Chương 1194: 1224 - Territorial Princess

The ethereal jellyfish slowly undulated over Westmount, closely watched not only by Leon's arks but also Red from her lair. Not that Leon thought it was up to anything nefarious, but it always paid to be cautious. The Princess herself had yet to make an appearance, leaving Leon some time to get her welcome ready—or rather, for his people to get her welcome ready as he remained with Archelaus, who'd taken quite the interest in this development.

"Does she come by often?" he asked Leon as they stared out the main window of one of his higher sitting rooms.

"Often enough," Leon replied.

"Part of the deal I worked out with her involved the sharing of some resources. She likes to pick them up in person." Archelaus chuckled.

"Ah, to be young. I envy you, young Leon, to have attracted the eye of one so venerable as the daughter of the Ocean King…" Without missing a beat, Leon responded, "I'm happily married and am not looking to expand my family in that way, thank you." A low, amused rumble resonated from Archelaus' throat, but Leon was thankful that he didn't press that particular matter. However, his next question certainly gave him pause.

"Might you facilitate a meeting between us?" Frowning slightly, Leon replied, "She doesn't meet with others that often. Though… she might give you some time if you're willing to wait a little while. I can't help but wonder why you want to, though…"

"Can you really think of no reason?"

"I can, but I'm less interested in speculation when I can just ask you directly."

"What a delightful attitude to have! I'll say this: your lands are not the only ones that border the King's Ocean. The Third Iron Order is stationed in Djoser's territory for a reason. The root of my question lies in the keeping of peace between us. Basileus Ramin might have more to say on the subject, but I have enough autonomy to act on my own."

"That's surprising. Is Basileus Ramin that indulgent?"

"Hardly. It is merely that corralling post-Apotheosis mages is always going to be difficult, no matter how much power one has. Khosrow's Law was meant to give law and order to mankind and the universe, but it is so often more a suggestion than immutable fact. I must give my Strategoi some degree of autonomy, just as Basileus Ramin must give me some autonomy of my own, and as Anax Alderion must give Basileus Ramin autonomy. I trust you understand this?" Leon nodded slowly.

"Letting people govern themselves is best, I've found. Some imposition is required to maintain peace, but too much invites resistance, and with resistance comes instability."

"Very true. Ah, it seems your newest visitor is ready to meet!" True to Archelaus' observation, the jellyfish's portal opened while they were speaking, and now a large group of Miuna's servants were escorting her palanquin down to Leon's most private courtyard. Leon noted that his wives, save for Maia, were already gathering there along with a detachment of female Tempest Knights and numerous female servants, ready to receive the Princess.

"We'll speak later, Despot."

"Please, just 'Archelaus.'""Then just 'Leon' for me." They exchanged a nod, and Leon left the man to his own devices. He paused for a long moment just outside the door to steel himself. Miuna was many things, and more often than Leon would've liked, 'exhausting' was one of them…

With Elise at his right and Cassandra and Valeria on his left, Leon waited for the Princess to land. Half a dozen of her attendants had already descended far enough to announce her, but it wasn't until the palanquin had reached the ground and fallen fully under Westmount's privacy enchantments that A'Rei, one of Miuna's highest-ranking attendants, went to pull back the nearly opaque silk-like curtains.

The reveal was almost ceremonial, but the effect was somewhat ruined when Miuna practically sprang from the palanquin like a spring-loaded toy. She landed in front of Leon with remarkable grace given the many layers of flowing robes she wore, and flashed an impish smile first at him and then to his wives.

"Hi!" she exclaimed, and Leon could practically hear A'Rei's teeth grinding as she moved to join her lady. Elise, however, didn't give the judgmental attendant any room to speak as she practically lunged forward and took Miuna's arm with a bright and cheery, "Heya!" Cassandra then took Miuna's other arm with a grin of her own, while Valeria took the opportunity to attach herself to Leon, drawing a muted glare from the visiting Princess.

"So wonderful to see you!" Cassandra exclaimed as she and Elise steered Miuna out of the courtyard and into the palace, Leon and Valeria following on their heels while all the others in the courtyard followed after.

"We must have missed you sending word ahead of your visit, but the surprise of your arrival almost makes up for it!" Elise added, her tone not letting any identifiable malice creep in.

"That's because I never sent word in the first place," Miuna smoothly replied as she used her greater power to assert herself more strongly in Elise and Cassandra's grip. In the space of a single pace, she became the one leading them rather than the other way around.

"The Belicenian Games begin soon, and we're going together, yes, but I was bored and wanted to show up a little early!" She cast a quick glance back at Leon as she said this before adding, "You also have a large, gorgeous … shipment of Titanstone ready for me, don't you?"

"It wasn't scheduled for pickup for another six months," Leon unhesitatingly replied with only a bit of a chiding tone.

"But if you want your cut early, that's fine with us, just so long as you know that it'll be a little less than usual."

"I don't care about that," the flighty Princess responded.

"I couldn't help but notice that your city is… loud today… Is there a celebration going on? Did you call for my arrival to be honored? If so, I—""No," Leon interjected.

"Remember when last we met and I told you of my plans?"

"Hmm? Oh, right, you were going to conquer some nowhere planes, weren't you?"

"Yes. That's over. My fleets are returning in a few days, and Artorion is readying herself to celebrate the return of her children, victorious and covered in glory. That is the noise you must have heard." Miuna clicked her tongue as they entered the opulent guest chambers that she so often used that it had practically become hers. Archelaus had been given chambers in the same area, though so far down the corridor as it curved around the southwestern peak that it was impossible to see with physical eyes.

"Disappointing," the Ocean Princess stated.

"I quite enjoy being honored." The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Don't we all?" Cassandra asked as A'Rei and a small host of Miuna's guards and attendants followed them in, all of them well-accustomed to Miuna's habits when in Westmount that they moved without words. Following their entrance, the doors were closed, leaving them in peace. Peace that Leon intended to shatter.

"You aren't our only visitor," Leon said as Miuna and Cassandra shared a mutual challenging smile.

"Despot Archelaus is here, too, and he expressed interest in meeting you." The Princess frowned in thought. She'd come to rest on a large recliner with Elise and Cassandra beside her, but one look at A'Rei had the exasperated-looking attendant pulling out some curtains from her soul realm.

"I must protest," she said.

"Meeting with any Storm Lord is—""It's my prerogative!" Miuna insisted.

"My father won't begrudge me anything, especially if this is only a meeting and not a negotiation!"

"Archelaus isn't one for much formality," Elise assured her.

"Most likely, he just wants to meet you and make that connection." The Princess hummed in thought as A'Rei started setting up an area she could wait in that would adequately obscure her from view. Then, her sharp amber eyes locked onto Leon.

"What does Archelaus want with you? Why is he here at all? Do you remember our deal?"

"He's not here to cut a deal," Leon replied.

"To be honest, I think he's just here because he's old and bored. He also expressed interest in helping me to meet the other Storm Lords while at the Belicenian Games." Miuna's fairly cheerful demeanor suddenly became much chillier.

"I will meet him," she declared.

"My Lady!" A'Rei again protested.

"Silence!" Miuna snapped.

"I will meet him." A moment of silence followed, which ended when Elise tentatively asked, "And… talk to him, right?"

"Talking may be involved, yes," Miuna answered.

"I get it!" Cassandra said with a teasing laugh.

"You're worried that we might steal Archelaus away from you! But don't worry, he's all yours!" The utterly unamused look Miuna gave Cassandra strangled the joke as soon as it was spoken, and Cassandra at least looked a little awkward.

"No need to be territorial," Valeria stated, drawing the Princess' glare and not flinching in the slightest.

"We are not yours. This place is in the Storm Lands. A Storm Lord on our border wanted to speak. We are not being stolen." Her grip on Leon's arm momentarily increased as she said 'we' in her closing sentence. Miuna didn't verbally respond, but instead glowered at the wall, and Leon thought he detected a whiff of killing intent in her aura. Still, he wasn't that worried about the meeting, and he disentangled himself from Valeria to fetch the Despot in question.

If anything, he was more worried about Miuna in that situation, and how the Ocean King might react to any violence breaking out between them…

"Are you ready?" Leon asked as they reached the doors to Miuna's guest chamber, the Princess' guards giving both of them a long, studying look that only grew more intense when they halted at the doors.

"I find that what people mean when they say 'ready' is rarely what I am," Archelaus responded.

"But I am calm, and I come with no pretensions. I've found that such approaches work best with those who are well-connected." Leon smirked.

"Good attitude to have." Archelaus nodded, and Leon pushed the door open and led Archelaus inside. The room was much as he'd left it, with Elise, Cassandra, and Valeria seated on one side of the room and Miuna kneeling behind her sheer curtains on the other. The Princess was but a shadow behind the curtain, and no sense, magical or mundane, could penetrate that barrier more than was allowed. Miuna was silent as they entered, and A'Rei stepped forward to introduce her. Archelaus, however, beat her to the punch.

"Ah, it is so nice to finally meet the Ocean King's favored daughter! I am Archelaus! What a pleasure!" A'Rei's glare could've cleaved a mountain in twain, but just as she looked about ready to tear into Archelaus, Miuna cut off her beleaguered aide.

"My name is Miuna, Despot Archelaus. Many are my titles, but you already know the most important one: daughter of the Ocean King, though I do not believe my father has favorites among his children…"

"Then he is a finer parent than most!" Archelaus exuberantly responded.

"He is beyond criticism in this regard," Miuna added.

"Now, Despot Archelaus—""Just my name is fine!"

"… Archelaus … I have granted your requested audience. What do you want?"

"I am a humble man with no great wants," Archelaus replied with such a smile and happy demeanor that Leon found himself impressed. If he was acting, then he was an enviable master of concealing his true thoughts.

"I merely wished to meet such an important figure as yourself, given my Despotate borders the King's Ocean! Our Lands have long been at peace, and for that, we have much to be grateful to each other for!"

"To be at peace with the Ocean King is the natural state of being," Miuna shot back, her tone neutral but coming with a slight biting undertone.

"Only the foolish break from the natural order."

"Of course, of course."

"If you'll allow me to be more specific, Archelaus…"

"I would never presume to prevent you, my dear." Miuna's next words came more stiffly, as if she were trying her hardest not to clench her jaw in irritation.

"Why are you here, of all places? Or do you not care for your Despotate?"

"My Despotate is run quite well and can do without me for long periods," Archelaus immediately replied, the smile on his face not faltering for a moment.

"As for meeting with my western neighbor… Does a man need a reason to visit a friend? Besides, with the Belicenian Games coming up, I'd hoped to help my friend Leon here meet some other Storm Lords—""Leon will be too busy for that, I'm afraid," Miuna interrupted.

"I have given him the privilege of my company, which is of infinitely more value than anyone else's. We will be attending the Belicenian Games together." Leon exchanged a look with his ladies. Elise looked ready to start laughing, Cassandra had a competitive grin that was surely foreshadowing some kind of challenge once Archelaus left, and Valeria had a carefully blank look on her face that Leon could see right through. He could practically hear her voice in his head, simply stating,'Bitch.'

"The Storm Lords are looking forward to meeting their fellow," Archelaus said, his demeanor rock solid.

"But if Leon wishes to remain with you for the duration of the Games, then who are we to get in the way of that? Your company, or that of the Storm Lords… I know which I'd pick were I young Leon's age." Leon smiled and clapped the man on the shoulder.

"I'm sensing a bit of hostility here," he said.

"Not from me!" Archelaus responded, and Miuna remained tellingly silent.

"Let us cut to the chase, then. Miuna, will you stand between me and my fellows?" Miuna's shadowed form finally shifted slightly, and with a reluctant tone, she responded, "No, but—""Good. Then why should we not meet up at the Games? Or why can we not travel there together with the Storm Lords? Surely we need not spend every moment on Belicenion in each other's company? And this way, you'll be able to rub shoulders with other Ocean Lords, will you not?"

"Leon," she said, a touch of warning entering her voice, "I have plans for these Games."

"We all plan on winning," Leon replied.

"I will afford you all the time I can, as my friend and ally."

"I had planned on traveling to Belicenion with you," she added. Just as Leon was about to open his mouth, Elise strode forward, took his arm, and asked, "As my husband said, we can all travel together, Princess. Or is that an issue?"

"I do not want to travel with those I am unfamiliar with," the Princess admitted. Leon was about to respond when Archelaus jumped back in.

"This is no great obstacle. How about we travel separately part of the way, and then meet up later? Say, at Khosrow's Fane? That way, Leon can meet with his fellow Storm Lords, and then travel the last leg of the journey with you? After all, some of the Storm Lords who wish to meet Leon are quite important, and denying them this opportunity would not be the wisest thing, even for anyone here…" Miuna silently contemplated this compromise, and in that silence, Leon asked, "Where is 'Khosrow's Fane'?"

"It's close to the Nexus, but deep into the base of the Great Strand of Lux," Archelaus explained. Leon frowned lightly as he conjured his knowledge of uranography. The Great Strand of Lux was one of the largest strands of planar clusters in the universe, starting close to the Nexus and stretching three-quarters of the way to the Elemental Planes. Millions of clusters and billions of planes made it up, but the one most relevant was Belicenion, which lay close to, but not quite at, the base of the strand.

With that in mind, he guessed that just getting to Khosrow's Fane would be several times the journey compared to the journey from Khosrow's Fane to Belicenion. He wondered if that was fair, but it seemed Miuna thought it was.

"… Fine. My Divine Father will be pleased to have me at his side for longer, then. We will meet at the Great Lord's Fane one month from the beginning of the Belicenion Games."

"That is more than reasonable," Archelaus happily agreed.

"What do you say to that, Leon?" He shrugged. If Archelaus wanted to introduce him to other Storm Lords, he was happy enough to be introduced. On the other hand, Miuna was also his most important ally, and he didn't want to do anything to seriously endanger that relationship. If she was fine with it, though, then he'd take the compromise.

"Then it's settled!" Archelaus said with a clap.

"Truly, great things can be done when we meet with open minds!"

"I tire of this, leave me for the day," Miuna demanded. Leon almost laughed, but after an exchanged look with Elise, he gently but firmly took hold of Archelaus and practically marched him out of the room, with his wives making up the rear. Once they were out, he sighed in muted relief. While he hadn't been nervous about the meeting, he was at least glad it was over. As the doors closed behind him, however, he found himself with one more question for Archelaus." What is 'Khosrow's Fane'?"