Warsinger James Baldwin (read this if TXT) 📖

as you can, help us get as strong as we can, and you let us fight for you. The only thing that's as dangerous as a Starborn is another Starborn.”

“She makes a strong point,” Rutha piped up. “In fact, when I discovered that the Starborn were returning to Artana, Warden Scandiva had me-”

“No. Absolutely unacceptable.” The Dakhari shook his head, settling back into his seat. “The people of Dakhdir learned their lesson with Sachara the Demon Queen. Starborn bring nothing but mayhem, magic and misery. Perhaps Vlachia feels comfortable enough to have your kind in his government, seeing you as some sort of guardian angel who will protect his nation and his line, but that is not our experience. Even now, self-proclaimed Starborn are trying to overthrow our divinely appointed Sultir.”

This caused a mutter to circulate around the room, and even Ignas looked worried. I glanced at Suri in exasperation, and saw my feelings mirrored in her expression. We instinctively knew the same thing, but how the hell were we supposed to tell them? NPCs had come a long way since vintage games like Skyrim, or even more modern VR-RPGs, like LILIUM, but to people like Baldr - and me, if I was going to be honest - they were nothing more or less than a challenge to be overcome on the path to end-game. Baldr had decided to play out his Hitler fantasy on hard mode, but the game would still reward him with loot, power, and EXP for every step he accomplished from this point on. In the end, he was more likely to win than not. If he lost, he'd rally up and try again. And again. And again. The only solution was all-out, no-holds-barred PvP.

“Ladies, gentlemen... I believe this concludes the argument of our meeting today,” Ignas said. “From here, we ought to take a vote on our next moves. Vlachia votes with Revala: that we declare sanctions against Ilia by all Alliance states, and in addition, seek to prevent non-Alliance shipments from reaching Ilia by any means possible. Assuming the Lord Dragozin is correct, we buy no mana from Ilian sources. Even if it does not stop Hyland, it will slow him down and give us time to prepare a military response: and the sooner we act in self-defense, the better.”

“Dakhdir votes yes on sanctions, but abstains on military commitment until we have consulted with our liege,” the Dakhari emissary said sourly. “As the representative of His Eminence Yazid Khememmu the Fifth, I can assure you we will abide by the Alliance majority.”

“Ilia is a major trading partner of ours, and Kybos stands between our armies and those of Ilia. Jeun abstains until we have discussed these measures with the Emperor and his Imperial Council,” Ambassador Moon picked up the round-robin as the vote went around the room. “We will decide on our terms and negotiate the specifics after due consideration and more research into the situation.”

Ignas’ eyes narrowed shrewdly.

“Gilheim votes yes on both measures,” Rupert the Religious grunted.

Eevi lifted a slim hand, glancing pointedly at the representatives of Dakhdir and Jeun. “Revala votes yes on all measures, but on the understanding that if Ilia threatens my borders before our plans are legislated, that the Alliance will mobilize to defend its members and can guarantee a military contribution regardless of Ilia's economic value.”

Moon bowed from the waist. “Of course, your Majesty. In the event of aggressive actions against your borders, we shall honor the terms of our Alliance without question.”

The other, smaller nations cast their votes, and by the end, six of the seven countries had voted in favor of Ignas' plan. I trusted the Volod - if I was trying to fight a global campaign, he'd be one of the NPCs I'd be most worried about going up against - but I was still uneasy.

Ignas struck his gavel down, and slid out from behind the bench. “Then the meeting is adjourned. I would invite you all to mingle and refresh yourselves in our grand ballroom for the rest of the afternoon. It seems we have a lot yet to discuss, as nations and as individuals.”

Chapter 14

“Fucking hell, this is ridiculous.” Suri fumed as we lurked in a corner of the ballroom, trying - and failing - to avoid drawing attention. “I've got all those papers we pulled out of the Warden’s Quarters, you've got shit to do, and we're standing around here like a couple of loons, drinking champagne and trying not to look at anyone.”

“Can't say I'm a fan.” I drank about half a flute of champagne in a single swallow. It tasted great going down, but it sat in my stomach like a lead brick. I was starting to think alcohol didn’t agree with the quasi-undead. “Did you hear what she said about Baldr’s plans?”

“About him trying to do all this to destroy the Drachan?” Suri gave me a puzzled look. “Why’s that bothering you most out of everything?”

“Because that’s what I’m trying to do. When we met Matir at the Dragon Gate, he offered me a quest to try and repair the Caul,” I said quietly. “And I turned him down. I told him it wouldn’t work, that we had to try and unite Archemi to deal with the Drachan once and for all. He bought it and reissued the quest. I accepted it just before I left for Dakhdir.”

“He was probably lying to her, you know,” Suri replied softly. “To Rutha, that is.”

“Yeah.” That worried me, too. Baldr was a great big hulk of a man who preferred to fight with sword and board, but behind his bland Superman-esque exterior was an unfortunately sharp and calculating mind. Like me, he had real-world warfighting experience and was thoroughly desensitized to violence. Unlike me, he’d wanted to be there – he’d enjoyed it.

Suri eyed the room. “How long do we have to stay here, do you reckon?”

“We just have to make it until Ignas leaves, though. Then we can make a