Prologue
Winter, Day XX
The war between the Ferngill Republic and the Gotoro Empire has gone on for five years, and it was time to end it now. At least that’s what Bailey wanted.
“General Heath,” she saluted.
“Your highness.”
“Have they all been gathered?”
“I have situated them at a booth farthest from any windows and swept the area of any onlookers.”
She nodded approvingly. A regal purple mantle draped over her and a gold tiara rested on her head. A singular purple jewel was in the front. Bailey was in enemy territory, but as the royal ambassador, it was her duty to make her presence known. Including herself, there were a total of six members in the meeting. Two from each country that was involved in the war.
The Trecen Kingdom was vastly different compared to Ferngill and Gotoro. To begin, the latter countries were mainly human. Trecen divulged in the various species. Dragonborn, dwarves, goblins, and even elves resided in the country because of its high magic qualities and for its acceptance of many cultures. Second, a majority of Trecen was connected to the arcane. Though there were recent scientific advancements, they didn’t rely heavily on industrial machines. Why bother changing a light bulb if one could rely on a simple spell to light up an entire room? Besides, it conserved resources to use magic. The last thing that stood out was the kingdom’s constant economic flow. Transporting your own goods, as well as another country’s, has its pros, and the abundance of natural resources was no laughing matter.
But perhaps what made the kingdom so powerful was its tight-net monarchy. The royal family that ruled over Trecen worked in many branches for the betterment of the country. Starting from governing the people and all the way down to providing medicine for the sick, there stood at least one member of royalty in the workforce.
“Ladies and gents, tonight we plan with great haste,” she started. “This is the first peace conference between our countries since the start of the war. I hope to assist in bringing liberty to this revolution.”
Bailey Greyhowl, Prince Raoul’s eldest daughter and the royal family’s ambassador. She wasn’t the eldest but she was known for her negotiation skills and tactical contracts. She exceeded any expectations given to her and has always managed to leave a positive impression on nearly everyone with her courtly charm. However, the public knew her for her benevolence and hope for the people.
Her general sat down, however, he still towered over each of them thanks to his draconic heritage.
A woman wearing a button shirt and jacket cleared her throat, signaling her turn.
“Thank you, your highness. This evening, I introduce Koichi Yakumo, a retired diplomat from the empire’s inner circle. He’s clean and he hasn’t been in contact with the emperor for decades.”
That night, the only ones who knew of their plans were the ones in the room. Not even the bartender understood what was happening. Winter was the start of the Gotoran Revolution. But every door is an opening to everyone, including enemies.
“I suggest setting up spies in the Empire’s Circle,” Bailey said as she glanced at the middle-aged man. “Yakumo, do you know anyone who can do that?”
He nodded. “I have someone in mind. Allow me to contact her tomorrow.”
“Very well,” she approved. “Everyone who approves of this notion, say I.”
“I,” all five answered.
“Unanimous agreement passes the notion,” Donavan stated.
Bailey nodded. “Then that wraps up today’s meeting. You know where to send your reports. And Miss Hada, I wish you luck in leading your people.”
The last thing she heard was a boom, a crash, and then a roar before her vision started to turn white and hazy. Instinct took hold of her body, putting all of her energy into breathing. Her ears rang thanks to the explosion but the voices that she could make out were muddled, blending together merely for the sake of making noise. Whenever Bailey did see a face, they were blurry as she was blanking on her entire environment.
Bailey could only make out something if she focused almost painfully. The starry night sky went blurry with a single blink, her general’s powerful roar to signal the surrounding platoon of what occurred and to order an attack. The people crowded her as they frantically gave her the medical attention she so desperately needed.
She could feel herself mumbling things, but she wasn’t conscious of what they were. When Bailey was able to process her surroundings, she sat up slowly, only to be pushed back down.
“Don’t sit up just yet,” the medic ordered. “You’re still regenerating your blood since we don’t have compatible types to donate.”
Bailey tried her best to relax but she felt like something was missing. For once, she felt terribly powerless. Perhaps her pride was stolen in the ambush. Unlikely as she often stayed humble but it was a chance…
As she recovered slowly, the medic poked their head from the tent, permitting someone to come in. Her general came in, staring at her for a bit before he sat down in the spare chair.
“You’re awake… I’m relieved.”
“Of course.” She grinned dryly. “It’s gonna take more than one attack to kill me.”
He remained expressionless but Bailey could see that his green eye dilated. The slit of his pupils shrunk a bit at her false courage. They appeared almost guilty. As if the ambush was his fault. Yet they both knew that wasn’t it. Donavan’s remorse was because he broke his promise to keep her safe while he vowed to keep all royal family members away from harm.
“You may be alive, but not in one piece, your highness. It was my mistake to not check the building more thoroughly. I should’ve ordered my men to patrol the outside and I did not think of any traps that could be potentially planted. You would still be able to walk if it weren’t for my carelessness.”
She raised a brow at his statement. Donavan sighed before going on.
“You lost your foot in the ambush. There was a bomb underneath the floorboard. None of us could have predicted it. The others believe that someone else in the resistance had leaked the meeting places.”
Bailey nodded though it was slow and weak. “Ah. Well, if that is the case, we must start planning meetings elsewhere.” Then she leaned up to try and take a glimpse of her missing limb, collapsing back into the medical bed with a thump after seeing the wrapped-up stub.
“The Gotoro Empire is unsafe, your highness. Because of the ambush, the Imperial Army will soon know that the Trecen Kingdom is in support of the resistance. To stay in the empire is not only requesting another attack, but it is also pleading for conflict with Emperor Hiroki.” Donavan grimaced when he thought about the war. “Might I include that you are Trecen royalty first? It does not matter who your mother is. The imperial general will intentionally target you first.”
Her golden eyes darkened and she frowned with disapproval at the reminder. Long ago, her mother escaped the Gotoro Empire and she happened to be from a noble clan. She left because of family disagreements and Bailey’s father agreed to stay away from them.
Bailey, herself, despised her Gotoro kin for what they did to her and her siblings.
“Get to the point, Heath. Though I like your voice, I dislike it when you avoid the bad news.”
“My point is you must evacuate the empire and move out of the kingdom, temporarily at least.”
Bailey was now filled with sorrow rather than anger.
“Is that a suggestion?” she questioned softly. “Or an order? To suddenly leave when the people are in possible danger… the public will believe me to be a cowardly dog if I choose to retreat.”
The general urged that it was the king’s order. Of course, her grandfather would encourage her to move. He cared too much to a fault. Atticus would willingly sacrifice himself if it meant that his kingdom was safe. Bailey relented and began to plan her next move. It was foolish to send her out into another country on her own.
However, she wouldn’t be alone.
Her eldest brother lived in the Ferngill Republic with his own family. They lived in a very rural valley that was away from borders but close enough in case they needed her assistance. It was the perfect place to hide from the Imperial. Not only that, but even several of her friends lived in the neighboring country. Ferngill and Trecen were close to one another after all.
Bailey was filling out the paperwork as she was being nursed back to health. She had told her children to prepare to leave with only a bare explanation.
Ferngill was allied with Trecen and while the kingdom did its best to remain neutral towards the Gotoro-Ferngill feud, Bailey was picking sides. The Revolution was formed because a part of the empire wanted to form its own country during the war. A certain part of the empire didn’t agree with the Circle’s ideals, both Inner and Outer.
It was an opening to change the war.
Bailey believed that if they separated from Gotoro, then perhaps a victory was possible and the war would end. Before she left the capital to migrate to her brother’s farm, Bailey left her orders for the resistance in a sealed envelope and written in code.
As her general escorted her and her family to their plane, Bailey spoke in a low foreign language so that only Donavan would understand.
“Check the mail often,” she ordered in an itchy beast-like voice. Draconic was an old language and very few non-dragons spoke it.
She wasn’t sure how long it would take for her plan to enact, but the ambassador was willing to wait.
Besides, Bailey got to spend time with her family in a new environment until everything settled. What could go wrong?