bookpower Chapter 181- The First of Many
Chapter 181- The First of Many
Chapter 181- The First of Many
[Keeno POV]
Turned out most of the things provided to us in that room had some form of poison or aphrodisiac which made me glad I had that medicine from Ama.
“Ya know, Margaret, it just struck me how, with Ama being a kitsune goddess, it could be seen as sacrilege to treat kitsune like they do here.” (Keeno)
“I think most of the nobles are treating it as a form of worship in some twisted way.” (Margaret)
“I can sort of see that, but with me in the picture now, I say it’s sacrilege.” (Keeno)
{Ooo! Start a holy war!}
“Hehehe.” (Keeno)
“Please don’t.” (Margaret)
“Boo!” (Keeno)
{Boo!}
“Don’t boo me.” (Margaret)
Margaret, Ama, and I continued to lightly banter when two people I was slightly annoyed with spoke up.
“Master, we have returned from exploring this weird tree.” (Geri)
“It’s quite fun. It has a lot of different energies, and it feels full of life, which is odd considering who you are, Master.” (Freki)
“That’s nice and all, you two, but we need to have a chat.” (Keeno)
“Geri...” (Freki)
“I’m scared too, Freki.” (Geri)
“Next time you two have to relieve yourselves, make sure your connection with me is severed so I don’t have to hear you playing with yourselves for a week! Do you know how annoying it is to hear constant moans and other sounds day in and day out!? If it happens again, I’m going to break your hands one bone at a time.” (Keeno)
““Yes Master. It won’t happen again.””
“Good. Now get out here, I have another mission for you.” (Keeno)
The Rune tattoos on my arms glowed and the two hellhounds jumped out, kneeling.
“Gather up some Death Spirits and hide in my shadow. We are going to a ball soon and there are going to be several people marked for death. I want them followed for now and only killed when I give the order.” (Keeno)
““Understood.””
They sank into the shadows and their presence vanished.
“Thank you for not ordering a slaughter immediately.” (Margaret)
“Mm. With my improved declaration earlier, I want to mess with them a bit.” (Keeno)
“Heh. It’s going to be entertaining watching them fall all over themselves while trying not to offend you.” (Margaret)
“Indeed. Though I would like to meet the one that tried to hit us with aphrodisiac in the room. They’ll get special attention.” (Keeno)
“I won’t stop that one, they deserve it.” (Margaret)
A few more hours passed before a knock sounded on the door. After acknowledging the knocker, the door opened to reveal the noble that officiated the meeting earlier whose name I forgot.
“My ladies, the ball is beginning soon, and it would be I, Lord Ign Orant’s, pleasure to escort you to the venue.” (Ign)
I could see in his eyes that he was shocked at the smell in the room, and I could see the cold sweat breaking out all over his face.
“Pardon me, but by chance do the two of you feel alright?” (Ign)
“I feel a bit peckish, but other than that I am fine. What if you, Lady Nearl?” (Keeno)
“I am perfectly fine. A bit tired of this sweet-smelling room, but that’s about it.” (Margaret)
Though I assume he thought otherwise, the clear expression of disbelieving relief on his face made it clear he was not the one behind this room’s amenities. We stood up and exited the room before the noble turned and, with a bow, led the way to the ball. It was a very short walk before a set of, honestly, beautifully sculpted stone doors. The noble pushed them open and a sight I never expected to see in the middle of a desert appeared.
The thing that fist drew my eyes was a massive fountain burbling with clear water, statues of kitsune holding overflowing bowls with water flowing down the curvaceous bodies and onto stone carved trees which spread the water further until it finally landed in the bottom of the fountain which was made of a lapis lazuli basic. From the fountain several lines of palm trees spread in each direction. It was the most Life I had seen since arriving in Lokir. Seeing the sight, I got a fun idea.
‘Huginn, Muninn, operation dramatic entrance.’ (Keeno)
As we walked down the row of palm trees to the fountain, I heard the low drum of music and the chattering of people. Just as we were about to enter the plaza, two shadows flew down from the night sky and landed on the palm trees. They both opened their four wings and let out a ghostly caw that echoed around the plaza and seemed to rattle the soul. All present looked at the trees where the two ravens sat and I alone walked between them. The flapped elegantly down from the trees and allowed me to pet their heads.
“I apologize for disturbing the festivities, but my little friends here love making an entrance.” (Keeno)
The silence following my words lasted for several moments before slow, uneasy claps followed. I played it off like I didn’t realize the strange mood and continued to walk toward the fountain. As my steps echoed through the plaza with nothing but the burbling of the fountain to contest them the claps slowly fading out and the music of the performers beginning again. I glanced at my two feathered friends, and they flew away into the night sky, which drastically improved the mood around us.
‘Note for future me, Huginn and Muninn seem to have an aura that makes people uneasy.’ (Keeno)
“Hmph. To think such a thing would happen only hours after my warning. Should I take this as the stance of the rest of you?” (Okami)
No one moved.
“Answer me!” (Okami)
The anger in her voice and the temperature around her increased. Which knocked several people into action, me being chief among them. I quickly knelt before her with my head bowed.
“No, your highness, that is not the stance the country of Lokir takes. We wish to keep friendly relations with you and deeply apologize for the behavior of our own. Though we cannot offer you his head as you’ve already taken it, we shall offer all of this one’s assets to you in reparations.” (Sif)
“Hmm. Very well, I’ll accept your words, Madam Sif, but know that you are the only reason I accept. I won’t harm one of my own unless absolutely necessary, and as you are the only one so far, I’ve seen with no ulterior motive, so that gives me reason to trust your words. BUT there won’t be a second time. Margaret, let’s go, I’ve grown tired of this.” (Okami)
Sweeping her tails as she turned, she rubbed her hands through the hair that was cut as we all stared at the body of the idiot who almost ruined a chance at removing the ever-burning flames and the salvation of my people. As soon as they were completely gone from the venue most everyone had snapped out of the shock.
“Good Lord Ign, please remove this trash from here then we must convene a second meeting to discuss our future steps.” (Sif)
“I agree, Madam Sif. Everyone! The ball is over, as Madam Sif had said, we must hold an emergency meeting, so please reconvene in the meeting hall!” (Ign)
Everyone began to move toward other doors than the ones that the Princess entered and exited through while Lord Ign examined the corpse.
“Madam Sif, thank you for your courage in this moment of plight. If not for your quick thinking, then I fear we could have lost a most valuable asset.” (Ign)
“Mm. I will not be present in this meeting. I must retire for the night after this experience, but please send a scribe’s report to me. Also, I suggest heeding her warnings, her magic, from what we saw earlier is one thing, but that sword she wielded, I’m assuming her Soul Weapon, filled me with a dread I’ve never felt before. Like I was staring Death itself in the face.” (Sif)
“Mmm. I will take your words into account.” (Ign)
As I turned to leave, I saw Lord Ign take the lock of hair out of the dead man’s hand and stash it away in his own pocket. I couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh.
‘This fool is no different.’ (Sif)
I pulled my attendant along and we met up with my bodyguard in the hall before leaving to my carriage. I told my bodyguard what had transpired, and she pulled me close and snuggled me to calm me down. My attendant also snuggled closer and placed her fluffy tail in my lap for me to hug.
“I love you both so much, I don’t deserve you.” (Sif)
“It’s us who should be saying that. If not for you, who knows what we’d be like or who’s whims we’d be under. I prefer you and your love over pretty much everything.” (Bodyguard)
“I agree. I’d much prefer being with you for all time than anything else in the world.” (Attendant)
“Hehehe. Looks like you two want some spoiling tonight.” (Sif)
““We should be the ones spoiling you.””
Before I could reply, the two kissed my cheeks. Unbeknownst to us, two wrathful goddesses were planning the obliteration of most of the nobles in this country with a fury as hot as the two suns.
Chaos Realm:
Luna: Let me at em!
...
Luna: Payto!
I’m tempted.
Luna: Eh!?
*Before Payto opens a portal for Luna he is hit in the head by a rock with a note tied to it*
Note: Payto, I’m monitoring you from here, don’t you dare do it. I know how you all feel cause even I’m mad, but I don’t think letting Luna loose will end well. And you still need to keep the pretense of impartiality. -Order
Tch.
*Payto gets hit with another rock*
Note: Don’t you ‘tch’ me.
Yes Order. Please come home, I miss all of you.
*A feather drops into Payto’s lap*
Note: We’re almost done. After the wedding we can be together again, so just be a little more patient.
Astraea’s Addition: Don’t worry Papa, we’ll be home soon!
Nykuro’s Addition: And I’ll allow you to pat my head if you can wait a bit more.
Swii’s Addition: *sends pats through the note in form of emoticon*
Luna: ...So no rampage?
No.
Luna: Awww.