The Defector

For The Kingdom!

I haven't seen Donovan since he collected the three Wakizashi swords that I'd commissioned for him.

The fourth being made for myself.

I've had my agents reporting on his actions and, as I see it, he's on great terms with the demon elder.

I thought that he wasn't biased. Why hasn't he been coming to meet with me?

I thought we were friends.

Suddenly, as if he heard my thoughts, he appeared.

"Hasseth! Great news!" He said, happily grinning like a fool.

"Well? Don't keep me in suspense! Out with it!"

"I'll help your kingdom thrive, if you can compromise and work alongside the natives for a peaceful resolution.

Think on it. Trade routes, international relations, goods, commerce, supplies.

All to add to your kingdom's human population.

I did say human, so consider the implication very carefully before you respond, friend." He finished, sitting down in front of my throne.

I suppose that I did accept his rather one-sided offer of friendship..

The only way to add to the human population would be by bringing more humans here!!

"You're going to abduct humans from the other world?" I demanded.

"Hah! Not abduct, good sir. Offer!

Think about it. They're living in the fringes of the frozen wastelands to avoid becoming food for "monsters."

I only need tell them that there is a kingdom, far away, that will welcome them with open arms and I am certain that they will jump at the chance to escape their self-imposed perception of the hell they live in for the chance at a peaceful life." He said, casually relaxing.

Of course, the offer of more citizens is tantalizing, however...

"What do you stand to gain by doing this and what trade routes? You swore no contact!" I shouted, getting flustered and wanting to strangle this uncivilized man laying in front of me, casually picking his teeth!

"Right. I am so sorry." He said, sitting up and crossing his legs.

Bowing over his legs, with his hands on his knees, he continued.

"I apologize for my lapse in memory."

He then vanished and my anger erupted.

"Captain Harlock!" I shouted.

"Yes sire!"

"Send a team of spies to follow him.

I want to know what, if anything, they're planning." I steamed.

I sat back onto my throne.

"What was that, anyway!?

He just sits on my carpet, acted totally at ease and completely disregarded formal étiquette!

It was the same with that... fox.....

Hmmmmm......." I stood up and left the throne room.

Heading down the corridors until I reached a massive iron door.

I unlocked it and pulled it open.

There, in the center, the fox I'd imprisoned for lack of étiquette was still chained.

He was alive, as I never allow prisoners to die, by my hands, unless their crimes warrant it.

"You there. What is your name?" I asked.

He was staring at me, totally at a loss for words.

I took a deep breath and relaxed.

"Please. Tell me your name." I said softly.

"Vennen, sir. I am the emissary of the Nation of Vul-Alsen." He said.

I ordered his release, gave him a pouch of gold coins and fed him.

"I realize that I am hardly in any position to request a favor from you, so I'll say this.

Spy on the hero, or return to imprisonment." I ordered.

"How about this. Hasseth, you greasy, stench ridden, festering puss-filled sack! Drop dead!" He snarled.

Donovan appeared again.

"Hey, one more thinnng...... I swore no contact between humans and foxes.

Either you are forcing my hand, or you've had this one here since before I arrived.

Which is it, Hasseth?" He demanded, calm, still and quiet like a gentle breeze in the midnight air.

"He's held me captive for five years!" Vennen choked, hardly daring to hope that he could leave.

"No. That won't do.

Are you holding any more?"

"Three." I admitted.

"Captured before I arrived?"

"Yes."

"You will release them, yes?" Donovan asked with gaze that seemed to spear through my chest like an iron javelin.

"What will you do if I say no? I am the leader of this kingdom, not you now. GET OUT!" I shouted.

"Alright..." He shrugged and vanished.

I sent Vennen back to the cell and went to sit on my throne.

Commander Gerald Stevens burst into the throne room not thirty minutes later.

"My king! Eight children have been abducted. Each one is from a different noble house!"

"Go on." I said, suddenly realizing what I brought down upon our people.

"The daughter of Marquise, Dune Brannon Von Hershall, is among the eight."

"Is he trying to start a civil war within my kingdom!?

Do you have anything else?" I demanded.

"Yes, my king. This letter." He said, handing it to me.

I unfurled and read it aloud.

"King Hasseth Schachrüt XII.

You are holding four fox people in your kingdom.

As such, the no contact treaty has been inherently violated.

I have brought eight children of the highest social orders to the fox lands.

They will be treated well and honorably, for the first seven days, then they'll be left to the foxes to be dealt with.

You have seven days to release the four prisoners, with money, provisions and supplies, more than enough to return to their homes.

Tell them to stop by the Southern Fox Lands and speak with Elder Seer.

When the release of all four are verified, I'll return the children at your city's West gate.

This will serve to symbolize the sun setting on a terrible situation.

If dawn breaks on the eighth day, however, their lives enter a new era of never seeing their families again.

You can send your entire regiment to face me and die but, I will not relent and these eight children will witness their father's deaths, in combat, to serve as the last they see of any family.

This will be, should you act with force.

Donovan Kyle Lazaret."