Valkyrie's Shadow-Before the Storm: Act 10, Chatper 9

Chapter 9

“Vltava once told us that these ancient buildings were created out of the memories of our people. Perhaps it was a necessity to facilitate what you describe.”

Florine looked up at the ruined pyramid nearest to their seats in Lady Xoc’s court. She hadn’t paid much attention to the clanhold’s architecture on the first day of their visit, but their second day afforded them plenty of opportunities to take in the sights. As far as she could tell, the only well-maintained structures from Clan Pa’chan’s forgotten past lay scattered around the top of the hill where the Ocelo made their home. They were covered in intricate patterns and highly stylised imagery, but, if any of it meant anything, she couldn’t figure it out.

“Paper will suffice,” Clara said. “Though it would be prudent to set aside facilities for the processing and storage of your records.”

“The more we talk about this,” Lady Xoc said, “the more complicated it gets.”

“It might seem that way right now, my lady,” Clara said, “but the individual responsibilities aren’t complex. Those who take up this work will consider their tasks routine in no time.”

“This individual thinks her responsibilities are already too complex as they are,” Lady Xoc muttered.

“Well, that is the lot of a lord, is it not?”

There wasn’t a shred of mercy in Clara’s serene smile. Lady Xoc’s ears drooped as she let out a long, rumbly sigh.

“I, too, have growing doubts over whether this can be accomplished,” Elder Cha’ac said. “Even the things you consider rudimentary like this ‘standardised education’ are beyond our ability to facilitate and the number of people you recommend for it is larger than the original population of our clan.”

“Don’t underestimate your people’s capabilities,” Clara said. “If they can handle the education of the Guilds, then they can do this. The focus of your worries should be on raising dependable civil servants.”

Clara hadn’t held back once she decided to advise the Beastmen on establishing a government that could meet their future needs. She was thorough about it, as well, covering everything required to build things up from scratch. Florine was familiar with most of it, but it still amazed her how Clara could smoothly adapt her work in the Sorcerous Kingdom into a version that was suited for Rol’en’gorek. Even the most obscure bits of precautionary legislation didn’t escape her.

『Uh-oh, look who’s showin’ his face again.』

Florine turned her head slightly, spotting Master Leeds, who was flanked by a pair of Beastmen, out of the corner of her eye. Liane rose to her feet, unsuccessfully trying to brush the fur off of her dress.

『Guess I’ll be the distraction again. Anything important scheduled for later?』

『Another feast this evening.』

『Are we gonna be subjected to that every night we’re here? As funny as it is to watch Clara embarrass herself, we can’t have her running off into a bush every time we sit down to eat.』

While it wasn’t anywhere nearly as horrific as Queen Oriculus suggested, Florine was fairly certain that dining with Beastmen would still turn the stomachs of most Humans. She was fortunate in the fact that she had spent months with the Demihumans in the Abelion Hills or she might have very well gone and joined Clara the moment Lady Xoc and her court started to feed.

“It’s time for us to do our thing,” Liane said in response to the curious gazes that followed her rise. “We’ll see you later today.”

Florine rose to accompany her friend and their lady’s maids fell into step behind them. Master Leeds noticed their approach only after they made it halfway across the court.

“Just the person I was looking for,” he said. “We’re just about finished loading the first of your barges.”

“Sounds good,” Liane replied. “Let’s get down there and send her off.”

She could almost feel the two maids bristle behind them at Master Leeds’ casual attitude. His behaviour was according to plan, however. The animosity between Nobles and Merchants in the Draconic Kingdom was far greater than it was in the region’s other nations, so they decided it was best to avoid inheriting it…at least in part. Master Leeds was initially confused by the idea that they were Merchant Nobles, but, during the first day of their negotiations, Clara and Ludmila cast themselves as the ‘Nobles’ of the group while she and Liane acted more like Merchants.

The result was predictable enough. Guildmaster Leeds now spent as much time with her and Liane as he could while avoiding Clara and Ludmila as much as possible. He didn’t even spare a glance at the gathering on the far end of the court before turning to lead them away.

“Any problems loading the cargo?” Liane asked.

“It was a rather uneventful night,” the Guildmaster replied. “My only worry was that we wouldn’t be able to finish loading by today even with all the extra hands we hired. Those barges of yours are a real marvel.”

“Aren’t they?” Liane grinned, “I only wish we could build them faster.”

“I believe you mentioned that they were built by Dwarves?”

“Yup. For now, the parts are forged inland and delivered wherever the ships need to be assembled. Things’ll speed up when we can finally move the entire industry to our new ports.”

“Would it be possible to introduce these Dwarves to us?” Master Leeds asked, “We’d love to have such excellent magical ships ourselves.”

Florine looked away from the conversation to watch the resident Beastmen go about their business. The Undead crews of each barge were securely hidden from potential observers, which ended up making it look like each ship somehow operated itself. Instead of trying to explain how the vessels worked, they simply allowed Master Leeds to arrive at his own conclusions. The ambitious Guildmaster wouldn’t question their tight-lipped stance on the matter, as the ships provided an overwhelming competitive advantage over their conventional counterparts and their sourcing would naturally be jealously guarded.

“I’d have figured that a Guildmaster from the Draconic Kingdom would have had contacts along the Syrillian Way for that sort of thing,” Liane said.

Master Leeds chuckled softly at Liane’s assertion.

“If only that was the case,” he said. “I suppose an outsider might count the Draconic Kingdom as one of the nations of the Syrillian Way, but the reality is that we’re nowhere near the routes of the Sapphire Coast’s treasure fleets. We sit on the other side of the Dragon Belt and the Theocracy wouldn’t take kindly to any crews that aren’t Human. I reckon the last enchanted vessel to grace our ports was probably the one used by the Thirteen Heroes centuries ago.”

“What’s the Dragon Belt?” Florine asked.

“You haven’t heard of it?” Master Leeds raised an eyebrow.

“Not in any way that resembles the term, at least,” Florine said.

“Hmm, yeah, I guess it’s a term coined by the people on the other side of it. Anyone from this region wouldn’t realise it exists. I’m sure you’ve heard the story of the Eight Greed Kings…”

“I have,” Florine replied.

“In their conquest of the world,” the Guildmaster said, “their primary adversaries were the Dragon Lords of the time. Their defeat allowed new and existing powers to expand unchallenged until the next generation of Dragons grew strong enough to stop them centuries later.”

“So this ‘Dragon Belt’ is the area where powerful Dragons from this new generation have established their territories.”

“Pretty much. To the people outside of it, it’s effectively a wall. The Draconic Kingdom sits near a particularly nasty section of it. There’s a volcanic range filled with Red Dragons that separates us from the rest of the Syrillian Way. As you might guess, few are crazy enough to sail ships loaded with valuable cargo through their territory and the way around it is said to be just as dangerous, not to mention unprofitable.”

“If this wall exists,” Liane said, “then how does trade from the rest of the continent get to us through Karnassus and the Great Steppe?”

“Probably because there’s a different type of Dragon populating that part of the Belt. Still, the only things that make it through a Dragon’s territory are what the Dragon lets through.”

Florine considered the implications of what they had learned. It certainly explained one mystery she had always pondered. If the powers further into the continent were so advanced, then why hadn’t they expanded to the Sorcerous Kingdom’s part of the world over the centuries of their existence? The way being blocked by a bunch of Dragons would have never occurred to her. Additionally, if the type of traffic allowed into the Dragon Belt depended on the type of Dragon that presided over their respective part of it, one could speculate over the conditions of the surrounding region.

The Bards’ tales so far proved consistent with their real experience with various types of Dragons. Red Dragons were covetous and domineering, and so no shipping lanes could be established between the Draconic Kingdom and the rest of the Syrillian Way. Green Dragons were subversive schemers, and the reign of the Viridian Dragon Lord was in line with that characterisation. White Dragons preferred living in relative isolation in their icy domains, and the behaviour of most of those within the Sorcerous Kingdom reflected that.

What did that mean for Karnassus, the Great Steppe, and the lands beyond it? They had always framed their assumptions using the economic and logistical realities of trade, but what if the trickle of goods that made it through was actually the result of a Dragon’s whims? Even the types of people who arrived from the east could plausibly be controlled. With this in mind, what they knew of the world was likely even more limited than they believed.

“I’ve heard some people mention visitors from the Beastman Confederacy,” Liane said. “If there are Dragons in the way, how did they get here?”

“You mean Saraca and his party? They came through the Great Lut. “It’s a part of the Dragon Belt ruled by Blue Dragons.”

“So individuals can get through the Belt, but countries can’t expand into it since they would be challenging powerful Dragons for territory.

“That’s my understanding.”

『We’re gonna be buried in Dragon parts.』

『You can’t assume that we’ll be butchering Dragons left and right.』

『Why not? That’s what happened to the Viridian Dragon Lord and her family. Dame Verilyn and her family were subjugated after their patriarch was killed. I doubt it’ll be any different for any other Dragons.』

『Well, that part must change. There’s no reason why we can’t get along amicably.』

Diplomacy would become a nightmare if the Sorcerous Kingdom gained a reputation for indiscriminate slaughter. The nature of their nation created enough challenges as it was without doing things that confirmed the fears that people normally associated with the Undead, Fiends, and all manner of monstrous beings.

The wharf was just as busy as when they left it in the morning, with Beastmen of all sorts bearing loads to and from the vessels moored at each pier. A local ship that wasn’t there before floated alongside one of them, its crew staring up at their enchanted steel counterparts.

“That one of yours?” Liane asked.

“We don’t have any of the local dignitaries scheduled to arrive for the next while,” Master Leeds answered, “so it should at least be a cargo vessel.”

“How does Merchant shipping work around here anyway? Lady Xoc mentioned something about most of the river barges being owned by one clan or the other.”

“That’s the sad reality for now,” the Guildmaster said. “It’s rare for a Merchant to have a ship of their own. The clans lease barges to those who aspire to do so, but Merchants here make so little that most never achieve that dream. Now that we’re here, that will change.”

“A ship isn’t exactly a wagon,” Liane noted. “Even outside of Rol’en’gorek, only the most successful or lucky get their hands on a ship.”

“You’re right about that,” Master Leeds said, “but those are established markets. There’s so much untapped potential here that countless fortunes can be made.”

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Florine did not doubt that he believed in every word that he said. She and her friends had divided their day between dealing with the Guild in the morning and focusing on diplomacy and cultural exchange for the rest of the day. A few hours beforehand, the Guildmaster had taken them on a tour of several trading outposts that had been established upriver from the clanhold. He presented them as a model for what he envisioned for Rol’en’gorek’s near future, with similar outposts populating the Confederation’s entire river network. Those outposts would, of course, be owned and operated by the Merchant Guild.

“Speaking of untapped potential,” Liane said, “have you considered what I brought up earlier today?”

“You mean the distribution hubs?” The Guildmaster said, “They’re a sound idea. The cities we’d set them up in are each ruled by a different clan, however, so we’ll have to work together with Lady Xoc to acquire the rights to operate in each one.”

“Our trade flows should build up pretty quickly,” Liane told him, “so it’d be better to get it done sooner rather than later.”

“Of course.”

She suppressed the frown that threatened to form at Liane’s insistence. To a Merchant, expanding into fresh new markets was always an enticing prospect. Combined with Master Leeds’ enthusiasm, it was all too easy to encourage him to do so. The logic behind it was to divide Master Leeds’ limited pool of experienced staff between multiple governments in far-flung locales to stretch the Guilds’ influence thin.

Overextending in such a fashion was a novice error for a Merchant from Re-Estize or the Empire, but a blind spot for someone from the Draconic Kingdom. They were used to moving quickly in step with their cycles of predation and recovery and they had done so with their Queen’s blessing.

“Chimali, how are we doing here?”

An Ocelo of average stature standing on the wharf looked up from the vellum scroll in his paw.

“Ah, Guildmaster,” he said as his catlike eyes went between Liane and Florine. “We’ve just finished loading the last of the cargo. Feel free to inspect our work.”

Chimali held out the scroll, which turned out to be a simple manifest not unlike those recovered from the Beastman camps in the Draconic Kingdom. Florine leaned in to read its content alongside Liane, recalling the meaning of each pictograph scratched upon the vellum sheet.

“When will you be transitioning to Merchant Guild formats?” Liane asked.

“This is mostly for the benefit of the dockworkers,” Master Leeds answered. “Apprentices like Chimali here are already well on their way to being able to read and write.”

“I see. Well, let’s take a look inside.”

For not the first time, Florine pondered the implications of the Guilds’ lopsided influence on Rol’en’gorek. What would happen if the Guilds controlled all formal education in a society? As they did elsewhere, only Apprentices were taught how to read, write, and ply their trade. Everyone else was a potential customer: the more ignorant they were, the more profitable they became, and the more power the Guilds would have.

Their footsteps echoed off of the barge’s metal hull as they made their way deep into the vessel’s hold. Being forced to handle cargo conventionally exposed many of the problems they foresaw with operating their new ships in places without the proper supporting infrastructure: especially since they also couldn’t use the Undead for the methods they resorted to in the Draconic Kingdom. Piles of jute sacks and stacks of Nug hides left little room to walk around, yet the sheer height of the hold left its total volume underutilised.

Florine started as Master Leeds stumbled in the darkness and stomped around in an effort to regain his footing.

“Please be careful, Master Leeds,” she said.

“I’m fine,” the Guildmaster breathed. “Just caught my foot on a sack sticking out here. Speaking of which, you two don’t seem to have any problems getting around.”

“The Sorcerous Kingdom has more races with Darkvision than those without,” Florine replied. “We’ve had to adapt accordingly.”

“Magic items, eh? I wouldn’t mind one for myself. How much does something like that cost?”

“Magic items are less an issue of price and more one of availability.”

Master Leeds’ face screwed up in confusion at her statement, but she doubted that she could have come up with a better explanation. To the Guildmaster: indeed, to the vast majority of Merchants: the price of an item usually reflected its availability. With Warden’s Vale increasingly becoming the centre of magic item production in the Sorcerous Kingdom, however, the ‘common sense’ of a Merchant’s world was turned on its head.

“They’re hard to obtain through regular channels,” Liane said, “but maybe we could nab you one as a favour. Anyhow, looks like everything’s in order here. Will you be able to load the next ship right away?”

“We’ll be able to start, but not finish. There are more than enough ships in Rol’en’gorek to move what’s required to fill your vessels, but we’re going to have to build new warehouses to store enough inventory to load them every time they come in. Things should be a bit more balanced once we start importing stone from the foothills.”

“In that case, we’ll send ‘em all off to bring back more goods. A lotta hungry Nug are waitin’.”

Their cargo ships started drifting away from the port shortly after they disembarked. Many of the nearby Beastmen stopped what they were doing to watch the vessels sail away, including Chimali.

“I have never seen such wondrous vessels in my life,” he said. “How much does such a ship cost?”

“Cheaper than you probably think,” Liane said, “but that much steel is still damn expensive.”

“Then I must work hard to afford one,” the Ocelo nodded to himself in a Human-like fashion. “When I do, it will surely be the envy of all!”

“Chimali’s our most ambitious Apprentice,” Master Leeds told them. “He’s been a leader when it comes to expanding our trade network. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have to start working to get the next round of cargo in.”

Florine and Liane smiled and waved as they parted ways with the Master Leeds and his Apprentice. She let out a silent sigh as the two disappeared at the top of the lift.

“What now?” Florine asked.

“Dunno,” Liane answered.

“How about we go see how the little one is doing?”

“I’m gonna scream if I end up like Clara did last night.”

“That was entirely her fault,” Florine said. “If she didn’t act the way she did, then those cubs wouldn’t have been drawn to her.”

“Easy for you to say,” Liane made a face. “You’ve been living with predatory Demihumans for months.”

“They’re not all predatory,” Florine said. “Plus, I haven’t been attacked by Demihumans even once in the Abelion Hills.”

“Pip!” Liolio said.

Liane looked up at the Demihuman perched atop Florine’s head.

“What does that mean?” She asked.

“Nothing,” Florine answered. “Let’s be on our way, shall we?”

They waited for their turn to ride the lift, then made their way into the first set of residential buildings to their right. Like the houses in Warden’s Vale, they were by all appearances entirely utilitarian, albeit much smaller. Still, she couldn’t sense any discontent from the residents.

After walking a few dozen metres, they entered a small courtyard where an assortment of Beastman cubs frolicked in the midday sun. A pair of adult Beastmen turned their ears, and then their heads, to regard Liane and Florine as they stepped out from between the houses.

“Has he caused much trouble?” Florine asked.

“None at all,” one of the adults, a lithe-looking Lup answered. “We were actually wondering if there was something wrong with him. Has he been ill?”

Florine looked around until she spotted her Nar cub lying near one of the nearby houses. He rose to his feet and padded over as soon as he noticed her.

“Not that I know of,” Florine said as she picked him up. “I think he’s just become used to being around other races. Most of them aren’t as…durable as Beastmen.”

“Countess Xoc mentioned something like that,” the other adult, an Ocelo whose fur was as nearly as dark as her rosettes, said. “That we were to keep our cubs away from the Humans for fear of accidentally injuring them.”

“Still,” the Lup said, “this isn’t good. If he doesn’t play, then how can become strong?”

“Or learn to interact with others?” The Ocelo added.

“I must admit that I don’t know much about raising a Nar cub,” Florine said. “I just couldn’t leave him when we found him all alone.”

She didn’t know much at the beginning, but she discovered all sorts of issues in the time since she had adopted him. Not only was he a hazard to the other children at Director Alpha’s orphanage, but he didn’t seem to understand what was wrong with his behaviour. Education was also a pressing issue. The cub couldn’t physically pronounce most of the words of Re-Estize’s language, no more than Florine could pronounce most of the words used in Rol’en’gorek’s language. Names, in particular, were a nightmare. Most were unpronounceable to Humans and they were lucky they could somewhat manage Lady Xoc’s name, which sounded like a cross between a meow and a warble.

“You have a kind heart,” the Lup said. “But kindness alone does not ensure a proper upbringing. To play is to learn how to use one’s body. To hunt and fight and move as one would need in the future. I fear that both his mind and body will be stunted if this goes on any further.”

“What would you suggest that I do?” Florine asked.

The two Beastmen exchanged silent looks.

“We have told you what the problem is,” the Ocelo answered. “What to do about it is not our decision to make.”

Florine hugged the Nar cub to her breast. Why did he have to be so cute and dangerous at the same time? The cub squirmed in response, so she set him back down.

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“We’ll be here for the next few days, at least,” she said. “Would you mind letting him be around the other children in the meantime?”

“Not at all,” the Ocelo said.

“Thank you so very much,” Florine nodded. “Hopefully, he’ll be able to open up a bit more to the others.”

She returned to the main avenue, a frown tugging at the corners of her lips. Liane reached out to take her by the hand.

“Let’s go shopping,” she said. “I don’t feel like helping Clara torture the Beastmen right now.”

Florine allowed herself to be led to the ‘Human quarter’ of the clanhold, but she didn’t respond very well to her friend’s attempts to cheer her up. As the day stretched on, more and more of Ludmila’s subjects appeared in the market, filling the air with a mix of different tongues. Florine stopped to listen to one conversation in particular, which involved an Orc, a Nar, and three Humans.

『Are both of those Merchants speaking Low Draconic?』

『Uh…yup. Why?』

『I’m beginning to think we’re speaking the wrong language.』

『What’s that supposed to mean?』

『You were there when Queen Oriculus spoke about Low Draconic. It’s a language from the time when Dragon Lords dominated the world, created to be used by the vast majority of their subject races. The High Imperial in that diary Clara is translating makes the same considerations. The Sorcerous Kingdom, on the other hand, still employs the language of Re-Estize. If we’re supposed to be a nation of many races, then why is our official language one created for and by Humans?』

『Is that what’s been on your mind this entire time? I thought you were worried about the cub.』

『It’s a related issue. He can’t participate in classes because he can’t pronounce over half of what he hears. I can’t even give him a name out of the fear that he won’t be able to use it. We’re trying to create a system of education for all of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s citizens, but, as it is, we’ll end up with countless children like him.』

『Or they could just make any kinda noise and it’ll just get translated like everything else.』

She shuddered at the future her friend had so flippantly suggested. It wasn’t something that could be allowed to happen.

They spent the rest of the afternoon in the market, where Florine was able to confirm the Guilds’ Beastman Apprentices were able to speak passable Low Draconic regardless of race. She would have to bring up her observations with Clara and Director Alpha when the opportunity presented itself.

As evening fell, they rejoined Clara and Ludmila in Lady Xoc’s court to attend the evening feast. This time, they were directed to their intended seating to the right of Lady Xoc’s dais. The table was better made to accommodate Humans and Master Leeds and his associates were seated on the far end. Much to Clara’s relief, the food being served was similarly prepared for Human consumption.

“Oh, before I forget…”

Liane bumped into her lightly as she shifted on their bench. Her friend reached into the Infinite Haversack on her waist and produced a wooden cask.

“This was supposed to be for yesterday,” Liane said, “but all that stuff happened. How about some, Lady Xoc?”

The Ocelo Lord looked down at them from her basalt throne.

“What is it?”

“Wine from our Riverlands vineyards,” Liane said.

“I guess it couldn’t hurt to–”

“Ah, just a moment, Lady Xoc,” Master Leeds said from his end of the table. “I would advise against that. She’s offering a type of alcohol. Our guests may not know this, but alcohol is highly poisonous to Rol’en’gorek’s Beastmen.”

“Oh,” Liane said, patting the cask. “Well, that just means more for us.”

“Oi, pour me some of that.”

“Sure thing, Your Maj–GYAH! What the heck are you doing here?”

Seated across from them was Draudillon Oriculus, holding out one of the carved wooden cups that had been placed upon their table. Florine and her friends stared, stunned at the sight. Master Leeds and his associates, however, immediately rose from their benches to genuflect before their Queen.

“Y-Your Majesty!” The Guildmaster managed to choke out.

“Oh, you must be the fellows from Rivergarden. We hear you’ve been doing good work here.”

Sniffles and sobs filled the air as Queen Oriculus’ subjects were overwhelmed with emotion from their sovereign’s recognition.

“Your Majesty’s praise is wasted on your humble subjects,” Master Leeds said. “Have you come to bring us home?”

“Eh…it’s probably better that you stay. Rivergarden is underwater from all this flooding anyways.”

The Queen let out a helpless little laugh.

“Uh, who is this?” Lady Xoc asked as she came down to join them.

Clara rose from her seat.

“Countess Xoc, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Draudillon Oriculus, Black Scale Dragon Lord and Queen of the Draconic Kingdom. Queen Oriculus, Countess Xoc of Clan Pa’chan.”

“D-Dragon? Wait, I thought the Draconic Kingdom was destroyed.”

“Half-eaten, perhaps,” Queen Oriculus said, “but not destroyed.”

“I see,” Lady Xoc said. “Then what about our armies that went to fight the Undead? Have they survived as well?”

“Hmm…I’m sorry to say that I ripped out their souls and consumed them to address a certain injustice. But worry not! I hold no ill will against your people.”

A deathly silence fell over the gathering, periodically interrupted by the sound of Queen Oriculus pulling a draught from her cup and Liane moving to refill it at her urging. When Lady Xoc next spoke, her voice could only be described as timid.

“Th-Then the Undead…does that mean the Undead army has been destroyed?”

“The Undead, huh…well, there is someone here who is better suited to explaining the situation with the Undead than I.”

With her free hand, Queen Oriculus pointed to Ludmila.

“The leader of the Undead army you speak of is sitting right there.”