Ch3 - Control

In all power struggles the question is... Who is in control?

Tynan and Brand were sitting at an extravagantly long table.

The table could easily fit a dozen people.
Every chair sat empty, made off setting by the fact that there was a full dish complement at each spot.

Yet the two were sat right next to each other, and all other places were ignored.

Tynan spoke, as a servant brought over a dish.

All the dishes were made from stone so any ash didn't show on the dish.

"I understand that in the past there was tension, but our nations have been on pleasant terms for three centuries."

Brand responded, holding his glass.

"That is true, but both our species are long lived.

There are plenty who can recall the wars.

Most of which, I'll remind, were encouraged by your parents."

Tynan took a small bite of his food.

He maintained his composure, it was key in these negotiations.

It was true that Tynan's parents had been rather keen on expanding their boarders, and proving their might.

It was apparently during the time they were having trouble conceiving.

Without an heir, people were questioning their right to the throne.

So, they lashed out in full fury.

Tynan gave a calm smile, "Well, I am not my parents.

And that is exactly why I'm here negotiating and my mother isn't.

She recognizes that her very presence angers many, and makes peace talks difficult.

On a separate note.

I would also like to remind, that your kingdom actually benefited greatly from the war.

Creation of your... 'shadow trap' has given your kingdom a great boon.

An excellent position when negotiating, and quick invitation to any event."

Brand laughed, "That is true.

We have made magnificent improvements to the shadow trap since then.

We actually built it into the entire castle!"

Tynan made no outward expression.

He took a small sip of water, "That's rather impressive.

How many servants were sacrificed to encompass the entire castle?"

The servant who'd been filling Brand's glass again dropped their pitcher at the word sacrifice.

The servant scrambled grabbing it, babbling apologies before running out.

Brand watched the servant, then looked to Tynan.

"Don't do that, it makes them jumpy.

But alright, you caught me.

We don't have the entire castle, the enchantment is to draining."

Tynan had known the servant would respond to the word sacrifice.

Purpura's snooping had uncovered part of the servant's fear was fear of sacrifice.

The Vulkaan were rather devoted to certain gods who preferred sacrifices.

Since Vulkaan considered themselves a superior species they simply sacrificed servants.

It kept them on the god's good sides, but their servants were constantly afraid.

Those who served well were usually kept alive, but it wasn't a guarantee.

"My foreign adviser tells me that one prison cell, and a few hand-cuffs are enchanted.

Perhaps some other items, but that was the gist of what he found find thru research on the subject."

Brand gave a laughing sigh, "Your adviser is a smart thing.

Speaking of which, where is the cat-boy?"

"Neko." Tynan said firmly, before adding. "And again. His name is Damiaan."

"Right, neko... Damiaan.

Where is he? I had expected him to join for the meal."

"He desired to peruse your library.

So, I asked a servant to take him there.

I suspect he lost track of time, he gets very 'into' his research."

Brand thought a bit, "What is he researching that he couldn't ask?"

Tynan gave a light chuckle, "In his, and my own experience.
People lie.

They are corrupt, and have alternate motives than they claim."

His tone was turning darker as he continued.

"People are swayed, often 'forget' the truth, they choose to ignore facts, and put themselves first. A person will do all they can to be victorious in a conversation.

They cannot be trusted because they will always lie."

He stopped and gave a smile.

"Thus we choose to learn more about the history of a nation thru books.

The more books you read the better and more accurate picture you get."

Brand swallowed as he ate another bite.

"So... the peace treaty?" he said almost trying to change the subject.

Tynan gave a laugh, "I do apologize.

That's a speech my mother made me recite as a child.

Her way of teaching me about negotiation."

Brand gave a weak smile, "I'm just gonna say it, before dessert comes out.

Your childhood, was f--ked up."

Tynan laughed as the servants came over with dessert.

"I'm well aware, there is a reason we are called the Heartless."

"Because parents f--k up their kids?" Brand offered.

Tynan laughed again, "I suppose that could be a small part.

It's mostly about how we leave emotion at the door.
We refuse to get our heart involved.

Plus we don't have a heart to start with."

He paused in thought, "I think there was something else about the origin of the name... something to do with our rise to power..."

Brand watched Tynan think as he took a bite of food.

Brand then spoke, "Well, it was nearly half a million years ago. I'm sure it doesn't matter how, it probably isn't even relevant to our era."

Tynan nodded, "You're likely right." he said taking a bite of food.

---

Elsewhere, Purpura was in his assassin gear.

He'd borrowed an enchanted bracelet.

It allowed him to remain cool even without the devices in the rooms.

So he steadily climbed a rock wall.

He had been in the library, doing various research.

He'd rather lied to Tynan about the objective of this assignment.

It had nothing to do with an actual assassination.

His particular abilities weren't exactly the most helpful against Vulkaan's to start with.

They didn't bleed, they were made of volcanic power.

They were still infinitely easier to kill than a shadow demon.

Their greatest weakness was large quantities of cool water.

So, he knew if he did have a target it'd be best to drop them in the ocean or something.

Which would be exactly why Tynan's shadow demon abilities would have made him a keen support.

But this mission was all research.

Since his orders from Tempus he'd been trying to gain all research he could on Tynan's mother.

In the Heartless Empire records on her before her marriage to the then prince were scarce.

However all records regarding her in anything except extreme flattery were non-existent.

Any book he could find regarded her as one of the greatest rulers the heartless kingdom had ever seen.

Her marriage to the now deceased king the perfect union.

It praised every action as if it were a divine instruction.

So, he was looking for better info.

Especially of a brief period every Heartless record seemed to skip.

Purpura went to a window and tried it.
It didn't open, so he moved blood in and tweaked the lock.

He then pulled it open, and went inside closing it behind himself.

It was a large room full of scrolls.

This room lacked in active lava, as it would likely set all the scrolls ablaze.

It also meant the room was a little darker.

He moved quietly, not sure if anyone would be patrolling.

He examined the shelves searching.

Purpura wasn't even sure what order these scrolls were in.

Not that he even knew what he was looking for.

Suddenly a quiet voice spoke.

"Can I help you?"

Purpura jumped, and looked.

It was a male, dressed poorly like a servant.

Purpura pointed to his ear then the male.

"You didn't hear me coming?"

Purpura nodded.

The male nodded, "That is normal.

I am the spirit of Loihi."

Purpura thought, Loihi...

Then it occurred to him.

Loihi was the dormant underwater volcano that this volcano had essentially swallowed when it erupted.

He remembered reading about it, and that the servants prayed to Loihi.

Believing that Loihi would one day erupt and crack the larger volcano's land.

This crack would symbolize there the enslaved could go to live in peace.

He pulled out a notebook.

Loihi was considered a spirit of wisdom, and self-growth.

He wrote, and handed the notebook over.

Loihi gently took it, and read it.

"Ah, information on foreign royalty is this way." he said handing the book back as he walked.

Purpura took it and followed.

Eventually they came to a large section and Purpura began to examine a shelf.

"Blood demon."

Purpura jumped a bit again, looking to Loihi.

Loihi just smilled, "The information you desire is on this shelf."

He was holding his hand towards one shelf.

Purpura went over, and paused before looking thru it.

He wrote in his book again and offered it to Loihi.

Loihi took it, he read it then seemed to frown a bit.

"Not any time soon.

Next century an earthquake will hit...

It will cause Vulkaan to erupt again.

But I will as well.

Then my people can come, my land will be fertile and perfect for farming.

The shrimp will be plentiful.

I can only hope my people survive that long."

Purpura nodded, then simply wrote 'Thank you.'

Loihi smiled, and disappeared.

Purpura began searching thru the shelf, before just pulling all the scrolls down.

He placed them on a table, and scanned quietly.

Then he found it, just what he needed.

He scanned the rest to ensure there wasn't any further info, before putting them away.

He read thru the scroll multiple times, memorizing the words and pages.

He wished he could keep it, but he wasn't sure it'd survive.

He took out his notebook and jotted down some notes.

His memory as good, but he didn't want to chance it.

The scroll was a scribe's recounting of the Queen's visit, three years before Tynan was born.

This had been an unofficial visit, and she'd been seeking priests, shaman, healers, spirits.

Apparently her inability to conceive had shaken her more than she'd let on.

The scribe recounted a particular healer whom told her that it was simply the particular union.

If she attempted to conceive with another, she would quickly conceive.

That information was not received well, as she apparently killed the healer in a rage.

After this incident the royal family could not let her stay.

They risked a proper investigation, so they sent her on.

An attached note from an escort ensured that her transport to the Kelpshin kingdom had gone smoothly.

Purpura reread the note many times. Kelpshins were the Heartless' sworn enemies.

Constantly battling for inches of territory, the fighting only stopped as a formality.

The secretiveness of the Queen's journey made more sense.

She couldn't let the people know even she was doubting her abilities to bare an heir.

And to let the people know she'd gone to other kingdoms for help?

Such a thing is unheard of, especially for royalty.

He'd only even known to try searching in the Vulkaan's records because of a note regarding having sent a letter of appreciation.

The letter was likely in appreciation of their 'understanding' in not pressing charges, or imprisoning her for killing the healer.

From what he'd learned she'd been searching for nearly three years before even arriving in the Vulkaan territory.

He didn't have any idea where she'd tried before arriving here.

The Vulkaan only kept the information regarding her visit with them.

She had certainly done her best to maintain the secrecy of her travels.

He put the scroll away, and went to the window to leave.

He had to get back to the library.

Tynan had promised him three hours, but couldn't promise they wouldn't need the 'foreign adviser' to iron out some details on the treaty after that.

Once the treaty was worked out it was customary for the Vulkaan territory to celebrate.

Tynan would be considered the guest of honor.

The celebration would last two weeks.

Tynan and Purpura intended to leave afterwords.
Though they didn't intend to head back 'home'.

Purpura had hoped for a quieter venture.

He knew he couldn't convince Tynan his mother was good.

But perhaps he could simply make Tynan appreciate her a bit?

Something, anything, to keep him from killing her.

He hurried back to the volcano castle.

His thoughts not on the travel.

Instead he wondered what exactly would tip Tynan to kill her.

Yes he hated her, yes she made him cruel and spiteful.

Yes, she tormented him, more than she tormented others.

And yes... she probably deserved to die.

But while Tynan hated her, he never had threatened to kill her.

Never once voiced a desire to kill her, or made any sort of inclination.

What could possibly flip that switch for Tynan?