Author's Preface
As the delegates from each kingdom spoke on issues Ryan didn't care about at all, he used his ability to speak to his summons. He had put Fido into Thirty-Seven's shadow while she slept. If she was going to keep disappearing, he was going to find out why.
" Fido, you there ?"
For a moment, Ryan heard nothing. Then he heard the sound of panting.
" Fido ."
More panting.
" FIDO, FUCKING ANSWER ME. "
" Yes, master ?"
" What the hell are you doing ?"
" Ummm... what had happened was ..."
Ryan looked down as his hand reached for his mask. He sighed loudly. Auntie stood next to him and cleared her throat. Ryan immediately straightened back up.
" What happened ?" he asked Fido.
" I poked my head out of her shadow, master. To do as you said and figure out where she was going. She turned and patted my head."
" And ?"
" Well, then the next thing I knew, I was on my back receiving belly rubs. And that's when you called."
" Where are you now ?"
" Around, master ."
Ryan shook his head and cut the connection with Fido. " She literally stole my fucking summon. Damn dog ."
As Ryan went back to paying attention to the conversations at hand, things quickly became heated.
"We want to openly trade as well. The ban you placed on my people has long expired, yet you all continue to renew the restrictions. We have paid for our sins!" Prince Zareth of the Demon Kingdom said.
Prince Cedric spoke up. "We do not care for the squabbles of kingdoms, but Isvale will welcome anyone who wishes to trade, so long as you allow your ships to be inspected upon arrival at our docks, and you will follow the laws of our land during your stay."
King Aldemere slammed his fist against the table. "I won't allow it. These damned demons ravaged our lands. They must not be allowed to acquire more than they already have. Have we not seen what they do when they gain more than we have allowed them?"
Prince Haldrek cleared his throat. "You are talking about grievances that occurred before you were alive, King. Have we also not seen what men can do when they believe themselves superior? The dwarves vote to remove their restrictions and will openly trade openly with the demons." Haldrek nodded toward Zareth.
King Aldemere scoffed and looked at Vaelor. Vaelor rose from his seat. "The elves will not trade with the demons. We vote to maintain their current restrictions."
Samuel looked up at Vaelor and grabbed his arm. "Brother?"
Vaelor yanked his arm away. "Furthermore, the elves wish to discuss opening a trade route with Aldemere."
King Aldemere smiled as he looked around at the other representatives.
Princess Nessa stood. "The Water Kingdom stands with the dwarves and Isvale. Remove the restrictions on the demons and allow them to begin trade."
Prince Rakan slammed his fist down. "The beastkin will not allow those bastards to have any more freedom than they already have. My grandfather is dead because of them. You call us beasts, but if we grant them freedom again, you will quickly find out how tame we are compared to them." Rakan pointed across the table at Zareth.
The king slammed his gavel against the table. "So the vote is three to three. We will take a break for now and reconvene here in two hours. We will not rest until this vote is settled one way or another. As for the Demon Kingdom, as the party requesting the removal of these restrictions, you will abstain from voting."
The delegates stood and retired to the private quarters located just off the side of the main meeting hall. Ryan entered the room just behind Samuel and took off his mask before plopping down into a chair.
"Seriously? This is going to take forever. My legs feel like jelly."
Samuel sat across from him with a dreadful look on his face. Ryan leaned forward. "Why did you let him speak? What happened to standing up for yourself?"
"It all happened so fast, Kade. I didn't wish to make it seem as though there was some sort of discord within our kingdom."
"Where is that prick anyway?" Ryan looked around the room for Vaelor. "And was the trade with Aldemere something you knew about? Because your reaction told me you had no clue."
"I didn't. The high council has opposed trading mana stones and crystals for enchantment with the men for centuries, so this came as a shock to me."
"I'm just assuming here, but if that hatred runs that deep in the council, I highly doubt your brother got permission. Can't the council just oppose it anyway?"
Auntie stepped in. "The council will oppose it even if it is established here. The problem lies in Aldemere using that as an excuse to cancel the treaty with Elyndor. They will say we went back on our word, that our diplomat, Vaelor, spoke on behalf of Elyndor at the summit."
"That's what they must want, then." Ryan leaned back. "How much do you trust your brother, Samuel?"
"He isn't the best person, but I do not think he would intentionally cause a war. Nor do I believe he would betray Father or our kingdom."
"Do you want to make a bet?" Ryan pulled out the VIP token Nyx had given him when they first met. "When the meeting starts again, your brother will surely bring up the trade with Aldemere. Cut him off. Tell the king that the high council still opposes trading mana stones and crystals, and that you stand with removing the demons' restrictions and sanctions." Ryan flipped the token into the air and caught it. "Watch your brother lose his shit. If he does, he's a piece-of-shit traitor. If he doesn't, you can take this token. It's a VIP token to the black market auction."
Samuel looked at Ryan for a moment, then at his aunt. She simply nodded.
"You want me to openly oppose my brother, the crown prince, in front of every other kingdom. And what exactly do you get out of this?"
"Nothing. I get to see you stand up for yourself. That's good enough for me."
Ryan leaned back again. And hopefully Vaelor or that Prince Al will do something stupid. I'd love to get my hands on either of them.
Two hours later, the delegates once again sat around the table. King Aldemere slammed his gavel down. "Anyone wish to speak first? The floor is open."
The delegates looked around the room at one another. None had moved an inch from their earlier stance.
Vaelor stood. "As Elyndor's crown prince, it is our understanding that the sanctions on the demons are what have given the Eastern Continent a peace it hadn't seen before. They have allowed the beastkin and the Water Kingdom an opportunity to thrive." Vaelor walked around the table behind the other delegates. "It is my position to help maintain that peace. If Elyndor can establish trade with Aldemere, Aldemere will be in a better position to assist Prince Rakan and Princess Nessa should the demons not look favorably upon the outcome of this meeting."
King Aldemere smiled. "What trade do you propose?"
"We have an abundance of mana stones and crystals for enchantments, as you are aware. What we wish for is access to your locomotives. We wish to establish a train system throughout our country. Allow Elyndor to..."
Samuel stood bus face was red, he planted both hands on the table. "ENOUGH!"
The corner of Ryan's mouth lifted beneath his mask. "Attaboy."
The delegates all stared at Samuel, then back at Vaelor in confusion. Vaelor's eyes began to glow as his expression turned agitated. Prince Al gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
Ryan's eyes settled on Al's hand. " Oh, raise that sword, you motherfucker. Please ."