The New Capital: Veinse

[Zieg dil' Tulfried]

Zieg dil’ Tulfried stood atop a large grassy knoll in a region unknown to most to the southwest of Alerar. He looked down upon the vast sea of tents that sat at the mouth of an incredibly large cave. Behind the demon knight, ten platoons of the Demon Army, two-thousand men a piece, were going through training exercises under the supervision of Zieg’s two generals.

The past three weeks had been incredibly difficult for all of the Haidians. Once Zieg had made the decision to leave the caves and return to the surface, he had been faced with challenge after challenge. First was the route to take. He knew the portals were out of the question. Taking the entire demon population through Corone, or Raiaera, or Alerar would not be taken well. So, he decided that he could find a way up through the caves. He sent several scouts out to find a path to the surface and they hadn’t let him down.

Next he had to determine the best way to move everyone. He decided it would be best to go in shifts, each under the protection of a group of soldiers. Zieg, Kaza, and Xeppa had gone with the first group while Dera’losta’nofa took those from Vla’toros back to their homes to pack and gather things to help build the new nation. So the first came up and built tents with the materials at hand, a small village springing up just outside the cave. As the groups came up, the put up more tents and now roads were beginning to develop and the small village was becoming a town.

The final challenge was getting word to the various platoons of the Demon Army scattered around Haidia. He needed them to come aid the people of Haidia. He sent out scouts to find them, and he was beginning to see results. Slowly, the Demon Army was growing back to a respectable size. The loss of the troops in Vainta was a blow to the force, but Zieg hoped the around fifty thousand that should be remaining would be sufficient.

Voices behind the demon forced him to turn to see who was approaching. He saw the young king and his advisor as well as Kaza and Xeppa running up the hill. Zieg smiled at the fun the two children were having. “Enjoying yourself, your Majesty?” he asked.

“Yeah, but that’s not why I’m here. I was wondering what you had planned for the name of this new Haidia.” Aidos kar’ Atron asked. Zieg smiled and patted the small boy on the head. “Of course. I thought Haide ((Hayd)) would be a perfect name for it. A new Haidia.”

“I like it. That’s the name then. Gillaos, please spread the word to the people that this place is to be known as Haide.” The king looked over to his friend. “C’mon, Kaza. Let’s go play.” The two of them ran off, Xeppa and Gillaos close behind.

Zieg found himself with more problems than before. New towns had to be built, so he was sending out several groups, each accompanied by the Demon Army, to build them. He had one group heading west toward the sea to build the new capital. Zieg felt a seaport would be a valuable asset for the new region and decided it needed to be built as soon as possible. He also knew relations with Alerar would be important, so he had another group heading northeast toward Alerar to establish a border town. There was a third town he hoped to establish somewhere in the middle of the two towns for the Demon Army, with a final town growing up right inside the cave for the few people who were up to leaving Haidia.

The demon knight had a broad goal of making Haide more diverse, so he sent bulletins out requesting aid from anyone that wanted to help. He hoped this new region would be more willing to accept others if they helped build the town around them.

There was one last problem Zieg had. There were rumors that Deimis had made their way up to these plains with everyone else. He knew they would try to establish their own base here. He had no way of stopping them though, there were too many other things he had to worry about. The High General simply had to hope that things would work out.

((The New Capital: Veinse
This quest is the most important of the five. Veinse will be developed on the coast of the Tular Plains, far to the west. You are in charge of beginning the building of the new castle as well as the entire city.

NPC: King Aidos kar' Atron, the 8 year old king of Haide, and his advisor, Gillaos Vern.

Lead: Molotov
Chidori Draconid
Cyrus the Virus))

[Molotov]

Molotov normally would have ignored a missive from nobility, but the mutant had a special place in his heart for Haidia. He had been there at the fall of Vainta, and now the idea that he had been given the opportunity to help build the new capital felt like a chance at redemption. Molotov looked over the invitation he had received, and while it looked particularly formal and bureaucratic there were noticeable personal touches. It seemed that Aidos remembered Molotov not as the man who had failed to save Vainta, but instead as the man who had come to the rescue of him against a vampiric dragon. That was something that Molotov was grateful for.

Thus, the mutant had come to Haidia with plans; plans that he had appropriated from Jamison Academy, but plans none the less. More importantly, Molotov had his wits about him. His was not merely an intellect that had received the benefit of Althanas’ finest schools, but one that had been sharpened on the streets. There was enough brilliance left in the mutant for the spectacular, but never concerns for the flights of fancy that most theorists were bound to take.

Still, Molotov was humble about what he could offer Aidos. The mutant knew a limited amount about economic planning, other than it was in the benefit of this new state to grow the goods that they needed to survive. He knew that food would be essential, and that in the short run the economics would determine the international relations. Any plans for war or conquest would best be held in abeyance.

“That’s gonna be the bloody toughest challenge,” Molotov figured. “Keeping these sods from wanting to spend all their time licking their wounds.” This meant that it was unlikely that many demons would be particularly eager to create the peace that they needed to survive. The first fear Molotov had was that all the resources in the Tular Plains would go to fighting a war beneath the surface in an unending pyrrhic attempt to regain Vainta. Molotov thought this would be the biggest waste of demon energy. Granted, he didn’t have the same knowledge of Haidian history as most of the Demon Army generals undoubtedly did, but he knew well enough when it was time to leave well enough alone. However, the more Molotov thought it, he thought this fear might be unsubstantiated. Any demons that had wanted to recover Vainta were still likely below ground fighting, not joining this new state building exercise.

Second, and perhaps a bit more disturbing, was the chance of interstate war. Though the history was ancient, Molotov knew well what had happened the last time the demons had come up to the surface. Now, the mutant feared that bitter demons might take out their disappointment on the world above plains, be it in an attack against any of the countries of Tesserar. Even more likely was that Raiaera or Alerar would seek a preemptive strike. Still, Molotov wasn’t too worried about that. The high general Zeig dil’Tulfried was surprisingly pragmatic for a military man, and Raiaera and Alerar were too caught up in their own rivalry to worry about anyone else.

It was the third danger Molotov thought would be the gravest. Aidos was but a child, and no matter how precocious the eight year old was, he was an eight year old to the demons. Molotov didn’t doubt for a minute that many of the demons were probably wondering if they would have been more successful against the dwarves had Rakthean still been in charge. This was very dangerous. The new state in the Tular Plains would be formed at the brink of civil war. Aidos would have to be a particularly adept statesman. The boy couldn’t afford to let any one get too far or close from him, and while he tried to build an economy would have to block the rise of any potential rivals.

This job would not be easy for the child. The only person that Aidos could afford to trust would be himself. “And me,” Molotov thought. “He probably thinks it now, but he’s going to find it out for sure. Aidos will be able to trust me… if for no other reason than he’ll have no one else.”

Perhaps the bitterest thing for Molotov was the thought that it would be he who would have to instill some of this skepticism into the boy. The mutant didn’t doubt that Aidos’ coronation had hardened the boy to some extent, but that would only be the beginning. “Poor kid,” Molotov thought. “He’s bloody going to be thrown back to wolves all again…”

The moment Molotov appeared in Aidos’ court, he knew this to be the case. Dire circumstances had caused a mere canvas tent to suffice as a child’s palace. None the less, the place was full of merchants, viziers and generals, all of whom were talking to each other, none of whom spoke in more than an audible whisper. What was perhaps most galling to the mutant was the fact that none of them even looked each other in the eyes.

“Bloody hell…” the mutant thought. “This kid got thrown into the sodding snake pit already!” Molotov had helped that there might be some semblance of loyalty to the king, but it seemed like that Aidos’ very court had become the Tular Plains’ new centre of revolution. Someone was going to have to act fast, make sure that each one of these spineless courtesans knew that Aidos was not just a hopeless little boy.

Thus, as Molotov approached the throne, he showed absolutely no signs of a smile and pulled his sunglasses off his face. He cleared his throat to gain the room’s attention and then walked slowly towards the throne, his eyes fixed coldly on each and every one of the potential rivals to Aidos’ throne. Finally, as he stood by the boy, Molotov realized that no one had been concerned about patting him down for weapons. “It’s bloody worse than I thought,” Molotov realized. “He needs a whole bloody army behind him at this point.”

He was just one man, but Molotov knew that he could be more than that when necessary. With that, he dropped his weapons and kneeled. “I am but your servant,” Molotov declared humbly. “I pledge my sword to the service of Haidia and its king…”

Aidos smiled, a smile that showed embarrassed relief. Molotov smiled too. “Good,” the mutant thought. “He knows that the rest of these people are a bunch of buggers…”

With that Molotov got up and took an intentional position that kept him between Aidos and the rest of the court. “I suggest the rest of you pledge your loyalty to Aidos as well,” he said. “If you don’t, you stand against both your King and the rightful champion of the Gisela Open…”

There was no one in the tent that cared to contradict Molotov and point out that the official record listed him as second place.

[Cyrus the virus]

It was nice to finally have some measure of fame.

Nice, but Luc couldn't fathom what recent event had pushed him from a topic of discussion in an overcrowded tavern to what this letter proclaimed him as. His eyes were locked on the sheet of crude paper, dancing over the words that requested aid from him, referring to the mage as a 'wizard of great talent' and 'a weaver of the most elaborate magics Althanas has known'.

But even he could not let such a blatant attempt at flattery sway him. The sender of the letter, one Aidos, made it clear that he wanted to gather a few mages to aid in the crafting of a new town on the surface. The idea was intriguing, but the place in question was Haidia, home to the demons and to the Deimis, one of the crueler and more conniving organizations in the world. So many untruths could be behind this invitation, and the obvious attempt to flatter him seemed to lend credibility to that.

He looked up. The upstairs room of Radasanth's Inn seemed too familiar to him, almost grey in the sense that it was too recognizable and without surprise. The mage had lived in this Inn for years now, not bothering to buy a home or try and settle down. Evidenced by this letter, people even knew to send his mail to this Inn. That simply wasn't right.

"I've never been to Haidia," he said to himself, folding the letter absent-mindedly as he looked blankly into the distance. "And now it's moving to the surface."

This was his chance to make some kind of mark on the world, helping to build a new land with his magic. He wasn't sure just how he could accomplish that, but with his diverse skills, just about anything was possible.

Even if it was some kind of trap, or something meant to lure him into a chore he was not interested in doing, he could always get away. Windwalk was useful for more than just transporting himself from city to city, after all, and he was very aware of that.

And if it was a true invitation to build a city in the new Haidia, the land would bear a likeness to him that Luc could hold dear in his heart. This was what he should be doing with his magic. After that, who knew? One thing was for sure, the mage was all too comfortable in Radasanth. It was time to move on.

Thankfully, with no luggage to pack and no valuables to bring, it was a simple matter of strapping his sword to his belt and enacting his Windwalk spell, turning his physical body into a presence of wind that could move of its own will. Luc didn't know where Haidia was, or this new place where it was moving to, but there were directions in the letter that gave him a good place to begin searching. Moving as wind would make the hunt much easier.

The window flew open as he pushed through it, soaring high into the air at a much faster pace than his usual flight would allow. Radasanth shrunk smaller and smaller as he rose through the air.

If he had known what he was about to experience, Luc would have never considered leaving.

[Chidori Draconid]

“Absolutely not!”

“No way!”

“Not a chance in Hell.”

“Like a snowball’s chance in Hell.”

“Aint gonna happen.”

“No sir!”

Chidori Draconid and Avakra Ambul stood united in front of an informal committee of Gods and Goddesses objecting to their proposal. It was no surprise that Chidori would object to going to the Tular Plains to help the Demon king establish a government in exile. Otherwise his guardian Nu Gua would not have summoned all these immortal entities to come here and try to convince him. This invitation was no doubt related to his latest efforts in Alerar where he helped forward the production of many important new inventions, designed a powerful new airship, and planted the seed for a new social movement in the Dark Elf nation. It was a significant success in the eyes of many, but for Chidori it wasn’t necessarily so. It was disappointing to the young deity that the Dark Elves were just as ignorant as any other sentient being on Althanas. He also felt like a traitor, learning magic from Istien University in Raiaera, and then helping Alerar by greatly improving an already powerful weapon. Worst of all, he was away from Avakra for so long, and he had only been back for a few days.

“This is something you have a proficiency in, Chidori.” Nu Gua handed him the scroll invitation to assist in the affairs of the new Haidia. The sapphire jewel that was her third eye glistened on her forehead as a smile appeared on her face. “And believe it or not, no one in this room has spoken to anyone in the outside world about your civil affairs in Alerar.”

“Bad choice of words, affairs.” Avakra said as she tensed up and squeezed Chidori’s arm. The young deity could see his mother staring down his dearest from across the large mahogany table. Astri, the Nymph of The Sky made her frustration with the girl known as her grey eyes seemed to ignite like supernovas. Chidori did not have to be psychic like his dearest to know what his mother was thinking. She was suspicious of Avakra assuming that she had a hand in Chidori’s decision not to assist with the reformation of Haidia. Avakra promptly addressed her suspicions, looking straight across the table at Chidori’s Goddess mother, a bold nuance of gesture. “For the record I would be behind him even if he chose to go. I’m just enthusiastic that he chose not to.”

Astri did not respond, at least not verbally.

“Trust me when I say I have no qualms against the Demon kingdom, and if this were three weeks into the future I would go.” Chidori said in an apologetic tone to all the great entities across the table from him. “I’m just tired right now.”

Draco, God of Dragons and Chidori’s father, began to chuckle. He had been leaning on Astri’s chair with his massive muscular arms crossed. Until now he had been silent. At first Chidori thought that he was laughing at his son’s frailty, but he was quickly corrected. “That I can honestly understand. You have been through more in your few months on Althanas than I had been through in a year. We are all proud of you, but we ask only of this one more endeavor.”

It warmed Chidori’s heart to know that he had done something at a more advanced degree than his father. Until now he had been worried that he hadn’t been living up to Draco’s standards. The young deity was almost inspired enough to accept the mission, but no. It wasn’t enough.

“King Aidos is a mere eight years of age, Chidori. He could use all the assistance he can get.” the God of Farming Bhumiya said as he fiddled with the lotus pinned on his white desert rose.

Naturally his twin, Embilulu, God of Fertility felt inclined to chime in. What use was a set of twin Gods without unity. “You would be doing yourself more of a favor than us or even Haidia. You will be one step closer to becoming a God.”

The young deity rolled his eyes. “Like I told you in the midst of Survani in Fallien I wouldn’t be missing one step out off a thousand. I’ll probably make up for it next week.” There was also another concern about his providence, one that he would never bring up to the other Gods. Avakra was not given a path to becoming a Goddess despite divine origins. He wasn’t going to leave her behind. If that meant a mortal life then so be it.

“Transforming you won’t be necessary this time around since the king is attempting to reach out to different peoples of the world.” Loki said with a grin. He had turned Chidori into a Dark Elf for his mission in Ettermire. Otherwise no one would have taken him seriously, and he would not have been able to make the impact he made on the nation. Everyone probably thought that the young deity disliked being a Dark Elf, but it had grown on him. He would actually like it if he were turned into a Demon, but he wasn’t about to give them hope in convincing him to go. Leaving Avakra only a few days after returning wasn’t an option in his opinion.

Draco, Bhumiya, Embilulu, Nu Gua, and Loki all began to go into desperation attempting to convince him. His ears rang with statements of negotiation. They were like unsuccessful merchants in the Bazaar of Radasanth. The same undertone of frustration could be heard. Everyone chimed in except Chidori’s mother. She was sitting silently in her chair with her arms half crossed as she examined her nails. What was going on in her head right now?

Just then Astri looked back up, “What if you could take Avakra with you?”

That was what he was waiting to hear although Chidori was still reluctant. Avakra had been probing into his arranged marriage lately, and she wasn’t going to stop in the company of others. Her inquiries often stirred an irritable mood in Chidori, and he wasn’t going to hold his mood in the company of others. He’d much rather deal with it in the privacy of Nu Gua’s estate. Nevertheless he would be with her, and for now that’s all that mattered.

Chidori looked at his love awaiting an answer. She looked back with a smile and said “To the ends of Althanas.”

Astri lazily motioned for the two of them to turn around. When they did they were not looking upon the white walls of Nu Gua’s Ethiopia Estate. Instead they were looking upon a bustling campsite. Demons of all kinds walked past them as they stood up and scanned their surroundings. The large table of Gods was no longer present. Only the ends of the campsite and a vast emerald ocean of grass waving in the wind lay in that direction.

“It would’ve been nice to be able to pack a few things. Especially since I’m in my night…” Avakra looked down and stood corrected. Not only had Chidori’s mother immediately transported them to the Tular Plains in the blink of an eye, she had clothed them properly as well. Chidori stood in his black ambiance while Avakra stood in her blue ambiance. Astri even remembered to equip Chidori with his trusty sword cane.

Up ahead was an open tent larger than the rest, and where a large number of people gathered. They were all kneeling on the ground, bowing to someone perhaps. Chidori decided not to enter until they all got up. He wasn’t going to bow to anyone, but he didn’t want to make a scene either.

[Molotov]

Most everyone seemed to listen to Molotov. There were a few people who were more prideful and refused, though most of them were subtle about it. Instead of staying in the room while the others had bowed, they attempted to slink out the back unseen. It was a foolish gesture on their part, but a good one for Molotov. It meant that even though King Aidos’ name may have suffered a bit for the fall of Vainta, but it seemed that Molotov’s name had not particularly suffered. The mutant was known in Haidia not just for his exploits as in the Gisela Open, but by rocking Hrenta Nodos with such an incredible spree of murders that even the Deimis had thought to appease him.

“This is what’s left of their civilization,” the mutant observed. “Stupid sods respect a cold blooded murderer more than their own king…” He suppressed a sigh. Now was not the time or the place for any more depressing thoughts. By his actions, Molotov had managed to become King Aidos’ strength. The transfer would not come without a heavy price to him though. Molotov had just assumed King Aidos’ risks.

Had it been a different place, Molotov would have lit a cigarette right then and there. He needed to calm himself down. Pledging his loyalty to Aidos had been an impulsive decision, a natural reaction when he saw the way that the King was being treated within his own court. Now, Molotov was going to have to figure out what came next. He was certain that Aidos would not suggest anything, for it seemed that the doting young king had essentially surrendered all autonomy over to the mutant. It was a pressure Molotov hadn’t been prepared for. He knew Aidos was going to have to rely on him, but not nearly this much.

“Well then,” he said. “Have the tent sealed within five minutes. Have it made known that everyone who is loyal to the King will be within the tent by that time. Should they fail, they will lose both the trust of Aidos and myself. Then, we will discuss and present plans on how to build a new city, form groups led by supervisors appointed by Aidos, and then go on from there.” Molotov paused for a moment. “Any questions?”

There were none. Molotov smiled. “Well then,” he said, pointing to a pair of portly older demons in the back of the room. “Go and make the message known.”

The two demons looked at each other in shock. They were both wealthy merchants who weren’t used to being demanded upon. They looked at each other, as if they were both wondering whether or not it would behoove them to offer any kind of a complaint. Molotov smiled. That had been exactly his intention. The old order would not be able to stand, especially after what Molotov had just seen. There would be some people who could stay, those that possessed the dual gifts of competence and loyalty, but the rest would have to be moved away from the King’s inner circle. Right now, Molotov was trying to wean the old guard away from their sense of entitlement so that when newer, hungrier Haidians received their positions there would be no quarrels among the older generation.

Eventually the two merchants went off to obey Molotov’s orders. The mutant didn’t doubt that they would only relay his message to a group of soldiers, but at the very least, they knew now that their place was below him; despite the fact that he was nothing more than an outsider and former criminal.

Interesting days were in store for the Haidians. Molotov couldn’t help but feel a bit excited. Whatever was about to happen, he was going to be there to watch.

[Cyrus the virus]

Kazh Vikoz, an orc of great stature and decent reputation, struggled as he stifled himself. The nerve of this mohawked human drove his patience to its limit. The furry, clawed paw of the pig-faced warrior was itching to snatch his club and use it to pummel the man into a bloody pulp, but regardless of his feelings, Haidia's demons were in a state of turmoil. The need to limit that chaos kept him in check. However violent and impatient the orc was, the well being of his homeland was more important than keeping some fool human in place.

"Who is this ugly beast?" Asked he in the gutteral, watery tone of the goblinoid language. He tried to keep his voice low as he spoke to his friend, Axar Bane, who was standing next to him.

Axar was an orc as well, but one who looked tiny next to Kazh. Grey fur surrounded his tusked face, wrists and waist, and shoulder pads with long fangs of some beast reaching up to frame his head. A two-handed hammer dangled across his back, a deadly pair of spikes on the face of the blunt striking end.

"Molotov," he answered simply. Both of them were watching the human closely, beady black eyes scrutinizing his every move and word.

Kazh grunted. "Him? He must be stronger than he looks. Why are we accepting human help anyway? We have fended for ourselves for our entire lives!"

The orc was beginning to speak too loudly, so Axar fixed him with a strong stare. The two were on equal terms when it came to influence, but over the years Kazh had accepted the fact that he often let his emotions get ahold of him, while Axar was much more composed. For an orc, the hammer-wielding Axar was remarkably relaxed and focused on politics. He understood the importance of having Molotov here. Whether he himself was anxious to follow Aidos, Axar wasn't quite sure.

All the same, he agreed with the sentiment Kazh expressed. "Our independence can be lost to these humans. Did you know Aidos is trying to recruit humans from other lands to come help us?"

The bigger orc clenched his teeth, his two bottom tusks staying on the outside of his mouth as he kept himself from roaring. Asking for help was embarassing, but pleading with the outside world to come to Haidia's aid was even worse. Truly, Kazh never wanted to lash out and throttle the poor boy more than he did right now. However, with so many others nearby, it was a foolish idea.

Axar watched on as Kazh struggled to refrain himself. "I agree," the smaller orc said.

**

Above the sunlit plains lurked a windformed Luc. Though he had no visible eyes, he was able to percieve the land below. Tents were set up across the fields, as if splattered by the painter of the plains' canvas, and hundreds of forms moved about them. Work had not quite begun yet, but from this distance Luc could see that the letter was genuine. These were the demons of Haidia, though above ground, and the mage came to the conclusion that they were beginning a new society here.

It was intriguing, but rather confusing as well.

A bit of exploration led him to what he believed to be the tent of the leader. The wind floated down and spun, weaving from nothingness a human form, and Luc was whole again at the side of the tent. Luckily, it seemed noone had noticed his appearance. Explaining the way Windwalk worked was always a tiresome chore.

The mage entered the tent and took in the scent of demons, though he hid his initial disgust rather well. The tent was dimly lit and somewhat dirty, and a dozen demon heads turned to look at him as he blocked the doorway's light.

Something occured to him then. What if none of them spoke his language? There was a human man here, someone who looked vaguely familiar, but besides that, he might have been struck mute here. The momentary pause made him feel awkward, especially since he was being observed, but Luc quickly recovered.

"I am Luc Kraus. I recieved a letter from a man named Aidos requesting my aid. Where can I find him?"

[Chidori Draconid]

The divine couple closed in on the tent as demons drifted away. They came in all shapes and sizes. They were just as diverse as humans. Chidori liked that, but he only hopped that their diversity and individual niceties would not tear them apart as it did for humans.

“Your mother hates me…” Avakra said with an unusually casual and positive tone. Sarcasm was a new tactic to come from her. That wasn’t the only thing that surprised Chidori. All along he had been anticipating a probing question about his estranged wife. Instead here was a comment, a pretty obvious one at that, about his mother.

“My mother doesn’t hate you.” Chidori said with a chuckle. He wasn’t going to lie to her though. She’d catch him. “I’ll admit that she doesn’t like you though.”

“There are only three stances one takes towards another, admiration, disdain, and apathy. Yes they have different extremities and extents, but that’s the basic gist of it. You have already admitted that she doesn’t like me, and she’s certainly too involved to be apathetic. Therefore, she must hate me.”

Chidori grabbed her hand and stopped just before they entered the tent. He made sure to smile contently so those outside hearing range would not probe. “You can’t do this now, Avakra. My wife, my mother, my secrets. All of this is of legitimate concern, but we cannot present a divided front in the presence of our allies and enemies.”

Avakra tilted her head. Her bright amber eyes became narrow with confusion. “Why would we have enemies here?”

“They don’t have to wield blades or deadly magic to threaten us. We’re going to face a much deadlier enemy here.” The young deity said with a smile as he held his hand in the air. A few seconds later the thick heavy cloth of the tent fell upon them. The king’s court was closing the tent for a private audience. “We need a united front just like the one wee presented against my parents and their friends.”

“Well if we can do it with Gods and Goddesses, we can do it with demons and kings.” Avakra smiled.

Chidori followed her into the tent. Those remaining inside the tent were few, but he cared less about anyone around him. He was searching for a young demon below him in hight and above him in status. The king was easy to find because he was the only child in the room surrounded by men how stood at guard. One in particular stood with an impressive stature, like the alpha male of a pride of lions, looking over his lionesses and one particular cub. He even had a mane of his own. Chidori stepped forward not focusing on the alpha male, but on the cub, the true king of this jungle.

“Good afternoon, King. My name is Chidori Draconid and this is Avakra Ambul. We’re here to consult and assist in the rebuilding of the Demon civilization.” The young deity revealed the scroll invitation and awaited an answer.

[Molotov]

Molotov didn’t care much for all these other strangers that came baring summons. The fact was that he didn’t know any of them, and trust was something that he couldn’t afford to offer much of. At least the demons were predictable, but these people were complete free radicals that he didn’t understand. However, before he could have said anything about how their help was no longer needed, King Aidos acknowledged the presence both of Luc Kraus and Chidori Draconid.

“I’m sure my advisor Molotov welcomes you both,” the young king concluded.

Molotov suppressed a scowl. “I suppose you’re all bloody interested to help,” he said. It was a general comment, not directed at anyone in the room, but Molotov’s eyes were fixed both on Luc and Chidori. The mutant knew he was going to have to test their loyalties as soon as possible. They would need to be put in charge of tasks, and then Molotov would evaluate them on how well they did.

Aidos spoke, interrupting Molotov. “My advisor now will be deciding who will lead which commissions, after which you will make your own teams,” Aidos spoke. “It would be my preference that demons worked with outsiders, because we need to be unified here.”

Instead of being angered by the interruption, a genuine smile appeared on Molotov’s face. “Good for you king, ‘bout time you grew a spine around here!” the mutant thought. He looked over towards Luc Kraus. He knew of the geomancer by reputation and he generally liked what he heard. Luc was capable, but not so powerful that his power represented a threat. Plus, Luc didn’t particularly come off as the kind of person to be seeking power. “Luc Kraus, I would like it if you were to lead up our social engineering project,” Molotov said. “There are too many blokes out there with still nothing more than a tent, if what Aidos is telling me is true. I want you to work on our basics, security, but most importantly food, water and shelter. Get as much of it as you can quick, but also plan for the immediate future. We still have no knowledge of what kind of wankers are really out here in these plains…”

His first assignment given, Molotov went down a list, picking primarily outworlders and lower ranked demons as the mission leaders. All this was done intentionally, so that the former order in Haidia was put to rest for good. The mutant knew it was risky, but he felt that it was better that he take the blame for this than Aidos. Later, the king would reappoint those of high stature deserving of their positions, making the young monarch seem quite reasonable in comparison.

Finally, Molotov was left with what he considered the most insignificant job of them all. That was intentional, for he had named all his leaders except for the one he trusted the least. The mutant had seen Chidori Draconid, he knew that this stranger had refused to enter while the others had bowed their allegiance. “If he isn’t planning rebellion, he’s either very proud or very stupid,” Molotov figured. It would only be safe to keep him on a mission that would be more dangerous than the others. The mutant had also intentionally named this leader last, just so that all but the most treacherous and unworthy courtesans would be left to make up this team.

“Chidori Draconid, you are to investigate the area for indigenous people,” Molotov said. “Do not enter any treaties, but make known we come in peace. King Aidos awaits your report.”

Molotov smiled, but it was intentionally insincere. He wanted to let Chidori know just how little he thought of him by assigning him this mission.

[Cyrus the virus]

The mage was thankful to see that communication was easy. Aidos was the youngest of the demons present, a surprising discovery, but he spoke the common tongue rather well. Luc's vibrant green eyes looked slowly among those present, taking in the expressions, the physical movements of everyone around him. He had the impression that the demons were in disarray, which made sense considering the transition they were going through. It was a dangerous atmosphere to be in.

Taking orders from a mohawked man like Molotov did not sit well with him, either. The man didn't look like someone who could order him to do things. He was Aidos' go-to man, that much had been made known, but Luc still didn't like it. Something about the way the man spoke to him, even though it was in a respectful manner, made the mage wary. The name was familiar, though he could not remember where from. Luc didn't often pay attention to names that weren't his own, a fault which often hindered him.

All the same, he responded with a slight nod and set his hand to the hilt of his sword, merely for comfort purposes. He looked around the room once again. "Who will come with me?" he asked. A pair of orcs across the room looked to each other, then snorted in response. That was all he needed to know.

The three left the tent and passed by rows of campfires. It was not particularly cool, still early in the day, though Luc supposed after being underground for their entire lives, the demons found the wind difficult to bear.

"Have your people explored the land beyond this area?" Luc asked of the two orcs who followed him, though he did not look back at them as he spoke.

"No," Axar answered. Kazh replied as well, in the same manner. Each of them sounded gruff, which was typical for orcs, but they lacked any enthusiasm whatsoever in their voices, something Luc thought somewhat strange. They were making a new home on the surface after all. He simply couldn't comprehend the attachment they had to Haidia.

"Well, we'll have to start looking, then. Find some allies to bring along. If we find food, we'll need as much help as possible to bring some back. The more arms, the better."

With that, Luc simply floated into the sky, the eyes of the orcs following him upward as their jaws went downward. "He is a shaman," Kazh suggested in the goblinoid language.

"No, not a human shaman. A wizard or a conjurer, something like that," Axar said, not bothering to try and hide his shock. It was not what he expected Luc to be capable of. "He could be useful."

"Or an obstacle," Kazh countered, though of course Axar was aware of it. "I hate obstacles."

Luc paid no mind to the eyes that followed him, for enough people had taken notice of his flight that the novelty had worn off. It had been years since he'd learned to use the wind to push himself into the sky, after all. The mage reached a reasonable height, searched the horizon, and spotted what looked like a body of water in the far distance. Hopefully, the area near it was habitable.

He dropped to the ground, landing gently on his toes. The two orcs were looking at him, and had a dozen others with them now. It seemed they liked to stick to their own people. Luc wondered how the new society could exist if the races did not work together, but didn't bother himself over it.

"There is water to the north. We will head there to check if it is drinkable, and if the land there is fertile."

"All water is drinkable!" Bellowed one of the orcs in back. A pair of short axes dangled from his belt. He was silenced as an elbow hit his ribs.

Luc looked them over, checking to see if the others would object. None of them looked too happy, but none of them spoke up either. With that, he turned and began to walk.

[Chidori Draconid]

Chidori nodded at the man’s request. A tiny feminine chuckle arose from Chidori’s side. Avakra knew something, but the young deity didn’t have to be psychic like her to know what it was. “I know he hates me.”

“Oh don’t be so hard on yourself, Chidori. He just doesn’t trust you, and he values you less than anyone here, so he’ll throw you to the sharks to see if you’ll survive… We should have bowed.”

“Did you get all that from listening to his thoughts because I got all of that by observation alone.” Chidori was just being an ass now. They both knew the only reason he was so insightful was because of Avakra’s tutelage in body language. She was right though. They should have bowed, but it would be useless to bow now. In fact it would have been detrimental to bow now because they would have looked like cowards desperately seeking to make up for their folly.

“I wasn’t listening.” Avakra said with slight disdain.

“Well we’re going to need you to utilize your talents to make this mission work.” Chidori then grabbed Avakra’s hand and kissed it. He was a strategist in love and war alike. This gesture was an advance notice. Despite all that was likely to happen, all the treachery and betrayal within a struggling nation and their being involved in its most rotten affairs, he was still there. Avakra rested her head on his shoulder. She got the message, but it wouldn’t hurt for him to solidify the state of things. “I’m glad I have you here with me, Avakra Ambul.”

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt your little moment, so feel free to inform me when you’re done making offspring.” A deep masculine voice with a demon accent came from behind them. The both of them couldn’t help but laugh at the comment. The first time they spent the night together they actually did inadvertently create offspring, a divine plant that nearly sparked a war of Gods and men. They turned around to see a red skinned demon with a cold counterfeit smile on his face. He was Chidori’s height, but clearly much stronger as his muscles stretched his brown tunic out. Chidori may not have bowed but this was the one not to be trusted. It was obvious that he had no respect for authority. The man with the mohawk designated him to be the leader of his group and yet this demon refused to acknowledge such.

“Your name, volunteer?” Chidori said with a smile.

“Xuil Rama’theed, merchant of ninety seven years. How about your name, Human?”

The polite smile suddenly left the young deity’s face, “For you? Boss is my name, and I’ll have you know that I’m a God. If I declare it, it will happen so don’t incur my wrath.” He rarely ever stated that he was a God seeing as he could not prove it, but it was more so a figure of speech at the moment for relation purposes. The comment eliminated the fake smile from Xuil’s face as well. Avakra discretely squeezed Chidori’s arm which was a sign. She was listening to auditory thoughts now, and she had just heard something bad. That much was to be expected. Two more demons stepped forward, a male and a female.

“Val’itros Kane, merchant of ninety years.” The female said.

“Mazi Xech, mercenary of thirty two years.” The male said.

None of these people so far were useful to him. All merchants and mercenaries, and it was beginning to frustrate the young deity. He wasn’t the only one.

“Wait! No more volunteers for the moment.” Avakra said as she put the three volunteers in a frame between her fingers. “Exactly what good will the three of you be on a mission of diplomacy?”

It took a brief second for someone to respond, which told the divine couple quite a bit. They were all fishing for the right answer.

“Skills in negotiation and foreign relation are critical for a successful business.”

“And if any of these people are malevolent you’ll need a warrior to asses the threat.”

Avakra rolled her eyes for all to see before she turned to the rest of the tent.
”Excuse me!” She said in a raised in clearly frustrated voice. “Is there anyone here who will actually prove to be of some use in negotiating with the indigenous peoples of this region?”

The entire tent fell silent in shock…

“…No one?”

Just then a short demon with a shy face stepped up. “Rae Til’Xamores, merchant of two years.”

“Wha!”

“However, I have been investigating the whereabouts of the indigenous tribes of the Tular Plains, and I have some information that is certain to be of use to you. I only ask that I be in the expedition team.”

“You’re in, Rae.” Chidori said with a smile. “What do you have for us?”

“So far I only have information on the most dominant tribe, the nomadic Zuni Kachina.”

“Zuni Kachina! The Spirit People?” Chidori said with wide eyes. He remembered seeing them at the same celebration he first met Avakra at. “They wear masks, right?” They all froze and looked at Chidori in surprise, including Avakra. She must not have seen them.

“Correct,” Rae said in a mildly confused tone. “Their population is unknown, but I believe it is no more than a few thousand. The lions of this region have gone extinct because the Zuni Kachina have filled their ecological niche hunting the same wild game. Judging from the climate and migratory patterns of their gazelle and buffalo, we are likely to find them not far south of here, where the grass becomes gold and tall.”

“They seem like a fairly simple people.” Val’itros said with a shrug, “If they are the most dominant then this may be a task done with ease.”

“Don’t ever assume that, now let’s get going.” Chidori said as he turned to Avakra and lowered his voice. “If they’re worthy of attending a Goddess’s party then there must be more to them.”