The chamber hummed with nervous energy, a dozen conversations overlapping like waves breaking against stone. Zeke arrived precisely fifteen minutes before the appointed hour—neither fashionably late nor desperately early.
Half the Lords had already gathered, clustered in their usual factions like iron filings around magnets. The pro-Empire contingent huddled near the eastern alcove, their voices pitched low but urgent. The neutrals occupied the center, as always, while his nominal allies from the anti-Empire faction held court near the great windows overlooking the city.
Zeke chose a seat apart from them all, settling into the same chair he'd claimed last time, close to the spot he had been standing during his hearing. The irony wasn't lost on him—a few months ago, he'd stood before this very council as a petitioner. Now he sat among them as an equal.
Or so they pretended.
[Notice]
Shall I compile the profiles, Host?
"Do it," he murmured under his breath.
Instantly, translucent screens materialized beside each Lord's head, visible only to him. Akasha's work was, as always, meticulous. Names, trade volumes, political alignments, personal weaknesses—all catalogued with brutal efficiency.
Lord Vantine:
Anti-Empire faction. Primary trade in rare metals. Gambling debts of 47,000 gold crowns, carefully hidden. Susceptible to bribes involving his daughter's magical education.
Lord Thorne:
Anti-Empire faction. Textiles and dyes. Unmarried. Three illegitimate children. Maintains correspondence with Alliance merchants that borders on breaking neutrality.
Lord Harwick:
Neutral. Newly appointed. Grain stocks. Ambitious but naive. Sister married to minor Imperial nobility—potential leverage point.
"—complete annihilation, from what I heard," Lord Vantine was saying, his usually composed face animated with something between excitement and horror. "Ten thousand elven warriors, gone in minutes. Minutes!"
The profile beside his head updated: Received information through a cousin in the Alliance military. Likely accurate within a 15% margin.
"The numbers grow with each telling," Lord Thorne replied dryly, though even she couldn't hide the tension in her shoulders. "First it was five, then seven, now ten. By tomorrow, someone will claim it was the entire elven race."
"Does the number matter?" This from Lord Harwick, one of the newer appointments. "An Exarch was deployed in open warfare. The precedent alone—"
"Will drive up prices across the board," Lord Varnes interrupted, rubbing his hands together. "Uncertainty breeds opportunity, gentlemen. While others panic, we position ourselves."
Lord Varnes:
Pro-Empire. Food trade monopolist. Currently shorting grain stocks while publicly maintaining optimism. Estimated profit if war escalates: 2.3 million gold.
Zeke watched them with carefully concealed disbelief. Here they sat, discussing the shattering of continental order as if it were merely another market fluctuation. No fear in their eyes, no true comprehension of what had been unleashed.
They reminded him of sheep debating wool prices while wolves circled the pen.
"Lord von Hohenheim." The voice belonged to Matthian Allard, approaching with measured steps. "I trust your new responsibilities haven't proven too burdensome?"
Lord Allard:
Neutral faction leader. Shipping and transport. Considering shifting alliance based on profit projections.
"Manageable," Zeke replied, not bothering to rise. The slight was calculated—just enough to establish boundaries without causing offense. "Though I suspect tonight's agenda will test us all."
Matthian's eyes sharpened. Unlike the others, he seemed to at least recognize the gravity of their situation. "Indeed. When the Speaker calls an emergency session with such haste, one must wonder what fires need dousing."
"…Or what infernos are about to be lit," Zeke murmured.
Before Matthian could respond, the great doors swung open. The Speaker entered, but it wasn't his entry alone that drew everyone's attention. It was his reverent bow that stole every breath from the room.
The high seat had been prepared. Black velvet curtains had been drawn across the throne's alcove, thin enough to reveal a silhouette but thick enough to preserve mystery. The shadow behind that veil could have been anyone, but they all knew who it was.
King Midas had come.
Conversations died mid-syllable. Lords scrambled to their seats with undignified haste. Even Zeke straightened slightly, though he kept his expression neutral. The screens beside each Lord's head flickered and vanished. Akasha knew when absolute attention was required.
A voice emerged from behind the veil, soft enough to demand attention, clear enough to cut steel.
"My apologies for the delay," the King began. "I preferred to wait until all the dice had landed before gathering you here."
An interesting choice of words. Zeke filed it away, sensing layers of meaning beneath the casual metaphor.
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"By now, you've all heard whispers of what transpired three days past in the Great Forest. Allow me to separate truth from speculation." Though they couldn't see his face, the King's presence filled the room completely. "An Imperial force invaded Rukia. When elven reinforcements moved to intercept, they were met by a single individual: an Exarch of Wind. The entire elven force was destroyed. There were fewer than two thousand survivors from a host of ten thousand."
So the rumors had been accurate, at least in scope. Zeke watched his fellow Lords process this confirmation. Some paled, finally grasping the implications. Others—too many others—still wore expressions of calculated greed.
"This action," the shadow continued, "represents the first deployment of Exarch-level power in warfare since the signing of the Accord of Limitation over two centuries ago."
Lord Fies's empty chair seemed to loom large in the corner of everyone's vision. The man who'd challenged Sheol's endorsement had learned the hard way that some powers transcended merchant politics. Now the Empire had thrown one such power onto a battlefield.
"The elves have demanded satisfaction," the King said. "They claim the Empire has violated the fundamental principles that maintain continental stability. The Empire, in turn, has asked for a chance to explain their actions."
A clever ploy, Zeke admitted grudgingly, though not wholly unexpected. This was the kind of legal maneuvering Augustus Geistreich excelled at. Follow the letter of the law while gutting its spirit.
"Other powers have taken notice," the veiled figure continued. "The Alliance, the Dwarven Holds, even certain... interested parties from the Deadlands have expressed concern about this precedent."
The Deadlands. Zeke's hand tightened imperceptibly on his armrest.
"Therefore," the King said, his voice taking on the weight of pronouncement, "a disciplinary hearing has been called. Representatives from across the continent will gather to debate this matter and determine whether the Empire's actions constitute a violation worthy of collective response."
The silence stretched until Lord Harwick, younger and less wise to the King's ways, dared to ask, "Where will this hearing be held? Surely neutral ground must be—"
"Here."
The single word fell like a hammer blow.
"The hearing will convene in Tradespire in a month's time," the shadow elaborated, though his tone suggested the matter was already decided. "What other place could guarantee true neutrality? Where else could the greatest powers of our age gather without fear of ambush or betrayal?"
Zeke's mind raced through the implications. Tradespire, flooded with representatives from every major power. Exarchs, possibly. Certainly high-level Mages and diplomats. The security concerns alone would be staggering. The opportunities...
"The following have confirmed attendance," the veiled King continued. "From the Alliance: the Storm Exarch of Korrovan, the Blood Exarch of Valor, the Light Exarch of Equinox, and Marshal Aurelia Thorsten of Invocatia."
Each name landed like a stone in still water, sending ripples through the assembly. These weren't just powerful individuals: they were forces of nature, legends given flesh.
"From the Empire: Otto Geistreich will lead their delegation, accompanied by the four Elders and the newly appointed Azra von Hohenheim."
Zeke's jaw tightened at the last name. The pretender who dared claim his name. Their meeting would be... interesting.
"The elves will send an Exarch, though they haven't specified which. The dwarves likewise. And from the Deadlands..." the shadow paused, seeming to savor the moment, "...the King of the Dead will attend personally."
This time, even the greediest merchants couldn't maintain their composure. Chairs creaked as Lords shifted uneasily. Someone dropped a goblet, the crash of metal on stone sharp in the silence.
Three of the continental powers were sending their strongest. It would be the greatest gathering of magical might in living memory.
"As hosts," the King said, his tone shifting to something almost conversational, "Tradespire must remain absolutely neutral. Any Lord who compromises that neutrality—through word, deed, or association—will face immediate expulsion from this council."
A heavy silence lingered for a moment before the king continued.
"Now then, to the matter of preparations. You each have roles to play." The shadow shifted slightly behind the veil. "Lord Thorne, you'll coordinate with the city guard. Triple the patrols, but keep them discreet. We want security, not the appearance of a siege."
"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied crisply.
"Lord Vantine, housing arrangements. The delegations will expect accommodations befitting their status. Spare no expense, but bill them fairly. We are hosts, not servants."
Vantine nodded eagerly, already calculating potential profits.
"Lord Matthian, you'll oversee the merchant quarter. Many will seek to exploit this gathering for trade agreements. Ensure all contracts are registered and legitimate. We'll not have Tradespire's reputation sullied by wartime profiteering."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The assignments continued, each Lord receiving specific responsibilities. Zeke waited, knowing there was more to come. In these meetings, the most crucial tasks were often saved for the end.
"Lord von Hohenheim."
"Your Majesty," Zeke responded, keeping his voice neutral.
"You'll serve as liaison to our non-human guests. The elven delegation, the dwarven representatives, and..." a pause, heavy with meaning, "...the King of the Dead."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber. Several Lords shot him looks ranging from envy to relief that they hadn't been chosen for that task.
"Your connections to these parties are well documented," the King continued. "The dwarves of Ironhide Hold speak highly of you. The elves have granted you privileges few humans have ever received. And as for Sheo Veylor..."
The shadow seemed to focus on him through the veil. "They endorsed you personally. I trust you understand the weight of that act."
"I do, Your Majesty," Zeke replied. This role was both an acknowledgment and a warning. By placing him in charge of the most politically sensitive delegations, the King ensured Zeke would be too busy to pursue any personal agendas.
"Excellent. You all have one month to prepare. I suggest you use it wisely. Fortunes will be made and lost based on how we handle this gathering. More importantly, Tradespire's position as the continental center of commerce hangs in the balance."
The shadow behind the veil shifted, preparing to withdraw.
"Oh, and gentlemen? You might wish to invest in additional security for your estates. When powers of this magnitude gather, collateral damage is not a possibility—it's a certainty."
With that cheerful warning, the curtains around the high seat fell still.
The eruption of panicked conversation was immediate. Lords who moments ago had seen only profit now grasped the knife's edge they balanced upon. Exarchs in their city. The potential for violence that could level districts. The political ramifications of any perceived slight.
Zeke remained seated, letting the chaos wash over him. His mind was already working through possibilities, calculating advantages. The twins would need accelerated training. His security measures required updating. And he'd needed to reach out to Margret, assuming elven communications hadn't been completely severed.
Most importantly, he'd be responsible for hosting the three non-human powers. The very beings the Empire had just demonstrated could be targeted without consequence.
"I'm not sure I like this," Zeke murmured.
[Notice]
This appointment makes host invaluable as a mediator. However, it also makes host a target for all factions seeking to influence or harm these delegations.
Rising from his chair, Zeke made for the exit. He had work to do and precious little time to do it. The dice had indeed landed, as Midas said.
Now came the far more dangerous game of deciding what to do with the numbers showing.