At last, the day came for the Natra delegation to leave the Empire. Now that everything was set, each member of the group felt a vague sense of melancholy as they bade farewell to their temporary home during the recent trouble. Even so, the thought of their true home waiting to the west lifted everyone’s spirits.
“My head is killin’ me…” Wein moaned as he writhed on the sofa.
“Didn’t I warn you not to go overboard?” Ninym asked exasperatedly. She offered him a glass of water.
“Don’t blame me. They’re the ones who insisted I try different Earthworld wines since I ‘won’t get another chance for a while.’”
The individuals in question were Glen and Strang, Wein’s friends who now served as Lowellmina’s vassals. They’d met with him the other day. Ninym had elected not to join, since there were departure preparations to see to, and she’d thought a bit of male camaraderie would do Wein good. The sight of him in his present state left her wondering if she should’ve come along, however.
“All the same, a hangover means you had too much,” Ninym stated bluntly as she poked Wein’s cheek with her index finger. “Will you be able to ride like this? We’d be the laughingstock of the world if you drunkenly fell off.”
“I’ll manage…”
People fell from their steeds all the time. Picking yourself up and laughing it off wasn’t so terrible. There was always a risk of injury or death, though. A delay in their departure because Wein failed to sober up would earn him plenty of mocking.
“There’s still some time, so let’s just get you as close to ‘normal’ as possible,” Ninym said.
“Fwaaah.” Wein yawned wearily before emptying the glass of water.
“By the way, how were those two?” Ninym asked, hoping to distract him.
“They seemed well enough. We couldn’t have polished off all that wine together otherwise.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
During the war, Lowellmina, Glen, and Strang had each belonged to different factions and showed no mercy. When Ninym considered how one or all of them might have perished, it was a relief to hear the three were still friends.
“Even though those guys lost and serve Lowa now, they complained she’ll probably make ’em do all the crazy stuff,” Wein said.
“I have no doubt about that,” Ninym agreed.
Moving the Empire forward meant Lowellmina couldn’t afford to hold back. Naturally, this meant she’d work reliable friends like Glen and Strang to the bone. Ninym broke into a small smile at the mental image.
“Nonetheless, it will be all worthwhile. A new Empress, a new era… It’s now up to Lowa and her vassals whether they’ll leave a mark on history for better or for worse,” Ninym added.
Wein nodded. “You got that right. Knowin’ those guys, they’ll do just fine and stabilize the Empire.”
For most, Lowellmina’s abilities as Empress were an unknown variable. However, Wein understood her passion, ambition, patriotism, and support network. Barring some natural disaster, these factors guaranteed that the Earthworld Empire would flourish under Lowellmina’s rule.
“Still, that’s not necessarily great for Natra,” Wein mused.
Ninym lamented this as well. A stable Empire was a welcome change for its citizens, but over in the West, the revival of an Eastern superpower was an obvious threat. This was particularly true of Earthworld since the previous emperor had had broad expansionist policies and made no effort to hide his hunger for the West. With the civil war over, the West anxiously wondered if those desires would return.
Even Natra, the Empire’s ally, couldn’t afford to be complacent. It was common knowledge that the small northern nation’s initial alliance with Earthworld was meant to last only until the latter’s invasion of the West. However, those plans had fizzled out, owing to the previous emperor’s unexpected passing. The alliance itself survived, but its continued existence seemed precarious.
“Everyone knows Natra supported Lowa early on,” Ninym said. “If our alliance falls apart now, people will question the Empress’s abilities, and Earthworld’s anxious vassals will start jumping at shadows again.”
It was true. Wein and Lowellmina often clashed in pursuit of their own self-interests, but that was only behind closed doors. To the general public, they were thick as thieves. If Earthworld recklessly abandoned Natra, everyone would surely accuse Lowellmina of straying from the path of righteousness. Furthermore, her subordinates, upon witnessing such treatment of a longtime ally, would fearfully wonder if they were next. Since most had sworn fealty to their new sovereign only recently, the unease would spread like wildfire.
Thus, the general consensus was that the Empire ought to reward Natra for its assistance, regardless of Lowellmina’s feelings.
“Strang said it best,” Wein said. “Lowa needs to wow ’em all at once if she wants to demonstrate the Empire’s post-war military strength.”
Ninym looked conflicted. “That’s…”
The fires of Earthworld’s civil war had been quelled, but its embers yet smoldered. If Lowellmina displayed any weakness, the flames would rise again. She needed to show the world that the Earthworld Empire had returned to its former glory and wouldn’t be an easy target. Strang had mentioned earlier that Natra was an easy stepping stone to that end.
“…We can’t discard all that Natra has done for the Empire, though. Any invasion would need justification,” she finished.
“If there isn’t a reason, they can always make one up,” Wein replied with a smile. “Don’t forget that we’re playing nice with the West, too. The Empire can say whatever it wants. True or not, you’d be amazed how fast people will buy into any idea of justice.”
“How heartless…”
It was unclear whether Ninym’s comment was directed at the people or Wein’s opinion of them.
Regardless, there was no denying Natra couldn’t afford to rest on its laurels.
“We need to avoid whatever trouble might come up,” Wein explained. “It’s why I used this trip to get friendly with as many big shots as possible.”
Natra needed to maintain a few allies among the Empire’s elite to help fight against future anti-Natra policies. These political objectives would meet no resistance if no one came to the smaller nation’s defense, but some backlash would delay any Imperial decisions long enough for Natra to negotiate.
“There’s no telling how far that will take us,” Ninym argued.
“Yep, that’s the kicker. I could easily deal with any surprises if I stayed here, but—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve been away from home long enough.”
“No kidding.” Wein smirked. “Well, there’s always the chance we’re worried over nothing. Right now, our only real option is to head back as planned and hope nothing happens.”
“…You’re right.” Ninym sighed quietly and stood slowly. “Do you feel any better yet, Wein?”
“Enough.”
“In that case, I’ll let everyone know we’ll be departing soon.”
Ninym left the room. With no one else around, Wein muttered to himself as he prepared to do the same.
“A new Imperial Empress, the West is on high alert, Eastern and Western Levetia harboring secret ambitions, and the kindled embers of my own nation…” His mouth twisted into a smile. “I really do wonder if this can end quietly…”
✦ ✦ ✦
And so Wein’s delegation left for Natra. Little did its members know that the unprecedented trouble on the road ahead would define their nation’s history.