Plot work: Into a new world
Spoiler Warning
Chapter:??? Somewhere in Arc 2. Ilgor's perspective.
"With companion by my side, a Mighty King with shield and fury. Let go of my hand as we walked into this new forest, the air different, strange. While the world felt familiar, the trees were still trees, the shaded canopies offering the same shelter did any. But, then too came the wolves. Out of the fog, out the smoke from fires they had set, different than the Clan I knew. Mighty king stepped away from me and allowed the wolves to circle, playing their games. Fear, nervousness, they asked their questions, looking for openings they could exploit. But, Mighty king kept the worse at bay with his presence. Giving me space to watch them move, to learn them, to see the games, reacting perfectly parrying each of their maws. Using their hunger against them. These wolves in the wood. Oh Great Mother, Grant me yet another day."
Gjorn had been preparing me for my debut to the Courts of Galus for weeks now. There were far more players than just the two I had interacted with, Merchants with bottomless reserves, Nobles that held larger armies than even the king, Mages and Casters of such renown that their names were common in every part of the world. Politicos that played with fire, War Hawks that clawed at any chance to shed some blood. He taught me their names, he taught me how to act around them, though he fully supported me injecting our culture into the court.
He told me that the biggest threats wouldn't dare exchange more than pleasantries with me while I was his vassal. The Clan formally absorbed into the Dwarven State as he put it, any threat made to me was made against the full might of the Dwarves. It offered an extreme amount of protection, though he warned me that it wouldn't stop them from trying everything to manipulate me. It also didn't help that the goblins were seen as "less than others".
"What do you mean that, I've heard the city talking about how they view us as murderers and thieves. We've had more than our fair share of hostility towards us." I said rubbing my temples as I paged through yet another book about the history of these humans.
"Outright hostility will not be tolerated inside Glaion's Pomerium, anyone that would physically hurt out will be immediately expelled from the city and all their assets seized by the state. They will not hurt you, not physically. But, their demeanor, the way they speak to you, they will try to hurt you. The Goblins history in Galus is long, and not a happy one. You must prepare yourself for quite a bit of prejudice. You must not hate them yet for it, the only thing the Pomps have ever heard about your kind is what you just described. Do you remember when we met?" Gjorn spoke though a cloud of smoke from his pipe.
"You were surprised I could speak common." I retorted back, feeling like I needed a stiff drink.
"Well, yes. But more to the fact that I was expecting something far less intelligent, to the Dwarves there is a another Goblin like people on the northern side of Mhuzelt, they are much more animalistic. We call them the Neckbreakers for, well it isn't relevant right now. But, the idea that even I was looking at you with a preconceived notion and I have seen many things in my life. I am not the ordinary, I am not the standard example, I am also not human." Turning to look me in the eyes, his voice filling the small newly built building.
"What makes you so different from other Dwarves like Halgier or Bjorn? I don't see anything different other than you dress and act like a Caster." I asked, setting my chin in hand.
He pondered for a while, I had already seen this a few times with him, he was thinking about his words carefully. He'd tell me the truth, but it always seemed like it was a like looking through a keyhole. "My voice is the same as yours, born from the same place. I have been places that no mortal should walk, met things I had no right to know. I have many of the same abilities as a Wayfare, without being one of them. I hold a very certain place in the political world that makes me quite well respected, even among enemies. But, it also makes me feared. While the other Kings like Halgier are respected in much more conventional senses."
"That doesn't say much, Gjorn. Why you specifically, why are you feared among the rest of the world, when the other Dwarves don't treat you any different than Halgier?" Probing his words would sometimes help get more out of him, but he was more well versed in this game than me.
"Because the Dwarves are Family, flaws and all." He grinned when he noticed that my earns twitched at the familiar terminology. "Besides that, back to the point. Me being there with you, the Dwarven State having absorbed your Clan into ours, means we now take all responsibility for the resent... situation. Starting a War is a more than in our purview. Your Clan would be eradicated if left alone in the borders of Galus, but to attack the Dwarven State would mean a War on multiple fronts." The memory faded as Gjorn blew out another puff of smoke.
I stood before the Gates of Glaion, a royal Procession at my back with Gjorn and Halgier at my sides. Gjorn wanted me between the two of them, gave off a certain implication that the Nobles wouldn't look past. We were led into the City that had been dolled up for the occasion, a grand ball being held inside the Palace. I was told by one of Gjorn's advisors that the city was given a day of rest without any real explanation. The King Lucas Berthelot, having announced a day of celebration in the addition to a new ally in our midst. He gave the entire city a full day's pay and enough food and drink to leave even the battle hardened hungover and happy for days.
"But, why?" I asked, felling the cool breeze brush against my legs in the dress the Dwarves had made for me. The thick copper fur wrapped around my shoulders only took so much of the bite away. It didn't stop me from humming a wind wall around me to keep me warm.
The advisor looked to his Kings, Halgier nodded to the man. Taking a deep breath before he started speaking again. "Because the King Lucas Berthelot hasn't told anyone who their new ally is. He is making good on his promise to you in the Outer Fields at the end of the attack. But, after the disaster of that assault on their part, they kept it very quiet with the heavy hand of man. Not even the Nobility know about this deal. As far as anyone is concerned at the moment, not one knows anything went wrong besides the Officers."
"I see, so is that why I am getting all these looks from the locals? I take it that the Pomerium and being with you two is keeping the humans in check?" I asked, wondering now just what I walking into. Being under the presumption that I would be walking into a dangerous situation, but not quite prepared for this to be walking into the wolves themselves.
"Yes, though all your work in the past few months to change public opinion has worked to some degree. So being escorted by the Dwarves only adds to your credence." Halgier said, smiling at me. A strange feeling filling my chest as he said it, walking with just a bit more pride.
The City was quiet, I was used to having to slink through the shadows, across rooftops and darting through alleyways. So to have the crowds split as we walked past, every eye on me. To have the Guard salute as we passed, the Chancellor whom I have pressed my saber against his throat led us through the streets. I think I understood now why the Dwarves spent a small fortune on this dress and get up for me. "I am the figurehead." I whispered.
"No, you are a symbol. A figurehead would imply no real power, but you are the High Priestess of your People, you are the light they follow. You are the one they will walk with into this new age." Gjorn said, setting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You are the newest political leader for a territory in the Dwarven State. A Territory we are proud to support."
Side eyeing him, I didn't see any lie in his eyes. "You show up one day, we dance and drink in the ruins of a city left behind. My people start a war, and you offer the protection of an entire kingdom. You barely know me or my culture, why?" Halgier quickly turned his head, setting his hand on my axe, the other fiddling with one of the chains around his neck. I could have sworn I saw his cheeks flush a bit, but it could have been the shifting amber light under these street lanterns too.
Gjorn surprised me with his words. "That Ghost that follows you." Whipping my head head back at him, an icy feeling filled my veins, how did he know? "I know far more about you than you think. I have my orders, and I will see no harm befall your Clan, especially you."
"Who orders king? How do you know about..." I started but was interrupted by the sound of horns being blown in fanfare as we walked through the marble arches of the Palace. It was like walking into a new world, the walls lined with fluttering banners of the Golden Winged Griffon, countless candles like the night sky laid on tables mounded with finery and foods that I had never dreamed of.
The smell of spices and perfume was almost overwhelming, I hadn't known such things could exist in this world. I had to remind myself, this is what I wanted for my people. To remember where we started and where we were going. The Chancellor beckoned us forward, "The Guests have been gathered in the main Throne Room, we will be announcing the Party there."
My heart jumped to my throat, nervousness doubling tenfold. The royal Procession moved forward as the Dwarven Guard fell in line with the Galacian Guard lining the walls. Leaving only the few Advisors and Generals to follow us to the great oaken doors. The sound of Halgier's and Gjorn's heavy boots filled my ears, as One of the attendants startled me as she slipped the fur off my shoulders, Gjorn slipping a diadem on my head that he had pulled form nowhere.
My heart refusing to slow as the servants and Gatekeepers began opening the door. Time seemed to slow as a voice filled my ears. "You are my Child, walk with pride. Walk with the confidence I gave to you all. Ilgor my sweet shadow touched child." I took a deep breath, hesitating just for a moment. Halgier gave my ass a quick slap snapping me completely back to my senses. With a grin I turned back to him.
"That worked a little better than I thought!" Halgier laughed as Gjorn shot daggers at him. I decided to have a bit of fun with my entrance. Silencing the room I was entering, so that only the click of my heels could be heard, a billow of conjured fog followed us into the room as every head turned toward us, then every eye settling on me.
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