by R. K. Star
“Be praised Emperor Sallon.” Nizo stood up and announced with a respectful bow.
“Be praised Emperor Sallon.” Kaven called while rising as well.
“Be praised Emperor Nizo, Emperor Kaven.” Sallon returned the greeting.
Sallon motioned with her hand to gesture them back to their seats as she walked to a chair of her own. Her reaeslave and servants follow behind her. Her reaeslave stood directly behind her and her servants stood behind her reaeslave. It was the same with Nizo and Kaven subordinates where they had stood. There was a chronological order in the positioning. The reaeslave always closest to their daigon, that way their ears could listen in to the conversation and provide council later. It was the reaeslave’s duty to stay at attention for information or facial expression missed by their daigon. The reaeslave also stood close by to receive and execute orders.
It didn’t take long for Sallon to figure out the conversation. Kaven was talking about how great he was again, no doubt he was boasting himself and the fantastic job he had done. Nizo was throwing gasoline on the fire knowing full well that Kaven easily gets caught in his own amusements and would try to manipulate him. It wasn’t hard to get a dog to do a trick if you rubbed its belly and gave it a treat now and then. Sallon sat quietly listening in on the two emperors chatter away as she drunk her evening liquor. She hated Kaven for his simplicity and ignorance.
Kaven inherited the position of Emperor Daigon of the Imperial Greal Empire due to his luck of being born the eldest son. Many family forego passing down the inheritance to the oldest son. The traditional went out of favour long ago and many passed to the eldest child regardless of gender beside a few strict traditionalists. The Smot family had always stuck stubbornly to traditions and it was lucky for Kaven as he had three elder sisters. His proper title should be the Second Daigon, Emperor Daigon of the Imperial Greal Empire with his late father being first emperor but many forgo the distinction of properly classifying their position if it isn’t first. Sometimes their position would be corrected to humiliate or lessen the power of the seat they held, supposedly as equals in the alliance.
Sallon was much older than Kaven, she just had her thousand two hundred and seventh birthday of recent. She was more than twice the age of Kaven and more then old enough to be his mother, in fact she was older than his birth mother. It wasn’t unusual for royalty to have multiple spouses of lower class but if you wanted to marry someone of your own class then you could only have one. They valued honour highly, and it would shame your spouse’s family if it wasn’t an equal status relationship. Polygamy wasn’t accepted amongst two royal families, unless it was agreed upon.
Kaven’s father was a playboy and specifically married low class women so they wouldn’t dare to interfere with him while he fornicated with other women. His father copulated with every half decent looking girl he set his eyes on but only married a handful of the ones that were gorgeous. Children born of parents not married were able to use their family names but had to add the suffix ‘ling’ at the end to indicate to the world they were born of lust.
Sallon built her empire from scratch. Her maiden name was Alconling, daughter to the butcher Mark Alcon who fucked his cashier one glorious evening and impregnated her. She grew up despising her father and mother for bringing her into the world to grow up as one of the outcast children hated by society. People hate anyone with the suffix ling, believing they were inferior. Her parents were of little power and wealth but she was different and she had a mind full of ambition which drove her. She didn’t want any ties to her parents and gave herself a new family name. From that point, everything she had she work hard and built up piece by piece and it made her hate people like Kaven more. People who felt they accomplished so much when everything was handed down to them.
Sallon sat listening for ten minutes to the bitch-gossip talk of Kaven and Nizo and she had just about enough. They were little men and cared nothing more than themselves and collecting more land and wealth. She tapped her fingers impatiently wondering why she agreed to join the two idiots to discussed their next movements when they only had plans for idiotic chatter. She found their company childish and a nuisance more so than normal. It was because she was still suffering from minor internal wounds and her energy reserves greatly depleted. She healed her outward appearance so she looked fine and she carried her active duties without hesitating as not to show her fatigue.
“You did very well with your battle at Honar my daigon,” Kaven said smiling. Of course Kaven thought her battle wasn’t bad but not as good as his. After all he didn’t even need to draw his blade.
“Sallon did so well we should make sure to send her to more formidable opponents next time so she can make equal contributions,” Nizo said with a hint of a smirk.
She knew what Nizo was up to. Nizo was no fool and he knew Kaven thought his victory here was won because his name and his might. However, Kaven's battle was won because of her, her victory at Honar made it possible for him. There was no doubt in her mind that Nizo knew who did the heavy lifting for these victories but he would never admit to it and give her proper credit. Nizo was a rat with no honour. He would do the opposite and credit Kaven to boost his ego and play with his good side. It drove her mad to have to work with them and try to play along with their childish word games.
“You flatter me my daigons, I did a small part for our alliance.” Sallon spoke while holding her tongue, it hurt her pride to withhold credit where due and give credit where not merited.
“Since you did a small part for the alliance, I think you won’t object to how we divided the new territories. Kaven will hold dominion over the territories he captured on this day. When the city Honar is seized, the city and its territories will go to Balon Herso as his position for being First Master of the Alliance,” replied Nizo.
Nizo was a clever individual, he knew how to set things up against you, thereby trapping you. Sometimes you see the trap coming but there is no way to avoid it. It’s because he spent countless cunning hours moving every single piece in place for the checkmate. He was a master strategist and someone you wanted working for you or at least with you. He had no trouble sacrificing high level components in order to reach the end point. The only thing he wouldn’t sacrifice was something valuable to him no matter what the reward but had no trouble sacrificing others’ valuables including their lives.
“How can this be? I defeated Daigon Kylan. Honar and its territories should be mines by all rights!”
“The vote was put in place because your contribution was less than Kaven and also Kaven being the second master of the Alliance. It was voted that Honar be grant to Bolan first. The next one will be yours,” Nizo spoke calmly to indicate there was no room for discussion and the matter is already decided. Kaven nodded in agreement, he was happy because he got his territory and it didn’t matter what happen to the rest.
“I’m a master of the Alliance as well, why the hell wasn’t I part of the meeting! Why wasn’t I part of the vote!” Sallon voiced angrily. She knew Nizo was behind it all and wouldn’t be surprised if there was no vote and his scheme to get good with the first master.
“There is no point in arguing about it now. I’ve already made the offering of Honar to Bolan on your behalf.” Nizo voice has a slight trembled, probably a bit scared and nervous at the same time. He was a skill strategist but his might was the least of all the alliance masters.
Sallon was furious now that they took the land without even including her in the discussion but the nerve they had to offer it to Bolan on her behalf as if they had a part in taking the city.
“You two are a real piece of shit, sitting here talking about all you accomplished when you’ve not done anything and dare to take my prize from me and claiming credit!” Sallon raised from her chair full of rage, she could not carry her peaceful composure anymore. Her reaeslave and servants responded and stood alert ready for action.
“You should do well to remember your place sixth master, and watch your tone!”
Kaven stood up and glared at her.
The three masters were all up and the relaxing evening liquor atmosphere tense up. Kaven and Nizo glared dissatisfying looks at Sallon and she glared back at them.
A few long seconds passed and Nizo made the first move and sent a fist flying towards Sallon. Sallon easily evaded Nizo half effort attempt to strike her and with an elbow knocked him backwards. It wasn’t Nizo intention of striking her but he wanted to intensify the situation. Kaven was already agitated from the insult earlier and didn’t hesitate to make the next move.
He leapt in front of Sallon and with quick strokes of his hands attempting to strike her but she was more than a match for his speed and parried all of his attempts. Nizo saw his work was done and stepped back to watch the spectacle.
Kaven was as stubborn as he was stupid and was unaware what Nizo was doing. In fact he was quite gullible, not only does he believe and trusts Nizo like a brother but would go out of his way to defend him.
The conflict went on for about thirty-seconds in which time Kaven got rock to the face twice. Kaven mind was hot headed now and there was no way he could back down as it would hurt his pride.
“Returning fist, two prong strikes.” Kaven chanted as he brought his fist towards Sallon once again.
Attempting to generate her energy force but she could feel the strain in her gut. It wasn’t going to end well for her but with only the zeal of her fury she brought her fist to meet his with a chant of her own. “Fist of the iron maiden.”
The energy of a green guava colour met with the black of jewel onyx colour from Sallon fist. As the fists collided a burst of air erupted knocking the decorated cups and items from tables and counters. The green enveloped the black and knock Sallon backwards and she fell to the ground. She could feel the energy in her system was disrupted as she made a few light coughs and blood spat out with each cough. Kaven came forward for another strike but Sallon servants intercepted, both of them went up against Kaven for a duel. The clash went on for over a minute before Kaven was able to secure a clear shot and landed a heavy fist against the chest to one of Sallon’s servants. It sent him flying several metres backwards and he collided against the wall rendering him unconscious.
Sallon knew her other servant didn’t stand a chance against Kaven for long by himself.
“Enough!” Sallon shouted with a loud commanding voice that the walls shook.
Gathering the last of her energy she directed her palm at Kaven. “Exzana!” The energy depleted from her body and she laid there limp, breathing heavily.
The strike surprised Kaven and knocked him a few metres back to the wall. His maid quickly moved in to block any further attacks and protect him.
“Sami, get us out of here,” Sallon called.
“As you command my daigon,” Sami walked in between. “Dispersion array,” a white light gathered around and swirled quickly with haste and furor. It wrapped around Sallon, him and the two servants.
Nizo stood there relaxed and calm, he had no intention of interfering with Sallon’s escape. Or better worded, there was no benefit for him to stop her. He didn’t need to anger Sallon further or risk injuring himself.
Kaven received a mild strike, only shocking him for a moments time. He called for his maid to stop them from escaping and his two maids stepped forward. The maids reacted instantaneous to their daigon’s order and pressed forward ready to strike.
“Wind gale!” Sami chanted and a slight breezed gathered around him. The wind accelerated and its velocity pick up, quickly the wind hurled and whirled and screech in a sharp pitch. The maids attempted to press forward but with a flick of his hand Sami sent the powerful wind outwards and struck them back.
Kaven had a habit of selecting maids that were gorgeous but lack necessary skills in combative or mental techniques. It defeated the purpose of having servants by your side to protect you. All other daigon always kept strong servants by their sides. Sallon was wise to keep only strong hands by her side and it prove vital today. She even had a reaeslave adept in mental prowess. Usually daigons would select reaeslave based on intellect for counsel but there were times having a reaeslave with combative skills proved more valuable.
Kaven rushed forward but the strong wind slowed him down, greatly immobilizing him. With his mind he created a shielding field with the air particle nearby.
“Wind gale, the force of nature.” The velocity of the wind picked up and turned around him quicker. Sami waved his hands and the wind lashed out at Kaven but it didn’t have enough strength to break his dampening field he generated around himself.
“Exzana!” Kaven chanted.
“Rezana,” Sami flicked his hand and redirected the energy towards Nizo.
Nizo open his hand like the claw of an eagle. The formless energy hit his palm and he dissipate the energy with ease.
“Disperse,” Sami whispered. The white dispersed upwards and vanished through the high ceiling.
Sallon, Sami and the servants appeared in another location. They had entered a temporal shift but the distance they traveled was close by, hence Sami was able to engage the shift rather quickly.
“My daigon let me stabilize your organs, you’re still weak from your fight with Kylan.”
Sallon nodded her head and got Sami to proceed with his work, she was much too weak to move. Sami Place his hands around her chest and abdomen feeling for the ruptured vessels and organs hemorrhaging. He forced the cells to undergo mitosis rapidly and closed the wound. “Bring your daigon to her bed chambers for rest,” Sami called to the servant still standing.
Sami went over to the other servant that was badly injured from the strike Kaven delivered but he wasn’t worth the reaeslave’s energy. Sami had already expended much of his energy during the short fight and to repair Sallon body. He called over more servants to care for the injured comrade. The injuries weren’t lethal and he would recover with time. Each step the reaeslave took his legs almost collapsed like foldable chairs. He was feeling his heart pound heavily and his head swirled, he knew his body lacked oxygen and he could collapse at any moment. He grabbed the door handle and held on firmly to get a good footing. It was much more than simply fatigue that wreck his body. He didn’t expect a fight to break out during the meeting with the other masters. When the fight broke out a massive burst of adrenaline poured into his body causing it to overwork even more when it was already stressed prior. Usually Sallon would be able to hold her tongue through even greater insult and humiliations but sometimes one can only take so much before they snap and Sallon has endure a long road of humiliation. Humiliation was one thing but the masters have been taking advantage of her whenever they could. He could taste his daigon frustration and anger as he was angry himself but now he blocked those emotions out of his head as he needed rest.
22
Honar of the Watnar district, Plitarth
The day was warm and hot. It was a dry heat and it has been a dry heat in the mid thirty degrees Celsius for the last week. Honar was a city in a tropical region that had constant downpours of rain but once in a long while there would be a couple of weeks of a dry spell that bake the dirt dry, cracking it.
Daigon Kylan Scall had rallied his banner men to an outpost outside the city of Honar. He squeezed every man and woman that had a decent mental prowess and fighting capabilities, totaling a might some forty-thousand strong. On the opposite side Emperor Daigon Sallon had called her banners and formed a might some sixty-thousand strong to siege the city.
Kylan had lived for many centuries already and lost count, he figured it was in the seven hundred and something years. He kept his appearance of a man in the fifties to show his age and garner more respect. His hair had many grey strands mixed with black sparingly. He kept a trimmed beard with the same grey and black tones. His skin had mild wrinkles but show heavy wear and looks rough and tough. He was a man of hundred and eighty centimetres and built firm and rugged. He didn’t make any surprise attacks as he knew he held the advantage as
long as he stayed close to the Hon river.
Sallon had attempted several assassinations on Kylan. The first attempt was almost successful. Her assassin made through the night undetected and into the camping grounds of Kylan’s resting chambers. The assassin blended in carefully as not to alert attention to himself and when the night sky rose, he slipped into action. It was late in the sleep hour; the watch guards would not be suspecting him to come and so he moved with ease. A silent cut through the tent away from watchful eyes allowed him in unnoticed. He saw a body on the bed mat and with soft steps on the crusted dirt, he crept slowly. With each careful step he crept up, until at last, within range he leapt and plunged his blade. One plunge after the next, furiously in a manic motion. He would make sure the daigon was dead several times over before he finally relaxed. Blood oozed from the corpse and soaked the quilt thoroughly and was dripping on the ground. He relaxed for a short moment then a dim light approached the tent. He hesitated for a moment and then it was too late to escape. A man walked in with two servants and his face dropped open at the sight of the scene.
Quickly the assassin turned around and removed the quilt to reveal a poor woman stabbed a good twenty times. Shocked to see an old lady’s face on the mat he turned back to see Kylan was standing in front of him now. He brought his blade to his throat and tried to make a slit across but was restrained and tied up before anything could be done. The next few days would not be pleasant for him. They started to extract information from him by pulling his finger nails off one by one. When all ten fingernails were off they moved to toe nails. They went to even more gruesome techniques of breaking and twisting fingers. You could hear the screams from the agonizing pain this nameless man suffered. But he was brave and loyal to his daigon and didn’t divulge any pertinent information. After a few days of torture another assassin came in and put him out of his misery. For certain this new assassin infiltrated the camp for a while before he found the chance to act. When the new assassin was captured, he died moments afterwards. An autopsy revealed a lethal poison that stops the heart from beating within an hour, a poison without a cure. His goal was to save his friend from torture and there was no doubt he self-administered the poison before setting out on his final task.