Cataclysm Conquest | Chapter 07: Countess Diana Montgomery (First Draft)

Saturday, November 26, 4 S.E.

Twenty minutes later, Leonidas sat on his throne with Aylar beside him on hers, having sent word to his wife of the Emissary’s arrival. As expected, his Queen had hurried down to the Throne Room, wearing an elegant white dress with layered silks, embroidered with golden laurel wreaths and faintly loosened around her baby bump. She’d kissed him full on the mouth when she’d arrived, and settled into the white throne beside his black one a moment later.

The eagles overlooking the twin thrones remained, though now an immense dragon of black marble towered behind both, the sapphire gems of its eyes burning perpetually with aetherial wytchfire courtesy of the Svartfenn—the ones who had gifted them the statue. It was a meaningful gesture from their newest citizens, and Leonidas had accepted it in the spirit it was offered.

With the Press gathered to snap pictures of the arriving Emissary, the Council of the Realm was assembled in the throne room; twelve in total, each representing a different area of his Kingdom. The Ministries he’d established in the months since the Cataclysm War covered each relevant part of his reign, and their creation had been guided by Aylar. Each Ministry was named relatively simply: Crown, Treasury, Justice, Law, War, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Trade.

Twelve Ministries, twelve Ministers, and all the arguments he could dream of.

Mithrander had been appointed as the King’s Prime Minister, elevated from his position as Seneschal, though he rarely made appearances—more focused on overseeing the Council of the Realm than on publicity. The old Haelfar was as savvy as he was loyal, and Leonidas had been grateful for his presence many times over the three months since his appointment.

+I’m going to let you do the talking,+ Leonidas sent to Aylar with [Psionic Communication] while sitting with his right knee over his left, and his hands resting on the armrests of his black, ruby-veined throne.

+I expected as much,+ Aylar sent back with amusement coloring her thoughts. +You are a mighty leader, my love, but you lack delicacy with matters of foreign interest.+

Leonidas smiled wryly at her sending and glanced over at his grinning Queen.

+Isn’t that the point of marriage, babe? You cover my weaknesses.+

Aylar chuckled quietly and adjusted herself in her throne, gently running her hand over her stomach as her grin morphed into a loving smile.

+If only it were so easy, my heart. Remember to play your part properly: I will be warm, you must be cold. Politics, no matter the species, is universal among what you call humanoids. They will expect to find a boy-King. You must disabuse them of that.+

Before Leonidas could do more than snort at her words, the throne room doors opened, and an Echelon of the Aureati marched in ahead of a delegation of seven; three men and three women that appeared to be aides or advisors, dressed in Victorian finery, and a seventh woman at their head, wearing a red dress that Leonidas might have called Elizabethan in design.

Leonidas assumed his mask of cool indifference as he studied her.

White pearls adorned her neck, and the shoulders of her dress were puffed, ending in a flared dress not unlike a ballgown that swayed with her movements. The Terran woman looked to be in her forties, with grey-streaked red hair that fell across her bodice, upon which was emblazoned a rampant golden lion, and a pair of pale blue eyes.

“Announcing Countess Diana Margaret Montgomery, Emissary of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Henry George Britannia, King of England, and Emperor of the [Empire of the Lion]!”

Leonidas raised his eyebrows faintly as the woman and her six companions approached, glancing at the Aureates as they split off and flanked the throne room doors, then looking at the other Aureates standing in pairs between the rectangular chamber’s pillars, before settling their gazes on the Ministers, and then, finally, Leonidas and Aylar.

The procession marched regally down the purple carpet and came to a halt ten feet clear of the throne dias. The Emissary herself, Countless Montgomery, kept her gaze on Leonidas and Aylar, while her aides peered at the Ministers, who looked back at them with expressions ranging from curiosity to amusement, and in some cases, open skepticism.

Before anyone could say anything, however, the Countess spoke.

“I offer my greetings to His Royal Majesty, King Leonidas Achilles Romulus Altera Pendragon, and to Her Royal Majesty, Queen Aylar Taleria Lux Fortuna Altera Pendragon, on behalf of my liege and ruler, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Henry George Britannia, Sovereign of Britannia and its [Empire of the Lion].”

The Emissary spread her skirts and curtsied as she spoke, signalling her retinue to do the same; bows from the black-suited men, and curtsies from the dress-adorned women. When they were done, the Countess continued, her British accent about as haughty and genuine as Leonidas had ever heard.

“I have brought with me advisors and gubernatorial experts for the benefit of Your Majesties from the Empire’s shores, though it seems that we have underestimated the developmental acuity with which His Royal Majesty and Her Royal Majesty have solidified their rule. We were not aware of how advanced the [Kingdom of Avalon] was, prior to our arrival.”

Leonidas felt a mix between amused and faintly chagrined by the words but was strangely receptive to the strange mix of British courtesy and veiled, borderline insulting surprise at the development of Avalon. Were he a more petty man, he might have lashed out—instead, he simply watched them while Aylar spoke for the Crown.

“We welcome you to the Thronehold of Avalon, Countess Montgomery,” his wife said politely, her voice affecting the ‘Queenly’ tone that he found strangely sexy when used. She sounded like a mix between a British noblewoman and an American southern belle, and he loved it. “The King and I are pleased to see foreign dignitaries making their way to Our home, so soon after its official founding. We trust your trip was without too many difficulties?”

Leonidas remained calmly expressionless as Aylar spoke, observing the delegation with his best ‘King’ face, as his sister playfully called it.

“The ocean is often tempestuous of late, Your Royal Majesty, but we were able to weather its terrors well,” the Countess stated, turning to bow her head to Aylar politely. “His Imperial Majesty was most insistent that we come to you in good haste, and so we have arrived. You have our thanks as well for the swift reception. We had expected to have to wait, and are most grateful we have not had to.”

Aylar smiled at Diana and nodded, fractionally, to acknowledge the thanks as she idly brushed her hand over her stomach in thought.

“It is not a common thing, even on more established System Worlds, for dignitaries to reach out amid such perilous conditions, Countess. Are you here to deliver a message with specificity to the Crown, or is this a mission of outreach alone?”

The Emissary blinked at Aylar’s words, once, and then turned toward Leonidas, who met her gaze with cool indifference born of his [Archon’s Will], allowing its steady mental reinforcement to prop up his mask of unreadable impassivity. The Countess seemed uncertain when she looked at him, and so turned back to the more outwardly warm aspect of his wife.

There is power in silence, Leonidas remembered from his lessons on etiquette.

“I was dispatched here to deliver a message, Your Royal Majesty, yes, as well as to establish initial relations with your nation. In his wisdom, His Imperial Majesty has deigned to bequeath a special honor upon the [Kingdom of Avalon], and with the Crown’s permission, establish a permanent Embassy within this beautiful City.”

+That’s odd,+ Leonidas sent to his wife while his outward expression remained unreadable. +What the hell makes us so special?+

+If I had to guess, my love, it would be you,+ Aylar sent back with clear amusement, though her face showed only the same calm, warm smile.

“The Emperor honors Us with such a consideration, Countess Montgomery,” Aylar said out loud, faintly lofting an elegant blonde eyebrow. “We wonder what it is about Our newly-forged nation that has so captured his interest. Perhaps you might enlighten Us?”

I’ll never understand the ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’ stuff, Leonidas grumbled mentally. No matter how many times Aylar explains the ‘Royal We’ to me.

The Countess bowed her head again and answered dutifully.

“It is because of the King, Your Royal Majesty,” she said to Aylar, turning then to affix her eyes on Leonidas. “His Imperial Majesty has heard of a foreign King, young and powerful, claiming the name of Pendragon. This has stirred some manner of interest within the Imperial Court, namely in regard to the intentions behind claiming such a moniker, especially when taken by a presumptive American.”

Aylar’s smile cooled a little at the words, and her azure eyes sharpened when she spoke again.

“The answer to that is quite simple, Countess,” she said, drawing the woman’s attention back. “The King is the direct Heir of King Arthur Pendragon’s lineage, tracing all the way back to Arthur himself, in a line unbroken.”

That caused a stir among the Imperials, the ‘Britannians’ as he started to think of them, and they glanced at one another in silence while the Countess blinked, glancing at Leonidas and then back to Aylar. Diana seemed to hesitate before speaking.

“That is a fascinating claim, Your Royal Majesty,” the Emissary said politely, her blue eyes searching Aylar while darting glances at Leonidas. “Many historians debate whether King Arthur Pendragon ever had descendants, let alone a direct and unbroken line. While I mean no disrespect, I implore you to understand that for we of Britannia, the very claim is something we take quite seriously, given King Arthur’s imperative role in our history.”

+You may as well do it, my love,+ Aylar sent over the [Psionic Communication] line he’d left active. +Sometimes, only seeing is believing.+

Leonidas swallowed back a sigh at her words and focused on the Countess and her companions, speaking for the first time and drawing their attention to him when his voice filled the chamber.

“System,” he said in his most Sovereign voice, “affirm my bloodline for all present.”

A System chime followed his words, ringing through the area, and the Emissary and her companions, as well as everyone else in the Throne Room, glanced down instinctively as System screens appeared before them and Leonidas himself.

SYSTEM MESSAGE

Bloodline affirmation successful!

Leonidas Achilles Romulus Altera Pendragon is the direct descendant of Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot and Albion.

Leonidas Achilles Romulus Altera Pendragon is the trueborn Heir of Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot and Albion.

Leonidas Achilles Romulus Altera Pendragon is the valid inheritor of the Mythic Weapon, [Excalibur], and the Legendary Weapons, [Clarent] and [Carwennan].

Leonidas watched in silence as the Britannians read their screens and reacted with remarkable composure, looking from the screen to the Archon-King and back again before dismissing it. The Countess was silent for several moments following the revelation, before she too dismissed the screen and looked up at Leonidas, who met her gaze with the same steely indifference Aylar insisted he maintain.

“...I see,” she said finally, the corners of her eyes tightening. “Then, Your Royal Majesty, does that mean you consider yourself the rightful ruler of Albion-cum-Britannia?”

“The Archon-King,” Aylar said in answer, saving Leonidas from having to speak himself as the Countess looked back to her, “is focused entirely on Our efforts in Avalon. Whatever claim he may have to Britannia, Countess Montgomery, is not a matter which We have the time or luxury to consider. This Continent is Our responsibility, and the Archon-King is solely focused on ensuring the prosperity and safety of Our people in this land alone,” the Queen declared firmly. “It would be a great foolishness for Us to set Our sights on a sovereign nation across the seas while Our homeland remains separated and embattled, especially with the new Integration Cycle approaching.”

Diana seemed to weigh the words carefully and then finally bowed her head, though her mind-glow told Leonidas she was dissatisfied. That was fine. Aylar had neatly evaded her question without him relinquishing his claim, far more cleanly than he could have done himself. It only reminded him how lucky he was to have his wife as his Queen. She was truly singular.

“Thank you, Your Royal Majesty,” the Countess said finally, taking a breath and then returning her features to stereotypical British courtesy. “With that discerned, I have two more offerings, on behalf of His Imperial Majesty of Britannia: first, a gift of [Aetherium], as a demonstration of the Empire’s goodwill toward our cousins in America.”

SYSTEM MESSAGE

Diana Margaret Montgomery has initiated a [Tribute]!

On behalf of the [Empire of the Lion], Diana Margaret Montgomery has offered a single-instance [Tribute Gift] of 5,000 [Aetherium].

Do you wish to accept this [Tribute]?

[Y] | [N]

Leonidas eyed the screen for a moment, then chose to ignore it, shifting his gaze toward the Emissary instead.

+Ask her why she’s offering us 5,000 [Aetherium],+ he sent to Aylar through their link. +My neck is itching. There’s something else going on.+

+Good instincts, my love,+ the Queen sent back approvingly, and raised her eyebrow at Diana again.

“You offer Us a generous sum, Emissary—a very generous sum. We wonder what it is that motivates such generosity from the Empire, not out of ingratitude for its offering, but out of sovereign caution for its implication. Avalon is not short of [Aetherium], and while every amount aids Us, it stands to reason that we must understand the expectations behind such an allotment.”

The Countess smiled, perhaps genuinely for the first time, at Aylar’s words and bowed to her, glancing at Leonidas again and then back to the Queen.

“Your wisdom is most evident, Your Royal Majesty,” she said deferentially, and folded her hands before her. “The [Aetherium] is, indeed, a gift that carries weight—though no weight that would threaten your great Kingdom’s sovereignty. In his excitement, His Imperial Majesty saw fit to dispatch his youngest daughter, Her Imperial Highness, Princess Elizabeth Juliet Britannia, to take up position within Avalon as Ambassador Plenipotentiary.”

+Plenipotentiary? I do not know this word, husband,+ Aylar sent to him calmly.

+An Ambassador with the powers of negotiation on behalf of the Crown,+ Leonidas explained immediately. +Pseudo-archaic language.+

Aylar, showing no visible sign of her momentary uncertainty, merely nodded to the Countess.

“Then this gift is to earn Our goodwill,” the Queen surmised with a faint twinkle of amusement in her azure eyes, “and to ensure the Princess is well-treated within Avalon?”

The Countess, to her credit, simply nodded before she spoke.

“To an extent, Your Royal Majesty. Her Imperial Highness is set to arrive off the coast of Lake Michigan, via the St. Lawrence Seaway, in approximately three days from now, if all has proceeded according to plan. Sadly, she lacks the required forces to ensure her safe arrival in Dawnhaven,” Diana explained without obfuscation. “It would be greatly appreciated, Your Royal Majesty, if her safety and good health were given to the responsibility of Avalon’s Crown henceforth, and she was escorted in comfort to the Thronehold.”

Aylar nodded once in understanding and then spoke after she was done.

“And no doubt, We would find this [Aetherium] to be useful in constructing an Embassy for the Empire, here in Dawnhaven, in keeping with Terran tradition prior to the Integration.”

The Countess bowed her head again.

“Your Royal Majesty understands our intentions well. These are all we might ask of you, beyond our hopes for a fruitful and united endeavor toward peace between our two great nations.”

+You can accept it, my love. They’ve laid out their wants and desires and solidified the terms. As far as conditions go, this one is surprisingly benevolent. They’re being cautious because they don’t know how dangerous the surroundings are—but you’ve prepared us for this incidentally.+

Leonidas listened to his wife as any wise man should, and accepted the [Tribute] a moment later, mentally noting as the [Aetherium] flashed into his reserves, increasing them to a staggering 11,000. He’d need to start transferring some of it to the Royal Treasury when he was able. He didn’t have anywhere near the need for that much of the precious currency, and Avalon could benefit from it greatly.

+You’re up, my husband,+ Aylar poked gently, drawing his full attention back to the Countess as she seemed to be waiting for an answer. In response, Leonidas shifted his gaze to the Ministers and singled out Earl Brightblade, his Minister of War.

“Earl Brightblade,” he called, voice steely to his own ears as the Earl snapped to attention and stepped forward, striding toward the throne dais and lowering himself to one knee.

“My King?” he asked calmly, masculine, musical voice filling the chamber.

“Hear my command: Ambassador Plenipotentiary, Her Imperial Highness, Princess Elizabeth Juliet Britannia, is to be found and escorted with all possible speed, comfort, and safety to the succor of Dawnhaven. I grant you my authority to muster the Ordo Aureati, Ordo Umbrae, and two Cohorts of the Fifth Legion of Avalon for this purpose. You will lead them yourself, as my representative.”

Earl Brightblade bowed his head and rose, saluting fist-to-heart.

“Your will, my hands, Archon-King.”

Leonidas’ eyes drifted to Mernyn, standing nearby, and he nodded to him.

“See to it that the Aureati aid the Minister of War, Primarch Sunblessed. Send the Fifth Chapter for Symmetry.”

Mernyn snapped into a salute in response and strode forward a moment later, golden warplate clanking as he settled before the dais and lowered himself to a knee in kind. The Britannians took notice of it, their mind-glows flashing with surprise and quiet recalculation at the man’s actions.

“Your will, my hands, my [Sovereign],” the Haelfar replied formally in turn, before rising once more and nodding to the Earl, before the pair of them set out together immediately.

The Britannians watched the interaction with a mix of surprise and intrigue as the pair left, mind-glows still dancing with alternating emotional perceptions, and the Countess turned toward Leonidas, fixing him with a warily curious look.

“If I may, Your Royal Majesty,” the Countess said, her voice measured as she picked her words with evident caution. “You said the words ‘Legion’ and ‘Cohort’. Would it be impertinent to ask what that measure of force might appear as?”

+Go on,+ Aylar sent with amusement, +they’ll find out anyway. You may as well enjoy the reaction.+

Leonidas didn’t quite smile, but his lips did quirk at the corners as he met the Countess’ gaze, and enjoyed how well his wife knew his mind.

“Each Cohort possesses a minimum of one thousand Legionaries of various levels of Cultivation,” Leonidas said steadily. “The Ordo Aureati and Ordo Umbrae are composed entirely of Contender rank and above personnel. The Aureati are organized into Chapters of one hundred, each led by an Elite at a minimum. The Primarch of the Aureati is, himself, an Ascendant—as are several of my Ministers.”

The Countess’ eyes slowly widened as she did the math.

“I see,” she said after a moment. “If I may ask, how many Cohorts are in a Legion, Your Royal Majesty?”

“Ten,” Leonidas answered coolly.

“And, if I may ask, Your Royal Majesty, how many Chapters are in the Ordo Aureati?” she asked once more, expression faintly uncertain.

“Ten,” Leonidas answered once more. “If that deployment cannot see the Imperial Princess safely to Dawnhaven, Countess, I am afraid there is nothing more I can do.”

The Countess swallowed at his words and bowed her head with a sense of sheer shock racing across her mind. [Psionic Focus] was almost a cheat Skill for Leonidas, with how it allowed him to see the reactions of those around him.

“A final question, Your Royal Majesty, if you would entertain my curiosity?”

Leonidas smiled thinly, nodding once to the Countess.

“How many Legions does Avalon command?” Diana asked with laudable calm.

“Six,” Leonidas answered succinctly.

The Britannians collectively stiffened at his words and exchanged glances, eventually all turning back to him with faint disbelief and wide, uncertain eyes. He knew what they were thinking. With that sort of Army, there was only one possible reason for its existence, and it didn’t involve merely securing borders.

The Legions of Avalon were a weapon crafted for conquest.

And conquer they will, Leonidas thought quietly. The moment we are ready.