Sorry power issues last night. so two days. 25,503

I smiled a bit. “It is a lot to take in. I. still find it hard to believe, having lived it. It is to much. I don’t react well to be being touched without warning. Like I said I have a few people that have said they would see me dead. That they said it to me would do it, but a few have acted on the words. I know that I don’t need to worry here, but some things are not easy to just shut off.” I looked at the picture and smiled a bit. “That flag with flying dragon is the proof that there were units of un-bonded dragons fighting on our side. It is the flag that Westire uses to this day. Funny in a way, given that is where the dragons that helped me, us, that day came from. You always said that my attraction to that flag meant it would have a role in my life. Others here are used by countries that I have been to, but most I do not know the history of. Two I know adopted it from some ruins found. Then those four are different Fay tribes. That one is the one I am related to, well one of them, the other is not in the picture. That is also more distant.” I glanced at the door and nodded, there he was. Now to lay some ground work, no need to make them think that he is overly friendly with me. I know it is not his idea but I do not know how much seeing me moving about the house would make them think he was reconsidering his support of them. We each have our reasons for not wanting our past relationship known so best give another reason. “Thank you again for indulging my curiosity Governor. I have been hunting records of the past war since my encounter. They had to have been some ways of dealing with the demons that we have forgotten in the year they left us alone. Your land here has had more reasons to keep the details. It is strange how few records of the first two battles there are. In fact I have only found a dozen images of them outside of the Faylands, and the ones there are strangely void of details regarding Darkness.”

Henry and Dev looked at me oddly, but then Keven spoke from the door. “Now what are you doing Highness? Not trying to scare them with tales of Icos tearing around, I hope. I truly do not know where you get such wild ideas. Everyone knows that there are none, they all vanished during the last war.”

I smiled. “Now I don’t go spreading rumors around. I do not know where you heard of the supposed Icos attack, but it wasn’t from me. There is no evidence there was one, and I am not going to encourage jumping at shadows. I did tell them of one of the Drake attacks. Commander Grath checked and agreed that the scars I have were caused by a Drake for all it should be imposable. As they are here I think it wise to look at the older records and see what else was around when they were and how they dealt with them. For all there is no reason at this time to think there are more it never hurts to study the past. Thank you again for letting me see this print and for the permission to look at your archives. I know it is a bit invasive of me.” I started to the door, knowing we had been in there to long.

Henry said. “Think nothing of it General, all ambassadors are more than welcome to make use of the resources when they are here. I do see the wisdom in look at what was done in the past in light of the increasing activity. It just makes sense that where there was One Drake there will be others, and I would say that is indeed good reason to look and see what other demons were active when they were. No doubt you will find my own researchers there, just let them know what it is you want to see.”

Keven shook his head. “I should have known. You do love digging through records and coming up with outdated bits of lore.  It is a wonder what you find.  You are right you did not  make the report, just jumped on it, as you tend to with any of them. No matter how ridiculous. The things you have insisted the troops go out for. No wonder Glaicer has had to up recruiting with all the nonsense you have them chasing. One would think you were gearing up for an expanse if they didn’t know Emporium well enough to know he won’t move.”

I said. “All the demon active points at a war coming, our military is far from the only one that is preparing for it. Our people are not used to seeing any of them, and so need to know that their concerns are being taken seriously. So therefore I ordered that a team goes out to check when asked or if there is a rumor of a larger demon. I feel that it is important the rumors be stopped fast and the best way to see to it is to be seen investigating them. That way they know that the fear is not just being brushed aside, that we are doing all we can.”

Keven shook his head. “That is a bit hard on the men, but yes I can see where you would need something. The stories there do tend to get wild fast. I can’t believe how fast they are able to believe in nonexistent threats. Must be all the ties with the Fay you have. Make you able to believe in anything.”

Steven said. “I see nothing wrong at all in having reports investigated. My troops have orders for them to do so. Just folks here don’t report as many being used to seeing them. So you have had reports of some large ones?”

I nodded. “Nothing that has been proven, but there have been more sighting of Drakes that sound creditable and a bunch of others that don’t as well as a few dozen repots of Locs that never have any evidence. Not so much as a claw mark, thank goodness. There was a report of a big blue scaly creature and scales were found, but there is no idea what it was. The scales do not match any of our records, nor did the Fay offer any identification. They were able to find records of beings with blue skin but said they did not fit the details in the report. It is troubling, for it was a settled area. There have been no other reports of it, so I would dismiss it, but those scales.”

Steven said. “Yes that needs looking into. Who knows what they have been up to these last years. I have not seen and reports of anything blue but then not all make it to me. I will tell them that I want copies of any involving something blue no matter how silly it sounds. I had best remind them that all reports of large demons are to be investigated no matter what. The Fay could not explain why are the greater demons left, they had tried to banish the two biggest but the spell should not have affected the others. Therefore there is reason to worry. Even if you had not had an encounter with a Drake. I hope you don’t mind if I make that public? It will help see they are taking it serious.”

I shrugged. “It is common knowledge in Glaicer. I f you think it will help go for it. If you think it will help have your commanders come here and I will tell them and let them see the scars. They are not going to want to believe it. I don’t want to believe it. I hate to think it, but the spell was never permanent, even for those it was meant for. Thing is they can’t risk use it again not knowing what happened, and we were losing when they tried it.”

Steven frowned. “I was afraid of that and it is not good. We are far from ready.  We know less now. Weapons have changed, we have a made strides in a lot of areas, but we forgot a lot about the demons. We are less prepared. Not as bad as the ancestors were, but still a good deal closer to them than to those that were in the last real war. Just ask the few vets around, they see it.” I nodded for I had, both human and Fay.

Keven shook his head. “You are all getting stressed over rumors. Yes the little guys have been a bit more active, but they do that every few years. There is nothing of substance about the claims . Just trash. They are gone. They were wiped out.”

Steven said. “Her scars are not faked and they are all the proof I need see to know that the Drakes at least are here. It is just reasonable to believe the others are not far behind. Furthermore we are seeing more types not just more number of the small ones. All the signs say there is a war coming. Hiding from it is the wrong move. We need to be awake and prepared. That way we can avoid one mistake of the last war. I know why you want to believe the larger demons are gone for good, but you read the accounts. You know that the Fay said then it was a stop gap. That if it worked they had no idea how long it would last. You read how scared they were that all vanished, that they did not know what the result of that would be. Yes I know your ancestors say that they all died yet they were not the ones making or casting the spell. I believe the records of those that did the spells over those that saw them from the outside.”

Jeffrey said. “What has she been saying now? What dead monster did you see this time, a shimmer? I do wonder just how you manage it Highness. You sure know how to get people chasings ghost don’t you. There are no larger demons, just because you can’t tell a Drake from a Ryper is no reason to get everyone looking for the dead.”

I shook my head, hoping my surprise did not show. That was closer to a fight than I had seen them. Things might just have cooled there a bit after all. “I know why you don’t want to believe it, but it has been confirmed by a number of others. Including vets who saw the Drakes. Fay and bonded humans both. I do wish I had of been wrong, but I am not. There were types there that I could not identify, some were illusions some were not. The fact is there are types of small demons being seen that are not any records. Including the Fay’s records. That is alarming, even if it was just one lone Drake.”

Keven said. “What would you? Oh yes you would. After all you ran to them after that convent faint. So you would know what those say wouldn’t you Highness? I don’t know what your game is, but it won’t work here. They are not going to be overcome by your Fay tricks.”

Jerffry looked at him and shook his head. “That was not called for and you know it. Just because here do not hold much with the Fay doesn’t mean it is wise to discount their records. They do have more knowledge of them than we do. Those of Glaicer freely traffic with them. Her going to stay in their lands is not as unusual as it would be here. The fey are different and hide a good deal but they are a part of the treaty as well. It looks odd here to retreat to them, but there it is common to seek their aid. They do not fear the strange affects such aid can have.”

Steven shook his head. “There is nothing wrong in dealing with the Fey or visiting their lands. Their records are useful and they are far more open with them then they need to. I do not know just why you find them to be feared. My men have also ran into demons that they cannot find names for, and I am sure some of them checked the Fay records as well. I don’t like it. That means we have no idea just what skill these new types have, just what poisons they carry or where. I am glad that Fay are willing to help, they are better at healing and finding antidotes.”

I nodded. “They are working on it. If you can have your guys but the flag up at any battle site they will come get the remains and see what they can find, even if they don’t make it there in time to help. That is one of the dozen things I am to be sure and find a way to bring up as they might have been forgotten. As imposable as it seems they do tent to find bits they can use even when it all turned to ash. I take it that there are differences in the ash depending on type. They tried to show me, but I couldn’t see what they did.”

He smiled. “I will see that is added. I am sure there are times the help will be welcome as the attacks pick up we are going to be short. So you have a contact with them? I tried to send an invitation, but I and not sure it was received. They should have a ambassador here as well this year as we are looking to redo some of the trade terms and update the member list, for some there no longer exists and others should be there.”

Keven coughed and looked ready to protest, but his father stopped him. I looked at them then at my father. I knew none would come here without him saying they could. Yet it was not my place. Best let that go. Just go with the direct question. “

I nodded. “I lived among them for six months and still have some contact. A mixed blood like me bonds the Fay blood typically is suppressed, but not always. Mine was always strongly expressed and bonding was causing those gifts that it carried to wake. It was going slow and was being managed but then I had a bad shock and everything tore open. The safest thing was for me to go to fayland as they could control the damage as I learned to control the gifts. I was there for six months and have a way to get back if needed. Fay gifts are unpredictable and the bond has impacts as well.” That should be enough, for all I am sure they will be telling him some wild tells when I am gone. Then they would do that no matter what. “Mostly I am just exchanging reports with their demonolgists. We are trying to find some pattern to the attacks, seeing if there is a way to tell what demons are most like to be at a location. Of course we keep getting distracted by issues in classifying the demons, but we do have a descent map going.”

Steven said. “I never thought, but yes that does. I think there is one from the last war. I will have message Ron, he is going to want in on this. I want to see that map, and I will get you reports from here to add to it. Likely a few of my experts will want in. Henry is there a room they could take over? They are going to want to help with the classification issues, if they aren’t ones they are already working on. Could be some of the ones they solved will help you.”

I winced but hoped not noticeably. I should have watched my words better, but I had no idea that he was into demons. After all I hid from state events, and the Lords as much as I could, likely why he hadn’t recognized me. Still it is my fault. He shouldn’t be forced. “There is room in the set I have been given to lay out the map I have and I am sure that they will send your researchers copies of the reports. I will be glad to see what they have and go over what we have found. More eyes are always a help.” There that should do, and avoid the fact the Fay can’t come here. If he finds out I am mixed and can feel the ban so that will cover. He need not know that it is just the blood tie that lets me pass it. “Likely it is nothing, but well it helps to do something and not all can fight, and it is at least telling us what has been seen. However it is a ghost chase, and some are going to resent it.”

Steven said. “Not the ones I will be talking, they are going to see the worth. I know it is easy to think none care about the differences in Demons, but I have hired people just because they love studying them. I have long had the hobby, but the ones I am going to be talking to have made a career out of studying them. Unlocking mysteries is what they enjoy.”

I nodded for I could understand that. Heck I could easily have been them, just I had other thing I was the best person for. Not that I saw it for a time. “Then they are not going to mind. I will be glad to share with them and might be able to get them some copies of texts they don’t have, if I can talk them out of ones I am missing.” He looked at me I shrugged. “Life might have made me into a Military officer, but I was a historian first and my major remains Demonolgy. I am going to complete my PHD, no matter how delayed.”

He smiled. “You might come to regret telling me that. You will find I make use of those around me. Now then we all need to go be social and stop talking about grim things where others might hear us and get upset. Not all are ready yet to admit why we are here. You go find the other young ones. You need to spend some time with those your age before you forget you are young. Come on Henry we had best go see what Herbert wants to protest now.” He left me shaking my head.

I looked at Jeffry. “I know that you want us out of the alliance treaty, but right now it would be a mistake. After the war, if you are close to half we will leave without protest, if you don’t bring the proposal to we remove the Fay or us at this time. I cannot speak for the Fay but I feel that they will follow us in this. Just think about it, I don’t need any answer other than your actions here. A request has already been sent that all trades registered to Glacier respect your border line and do not cross it but at the guard stations. I am not certain how many Nations are with you, but if they wish to tell me the same will be said of their lands. I do hope that will help.” I left him staring after me his mouth half open. I didn’t want to hear what he would say. I couldn’t be sure how well I would respond to the next insults. I was a bit close to snapping. I looked at Kev. “So I think that was clear. You know where we can find a card game that is going to have people high enough that I appear not to be hiding from this?