Server Lost

Three more days had passed, it was clear that the world itself wasn't quick on the pickup, but the City of Noctia was already beginning to show signs of a budding high-standing economy. They were no longer in the depressionate state, maintenance on the wall had long since began, people were no longer huddling homelessly in the streets.

Soup Kitchens, homeless shelters. They have been organized to keep beggars off the street. A place to sleep, a place to thrive and make a beginning.

Jack wanted to create the Bankers Guild, a Health Care system. Of course, this was just going to be in this city. Using it on an entire kingdom would prove hazardous until all the kinks and problems have been sorted out.

That is why he was using the Merchant Guild as the beginning of this.

They minted the coins, they gave out loans and they controlled the finances.

With the Financial Advisor at the reigns, he was able to make the changes he needed. The changes he wanted. He also had the manpower to help change all of this muck, into something he d.e.s.i.r.ed more.

No one is happy seeing dread around them, even a sadist who seeks a perfect victim, wouldn't want to see a world covered in ash and blood of an overturned city.

Suffering was not for everyone, or anything. To have natural pride or loyalty in where one lived, was what he wanted to convey to those around him.

So that he didn't have to place a hand on their shoulder and cast a spell to make them kneel before him. This is what he was going to do. Endless meetings, shouting across a table, twisting the arms of aristocrats and bureaucrats.

Those whom were unfit to serve him in the capacity he wanted, were replaced and repurposed, like the gears in a fancy pocket watch.

Movement from the elven invasion forces were hardly amiss, they were highly structured and kept from crossing into the territory. From a single glance, it was easy to tell how much better equipped they were than the human mongrels who had savagely violated their princess.

He was beginning to wonder how much exaggeration that elf had thrown into his words. Perhaps he should have used Fealty on him. Make him his loyal sleeper agent within the army.

There were many ideas that Jack could have used, but didn't come to mind right away. That was normal, humans were imperfect, he was imperfect. It was made someone unique and not a machine.

Communication was slow, magic wasn't a widespread practice that just anyone could do, so sending messages over long distances was done by courier bird or messenger.

Not one of nobility had escaped the night he had lead the people against those who had broken the foundations of a nation. Leaching off of its blood, devouring it like termites to wood, for their own d.e.s.i.r.es rather than the masses that surrounded them.

Jack was seated upon the throne in the Reception Hall, seated between his legs on the floor was a young elf with magic mint colored hair. His hands were using tools to gently comb through her hair, his eyes centered on the top of her head. Eying her scalp for dandruff, grease or infestation.

There was nothing of the sort.

There weren't even little white clumps in the iron comb he was using to brush out her hair.

A shadow appeared, covering his back like a blanket of snow. Glancing over his shoulder as his light was obstructed, Jack's eyes glinted, seeing the Lady Cassandra standing there on the arms of the throne.

She was wearing a pair of baggy pants under what appeared to be a black pouch lined skirting tightened to her person by a red sash around her waist like a belt. As he looked over her attire, seeing the asymmetric tunic.

Jack snickered slightly, partially tempted to go for a crotch shot as she silently glared down at him.

"What is that look for?" Now it couldn't be that she was jealous right?

Sidon glanced over her shoulder towards the girl who was looming above them. She blinked twice with her soft pink eyes, moistening them enough to stare idly.

With her upper lip overlapping the lower, Cassandra let out a loud huff, "Huh! You think you can just ignore me and play doll with your slave? Even when we're in the same bed, all you do is gag and coddle her!"

Jack rolled his eyes, a slight smile across his lips, one so divine it was tempted for the rowdy female to melt before him like a woman made of snow. "Is that so?"

"It is so!" Cassandra blasted as she swung her arms out to her side, feigning a lunge at him.

Jack who hadn't even flinched just shook his head, "Would you rather I have her scream in your ear at night?" A sadistic tone followed these words as if they were ready to prey upon the self-important.

Cassandra almost turned grey in the face, her lips twisting in horror at the idea of not being able to sleep. "No! No! That's fine! I really don't mind it!" She put her hands out in front of her as if surrendering, to the inevitable, in defeat.

Sidon narrowed her eyes on Cassandra whilst looking at him from the ground she was seated upon.

It really looked as if Jack had been dressing and accessorizing her, even tucking her hair behind her ears to show off her partial elven heritage.

Just as she went to open her mouth however, someone burst through the front doors of the Castle, no… Not just one person. The sound of about twenty boots on the hallowed floors of the castle could be heard, overlapping with one another in a disciplined march.

Before those hulking doors closed like a loud clap of lightning, Jack turned his attention towards the doors to the reception room entrance.

Both of the girls narrowed their eyes, furrowing their brows.

No one had said anything about a visitor today! Let alone as many as twenty!

Just who had come to grant them a visit?

Three men, on either side, shoved the reception doors opened in violent and swift motions of their long armored arms. The room was then assaulted by the marching that plagued the halls.

A pair of rows consisting of five men came entering into the room, armored in half-plate and luxurious layers of material beneath. It was clear that these were Knights. Elite warriors sent by the King? No, these were esteemed members of the Royal Guard!

Cassandra could know as much, yet Jack, he remained ignorant of the facts.

One man wearing a gold floral tunic, had circlet on his forehead, his fingers blanketed in white gloves were adorned in many of rings. Reckless blue eyes, a self-centered importance shining within them.

It was the Second Prince of Greyhorn.

"Welcome to Noctia…?" Jack's head lulled to the side in a lax manner, seeing the gaze of the man in the royal wares resting up on him.

Cassandra leaned down and mutely informed Jack, "It's the Second Prince. Noctia's Castle Lord, My father, is within his Domain of Authority."

"Ah… I see." Jack slowly nodded at this as he then watched her bail off the side of the throne and go running off towards the nearest staircase. "Eh?" Watching as she disappeared into the stairwell, he turned back to look towards the Second Prince with a brow raised as he was drawing a rolled up piece of white and gold parchment from within his sleeve.

"Hm… This knave dare sit upon the Throne?" The prince muttered under his breath, hardly impressed that Jack had seated himself on the gilded seat meant for a King's visit.

As he unrolled the scroll in front of himself, he held the item out as if he were about to sing its contents. "Oh Lord Sephir, of the Heavens, you are hereby invited by the Supreme Sorceress Lady Evanon to the capital as a guest of the King's Court." The Prince looked up from the scrolled towards the man whom was still seated upon the throne. His hands now folded in front of him, his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on the backs of his hands. It was as if he heard nothing the prince had said.

Interested that the little man knew his in-game name, probably from his sister, "Is that all?"

"Your presence, and the presence of the Carmichael House are required to attend." Prompt and to the point the Prince seemed to feign a smile. "If you decline this summons, you were been treated as a traitor of King and Country who used the King's name in vein and killed loyal subjects! The House of Carmichael will remain in the name it's Lady, but the rest will perish for supporting your heinous crime!"

The Prince raised blinked at the continued casual tone Jack used with him. This being couldn't possibly be a creature from scripture could he? He didn't have an ounce of etiquette when speaking with him!