Summoning Japan to Xadia

Chapter 5: First Contact, Part 1

New cover art I commissioned from DaleValeArtsy. Links at the end of the chapter.

1027 A.G.B., 19th Day of Florescentia, Diemaquae

Xadia, Kingdom of Del Bar, Serpentongue, Hunter's Keep

Morning

King Florian already cannot wait to go to morning worship tomorrow. He already attended today's service. Whenever he leaves the chapel, he meets all sorts of people who present their grievances. Rich or poor, wives and maidens, widows and their pretty daughters. Bowing their heads, bending their knees, and kissing his hand. It topped off a good breakfast. He woke up feeling energized. He began the day with such high spirits. 

Now he has to sit with these old wrinkly men and their saggy jowls. Their beards barely make any difference.

He looks to his right, at his steward Jarl Joffran the Calm of Hinterpeak. Despite losing half of his face to a Sunforge sword, he has the most pleasant face in the Moot.

"My lords. What do you have for me, today?" The King asks.

"More ships visiting us from the east, Your Grace." Joffran smirks, half-flesh and bone. "The elves of Xadia mostly."

Florian snorts. "I don't understand Queen Zubeia. Outlawing glowtoads for fishermen?"

"No, sire. And not all fishermen," Joffran chuckles. "She is blinded by grief. Her archdragons and viceroys have taken advantage of it, declaring she has the right to claim ownership over all glowtoads. They use the rights to control supply, favoring only exclusive netsmen guilds."

"Xadian Law is tyrannic," That is how Florian understands it. "That is why Lord Ziard defied Dragon Queen Luna Tenebris. In our kingdom, we must all obey the law." He bows his head, left and right, acknowledging every member of the Moot around the table. "If a king ever commits injustice, every lord has a sacred right to rebel to defend the law."

"And who would dare question her, Your Grace?" said his court shaman, Jarl Lorogas the Portly of Floriansand, seated to the left of the King. "She is a living goddess. Her archdragons make up her pantheon."

Florian bangs his fist on the table. "They are no gods!"

"Their loss, our gain."

It was that same, soothing voice that he woke up to this morning.

Florian stands up. "My queen!"

"Your Grace." Jarl Joffran greets. He and the rest of the Moot stand up, bend their knees, and bow deeply from the waist in reverence to the Queen's presence.

"Frida, my love." He comes to her and reaches down to grab her hand.

"My king." The Queen bends her knee, holding her dress with her free hand to keep it from touching the floor, bowing her head to her husband. 

She raises his hand to her lips and kisses it.

"Did I miss a lot?"

"Nothing important." Florian leads Frida to his chair. 

He snaps his fingers at a servant standing by. "Fetch us another chair."

"Right away, sire!"

Frida takes his seat. Unfortunately, for the Moot, they cannot sit until the King is seated again. They have to join him standing.

Hovering behind her, Florian restarts their discussion, "With the glowtoad monopoly added to the long list of dragon tyranny, elven traders are becoming a common sight in our ports."