Grancrest oneshots

Slaves

3rd pov

Slaves are not welcomed in most parts of the kingdom, Lords banning all things related to it and destroying everything that could possibly count towards enslaving someone. Even the corrupt Lords dislike slavery, refusing to have to cover up or hide the slave rings, the dead bodies or anything of the sort, so they too ban it. The only place that does not, to no one's surprise, is Sistina. Many rumors have spread about Rossini and how he runs his island, but with the ongoing war, no one really has the time to check it out. Villar gets the most reports, being as close to the area as he is, and on top of that, he has several spies in the city, refusing to let the man get away with what he's doing.

The mages are also against slavery, sickened to think there are really people who would want to force others to work for them, would torture and degrade others just for fun, and so they all know several extremely lovely spells, that unlock locks, can restore a body to how it was - for those who lose weight, muscle, anything - and that can usually bring the life back to a former slaves eyes, though sometimes they're too far gone to actually bring back, so those poor humans... They kill them out of mercy.

Alexis has still not gone to activate war, when a huge change occurs in Sistina, with a young man taking over Rossini's crest and land, instantly becoming a Viscount. The people are surprised, but the rumors that were spreading stop, everything in Sistina going quiet. Villar's spies aren't saying anything or sending anything, nor is the few Marrine sent in, both of them surprised, but not sharing the information just yet. In fact, they don't learn of what's happening there until Villar almost dies, recovering from his injury in secret, with Marrine and Alexis only finding out about his survival after they are forced into a stalemate as his forces arrive in bulk. He manages to convince the two to get married, as has been his wish and hopes from the beginning of the war.

A young man approaches them as they're resting in Villar's castle, a messenger from the Lord of Sistina, the poor man however, is clearly not alright, kneeling before them, shifting in discomfort every few moments as he delivers the message.

"The new Lord of Sistina would like to avoid going to war with you if at all possible, he wishes to join the Alliance."

"Young man, tell your Lord we are no longer the Alliance and the Union, we are the Imperial Army. He can join us or go to war." Marrine says, making sure she's clear, they don't need the Lord of Sistina messing with what they are doing.

"Ma'am... He didn't send me until after the announcement, he fully knows that you are one front now. He still says he wishes to join the Union." The young man clearly doesn't agree nor does he want to be saying it, but he delivers the message anyway.

Villar and Alexis' eyes flash, wondering where the new Lord gets off on refusing to submit to a joined group, choosing to boldly claim to join one half of it, clearly stating he doesn't agree or approve of the joined group. Marrine sits back impassively, wondering why the Lord would send a man like this to send the message, before she turns at a tap on her shoulder, meeting the eyes of her mage, Aubest. He leans closer and she stiffens at the words whispered in her ear, peering closer at the young man and disgusted to find her mage right.

She knows Villar is talking, she knows he won't become Emperor and she full well knows how bad it is to stand and move while he is speaking, but her cousin will forgive her, as she does exactly that, rising and striding towards the young man, who has not once looked up from the floor but stiffens the slightest bit until he's practically frozen as she gets closer and stops in front of him.

"Raise your head."

"Ma'am, I can't make you-"

"I want you to raise your head. If what I've been told is true as well as what I think I can see, your Lord will not be in control of that island for much longer. Raise your head."