Duke Highblood was not used to waiting, particularly when it involved something he considered important. And if he considered it important, then everyone was expected to.
Particularly when it involved something that could cost him everything if he didn’t act quickly.
His patience wearing thin, he drummed his fingers on the rosewood tabletop as the last of his allies funneled into the secret room under the central public works building of Aurorias. Unlike most of the upstairs meeting rooms, and the duke’s own office in his manor, this room was undecorated. Instead, it was furnished with a small number of filing cabinets and the large, central table where Duke Highblood was irritably rapping his fingers.
The room was inhospitable at the best of times, but was now exceptionally so, both due to the circumstances of their meeting and the presence of the duke’s private security. Even if Duke Highblood wasn’t expecting trouble, it was best to be prepared. And, it served as a reminder to everyone else present that he was the one in charge.
Still, his servants had set out goblets of wine for everyone to provide a basic level of comfort for the others involved.
Unlike their normal meetings, the atmosphere was laced with dread. The last few times they’d met, it had been filled with an air of smug delight as they had worked towards tightening their grip on Solaria and Heliopolis. The plan had been so simple, yet so elegant: subvert the phoenix-rite, and use the newest ascendant to further draw power away from that ageless bitch Raven Inkwell. They’d slowly been working to subvert the systems she’d put in place to give the citizens of Heliopolis greater autonomy from her rule for the last two decades, and this was meant to be the fatal blow.
But then it had all gone wrong.
Now he was having to scramble because Raven had proven that she could not be taken lightly. He’d underestimated her, and how he and his allies were trapped in a rapidly closing ring of fire that they’d need to cut a breakthrough out of if they were to have any hope of survival.
Or, if nothing more, Highblood would use the others as stepping stones to save himself.
But in order to do that, he had to take control of the situation. And that meant an emergency meeting with his co-conspirators.
He could feel the tension in the air as he looked around the room at his fellow nobles. Earls, countesses, a few marquises and marchionesses, and several barons and baronesses. A quick headcount told the duke that there were fourteen of them in the room.
‘Good, everyone is here.’
Tapping his cane against the marble floor, he drew the crowd’s attention, and signalled for the enchanted doors to close and lock. As they slowly swung shut, the sound dampening runes inscribed on the walls flared to life, ensuring that what was said in the room would not be overheard.
“Everyone, please be seated,” Highblood said firmly. “We have much to discuss, and little time to do it.”
Slowly, the group made their way to their seats, lowest ranking members farthest from the table’s head. Once all of them were seated, Duke Highblood took his own throne-like chair. As he did, all eyes turned to him, seeking guidance. Under normal circumstances, he relished the feeling of control and power such looks would bring. But these were not normal circumstances.
“Bright day to all of you,” Highblood said as he rested his elbows on the table and tented his fingers. “It would seem that we have a bit of a dilemma on our hands. And now, we need to go about solving it.”
Most of the others at the table looked around nervously.
“Please excuse my impropriety, sire, but I don’t think that is strong enough to adequately describe the situation,” one of the marquises said.
That prompted a small round of murmuring. Highblood could feel his control slipping as another, this time a baron, chimed in. “This isn’t some dilemma that we’re going to sweep under the rug, sire. We’ve got Dawn Wings and Raven Inkwell on our trails. I would say that we’re being dangled over the maw of a starved linnorm.”
Numerous affirmations floated into the air, the tension rising as his fellows began to panic.
‘Not good’
“Quiet!” he shouted, standing and slamming his cane against the ground, the sharp report instantly silencing everyone in the room.
All eyes fell back on him.
“I am keenly aware of the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in. Need I remind you that I was personally interrogated by Raven before I left the Cathedral of the Sun? But I managed to deflect her attention elsewhere, if only temporarily,” Highblood growled as a gasp went up around the room. “Clearly, she suspects we are involved in the attempt to ensure that a proper and true Solarian was chosen to ascend, but she hasn’t had time to actually gather any evidence. We’ve been far too careful for her to have anything on us yet.”
“How can you be so sure?” a baroness chimed in.
“If she had evidence, she’d have already come for us,” Highblood said pointedly. “In fact, if she had anything more than suspicion, I doubt anyone involved would have been allowed to leave the Cathedral of the Sun. But we did. Meaning we have time.”
An unconvinced murmur passed through the room.
“Time to do what?” a countess asked.
“Time to turn this around, fool.”
“Sire, I’m sorry, but how in the name of Light are we going to do that?”
“There were hundreds of witnesses at the rite, including quite a few high-ranking nobles that support Raven. And the nation-heads of the Solar Alliance. How can we ‘turn this around?’”
“By being smart about it,” Highblood growled as he stood again, planted his hands on the tabletop and leaned forward. “Yes, there are witnesses. Yes, many of them support Raven. But you’re forgetting one thing: the child that ascended was not one of the ‘chosen’ but rather some dirt-eating waif from out in the backwaters of the Western Territory.”
“And how does that help? You saw what happened at the rite!”
“But most of the populace didn’t,” Highblood said. “And that, right there, is the opportunity we need to turn this around.”
“What are you talking about, sire?”
“We force Raven’s hand by turning her actions against her. She subverted the ‘proper channels’ of the rite and brought in someone who wasn’t ‘chosen.’ That is our angle of attack. But we will need to be swift and decisive about it. Raven may be Celestia’s bleeding-heart dog, but she’s just given us ample proof that she’s more aware of what’s going on around her than we thought. So, we need to play our cards before she does.”
“And how do we do that?”
“We spread our own take on what happened at the rite. We tell them that Raven defied the rules of selection for the rite and subverted the proper process,” Highblood said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Most of the populace of Aurorias will eat it up, as will Candesis, Inciner, Radia and Ardor. That’s five of the nine cities that will buy our version of the story. If we create enough potential unrest, we can force her to back down. Raven is far too kindhearted to actively suppress the citizenry like that. That is the only way we’re going to come out of this in one piece.”
As he sat back down, Highblood’s features became more relaxed as a smile started to work across his face.
“After all, Raven is far too distant for most of the populace to really support. She stays in Chromos, away from the common people. They know us. And they believe that we are looking out for them. Unlike Raven, who sits in the light of the sun, trying to force them to accept that the dirt-eaters deserve to be treated with anything other than contempt. That is our opening.”
Highblood took a sip of his wine before continuing, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
“Then there’s the child. We attack not only the legitimacy of the rite, but of the girl herself. Before the rite took place, I learned from my brother that the child is a foundling.” Highblood spat the last word out as though he’d eaten something vile. “The little rat has no family. If we make that public knowledge, and really push that she’s a familyless dirt-eater, support for her in Heliopolis will turn faster than a wheel-spider chasing down a deer.”
“Won’t that turn the Westerners against us? I’ve had dealings with them before, and they’re very protective of their own.”
“That may be the case,” Highblood chuckled, “but they’re also disorganized. Scattered. The Western Territory has no central government. At best, they’re a collection of towns unified by a common geographic area. They’ll resist the idea of a central power, even one that arose from within their ranks. Do any of you have contacts in the west?”
Four of the nobles, two barons and two baronesses, raised their hands.
“Good. You four will use your contacts to sow dissent. Spread rumors that the girl will try to unify everyone under her rule. If those dirt-eating swine are anything like I’ve heard, they’ll cause enough trouble that Raven’ll have to intervene to ensure the brat even has a territory to govern in the first place.”
Highblood listened as a murmur passed through the others. He felt a shift in the air as they began to see the merit in his plan. However, one of the dukes still looked unconvinced.
“And what of Roseluck?” he said. “Surely she’ll rally the Eastern Territory to Raven’s aide.”
“Her influence will be tricky to mitigate, but it’ll be possible,” Highblood said thoughtfully. “There are several houses in the East that would love to gain access to Heliopolis’s resources and influence. Promise them the things they want, and they will aid us.”
“Are you suggesting we enlist the aid of the clans in this?”
“Only for so long as it benefits us. Make them promises of aid and power, get them to do our dirty work turning things against Roseluck. Even if they don’t discredit her, they can cause trouble in the Eastern courts. Enough to cover for us until Raven is forced to back off. Then, we give them the smallest scraps of what we promised, and hold their complicity over them.”
Again, there was a general murmur of agreement.
“And what of Steel Sentry and Spitfire? Do you think they’ll support us?” the same duke as before asked.
At that, Highblood laughed.
“Support us? Steel would probably give us commendations for this. The man’s more of a Heliopolan than any of us are, and he hates Raven and her soft-hearted ways as much as we do. And where Steel goes, Spitfire follows. No no no, Steel and Spitfire aren’t going to be an issue. And even if he were, Flash’s presence among the chosen ensures that he appears complicit. If he moves against us, we can use that to turn public opinion against him.”
“And you’re sure it will work?” one of the marchionesses asked nervously.
“I’m certain of it,” Highblood said with a haughty grin. “Give it a month’s time, and we’ll be hailed as heroes, while Raven will lose so much face that she’ll have to hide under Celestia’s wings for a century. We’ll need to act quickly, and with coordination. But if we do, we’ll be able to completely turn this thing around. Mark my words.”
Another murmur passed through the room, this one less nervous and more hopeful.
“Alright,” Highblood continued as he rapped his cane against the ground to reclaim everyone’s attention. “Now, we need to begin planning who is going to do what. Baron Silver Star, I want you to-”
A sharp crack of splintering wood suddenly filled the air as the door to the meeting room exploded inward. Milliseconds later a sphere of light rocketed into the room and detonated in a blinding flash. Duke Highblood’s vision went white and he screamed in pain as the strobe temporarily blinded him and fragments of the door violently pelted his face.
The sound of boots pounding on the ground filled the air followed by the loud report of firearms discharging. Still unable to see, Highblood instinctively ducked down and covered his head as screams of his fellow nobles fought with gunfire for dominance of the cacophony.
Yet, as quickly as it began, the sound died down, and was replaced by the thumping of rapid footsteps as whoever had just attacked them stormed the room.
Slowly, his vision began to recover. As his sight returned to him, Highblood cautiously looked around. The sight that greeted him caused his stomach to twist in horror: the room was now occupied by a full squad of earth-weaver sun-blades, each in deep blue, full-body tactical armor, and armed with either a bayoneted carbine or a pump-action, single-barreled shotgun, all of which were aimed at the room’s occupants.
As Duke Highblood eyed the soldiers, he caught sight of the walls behind the sun-blades. They were painted with blood and large chunks of grey pulp. Instinctively, he looked at the ground, only to wish that he hadn’t a few moments later. The floor was littered with the bodies of his guards, each one dead by either a single shot to the head or heart. The sound of weeping and retching told him that the others had noticed the corpses too.
“By order of the crown,” one of the soldiers said, “you are all under arrest for heresy and sedition. Any attempt to escape will be met with lethal force.”
At the soldier’s declaration, the room erupted into confused and desperate shouting as the assembled nobles rose to their feet and began to protest, each one proclaiming that there had to be some sort of mistake, or that they had done nothing, or trying to plead for their freedom by offering others in their place.
The loud report of a carbine being fired into the ceiling silenced everyone present.
At the sound, Duke Highblood regained his wits, his shock quickly replaced by cold calculating rage as he rapidly tried to formulate a way out of the situation.
“Who do you think you are to threaten us like this?!” the duke yelled as he drew himself up and schooled his features, ignoring the sun-blades nearest him pointing their weapons at him and moving their fingers to their weapon’s trigger. “I am Duke Highblood, and you are trespassing on Aurorias government property. You have just interrupted an important planning meeting for the city works department, and vandalized city property. I want your names and badges right now! When General Sentry hears about this he’ll have your heads!”
“Be silent,” one of the sun-blades said, their voice distorted by their armor’s mask, as they trained their shotgun on Duke Highblood and chambered a round with a sharp pump of the forend slide.
“You dare to speak to me like that?!” Highblood bellowed as he took a step forward, only for the loud report of the shotgun to go off, a violent breeze whizzing by as the slug passed within centimeters of his face. Duke Highblood froze in terror as the sun-blade that fired on him swiftly pumped the forend to chamber another round.
“I won’t warn you again, heretic. Be silent,” the sun-blade commanded, “or the next one won’t miss.”
Highblood took a step back and nodded numbly.
“Sir, area secured,” another of the sun-blades said.
Duke Highblood and all of his allies turned their attention towards the sun-blade who had spoken. As they did, they saw the air in the shattered doorway ripple like a heat mirage. Almost as swiftly as the distortion appeared, it parted, revealing General Steel Sentry, who casually strode into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. On his shoulder was Vestian, who glowered at the assembled nobles with barely contained hate. Like the sun-blades, Steel was dressed in full tactical armor. However, unlike his soldiers, he wore his officer’s cap instead of a helmet.
Highblood’s stomach dropped out of his body as General Sentry calmly looked round the room at the assembled nobles as if surveying pigs at a slaughterhouse. Moments later, his eyes came to rest on the duke.
“Duke Highblood,” General Sentry said in a calm yet menacing tone.
Duke Highblood’s heart jumped into his throat, but he kept his expression schooled. There was still a chance he could turn this around.
“General Sentry,” Highblood said, his voice feigning relief. “Thank Celestia you’re here. These sun-blades have just threatened myself and my fellow nobles with bodily harm. I demand you reprimand them at once and strip them of their ranks.”
A smirk worked its way onto General Sentry’s face as a condescending chuckle escaped his throat.
“Now why would I do something like that, Highblood?” General Sentry said evenly. “They’re following orders. My orders.”
“Your orders?” Highblood retorted as a gasp went up from around the room. “And what orders are those, Steel? Accost members of the ruling class?”
The smirk on General Sentry’s face grew wider.
“Isn’t it obvious, Highblood?” General Sentry said as he brought his right arm around his front and drew Bloodhound. At the sight, Highblood and every noble in the room took a cautious step away from the general. Legends told about how dangerous Steel’s favorite amp was, and they were not willing to find out if they were true. “I’m not sorry to say that the lot of you are under arrest for sedition against the crown, and high treason for manipulation of the phoenix-rite.”
Despite his fear, Highblood did his best to not show it.
“Arrest? Hah! That’s a good one, Steel,” Highblood said as he leaned forward and rested his palms on the table, ignoring the sun-blades training their weapons on him. “Look, you can drop the act now. We both know you’re not going to arrest any of us. We’re on the same side after all.”
Whatever response he had been expecting, it hadn’t been a single, deep harrumph.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong, dirt-eater,” General Sentry said. “I am here to arrest you. And I have been authorized to use lethal force if you do not cooperate.”
Highblood was dumbfounded. Had Steel just called him a dirt-eater? Him?
“How dare you call me that, Steel! My family has lived in Heliopolis since its founding! We have served this city faithfully for longer than even you’ve lived,” Highblood snarled, his indignation overcoming his fear. “And you dare to equate me with one of those animals that wallows in the mud outside Heliopolis’s walls?”
To Highblood’s surprise, General Sentry didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he raised Bloodhound and pointed the revolver directly at the duke's face, before thumbing the hammer back and placing his finger on the trigger.
“But you are a dirt-eater,” General Sentry said with barely contained contempt. “You’ve blasphemed against Celestia and defiled one of the most sacred traditions of Solaria. As far as I’m concerned, you deserve to eat dirt and drink dust, just like all traitors, cowards and heretics.”
Highblood felt the blood drain from his face and sweat begin to form on his brow.
“And as far as being ‘on the same side,’ you’re deluding yourself if you think that, dirt-eater,” General Sentry continued as he slowly uncocked Bloodhound’s hammer and lowered his arm, glaring straight into Duke Highblood’s eyes the entire time.
“What?” Highblood stammered as General Sentry continued to glare at him.
“If you think that I’d support what you’ve done, you are sorely mistaken,” General Sentry said calmly, his complete lack of emotion making him sound even more intimidating. “Your blasphemy is cause enough for me to shoot you where you stand, but that is only the start of your crimes. You and your pathetic little circle damaged Heliopolis’s reputation both domestically and abroad, and made the queen’s city look weak, fractured, and corrupt to not only our citizens and allies, but our enemies. Do you have any comprehension of the damage you’ve done?”
An angry hiss came from Vestian as he lowered his head threateningly, flames starting to lick across his body. Reaching up, Steel gently scratched Vestian’s chin. As he did, the flames died down, though the phoenix continued to glare fiery death at the duke.
“And, Highblood? If there’s one thing I hate more than heretics, it’s those who endanger Celestia and her city,” Steel said with a growl. “Be thankful Raven wants to make a public example out of only the people involved in your little act of blasphemy. If I’d had my way, I’d have arrested you and your families, then force every one of you to watch them be fed, one per day, to wild vethris before giving you lot to Queen Lumina to do with as she saw fit.”
Despite the mounting gravity of the situation, Highblood wasn’t willing to let it all come crashing down around him like this. He had one last, desperate card to play.
“You can’t do this! We’re nobility! We’re protected by the law! There are legal channels. Warrants. Trials,” Highblood protested as his heart rate spiked. “Even you are bound by the law, Steel.”
“I am indeed,” Steel said with a slow nod.
Highblood relaxed slightly, as did every other noble in the room.
“But what makes you think I don’t have a warrant? Or that your titles mean anything anymore?”
Highblood’s eyes went wide in horror as he processed what General Sentry had said.
“What!?” Highblood bellowed in horror. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“We presented evidence of your crimes to the Council of Light earlier today. Each and every one of you has been declared an enemy of the state and stripped of your ranks. All of the other members of your little conspiracy have already been arrested. I’m merely here to take the viper’s head.”
“You… how? How could you possibly have that kind of evidence so quickly?”
“Oh, don’t you worry your empty little head about that,” a strange, distorted voice from behind said.
Turning, Highblood saw another heat mirage in the air part and reveal a white-clad form wearing a sun-touched mask with a blazing eye glyph on its surface, and radiant, glowing wings. They were leaning casually against the back wall of the room, their arms crossed and their right foot resting on the wall. None of the sun-blades flinched at their sudden appearance.
“Ah, Dawn Wings,” Steel said as Vestian hissed at the newcomer. “I trust you have everything?”
“Of course. Who do you take me for?” Dawn Wings said as they held up a milky white crystal ball. “Everything’s been recorded. Boss lady’s really gonna enjoy this.”
“You… you… how in the name of Light did you get in here?!” Highblood shouted, his voice dripping with fear. “This room is warded!”
“You call those wards? I’ve walked through doors more secure than this place. And, in case you managed to form a coherent enough thought to wonder how I got here, I’ve been following you since you left the Cathedral of the Sun,” Dawn Wings said as they pushed themselves off the wall and dusted themselves off. Highblood could almost feel the smirk of whoever was behind that mask as they looked at him. “Yes. That means I’ve been in your house recording everything you’ve done. Every correspondence. Every meeting with your aides. Going through your papers when you slept. And all of it with the blessing of the queen.”
“But… what? How could you have moved so quickly?” Highblood asked, his voice quavering.
Dawn Wings threw back their head and laughed, the constant shifting and distortion of their voice making the sound alien and unnatural.
“Lady Inkwell has known what you were up to for months, you sack of moorgaunt shit,” Dawn Wings said, their voice full of amused contempt. “If you think that you had any chance of deceiving her, you’re more full of yourself than even I could have imagined.”
“Quite true. Now, if there’s nothing else,” Steel said before he abruptly began to perform a spell dance with his left arm, which ended as he thrust the limb forward and snapped his fingers. The moment the sound emanated from between his digits, arcs of green lightning erupted from the tips of his fingers and spread out to strike every one of the former nobles present.
As the bolt struck him, every nerve in Highblood’s body exploded with burning agony as the magical lightning coursed through him. Before he had a chance to scream, his muscles seized up and he went limp, collapsing to the ground like a marionette with its strings cut.
“Gather up that garbage and take it back to Chromos,” he heard General Sentry say emotionlessly.
Highblood tried to get his body to respond, but he couldn’t move a muscle as the soldiers began to haul off the paralyzed nobles.
“Thank you for your assistance, Dawn Wings,” General Sentry said as he walked towards the spymaster. “Perhaps we might work together again some day.”
“I wouldn’t count on it, Sentry,” Dawn Wings said as they crossed their arms and tilted their head to the left. “I’m here because Lady Inkwell asked. But, if in some odd coincidence your interests align with hers again, I’ll be there to keep you and your goons honest. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to deliver this lovely little thing to the boss lady. Bye bye, Highblood. I’d say it was nice knowing you, but that’d be a lie.”
And with that, Dawn Wings strode towards the exit and vanished into a heat ripple.
“I don’t understand why Raven puts up with their attitude,” General Sentry said with a shake of his head. “In any case…”
Highblood watched helplessly as General Sentry walked up to him and squatted down to look him directly in the eyes. The expression on the general’s face chilled Highblood to the bone: there was no anger, no disgust. Only apathetic loathing, as if Highblood was some sort of insect. After a moment, General Sentry pointed Bloodhound casually towards the former duke’s head, swinging the barrel back and forth for a few moments, before leaning down and whispering in Highblood’s ear.
“I just want you to know that I’m going to petition to personally handle your execution, Highblood. Were this just about your heresy and treason, I’d have made it quick in memory of our friendship. But… you made the mistake of involving Flash. So now? If I get my hands on you, I’ll make sure it takes you months to die, and that every moment will make you beg for your end to come.”
*****
The dull murmur of The Heart of Fire’s officers’ lounge tickled General Sentry’s ears like the buzz of a swarm of bees, but he easily tuned it out. Most days, he would join his fellow officers for drinks in the main lounge, or more rarely, head down to share meals with the enlisted sun-gazers under his command in the mess halls. But for times when he and Vestian wanted to be alone, he’d retreat to his personal lounge, which was located on the upper floor of the main lounge.
Now was one such time.
The room itself was sparsely yet comfortably furnished, and included only a modest bookshelf, a circle of four, hydra-leather lounge chairs, each with an attached golden perch meant for a phoenix. In the center of the circle was a small table for drinks or food made of lacquered ironwood. The wall opposite the sole door leading into the lounge was completely dominated by a large, single pane of enchanted glass that looked out over the main training grounds of The Heart of Fire, as well as the barracks where the rank and file members of his sun-blades resided.
But the most striking part of the window was what flanked it: a pair of columns made of cracked and weathered grey dolomite. Growing from within the cracks were numerous kaleath shrubs, their long, trailing stems covered in fuzzy, silver-green leaves and large, cup-shaped, bone-white flowers adding a touch of life to the otherwise spartan room. Despite the plant’s beauty, everyone other than Steel gave them a wide berth; their foliage was covered in sharp stinging hairs that carried a potent venom. One that, while not lethal, could reduce anyone foolish enough to touch the plant to a weeping ball of agony for hours.
Rumors had circulated for years about why he’d wanted to have his view occupied by the enlisted men under his command, rather than something more pleasing like a garden or fountain, but Steel had never deigned to give them an answer, only saying he had his reasons. Truthfully, it was a reminder of where he’d come from and his responsibility to the men and women under his command. It was also a not-so-subtle reminder to his soldiers that he could be watching at any time, and if he saw any failure in discipline or effort, he could easily bring the weight of his authority crashing down on them at any moment.
Crossing his right leg over his knee, Steel leaned back into his plush hydra-leather chair, reaching up with his right hand to scratch Vestian at the base of his head. Hearing the happy trill and feeling the contentment through their bond, Steel went back to reading the action reports submitted by the companies he’d dispatched to arrest the traitors.
Most of the arrests had been clean, with minimal casualties among their targets. One group had managed to resist, but they had been easily dispatched like the swine they were. He’d have to put that company through some more intensive training since they’d let their targets get the drop on them. A few extra laps and drills would help cement the need to not make amateurish mistakes, even when dealing with sun-gazers as soft and weak as the nobility.
Hearing a knock at the door to the lounge, Steel didn’t look up from the report he was reading, and automatically said “Enter.”
A few moments later, he heard the door open and the sound of light footsteps approached his chair.
“Your obsidian beetles, Lord Vestian. And your berent malt whisky with cherry cider, General Sentry,” the waiter said.
“Leave them on the table.”
The sound of the glass and serving vessels being set onto the table reached his ears moments later, followed by the retreating footsteps of the server, and the door to the lounge opening and shutting.
Extending two tendrils from his hair, Steel used the first to grab a flash-fried beetle and tossed it to Vestian, the phoenix snatching the snack out of the air with practiced ease. His other tendril grabbed the tumbler and brought it to his hand. He sipped the drink slowly, retracting his tendrils as he did.
As much as I hate to give that white-clad freak any credit, it looks like their intelligence was good, Vestian sent as he finished his first beetle.
I wouldn’t expect anything less from Dawn Wings, Steel sent back. Such a shame Raven won’t let us take advantage of their skills more often.
You don’t need to tell me. I still wish you’d gone after those bastards sooner. The thought of Highblood’s asshole son bonding with my little sister? A low, angry hiss came from Vestian as the phoenix’s hate flooded through their bond. I hope your petition to be the one to handle his death comes through. I want to heat the liquid in his eyes till they pop like overcooked lulli.
Steel grabbed another beetle with a tendril and tossed it to Vestian, the phoenix effortlessly catching it.
As much as I would love to give you that chance, old friend, Steel sent as he took another sip of his drink, savoring the sweet sourness of the cherry cider mixed in with the burning spiciness of the whisky. I suspect Raven may not be willing to leave his fate in our hands. Still, we might be able to get hold of a few of the heretics.
I’ll take what I can get, Vestian sent with a huff.
As will I, Steel sent with disdain. Hopefully Raven’s figured out who falsified Flash’s test results. I want my shot at them if I can’t have Highblood.
I like the sound of that. Doesn’t make how badly those idiots screwed things up any easier to stomach.
I know, Steel sent as he took another sip of his drink. The game’s just gotten a whole lot more complicated.
And the girl? If what we’ve learned about her is true, she could be an enormous asset to Heliopolis.
Steel considered it for a moment.
I don't think she’ll ever directly side with us. Even disregarding Raven already having her claws in her, she’s far too connected to those caitiffs out west to ever consider staying in Heliopolis. At best, she’s going to be another Roseluck: just one more obstacle anyone coming for the holy city has to cross. Shame too. I can only imagine what someone as archanically inclined as she is could do for Heliopolis’s arcane advancement.
There’s an ‘and’ to all of this, isn’t there? Vestian asked tersely.
There is. With Highblood and so many other nobles about to face consequences for their actions, there’s going to be a power vacuum. One that others are going to try exploiting, Steel sent before downing the last of his drink. That means instability in Heliopolis.
And instability can mean vulnerability, Vestian concluded.
And one thing that Heliopolis can’t be, is vulnerable, Steel sent as he reached up and scratched Vestian’s chin. If the girl were inclined to stay, she could fill the vacuum. But as it stands, we may have to gaslight the public into taking power away from the Council of Light and giving it back to us, Spitfire and Raven. This whole incident proves that Raven was wrong about the mortals governing themselves. They’re too shortsighted and too greedy to be allowed to have as much control as they’ve been given.
Before Vestian could reply, there was a knock at the door.
“What is it? I gave explicit orders that I’m not to be disturbed,” Steel barked, his voice resonating with authority.
“I’m sorry, General, but Lady Inkwell is here and she has requested to see you,” the voice of one of Steel’s colonels, a fire-caller named Blaze Artillery, said.
Think of the Moon and it rises into the sky, Vestian sent with an irritated huff.
It was going to happen sooner or later, Steel sent. Well, no point in putting this off.
“Let her through,” Steel said in the same authoritative tone.
Waiting a moment for Blaze to leave, Steel tapped a small rune engraved into the surface of the table, causing a small sphere of blue light to appear above the table’s surface.
“Bring me another berent malt whisky, and one sparkberry cognac,” Steel said into the sphere.
“Yes, General Sentry,” a voice replied through the light sphere.
What does she want now? Vestian grumbled.
Knowing her, to make sure we stay away from the girl at the very least, Steel sent as he rose from his seat and offered Vestian his arm. As the phoenix stepped onto the limb, Steel brought his partner to his right shoulder. Still, no point in turning down a chance to spar.
True, Vestian sent with a bit more excitement as he stepped onto the leather pauldron as Steel turned to face the lounge’s door and folded his hands behind his back.
Steel stood at attention for a couple of minutes before he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door. But not the soft clop of sun-blade standard issue boots or dress shoes. Rather, they were the sharp clack of high-heels moving at a steady yet clipped pace.
Moments later, the door swung open, and Raven strode in without fanfare, Dylis perched on her shoulder and giving both Steel and Vestian a wary, irritated look. Raven allowed the door to swing shut with a slight shove of her hand as she passed through, never once taking her eyes off her fellow phoenix-born. As Raven strode up to him, her expression unreadable and her gait giving no hint of vulnerability, Steel’s mind went into overdrive, trying to spot any opening or avenue of attack. But, as always, Raven presented an impenetrable barrier.
Were he not so well versed in maintaining his mask, Steel might have smiled as Raven approached.
She is magnificent, isn’t she? Steel sent as he admired Raven.
I’ve probably said it a million times over the centuries, but I question your taste, Steel.
Wouldn’t have it any other way, old friend.
A few moments later, Raven reached them and looked up to stare the general in the eyes. However, she did not speak as she glared at him.
“Bright day to you, Raven. What brings you to The Heart of Fire?” Steel said as he put a disarming smile on. It was a smile he used when he wanted to be charming. One practiced over centuries, and one he knew few people could resist.
It bounced right off Raven like a ball of wool bounces off a steel plate.
“Hello, Steel,” Raven said in a flat tone. “I’ve received Dawn Wings’ report regarding the arrest of Highblood and his conspirators.”
Steel knew the implication being left in the air: ‘Had the operation to bring in Highblood not gone off without a hitch, I would be coming for you because he and you were close.’
“I trust you’ve had time to have a few words with Highblood and the other former nobles in your care,” Steel said with a small smirk.
“I have,” Raven said levelly.
“That’s good to know,” Steel said. “Though, I doubt you’ve come all the way from Chromos to tell me that. Especially now that we have our newest ascendant in need of guidance.”
Raven’s response was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Enter,” Steel said, knowing who it would be.
As the door opened, a young sky-runner boy in a server’s uniform walked in carrying a tray with a tumbler of amber liquid, and one snifter with glowing red liquid.
“Your sparkberry cognac and your berent malt whisky, General Sentry,” he said.
“Thank you. The cognac’s for Lady Inkwell,” Steel said.
Without another word, the server approached Raven and held the tray out towards her with a bow of his head. Raven looked at it for a moment, then took the drink with an emotionless and flat “thank you.”
The server approached him next. As he did, Steel unlocked his hands from behind his back and retrieved the tumbler from the offered tray with his left hand. His task complete, the boy bowed to the both of them and left without a word. Drink now in hand, Steel gestured to the chairs with his free hand.
“Please, have a seat. I suspect we have much to discuss.”
Raven’s indifferent glare didn’t change as she took her eyes off Steel and regarded the chair he was offering her.
“I suppose it would be rude to decline your hospitality,” Raven said as she walked to the chair right of the one Steel had indicated and opposite the one where he’d been sitting, before offering her arm to Dylis and transferring him to the perch.
Returning to his own chair, Steel likewise offered Vestian his arm and transferred him to the perch before taking his seat.
“I’ll get right to the point, Steel,” Raven said, her voice taking on a rare edge as she swirled her drink. “I’ve interrogated Highblood and the rest of the leadership of this little coup.”
“I take it went well then?”
“It was edifying. And disappointing, in a way,” Raven said as her eyes narrowed. “I’ll admit, I’m pleasantly surprised to find that you had no hand in this whole debacle. At least no direct hand.”
“Do you have so little faith in me, Raven?” Steel said.
Raven didn’t respond immediately, instead taking a slow sip of the cognac.
“Frankly, yes,” Raven said coolly. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten how often you’ve tried things like this in the past.”
Steel closed his eyes and took a sip of his own drink.
“There are lines that I would never cross, Raven. You should know that by now. Political intrigue and campaigning for changes to the law are a far cry from dissidence,” Steel said solemnly. “I may attempt to steer things to ensure the safety and security of Heliopolis and Celestia, but I would never interfere with holy writ. It goes against everything I stand for.”
“Yet, the traitor dared to turn against Harmony’s edicts for her place in the order of things and caused the Splintering in the name of personal ambition,” Raven said coldly, the faintest edges of hate seeping into her voice.
Steel’s expression darkened. Even with as often as they’d clashed, Raven had never insulted him so openly by comparing him to the traitor.
“I am nothing like that embodiment of night and dreams,” Steel growled as he glared at Raven. “What I’ve done, I’ve done to ensure Queen Celestia’s safety. Even if you don’t agree with my methods, nothing will change that fact.”
“You say that, but anyone can fall from the path, even those who believe themselves righteous,” Raven said. “So, I will tell you this right now. You may have been innocent of any wrongdoing in this case, but as far as I’m concerned, that does not absolve you of what you’ve done in the past.”
“And what would that be, Raven? Protect Heliopolis? Ensure the city is strong?”
“Foment hate, Steel. Encourage the division of our people. And attempt to strip anyone who doesn’t live in Heliopolis of their dignity and identity as sun-gazers.”
“If they’re unwilling to stand in defense of Heliopolis or Solaria, then as far as I’m concerned, they aren’t,” Steel said as he leaned forward and gripped the arm of his chair with his free hand hard enough that the leather began to stretch and rip. “Or need I remind you what happened to all of the cowards who fled Heliopolis rather than stand and fight in the Blight War. Hydea’s monstrosities rounded them up and fed them to the Smooze, giving that abomination their memories and knowledge of how to breach our city. How many thousands died because you were willing to ‘give them the choice’ to leave?”
“And need I remind you that had we not let them leave, Heliopolis would have been consumed from within by fear and panic,” Raven countered with a pointed look. “Letting them go may have led to some of the rays being overrun, but if I hadn’t, you would have been forced to turn your attention away from holding back Hydea’s siege, and towards fighting both our own panicked populace and the Blighted. And if that had happened, all of Heliopolis would have fallen.”
“Which only proves my point. They put themselves before Queen Celestia. And anyone who can do that is no sun-gazer. Hydea. Grogar’s old general D’compose. The Storm King. All threats that we could have bested with fewer losses were it not for your willingness to show needless compassion for traitors and weaklings.”
Raven’s brow furrowed as she closed her eyes and frowned, before letting out an angry huff. “I’m not going to argue with you about this again, Steel. Right now, Solaria is about to go through a major upheaval, and we need to be unified. Can I count on you to give Sunset your support?”
“The girl was ordained by Lumina and Celestia’s edicts, Raven,” Steel said coldly. “Even if she wants to return to that mudhole she came from like Roseluck did rather than stay within the capital like she should won’t change that. So long as she doesn’t give me reason to consider her a threat to Solaria, I won’t act against or undermine her.”
“And the nobility that have been arrested?”
“They put themselves before Heliopolis and thought themselves above Queen Celestia’s law. They deserve nothing less than a traitor and heretic’s death.”
Raven took a long draw from her cognac, before fixing Steel with another glare.
“Just so long as we’re on the same page here,” Raven said, before her glare became even colder. “But, in light of that, I can’t help but wonder if you knew about this whole debacle, and didn’t see fit to inform me. One might get the idea that you wanted this little plan to succeed.”
Steel allowed himself to smile at that.
“I was indeed aware of what was going on,” Steel said as he swirled his tumbler’s contents. “But, as for not informing you… well, I had my reasons.”
“I trust they were good reasons, or I may have cause to include you as a co-conspirator.”
Steel was unphased by the threat.
“I suspected you were already aware of what was happening, so I didn’t see any need to involve myself. If anything, word might have gotten back to Highblood if I had. And anything that could have tipped that dirt-eater off was not acceptable. So I chose to stay silent, continue to maintain appearances with Highblood and his cronies, and waited for you to spring the inevitable trap.”
Raven narrowed her eyes menacingly. Steel had seen that look turn even the bravest of his soldiers into simpering cowards.
“That is a very flimsy excuse, Steel,” Raven said, her voice laced with enough ice to turn the season from summer to winter.
“And yet, you did not act immediately when you learned of it. I know how capable your pet spy is at their job, so if you were not acting openly, you clearly had your reasons. I simply decided to respect whatever your plan was and didn’t involve myself until you saw fit to involve me.”
“And if I hadn’t discovered what was going on?”
“One, Highblood was about as subtle as a crazed hydra, so that’s pretty much impossible. Second, if somehow you and the Eyes of the Sun had become so oblivious to the world around you didn’t figure that something was wrong, I would have stepped in, and used it as an opportunity to have you removed from your position for incompetence. Even if I don’t care for your policies, you’ve always been the bedrock upon which Solaria rests. If you’d become soft and weak, you’d need to be removed. Simple as that.”
Steel watched as Raven’s expression shifted into a dangerous, predatory smile.
“I see,” she said in a tone that would have sent any mortal present running for their lives. “Well, I’m glad your confidence in me has not been shaken.”
Steel returned her smile with one of his own.
“If anything, my esteem for you has only grown. Your execution of your plan was a masterstroke of cunning and deception, and proof that you are the one who still deserves to hold your position. If only you’d use that cunning more often, we could ensure that Heliopolis was the shining light of civilization and order that it could be.”
“At the cost of forever robbing our people of their agency. No, Steel, such weapons are only for use against those who cross certain lines,” Raven said as she rose to her feet and offered Dylis her arm, her glare pressing against Steel’s almost equally potent one. “I believe our business is concluded. Don’t bother getting up. I’ll see myself out.”
“As you wish, Raven,” Steel said as he downed the last of his whisky. “We must do this again sometime. It was quite enjoyable.”
Transferring Dylis to her shoulder, Raven began to walk towards the door.
Without looking back, Raven said, “We’ll see, Steel. We’ll see.”