Misbegotten world

Chapter 29: Aecomdol

As the morning sun bathed the Queen's chamber in soft light, she stirred awake, feeling the cool air against her bare skin. Expecting to find the Demigod of Death beside her, she turned, only to discover the sheets were empty. A fleeting sense of loss washed over her, but she quickly shook it off. Rising from the bed, she gathered her resolve and conjured a crow from the depths of her dark magic, its form materializing with an elegant flap of its wings.

"Find the Demigod of Trickery," she instructed the crow, her voice firm. It took off through the open window, vanishing into the sky beyond.

Next, she summoned her maidservants, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Bring me a gown and attend to my needs," she commanded. As the maidservants hurried in, one of them paused, eyes widening at the sight of their naked queen.

"Y-your Majesty!" the servant stuttered, quickly averting her gaze. "I—um—will fetch your gown at once!"

The others, with a mix of embarrassment and duty, hurried to follow her orders, the air thick with the tension of their Queen's nudity. A few moments later, they returned with a beautiful gown woven from silken threads that shimmered like stars in the night sky. As the Queen donned the gown, the maidservants worked with practiced efficiency, braiding her hair and adjusting the fabric to accentuate her regal presence.

---

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit council chamber of the City of Aecomdol, the Demigod of Death stood at the head of a long table, surrounded by his death heralds and council members. The atmosphere was charged with the urgency of their discussions.

"We must improve our defenses," one herald urged, leaning forward, his eyes glinting with determination. "The Golden Order's armies are moving closer to our borders. If they seek to assert dominance, we cannot afford to be caught off guard."

Another council member nodded in agreement. "Fortifications around the city must be reinforced. We can also enhance the training of our guards. An army may be coming, but we can make it clear that Aecomdol will not fall easily."

"And what of our alliances?" a third herald interjected. "We should reach out to the Dwarven clans and the other demigods. Their support could be crucial in this brewing conflict."

The Demigod of Death considered their words, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "While alliances may serve us well, we must also maintain our autonomy. The Queen would not appreciate any moves that could be seen as weakness. We need to improve the city's infrastructure—an increase in the efficiency of our supply lines will ensure we are ready for any siege."

Just as he finished speaking, the heavy doors of the chamber swung open, and the Queen of Death entered, commanding immediate attention. Her presence shifted the air in the room, silencing all conversation as they turned to regard her.

"Your Majesty," the Demigod of Death greeted, stepping forward with a mix of respect and affection. "To what do we owe this honor?"

The Queen's gaze swept over the council, her eyes sharp and assessing. "I have summoned you here for a reason. We need to discuss the implications of this war brewing between the Golden Order and the Makaylon houses. Our position must be strategically sound."

She paused, her voice low but filled with authority. "What measures are we taking to fortify Aecomdol? And how can we use this conflict to our advantage?"

The Demigod of Death and the council swiftly responded to the Queen's inquiry, detailing their plans for fortifications and troop training, each member eager to present their ideas on how best to prepare for the encroaching threat.

"We are reinforcing the walls with the dark magic that flows through this city, making them more resilient to siege," one herald explained, gesturing to a map spread across the table. "We can also employ illusionary spells to deceive any approaching forces."

"The training of our guards has intensified," another chimed in. "With additional drills focused on combat readiness, we will ensure that our forces are prepared to defend Aecomdol against any who dare approach."

The Queen nodded, her expression approving yet contemplative. "Good. Ensure these plans are set in motion immediately. We must be ready for anything."

But as the conversation progressed, she felt a shift in the room's energy—a tension that she knew could not be ignored. She interrupted, her voice firm but measured. "Before we delve deeper into these military strategies, there's another matter that weighs heavily upon me."

The room quieted, eyes fixed upon her.

"I wish to discuss the Demigod of Trickery and the potential for forming a non-aggression pact with the Golden Order," she stated, her gaze steady. "Though we may not align with their interests, there is wisdom in diplomacy. Our northern factions still harbor the cold grip of winter, and their motivations may prove beneficial for us if we choose our alliances wisely."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the council. The Demigod of Death furrowed his brow. "You believe this Demigod could assist us? He is known for his cunning, but can he be trusted?"

"Trust is not a luxury we have," the Queen replied, crossing her arms. "The world is shifting, and while the Golden Order appears strong, their current engagements may leave them vulnerable. If we can persuade the Demigod of Trickery to support our cause—or at least keep his distance from it—we could manipulate the situation to our advantage."

"But he serves his own interests, Your Majesty," one of the heralds cautioned. "His loyalty is to himself and his tricks. How can we ensure he won't turn against us?"

The Queen raised a hand, silencing the room once more. "We don't need to force his hand. We only need to convince him that an alliance with us serves his interests better than an outright conflict. If we can foster a mutual understanding, we may secure a non-aggression pact that protects our borders while allowing us to keep an eye on the Golden Order's movements."

"And what of the northern factions?" the Demigod of Death asked, intrigued. "Their loyalty is fragile, and they may react violently to our overtures towards the Golden Order."

"They will need to be reassured," the Queen replied, her voice calm yet authoritative. "We can remind them that in unity lies strength. If we can present a united front and demonstrate that our goals align with the preservation of the north, perhaps we can gain their support."

Silence fell over the council as they contemplated the Queen's words. Her vision of a careful, strategic maneuver through the chaos ahead was bold, yet it also risked drawing the ire of those who might not wish to see Aecomdol engage with the Golden Order.

The Demigod of Death finally spoke, a hint of admiration in his tone. "You tread a dangerous path, my Queen, but one I believe we must explore. If you wish to reach out to the Demigod of Trickery, I will support your efforts. His skills could prove invaluable."

"Then it is settled," the Queen declared, determination shining in her eyes. "Prepare a raven. We shall contact him and seek his counsel. In the meantime, let us solidify our defenses and prepare for the tides of war that may yet wash over us."

With renewed focus, the council members nodded in agreement, ready to turn their attention back to matters of state while the Queen contemplated her next move in the intricate game of power that was unfolding across the realm.