October 28, 10 ATC

Osiria Cathedral, Laevig Province, Kingdom of White Rose

Jannis sat by the window of the meeting room, staring out at the setting sun. His morning had been one long slog of meeting with foreign dignitaries, all of whom gave Jannis their assurances that yes, their rulers were loyal and yes, they would forever be loyal. His afternoon was only a bit better, giving him the opportunity to meet with some of the minor lords, who were typically more gracious and native-born Church officials. Still boring, but it was an improvement compared to the clucking hens he dealt with in the morning. Now that the evening had rolled around, he was going to meet with the leaders of several influential blocs, and if they were anything like Link said they were, the meeting would at least be interesting.

Jannis heard a knock on the door. He sighed. "Who is it?"

"Link, sir," Link's muffled voice came from behind the door. "The dignitaries have arrived and will be here shortly."

"Come in," Jannis said. "Set out the refreshments. Negotiation is always more efficient on a full stomach."

Link obeyed, setting out a sizable platter of fruit, meat and cheese on the table, along with glasses and several casks of wine. Link finished setting the meal with a small dish of vegetables at either end of the table, and he pulled up a chair next to Jannis.

"I'm not looking forward to this," Link said.

"Their reputations precede them," Jannis said. "But there is a reason we're keeping an eye on them. Even if they are insufferable, better they be on our side than the enemy's."

Link nodded. "Perhaps," he said. "But I'd rather we not have to suffer them."

Jannis opened his mouth to respond, but a loud knock on the door alerted him to their guests' arrival. "They're here," his manservant's voice called out from behind the door.

"Excellent," Jannis said. The door opened, and the dignitaries entered.

First was General Generic, the de facto leader of the Lancaster government-in-exile. She wore a bright red uniform that marked her as an officer of Lancaster, and which complimented the auburn hair she kept up in a bun. Few women, especially in Junipera, could ever claim to have risen as far as she did, let alone in one of the Subreddit's most militaristic nations. Zissman had told Jannis about her in passing: that she was a ruthless, cunning woman, but Jannis had partially dismissed this as hyperbole. When she took her seat at the opposite end of the long table and stared Jannis straight in the eye, he realized he may have been mistaken.

Next was Inferno CLXIX, the boy-king of Crosshares and Pollination, wearing royal robes that were a size too big for him, and a princely crown that sat crooked on top of a head of unruly hair. After the untimely deaths of both his predecessors and the extinction of the main royal line, he was the last possible heir to the throne. A boy of only eleven, and the people of his nation already whispered of what was to be done when he inevitably died. Jannis could see the toll that took on the boy as he clambered up into his chair, eyes flitting about nervously, never quite coming to look at Jannis himself.

Taco IX, Lord of the Yaoi League and Count of Karma, took his seat at Generic's right. With his thin face and shock-white hair, he appeared much older than everyone else, and he wore spectacles that gave him an appearance of education. Unlike the others, Jannis had not heard much about Taco. He was the leader of a medium-sized League in Heroa's far south, a unity movement among the uncommon Yaoist religion, but besides that, he knew very little. Taco looked around the room, calm and taciturn, and Jannis was reminded of Zissman. He recognized that Taco could easily be his most dangerous opponent at the table.

Finally, Amelia, the Abbess of the famous Tiamat chapel, arrived. Unlike the others, she wore only a white robe, which complemented her kind face and plain black hair. Her cousin MacGregor was officially the Presbyter of Tiamat, and he was a competent administrator, but his somewhat manic nature meant that Amelia controlled most diplomacy of the nation. Tiamat was also the spearhead of a Straightist reform movement in Heroa, and Amelia was the face of that movement. She was calm, and her demeanor was gentle, but Jannis could sense a religious fervor in her that was much like his own.

"Are we missing someone?" Link asked. "I thought there were supposed to be five lords arriving."

"Ah, yes," Amelia said. "Horsea. He's coming later." Jannis had heard a bit about Horsea, but not much. He was the President of Springthyme, a true republic on the Heroan coast, and he was supposed to be a principled man. There were, however, rumors that he was not as principled or refined as he seemed. Jannis would be sure not to underestimate him.

"Later?" Jannis raised an eyebrow.

"He said he would be late," Taco said. "Hell if I know why." Jannis pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Of course," Jannis said. "Why would he arrive on time?"

"Let's just start without him," Link suggested.

"We can wait a bit, can't we?" Inferno asked. He shrank into his seat a little. "I mean, it wouldn't be fair to start without him."

"You mean it wouldn't be fair to start without someone between you and Jannis?" Generic demanded. She pointed to the empty chair between Inferno and Jannis, and Inferno shrank into his seat some more. "We shouldn't reward tardiness. Let's begin. He can deal with it later."

"Genny, you must calm down," Amelia said. Generic flared with anger.

"I told you not to call me that!" Generic yelled. Amelia raised her arms to placate Generic.

"Stop all this insolence!" Link demanded. His voice was muffled by his scarf, and both Amelia and Generic continued bickering.

"That's enough!" Jannis boomed. He slammed his fist onto the table, rattling the wine glasses and calling all attention back to him. "I will not tolerate this behavior. Do not forget you are guests here. Sit down and keep your peace. This is meant to be a diplomatic meeting."

"Sounds like I almost missed the fun," a voice called out from the doorway. Horsea had at last arrived. He looked much as Jannis expected; his face was young and his eyes were bright, his clothes and hair were tousled, and he wore a mischievous grin.

"You're late," Link said. Horsea only laughed.

"Fashionably late, my friend, fashionably late," he said. He sat down in the last open seat. "I was… attending to the lovely ladies of the nearby town."

"I hope it was worth it," Generic said, clearly irritated.

"It was," Horsea said. "Rest assured that they were… quite impressed." He patted his thigh and gave Generic a suggestive smile. She rolled her eyes.

"Good grief," Taco said. He grabbed an apple from the food plate and began munching on it.

"Enough of this," Jannis said. "We must behave like civilized people. Please, have some dinner first. Perhaps it will soothe your nerves."

"My nerves have already been soothed," Horsea said. He cracked a wry grin.

"Horsea, enough," Amelia chided. "There's a child at the table."

"I am not a child!" Inferno yelled.

"Can we not have dinner in peace?" Link asked. Their guests complied, filled their plates, and they ate in silence. Once a few minutes had passed, Jannis finally felt things had calmed enough that he could speak.

"The reason I have brought you all here today," he announced, "is to ensure that you, as my subjects, remain loyal. I have received reports of many seditious minor lords trying to work against me. I want it to be known that I will not tolerate anything of the sort."

"Are you so concerned?" Horsea asked. "I am surprised. I suppose we should be flattered as well."

"Don't be," Link said. Jannis glared at him before returning his attention to his guests.

"Jannis," Generic cooed. "Don't tell me you're scared."

"I am not scared," Jannis said. "But it is my responsibility to keep my realm secure and that includes ensuring none of my constituents are… disloyal."

"Are you accusing us?" Inferno asked. "Is that why you invited us here?" Jannis raised an eyebrow at him. Perhaps he underestimated this boy.

"Not at all," Jannis said. "I've checked in with several others already, and I plan to do so for the rest."

"But you've separated us from the rest of them," Generic observed. "You think we're dangerous."

Amelia laughed and poured herself a glass of wine. "Let's not jump to conclusions," she said. "Perhaps he just wanted to treat us to dinner."

"Let's not pretend this is anything besides what it is," Generic said. "I see the truth, Jannis. You can't afford to lose us."

"Mind your tongue, harlot," Link growled. "Jannis is the leader here, not you." Generic laughed.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Generic said. "I couldn't quite hear you. Take off the scarf and say that again."

Link narrowed his eyes, and he tugged his scarf tighter around his face. Taco laughed.

"Don't be so bashful, Link," Taco said. "It's not your fault King Vermilion was so angry about your conversion. He wasn't tolerant of other faiths, as I trust Jannis will be."

"I do not believe that faith can be forced," Jannis said. "But I do believe it can be taught."

"Wise words," Amelia commented.

"Much more enlightened than Zissman," Generic said. "He knows exactly what our support is worth."

"Are you trying to make a point?" Jannis said, knowing full well that she was.

"I think we all know what this is about," Generic said. "You're afraid that we'll sell out, or that we'll support the League, or at least ignore you and let things sort themselves out." She gestured to the food and the expensive wine. "So you presented us this, this feast, to woo us." She smiled and took a sip of wine. "But you'll have to try harder than this."

"Why should I have to?" Jannis asked. "Lancaster is occupied by Arkos. The only reason you're here today is because Inferno has let you and your men stay on his land. Without him, you'd just be a hothead running around with some thousand men, and if the Church is defeated, that's what you'll be anyway."

Generic narrowed her eyes but remained silent. Clearly, she had not expected Jannis to be so cogent. "A return to the status quo isn't all that Lancaster wants, though," she said. "I want more."

"I plan to partition Arkos," Jannis said. "Perhaps leave a province or two as a rump state. But Lancaster stands to regain what it lost and more from Arkos' defeat."

"And what of my nation?" Inferno piped up, his eagerness overcoming his timidity. "My cousin gave the Church much. Can I expect a reward as well?"

"I have not forgotten what your predecessor did for me," Jannis said. "There is much land for the taking across the Crack River, is there not? Emberald, Tauradonna. It could be yours." Inferno's eyes twinkled with ambition before he returned to his senses and nodded.

"Good prospects," he said quietly.

"And do you have such good prospects for us?" Taco said. "Surely you do not mean to surrender all of Villainia to a child."

"I am not a child!" Inferno protested. Taco glared at him and turned back to Jannis.

"The Yaoi religion is prevalent in Villainia too, though to the far south," Taco said. "And there are a few Heroan rebels who would make excellent tributaries," he added pointedly.

"I will consider your desires," Jannis said.

"And what of Straightism?" Amelia asked. "You will not abolish the Presbyterate, will you? Or try to convert us?"

"Missionary activity is one of our focuses," Link said.

"But we will consider a dispensation," Jannis added. "That goes for you as well, Taco."

"Good to know," Amelia said. Taco nodded silently as well and shoveled a spoonful of vegetables onto his plate.

"Surely you will not forget Springthyme," Horsea said. "Perhaps we could come to some trade agreement."

"When Junipera is under our control," Jannis said, "Springthyme stands to gain many oceanside trading ports."

"And what of the rivers?" Horsea asked.

"They are under Baroness Logic's purview," Jannis said. "Though I'm sure you could come to an agreement with her."

"With her?" Horsea asked. He scoffed. "I'd rather not find out how much she could cheat me out of."

"I'm sure you could convince her to sign a fair deal," Link said. "That benefits us all."

"Perhaps," Horsea said. The room fell silent for a moment. "Is that all? Have we reached an agreement?"

"I wish to make it known," Jannis said, "that everything that I have offered you is still up in the air. Your loyalty will be considered, but it is not enough. We are fighting a war, and if you want the full scope of what I have offered, then I suggest you commit your forces to the war as well."

"You need our military might?" Generic asked. Jannis could see a predatory glint in her eye. He did not like it in the slightest.

"Consider it an investment," he said. "A guarantee that you get everything you want from this. How else am I assured of your loyalty?"

"What if we have few soldiers to give?" Amelia asked.

"Then your diplomats and spies will do," Jannis said. "What I need is your resources, to accelerate our victory and get us all to what we want sooner rather than later."

"We will consider what you've said," Taco said. He stood to leave. "But it is getting quite dark. I think I will take my leave."

"And I as well," Generic said. "It has been most enlightening." Amelia, Horsea, and Inferno all stood to go with them as well, and Jannis nodded.

"Farewell, then," he said. "And remember, my friends. You have everything to gain from the Church. But you have everything to lose as well."

"We know," Inferno said.

"Farewell, Jannis," Amelia said. "This has been most productive."

"And informative," Horsea said. "Most informative indeed." He shut the door behind them, and Jannis breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was… interesting," he said. "The damn vultures."

"Do you seriously intend to give them so much?" Link asked. "That would make them major powers in their own right!"

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it," Jannis said. "For now, we will prepare. We will observe. If they want what we promised, they will obey."

"And if they don't?" Link asked. He loosened his scarf. "What happens then?"

Jannis sighed. He steepled his fingers and looked at the door they had left through. "Let us hope it doesn't," he said. He cast a sideways glance at Zissman's painting, hanging on the wall beside them. "For their sakes and ours."

October 28, 10 ATC

Stray Cat Tavern, Rhodon City, Laevig Province, Kingdom of White Rose

Anti and Rowing sat in the back room of the Stray Cat Tavern, waiting for their guests to arrive. The Stray Cat was one of Anti's favorite taverns in Rhodon City, always alight with smugglers or mercenaries willing to do a quick job sabotaging the League for ducats. Rowing, however, was less comfortable; he wrung his hands anxiously as they waited for Sphinx to arrive.

"I don't like being here," Rowing said. "Why do we have to be stuck in the seediest part of Rhodon City?"

"Relax," Anti said. "They know you're with me, so nobody's going to go after you as long as I'm around. And besides, nobody's going to hit a priest. Unless you do something to deserve it, of course."

"That's a relief," Rowing said sarcastically. Anti ignored him. She was still thinking about Sphinx, about getting him on board. Sphinx alone was a dangerous man, but with the resources and the connections he had, he could be an exceptional ally. Or enemy.

After a few more minutes, they heard a knock on the back door of the room: twice, once, twice, once. Anti walked over and opened the peephole, closed it, and then unlocked the door.

Two men entered, both clad in nondescript brown cloaks. As soon as Anti shut the door behind them, though, they shed the cloaks and cast them aside. One was an old man, dressed in rich black leather with silver trimming, and the sigil of Monochrome was embroidered on his collar in bright white. Despite his age, his hair was miraculously still jet black, as was his stubble, and he stood tall and proud. His compatriot was clearly related to him: despite being several decades younger, he appeared much the same. They had the same black hair, round faces and dull blue eyes, but most worrying was the glint of cunning Anti saw in both of them. Truly, they had not changed at all.

"Good evening, Baroness," the old man bowed. "Vicar. I am Viceroy Sphinx Black of Checkmate. This is my grandson Hozack. It's a pleasure to see you."

"The pleasure is ours," Anti said. She took a seat at the table. The others followed suit.

"We came to you to give you an offer," Rowing said. "A seat on Jannis's council. We are aware of your influence and your resources. We would like you to join us as we restore order."

"Me?" Sphinx said with false surprise. "Why me? I am subordinate to Grand Prince Onyzyon. It would be unbecoming for a vassal to sit at the table when his liege does not."

Sphinx spoke with a twist of maliciousness in his voice; he was testing Rowing. Anti opened her mouth to interrupt, but Hozack put a gloved hand on hers. She held her tongue.

"Onyzyon does not need to know about this arrangement," Rowing said. "Perhaps that's for the best. Our business is an unsavory one. There is no need to entangle others in it."

Sphinx laughed, and Anti saw a smile alight on Hozack's face as well. "You're cleverer than I would've expected from a priest. It seems I underestimated you. I apologize." He turned to Anti, and his joviality disappeared. "Of course, I am willing to discuss these things. Preferably with you, Anti, since you understand the value of our common interest." He sneered the words 'common interest' and Anti knew that she would have to continue alone.

"Quite right," Anti said, forcing a smile. "Quite right indeed." She turned to Rowing. "Rowing, would you please wait outside? See that we're not disturbed."

Rowing squinted at her, his eyes shifting suspiciously from her, to Sphinx, to Hozack. "Whatever for?"

"I feel like they are not comfortable with you here," she whispered. "With an Outlander. I hope you understand."

Rowing grunted in affirmation. He stood, gave a small bow, and walked out the back door. Once it was closed behind him, Hozack gave Anti a wry grin.

"Sending him away so soon?" he asked pointedly. "Is there something you don't want him to hear?"

"He said it best," Anti replied. "We must not entangle others in our affairs."

"And yet you have already done that," Sphinx said. Whatever pleasantries he had were now abandoned. "When you joined the Church in this mad crusade of theirs."

"I warned you," Anti said. "I told you about the Church's arrival. And I made it very clear that I was acting alone in this. That's why I left the organization."

"And yet we were dragged into it anyways," Sphinx said. "We allowed you to leave because we respected you and your influence. But then you used our investments and the resources we gifted you and poured them into the Church! And then you started a goddamned coup!" Sphinx sputtered and began coughing violently. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wheezed into it while Hozack patted him on the back.

"Calm yourself, grandfather," Hozack said. "It isn't good for your health." He turned to Anti. "Like it or not, you dragged all of us into this. And now you come back to us asking for our aid?"

"I am not to blame for all this," Anti said. "Inferno, Faker, even the Church on its own was powerful enough to get the ball rolling."

"Perhaps," Hozack said. "But at least we would've had the opportunity to shore up our assets before you brought the Church to our doorstep."

"We can make things right," Anti said. "You can protect the order's common interests and gain even more. Like it or not, the only way to keep the organization running now is through the Church. Do you think the League would allow you, known collaborators already, to walk free if they win? Not a chance. You have everything to gain by collaborating, and nothing to lose."

"There's always something to lose," Sphinx said at last, his fit having subsided. "But you make a good point."

"So that's it?" Anti asked. "You'll join us?"

"No," Sphinx said. "I will parlay. I want to know exactly what it is I'm getting myself into."

"Very well," Anti said. "That will have to do." She went over to the back door and opened it up. Rowing came back inside.

"I trust we had a productive meeting," he said. Anti glanced at Hozack and Sphinx, who had already donned their cloaks again. She slowly nodded.

"We will continue to parlay," Anti said uneasily. "But we have made good progress."

"That we have," Sphinx said, and he gave his most diplomatic smile. "I'm afraid we have to go now. We must journey back to Checkmate."

"I bid you gentlemen farewell," Rowing said. "Safe travels." As soon as Hozack and Sphinx had exited, Rowing shut the door behind them.

Out in the cold alleyway, Sphinx and Hozack began walking back to their inn, wrapping their cloaks close around them. Sphinx scoffed.

"That insufferable wench," Sphinx said. "Dragging us even more into this power grab of hers."

"Surely you don't mean to go along with it?" Hozack asked. Sphinx sighed.

"If at all possible, no," Sphinx said. "We would have to give up far too much autonomy, especially since Anti knows who we are. If a single word of our order reaches Jannis's ears…"

"Then do we commit ourselves to the League?" Hozack asked. Once again, Sphinx sighed.

"Damned if we do, damned if we don't," he said. "We cannot sit idly by anymore. The League may give us more freedom, but Nitesco has always had a penchant for moralizing. And democracy." He spat. "I fear he may be as dangerous as Jannis to our interests. We will have to see who will be more amenable to our long-term goals and side with them."

They crossed a dirt road, narrowly avoiding a cart of manure. "Why do we have to?" Hozack said. "Hear me out, grandfather. You said it yourself that we cannot sit idly by. Whatever happens, we need to find a way to guarantee our security after the war dies down. Under Jannis, there's no way that can happen."

"Then what do you suggest?" Sphinx asked.

"That we funnel information to the League," Hozack said. "We've become too passive in recent years. Having a hand in greater politics can be good for us."

"You were too young to remember Celtic's revolt, then," Sphinx said. "We supported him because we had the opportunity to expand our horizons, but that backfired. It crippled us. Only recently have we regained our losses. It's too risky to play politics again!"

They stopped outside the entrance of their tavern. Hozack leaned closer to ensure they were not heard.

"Greater risk for greater reward," he quipped. "If Jannis wins, we know what happens. He takes over, finally institutes his order, and our home and allies become his puppets. But if the League wins, things are different. The balance of power has been changed. There will be a vacuum to fill. Why not step in? Why should we settle for protecting our common interests when we can expand them?"

Despite himself, Sphinx chuckled. He placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "You're an ambitious little shit," he said. "I've trained you well." He nodded and beckoned for Hozack to follow him inside the inn. "I'll think it over. In the meantime, do you know when the Mask will arrive in Anderssen?"

"The first of November," Hozack replied. Sphinx grinned.

"Good. We'll leave after breakfast tomorrow," he said. He grabbed the pendant in his pocket, an image of a small, cat-like eye, and he smiled.

"Everything is falling into place."