expand the program to other member states."

Osgyth nodded. Her question struck Aidan as more of a formality than anything. He'd been the one to propose that arrangement in the first place, after all. Of course, they wouldn't want to assume he'd continue in the same line, but it was a safe bet. The next query would be the real sticking point.

"My second question is about the mutual defense clause." Aidan expected as much. All the signs pointed to the Sisterhood's military being pressured elsewhere. "What happens when a member is attacked? How quickly must the others respond, and with what strength?"

"As soon as reasonable, and with all ready forces. There will inevitably be variance in this. For example," Aidan gestured at Osgyth, "I would bet that it takes you far less time to muster your whole strength, Flock Colonel, than it would the Starchasers or Mist Stalkers. You only have one settlement, and your soldiers are unhindered by terrain." The Colonel's lips turned down, but she nodded. "As a general rule, if a member didn't send a quick response force within a day and the bulk of their army less than a week later, I would expect them to have a very, very good explanation for the Council."

"I see. Thank you, Lord Aidan." Osgyth leaned back in her chair.

"Another question about trade, if you would, Lord Aidan," Searlas spoke up. He lounged in his chair, looking for all the world like everything was proceeding according to his plans. "What do the optional restrictions you mentioned entail?"

The catfolk leader's tone and attitude sent warning bells off in Aidan's head, but he couldn't see the trap. "Each member state can restrict the import or export of a limited number of goods, even to other member states. For example, I intend to forbid importing, exporting, taking, or selling slaves within Ceallach Macht." Searlas's eyes flicked to the golden bracelet around Aidan's wrist, then back. He raised his eyebrows, then shrugged.

"How limited in number are we talking?"

Aidan shook his head. "That has not been decided yet. There are a few such matters which we felt best left to the League Council to hash out rather than writing into the initial treaty."

"I see, I see. And the sovereignty clause prevents you from, for example, attempting to free slaves in my territory?"

Aidan narrowed his eyes. Was Searlas trying to maneuver Aidan into forswearing his oath to free Aoife, just being provocative in general, or furthering some hidden agenda? He'd have to ask what Eldrid saw from him later. "Correct." A thought occurred to Aidan. "Assuming, of course, that the people in question weren't enslaved in violation of any League laws."

"Of course. And such disputes would be brought before the Council, anyway, correct?" Searlas's smug aura intensified. Aidan could only nod in response. "Excellent. In that case, I, Chieftain Searlas, on behalf of the Mist Stalkers, petition to join the Sapphire Star League." The watching crowd erupted into a buzz of excited whispers.

This time, it was Alektryon who responded first. "The Sapphire Sky Horde has no objections."

Looking like she'd swallowed a whole lemon, Eilwen said, "The Starchasers have no objections."

Feeling like he was stepping into a minefield, Aidan nonetheless echoed them. "Ceallach Macht has no objections. No objections having been raised, the Mist Stalkers are now a provisional member of the Sapphire Star League, Oaths to be administered following this Summit meeting."

No sooner had he finished speaking than another spoke. "As the duly appointed representative of the Ash Shroud Sisterhood, I, Flock Colonel Osgyth, on behalf of my people, petition to join the Sapphire Star League." Relief flooded Aidan. No objections were raised, and his alliance grew from a tenuous two states—the Starchasers and Ceallach Macht were inextricably entwined by this point—to a far stronger four in a matter of moments.

"As one of the honored ancestors of the Ebon Bonekin, and with the authority vested in me by my descendants, I, Fanchenn, on behalf of my people, petition to join the Sapphire Star League." The ghost's lilting voice surprised Aidan. He hadn't been expecting the wolven to join yet.

Once another round of formalities passed, Aidan turned his attention to the cu uisce Captains. "Don't look at me," said Eldrid with a laugh. "I don't have any authority beyond my ship and crew."

"Nor do the rest of us," agreed Captain Price. "I will bring your invitation before the next Conclave of Captains, but that will not be until the spring thaw."

"I'll argue in favor," Eldrid said. "I think it's a great idea and a long time coming. Don't hold your breath, though. We Snow-Water Riders are an individualistic bunch. Free trade is attractive, but military commitments are not."

Captain Valmai waved a furred hand through the air. "Our contracts are still in effect, of course, so unless you no longer require us—and are willing to pay the forfeit—we are at your disposal for the expedition."

Well, there wasn't much Aidan could do there. If they didn't have the authority to negotiate, they didn't have it. "Very well," he said. He took in a deep breath, then let it out in a slow, silent sigh. "In that case, I formally call the Sapphire Star League to arms against the dragon Karsarrym. It attacked my people and threatened my life and the lives of all those who live under my banner. It represents a clear and present danger to all our livelihood."

As arranged ahead of time, Eilwen followed with, "The Starchasers answer the call."

"The Sapphire Sky Horde answers the call." Alektryon's booming voice cut through the rising crowd noise.

A heartbeat of silence followed, then, "The Ash Shroud Sisterhood answers the call."

"The Ebon Bonekin answer the call." This time it was Kaou who spoke.

All eyes in the Forum turned to the one who had yet to speak. "The Mist Stalkers answer the call," Searlas answered just as the quiet started to grow uncomfortable. He inclined his head to Aidan and mouthed, "Well played."

Congratulations! You have reached level 25 in Persuasion.

You are now an Apprentice in Persuasion; you gain a large bonus to persuasion attempts within territory you own.

Congratulations! You have reached levels 10 and 11 in Oratory.

You are now an Initiate in Oratory; you can now address larger crowds without penalty while in a formal setting.

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