saga terra - judge of the haven

SAGA TERRA: JUDGE OF THE HAVEN

Saga TerraJudge of The Haven

by

J. Michael Gallen

Novel and cover art © 2012 Jeremy Michael Gallen. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying of the text in this book will result in criminal

prosecution.

To the Simeon family, the real Simones.

Table of Contents

Prologue: The Dukis Miracle 1

I The Supreme General's Son 13II The New Yuris Colony 27

III The First Missions 50IV The Nidhoggr Strike Back 72V A Vagrant in Virgo 79

VI The Trip through Chatterley 99VII Onward to Jersha 111

VIII The Flight to Flora 121IX The Halls of Montezuma 145X A Day of Diplomacy 169

XI To Tamaulipas 176XII The Return to Ymir 181

XIII A New Home 190XIV The Battle on the Gulf 213XV The Return to Flora 224

XVI Bahama and Kobold 235XVII The Edge of Muspelheim 255

XVIII Into Jotunheim 267XIX Of Lion Mountains and Ivory Coast 272XX To the Skies 277

XXI Diplomatic Success and Failure 290XXII Across Northern Jotunheim 296

XXIII Back into Muspelheim 300XXIV A Sabbath in Sinai 306XXV In Yggdrasil’s Shadow 323

XXVI Conflict’s Conclusion 329

Epilogue: After the Miracle 339

Prologue

The Dukis Miracle

Mikhail Stanford Bakis Dukis, the Fleet Admiral of the Kingdom of The Massgraves, awoke the morning of Dark 1, 4888 IIIA, having slept soundly through the night with his wife Kitty, who had earned her nickname through her feline heritage. Her full name was Katherine Felicity Cath Duckson Dukis, with her mother of the Cath family being feline and her father of the Duckson clan being a pure duck. She had the head and wings of a duck but the body and tail of an orange cat, with her wings and head, aside from her brown hair, being white.

Gazing at her husband with her brown eyes through the dark, she greeted, "Good morning, Mikey-dear."

"Same to you, Kitty.""Sleep well?""You know I did," Admiral Dukis assured, getting out of bed

and stretching.To the lamps by the entrance he wandered, taking a matchbox

from the shelf below them and removing a match, which he ignited, after which he lifted the lamps to expose their wickers, both of which he lit, afterward blowing out the match. Then he walked to his chamber's gold-rimmed mirror, gazing upon his pajamaed self. Like his wife, he was a chimera, having a black head (albeit brown-haired) and wings like a duck, but otherwise having the brown body of a deer, with five hoofed fingers on each of his hands and fived hoofed toes per webbed foot; he had brown deer antlers and black deer ears, as well.

As he admired the characteristics he inherited from both sides of his family, his wife got out of bed and headed to the wardrobe, opening it to reveal clothes belonging to her and her husband. While contemplating which of her clothes to wear today, her husband came by her side, thinking the same. Because today was Darkday, the Sabbath of the Order of the Nidhoggr, Admiral Dukis decided he would wear his best attire, specifically his naval uniform, which

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consisted of yellow epaulets, a black coat with platinum buttons, a dark gray sash, a brown belt with platinum buckle, dark gray pants with light gray stripes on the sides, black boots, and white socks.

After Admiral Dukis removed his pajamas, revealing his white undershirt and underwear, he put on his uniform, with his wife putting on a black dress to wear to church, as well. Then they finally departed their bedroom through its entrance doors, entering the great hall of their mansion, where they descended to ground floor and went through one of the doors into the dining hall, where their three children, John, Andrea, and Kara, awaited their arrival. John somewhat resembled his father with a black head with deer ears and black wings, although he had a brown feline body and tail, while Andrea and Kara more resembled their mother with white heads (having white deer ears), and white wings, albeit with orange feline bodies. All wore sailor attire.

"Good morning!" the children simultaneously greeted."To you all as well," returned Admiral Dukis."And here comes breakfast," Kitty noted, with slave cooks then

entering the dining hall to place various foods and drinks that included ant eggs, beetle bacon, roach sausage, pancakes, coffee, hot chocolate, various fruit juices, and so forth, upon the table.

"Let us give thanks to our Lord," suggested the Admiral after the slaves themselves took seats at the table, with everyone joining hands and bowing their heads. "To the Lord of Niflheim, we give our thanks for this food we are to partake and for our nation's prosperity since your good servant King Warden came into power. Bless the brave soldiers that give their lives to further the cause of Niflheim and its allies, and bring order to the infidels that squabble needlessly in many of our inferior neighbors. In your name we pray, amen."

"Amen," repeated everyone else."As always, our servants get the first portions," the Admiral

indicated, always fearful of insurrection from his slaves, wishing them to taste their food first in case they had laced it with poison. After noticing them swallow, Dukis invited, "Now we may eat."

After breakfast, the Dukis family went to their mansion's stables, where a slave had readied a black roach-drawn carriage for their departure to church. The slave opened one of the vehicle's doors to allow the clan of chimeras inside, after which he climbed onto the driver's seat and whipped the roach, provoking it outside onto the path

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leading to the streets of the town of Brooklich. A pair of skeleton-armored soldiers opened the gates leading onto the streets, where the carriage began its trip to the Dukis family's house of worship.

During the trip, Admiral Dukis gazed through one of the carriage's windows, recalling the time when the Nidhoggr didn't rule The Massgraves, when the Kingdom's name was Mathias and the town's name was Brookline. King John of House Kenny had ruled the nation before King Warden, although an assassin cut his reign short when he visited the city of Dulles in the Republic of Stellasolum far to the southwest. The killer had supposed affiliations with the Aesir Church, spending a fraction of his life in the Holy Kingdom of Asgard, and consequentially, Admiral Dukis despised Niflheim's antagonist.

The Dukis dynasty's house of worship, the House of Dark Tidings, eventually came into view, its facade consisting of stairsteps leading to three pairs of entrance doors, above which was a balcony topped by six columns above which sat a triangular roof. Atop this roof was a fanciful dome upon which two flags waved, the top one being that of the Niflheim Empire, a black field centered by Niflheim's Emblem, an upward-pointing gray crescent pierced by a gray sword. Below it flew the flag of the Kingdom of The Massgraves, a light gray field centered by a black shield bearing a dark gray tombstone.

The Dukis clan's carriage pulled into a stablehouse across the street from their church, from which several citizens emerged to walk across the street for worship services. In the building's main hallway, the carriage stopped, with the family departing the vehicle and heading outside as their slave unhitched the roach and took the two into one of the stables. Across the street the chimeras wandered to their house of worship, ascending the stairs and entering through one of the pairs of doors, held open by two skeleton soldiers.

The family had come into the church's entrance hall, where their fellow Massholes (an affectionate term among citizens of The Massgraves, although they wished death unto nonresidents that dared use the term) walked around and/or conversed. The Dukises didn't join any of the conversations, instead walking past their fellow Massholes through the doors held open by wooden wedges leading into the sanctuary, with plenty of wooden pews, the backs of which held Niflheim scripture and songbooks, and an elevated section at the back with a podium, seating for the choir, and a giant statue of the deceased Emperor of Niflheim, Lucifer, a curled-horned bat-winged sheep.

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The Niflheim Empire, Admiral Dukis knew, had been without Emperor since Prince Thor of Asgard defeated him at the end of the Second Age, albeit at the expense of his own life. Rumor had it that Lucifer had sired several bastards throughout the world via rape during his genocides, although the Admiral doubted if any of them would have what it took to be a Dark Lord. Regardless, he believed that the right time for the Lord of Darkness to rise was imminent, what with Niflheim's conquests during the present century.

After the church's bells rang at two o'clock, the Bishop of the House of Dark Tidings, Pol Song, a black-and-white skunk with gray eyes and priestly garbs, came behind the podium, tapping the bottom of his platinum staff, its top bearing the Emblem of Niflheim to catch the sanctuary's attention. The congregation silenced, he welcomed in his high-pitched voice, "Good morning, parishioners."

"Good morning," echoed the worshippers."Welcome to this time of fellowship here at the House of Dark

Tidings, and I certainly hope the lot of you bring dark tidings upon the enemies of the Kingdom of The Massgraves and the Empire of Niflheim. We have no new announcements for this week or month, so with that aside, please stand for our call to worship." The parishioners stood. "Lord of Darkness, hopeful ruler of Terra alone..."

"Throw this world into darkness and bring your enemies to their knees," responded the congregation.

"Purge this world of infidels and claim it solely for the great and mighty Empire of Niflheim."

"We, your slaves, shall aid you in your grand task.""Make your enemies join with the Order of the Nidhoggr or

else meet swift demise," concluded Bishop Song. "Now let us rise and sing our first hymn, 'Clad in Darkness.'"

The organist began playing, and the congregation began:

Clad in darkness, Lord of the black night,Clad in darkness, Lord of terror and fright,Clad in darkness, Lord of strength and might,Clad in darkness, vanquishing the light!

Clad in darkness, Lord of night and terror and fright and strength and might and vanquisher of light!

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Clad in darkness, he who shall rise to the throne of Niflheim and make the world right!Lord of terror, Hero of the dark,Lord of terror, he shall leave his mark,Lord of terror, all shall hear his hark,Lord of terror, he shall leave all stark! Lord of terror, Hero of the dark and night and terror and fright and strength and vanquisher of light!Lord of terror, he who shall rise to the throne of Niflheim and make the world right!

Prince of darkness, prince of dark and power,Prince of darkness, he shall see his hour,Prince of darkness, lord of all things dour,Prince of darkness, death shall he see ne'er!

Prince of darkness, prince of dark and power and terror and fright and strength and vanquisher of light!Prince of darkness, he who shall rise to the throne of Niflheim and make the world right!

"Amen!" praised Bishop Song after the hymn, the congregation then sitting. "Let us pray. Dear Lord of Niflheim, guide us your slaves through this time of worship and grant us the guidance we need to triumph over our antagonists. In your name we pray, amen."

"Amen," echoed the congregation."Our second hymn is 'The Conquest.'"The organist began playing again, and the hymn began:

Conquer every mountain,Conquer every sea,Conquer every ocean,Bring the world to its knee.

Rule every city,Rule every town,Rule every villageUnder Niflheim's crown.

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Seize every world,Seize every sun,Seize all the starlight,Our conquest has begun!

"Now let us stand and recite the Nidhoggrian Creed," invited Bishop Song, the congregation complying.

I believe in the Dark Lord,Lord of Terror, Ruler of Darkness,The one and only Emperor of Terra,He who shall bring dark tidings unto the world.

I believe in the Grandmaster,Leader of the Order of the Nidhoggr,Steward of the throne of NiflheimUntil the Dark Lord should rise again.

I believe in the God-General,Leader of the Army of Niflheim,He who shall lead the Empire to victoryAnd vanquish all opposition.

The organist began playing, followed by another psalm:

Glory to the Dark Lord,To the Grandmaster,To the God-General!Like the void in the beginning,Infidels shall see their purging!Empire without end, amen, amen!

"You may sit," invited the Bishop, the congregation doing so. "Now for the time in our service when we return to the Order a portion of that which we don't deserve, which we rightfully should relinquish so that the Order and the Niflheim Empire may grow and prosper. May our ushers come forth to collect our offerings."

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THE DUKIS MIRACLE

Two choirboys came to take the platinum offering trays. The skunk vicar continued, "Dear Lord of Darkness, please take from us our tithes so you may one day return to us and purge the world of those undeserving of your salvation. In your name we pray, amen."

As the organist began to play a dark melody, the choirboys descended from the altar, parting to either side of the sanctum and passing their trays to the first occupants of the front pews, who began to fill the trays with Shadowmark coins and notes, currency of all nations of Niflheim. The leftmost and rightmost occupants of the front pews then passed the trays to their neighbors, who, undoubtedly in fear of the Dark Lord's wrath, contributed currency as well, the trays soon reaching the termination of the pews and finding their way to the pews behind, and ultimately returning to the choirboys.

The young singers briefly transported the trays to the following pews, the collection process repeating, and one of the trays ultimately reaching the Dukises' pew, each member of the family contributing a good portion of their finances. The chimera clan's patriarch knew that his contributions would go to good use, some of it going as kickback to the militaries of the Niflheim Empire's Kingdoms, not to mention the occasional revolutionary group in a free nation, typically led by impoverished peasants. Alucard Dyne, King of Vermin to the north of The Massgraves (known as Maples under its prior regime), was one such beneficiary of the Order's collections.

Lost in his reverie, Admiral Dukis nearly missed Bishop Song's command, "Please rise..."

The organist briefly stopped playing, then restarting with the opening notes of the Nidhoggr Doxology as the choirboys advanced down the aisle back to the altar:

Praise the Lord from whom damnation flows!Praise him, all servants, slaves, below!Praise him, nonbelievers and infidels!Praise Dark Lord, Grandmaster, God-General! Amen!

"You may be seated," bid Bishop Song, the congregation once again doing so. "Our special music this morning is a tune I am certain most of you know, your nation's anthem, 'All Hail to The Massgraves.' Feel free to join our choir in singing."

After a few opening notes from the organist, the song began:

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All hail to The Massgraves, the land of darkness brave,For Boneyard Hill and Chartown, many a happy slave!For many a conqueror let our song go around the world,All hail to The Massgraves, we'll keep your flag unfurled!Standing upright for dark and might from sea to darkened sea,All hail to The Massgraves, forever it shall be!

All hail the Bay Kingdom, where we spare not the rod,Dark servants saw their landing, and thanked our Dark God!A land of opportunity in the Niflheim Empire,Where men live long and happy, and many bastards sire!Sell her not short and learn to court her industry and stride,All hail to the Bay Kingdom, and let us live with pride!

All hail to The Massgraves, where Nidhoggr have their fame,How proudly our soldiers kill in her noble name!In unity and brotherhood its scion lend a hand,All hail to the Massgraves, there is no darker land!T-H-E M-A-S-S-G-R-A-V-E-S,All hail to The Massgraves, its praises we confess!

"All hail to The Massgraves, indeed," echoed Bishop Song. "Now we come to the time in our service when we hear the joys and concerns of our congregation."

Prior to the service's start, several members of the congregation had written their joys and concerns on slips of paper and passed them to ushers who in turn took them to the Bishop, who now browsed them briefly. "Ah, yes, for the triumph of The Massgraves and Niflheim against their enemies, for birthdays, for wedding anniversaries, for the hope that Niflheim once more gains an Emperor. Now let us pray."

The congregation bowed their heads. "Dear Lord of Darkness, we are just so thankful for your wondrous dark works, for bringing death unto all your enemies, for expanding the Empire of Niflheim with new lands such as our neighbor the Kingdom of Vermin, ruled by your good servant Alucard Dyne. We thank you for birthdays, for wedding anniversaries, for your servants who hold power in our noble government and abroad in Niflheim, and so many other things. Now with the confidence of your graces, let us pray your prayer."

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Our Dark Lord of Niflheim,Sacred is your name,Let your Empire come and your will be done,In Niflheim and across all Terra.Give us our bread and wineAs we take revenge on those who sin against us,And lead us in the temptation to bring justice to infidels,And may your Empire, power, and glory last forever. Amen.

"Now for our reading from the Tome of the Nidhoggr. Let us hear the word."

In the beginning the world was a void,Into which all things and nothingness flowed,But ultimately the void became unfurledTo form our sinful inhabited world.

At first the world was a sphere of water,Home to no creatures, whether dolphin or otter,Or any land they could even inhabit,Terra being a giant aquatic pit.

But then the seas would recedeAnd Terra would land receiveAt first as one great continent,Although cataclysms would make the land shift.

Then did many a creature begin to appearThat then did not have a Dark Lord to fearAnd greatly roamed Terra's face,Among them being an Ancient Race.

This Ancient Race was inherently sinfulAnd was even to God quite a handfulSo He banished them from His paradiseBecause of many a pleasure and vice.

Despite their sins and many a war,

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The Ancient Race blindly worshipped the Good Lord,Committing atrocities and leaving their markAs though they worshiped the Lord of the Dark.

No one knows what became of this RaceAs it ultimately vanished from Terra's face;Some say they fled into the dark heavensTo continue their misguided ways and sins.

The Light and Dark Gods did so agreeTo make Terra from the Ancient Race freeSo they sent forth the Seed of YggdrasilA great stone to uphold both Gods' will.

The Seed of Yggdrasil purged Terra of filthSuch as the Ancient Race's many illsAnd gave rise to the new race of TerransWhich would lamentably commit equal sins.

"This is the world of our Dark Lord," concluded Bishop Song."Praise be to him!" replied the congregation."Amen. Now to give today's sermon is the Grandmaster of our

great Order of the Nidhoggr, Johann Wilhelm Ferrum Carob."A dark mist appeared near the Bishop's podium, from which

emerged a black-garbed vicar with the gray head and bleached antlers of a caribou but, Admiral Dukis knew, the body and tail of a ferret. The black mist disappeared, with Grandmaster Carob tapping the bottom of his staff, platinum and with an upward-pointed crescent centered by a cross that in turn a shard of moonstone centered, to capture the attention of the congregation, which had taken surprise at his appearance. Bishop Song stepped aside, and the Grandmaster took his place behind the podium.

"I thank you all for the opportunity to deliver your sermon this foul yet fair morning," droned the Grandmaster in his dreary voice. "Our sermon today concerns the importance of darkness in our lives. Many of you are undoubtedly familiar with the demagoguery that the Church of Asgard spouts about how supposedly darkness is inherently evil, although we of the Order of the Nidhoggr, of course, know far better than those infidels. Even in the lives of those who do not follow

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the noble Order, darkness plays a significant role."The world of Terra, I am certain you all know, began with a

great void of darkness that ultimately solidified. Both the Dark Lord and the Lord of Asgard agreed to separate Terra into light and dark hemispheres, which we respectfully know as day and night. Day is, of course, when we perform our typical duties, while night gives us the opportunity to refresh for the following day. Some may see nighttime slumber as up to twelve hours of accomplishing nothing, although it provides endless opportunities to contemplate the future, dream up countless ways of purging infidelity against the Order..."

Grandmaster Carob's sermon continued for several minutes, with the service concluding with the congregation rising and singing the Army March of Niflheim. Bishop Song bid, "May you all go in the name of our Dark Lord and see through his many intentions. Amen."

"Amen," echoed the congregation, which began to chatter in cacophony, with Admiral Dukis seeking to strike a conversation with Grandmaster Carob, plowing through the parishioners on the aisle.

"Grandmaster!" the deerduck called out."Ah, Admiral Dukis," his fellow chimera acknowledged, "the

very one for whom I came to this service.""Really?""Indeed. His Majesty King Warden summons you to his palace

to discuss urgent business.""I'll be there once I've gotten my family home.""Better yet, I'll take you there immediately.""Well, okay, I..." but before Admiral Dukis could finish, the

Grandmaster had put his right arm around the deerduck, tapped the bottom of his staff to the carpeted aisle, and caused black mist to surround the two, which dissipated to reveal different scenery.

The chimera Admiral immediately recognized King Warden's throne room, from whose high arched ceiling hung many flags of The Massgraves and Niflheim, and at whose end sat the king himself in a bone throne. Like Dukis he was a chimera, with the head of a boar but the body of a fox, his bat wings and his features being orange. Near him were several Massgrievous officials, among them being Supreme General Verne Franklin, who the Admiral knew enjoyed the company of men, and Diablo Panthera, an ebony feline who served as head of The Massgraves' Parliament.

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"So good to see you again, Grandmaster," snorted the porcine monarch, "and you too as well, Admiral, I suppose."

"Your Majesty," acknowledged the deerduck, bowing. "What business brings me here this morning, sire?"

"The business of Niflheim's expansion. You are to lead a naval campaign to the south along Ymir and Vanaheim's coastlines to conquer the maritime nations to pave the way for invasion and expansion by the Empire's Armies. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Am I to loop around the southern tip of Vanaheim and continue the conquest?"

"Indeed, Admiral. You'll ultimately reach the Aesir Province of Alaska, which, should your campaign succeed, will be our starting point for our war with Asgard."

"Ah, yes, the Dukis Miracle," suggested the Admiral, "the perfect start to a great war."

"Remember, failure is not an option, Admiral.""I'll do my best, Your Majesty.""Don't do your best; just do it.""Very well.""I assume you'll be taking me to the harbor?" Admiral Dukis

then inquired the Grandmaster, but before a response, the priest had grabbed his fellow chimera and whisked him away in a wave of black mist, the scenery shifting again.

The deerduck recognized Bastion Harbor, currently standing upon the jetty adjacent to his beloved vessel, The Massgraves Abyss, composed almost entirely of shining jet wood. Noted the Grandmaster, "This is goodbye, for now."

"Until we meet again," returned the Admiral as he stepped onto his vessel, after which he saw the Grandmaster vanish in black mist.

"All hands on deck!" commanded Dukis, the crewmembers complying. "Set sail for Connexion!"

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Chapter I

The Supreme General's Son

Judge Victor Piers Bucks, the eldest son of Supreme General Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, slowly awoke the morning of Odin 1, 4888 IIIA, which just so happened to be his twelfth birthday. He was a handsome young deer, having wavy white hair, white eyes, and white fur, which he inherited from his mother, Barbara Piers. He lived in the city of The Haven in the Connexion Republic, which he heard was once a colony of a country far across the Atlas Ocean known as Otter-land. Judge had heard rumors that Otterland was to be the birthplace of the Savior, who would allegedly bring peace to the world.

He had also heard stories about two strangers that had come to Asgard around the time he was born to instruct at The Academy, re-ceiving instruction from many instructors like his father. Judge also heard that one of the Aesir mysteriously vanished around the time he and his partner had come and the failed search for him. After a year, the Supreme General gave up on the search despite the continued pres-ence by the Navy on the southern seas for want of security in case a few of Connexion's unfriendly neighbors attacked.

The military kept a sizable presence on land, too, especially near the northern and eastern borders, respectively with the Kingdoms of Massgraves and Rogueland, since recent rumor suggested an immi-nent assault upon Connexion on either front, what with both nations being puppets of the Empire of Niflheim. Whatever the case, Judge hoped for the best, praying for his father's triumph and the security of both his homeland and the world. However, only time would tell, he knew, what would become of his troubled region of Ymir...

Judge awoke, as usual, in his chamber at The Academy, realiz-ing that his birthday was but the first day in his long month-long vaca-tion from school, and got out of bed onto his feet Instead of having hooves like most deer, Judge had five-toed feet like a dog's; his tail was canine, as well, with these features, like his whiteness, also having

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come from his mother, a sheepdog. He walked to the doors leading to the balcony and opened them, filling his chamber with illumination.

Judge walked to the balcony's edge, seeing the southern sea. This was the Yurisa Island Sound, across which was the New Yuris Colony, an ally of Connexion and colony of the Kingdom of Yuris in Britannia. On clear days, to see land beyond the Sound was possible, though the weather eroded any chance of this, given the sky's grayness and the fog upon the sea. Thus, Judge reentered his room and closed the balcony doors, going to the fireplace and starting a small fire; then he walked to his wardrobe to dress himself (he wore nothing other than his white-cloth underpants now). His non-academic wear included a white shirt, brown pants, a brown vest, brown socks, and black boots.

Afterward, Judge left his room, being certain to lock it, and ex-ited the dormitory hall into the spiraling stairwell, which led down into the main campus building. Once on ground floor, he exited the student dorms, heading into the school corridors past an intersection branching off to the teacher dorms. Judge then walked to the cafeteria, where cooks still provided meals for students throughout the holiday month. After getting some food, he sat at his usual spot in the great hall, solemnly eating his meal.

"Good morning, big brother," a voice greeted as a brown-eyed, haired, and furred deer sat next to Judge. "Oh, and happy birthday."

"Yeah, thanks. Good morning to you too, Jed."Jedediah Eric Piers Bucks was one of Judge's younger siblings,

born in 4883 and now four years old. Judge had two other siblings, as well, Nyle and Martin, born respectively in 4885 and 4886 and under the care of The Academy's nursery, which their mother maintained, until they were old enough to attend classes. "Dad will give you your presents when he's good and ready."

"And when will that be?""Sometime this morning, I guess. He wants you in his office.""No problem, I'll be there...once I've eaten, of course."Once Judge had eaten breakfast and returned his tray to the

kitchens, he bid his younger brother, "See you later.""Right."Judge then left, seeking his father's office. Students randomly

wandered the halls in their casual attire, exploring, performing extra academic work, and so forth. A few minutes later, Judge came before the doors leading into his father's office, tugging the handles only to

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find that they budged not. Therefore, he knocked a few times, yet still got no response. "Father? Are you in there?"

"No, son; I am here.""Father!" exclaimed Judge, beholding his father, who still wore

his blue, white, and green military uniform during the holidays, five stars on each of his yellow epaulets and all.

"I bid you a happy birthday, my son.""Yes, father.""You seek your gifts, do you not?""I do, father.""You shall receive them in due time," the Supreme General as-

sured as he unlocked his office and opened its doors, entering and urg-ing his eldest son to follow. Once the two were inside, Bucks locked the doors again, walking to the desk, upon which sat several instru-ments of war. Facing his son, he bid, "Come here, child."

Going near the desk, he asked, "Are those...my presents?""Indeed, son," Bucks replied, reaching for the desk and pre-

senting his son with a brown spiderleather belt with a sheath, within which rested a gold-handled sword. "Go on! Belt yourself, child."

"Yes, father," obeyed Judge, equipping the belt. He then clutched the sword's handle, asking, "You sure I can have this?"

"It is yours, my son. Well, do you not wish to see your sword?"Judge then drew it, beholding its platinum blade. Inscribed on

the sword near the handle was his name, JUDGE VICTOR PIERS BUCKS. "Wow, you had this made just for me, father?"

"The Academy blacksmiths forged it especially for you, son."Sheathing the blade, Judge complimented, "A really nice gift."Forgetting that more presents sat on his father's desk, Judge

faced the exit before his father halted, "Wait! You have more gifts!""Oops! Sorry, father."Once Judge returned to his father's desk, he received his next

gift, which was soft and wrapped in hemp. "Open it, my son."Judge then removed the hemp, revealing a coat of mithril,

lightweight yet very protective, so he had heard. "Thanks, father! But why? You want to send me off to war, or something?"

Bucks laughed. "I merely feel that any warrior in training de-serves his own equipment."

"So you are sending me off to war?"Bucks laughed again. "Do not be so foolish! Unless you offi-

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cially join the military, I assure you that no one will send you off to war. But they will be handy if our homeland suffers an attack and you require some form of defense."

"I see. What else do you have for me, father?""Well, with melee combat comes..." Then Bucks reached for

his desk and took the last two gifts. "...ranged combat!""A bow and arrows? Thanks, father! I'll use them if I have to,

which I hope is never.""Let us hope so," Bucks wished after handing the boy the tough

wooden bow and brown spiderleather quiver with arrows tipped and ended respectively with platinum arrowheads and black feathers; Judge had an idea of who had provided the plumage. "Now you can fight both up close and from afar. Use them well, son."

"Yes, father," agreed Judge, who equipped the quiver, its sash also of brown spiderleather and on which his bow now hung.

As he approached the office's entrance, however, his father in-terrupted, "Oh! Do not forget that only adults may wander the halls with weapons!"

"Oh, sorry," apologized the boy, unequipping his gifts (he still carried his mithril coat in its wraps, wishing to equip it in his dorm) and handing them to his father.

"It is no problem at all. I will have them conveyed to your quarters in due time."

"Thanks, father.""My pleasure," bid Bucks as his son reached for the doors.

However, his father again interrupted, "Oh, I almost forgot!""Forgot what, father?""There's a matter I'd like to discuss with you. I think you're old

enough, so it's better that I inform you now rather than never.""Do tell, please.""Very well."Just as Bucks began to speak, however, desperate knocks at the

doors interrupted him, followed by a female voice that alerted, "Sir! This is urgent!"

Bucks then opened the doors to reveal General Dana Quill, a black raven (albeit with polecat's ears and tail) and head of Connex-ion's Air Force, as well as one of Judge's instructors. "Terrible news from the northern front!"

"What has happened, General?"

16


"The Kingdom of The Massgraves is attacking the Republic! Many cities in the north are in flames!"

"And what of our troops up there, General?""They're no match for them!""Why? What on earth is going on?""They have a key advantage over us!""And what would that be?""Magic, sir!""No...what chance have we of repelling them?""Very little, sir! Not even I can contain the horde! I've killed

hundreds of them, but they just keep coming!""Do they send their whole military against us?""You know how desperate the Nidhoggr can become.""Indeed...we must evacuate The Academy at once!""Yes, sir!""But we will make a last stand here at The Academy. If it falls,

then we will retreat.""Aye, sir!!" General Quill then returned to the halls, but not be-

fore telling Judge, "Oh, and happy birthday, young master. Sorry it had to be like this."

"It's okay," assured Judge, but the raven was already gone."Son! Your gifts!""But father, I can't...""Confound the rules! Equip them and get to the harbor now!""Yes, father."Bucks then left his office, with his son equipping his presents

(he removed his shirt and vest to put on the mithril coat). Then he en-tered the hallways, finding his way to the docks, though as he ventured there, he saw that countless other students and instructors congested the corridors, making for a sluggish trip. Ironically, nobody noticed his equipment, perhaps because of the panic. Given the congestion, Judge hoped he would be out at sea before the enemy invaded, though he was ready to fight if necessary. When students did see his armaments, they easily allowed him, either in fear or admiration, more expeditious pas-sage to the docks, with Judge soon finding himself beyond the doors leading into the tunnels before The Academy's harbor.

In less than a minute, Judge saw the harbor, with endless pupils and instructors boarding the ships, with those filled to capacity slowly sailing outside. This congestion of the boats, thought Judge, made

17

Judge of The Haven

them more vulnerable to the enemy. Knowing his family would expect him soon enough, Judge sought his mother and siblings, though to no avail. Thus, he sought a vessel that had the least apparent number of passengers, a tough quest since most filled quickly.

In addition to the larger ships, however, were many smaller ones, most able to fit only one or two people, which most escapees ei-ther avoided or didn't notice. Judge then wandered the jetties as close as he could near the harbor exit, finding a rowboat tethered and float-ing on the icy waters below. After untying the rope, the deer, still clutching it, leapt beyond the jetty and dropped, landing safely, bundling the rope, and then clutching the oars to begin his evacuation.

As Judge rowed and left the sheltered harbor, he witnessed The Academy's grandeur. He hoped this wouldn't be the last time he saw it, and that he would live to see it again. Would The Massgraves even spare it? Judge had heard of the grand citadels within nations the Nid-hoggr controlled, so that was possible, he thought. Then again, his fa-ther intended to make a stand against the enemy there, so it would un-doubtedly be a target for assault. The Academy had been his home for as long as he could remember, though he knew he would have to leave one day, yet not like this.

Perhaps he could see more of the world in his young age now that he was leaving The Academy. He had never been to New Yuris before, and that would be a great start, he knew. He had heard of a vast city rising upon Yuris Island, and wondered how grand it was com-pared to The Haven. To think of the Colony made Judge hope that its motherland would come and help in the war, maybe Connexion's for-mer fatherland, as well. That was possible, but Judge knew that he couldn't rely on dreams for salvation.

By now, Judge had the entire Academy in his view, still seem-ingly silent, an indication he and the other refugees had time to flee the coastline. Other vessels from The Haven joined the evacuation, hope-fully giving the invaders little incentive to destroy the city; Judge just hoped the invaders wouldn't attempt to pursue the refugees. As he rowed, he tried to forget his worries and concentrate on rowing, al-though he would, if necessary, defend himself if the enemy did attempt to pursue him and the other evacuees.

Travel by rowboat was sluggish, since even after an hour, Judge could still see the school and even glimpse countless specks hovering about, perhaps Massgraves' and Connexion's Air Forces in

18


conflict. Sparks flew above The Academy, and so far, it appeared un-scathed, though for this to change shortly was possible. Whatever the case, the institute was too small now for anyone to see what was hap-pening, and Judge continued to row, hoping still that the invaders wouldn't pursue the refugees.

Were this to occur, worried the boy, he certainly wasn't evacu-ating fast enough, noticing that many larger vessels sailed faster than his. Then again, he knew, to take a rowboat did mean more labor yet lesser agility. His arms ached from endless rowing, although he tried to work past this with the thought of an attack upon him and the other innocents well in mind. Thus, he relented not, going so far as to in-crease his rowing speed. Increased agility, though, took its toll on Judge, and before he knew it, he released the oars for the first time in his evacuation, yet thankfully, several other larger ships were near.

Before he could alert anyone, however, a sailor yelled, "Hey kid! You okay?"

"Well, I could use a little help here!""Coming right up!" assured the sailor, getting a rope ladder and

allowing Judge aboard."Thank you, sir.""No problem. Say, aren't you Bucks' son?""Yes, sir!""I think your mom and brothers are aboard. They're probably

worried sick about you.""Yeah," agreed Judge, heading to the ship's aft and descending

below deck."Mother?" Judge softly called out."Judge!" her voice exclaimed, after which she came to her el-

dest son; she cradled Judge's youngest brother Martin in a white bun-dle in her left arm, using her right to hug the albino deer.

"Mother, I'm okay, really!""I was so scared you got left behind!""Everything just happened so quickly...""Yes, I know. You're a big boy; you can defend yourself with

your father's...gifts. You haven't had to use them yet, have you?""No, mother; last I saw, the enemy had just started arriving.""We'll all be safe in New Yuris for now...I hope.""But father...""Yes, I know. It's sad, but he just couldn't abandon all hope and

19

Judge of The Haven

flee with us, could he? Your father's pretty tough, you know. War is nothing new to him."

"But this could be a different kind of war, mother! It's not just another generic military he's facing! It's The Massgraves, for crying out loud, and they've got help from the Nidhoggr!"

"Oh...son...""What makes him think he has a chance at all?""Isn't it his duty to defend his homeland during its darkest

hours? To give up immediately would be to abandon all hope! And even if he fails, we can still hope for brighter days..."

"If they even do come...""Legends say that during the world's darkest hour, the Savior

will save us all.""We can't rely on legends, mother.""But the Savior did come at the end of the First and Second

Ages and did return peace to the world, so there's still hope, son!""Yeah, but not for father, I bet. I'm sure he's dead right now.""Don't say terrible things like that! Pray for his safety!""Okay, okay. I hope he survives. I mean it!"His mother sneered, and Judge kept his distance from her.

Eventually, he heard his brother compliment, "Hey, cool gifts, bro!""Oh, hi, Jed.""Bro-ther!" Judge's second-youngest brother, Nyle, standing by

Jed, piped."Sorry if I had you two worried.""Hey, no problem.""O-kay!""I just can't believe all of this is happening so suddenly, on my

birthday, no less!""It had to happen one day, bro.""Hap-pen.""I mean, we did live in pretty risky lands as we speak.""Ris-ky.""We can always move somewhere safer and live peacefully.""Peace-fully.""But I'm sure the enemy will want to conquer other lands.""Look, bro, I know dark times are upon us, but the Savior will

save the day!""Sa-vior!"

20


Sighing, Judge complained, "Yes, I know everyone loves to spout that tripe around."

"It's true, you know!""True!""If he came twice, why couldn't he come a third time?""Third...time!""Well, even if he does exist, I'm sure he's still growing up in

Otterland, or wherever, and isn't old enough to well, save us all.""Do you really think a hero's age is important, bro?""Im-por-tant!""Just give it a few years, will you?""Years!""But why can't the people of Terra fight evil themselves?""Because not everyone in this world can fight.""Fight!""Well, I sure could!"Jed laughed. "You'd get killed right away, bro!""Right away!""Besides, only the power of the Runes would stand a chance

against them.""Runes!""The Runes--I've heard about them. There are what, seven?""Actually, bro, there are more than seven.""More!""Right, both Asgard and Niflheim have Runes, so that should

make fourteen, right?""Fourteen main Runes, but there are four secondary Runes.""Se-con-da-ry!""Oh?""It's easy to overlook them since only the Seven Crusaders

have fought the Dark Lord in the past wars.""Wars!""Right. The Lady Valkyrie, or whoever, has a Rune, no?""Yes, the Valkyrie Rune.""Val-ky-rie!""Figures. I heard the Queen of Asgard has one, too.""The White Yggdrasil Rune.""Ygg-dra-sil!""So the other two Runes of Niflheim...I take it one's the Black

21

Judge of The Haven

Yggdrasil Rune, no?""Yes, held by the Grandmaster of the Order of the Nidhoggr.""Nid-hog-gr!""So...what's the last Rune?""You don't keep up much with history, do you?""Well, I do remember it for quizzes, tests, and such, before I

eventually forget it.""You're hopeless, bro. The Death Rune, held by the leader of

Niflheim's Military.""Right. Figures the head of Niflheim's forces would have a

Rune. Eighteen Runes in all.""If you do the math, yes.""Math!""The Seven Lords of Asgard and the Seven Satans of Niflheim

wield the main Runes of their nations. And when dark times like these come, the Seven Lords of Asgard give their Runes to their heirs, who are to be the Seven Crusaders to seal away the Dark Lord."

"He-roes!""And the Savior's their leader, right?""Yes, usually a descendant of God.""Des-cen-dant!""It doesn't surprise me that a descendant of God would have the

burden of fighting the Dark Lord. So the Savior over in Otterland's re-lated to Our Lord, or something?"

"Not necessarily blood relatives, bro, but one in which His spirits dwells."

"Spi-rit!""He needs the other Crusaders to seal away the Dark Lord.""Hey, I notice you keep saying ‘seal away.' Does the seal on

the Dark Lord keep breaking, or something?""Well, during the last two Wars, at least one Crusader perished

along the way, so the Dark Lord could only die by the Savior's blade.""Blade!""Balmung, right? Or the White Rune, in its original form?""I see you remember some history, bro. Yes. For the Dark Lord

to die by Balmung would vanquish him for several millennia. But as long as all Seven Crusaders haven't sealed away his spirit with their Runes, he'll continue to revive and threaten the world again."

"Threat-en."

22


"Ouch. Descendants of the Seven Lords just don't come every day, do they?"

"In times of peace, no. But in times like these, maybe so.""Then I hope this next quest or whatever actually succeeds.""We can only hope for the best, bro.""Best!""I wonder what's happening back at The Haven...""War, of course.""War!""I think I'll go on deck for a bit. Thanks for your, uh, lecture.""Just don't forget to absorb my words, if you would.""Ab-sorb!""Heck, I could absorb anything from you.""Heh, thanks."Judge then headed to the stairs leading to the deck, though his

mother interrupted, "Boy! Where are you going?""To get some fresh air, mother! Surely you wouldn't let your

own son suffocate here!""Okay, but you'd just be breathing the air of death up there...""We'll see about that."Judge then ascended to the deck, finding it to be barren except

for the sailors keeping watch and navigating the ship. He climbed onto the navigation deck nearby, gazing northward. Asked the sailor at the wheel, "Kid! What're you doing here?"

"Just getting some fresh air, of course.""There's nothing fresh about the air of war, boy.""Seems fine to me...""The stench of death'll come soon enough, kid. I know you've

got your own little set of weapons, but that hardly prepares you for what's to come!"

"I'm the Supreme General's son! I could take them on myself!""Ah, you're Bucks's kid? That doesn't mean squat other than

that you're related to a man you know you'll never rival!""Hey! I could be even greater than him if I tried!""Yeah right. There's been none like him in our land's history!""Well, Connexion's only been independent for what, sixteen

years? That's far too short for you to declare someone like my father to be the greatest military leader of all time."

"Heh, you got me there, kid. I'm just saying he's a fine leader,

23

Judge of The Haven

someone anyone could look up to, with no equal as far as I've seen. Sure, there might be others better than he is, but I probably won't live to see ‘em!"

"Well, what about General Quill?""She's a great leader herself, kid, but she's no Judge Victor

Hartford Bucks! Second best, for sure, but far from number one!""Well, if the two greatest military leaders Connexion's ever had

train a boy such as myself he could surpass them, couldn't they?""Heh, it's possible, but I wouldn't bet on it. Why do you ask all

this, kid? Do you want to succeed your father one day?""By all means, no! Unless fate dictates it...""Fate's a funny thing, kid, but don't you go relying on it too

much. Just live as you want to, and be prepared for a few surprises. The invasion sure was a surprise!"

"But not a good one, I hope good surprises shower us soon.""So do I, kid, so do I."The sailor fell silent, as did Judge, who finally eyed the seas

north of the ship's aft. The southern coast of Connexion had become thin on the horizon, though the deer could still glimpse the gray mass that was The Academy, which evidently survived--for now, at least. Judge couldn't see any black specks above the horizon, indicating per-haps that the battle ended, but at what cost? His father's life, maybe? Judge tried not to think of this, or what was still happening there, and thus turned from the aft, wandering past the sailor at the wheel.

"All clear back at The Haven, kid?""I don't know...can't tell.""A shame, kid...too late to turn back now and see what's really

happening! It's straight to New Yuris from here, you know!""Have you been there before?""Yeah, I've been there a few times to a city called Port Geof-

frey. We'll land there if the weather doesn't blow us off course.""Port Geoffrey...""It's nothing compared to New Yurisa!""New Yurisa?""The biggest city in New Yuris! If you think The Haven and

Port Geoffrey are cities, just wait until you see New Yurisa!""I certainly look forward to it if it's as great as you say, sir.""You have my word! I assure you that the hardest part of going

there will be leaving!"

24


"I'll take your word for it, sir!" assured Judge, feeling snow fall on his face.

"Better get down below, kid! A blizzard's coming!""Yes, sir."Back below deck, Judge's mother badgered him, "So, boy, en-

joy your little excursion?""I had a nice talk up there, so yeah, kind of.""What? You'd rather talk to a stranger than your own mother?""Well, you can depend on the kindness of strangers; family can

be, well, embarrassing.""Hmm! Tell that to your father, will you?""Hey, I'm cool with him," countered Judge, keeping away from

his mother."You will miss me when I'm dead! Boys will be boys..."As he wandered around, Judge heard his brother indicate, "Hey

bro! Over here!"Jed stood in an open door, and Judge headed there, entering a

chamber with three beds, one of which Nyle sat upon. "Hi, Jed.""So, what's the word from the deck, bro?""Blizzard, if you ask for but one.""Bliz-zard!""The Haven's well behind us now. I guess New Yuris, or wher-

ever, will be our home until things clear up in Connexion.""Who said we would settle down in New Yuris?""Yu-ris!""We'll probably just stay there until we get word from what's

happening in Connexion.""Con-nex-ion!""I just hope we don't get word of our father's death...""Death's inevitable, bro. You know how risky it is to be a

Supreme General. I pray for his safety, too, but you don't have to worry yourself to death thinking about it all the time."

"All...the...time!""I know...but it's just so hard, you know, especially when war

threatens not only our homeland, but the rest of the world, as well.""Yes, we can only hope the tide turns in our favor.""Fa-vor!""I would have gladly helped father, but...""You're still too young to put your life on the line, bro."

25

Judge of The Haven

"Line!""Well, I'm pretty much of little use to this world, then, if I'm al-

lowed to do nothing but sit on a ship waiting for the war to end one way or the other."

"But we are doing something, traveling abroad for a change.""A-broad!""And I'm sure you'll be useful someday, bro.""Use-ful!""Yeah...I hope so."Judge decided then to remove his armaments and set them at

the foot of his bed, afterward removing his boots to reveal his socked canine feet. As the chamber fell silent, Judge lay on his bed wondering exactly what was going on in his hometown, and if his father were still alive. He couldn't help but wonder as well what the Supreme General was to tell him before war struck. Unable to think further on this, Judge felt his eyes droop, falling into a deep rest while hoping for the best in his father's last stand.

26

Chapter II

The New Yuris Colony

"Wake up, boys!" Judge heard his mother urge. "We're getting close to land! You've got to see this!"

Judge groaned as he slowly awakened, as did his brothers. He got out of bed and lunged his feet, still socked, into his black boots, standing upright and stretching. Forgetting his presents for now, he darted to the door and entered the ship's halls, encountering his mother, Martin in hand. "Where are your brothers?"

"Still getting ready, I guess.""Oh, okay."Judge's brothers soon came, following their mother to the deck,

(which contained a fresh sheet of snow) and went to one side of the vessel, alongside other curious onlookers, staring south to what was undoubtedly the New Yuris Colony. They could notice a city lining the coast, similar to The Haven but without a great mass of stone like The Academy. Before the city was a great marina with countless vessels of diverse sizes. Most of the observers on deck were happy to be coming to an ally of Connexion.

"It's a...city," Judge stated the obvious."Yes, but it could be our new home!" exclaimed his mother."What makes it better than The Haven, mother?" asked Jed."Aren't you boys excited about traveling outside Connexion?""When war looms, it's hard to be excited," noted Judge."Confound the war!" Barbara snapped. "We'll be fine!""Not when our enemies are across the sea," Jed countered."E-ne-my!""Quit worrying! I don't know about you, but I'd love to take a

look around for a change!""Well, it probably wouldn't hurt," Judge reluctantly agreed."There's the spirit! Now get your things ready!""Yes, mother," accepted Jed."Yes...ma..."

27

Judge of The Haven

As Barbara continued to admire New Yuris, her three eldest sons returned below deck to their chamber, gathering their belongings; Judge had only his birthday gifts, which he equipped, afterward wait-ing for his brothers to finish their preparations. Then they all ascended back onto deck and met their mother. "Have everything, boys?"

"Seems like it," Judge answered. "I know I do.""Just to warn you, son, the people here might not like you

walking around like that.""What else can I do with my presents, mother?""Okay; just don't blame me if you get in trouble.""I'll surrender them if I have to."Once the vessel docked at Port Geoffrey's harbor, sailors tied it

to the nearest jetty and dropped anchor. Then they erected a plank to let the passengers leave, and Judge and his family walked across, en-tering the Colony. While the northernmost end of the jetty jutted onto the seas, the southern end entered a building, an evident checkpoint. Judge never kept his passport to himself, yet was confident his mother had his and his brothers'. It would only be a short time before he would be certain of that, however...

Judge and his family were among the first to enter the building, where guards did request passports, with everyone complying. Once Barbara reached the sentinels, one naturally indicated, "We'd like to see passports, please."

"No problem," she replied, showing five passports.After the guard analyzed them for about a minute, he handed

them back. "So, you're Bucks' family, eh?""Yes...""We've been expecting you!""Really?""Yeah, there's a carriage waiting for you that'll take you to New

Yurisa for safe residence until tensions clear up in Connexion.""Our thanks.""A good day to you! Now please move along!"Barbara and her children did so, with the soldiers continuing to

analyze more passports from foreigners. Once they left the building, they crossed a vast wooden boardwalk onto the stone streets of Port Geoffrey, where a black carriage drawn by a brown roach sat, with its driver awaiting someone. When he saw the Bucks family, he waved and dropped to the ground, approaching them and bowing. He was a

28

THE NEW YURIS COLONY

deer as well, but with black fur, red hair, and blue eyes. His appear-ance was definitely unique, and Judge couldn't help but stare.

"Good morning to you all!" greeted the driver. "Duran Black at your service! Bucks told me to expect you and gave me the funds nec-essary to see to it that you enjoy your stay here!"

"Yes, thank you," bid Barbara."No problem! Anyway, I'm sure you all are starving!""Yeah..." Judge indicated."Ah, and you must be Bucks' oldest kid...Judge, is it?""Yes, sir.""Right! Anyway, a restaurant's right here, so come along!""Everyone then followed Duran into the nearby restaurant,

which was called The Porter. Though it was still morning, the eatery was fairly busy, yet the waiting area was largely empty. At the podium before the seating area, the waiter greeted, "Good morning! Welcome to The Porter! How may I help you, Mr. Black? Your usual table?"

"Nope! This time, it's Black, party of five and a half!""Since when did you get a family, Mr. Black?""Uh, this isn't my family, just that of one of my clients.""Oh, I see. Well, come this way!"The waiter then led Duran's company to a circular table with

five chairs, in which they seated themselves. Afterward the waiter in-quired, "So, may I start you all of with something to drink?"

"I'll take applejuice," requested Barbara."Same here," added Judge."Likewise," Jed ordered."Apple..." Nyle piped."I'll take applejuice, too!" exclaimed Duran."So, five applejuices it is!" confirmed the waiter as he left.Duran then stated, "I heard what's going on in Connexion...""Ugh, don't remind us..." groaned Judge."It's just a bloody shame that a nation could fall just like that.""Supposedly, our father is making a last stand," Jed informed."Last...stand!""It's a long shot, but I'm sure something good'll come of it.""I wouldn't count on it," doubted Judge."We can only hope for peace to return," wished Jed."Peace!""Y'know, the Savior..."

29

Judge of The Haven

"We've been over that plenty of times, sir," Jed interrupted."Plen-ty!""Then I just hope brighter days will come soon," hoped Duran.

"The trip across Yurisa Island'll probably lift your spirits a little.""Just another land fresh for the conquering," suggested Judge."Huh, New Yuris isn't as small as Connexion, so I'm sure

they'd stand a chance against those bastards," countered Duran. "Yurisa Island's pretty much a big maze of cities, and I'm sure they'd get lost before seizing it all."

"Unless they attack by air," Jed retorted."Air!""Heh, you got me there."The table then fell silent, with its occupants analyzing the

menus to decide on their meals. The waiter eventually returned with everyone's applejuice, asking, "So, ready to order?"

"You bet!" answered Duran. "I'll have the roach steak and eggs, with a side of bread!"

"Got it! How about you, ma'am?""Fruit salad, if you would.""Fruit salad...how about you, young man?""Biscuits and gravy, with some worm sausage," Judge ordered."Yes, sir! And you, boy?""Pancakes, worm sausage, and ant eggs," requested Jed. "I'll

share them with Nyle.""Pan-cakes!""Okay, roach steak and eggs with bread, fruit salad, biscuits

and gravy with worm sausage, and pancakes with worm sausage and ant eggs! Sound correct?"

"Yes," confirmed Barbara."I'll be back with your orders," the waiter indicated, departing.This time, Judge began the next conversation. "Mr. Black...""Hey, you can call me Duran if you want, kid.""Okay then...Duran. I take it you've been here before?""Yeah. Why?""What kind of guests have you entertained in the past?""Oh, mostly businessfolk, politicians, military leaders, even the

King and Queen of Yuris!""Wow, really?""I kid you not!"

30


"So, what's it like to entertain royalty?""Well, you've gotta be real careful about your manners, kid,

and always call them Your Majesty, sire, milord, milady, and so forth, but I got their respect in the end. There sure as hell won't be any decla-ration of independence any time soon, for sure!"

"You know, I wonder what Connexion would be like if Otter-land were still in control. I'm sure they would've stood a chance..."

"Hey, it'd still be the same place even if Otterland were in con-trol, kid, so I'm sure things would be the same as they are now."

"Except father would actually be joining us now.""You love your old man, don't you, kid?""Yes, sir. So, tell us all what we'll be seeing today.""Endless cityscape! That's what covers about half of Yurisa Is-

land! The east is pretty open, but the west--it'll blow you away, espe-cially if you're some country bumpkin!"

"Except that we aren't...""I'm just saying that anyone from the country'd be blown away

by New Yuris' cities. I know The Haven's a city itself, but it's nothing compared to what you'll see here!"

"I very much look forward to it then, sir.""There's a good boy.""So...will you leave us once we've gotten to New Yurisa?""Oh, no, kid! Your old man paid me enough to keep you all

busy until things settle down in Connexion, so it'll be a while, unless some miracle ends the war and brings him here."

"Right..."The conversation then became idle, with the waiter eventually

returning to the table with a tray containing everyone's meals. Barbara received her fruit salad, Duran his roach steak and eggs, Judge his bis-cuits and gravy, and his brothers their pancakes. The waiter bid before leaving, "Enjoy your meals."

"Well, given what's happening in these parts, I think it'd be ap-propriate to pray for our food and health. What say you, ma'am?"

"I think it'd be a wonderful idea. Do the honors, Duran.""Will do! Bow your heads, everyone! Yeah, now let's get

started! Dear Lord, we thank You very much for our good health and bid you to bless our meal, us, and all our relatives, in whatever situa-tions they may be in as we speak. We bid You to end the war in the lands up north as soon as possible and restore peace to the world if

31

Judge of The Haven

You can. We'll work hard ourselves if necessary to see to our wishes, and ask that You bless those brave men that see to it, too. Amen."

"Amen," repeated everyone, eating their meals.Only Judge and Duran completely finished their meals, with

the tab coming to thirty Yurisan Pounds, which Duran covered, after which he led his party to his black carriage, which seated them com-fortably. A lash from his whip later, the carriage departed the stables onto the streets of Port Geoffrey, traveling south at first, although the street gradually curved westward, stables to the north of the street and a few more restaurants to the south. Before a street intersection to the south, Judge could see a bank that wasn't terribly busy.

Beyond the bank, the street began to curve southwest, with sta-bles still dominating the northern scenery and even being present south of the road. As the street began to curve westward again, several vari-eties of boats became visible outside what appeared to be a shipbuild-ing center, with a restaurant appearing on the street corner to the north, a narrower street leading into a residential area. A road to the south later, the carriage had entered a neighborhood where children played outside, undoubtedly oblivious to what happened in Connexion.

In this neighborhood, the trees had become thicker as well, al-though in tune with the winter, they were devoid of leaves and con-tained layers of snow upon their branches. On the northern side of the road, a small hospital appeared, with a carriage repair center becoming visible on the southern side afterward. A larger stable building then ap-peared to the north, with woods afterward lining both sides of the road. A small bank appeared to the south, not to mention a bed and break-fast, with some decently-sized houses appearing among the wilderness, as well.

In the middle of these woods, the road took a rough curve to the southwest, continuing through the residential area before returning to its westerly direction. Soon came a fenced park on the northern side and another restaurant to the south, yet another eatery and a bank re-spectively appearing on the north and south sides of the road. A win-ery appeared to the south, followed by a carriage shop to the north, with more businesses appearing on the southern side, Judge aware the carriage had entered a commercial area, albeit interrupted by a clinic on a street corner to the north.

Through the commercial zone continued the carriage, passing a wide road intersection, with one corner containing an Aesir cathedral

32


that wasn't terribly busy considering today wasn't the Sabbath. Near the church was an accompanying cemetery, with all members of the Bucks clan crossing their hearts to show their condolences to the de-ceased. Wilderness ultimately replaced the businesses on the northern side of the road, which curved southwest again and then straightened out in a south-southwesterly direction, trees west and businesses east. Large stable buildings dominated the eastern side for a while.

A voluminous Aesir cathedral ultimately interrupted the west-ern wilderness, accompanied by an Aesir religious school, with Duran then taking a curving southwest intersection lined by a cemetery, with the driver and his passengers yet again crossing their hearts. The road straightened out westward alongside the cemetery, with farmfields be-coming visible to the south beyond a grove of barren trees. More wilderness, with occasional houses among it, replaced the cemetery to the north, the farmfields continuing on the southern side.

Woods and the occasional house among them soon encircled the carriage, with a fork in the road quickly coming, Duran taking the southwestern route. The road terminated a few minutes later at another running north and south, the driver taking the southerly route, quickly passing a few intersecting streets east and west. The street ultimately curved southward, passing a lawn circle centered by a tree to the west and a chocolatier to the east. More shops and restaurants came as the road ran southward, with Duran turning west past a rustic mill, the road then crossing a bridge bordering a lake to the south.

The street curved relatively southwestward into more residen-tial wilderness, with farmfields becoming visible north through the trees on and off. One significant sight was a mansion visible north of the road, although it definitely didn't compare to The Haven Academy. The road then began curving southward, with seas visible some dis-tance through the western woods, along with the occasional abode. The street curved some more, with a fork in the road coming where Duran drove west, the view of the seas at first becoming better, though more woods occasionally obscured it.

As the road ran northwestward, it abruptly ended, though the driver took another to the southwest through more residential wilder-ness. This street terminated as well, with Duran taking the west-north-westward branch, open fields eventually becoming visible, not to men-tion plenty of construction work. Northwest the road continued into the residential woods, passing a golf course and soldier's outpost along

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Judge of The Haven

the way, with Mr. Black ultimately turning south on a road with seas visible through the western woods, and an abode in construction being another prominent sight. The road eventually curved away from the seas, more houses for well-to-do New Yurisans still being present.

At a four-way intersection Duran turned southwest, immedi-ately passing a Judean synagogue to the north and a publishing com-pany with a large lawn to the south, followed by more residences among the woodlands. Among the residences a minute or so later was a smithery that emitted smoke, the clinks of weapons in production be-ing audible. A few minutes later came another four-way-intersection cornered by several restaurants, where Mr. Black turned west, passing more businesses along the way, and a hospital. Another fork came, with Duran taking the southern path and immediately passing an eatery and a soldiers' outpost, and a few seconds later, another clinic.

More businesses became visible among the woods, although for a few seconds, nothing but trees surrounded the road. Some occa-sional houses, not to mention ponds, became visible north and south of the highway, with a neighborhood coming on the northern side past another four-way intersection. A commercial zone with several eater-ies and other kinds of businesses dominated the view for a few min-utes, the trees somewhat becoming scarcer, another residential neigh-borhood briefly appearing, quickly replaced by more businesses. After the commercial zone came farmfields to the south and woods with the occasional clearing to the north.

The wilderness seemed to make a decent comeback, permeated by the occasional residence, quickly followed by more businesses. Past some businesses to the south was a large school that had an accompa-nying sports coliseum. Woods came again to the south, with an alter-nation of businesses and residences to the north, though as the road be-gan to curve southwest, the woods came to the north and the busi-nesses and residences came to the south. In the town of Woodbury were a gentlemen's club and an elementary school with a sports field, not to mention several restaurants and apothecaries.

Further into Woodbury was a golf course on the northern side of the road and a gated neighborhood protected by a soldiers' station to the south, which a park on the southern side and a hotel on the north-ern side followed. More woods came, followed by the town of Sunset, beginning with a commercial area. Among the most significant sights in this town was the Sunset Hospital on the northern side of the road,

34


which began to curve southwest, a neighborhood and plenty of trees to the north and more businesses to the south.

Businesses and residences alternated even as Duran drove into Jericho, with the driver and all his passengers crossing their hearts again when they passed another cemetery on the northwestern side of the road, a library being across the street. The carriage quickly entered a bigger residential area, though more businesses and accompanying stable buildings quickly followed. Following a business known as Grass and Company, the current street merged with a wider road, busi-nesses to the south and residences to the north, though the latter ulti-mately came on both sides of the expressway.

As the highway curved northwest, the passengers could notice farmfields through the northern woods, residences still to the south. As the carriage passed into Old Westburg, an Aesir Children's Academy became visible to the north, followed by more abodes. A middle school came to the south of the highway in the town of Rosy Heights, with an apartment complex following. Trees lined the streets for the next few minutes, although another golf course was visible through those bordering the northern side of the road. Yet another was visible as the Bucks clan passed through the township of Manhasset, another middle school with countless buildings to the south.

In the town of Greatneck came a Judean school to the north, with plenty of residences in the woodlands to the south. Judge as-sumed golf was a popular sport in this region of the New Yurisa Colony when the carriage passed another on the southern side of the road in the town of Lake Triumph. Another alternation of residences and businesses came in the town of Littleneck, followed by a brief in-tervention of woods and the town of Flush, dominated by plentiful abodes and apartment complexes, not to mention the occasional restau-rant.

A school that was definitely small compared to The Haven Academy came to the south of the road, Hathorne Middle School, in the town of Queen, followed by more woods, residences still populat-ing the north. After the woods was an Aesir Academy, followed by a secular institute. Further into Queen, a Judean synagogue was visible to the north, with a bazaar, likely run by the city's Judean populace, to the south. More restaurants then populated the northern and southern sides of the highway, with the north bearing a sequence of a pub, a hospital (likely for the drunkards that overindulged), and a medical

35

Judge of The Haven

school, followed by various businesses.As the highway ran onward, an intersection of several cities

came, including Flush, Queen, and Freshfields, which ironically didn't have anything of the sort, with plenty of residences dominating the cityscape at the time. A cemetery then dominated the northern view for a minute or so, all the carriage's driver and passengers yet again cross-ing their hearts. A hospital incidentally followed the cemetery, Judge assuming it to be a waiting area for occupancy in the adjacent grave-yard. Another Judean synagogue followed, and then a school contain-ing signs with strange lettering Judge recognized as being from the distant Empire of Zhongguo, more residences following.

Past buildings to the south, the carriage's occupants saw yet an-other vast cemetery and crossed their hearts. The town of Flush then disappeared in favor of some grassy snow-covered fields dotted by the occasional tree. The town, however, ultimately reappeared, trees lining the streets, schools being somewhat more common in this sector of the city, and the buildings becoming somewhat larger, still not rivaling The Haven Academy, as Judge noticed. Grand bazaars then dominated the cityscape, with open parking areas for carriages. A playground that appeared among another junction of cities appeared to the north, with children happily playing despite the winter weather.

Flush and Queen continued to alternate, with a vast cemetery that encompassed both sides of the highway coming, provoking yet an-other crossing of hearts by Duran Black and the Bucks clan. The cemetery briefly disappeared, and then reappeared south of the high-way, with Yurisa Island City to the north and Queen to the south in form of the vast graveyard. On the northern side of the road, St. Ralph Aesir Church became visible, a nice redbrick building. Beyond the memorial grounds, more bazaars surrounded both sides of the highway and continued even as the road crossed a bridge.

Factories emitting smoke began to appear, as well, the pollu-tion somewhat blending with the gray winter skies. The road ulti-mately dove into dark tunnels illuminated by occasional torchholes, with some water occasionally dripping from the arched ceiling, an in-dication that this tunnel passed beneath a body of water, somewhat scaring Judge, who feared that the tunnel could collapse and both crush and drown his family. However, illumination eventually came at the end of the tunnel, with the road rising into a great city with tall buildings.

36


"Welcome to New Yurisa!" proclaimed Duran."Wow," gasped Judge."And this is just a Colony?" Barbara couldn't help but wonder."That it is, my good lady!""But why?" asked Jed."Yuris is the largest nation in Anglia over in Britannia, so it'd

be fitting that they'd try to make their Colony just as grand!""Is Yuris like this?" inquired Judge."Beats me, kid, but I reckon it's similar."Surprisingly, the city streets cluttered not with endless traffic,

though one would think otherwise, given the evident population of this city, and Duran thus had little trouble driving. He navigated the streets in a seemingly random fashion, taking left turns here and right turns there. Through his window, Judge scoped the city's sights, such as many multistoried shopping centers from which seemingly prosperous citizens exited with sacks across their shoulders, prospective cus-tomers entering as well. Diverse restaurants providing cuisines from across Terra were common, as well, and when Judge heard the seven o'clock bells, he believed Duran would have to stop at one of them.

Eventually, the roads bordered an apparent fenced wilderness, making Barbara ask, "Have we reached the edge of the city already?"

"No, that's the New Yurisa Garden, a little slice of paradise in this city. It looks a lot better in the other seasons, I assure."

"We should revisit it when they come, then," stated Barbara."If we even stay here, mother," corrected Judge."Well, if you put it that way, when peace returns to the world.""I didn't mean it like that..."The carriage then turned to face a large arched entrance into

what was evidently a grand stabling area, what with the endless hay on its floor. The long entrance hall was wide enough for two vehicles, and after a short distance, Duran halted his carriage. Then he got off, re-moving the tethers from his roach. He led it across the hall to a pair of wooden stable doors, unlocking and opening them, afterward leading the roach inside. Duran then returned to the carriage, opening Judge's door and signaling him and the others to get out.

"A lovely ride, sir," stated Barbara. "Our sincerest thanks.""Hey, no problem! Now once... I... get... this... blasted... thing...

inside...we can go to my apartment!""Are you sure you can push it yourself, sir?" Judge wondered.

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Judge of The Haven

"Oh, don't worry about it! It's not that bad! See, I can handle it!" Indeed, Duran now pushed the carriage at a brisk pace into the sta-ble, and closed its doors once finished, locking them. "Now we can go to my apartment! It's just a few blocks from here! Follow me!"

The Buckses then followed Duran outside. Turning back to ad-mire the building, Judge asked, "Sir?"

"Yeah, kid?""Do the stables just cover the first floor of the building?""Heavens, no! You probably didn't see the slope at the end of

the hall! There are stables from top to bottom!""Ah...""That's something you wouldn't find in the country, kid!""Because they wouldn't need one, of course!""My point exactly!""So, would this be the Colony's capital, sir?""It'd be natural, kid, but it isn't.""Oh?""The capital's Alvin, well to the north on the mainland!""Very surprising..."Duran and the Buckses now walked on the southwestern side

of the street across from the park. They had already traveled a block beyond the stable building and now walked by another grand building filling the block on their left. Asked Judge, "What's this building for?"

"Oh, this is a hotel, kid! Pretty expensive anytime except in winter, but you'll be staying in my apartment, of course!"

"How much longer until we get there?""Just one more block!" After crossing a perpendicular street

and walking along a sidewalk to stairs leading to an arched pair of wooden doors, Duran indicated, "And here we are, the Garden Apart-ments! Pretty expensive, but hardly out of my range!"

Judge dashed to the top of the stairs, holding one door open for everyone to enter. Barbara told him, "Why thank you, dear."

"Hey, thanks, kid," bid Duran.Once his family and Duran had entered, Judge followed, be-

holding the grand lobby that stretched for the building's first few floors (not including the one below, level with the bottom of the entrance stairs). As Duran led his guests past the counter to a staircase, the clerk greeted, "Good afternoon, Mr. Black!"

"Back at you, ma'am!"

38


"I see you're, uh, entertaining again.""Got a problem with that?""Oh, no! Go on!""Heh, see you later!""A good day to you all."Duran led his guests up the winding stairs. Judge counted ten

floors when Duran finally led his company outside the stairwell into a hallway, where he eventually stopped before his apartment's door, drawing a key from one of his pockets, sticking it into the keyhole, and turning it, but with no success. "Blasted... thing... won't... work!"

"Are you sure this is your apartment?" wondered Barbara."Should be! But the blasted... key... won't... turn!"Judge then turned the door handle, opening the door. "Looks

like it was already open, sir.""Thanks a lot, kid. Sort of forgot I had a caretaker here.""Welcome home, Mr. Black!" greeted the caretaker as she ap-

proached the door. She was a deer, too, but with blonde hair, blue eyes, and brown fur. "Ah, and I see you brought guests!"

"This, friends, is my personal caretaker, Elizabeth Beck! Betty, this is the Bucks family, sans the Supreme General, of course."

"Speaking of which, I think you folks are in for a surprise!"Everyone entered, first encountering the living room, with two

sofas facing one another and two single chairs doing the same. After Duran closed the door, he took surprise in seeing Supreme General Bucks, sipping tea, in one of the chairs. "Judge, old boy! How long has it been, buddy? How are ya?"

"Not very well, for war ravages these parts.""Father!" exclaimed his eldest son. "How goes the war?""Whoa, whoa, slow down there, kid!" urged Duran. "We'll all

talk about this after lunch. I'm sure you're starving!""Well, I was expecting you to return with good company, Mr.

Black," Ms. Beck began, "and I just so happened to prepare a fresh loaf of bread with butter and jelly. I think the bread's cooled by now; I'll go check to be sure."

"You're a sweetheart, Betty," complimented Duran."So, did you have a nice trip?" the Supreme General wondered."Yeah, it was okay," Judge answered."It was great!" exclaimed Duran."I see," stated Bucks. "I would be honored to discuss what hap-

39

Judge of The Haven

pened, but I am certain Miss Beck will return with lunch soon."Indeed, Madam Beck returned with a tray containing a fresh

loaf of bread, with small dishes of diverse jellies and butter around it, not to mention a few knives. By the bread was a pot of tea, a clay jug of apple juice, and enough cups for everyone. Once she put the tray on the table, she indicated after sitting down, "Lunch is served!"

Everyone in the living room (except baby Martin) then ate the tray's contents, of which none remained after a few minutes. Judge was the first to compliment, "Nice lunch, Miss Beck."

"Why, thank you, sir! I'll get things cleaned up.""Yes, ma'am."As she left, Judge told Duran, "You're lucky someone cares for

you like this, sir.""Ain't that the truth, kid!""Ever think about marriage?" Jed asked."Now there's a possibility! But that'll wait for another time.

Maybe when I'm not so busy. Well, winter isn't busy, so maybe after you all are gone!"

"Just don't wait too long," suggested Barbara.A few minutes later, Miss Beck returned, sitting and asking,

"Are you ready to tell your story, General?""Indeed. It all started when I sent my son out of my office after

giving him his birthday gifts, and news of imminent war had just reached me. Before the enemy came, I helped as much as I could with the evacuation of The Academy, and The Haven. This was a grueling task, but I got everyone out on ships to New Yuris. General Dana Quill helped as much as she could with evacuation, too, mainly with the other seaside cities of Connexion, and after that, the cities in the north.

"While I prepared to make my last stand at The Academy, she tried to repel the horde as it drew near the southern coast, mainly con-centrating on defending the capital, Hartford, from which she had al-ready evacuated the President and Parliament. Regrettably, the capital fell in only a few minutes, and Quill concentrated her defenses on Bridgeport, the Republic's largest city and Massgraves' likely target af-ter The Haven. When they arrived at The Haven, they got a little sur-prise when they marched into The Academy...

"My soldiers took the enemy by surprise in The Academy, se-curing the school and repelling the enemy from the city. Quill soon re-ports her own successes in Bridgeport, with my victory at The Haven

40


having helped. She now controls our forces in what remains of the Re-public, though the enemy controls the rest of Connexion. I then took a fly to the Colony's capital to inform its Governor of the rising threat of the Nidhoggr. Luckily, he immediately mobilized New Yuris' foreign legion all along the eastern border and on the Yurisa Island Sound. He also sent messengers on course to the Kingdom of Yuris to inform its monarchs of the war, get reinforcements, and hopefully call on other nations in Britannia to join the cause."

"Like Otterland?" Judge wondered."I am not sure about Otterland, son, since while they did once

control Connexion, they are a small nation, and I doubt they would abandon it for a great war such as that we face."

"But the Savior...""Yes, I am certain you all have heard of the Savior in Otter-

land, but we cannot depend on legends...""Yes, father. He's probably too young right now, anyway.""Exactly, son. Back to my story, I flew here in hopes of meet-

ing with Mr. Black, though I instead met his servant. She took good care of me as I overnighted, and afterward, I awaited my family's ar-rival. And that, everyone, is my story."

"Say, father," began Judge, "what'll we do now that we're all together again?"

"Well, I intend to rally the other nations and Colonies of Ymir against the Nidhoggr; the more allies, the better."

"Unless the Nidhoggr control them...""I am sure I can tell which nations are free and which are not.""Please tell us you aren't going alone!" begged Barbara."My family may join me or stay here; I am certain Mr. Black

would be willing to have you stay for another few months.""Would I ever!""I don't think that'll be necessary, sir," countered Judge, "be-

cause I, for one, will go with my father.""Aw, but there's still so much to see here!" implored Duran."Endless cities that all look the same, I bet...""It's not all just cities! There's plenty of gorgeous countryside

and mountains to the north! And great waterfalls in the west you just have to see to believe!"

"They are my family, not yours!" admonished Bucks."Aw, you're no fun!"

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Judge of The Haven

"Well, they'll see far more if they come with me.""He's got a point, sir," agreed Judge."And he could use some support from his family," added Bar-

bara, "for he will be under quite a bit of pressure when meeting with all these leaders."

"And will there ever be an end to your little diplomatic trip, Judge old boy?"

"Perhaps, and perhaps not. Maybe when the war finally ends.""Yeah, we all want peace, but Lord knows it won't happen in

this lifetime." Bucks then faced his family and informed, "My family shall

join me, come what may! Tomorrow we shall begin; from New Yuris, we shall cross the West River into the New Jeremy Colony to inform its Governor of the threat of the Nidhoggr!"

"That cesspit? You know, Barbara, you don't have to go..."Bucks then hit Duran on his head and continued, "As I was

saying, we shall travel into the New Jeremy tomorrow and hopefully meet with its Governor before the day ends. Its motherland is an island Kingdom in southern Anglia, and naturally, their Navy is top-notch, which should help if the Nidhoggr invade by sea."

"If they're not controlled by the Nidhoggr," worried Judge."Do not speak such nonsense, son! I must warn, though, that

even if nations are not allied with the Nidhoggr, they may still resist our offers, maybe even forcefully, so we will take soldiers with us as we travel. About a hundred will do."

"What if entire nations want to go to war against us, father?""No nation, I am certain, would be cruel enough to slaughter a

brigade they know would not stand a chance of defeating them.""Unless, of course, they were controlled by the Nidhoggr...""In which case they would likely have great stone barriers

around their land, and we would avoid them entirely. We will also be certain to ask the leaders of the nations we visit about their neighbors so we know where to travel next and with whom to further our al-liances. I think I have pretty much covered our plan."

"Speaking of plans," began Duran, "I think I've got one, too!""Pardon, but my plans are final.""No! I mean for tonight! How about I take you all out for a

night on the town, you know, with dinner at a fancy restaurant, maybe a show at the theater? A nice parting gift, no?"

42


"Thanks for your gratitude, but we need to focus on tomorrow, and need no diversion tonight. I am certain Miss Beck could make a fine meal for us all."

"I'd be happy to comply!" Miss Beck indicated."Well, it's a shame I couldn't show you more of the city.""I have seen plenty," Bucks affirmed, "and my family has as

well. You have been kind to us, Duran, even if you have your flaws.""Heh, thanks, I guess.""So, what do we do for the rest of the day?" Judge asked."Well, I know not about you, son, but I have business in the

Garden. Part of our country's Army has camped there, so I see it fit that I boost their morale. I will likely take some of them along when we leave for New Jeremy tomorrow."

"I want to go to the Garden too, father, if you don't mind.""You may join me, son. What about you, Barbara, Jed, Nyle?

Would you like to come?""I think I'll stay here," Barbara responded."Me too," refused Jed. "I don't like thinking about war...""Stay!" piped Nyle."Come," Bucks urged. "The Garden is just across the street."As Judge followed his father to the apartment's entrance, he

stated, "I had no idea soldiers were in the park, father. Guess I didn't see them when we first came here..."

"Well, normally, son, the Garden is for recreational purposes, but since war looms, the Governor made a little exception (with the Mayor's approval, of course)."

"Yeah, it's only prudent since they don't exactly have a country to return to right now."

"But one day, we will return, son.""I believe you, father."By this time, Bucks and son had reached the stairwell, which

they descended, leaving into the streets. They crossed to the sidewalk by the Garden, alongside which they wandered east. At the first street intersection they reached was the Garden's entrance, by which soldiers stood. Once they reached the gates, the guards naturally stopped them. "Halt! Identify yourselves..."

"Wait, it's Bucks and his son!""You may enter!"Then the guards opened the gate, with Bucks and his son then

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seeing countless tents dotting the landscape. Soldiers that saw the Supreme General saluted, proud to have their leader visit their tempo-rary base. Near the entrance was a frozen crescent-shaped lake, where a few soldiers tried to fish through holes they had drilled themselves; some even skated, with a few showing their acrobatic abilities. The road from the gates curved northwest, with the lake falling behind the forest of trees, bushes, tents, and soldiers.

"Sir!" a soldier saluted. "We welcome you here! Have you any orders for us?"

"Yes, tell the others that we will move out tomorrow morning at two o'clock sharp!"

"Yes, sir! Where to?""To New Jeremy, right across the West River.""Understood, sir! I'll tell the others!""Yes, Private."As the soldier left, Judge began, "Um, father...""Yes, son?""Well, since I won't be going back to school anytime soon, I

was wondering if I, uh...""Tell me son. Do not be afraid, now.""I was wondering if I, uh...could become a soldier."Bucks chuckled for a few seconds before replying, "Well, son,

you have a point. It would hardly be prudent for you to do nothing on this long trip we will start tomorrow."

"So, is that a yes? Or am I still too young to be in the Army?""Well, there are soldiers who have entered military service at

your age, but mainly as drummer boys and pages.""So, am I to be a drummer boy or page if you let me in?""Nonsense! Your marks have been topnotch, and you are an

excellent pilot, so I think you deserve to be more than that.""Do you really mean...""Yes, son. I think you would do well in the Air Force. Barney

would certainly be glad to see you again. He carried me here, so I am sure he will treat his master's son with equal respect."

"Well, I have ridden him once in a while, so hopefully he'll re-member me. Where is he, anyway?"

"In the stable building near the Garden.""I see. So, I'm really a soldier now, father...I mean, General?""Yes, son...or shall I say, Private. You are welcome to stay here

44


with your fellow soldiers. I myself shall do so at the castle in the mid-dle of the Garden, and I will be sure to set up a room just for you."

"For that I salute you, sir.""But do not let it go to your head just because you are my son.""Blood has nothing to do with it, sir. I'm not in this for power.

I'm in this because I just want to help out even the slightest bit, to de-fend Ymir, and maybe the whole world, as well."

"Such ambition you have, Private.""I won't let you down, sir."Bucks and his son had trekked further through the park, head-

ing northeast on an intersection from the main road. Sentinels contin-ued to salute their leader as he and his son soon reached another fork, though the two continued on the current path, following its southeast curve. North was a vast fenced area, behind which were the Army's beasts of burden, from crickets to ants to beetles to roaches, which a few soldiers herded. As Judge eyed the land beasts, he assumed the winged ones were in the stable building by the Garden. Many of the beasts in the park were evidently glad to see the Supreme General, coming to the fence and trying to communicate however they were able, with Bucks smiling at them in return and exciting them further.

As the young private and his commander passed a southern in-tersection, the former observed to the north a stone-bordered stream from which the beasts of burden attempted to drink, in most cases un-successfully since the water was frozen, although a few soldiers had thawed areas to let them do so; soldiers fished from the stream, as well. The road eventually curved back northwest, staying that way al-beit with the occasional twist and turn for the next half kilometer.

The road soon ended, with a new path running southwest to an-other Garden entrance and northwest further into the park. The father and son took the latter path, with yet another intersection coming, leading roughly west, and two southerly extensions of a lake to their north, the first of which had a grand fountain at its southern tip with a statue on its top of what was evidently a Yurisan monarch. Further down the road, the other southern tip of the western half of the lake came close to the road. The water quickly fell behind, though, with the fenced area of beasts to the south and another forest of tents, trees, sol-diers, and bushes to the north, coming afterward.

The road ended shortly thereafter, with paths branching north-east and southwest, the first of which Bucks and his son took. Only a

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Judge of The Haven

brief distance later did they pass an intersection leading northwest to another Garden entrance. The lake they passed earlier soon reappeared to the east, yet fell away from the road shortly afterward. When the lake once more vanished, the road branched due north and southeast, the latter direction they then took. Though the lake's northern tip ap-peared briefly to the south, it vanished quickly, leaving soldiers, tents, trees, and bushes both north and south of the road.

However, a few minutes later came the appearance of some-thing different--a great stone castle sitting on the western end of a lake, smaller than the previous one. A wide path led to the large entrance, its giant pair of doors already open, and many a soldier flowing in and out. Bucks and his son followed this path into the fortress. Commented Judge, "It's not The Academy, but it's okay, I guess."

"The Academy is unrivaled, as far as my eyes have seen.""Yeah..."As for this particular fortress, Bucks and his son had now en-

tered a vast chamber spanning two floors, with many a wooden table soldiers occupied, each enjoying a meal of bread, soup, and water. At the far end was a raised area with a wooden podium and red curtains, apparent signs that this in peacetime was some kind of entertainment area. "So this is where you assemble your soldiers."

"This is also where many of them will stay the night, for there are plenty of rooms here, and I have my own quarters. I will ensure you get yours, if you wish to stay here."

"Well, it'd be a nice step in my becoming a soldier, sir.""But we will miss dinner back at the apartment.""I'm sure we won't be missing much.""Perhaps, though it is mostly bread, soup, and water...""Hey, I'm fine with that.""I am certain you want your room now.""Yeah, that'd be nice."Judge then followed his father through the mess hall. There

were pairs of wooden doors on each side of the stage, one of which they took to enter narrower corridors. Bucks and his son wandered the halls and reached a diagonal pair of doors leading to spiraling stairs they ascended a few floors. On the fifth floor, Bucks led his eldest child into more corridors with countless doors and the occasional sol-dier. Private Bucks soon saw his father stop and open a door leading into a chamber with a bed, nightstand, wardrobe, single window, prac-

46


tice dummy, and shooting target."It might not be fancy, but I am certain it will suffice.""It's fine, sir. As a soldier, I don't need excessive pampering.""Indeed. I will leave you now, if you wish.""Yes, sir.""Do not forget to come to the mess hall in the evening.""What time?""Twelve o'clock. I will give a speech and we will call it a day.""Got it!""I shall see you later, son.""Yes, sir."Bucks then left, closing his son in his new quarters. Judge eyed

the dummy and drew his blade, willing to try it out. He quickly stabbed the mannequin, splintering several portions of its hardened rope-knit surface. After a few stabs, Judge practiced his slashes yet made only minor gashes into surface beneath the tightly-knit rope, making him realize that to decimate the dummy completely would take months, maybe years. Of course, that was an asinine goal, he knew, al-though he would nonetheless hone his skills regularly.

After testing his sword, he sheathed it, ready to test his arrows on the red and white target hanging on the wall. Thus, he inched back to his bed, taking his bow from his back and notching an arrow onto it, aiming and releasing it to strike the target in its center. Wishing not to destroy one arrow with another, Judge removed the one he had used and put it back into his quiver, using another arrow. He continued to practice, striking the target's center each time and quitting once he had used each of his arrows at least once.

Judge naturally tired of his practice and thus quit for now. He felt like he deserved a nap and at first headed to the bed, only to notice the window, through which he hadn't looked yet. Therefore, he headed there, unhooked its shutters, opened them, and gazed outside to see the lake by the castle, frozen and with sentinels ice-fishing or skating. Some even practiced combat on the precarious surface yet strangely succeeded, with each strike of their swords pushing one another far across the ice, a bizarre sight. Judge knew that no military would ever be so idiotic as to fight a battle on ice, and laughed as he closed and hooked the shutters, going to bed and taking his intended rest after re-moving his armaments.

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Sometime later, Judge heard a bell ring, which quickly awak-ened him. How long had he napped? When the second bell toll came, Judge gasped, fearful that the twelfth hour had arrived. DONG. Instead of bothering to equip his weapons, he immediately rushed to the door and exited into the hallway. DONG. He rushed down the corridor to the stairwell, beginning his descent. DONG. Judge vainly descended, reaching ground floor before the next DONG. He exited into the halls, coming to the door leading to the mess hall. DONG. He entered the vast area, unsurprised to see most tables full. DONG. He vainly sought a vacant seat, thankfully seeing one nearby. DONG. He rushed there and wedged himself between the soldiers already there, relieved to have made it. DONG. A servant, seeing his arrival, gave him a tray with bread, soup, and water, walking away to serve other sentinels. DONG. Judge eyed the stage, seeing his father behind the podium, ready to speak. DONG.

He began after the twelfth and final bell toll. "A fair evening I bid you all, men. That we meet in a foreign land is unfortunate, but I am glad that you still wish to fight for freedom. The nations controlled by the Nidhoggr have proven to be worthy adversaries, but we have made slight headway in driving them back in Connexion. Hopefully, with the aid of our new allies here, we shall soon liberate our home-land, but that is not the main focus of my address tonight.

"The Royal Navy and Army, in addition to the Foreign Legion, of the Kingdom of Yuris and its Colony shall join our soldiers in Con-nexion to help repel the horde from Massgraves, while we in the meantime will march across Ymir to the southwest and rally willing nations into securing the continent from the Nidhoggr. Tomorrow, we shall head into the New Jeremy Colony to the west for their assistance, what with their naval power being unsurpassed, a sure aid to fight our enemy by sea. You shall awaken at one o'clock, and we shall begin our leave when the second hour arrives. I bid you a good evening, and may God help us all."

As Judge applauded, the soldier to his left stated, "Hey, you're Bucks' kid!"

"You must really love your old man to want to dine with us just to hear him," the sentinel to his right added.

"Actually, I'm a Private now."Both soldiers laughed, before the one on the right sensibly

stated, "You're brave to enter the Military in times like these."

48


"Yeah..." Eventually, Judge finished his meal, getting up and telling the soldier, "Well, see you all in the morning, I guess."

"Later, kid.""Nice talking to you."Judge then headed to the doors leading into the ground floor

corridors, where his father had wandered, as well. As both entered the halls, Bucks laughed, "Well, I'm pleased to see you made a bit of an, uh, entrance, into the mess hall."

"I'm terribly sorry, sir. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.""Be sure not to repeat your mistake.""Yes, sir.""But your speed was most impressive.""Uh, thanks, I guess...""You would make an excellent spy.""Me, a spy?""It depends on the circumstances over the next few days.""Uh, okay...""There would be a debate of your age, but there have been

spies younger than you.""Doesn't surprise me...""But I am not forcing you to be one. I would gladly send some-

body else in your stead on critical espionage missions.""Just because I'm your son doesn't mean you have to worry, sir.

I'd gladly serve my nation and its allies in whatever way possible.""Such a spirited child you are. If only all soldiers were like

you..." A few minutes later, Bucks and his son stopped before the lat-ter's quarters. "I bid you a good night."

"You too, sir."Judge entered his quarters, which he illuminated by going to

the window and opening it, seeing the gray winter skies darkening and the activity on the lake dying down. Chilling breeze flowed into his chamber, provoking him to the fireplace, which he ignited, after which he shut the window. While his quarters warmed, he decided to hone his martial skills one last time before he quit for the day, retrieving his sword from near his bed and hacking the dummy, alternating between stabs and slashes. This exercise warmed him well alongside the fire, and once he had had enough, he tried his hand at archery, adopting a strategy of striking selected areas of the target with his arrows, suc-ceeding each time and stopping once he had expended all ammunition.

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After he gathered his arrows and put them back into his quiver, he ex-tinguished the fire and called it a night, having a good rest.

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Chapter III

The First Missions

When a single bell rang across New Yurisa, Judge awoke, getting out of bed, equipping his gear, and exiting into the halls, seeing many sol-diers heading to the mess hall and following them. He descended to ground floor, entering the mess hall and sitting near the stage, unsur-prised to see a few soldiers join him. They didn't seem like those he had met last night, though he was willing to befriend them if possible. He didn't have time to speak, however, since a servant came by a few seconds after he sat down and gave him his morning meal tray, unsur-prisingly including bread, soup, and water.

"You'll need more than that to survive as a solider, kid.""Pardon?" wondered Judge."It's just a bit strange to see a youngster like you in our ranks.""Well, Connexion's at war, so we don't have any place to return

to for now, do we?""Yeah, but you could be, uh, going to school or something...""I was until Massgraves came marching into Connexion.""But I'm sure there're some good schools here.""Well, my father's Supreme General, so I sorta don't wanna

leave him behind...""Wait a minute...you're Bucks' son?""Oh, so you just joined so you'd get treated like royalty!""I've requested no special privileges, thanks very much.""Ooh, big words coming from such a spoiled little soldier!""Do you want me to slit your throat?" threatened Judge."Go ahead, kill me, why don't you?""Because our enemy is the Nidhoggr, not each other," Judge

replied, surprised to hear his father simultaneously say the same thing. "Good morning, sir!"

"A good morning to you all, men," Bucks returned admonish-ingly. "Do not let me find any of you in such silly little skirmishes like this from now on. Verbal discipline is as important as those physical

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and mental. If you do wish to draw swords, do so in a training area. But if you do so here, I can and will discharge you all! Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers affirmed."Very well," Bucks acknowledged, ascending the stage."Little brat," cursed one of the soldiers.Bucks, once behind the podium, began his morning address:

"Good morning to you all. I am certain most of you are well aware of our intended trip into New Jeremy today. We will leave at two o'clock sharp, so I urge you all to be ready then. While we march to the capital of the Colony, I shall send a messenger ahead of the rest of us to in-form the Governor of our arrival."

"I'm sure that'll be you, brat," a soldier sneered at Judge."New Jeremy, as far as I have determined from what this

Colony's Governor has told me, is friendly with New Yuris, so talks of alliance should be smooth. Moreover, since we are pretty much a free-roaming military given the state of Connexion, we should be available to help if necessary in whatever conflicts may trouble New Jeremy, else we shall move to other nations to further our alliances. That is all I have to impart to you all, and again, I urge you all to be ready for de-parture at two o'clock sharp. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" the entire mess hall complied."Very well. Enjoy your meals, and make haste."Judge quickly finished his meal, and followed his father to the

edge of the mess hall. "Sir, whom will you send as a messenger?""Someone I can trust, definitely not those who harassed you.""Yeah, figures.""Indeed, Private. Now I am sure they harassed you on this pos-

sibility, but would you be willing to be the messenger? Not because you are my son, but to prove your mettle by heeding my orders."

"I will do it with honor, sir.""Very well. I will give you more details at my office."Judge followed his father through the ground floor corridors

and up to the fifth floor, reaching his office. Since Bucks' office was temporary, it didn't have many furnishings save for a desk and two chairs, one behind it and one in front. Rather than taking his seat, though, Bucks paced in contemplation. His son indicated, "I'm ready whenever you are, sir."

"Yes, I am certain you know to the capital of the New Jeremy Colony and give word of our imminent arrival to the Governor."

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"What is their capital, sir?""That, Private, would be Todd, due southeast of New Yurisa.

It's on the border with the Kingdom of Sylvania, our likely destination after New Jeremy."

"Understood, sir. I'm willing to leave now if possible.""Keep in mind, Private, that this great urban area shall continue

well into New Jeremy for a while. If you keep to the southwest, you shall eventually reach the Colony's countryside, after which will come another great city, which should be Todd. There you should have little trouble finding your way to the Governor's palace. I have two letters you need to give her--one from the Governor of New Yuris, and the other from myself. Do not lose them, Private!"

"So a woman rules New Jeremy," observed Judge, pocketing the letters. "Well, better get going..."

"Indeed. Follow me."Judge then followed his father out of the office, down through

the castle, and outside into the Garden, whose soldiers prepared for imminent departure. They wandered the road southeast at the follow-ing intersection, which eventually took them past two lakes. They con-tinued in their current direction at the next intersection, with many a curve coming in their way. Surprisingly, the road led over another that seemed to run underground briefly from northwest to southeast. After-ward, the road curved directly south, and once it straightened, it led Bucks and his son outside the Garden a few minutes later.

They reached the stable building, up which they ascended sev-eral hay-strewn floors by ramps wide enough for two carriages, until they reached what seemed to be the top. They ventured near the large open arched window, with Bucks stopping before a pair of doors and unlocking them to reveal the buzzing black fly behind. "Barney!"

"It has been a while since you last saw him, Private, and I am glad he remembers you. Well, mount him!"

"Yes, sir," complied Judge. "Come on, boy, let's go!"Barney buzzed in agreement, taking his rider outside the stable

and to the large window, through which he soared into the skyline of New Yurisa, looking magnificent from above. Judge turned southwest and flew across the city; he was not alone, as a few civilians too had flies. Some apparently recognized him as a soldier, and they saluted him; Judge saluted back, glad to know they appreciated his service. As approached the West River, he saw several bridges spanning it, and

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another urban area, though slightly murkier, on the opposite side, un-doubtedly New Jeremy. Barney eventually soared across the River, well more than a kilometer wide.

Beyond the West River, Judge took surprise to hear someone command, "Halt, sir!"

Judge tugged Barney's reins, bringing him to a static hover. Another black fly hovered nearby, bearing a soldier of New Jeremy who requested, "I'd like to see a passport, please!"

"Sure, no problem," complied Judge. "I'm on a mission for Supreme General Bucks of the Connexion Army."

"I see. I take it you're his son?""Indeed, sir.""Well, go on!"Judge then flew southwest into New Jeremy, looking down to

see the somewhat dirty urban area, with darker stone buildings and plenty of smoke rising from a few factories. Judge held his breath as he flew directly through smoke, and he assumed his fly did the same, what with no coughing heard afterward. Judge increased his altitude to avoid more encounters with the emissions, and had some success. He currently soared above a great peninsula similar to that on which New Yurisa sat, about the same volume despite rougher edges. A river sepa-rated the southern slit of the peninsula from an island, which Judge knew he would soon pass. In no time at all, he reached it, only to be in for a slight shock...

"Halt, traveler!"Judge did so, seeing a mounted New Yurisan guard by him.

"Something the matter, sir?""Well, unless you're a criminal, then no.""Why do you stop me?""I wish to see your passport before you enter New Yuris.""But I don't want to reenter New Yuris! I have to get to Todd!""Well, if you don't, then avoid Statuary Island!""Will do!" agreed Judge, about to resume his trip only for the

guard to stop him again."But I would like to see your passport please.""Sure, no problem," Judge promptly capitulated."Ah, so you're Bucks' son, eh?""Yes, sir.""By the way, kid, what is your business in Todd?"

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"I'm delivering letters from the Supreme General and the Gov-ernor of New Yuris."

"Sounds like a plan! Now get!"Judge finally resumed his flight, distancing himself from the

river between New Jeremy and Statuary Island while still moving southwest. He eventually reached a point where he needed not worry about reentering New Yuris, with sooty urban terrain still below him. This terrain changed not for the next few minutes, though when the second hour arrived, countryside replaced the city, no different from Connexion's, what with many snow-covered trees dotting the land-scape. There were a few rivers and occasional town, the latter of which didn't reap with industry, being relatively serene except for the occa-sional plebeian seeing his flight and waving, which he returned with a salute. How quickly Judge went through the Colony impressed him, and he kept southwest, expecting Todd to come anytime soon.

It did about a quarter hour later, bearing many a sooty stone building and plenty of polluting industry. He kept his eyes peeled for the largest building, which he quickly saw, having a magnificent alti-tude and domed top. Judge dropped his elevation and circled the build-ing, descending until his fly touched the ground, where a pair of New Jeremian soldiers approached. "What's your business here, young sir?"

"I've letters for the Governor. I am Private Judge Victor Piers Bucks of the Connexion Air Force."

"Supreme General Bucks' son, eh?""Yes, sir!""I'll take you to the Governor; my partner will take your fly.""Um, thanks.""Now follow me!""Yes, sir."Judge followed the guard into the building through its large

arched entrance, which revealed a grand entrance hall spanning several floors, not to mention many other guards and maybe a few politicians wandering around. He couldn't help but admire this voluminous inte-rior, with the sentinel walking well ahead of him. "Well, kid? What're you waiting for? Follow me, will ya?"

"Oh, sorry, sir," apologized Judge, catching up quickly."Yeah, I know, it's your first visit here. But it is pretty.""Yeah...""This, kid, is where New Jeremy's government works...the

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Governor, the Colonial Parliament, and even the Colonial Court!""Figures.""We've still got a ways to go to the get to Governor's office.

Hope you don't mind climbing to the top of this place!""Oh, no, I don't mind at all, really.""Then let's go, kid!""Yes, sir!"Judge followed the guard up through the storeys of the lobby

area until they entered what was apparently an office area for the politicians, with narrower halls and many doors. The Private could oc-casionally see through the open windows the increasing altitude, and eventually, the ascent stopped, with the soldier leading the messenger through a hall that seemed to border the edge of the current floor, what with many windows bordering one side and none on the other. Was this the uppermost floor? Perhaps Judge would know soon...

The guard soon stopped before a pair of doors, one of which he opened. "Enter, Private."

"Yes, sir.""Be polite before our Governor!""I will, sir," assured Judge while entering, finding himself

within a large square-shaped chamber containing a great domed ceil-ing with many narrow windows. "Wow..."

"Come forth, young sir," invited a female voice, which made the Private look forward to see a wooden desk, behind which sat a vixen, brown-eyed, brown-haired, and orange-furred, evidently the Governor of the New Jeremy Colony.

Standing by her side was an otter, with similarly colored hair and eyes, albeit his fur was light brown, perhaps an advisor. Judge wandered to the desk and sat in a chair there. "Madam Governor?"

"Indeed. Do you have business here, young man?""Yes, ma'am. I have two letters for you.""And from whom would they be?""One from my father, Supreme General Judge Hartford Victor

Bucks of the Connexion Army, and the other from the Governor of New Yuris."

"I would like to see them.""Yes, ma'am," complied Judge, handing over the letters."Since New Yuris is our closest neighbor, I shall read its Gov-

ernor's letter first." She then opened the letter. "Madam Governor, The

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Supreme General of the Army of Connexion has given me the most unfortunate news of his nation's downfall at the hand of Massgraves."

"No!" the otter shouted."Silence, Uther," admonished the Governor."Sorry, dear..."The Governor continued, "While Bucks has made a valiant

stand, his forces are greatly outmaneuvered, so he has implored me to lend him much-needed support, which I have provided. Thus, I urge you to do the same and put New Jeremy's Army and Navy on high alert, even inform the monarchs of its motherland of this threat. Please do not allow this world to fall into darkness. Truthfully Yours, Daniel Patrick, Governor of New Yuris."

"We must do something," Uther urged."I haven't even read the other letter yet!""Eh, I'm sure it says pretty much the same thing, my love.""There's only one way to find out," indicated the Governor,

then opening Bucks' letter and reading. "To the Honorable Governor of New Jeremy: War! Ruthless attacks by the Nidhoggr have literally torn Connexion asunder! We have little time to spare before they have completely destroyed our homeland! Please, send your best support and we shall truly be grateful. May God save us all! Yours Truly, Supreme General Judge Hartford Victor Bucks."

"Wow, he really sounded desperate," Uther stated the obvious."Well, now that you mention it, my dear Uther, he did get to

the point pretty quickly.""That's my old man for you," Judge laughed."So you're his son..." the Governor affirmed.Judge nodded. "And a Private in Connexion's Air Force, too."The Governor and Uther laughed at this, before the former

stated more seriously, "But you have done well in imparting this news unto our Colony. By the way, would you be willing to perform a little mission for us?"

"Well, since I've already finished one, I guess I'm available.""We've been having a bit of tension lately with our southern

neighbors, Bloodland and Devilish.""Are they controlled by the Nidhoggr?""Indeed, child, but it's Bloodland that concerns us the most.""Why?""Word has it that the nations of the Nidhoggr plan to establish

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a powerful unified alliance, with a capital at Withering Darkness, right on Bloodland's southern border."

"So, you want me to spy on them?""Exactly, my boy...what's your name?""Private Judge Victor Piers Bucks.""Are you sure?" worried Uther. "He's just a boy...""And just who would ever suspect a boy like him to be a spy? I

say he's perfect, Uther!""But...""Sounds good to me! Do go on, ma'am!""Very well. Judge, you are to infiltrate Bloodland and visit

Withering Darkness in the Coalblack Province to find plans of a great tower the Nidhoggr wish to construct to commemorate their alliance. We fear the tower is a destructive weapon, so it is only fitting that we try and retrieve its plans if available. Are you up to this?"

"Anything to save the world, ma'am!""But he's just a Private in addition to a boy!" insisted Uther.

"And why, boy, do you want to do such risky work?""Hey, I just can't turn down a mission knowing that I'd have

been responsible for forfeiting a chance to save the world, can I?""Such spirit you have ...if only all soldiers were like you...""Why not let someone else with more age, skill, and experience

save the world? You're far too young to be in the military, anyway...""For crying out loud, Uther, let him decide!""Sorry, Christie...""Judge, don't worry too much about what Mr. Whitman has to

say. But there is risk involved in this mission, just to warn you.""Our world would never advance without any risks. So, I just

find plans for the tower?""Indeed. You're to fly to Bloodland, incognito, get them, and

get back here. My husband here will give you a disguise and false passport to get you through Devilish and Bloodland."

"He's your husband?""Yeah, Uther Whitman's my name. I'm also Lieutenant Gover-

nor. So, ready, kid?""Yeah, I'd like to get this mission over with quickly.""Then follow me, boy!"Judge then followed Whitman out of the office, descending to

the floor below, where the Lieutenant Governor led him into an empty

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THE FIRST MISSIONS

room with a few wardrobes. The otter closed the door, locking it and approaching one of the wardrobes, which he opened. He sifted through the diverse garbs and retrieved a black cloak he handed Judge. "Put this on, kid!"

"Yes, sir," Judge complied."Now for your passport to get you in and out of Devilish and

Bloodland." Whitman then got out a passport and spiderleg pen, ask-ing, "So, what'll your name be?"

"I don't know...John Doe, maybe?""A bit generic, but it'll do," indicated the Lieutenant Governor,

"not that that's a bad thing...""True. Anything else you need to know?""No, that should do.""So, how do I get to Devilish, and afterward, Bloodland?""Exit Todd to the southeast, first of all. Once you're a good

ways out in the countryside, turn southwest, and you should cross the Delwar Bay, or as they like to call it, the Devilish Bay."

"They sure like to erase the past with all their renamings...""Yeah, that's my guess. Anyway, there's a great wall in the sea

between New Jeremy and Devilish, and hopefully, you should get in with your new passport. Once you're in Devilish, Bloodland and With-ering Darkness are due west. Devilish and Bloodland are largely bar-ren, so you shouldn't have any problem missing W.D. Got it?"

"Yeah, no problem. Can I have my passport?""Aye, here you go.""Well, I think I'm ready. Where do they keep steeds here?""Below ground floor, boy. You want me to take you there?""Nah, I think I can find my way down.""Good luck, Private!""Tell my dad I say hi, okay?""That I'll do! Later!"Judge then left the room, descending through the building af-

terward. After a few minutes, he was in the vast multistoried lobby area, where he descended past ground floor, entering a darker corridor with many wooden doors joined by buzzes and chirps. Since this was his first visit to the tower's stabling area, Judge knew not where Bar-ney was, though he saw a guard nearby he wished to inquire. "Um, ex-cuse me, sir!"

The sentinel turned and pointed his spear at him. "Halt! What

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are you doing here?""Hey, I'm on your side! This is a disguise! I'm on important

business for the Governor!""Who are you?""Private Judge Victor Piers Bucks, Connexion Air Force.""Hey, you're that boy whose fly I took earlier! Follow me!"Judge agreed and followed the guard until he stopped at a pair

of doors he opened to reveal Barney. "Oh, thank you, sir!""Hey, no problem. Have a safe trip, you hear?""Yes, sir!" bid Judge as he mounted Barney and took flight."The exit's that way, kid!""Thanks, sir!"As Judge flew through the corridor, he soon saw natural illumi-

nation, which intensified with each second. Eventually, the floor sloped upward, and he found himself outside, where he heightened his altitude until he was above the tower, afterward taking off southeast. Gazing northeast, Judge saw several small black dots over the horizon, which he presumed were the Connexion forces just arriving. While Judge knew his father would expect a report from his mission, he knew that the Governor would likely inform him herself, so he worried not. Thus, he continued southeast, exiting into the forested terrain of New Jeremy, across which he flew for several minutes.

Surprisingly, Judge soon saw a vast civilized expanse he at first believed was another city, only to notice the great walls of stone sur-rounding it and many soldiers marching across its streets, making him suppose this was a military base. Wishing not to raise a scene, Judge immediately turned southeast away from the base. Judge soon saw an-other vast urban area, albeit far smaller than Todd, to his west after his change in direction, after which came several minutes of wilderness with the occasional river. More urban terrain inevitably arrived, com-ing and going in short bursts, and quieting itself afterward for a longer time. The occasional town or village dotted the winter woods, although Judge firmly believed he was safe for the rest of his trip in New Jeremy.

When the fourth hour came, Judge saw distant water, undoubt-edly the Delwar / Devilish Bay. A great wall of stone indeed spanned the Bay, with the Private dropping his altitude as to receive official en-try into the Kingdom. When a necromancer standing on the wall saw him, he brought his fly to a still hover and showed his false passport.

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Invited the wraith, "You may enter..."Judge buzzed into Devilish, whose terrain was largely barren,

with only the occasional decaying tree, and surprisingly, no snow de-spite the coldness. Hardly a hamlet dotted the landscape, which led him to wonder why in the first place the Nidhoggr desired this land. Perhaps it was merely due to their strong desire to control every piece of Terra. Whatever the case, Judge took relief at how smoothly his trip through Devilish progressed. A quarter hour later, Judge saw another great wall of stone to the west, this one completely on land except for an occasional stream flowing through heavily-guarded waterways. Here, the Private slowed his fly, seeing a wraith approach, simply sig-naling him to fly beyond. Judge then regained his previous agility, fly-ing into Bloodland.

"May the Dark Lord rise again!" Judge heard the wraith."And may he fall just as quickly," muttered the spy in return.Looking west into Bloodland, Judge saw it to be no different

from Devilish, what with endless barren landscape, except maybe for the great bay he could distantly see. Since there wasn't another wall of stone centering its waters, Judge doubted that another nation lay be-yond. However, the boy could see the southern end of a great city across the bay. Was this Withering Darkness? Judge could only ask once he got there. By the time he had crossed the bay, three quarters of the fourth hour had elapsed, and he now found himself above the city, where he dropped his altitude, landing and dismounting. A few wraiths were nearby, conversing about the current happenings of Bloodland.

"Did you hear?""Hear what?""The construction of the Blood Tower's begun in W.D.""Yeah, I've heard that news floating around...""King Willem of Arcadia's masterminding the project. He as-

sures that it'll be a significant step in ensuring domination of Ymir, with its supposed power to destroy entire nations in a single blast."

"Aye, the world'll soon be ours...""All that's needed is the Dark Lord's resurrection...""And the death of the Savior, of course.""Wasn't that taken care of twelve years ago in Otterland?""Well, they did get sacked pretty badly, but I don't think the at-

tack did them in for good.""You think one more attack would do it?" Judge contributed.

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"Yeah, it's all up to Niflheim to give the final command.""By the way," Judge, "I'm sorta new to this city...""Welcome to Baldwin, then! Capital of the Baldwin Province!""I'm trying to get to Withering Darkness.""It's due southwest of here. You can't miss it, kid!""Thanks," bid Judge, getting back to his fly and taking off.Back in the skies, he turned southwest and soared back above

the barren terrain of Bloodland. Over the horizon, Judge saw another great city, undoubtedly Withering Darkness, which was below him in the middle of the fourth hour. Looking down, he could see a vast city with countless soot-black buildings, giving it a great aura of darkness. Here, he began his descent, hoping to ask someone for possible direc-tions to the Blood Tower, were it indeed in construction.

After landing, Judge sought someone to inquire, quickly seeing a black-cloaked man with black goat horns, asking him, "Um, sir, would it hurt you to tell me where the Blood Tower is?"

"Not at all..." returned his dull, monotonous voice.The man turned to face Judge, revealing his jet-furred, jet-eyed

visage; surprisingly, the goat seemed to take shock at the boy's appear-ance, wincing quickly and shielding his head.

"Are you...okay, sir?" a confounded Judge wondered."Leave me be!" he screamed."Um...the Blood Tower?""It's near the Poison River to the south! Just LEAVE ME BE!""O-kay..."Judge quickly returned to the skies, fearful of the black goat.

He continued southwest, hoping he would be able to find the Blood Tower when it came. Judge expected a crimson construction, and thus kept his eyes open for such a structure, soon seeing a frozen gray stream to the south, undoubtedly the Poison River. In the middle of a vast field with decaying trees and barbed wires, Judge could see a red circle surrounded by stone, which he supposed was the Blood Tower. How it could have a scarlet interior was beyond him, unless the inte-rior decorating just so happened to have a whole coat of red paint.

Color concerns aside, Judge again descended to the cityscape, landing a few meters from the tower's arched entrance doors. Looking up, the Private could see many wraiths, not to mention a few tattered-clothed slaves, working on the project. Judge dismounted and wan-dered to the doors, with a wraith soon stopping him. "May I take care

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of your fly, young sir?""No, I don't plan on staying here too long.""Are you involved in the Blood Tower project?""Why, yes I am, sir!""Do you have a copy of the plans with you?""Curses, I knew I forgot something!""Fear not, brother; I've a spare copy I'd like to get rid of...""Yeah, thanks.""Here you are," indicated the wraith as he handed Judge a thick

papyrus envelope that undoubtedly contained the plans for the Blood Tower. "I shall see you later, brother."

"You too," Judge again lied, signaling Barney to follow along; the Private knew that immediate departure would make the wraith sus-pect him to be a spy, so he believed that lingering around for maybe a few minutes would lessen such suspicion.

"Excuse me, sir," Judge heard a voice call to him, "are you in-volved in the construction?"

"Yeah," Judge nervously told the red-armored Bloodland sol-dier. "My shift's just ended."

"Go home, then!""Yes, sir!" Judge gladly affirmed, mounting Barney and reluc-

tantly hailing, "May the Dark Lord rise again!""Yes..."Judge immediately left the Blood Tower construction site once

his altitude was great enough, and soared north across Withering Dark-ness. The Private felt both relief and angst at his departure, fearful that someone at the construction site realized he was a spy. To see another fly zoom by made him more nervous, and Judge felt that an entire swarm could pursue him at any moment during his escape. He felt strong relief when he finally left Withering Darkness, and while the barren plains weren't the prettiest sight, to see no signs of anyone pur-suing him relieved him evermore. While the occasional hamlet did pass, the Private knew that whatever Nidhoggr lived in these villages would be completely ignorant about the true intents of one of their ap-parent brothers.

Surprisingly, mountains eventually replaced the plains, and Judge thus heightened his altitude. The mountains, too, were with their share of villages, most specializing in mining. Judge felt sympathy for those the Nidhoggr had enslaved, though he hadn't the power to help

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them, but he hoped that one day, Bloodland would be free. To the north, Judge could eventually see a winding wall of stone, undoubtedly the border between Bloodland and Sylvania, with its length patrolled by crimson soldiers and black and red-cloaked Nidhoggr alike. The Private significantly slowed his fly and slowly hovered to the border, naturally gaining the attention of the diverse patrolmen; here he showed his fake passport.

"Ah, Mr. Doe," began one of the wraiths, "what business have you in entering Sylvania?"

"I'm... uh... to... kill the King. Yeah, that's it...""Then proceed with caution, brother.""Bring us back a trophy, you hear?" requested a guard."Yeah, I'll bring back his head!" the Private lied, taking off.One of Judge's first desires upon entering Sylvania was dispos-

ing of his black cloak, though he realized none of the pockets of his vest and pants were large enough to hold the Blood Tower Plans. He did, however, remove his hood to lessen his shadiness, though the worry of wrongful detainment troubled him still. This fear tormented him more greatly once he passed the first mountain village (Sylvania's mountains were far more wooded than Bloodland's), whose residents seemed shocked at an evident necromancer entering their nation.

To his worst fears, Judge heard that Barney's buzzes weren't alone. Looking around, he could see several mounted Sylvanian sol-diers with leafy wooden armor who surrounded him, provoking his de-scent. After landing, he dismounted, seeing that the sentinels did the same, pointing their weapons in his direction. "You're a spy from Bloodland, aren't you?"

"Well, I am a spy, but not from Bloodland...""Then who are you, exactly?""Private Judge Victor Piers Bucks, Connexion Air Force.""Seize his goods!""Hey, wait a..." The soldiers quickly surrounded Judge, taking

his cloak and bow and arrows. Upon seeing his sword belt afterward, a guard seized it, too. "Hey! Those are mine!"

"They're ours, now, Mr. Bucks, or shall we say, Mr. Doe!""I was a spy for New Jeremy! That was my cover name!""I thought you were in Connexion's Air Force, you liar!""No, you've got me wrong! I am in the Connexion Air Force,

but I just so happened to take an assignment for the Governor of New

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Jeremy, which was to get plans for the Blood Tower down in Blood-land, which I'm sure you can see in that envelope!"

"Oh, you're probably just an assassin trying to kill our King!""Aye, and you just so happen to carry plans to build a great

weapon your country wants to use to conquer the world!""Hey, you're twisting my words!""Enough talk, foul traitor! We're taking you to Harris!""Yeah, and we're executing you tomorrow morning!""No! I'm...""Would you like to die here right now?""Don't I at least get a trial, or something?""No!" snapped a soldier. "You were caught in the act!""Of what, flying?""Treason, you dolt!""Please ..." A solider then held a sword to Judge's throat.

"Never mind...""Now there's a good boy! Tie him up!"The soldiers then tied together Judge's hands and legs. Then

they started to carry him through the woods, only for one to inquire, "What about his fly?"

"Take it to the capital, too! Now get a carriage from Lit-tlestown and follow us!"

"Yes, sir!""His Majesty'll be glad to have these plans..."Afterward, two soldiers carried Judge through the woods until

they reached Littlestown, entering the stables near the entrance, where they readied a carriage drawn by a brown roach. Then the guards took the bound Private into the wagon, which contained several boxes, one a guard carrying him opened. "Oh, God, you're not gonna..."

"Yes, we are, boy!" countered one of the sentinels as he threw Judge into the rectangular box, which his captors locked shut. "Now to take you to the capital!"

"Oh, brother, this is just what I needed..."Thankfully, the box did have several holes to give its prisoner

air, an indication that such treatment of hostages was nothing new for his captors. A few seconds later, the carriage began moving, and Judge felt a sharp turn before the vehicle moved forward at a steady rate. He naturally felt discomfort at his entrapment within a box, though he still had enough space in it that it wasn't pure torture. Eventually, Judge

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heard the guards: "You think this kid really wanted to kill our King?""Well, don't all the Nidhoggr want that?""You sure he's one of them?""There are Nidhoggr as young as he is...""But he didn't sound like he had any evil intentions...""They all repent under pressure!""But some can keep cool...""Yeah, but he was an exception, the whiny little brat...""Hey! You leave him alone!""What? He'll be dead soon...""He should get a trial! I think he was telling the truth!""Come on, you just can't make up tripe like that! Come on, a

spy in the Connexion Air Force working for New Jeremy?""Didn't you hear of Connexion's downfall?""So? What's that got to do with it?""Why should he die? He's hasn't killed anyone...""We don't know that for sure, do we?""A boy like this, a murderer? I think not...""Oh, they come in all shapes and sizes these days, I tell you!""I still say we give him a fair trial...""Nonsense! He deserves death!""But about these Blood Tower plans...""Yeah, that's a real asset to the whole free world! At least we

have something we can thank the little brat for before killing him!""I am certain that the Nidhoggr wouldn't be stupid enough to

send one of their brethren here with such sensitive plans...""Eh, what're you gonna do? Besides, no one at the capital will

wanna give him a fair trial to begin with, so I don't think there's hope for the little brat..."

The talk became idle afterward, and the carriage rolled on for the next hour or so, with Judge knowing he couldn't do much in the crate, deciding to nap even when the vehicle took several sharp turns, and eventually, halted completely. The captive heard the soldiers ap-proach the box and felt them lift it, afterwards sensing the constant bouncing of its conveyance, with a few diagonals indicating ascent or descent, the latter he thought was more possible. He heard a door un-lock and slide open, and after which the soldiers took the box farther, putting it down, unlocking it, and taking the slumbering Judge onto what was evidently a sheetless bed.

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"Aw, he's sleeping just like a baby...""A pity he won't have a bright future..."When the cell door closed and locked, Judge finally awoke,

seeing that he was in a dim prison cell. The guards had unfortunately left his binds on, evidently fearing his potential power as an apparent necromancer. Seeing no point in getting up and exploring the cell like this, Judge remained on the bed and resumed his slumber. Later, he heard footsteps and awoke. Among those who had come were the very sentinels that had took him here, not to mention a young royally-clothed hare, yellow-haired, white-furred, and blue-eyed, whom he supposed was a Sylvanian Prince.

"Is this the child?" he wondered."Yes, sire!""Be careful with him!"The guards unlocked the cell, and the hare entered, bowing be-

fore Judge and introducing, "Greetings, young one. I am Robert Har-ris, King of Sylvania."

"Please... help me... sire...""I must apologize for the treatment you have received." Then

the monarch drew a knife freed Judge of his binds. "You must be Pri-vate Judge Victor Piers Bucks of the Connexion Air Force."

"Yes, Your Majesty.""I must thank you for risking your life to get those plans.""Your Majesty's welcome, though the Governor of New

Jeremy wants them, too.""In that case, you may have them back, Private," the King indi-

cated as he returned the plans. "We have enough vital information, and I am certain it will be an asset to our allies."

"I thank Your Majesty.""No trouble at all--except for what these scoundrels put you

through. I will see to it that they receive no promotions for a while.""What?""Unfair...""It could have been much worse. You two could have been dis-

charged entirely. But since you brought him here in the first place, consider your punishment to be fair. Well, lad, you are now a free boy--or should I say, man. You may join us for dinner, if you wish."

"Thanks, but I think I'll finish my mission.""In that case, do so. Your fly should be in the stables."

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"Thanks again." Judge finally got onto his feet and followed the King outside the cell. "But I'll still need my passport to get back into New Jeremy, Your Majesty."

"Speaking of which..." King Robert then gave Judge his pass-port. "There you go, lad."

"Thanks.""Oh, and in case you ever need to go through such a mission

again..." The King then gave Judge his false passport as he chuckled briefly. "You may need these for then, Mr. Doe."

"Your Majesty is most grateful."The prison area connected to the stables, which contained the

familiar atmosphere of a hay-strewn floor and countless pairs of wooden doors from which came cacophonic buzzing and chirping. The King led Judge to one pair and signaled the guards to open them, re-vealing none other than the Private's trusty fly, Barney. He immedi-ately ran to the beast. "I missed you, boy."

As he mounted, the King affirmed, "Again, we thank you for the plans, young sir."

"I just hope my next visit to Sylvania won't be so...turbulent.""Just don't come in Nidhoggrian clothing, lad...""Hey, we're truly sorry, kid.""It was very unbecoming of us.""Hey, the good thing is that nobody got hurt. By the way, sire,

which way is it to Todd?""Due east of here, Private! Make haste, now!""Later!" bid Judge as he left the stable and faced the light at the

end of the corridor.Judge was sure to aim his fly upward to avoid crashing into the

slope leading outside. Afterward, he found himself within Harris, where he continued to heighten his altitude and eventually leave the city to the east, coming back above the forested mountains of Sylva-nia. When the eighth hour came, Judge could see a city to the north, which he ignored for want of completing his mission. Thus, he kept east, seeing yet another city beyond a wide river in the middle of the eighth hour. Judge, supposing this was Todd, removed his passport as he reached the river, slowing his flight and noticing a fly-mounted guard hover nearby.

"Welcome to New Jeremy! May I see your passport?""Yes, sir," complied Judge. "I'm just returning from work."

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THE FIRST MISSIONS

"So you are--wait, you're Private Bucks, aren't you? The Gov-ernor's expecting you!"

"Thanks, sir!" bid Judge as he flew to the government building.This time, the Private immediately flew to the top floor, pass-

ing through one of the windows and landing right before the doors into the Governor's office, which he entered. There, he saw the Governor (whose name was Christina Todd) and her lutrine husband, both un-doubtedly awaiting his return. Incidentally, neither saw the boy as he approached the desk, before which he sat and upon which he placed the envelope containing the Blood Tower plans. Clearing his throat, Judge said, "I'm back, Madam Governor."

"Just a minute..." The Governor was busy writing something, with her husband watching. A few seconds later, she put down her spi-derleg pen and looked up, finally seeing the Private, as did her hus-band. "So...how'd things go down in Bloodland?"

"Things got a bit rocky near the end, but I pulled through.""And these must be the plans!" the Governor exclaimed as she

opened the envelope, removing the blueprints. "Yes, we'll share these with our allies as soon as we can!"

"Don't bother with Sylvania; the King knows already. I just so happened to show them to him before I returned."

"Did you have any trouble getting through Sylvania, Private?""A little, but not too much.""That spares a diplomatic trip, then.""So...do you have any allies in these parts other than New

Yuris and Sylvania?""Well, have New Hampton and Meyn to the northeast, but

we've not heard from them in a few months... but we could send you there to find out what's become of them if you're willing."

"Another mission for another day, then... maybe tomorrow.""Eh, we'll talk about it later.""By the way, did my father meet you?""Yes, we had a nice conversation.""Where is he now?""Fort Dix, to the southeast.""Yeah, I think I passed it on my way to Devilish.""You probably did. I suggest you go there immediately.""Will do! Later, ma'am!""Yes...see you later, Mr. Bucks."

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Judge exited the Governor's office and mounted his fly, leaving the government building and exiting Todd to the southeast. Unsurpris-ingly, the Private soon encountered the vast military base he had seen en route to Devilish, and stopped at the request of a fly-mounted sen-tinel above its tall stone barricades. Judge showed his identification. "Ah, you're Bucks' son! Right this way!"

Judge followed the soldier into the vast base, with soldiers marching, practicing their tactics, or somehow relaxing. The guard dived before a square-shaped building, and the Private followed, even-tually landing before its entrance and dismounting.

Judge wondered, "Could you take care of Barney for me?""Your fly? No problem! Go on ahead; your father awaits you.""Thank you, sir."As the guard led Barney away, his master entered the building,

hearing his father indicate, "Ah, here he is, now."Bucks was talking with a New Jeremian soldier when his son

entered. "Father!""Welcome back, Private. So, you've managed to complete two

missions in one day.""Yes, sir.""You have my deepest gratitude.""Thank you, sir.""I would reward you with a promotion, but I'm afraid you're far

too young for anything beyond Private... but I assure your rank will rise quickly once you've matured."

"Understood, sir.""I hope that the Governor will impart the Blood Tower plans as

swiftly as possible to the Colony's allies so we may avert a potential disaster in the future. I feared for your life, Private, but I am glad you pulled through."

"I guess no one would ever suspect a boy of being a spy.""Indeed, you have boldly gone where few have succeeded.""Have you gotten any word at all from General Quill, sir?""She still tries to hold out in Connexion. She has made a little,

but not a lot, of progress in liberating our homeland, but we shall not return anytime soon."

"I understand. I hope she succeeds.""We can only hope for the best. Anyway, I am certain you are

hungry after finishing two missions...unless the Governor fed you."

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"No, sir.""In that case, we can have an early dinner, or late lunch, if you

prefer. You will be free afterward, but be certain to attend the assem-bly before we call it a day."

"Yes, sir. So, where do I sleep tonight?""Planning ahead as usual, I see.""Speaking of planning ahead, the Governor told me she might

have some more missions for me, and I said I'd be willing to help her out some more."

"I appreciate your devotion, son, but tomorrow, we will leave for the Kingdom of Virgo, south of Bloodland and Devilish. The jour-ney there may be risky, to warn you."

"Yeah, but I'll fight if necessary. By the way, where is mother and my brothers?"

"They are in Asbury, son, to the northeast.""Ah, is that where we'll be leaving from?""Indeed."Judge then followed his father through the building, getting his

meal, after which he got his quarters, containing a dummy and a target for practicing his skills. The building also housed the mess hall, where he knew to go once the twelfth hour came. Judge stopped practicing a little after the eleventh hour came, fearful that his training would make him tardy for the assembly. He ventured there, finding it to be empty, unsurprisingly, and took a seat near the front, contemplating the world around him. Would the war against the Nidhoggr ever end? Would he even live to see it end, one way or the other? Would the Savior help in any way? Only time would tell...

Judge continued to contemplate for the rest of the eleventh hour, during which soldiers began crowding the mess hall. When Judge got his meal tray, he slowly ate its contents, afterward awaiting his father's address. He applauded along with the other soldiers once he saw him step onto the stage and move behind the podium. "Sol-diers, tonight I have the brightest of news, despite imminent war. After a successful mission, one of our soldiers retrieved plans for a weapon the Nidhoggr could use to destroy their opponents. The Governor in-tends to share these plans with our allies. Tomorrow, we leave for the Kingdom of Virgo to forge further alliances against the Nidhoggr.

"We have a long journey ahead, but being of a nation nearly destroyed by the Nidhoggr, it is our duty to make all free nations of

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Ymir aware of them. We will also fight if necessary alongside the armies of our allies and triumph. One day, we will purge the Nidhoggr, not through some tale of a Savior or godly intervention, but by our working together. Still, we must all keep our faith in the Lord and pray that He protects us in this dire time so that one day, the world will be free of evil. Thank you, and good night."

The soldiers applauded, after which the troops finished their meals, heading off to bed. Judge returned to his quarters but practiced a little more before officially calling it a day, being truly thankful he had retrieved the Blood Tower plans... but what if someone in Blood-land had found out about who he truly was? Why did the goat-man back in Withering Darkness cower at his appearance? These thoughts troubled him as he slept, although he eventually forgot about them for the time and managed to get through the night.

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Chapter IV

The Nidhoggr Strike Back

It was not too long after the single bell indicating the first hour of the Fourth of Odin that knocks at his door awakened Judge, followed by his father's command, "Private, awaken! We must leave immediately!"

"Oh..." Judge struggled to get out of bed, clothing and arming himself, after which he rushed to the door and opened it. "Yes, sir?"

"You must get to Asbury! New Jeremy's under attack!""By whom?""The Nidhoggr, for some reason, come from the west!""What? But Sylvania...""No time to explain! Get to Asbury and find your family!""Okay, but...""Just go, Private!""Yes, sir!" Judge obeyed, rushing down the building to the sta-

bles. "Where's Barney?""Your fly's right over here!" a guard called out.The soldier took Judge to the mentioned stable and opened it to

reveal his trusty fly, which he mounted and flew out into the airspace of Fort Dix. Surprisingly, the base was not under attack, though the Private, instead of questioning his father's orders, followed them, fly-ing east across the base until it ended a few minutes later, leaving him above the vast woodlands of New Jeremy. Here, Judge curved north-east and took no surprise to see a city arrive a few minutes later, un-doubtedly Asbury. The Private immediately sought the harbors, where he could see endless residents fleeing onto ships. Amidst the chaos, he landed on the least populous ship, with a sailor bowing before him.

"Good day to you, sir. May I take your fly?""Certainly, sir," agreed Judge as he dismounted Barney.Countless other sailors wandered the deck, helping passengers

onboard, one of whom the Private asked, "Um, what exactly is going on here? Do you know?"

"The Nidhoggr have invaded the Colony from Sylvania!"

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"But I thought Sylvania was an ally...""Whoa, don't get the wrong ideas, kid! The Nidhoggr invaded

Sylvania first from Bloodland, and now are attacking New Jeremy!""But...why?""They're just a bunch of cold-blooded, power-hungry bastards,

I guess. Well, that, and their claims that one of their kin from Blood-land got captured in Sylvania."

"Oh, no..." Judge realized he was the Nidhoggr in mention, and that he was at fault for this crisis. "So, where's this ship headed?"

"As far away as possible from these bloody lands...well, back to our motherland, I suppose. Yeah, we're going to Old Jeremy. I'm sure it's a heck of a lot safer over there."

While Judge didn't want to go all the way to the Kingdom of Jeremy, he knew that jumping ship now and trying to find a safe place would be ludicrous. The Kingdom of Virgo was supposedly south of Bloodland and Devilish, and returning to the coast would open him for attack. Thus, Judge thought it best to stay on the ship for a few hours, if not the rest of the day. He informed, "I'll probably stay here until we're far enough from the coast, and then I'll take off to Virgo."

"But what if the Nidhoggr have started invading them as well?""I'll just go further south until I find a decent safe-haven, and

maybe inform a few national leaders of the attacks.""You've got ambition, kid. You just might save Ymir, if that's

what you're really after."But I helped ruin part of it, too, Judge thought. Out loud, he af-

firmed, "Well, I am a solider of Connexion, so hopefully I'll be able to serve as some sort of diplomat."

"Wait a second... you're a Connexion soldier?""Yes, sir.""You're not trying to play hooky, are you?""Play...what?""You know, trying to save yourself??""No! I'll do whatever it takes to fight them!""Well, if you're a Connexion soldier, little buddy, I'm afraid

you're on the wrong ship.""I figured so much.""Surely you don't recognize your own country's flag, do you?"Judge eyed the other vessels and saw a few whose front sails

bore the emblem of Connexion, a blue field with a white shield depict-

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ing a green tree. He acknowledged, "Yeah, I guess I was in too much of a rush. Can I have my fly back, please?"

"Just a minute..."The sailor then dropped through a horizontal pair of doors and

returned with Barney, whom Judge mounted. "Thanks!""Hey, no problem. Now get!"Judge left the ship for one from Connexion, landing and dis-

mounting, "Private Judge Victor Piers Bucks, reporting for duty!""Welcome aboard!" a sailor greeted. "Are you Bucks' son?""That I am. Now would you take Barney, please?""Your fly? No problem!" As the sailor took Barney, he admon-

ished, "Oh, just to warn you, we'll be going south along the coast of New Jeremy. Since the Nidhoggr could reach the coast in a matter of time, it could be a bumpy ride."

"I'm ready for the worst! By the way, would you happen to know if my family's here?"

"Civilians are on separate ships, so I doubt it. They'll follow the New Jeremian ships east and then turn southwest when they're far away enough and things have hopefully settled down."

"Which they probably won't, knowing the Nidhoggr."The sailor laughed, afterward asking, "By the way, have you,

uh, eaten breakfast yet?""No, sir.""Well, they should still be serving it down below...""Oh, thanks, sir. Talk to you later.""Yeah, kid."Judge then headed below deck into a mess hall, where mem-

bers of the Connexion Army and Navy dined together. A few cooks wandered about still, serving those that had yet to eat and cleaning the tables. The Private sat at an unoccupied table (which there were plenty of, given his tardiness), and a cook came to him. "So, you just sitting and thinking, kid, or have you not eaten?"

"Both, sir.""In that case, here ya go! Eat up!"Judge got his breakfast tray and ate quickly. Afterward, a cook

came and took his tray, after which he got up and ascended to the deck, seeing that the vessel had left the docks of Asbury, traveling south along the New Jeremian coastline, which seemed to stretch end-lessly with urban sprawl north and south. About an hour later, the ves-

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sel reached a lengthy canal doubling as a barricade, what with New Jeremian sentinels wandering its top. The ship could pass through one of the many arches in the waterway, and a few minutes later, Asbury vanished, replaced by the winter wilderness, a seemingly peaceful sight, although that could certain change any time, Judge thought.

The forested coast remained visible for around the next two hours, with Judge seeing then that the land had become somewhat nar-row: while he could see water through the eastern trees, though, that was about it. He didn't believe that New Jeremy had ended yet, given the distance he had traveled to reach Bloodland through Devilish, and knew that travel without fly would maybe take a few days. He did wish he could bail off the ship and go solo to Virgo, although he kept to his father's orders and stayed with his fellow soldiers.

Afterward, the narrow strip of land ended, with Judge now able to see to the west a great inlet, where a nautical barricade similar to that back at Asbury lay, as well as some small islands north and south beyond the water gap. About a kilometer later, another narrow wooded strip of land came that again obscured the view. Nothing significant lay on the strip until about an hour elapsed, with a hamlet spanning the strip from east to west then, being a small fishing community. Beyond this town, Judge could again see the great nautical barricade, its sol-diers keeping a lookout out for any potential threats. Everything was still quiet; were the New Jeremians actually repelling the Nidhoggr?

Whatever the case, the village disappeared quickly, only for another to take its place a few minutes later. Afterward, the wooded strip of land continued to dominate Judge's view. Near the end of the fifth hour, one final fishing village came on the strip of land that passed quickly. When the fifth hour became the sixth, the seas to the west opened up again, revealing the nautical barrier, which curved di-rectly west after winding some distance southwest. After this curve was a long slice of civilization, with countless vessels outfitted for combat, most of which began departure north or south, perhaps to fur-ther protect New Jeremy's coasts.

A few, however, surrounded Connexion's ships, probably aware of Bucks' intended trip to Virgo, and thus seeing to it that at least a few of his nation's ships would be safe; but would this pad of security work when they reached Devilish waters? Would the interna-tional armada even reach them in the first place? The Nidhoggr cer-tainly were taking a while to get to the eastern coast of New Jeremy.

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Surprising to Judge was that this naval base was an archipelago, which took about half an hour to pass completely, after which the Connexion ships were secure on their western flank, the likely direction by which the Nidhoggr would attack. Beyond the base, whose name was Fort Brigantine, came another city, though this one covered less territory than the likes of New Yurisa and Todd; Atlas City was its name, he learned. Smaller cities continued to pass on the New Jeremian coast, after which a bell sounded below.

A cook then emerged, bellowing, "Lunchtime!"Judge thus went below deck to eat his meal before reemerging

and continuing to scope the shoreline, which constantly shifted be-tween urban and rural terrain for the first half of the seventh hour. Be-fore Ocean City, the last of these cities, came a long stretch of the nau-tical barricade, beyond which a longer stretch of the forested coast lay. Once the eighth hour came, Judge saw that the shores of New Jeremy had somewhat evolved into archipelagos, with the occasional fishing village, and, of course, the nautical barrier stretching through them. This terrain continued for the next three hours, after which came a grand opening of water to the south. A few kilometers out at sea, Judge gazed north to see that the southern tip of New Jeremy was a great peninsula with a small village sitting at its edge.

He could also see to the northwest what seemed to be a contin-uation of the nautical barrier. Had he passed through here on his trip to Bloodland? Judge guessed that the Nidhoggr owned this particular stretch, though surprisingly, he could see no enemy ships. The silence truly surprised him; just why did the Nidhoggr hesitate to attack? Were they concentrating all their force on New Jeremy? Were that the case, then they surely failed, given the serenity of the shores.

Even after New Jeremy had gone, to see land about twenty kilometers east troubled Judge, who feared at any moment a possible attack from Devilish, though thankfully, the Nidhoggr's presence, ex-cept for the general darkness of the land, appeared all but absent from the coast--except, perhaps, for an apparent base he saw shortly after New Jeremy had vanished. This seemed to be a naval base, and in-deed, countless ships docked at its harbors, some of which began to turn and sail east. Evidently, the New Jeremian ships had seen the en-emy armada, heading west to perhaps try and stop them.

A few New Jeremian vessels, though, remained with the Con-nexion fleet as not to leave them defenseless, although Judge took fear

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in the imminent sea skirmish. Indeed, he could hear a few of the ves-sels ram into one another, after which came the echo of sword clashing and the occasional scream of someone's demise. Luckily, this diver-sion worked, and both the base and the battle slowly but surely sailed out of view. Half of the New Jeremian ships, unfortunately, had left the armada, so the next encounter with an enemy base would surely rid the Connexion vessels of their remaining protection.

To see that the first vessel that had sunk was New Jeremian was hardly a relieving sight as the battle fell away. Quickly enough, Judge could tell no more what happened back there, and the coast thenceforth was relatively serene. For the rest of the eleventh hour, the Devilish coast continued to curve gradually east until finally straight-ening out when half the hour had elapsed, with the coast retaining its quiet barrenness, a foul but fair sight. When the twelfth hour came, Judge could see a Devilish village, though the boats there hardly seemed to be a threat to the armada. Nonetheless, there were bound to be Nidhoggr there to warn neighboring villages of the armada, though Judge was well aware of the sluggish passage of information at times.

After the village, Judge saw an astonishing sight: a lake follow-ing a narrow strip of land, beautiful despite the darkness. Around this time, somebody tapped him on his shoulder, making him to turn and see a cook. "Yes, sir?"

"Dinner's on, boy. I ain't ringing the bell!""I can understand," replied Judge as he followed the cook be-

low deck for a decent repast.

After dinner, Judge ascended back on deck to again see the bay beyond the strip of land, which briefly thickened during the twelfth hour, only to thin out again, with another bay interconnected to the last. The Private saw another village sometime after the twin bays dis-appeared, this one seeming to be harmless as well, and having come after another lake beyond a thin strip of land, albeit much smaller. The sky slowly darkened into night, though Judge remained on deck for fear that the enemy could strike the vessel as he slept. Near the end of the hour, another bay beyond a strip of land appeared, although at its southern tip was a lengthy wall of stone running west that evidently in-dicated a border between nations, making all the vessels increase their distance from the shore.

Judge supposed the wall spelled passage into Bloodland, and

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took surprise that no attack came from the enemy that undoubtedly pa-trolled the barrier. South of the wall was another bay beyond a narrow strip of land, which continued for the first hour of the Twilight Period of the Fifth of Odin. Near the southern tip of the strip was a small Bloodlandic city, its lights piercing the darkness, and fear of what its residents would make of the armada overcame Judge. These fears sig-nificantly worsened when the next strip of land came, curving some-where between south and southwest, and upon which sat a great fortress with countless Nidhoggrian ships patrolling the waters. They all seemed to notice the armada of New Jeremian and Connexion ves-sels, sailing east to meet them, and the former ships countered by sail-ing west, leaving the latter vessels nearly defenseless.

Just when he thought things couldn't become worse, they came: flaming spheres from behind the base's barricades that soared through the night skies to the Connexion vessels, some striking the waters and others pounding into the ships. When Judge saw one of the spheres splash into the seas near his ship, he backed away, fearful that the next assault would strike near where he had stood. A second volley of cata-pult fire followed, and a few seconds later, the Private's worst fears came as one of the flaming spheres struck the side of the ship he had stood near, tilting it into the waters. Judge afterward heard panicked buzzing coming from the horizontal doors near the center of the vessel, to which he wandered, kneeling and opening the doors. Barney leapt outside onto the deck, beckoning his master to mount him.

Knowing that any effort to battle the Bloodlandic Navy would be pure folly, Judge felt no choice but to mount Barney, beginning his escape. Judge tried to keep his distance, knowing that Virgo would soon come to the south. How this new day began was disastrous, though he knew that there would be plenty of chances for redemption. When the third volley of catapult volley came, Judge felt safe to know that he was hardly in their trajectories, continuing to fly southwest; the base, though, seemed to stretch forever. Then yet another fear haunted him--had the Nidhoggr taken over Virgo as well?

Judge had little time to contemplate this, for he soon heard a screech from Barney following a plinking sound from what he deter-mined was an arrow. Looking down, he could see many Bloodlandic ships bent on preventing his retreat, and they had succeeded, for Bar-ney could no longer keep his altitude, beginning a steady dive to the seas below, its intensity increasing in mere seconds, with a cold splash

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sending both the fly and his master unconscious, darkness overtaking the young Private.

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Chapter V

A Vagrant in Virgo

"Is he gonna be alright?""I think so... he still has a heartbeat and even breathes.""What about his fly?""He's okay, but I don't think he'll ever fly again...""Yeah, a shame, too. I bet he was one hell of an aviator.""He's a bit too young to be a soldier, don't you think?""Eh, they come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, these days.""What about the other survivors?""They're doing well. Can't say the same of their ships; they're

pretty much gone. Oh well, we could use them for lumber.""I guess the survivors are pretty much out of work now...""That's a matter of what their commanders say.""What exactly was going on up there in the first place?""Well, apparently, the ships were just passing by Bloodland,

when the Navy at Fort Acid pretty much tore the armada to shreds.""The Nidhoggr are ruthless bastards, eh?""We all know that. They'll stop at nothing to take over all of

Ymir, the world, even!""We know that, too! But just why were they sailing by Blood-

land in the first place?""I heard it was the Supreme General of Connexion's orders for

them to get to Virgo. New Jeremian ships were shielding them, but they still ended up getting obliterated. We sure as hell won't be send-ing any of our ships through their waters anytime soon!"

"What lies on their seas isn't as big a threat, though, as what's on their land, isn't it?"

"Come again?""I heard they're building some tower in Withering Darkness.""I wouldn't worry too much; W.D.'s right on our borders!""They aren't stupid, you know.""Yeah, we've gotta keep our northern flanks secure..."

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"Aye, just look at what happened to Connexion, old chap.""Eh, small countries are pretty easily conquered, but I'm sure

other countries've learned from Connexion's mistakes. Queen Virginia certainly cares for her country, and I hear that New Jeremy's holding out pretty well against the Nidhoggr..."

"But Sylvania really took a beating, didn't they? And now New Jeremy's pretty much surrounded by those assholes..."

"But New Yuris is still free, isn't it?""Aye, but it'll be an easy target in the next few days, for sure!""Yeah, they're surrounded, too, but we've got all our allies to

the south! We've got nothing to worry about!""Unless the Nidhoggr come out of nowhere and take them, I

wager. Makes you wonder why they came here in the first place!""The will to power, of course. They want lands close to Asgard

so they can destroy it and bring darkness to all Terra!""But surely the Savior'll come save us all!""Oh, I don't believe such rubbish. We need to work for our-

selves to overcome evil instead of relying on silly legends...""But he did come at the end of the First and Second Ages,

didn't he?""No one really knows. I still say we work for ourselves instead

of sucking up to gods...""You've...got a point...you know," Judge finally yawned, open-

ing his eyes to see the naval medics near him. "Am I...in Virgo?""Yeah...don't worry, we're not gonna execute you, or anything.

You're in good hands for now, kid. You really took a plunge.""But your fly got the worst of it.""Barney! Is he okay?""He's recovering, but I'm he won't fly again anytime soon.""What about me, then?""Again, your fly got the worst of the plunge. You're in pretty

good shape, though.""Yeah, I feel fine, but it's a shame he won't fly again.""There're always other flies, bees, and mosquitoes to ride!""By the way, is your name Bucks?""Yes, how did you know?""We gathered some info about you from your passport; what

was left of it, at least.""Judge Victor Hartford Bucks is your father, no?"

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"Yeah...""You mean Connexion's Supreme General?""Is he here?" asked Judge."Oh, no! You're pretty much on your own here, kid!""Would you happen at all to know where my father is, then?""Sorry, kid!""If he were here, I'm sure he'd be in the capital, Richmond.""Better than staying here forever, I guess," supposed Judge."Shouldn't you, uh, listen to your superior officers?""Well, my father is a superior officer...""You can go to Richmond, but I wouldn't guarantee anything.""And don't expect to get a visit with the Queen, either. She sure

wouldn't want to meet a lowly commoner like you.""But I'm not...""Your passport's damaged beyond repair! You're a commoner

as far as the Kingdom knows! You won't get anywhere alone!""Then I'll just have to try! And none of you will stop me!""Would a little breakfast hurt before you go, at least?""No, and for that I thank you, I guess."About a minute later, Judge got breakfast in bed (he couldn't

remember the last time he had gotten service like this), consisting of a bowl of oatmeal and a mug of applejuice. The Private ate his meal quickly, and the medics took away his tray. Suggested Judge as he got out of bed, "I think I'm ready to go."

"Uh, except that you're...""What?""Naked.""Oh, sorry." Judge got back in bed, requesting, "Then may I

please have some clothes?""Yeah, kid, though you may not find them to your, uh, liking.""Well, if my other clothes are decimated, anything will do.""You're the boss!"One medic soon placed what appeared to be a Virgoan sailor's

uniform upon Judge's bed, consisting of a pair of violet pants, a violet shirt, a violet middy, a violet beret with a dark purple pompom on top, and a pair of violet socks, with all clothes embroidered in white. A pair of brown boots was in the mix, as well. The Private complimented, "Um, thanks, I guess."

"Your sword belt's right on your nightstand!"

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"My bow and arrows?""Oh, they got damaged beyond repair.""Right...would it hurt to give me a little privacy as I dress?""Yeah, it'd slaughter the whole Navy! Of course it wouldn't!"Then the medics drew violet curtains around Judge's bed and

let him be. He got out of bed and dressed, finding the sailor's garbs to be oversized, though his sword belt helped. He then wandered through the curtains and left the room (which had other curtains shielding pa-tients), and tried to find an exit from the building. He eventually found a stairwell, which he descended as far as he could, and exited to find himself in the lobby area, exiting into the Virgoan naval base, which bustled with morning activity.

"Could anyone tell me where the stables are?" Judge asked."Why are you asking?" a true sailor wondered. "You should

know your way around!""I'm, uh, not a...I'm a new recruit.""Follow me!" Judge followed the seaman through the base,

soon stopping before a stable building. "Try and remember, okay?""Yes, sir."As the sailor left, he indicated, "By the way, you may wanna

get a new size of uniform.""When I have the time, sir.""Nice talking to ya, kid. Later!""Yeah...later."Judge entered the stables, naturally encountering a cacophonic

environment of chirping, buzzing, hissing, and whatnot, with all bugs undoubtedly hungry. A shore patrolmen, upon seeing him, inquired, "Lookin' for somethin', kid?"

"Yeah, a fly named Barney... jet-black, and probably injured.""Oh, right this way," bid the Shore Patrolman, leading Judge to

stable doors he opened to reveal the Private's fly, bandaged and all. "This him?"

"Barney?" He buzzed affirmatively. "Yeah, it's him.""It's okay if you wanna chat with him for a little, but don't take

him out for long walks or dare to fly him if you care for his life, kid!""Yes, sir."The patrolman left and Judge began closing the doors; because

the sailor looked back suspiciously, the Private assured, "Hey, I'm not plotting anything! I just want to have a private talk!"

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"O-kay..." complied the sailor as Judge shut the doors."Are you okay?" Judge asked Barney, who negatively buzzed."Yeah, I know how it feels. Sorry you had to endure that. I

thank you for shielding me when I took the dive, though."Barney buzzed angrily. "No! I didn't mean it like that! I do

hope you get better! You just won't be able to take me to Richmond..."Barney buzzed sadly. "Look, if you value your life, you'll have

to stay here. You can't walk or fly, and you could die if you tried!" Barney buzzed inquisitively. "So you're gonna have to stay

here, boy. I can't stay here forever. It's my duty as the Supreme Gen-eral's son to at least be a diplomat for what's left of our homeland. I do wish you could come along, but it just wouldn't be healthy for you. I'll try to return one day for you, but I'm afraid I can't guarantee it."

The fly buzzed sadly again. "I know, it's hard to move on, but when you get better, I hope you serve others well."

Barney buzzed in denial. "If they're kind riders, then you needn't worry. But if they're cruel, yes, feel free to disobey. I'm sure the Virgoans wouldn't tolerate cruelty to beasts of burden."

Barney buzzed with hope. "Glad you understand. Well, I can't talk to you forever. I have to get going. Always remember me, boy."

Barney buzzed contently as his master exited the stable. The Shore Patrolman asked, "So... finished with you little...conversation?"

"You were eavesdropping?""Of course, so you wouldn't pull anything stupid!""Like what, beating him to death?""Like running away with him!""Well, I've emerged empty-handed, haven't I?""I've got my eye on you, boy...""By the way, could someone here maybe give me a ride to

Richmond, considering I'm not actually a sailor?""You're not a real sailor? Then why the hell are you wearing

that uniform?""It's all that was provided me by the medics.""Oh, I see. Sure, some of the soldiers are heading to the main-

land to report to Her Majesty on the attack last night on the Virgo-Bloodland Virgo, and I'm sure they'd be willing to give you a lift." The Shore Patrolman then brought Judge to a nearby stable with a carriage hitched to a roach and indicated to the footmen there, "Good morning, gentlemen! I brought this boy here for a ride to Richmond!"

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"Helping him weasel his way outta the Navy, are ya?" a fellow sailor inquired. "That's probably against the law, but I can understand, what with dark times coming our way."

"It's got nothin' to with that! He ain't even in the Navy!""Then why's he wearing..." The footman then analyzed Judge

before realizing, "Oh, right! He's just a little boy in a sailor's outfit!""A Private from Connexion, to be exact," Judge added."Well, whatever. Sure, we'll give him a lift! We got business at

the capital, anyway?""By the way, since I'm a survivor of last night's attack," began

Judge, "would it hurt if I joined your report to Her Majesty?""Well, we're not sure if Her Majesty would believe your story,

kid, but it's worth a try. Follow us!""Sure thing!"Judge walked past the roach and entered the wagon, finding a

comfortable place to sit among the cargo by the rear opening. The footmen too sat among the boxes, and one final soldier took the driver's seat, whipping the roach and taking the carriage outside the stable building and onto the dirt roads of Fort Wallop, with the two o'clock bells sounding during the departure. A few minutes later, the carriage approached a large pair of metallic doors with Shore Patrol-men on either side, with the SPs cranking the mechanism to open them, leading the vehicle onto a stone bridge that ran past a few barren islands.

Beyond the islands and some more barren winter terrain, the carriage entered the wooded community of Chinco, among the first sights being a pair of inns, the Refuge Inn on the road's western side and the Chinco Island inn on the eastern side. Accompanying the latter inn was the Sea Shell Cafe, where no one occupied the exterior tables and chairs, unsurprising given the coldness. Some residences passed afterward, followed by another inn to the west, the Blue Herring. Then came a road encircling the Chinco Chamber of Commerce building and accompanying stable building, where the carriage turned right.

On the opposite end of the circular road was a maritime mu-seum, after which the vehicle took another right turn, with Rommel's Hardware Store following, and then a restaurant offering cuisine from the Kingdom of Italia on the Alfheim Continent, some of which Judge found delicious. Following more barren winter terrain and another restaurant west of the road specializing in seafood (largely vacant

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since people rarely breakfasted on seafood) simply called "Village" was a bridge spanning a river, yet another seafood restaurant being present afterward to the east.

Then came a store specializing in fishing paraphernalia to the east and a sandwich shop to the west. Following a few more stores and restaurants came a bank and fresh seafood bazaar, a pharmacy, and an-other inn. An art studio, a few ice cream parlors, and another inn later came a tunnel before which Judge could notice a larger body of water, stone walls and a stone ceiling, torches on the walls providing illumi-nation, following. The tunnel curved left, with the Private, unable to see the sky, unable to determine the direction the tunnel went.

The tunnel ran straight for a while, ultimately curving right and leading back onto level ground, with Judge now able to see that the carriage currently traveled westward, a long stone bridge visible to the south. Immediately after the tunnel was a narrow stream running north and a wider river running east and west alongside the southern edge of the road. To the north quickly came frozen marshes with splattered edges, with the river to the south ultimately opening into a larger body of water before returning to its river form.

A few smaller streams branched from the river, after which it narrowed, with the northern marshes continuing. A stone bridge crossed a wider river that ran north and south, another shorter river fol-lowing the road's southern side and the marshes still bordering the northern side. As the parallel stream widened, a lake came among the marshes, the river then opening into another pond before becoming a river again, a few narrower streams branching from it afterward. Sands blanketed in snow came to the north, with beachside replacing the river on the southern side, after which came a longer stone bridge that slowly curved northwest.

The bridge soon became a normal road again, snowy sands to the north and rugged terrain to the south, although the two reversed a few seconds later. Marshes then bordered both sides of the road for a few seconds, after which a shorter bridge across a wide river came, marshes afterward surrounding the road again. Eventually, another wide river came to the south, briefly bordering the southern side of the road before falling away, a narrower stream curving to and fro north of the highway. More marshes followed, and then another bridge across another wide river, after which more marshland unsurprisingly came.

The road curved southwest when it passed an intersecting road

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that ran directly northward, an Air Force base across which countless winged insects flew now being visible to the west, marshland with the occasional forest to the east. The military base ultimately fell away and the highway began curving northwest, more woods to the south and more marshland to the north. When the road finished its curve, a crop field was visible south through the trees, which thinned out, wilderness coming to the north and farm abodes to the south. The carriage then entered the community of Wallop Island, with luxurious houses visible across a snowy field north of the road and a store being visible south.

The vehicle passed a delicatessen to the north, followed by more residences among wilderness. Then came an inn and carriage store, with a big field quickly coming to the south and more homes to the north. Here the road began curving northward, reentering home-strewed wilderness followed by a pair of ponds as the highway began to curve back northwestward. The wilderness swiftly disappeared, and a farmers' market appeared south of the road, which no farmers occu-pied given their evident inactivity during winter. The current road in-tersected with another and briefly curved westward, then southwest.

During the southwest curve was a small forest south of the road and a tree-dotted field to the north, followed by a curve back northwest and farmfields on both sides of the highway. The carriage passed by another farmfield to the north and another forest to the south before entering the settlement of New Church, a seafood restaurant, some other small businesses, and small abodes being prominent sights. The winter wilderness also thickened once the town passed, although the woods briefly fell away to make room for more residential properties, following which were more farmfields.

The road now running between west and northwest, the car-riage passed another snow-laced farmfield to the south and more resi-dences to the north, before reentering the woods yet again. The trees north and south ultimately began to thin, with those to the south briefly falling away, and a grove of warehouses appearing on the northern side, another field, a few shops, and a bank passing as well, and the current road finally terminating. South-southwest turned the carriage onto the intersecting highway, passing some more shops and a bazaar in the town of Oak Hall.

More fields passed, those on the western side being rougher than those to the east, a general store and a farm following on the west side. The fields on the eastern side soon gave way to the first cemetery

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Judge saw today, with all passengers and the driver on the carriage crossing their hearts to pay their respects to the fallen. Residences ap-peared on the opposite side of the road, with Private Bucks hoping that he wouldn't ever have to live a stone's throw from a graveyard.

Following the necropolis was a restaurant known as the Great Wall, with Judge assuming that it served cuisine from the Zhongguo Empire, aware that there was a great stone barrier within the nation re-pelling invaders from its northern neighbor, the Kingdom of Mongolia. More woods and residences followed, not to mention a bazaar on the road's western side, with few daring to brave the winter to shop for new goods. Arcadia High School followed the bazaar, with Judge thinking the name to be odd, considering there was a kingdom in Ymir to the southwest named Arcadia.

Woods lined the highway across the street from the academy, although more homes quickly replaced them, a sports field appearing on the opposite side, followed by Arcadia Middle School and a post office respectively on the western and eastern sides of the highway. A great farmfield then bordered the west side, woods on the east side, and ultimately wilderness on both sides. Another farmfield soon re-placed the eastern woodlands, with an intersecting dirt road carving through it. Farmhouses and warehouses then came on the western side, eventually replaced by more farmfields and woods to the east.

Interrupting the eastern woods was a smaller farmfield, with a sandwich shop appearing on the other side, followed by more farm-houses and woods on the west and east sides of the highway. Woods briefly bordered both sides, those on the western side replaced by a home and its accompanying yard, houses appearing on the opposite side as well in the oddly-named settlement of Temperance Town. A few more residences and an undertaker's facility owned by a one Mr. Fox came, and then ever more homes and the town's post office.

A furniture store followed on the western side, houses still lin-ing the east, with an insect meat-processing factory appearing in the middle of a field to the west. Then came a carriage store to the west and a farmfield to the east, after which farmfields lined both sides of the highway. Woods then lined the eastern side before wilderness en-veloped the highway, more farmfields following. A bazaar and more woods came on the eastern and western sides, then more farmfields on both sides, wilderness quickly coming again to the west.

An elementary school named Kegotank came on the western

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side as the carriage entered the town of Mapsville, with Judge assum-ing that the community's founders were perhaps cartographers. Farm-fields afterward lined both sides of the highway, with more homes and their yards soon lining the road. A seafood market appeared to the east, with a hodgepodge of woods and residences following. A restaurant specializing in local cuisine followed a farmfield on the eastern side, wilderness dominating the western side. More farmfields and then woods lined both sides of the highway, the town of Nelson following.

A community of gypsies consisting mostly of carriages dou-bling as abodes appeared on the western side of the road, with a lum-ber store following, and then more woods. A few markets and the town's post office came afterward, then a fresh food store and a market selling goods from the Aztec Empire far to the southwest. Farmfields and their accompanying residences followed, the town of Parker com-ing afterward, and more crop fields. A restaurant specializing in Aztec cuisine, a small inn, more houses, and accompanying woods then came, after which were more farms.

Farmfields ultimately lined the western side of the highway and wilderness the eastern side, followed by the town of Acrobat, and more crop fields and houses. Here the highway began to curve west-southwestward, passing a carriage store and a farm equipment shop to the south, not to mention ever more farmfields. Woods and residences came and went, as well as a hospital for beasts of burden and pets. Then the road curved southwest through more wilderness, vast farm-fields following and afterward more forestland, the two alternating all the way to the town of Onley.

Bazaars and restaurants dominated this town as the highway curved south-southwestward, passing an inn and a bank along the way. A bookstore and youth center appeared as well, then Nandua High School, with woods, farmfields, and residences alternating once again afterward. The town of Melfa followed, its prominent sights being res-idences, wilderness on both sides of the road, and Eastern Shore Uni-versity to the west, a farmfield appearing on the opposite side. Farm-fields, forest, and homes alternated yet again, with Central Middle school appearing in the mix.

The town of Painter eventually came, with vast farmfields sur-rounding most of the residences. Bellhaven came afterward, more wooded than the previous settlement. The highway curved between west and southwest into the town of Exmore, passing an inn, a few

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diners, and more wilderness as the highway returned between south and southwest. Past uncultivated fields the road continued through the town, curving roughly southward beyond bazaars on both sides of the highway, which began to curve back south-southwestward, farmfields to the west and forest to the east.

Following this was a patchwork of farmfields and woods, with Exmore ultimately ending with an inn, after which came the town of Nassa, farmfields to the east and residences plus a funeral home owned by a one Mr. Holland to the west. Once again, farmfields, forests, and the occasional house alternated, with crop fields seeming to dominate most of the town, and then forestland. Past a long stretch of farmfields on both sides of the highway was the town of Birdsnest, which con-tained a random assortment of homes, forests, and crop fields.

Farmfields dominated the following community of Machina, though it also had long stretches of wilderness. Cape Charles came af-terward, itself dominated by forests and farmfields, and then East, which had a few small shops not to mention large farms. The carriage's occupants crossed their hearts upon passing a cemetery, the alternation of farmfields and forests following it. The town of Cherry then came, with the highway curving south and then south-southeastward. The community of Cape followed, among its sights being a fishing store and a small inn.

A coast eventually came on the west side of the highway, and then a long stone bridge that plenty of sandy terrain followed, the road curving southwest. A longer bridge followed across a larger body of water, briefly interrupted by a half-kilometer-long sliver of land. One more similarly-sized piece of land interrupted the bridge, which curved from southwest to south-southwestward, yet another spot of land com-ing. Another with a fishing pier followed, and then the city of Virgo Beach, where a much shorter bridge passed a smaller body of water.

Then did the highway briefly curve south, then between south and southeast, passing many residences and a bazaar along the way. Beyond the bazaar it curved back southwest and then between west and southwest, a lake beyond trees now bordering the road on its northern side, followed by an Aesir cathedral and an accompanying school. A secular elementary school followed on the road's southern side, with the highway then passing another in the middle of some brief woods. Another secular elementary school then bordered the north of the road, more residences coming afterward.

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The road ultimately became a bridge again across another body of water, albeit not as big as that leading to Virgo Beach. Past more abodes, the highway encountered farmfields surrounding an agricul-tural university to the north and more woods to the south. Southwest the highway then curved past a sports bazaar, a tailor, and another Ae-sir cathedral. Diverse restaurants and inns followed, after which came a golf course to the north and more residences to the south. Then came a large inn north of the highway and a school with diverse sports fields to the south, with the town of North Foxwood having then come.

As Judge became aware that Foxwood was a Kingdom in Bri-tannia near the Grand Duchy of Otterland, the highway had reentered wilderness, with the carriage turning northward onto an intersecting highway and continuing through the town. The road passed through more woods, across a bridge, and beyond another side of the previ-ously-encountered golf course, with some archery fields afterward vis-ible to the north and some businesses to the south. A military head-quarters quickly became visible to the south and a vast Air Force field north, with diverse insects braving the winter climate.

More businesses followed, followed by more neighborhoods, the highway then curving north-northwestward. Interrupting the resi-dences was a secular academy, after which came a westward curve and ever more abodes. As the highway began curving northwest, it passed many warehouses to the south, the homes continuing on the northern side. Following brief woods and fields were more warehouses to the south and more residences interrupted by the occasional business to the north. Large bazaars then came to the south and yet another Aesir cathedral to the north, the highway afterward curving northward into woods, although those to the east gave way to a vast cemetery, the car-riage's occupants being certain to cross their hearts.

Beyond another bridge, the vehicle reentered North Foxwood, passing through a larger neighborhood, more woods following. Then the road curved northwest and then west-northwestward, passing a lake to the north and snow-covered sands to the south before becoming a bridge again across a larger body of water, with many piers accom-panying houses to the north. The highway ultimately reached level ground again, passing more houses and restaurant before turning back into a bridge that began to curve northward. The road then turning northwest, it passed over a small island naval base.

After the island, the carriage lowered into another long tunnel

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with stone walls and a stone ceiling, and illumination provided by torch holes in the walls. The highway ultimately came back above wa-ter across another island whose purpose Judge couldn't determine, fol-lowing which was another extensive stone bridge. After the bridge the highway entered the city of Hampton, Private Bucks aware that the settlement shared its name with another Britannian nation near Otter-land. Following residences to the east and gardens to the west, the road passed Hampton University to the left and another cemetery to the right that provoked them once again to cross their hearts.

Another golf course came on the eastern side, the highway curving relatively northwest afterward and crossing another body of water, then reaching level land and passing a park to the south and more residences on both sides. The passengers crossed their hearts yet again upon noticing a cemetery south of the road, a continuation of the previous body of water to the north, the highway now running rela-tively west-northwestward past more abodes to the north and some in construction to the south. Two businesses, a fencing store to the south and a cookware shop to the north, passed afterward.

Now the highway ran due west past more residences, curving west-southwestward through open fields that trees encircled and lakes dotted, a river coming as well on the road's northern side, falling away briefly before returning. Residences were distantly visible north and south, the aforementioned river ultimately running below a bridge the carriage crossed, after which came lakes south and north, the latter be-ing bigger than the former, and the latter bordered on its northern side by a great stone coliseum. Frozen marshlands lay across the street from the lake, followed by a barren park, and plenty of stable buildings accompanying the northern arena.

Then the highway shot northwestward, passing a racetrack to the north and a large fishing shop to the south that a lake accompanied, a fancily-pillared government building following on the northern side. After this came another open field dotted by a pair of lakes, bazaars on both sides of the highway, and then a lake to the west and an Aesir cathedral to the east. Apartment complexes followed, after which the lake ended, a mansion sitting alongside it, with cleared terrain now to the east and wilderness to the west.

Woods ultimately surrounded the highway on both sides, al-though the Hampton Chamber of Commerce building came to the north while more residences came to the south. While the houses con-

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tinued, a hospital college and its accompanying stable buildings came on the highway's northern side, wilderness surrounding everything, the woods thickening afterward. A performing arts center followed to the south, and a lower-level university to the north, which more homes proceeded. Lakes bordered by woods became visible to the south, a warehouse bordering the north of the road, the woodlands continuing as the highway shot northwestward.

More residences indicated the beginning of the city of Port Newcomer that an apartment complex, bazaar, and elementary school followed. A lakeside Aesir cathedral came afterward, with brief wilderness coming afterward, and then a college with dormitories and an Italian restaurant. Yet another Asgard church followed, the woods to the west thinning as residences followed the cathedral. Thicker woodlands ultimately came to the east, followed by a construction zone and more forests. The highway curved west-northwestward through more forestland with the occasional bare field, residences coming beyond the northern fields and more homes beyond those to the south.

A river quickly became visible through the northern trees, a grand bazaar becoming visible south while the northern stream's width undulated constantly. A lake terminated the river, a college being visi-ble across the highway, open fields with the occasional tree following. A carriage-laden gypsy community came afterward to the south, with a bazaar right across the highway, which then curved northwest and gave way to more woods to the south, the northern marketplace contin-uing. A lake interrupted the bazaar before woods replaced it, and apartments became visible to the south.

Apartment complexes ultimately bordered both sides of the highway, normal residences interrupting those to the north and another gypsy community coming to the south. Then wilderness bordered the highway north and south, although the occasional residence was visi-ble through the trees. A few minutes later came a pair of lakes with a bridge crossing a brief stream separating them, the woods then return-ing with some campers braving the wilderness to the north. The forest then thinned, vast fields visible through them, before the woods re-turned in full force, the highway curving westward.

Through the southern woodlands did a large, heavily-fortified building become visible judge assumed was part of a military base or a prison, although it swiftly fell out of view, a smaller building follow-

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ing a few seconds later. The town of William began with a gypsy set-tlement south of the highway, few of them being visible given the win-ter climate. Woodlands continued to dominate the scenery, although some standard residences did become visible to the south, not to men-tion the occasional business. The highway continued past an open field to the west, following which was a country club, the wilderness still dominating the east.

The wilderness quickly surrounded the road yet again, although the occasional open construction field did become visible. A museum and its accompanying stable building appeared in the middle of the wilderness, with more houses ultimately becoming visible through the southern woods. The carriage briefly crossed a bridge spanning a river in the middle of wetlands, though the woods quickly came again. Oc-casional buildings became visible through the trees, although nothing stood out to the passengers, except a grand inn and some occasional lakes and open fields. At one point the terrain briefly appeared rugged, with low-lying bushes, but the standard wilderness returned afterward.

The wilderness occasionally thinned, particularly when the highway curved west-northwestward, no towns having been visible for a while, although a cricket racetrack was briefly visible to the south. Soon came the community of Sandston, residences bordering the northern half of the highway. Open fields, some cultivated by farmers, became visible as well, not to mention a few businesses south of the road. The woods ultimately returned, although a combination of busi-nesses and houses became visible north and south through the trees. Soon did a sign indicate that the carriage had finally arrived at the cap-ital city of Virgo, Richmond.

Around then, the passengers heard the seven o'clock bells toll, with Judge indicating, "I hope we get to eat soon. I'm starving."

"After we've met Her Majesty, kid!" one of the soldiers noted."I can definitely wait."The carriage continued into Richmond, woods to the north and

a bazaar to the south, the highway then curving northwest past open fields to the north and a landfill to the south. The city itself surrounded the carriage a few seconds later, the highway curving southwestward through brief woods, a Judean cemetery ultimately visible to the west and Judge crossing his heart despite his Aesir beliefs (he noticed that none of the soldiers did the same). Then the vehicle took and intersect-ing road southward, woods to the east and city to the west, before turn-

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ing northwest into the city itself and passing a few large government buildings along the way.

Left the vehicle turned onto a narrower street, passing a palace Judge assumed was the Queen's residence, the carriage finally halting before gates, violet-dressed royal soldiers coming to inspect it and its passengers. "Identify yourselves, men!"

The soldiers did so, as did Judge. "Private Judge Victor Piers Bucks of the Connexion Air Force!"

"Why, boy, do you come all the way from Connexion for an audience with our Queen?"

"And why, boy, do you wear a Virgoan naval uniform?""Well..." Judge told his story. "By the way, I'm the son of Con-

nexion's Supreme General, if you haven't figured that out.""Do you have any kind of identification?""Sorry; my passport got lost in the attack last night.""Then we'll have to hold you for further inquiry until you get

proof; your word is far from enough. Follow me, young one. Everyone else, take the carriage forward."

"Yes, sir!"Judge left the carriage, following the guard away from the

palace gates across the sidewalk to the southwest, passing a large building that headquartered the Virgoan Agricultural Ministry. Along-side this building the guard led the Private northwest, ultimately head-ing to another large construction, the headquarters of the Parliamentary Police. The royal guard guided Judge inside, passing through the lobby area where soldiers patrolled, and headed upstairs for a few floors. The Private counted thirteen floors before the guard led him out of the stairwell, with thick wooden cell doors lining the hallway.

"I have a new prisoner for you," noted the royal soldier."I'll lock him up," assured a patrolling guard, taking a ring of

keys from his belt and unlocking the nearest cell door, afterward sig-naling Judge to enter.

As he did so, he felt his sword slip from its sheath, the soldier proclaiming, "This will be a fine addition to our collection."

Judge dared not protest the usurpation of his blade, noticing the guard close and lock the cell door, leaving him again a wrongful pris-oner. The cell had a window, to which he then wandered, peering out-side and receiving a nice view of the lawn before what he supposed was the Virgoan Parliamentary building, evidently dual-chambered

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due to the twin extensions from the construction's center. With nothing else to do, the Private found his way to the bed, lay on it, and began to rest, hoping he wouldn't be a prisoner forever.

About an hour later, Judge awoke to the sound of the cell door opening. He leapt on his feet, seeing a royal guard standing in the doorway. "Her Majesty seeks an audience with you."

"Yes, sir," complied Judge as he exited."Your sword," the prison guard from before noted, handing the

Private back his sword, which he sheathed.The soldier took Judge back to the gates of the Queen's palace,

with the sentinels there opening them and letting them into the palace gardens, not at their high point of beauty at the current time of the year. Up a staircase the guard took the Private, another royal soldier opening the pair of doors leading inside the palace, which was fairly humble, as hallways instead of a grand lobby greeted the two. Through the narrow corridors the two went, ascending to second floor, where another pair of royal guards opened another pair of doors that led in-side the throne room, Judge and his escort bowing before the Queen.

"You may rise," greeted the violet-garbed, redheaded, blue-eyed, brown furred cervine monarch.

Judge did so. "What is Your Majesty's bidding?""For you to speak of your misadventures."Judge complied. "I sure don't have the best of luck, milady.""We do apologize for the treatment you have received.""Really, it's no trouble at all.""So...you claim to be the son of Supreme General Bucks?""Indeed, Your Majesty.""We have met him and his wife a few years before. They are

kindly folk, I must say. We also see a glimmer of hope in your eyes, child. You shall certainly play a significant role in restoring peace to this troubled world; we know it. Although your father is not here, you are welcome to remain here until he comes."

"I thank Your Majesty very much.""Guards! Show him to his quarters!""Yes, Your Majesty!"Judge's escort then took him outside the throne room and out-

side the palace, across the walkway adjacent to the stairs near the en-trance, and to a smaller building that had two doors, the first of which

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the guard unlocked. Afterward, the soldier went inside and ignited the lamps near the entrance, providing illumination to the fancy chamber, which had a large bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, a desk, a table, and a window. Giving Judge the room's key, he noted, "Do not lose this."

"Thank you," bid the Private as he entered the chamber, closing and locking the door.

Now alone, the Private locked the door and headed to the wardrobe for want of new clothes in hopes of ending the confusion of him being a Virgoan sailor. After opening it, he beheld a great diver-sity of fancy clothing, which he browsed for a while. All clothes, thankfully, were of an elder child's size. One set of clothes he saw caught his eye, containing a white shirt, blue jerkin, and green pants, which he took and placed on his bed; he returned to the wardrobe to browse the shoes and socks sitting below the hanging garments. The Private selected a pair of brown shoes with white socks. He then stripped his sailor uniform, replacing it with the new garbs, which were a perfect fit. Satisfied, Judge headed to the door, taking surprise to hear knocks upon it.

"Lunch, young sir!""Coming!" Judge opened the door to reveal a butler with a tray

containing a fancy lunch, enough for his appetite. As he got the tray, the Private bid, "Why, thank you sir."

"You are welcome, Master Bucks." Master. Judge couldn't re-member the last time anyone called him that. "Do enjoy your lunch. I will return for your tray when you're done."

"Yes, sir."The butler left, closing the door, and Judge again locked it,

heading to the table and sitting to eat his meal, easily better than the military's food. Having spent most of his life at The Academy, Judge could not recall eating food like this, and believed he wouldn't have it again for a while once his father discovered he was in Virgo. Thus, he savored every bite, acting as though this would be his last meal here. Judge felt great satisfaction in his slow but steady consumption once he was through with his lunch, afterward getting up and heading to the entrance, going into the main palace building in want of exploration; he left his chamber unlocked so that the butler could get his lunch tray.

Judge walked past a few Virgoan bureaucrats, soldiers, and statesmen during his exploration, with few unsurprised by his pres-ence. Finding nothing significant on the current floor (which was tech-

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nically the second, since there was a level below he could notice when he first entered the palace grounds), the Private ascended to second floor, the hallways appearing no different. However, he ultimately en-countered a pair of doors held open by wooden wedges that he entered, finding a parlor where several Virgoans conversed, and he occupied one half of an unoccupied sofa, wondering if he would ever see his fa-ther again.

"You must be the boy impersonating a sailor with whom my sister spoke a while ago."

"Depends upon who your sister is," replied Judge, turning and seeing next to him on the sofa what could've been his mirror image, but with red hair, blue eyes, brown fur, a shorter tail, and violet and white clothing. "Her Majesty's brother, I take it?"

"Yes. I am Prince Horton Dare, her younger brother. Are you new to Virgo?"

"I am. War has driven me here all the way from Connexion.""Are you an orphan?""Unless the war back north has claimed my parents' lives.""You're a bit too young to travel alone, you should realize.""Actually, I'm a Private in the Connexion Air Force. I survived

the recent attack at sea.""I've heard of that. Are you perchance here for diplomacy?""I'm waiting for my father, Supreme General of Connexion.""You're Bucks' son?""I am.""Yes, I was but an infant when I saw your parents.""Glad you know them. So, why aren't you King instead of your

sister? Usually males inherit their nations' thrones.""Virginia became Queen when our father was assassinated by

West Virgoan insurgents on a trip to that region. My mother, then the Queen Dowager, was still pregnant with me, and Ginny, as the sole child then, was Crown Princess."

"What happened with your mother?""She died birthing me.""I'm sorry to hear that.""Don't worry; Ginny has been like a mother to me. Have you

any sisters?""No, but I have three younger brothers.""I see." Horton then eyed Judge's sword, asking, "Are you

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skilled with your blade?""Well, we can see," replied the Private, eyeing the Prince's own

sheathed sword."Not here, of course," Horton indicated as they exited the area.In the palace gardens, they drew their blades and practiced for

an hour, their constant movement keeping them warm. They eventu-ally tired of their practice, sheathing their weapons and returning in-side. Judge noted, "I think I need a little rest."

"See you at dinner, I guess.""If we even eat together," ended Judge, wondering if his dinner

would be private as he returned to his chamber and began to rest.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. "Dinner, young master.""Coming..." Judge yawned as he awoke and got to the door.Behind was the butler, who indicated, "Follow me."Judge did so, following the servant across the walkway and

into the main palace building, the two navigating the hall until they reached the stairwell, where they went to the floor below and passed through a large pair of arched wooden doors to enter the dining hall, at whose end the Queen and her brother sat. The butler led the Private to a seat near them and left. Judge looked down to see a large plate and a few smaller ones with dinner, though he waited until the Queen spoke.

"I bid you good evening, young Private.""You as well, Your Majesty."After a prayer, everyone ate their meals. Afterward, servants

came and took away the dishes and leftover food, leaving the table's occupants to discuss sundry topics. Judge, having nothing to speak of, returned to his chamber and called it a day. During the next two days, his father didn't come, heightening his worries despite his best at-tempts to make the most of his stay at the palace. He did practice his swordsmanship with Prince Horton and enjoyed his meals, though he couldn't think of what he'd do if he found out his father was dead...

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Chapter VI

The Trip through Chatterley

When the morning of the first Luna's Day of 4888 came, Judge awoke. He got out of bed and walked to the entrance, finding the flint-and-tin-der mechanism and using it to light both lamps, which lit his chamber. Afterward, he put on the same wear he had donned for his duration here (there were duplicates, and washermen worked regularly at the palace), then returning to the entrance. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. "Your breakfast, sir!"

The butler entered, giving Judge his morning meal, which he ate at the table. Once finished, he left into the main palace, wandering to the doors into the Queen's hall for want of meeting her. Naturally, though, the royal guards crossed their halberds to prevent his passage. "You know the drill, child."

"Whom's Her Majesty speaking to now?""Supreme General Bucks of Connexion.""Father!" exclaimed the Private."Well, if you are his son, I'm sure he wouldn't want his own

son interrupting him.""Yeah, you're probably right.""We are right, child!""So...when did he show up?""Sometime last night.""Ah...""Anyway, we're sure you have better things to do than standing

around. Be off!""Yeah, later."Judge then found his way to the parlor, hoping to find Prince

Horton; unfortunately, the chamber area was empty. The Private trudged to one of the parlor's windows, opening it only for freezing winds to flow inside, provoking him to close it immediately, after which he merely wandered about, clueless on what to do next. He wished not to wander the palace aimlessly for fear he would be mis-

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taken for a deviant, so he supposed that he had little choice but sit and patiently await the opportunity to speak with his father.

As he sat, he wondered how his mother and brothers, evidently present in the armada at the time of Bloodland's attack, fared, were they alive. The Private regretted not taking the chance to find them at the base back near the Bloodlandic border, and felt guilty for accepting the monarch's hospitality for the past few days. At least his father sur-vived, though, but the possibilities of what exactly had happened back around the New Jeremy Colony bothered him still.

After an hour of sitting and thinking, a familiar face entered the parlor, with Judge recognizing him. "Father--I mean, sir!"

"You may call me father, son, for Connexion is no more."Judge contemplated those words for a few seconds before sug-

gesting, "I take it that things didn't go so well up there...""We made great progress at first, but things turned for the

worse recently. Backup came from Massgraves and Rogueland, and to try and reclaim Connexion then would be folly."

"What about General Quill? Any word on her?""The Nidhoggr grossly outnumbered her forces.""Is she still alive?""She is. Quill fled west across what was once Sylvania into the

Buckeye Republic, which will likely be the Nidhoggr's next target. I and what remained of my forces followed her, and luckily, the Nid-hoggr made no advancement beyond Buckeye's borders."

"Do Buckeye's leaders know of the Nidhoggr?""Yes, the President was already well aware of them, since a

few of his neighbors are, how do you say, hostile.""Controlled by the Nidhoggr, you mean?""So it seems, my son, chiefly their mainland neighbor, the

Kingdom of Machina, and the nation that lies across Lake Ur (which the Nidhoggr call Eerie), the Kingdom of Onigoku."

"Tell me more, father.""Machina was once a Republic, and a thriving, industrialized

nation, to boot, a perfect target for the Nidhoggr to fuel their forces. Onigoku, on the other hand, was once the Otter Republic, or Otteria, not to be confused with the Grand Duchy of Otterland over in the Bri-tannian Islands in Alfheim."

"Surprising," laughed Judge, "but why did they take Otteria?"

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"Because right across Heaven Bay (which the Nidhoggr call Hades Bay), my son, lies the Holy Kingdom of Asgard, the largest, most powerful nation on Terra."

To hear this shocked Judge for a few seconds. "But they don't have a chance against Asgard...do they, father?"

"That I cannot say, my son.""Are you hiding something from me, father?""Truthfully, son, I cannot say how Asgard will fare...""Okay, then, what did you do after telling the President of

Buckeye about the crises? Did you march straight here to Virgo?""I did but not without resistance. What remained of my troops

helped the Virgoan Army quell an uprising in western Virgo by two rogue Generals, Rob Boyd and Jay Roc."

"What happened?""They sought independence for the western part of the King-

dom, but thankfully, they failed, and were captured and brought here to the capital for due justice."

"So, all's safe here for now, right, father?"Bucks groaned. "Somehow, both Generals managed to escape

in the middle of the night, fleeing north into Bloodland.""Bloodland? You think they took orders from the Nidhoggr?""They had spoken of possible negotiation with Bloodland for

want of peace, but I am sure you now know how things turned out.""Seems like they want war more than peace, father.""Is that not what all the Nidhoggr want?""So, what'll you do now that Connexion's pretty much dead?""I shall further my diplomacy, not as Supreme General Bucks,

but as Citizen Bucks.""I think they'd believe Supreme General Bucks more...""Titles mean nothing; experience means everything.""Yeah, I get it. So, what's the word on the rest of our family?""I have word that the civilian ships of Connexion made it

safely past Bloodland and are heading farther south to the Kingdom of Chatterley for extra security."

"Will we pursue them?""But of course! And maybe speak with the King, too.""Yeah, we can't afford to let the Nidhoggr spread further.""Let us leave, then. I do not want to keep Beasley waiting..."Beasley was the Bucks' black cricket, knew Judge, who fol-

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lowed his father to the basement level's stable area, where they found her happily chirping for her master's return; the presence of his son particularly excited her, as well. The elder Bucks mounted her first, and his son followed. The cricket exited the stabling area into the palace gardens, afterward passing through the palace gates and into the streets of Richmond, heading south past many large government build-ings. The road ultimately ended with a wide highway, where Bucks turned Beasley eastward.

It was not long until Beasley reached a bridge running south across the river, passing an island to the west tipped by a sign that in-dicated the current jackpot of the Virgoan Royal Lottery was at 120 Pounds. This highway ultimately reached dry land, wilderness to the east and open fields to the west. These soon gave way to the Williams Bridge Company on the highway's western side and some farm fields, beyond which were refineries, on the eastern side. Trees then bordered both sides as the route ran south-southwestward, though a quarry was visible through the eastern woods.

The highway afterward curving southwestward, a welding cor-poration was visible to the west and another vast refinery to the east. A carriage stop soon bordered the western side, beyond which a residen-tial neighborhood was visible, another refinery laying east. A few inns to the west and woods to the east came afterward, the highway then curving southward. Wilderness briefly bordered both sides of the road, although the eastern woods thinned somewhat, revealing giant crates whose contents neither Judge nor his father could determine. After this came a clothing bazaar to the west and an open field to the east.

Then did the highway run through vast wilderness with the oc-casional open field, barren trees dominating the scenery. Warehouses appeared in the middle of the woods to the west as the route curved south-southeastward. A bedroom store came on the eastern side, fol-lowed by a carriage shop, and a water tower to the west that indicated the two were still in Richmond. Several inns and restaurants followed, not to mention another gypsy community, a factory becoming visible to the north as the road curved southeast. The road ran between south and southeast upon passing stables and a neighborhood, a sign indicat-ing that the two had entered the community of Chester.

A college and a gypsy community were the main attractions in Chester before Bucks and his son moved on to the town of Colonial Heights, passing through a few neighborhoods and by a high school.

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Almost immediately afterward came Peter, where the two took the cricket onto a southwesterly highway that wilderness mostly bordered. They passed an Aesir cathedral and more neighborhoods, woods, and the occasional open field, the highway curving southward through ever more wilderness and beyond another Asgard church, before heading southwestward past a gypsy community and the occasional tilled field.

Wilderness with the occasional smaller road intersecting the highway dominated the scenery for a while, until the quaint commu-nity of Dewitt came, more woodlands following and the town of Din, where the riders crossed their hearts upon passing a cemetery. A car-riage shop and a storage facility were visible, although woods domi-nated most of the town, as did the occasional farmfield. The town of Warfield followed, bearing nothing significant, and with the hamlet of Alberta came a lower-level university. Brodnax eventually came, with nothing appearing out of the ordinary. The highway curved southwest in the town of Crossing, the two crossing their hearts upon passing an-other burial ground.

South Hill, however, was a far more active community, bearing a performing arts center, a few restaurants, and an inn. Open fields be-came more common as the cricket passed through the hamlet of Brace, the highway now running southwest and crossing a pair of rivers. The route ran south-southwestward when the travelers finally arrived at the border between the Kingdom of Virgo and Chatterley, where guards from both nations jointly patrolled their respective national boundaries that wooden saltires indicated, a Chatterleyan sentinel halting Bucks and his son.

"Good morning, sirs. May we see your passports?""Certainly," complied Bucks as he gave the guard two pass-

ports, which surprised his son, having lost his a while back."You're all clear. Have a good day!""You as well," bid Bucks as he and his son entered Chatterley.Chatterley didn't seem any different from Virgo, with the win-

ter woods continuing still, open fields occasionally interrupting them. Southwest the road ran into Henderson, a community that farmfields dominated. Westward curved the highway through the town, before turning back southwest beyond a few bazaars. The road continued to undulate, passing through the town of Dabney, which had a university, woods dominating the Kingdom to the town of Oxford, which Judge knew shared its name with another nation on the Britannian Isles in the

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Alfheim Continent near the Grand Duchy of Otterland.In Oxford, the travelers passed a few businesses and an Aesir

Church activity center, not to mention a restaurant and a campground, although there weren't that many tents in the woods since Judge knew it was generally folly to camp in wintertime. A bazaar followed, as did an art frame store, and a few residential neighborhoods. A sign ulti-mately indicated the cricket was passing through the town of Stem, al-though hardly any buildings were visible. Then came Creedmoor, an inn indicating its beginning, although it featured a food bazaar and an-other Aesir cathedral.

After a great lake arrived the town of Deerhorn, an Air Force field commencing the community. An restaurant specializing in the Italian dish pizza, a carriage shop, an elementary school, and a Zhong-guo restaurant alongside a bazaar followed. The highway briefly shot westward then turned west-northwestward past a pair of parks, a vast bazaar coming afterward. Yet another Italian eatery, a country club bordering both sides of the highway, and a hospitaler school came and went, followed by another curve that went straight northwest, a restau-rant and store hybrid, and an eatery specializing in local cuisine, com-ing with this curve.

The road ran west-northwestward and bordered a neighborhood to the north and several carriage dealerships to the south, before shoot-ing due westward through wilderness interrupted by low-density resi-dences. West-northwestward the highway soon ran again, passing a neighborhood upon entering the town of Hills. Efland came afterward, bearing nothing significant other than another eatery specializing in lo-cal cuisine. Mebane then followed, with Judge glimpsing a training center known in the distant Empire of Nippon as a dojo. Haw River proceeded, its most significant locale a few sports fields, not to men-tion a fabric business.

Graham quickly came, featuring an Aztec restaurant north of the highway and an eatery specializing in breakfast foods to the south. Burling followed, its most prominent sight a lower-level university, a hospital, and some quaint neighborhoods. More restaurants and bazaars followed, as did a few farmfields up until the town of Whit, which featured a beer brewery. McLean came afterward, featuring a corporation known as Lucent, the town of Green and an Aesir cathe-dral following, not to mention the occasional park. High Point fol-lowed, Judge glimpsing a furniture store, after which the road curved

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south-southwestward, soon shooting southwest past a few stables.The town of Arch quickly came, with Judge seeing a shrine

constructed by the Society of Buddha, a faith prevalent in distant na-tions such as Zhongguo. Then came a local eatery and an inn, the latter beginning the town of High Point, and beyond which were farmfields on both sides of the highway. The route curved south-southwestward past residential regions and restaurants and surprisingly, back into the town of Arch, after which came the town of Trinity commenced by a carriage repair business, and ever more abodes. Alternating woods and fields came and went afterward, as did the town of Thomas.

The highway curved west-northwestward through this settle-ment, a few bazaars and restaurants passing. Southwest the road ran past an Aesir cathedral before returning to its previous direction. Past woods and residences the highway ran before passing a war memorial dedicated to fallen Chatterleyan soldiers, ever more wilderness follow-ing. The town of Lex ultimately came, though hardly any buildings were visible, mostly barren winter trees. Vast open fields became visi-ble through the northern and southern woods, especially the former, more residences beyond them. A bazaar and a few restaurants then bordered the northern side, followed by more woodland.

The highway curved west, passing an Air Force base to the north where winged insects flew about. The road then ran southwest past more residences and open fields, some that farmers cultivated. A carriage stop began the settlement of Linwood, although Bucks and his son pressed onward, passing more homes and a lake to the south of the route. Across a river a few hectometers wide went Beasley, the road then curving south-southwestward and passing a food bazaar in the settlement of Salisbury. Another Aesir cathedral followed, and then more woods, a few neighborhoods, and some eateries.

An eatery serving cuisine from the distant Empire of Nippon and a community college followed on the north and south sides of the highway, and then an Italian restaurant and carriage shop. The town was fairly extensive, another prominent sight being a flea market to the south that wasn't terribly busy this time of the year. Beginning the set-tlement of Zhongguo Grove was a large lot of carriages without ac-companying roaches, followed by a yard full of disassembled vehicles. Kannapolis came afterward, beginning with a sports coliseum and a few residential neighborhoods.

Many bazaars followed on both sides of the highway, giving

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way to the community of Concord, commenced by a food market and a neighborhood north and south of the route. Some more bazaars fol-lowed, then neighborhoods, and then bazaars again, the road soon run-ning south-southwestward and passing an Aesir cathedral. An inn, bazaar, and a restaurant known as the Stellasolum Roadhouse came af-terward, Judge aware Stellasolum was a Republic to the southwest that bordered the Aztec Empire on the north. Finally came the vast commu-nity of Charlotte, the capital of the Kingdom of Chatterley.

"Charlotte at last," Bucks indicated"Why am I not amazed?" his son inquired."Perhaps because you've seen many cities before, my son.""Yeah, sounds about right.""You wish to be a traveler yet are disappointed in seeing cities

that look similar.""Yeah, I guess traveling isn't for me, after all.""I suppose that narrows your career interests.""Not that I hate traveling with you, father. I do wish to help

you however possible.""Very kind of you, though it would be a bit difficult to find

something constructive for you as we travel.""Oh, so now I'm useless, am I?""Don't take it the wrong way, my son. You have yet to come of

age, even if you were briefly in an Air Force.""Yeah, I guess I won't until I know how to thrive on my own.""Do you consider going back to school, then? I will not force

you since I am sure some militaries have youth corps...""Well, typically, father, school starts in Neptune, so I'll at least

follow you around until the next month arrives.""We must also think of the rest of our family, son.""Yeah, I almost forgot about them.""Of course, if you do decide to settle down and resume your

education, you can expect to not see me for a while.""Oh, I wouldn't worry about it too much, father. I'm already en-

joying the time I've been spending with you."Bucks smiled. "You, son, have made my day.""Well, what're we waiting for? Let's go, old man!""Yes, yes. On, Beasley!"The cricket continued through Charlotte for a few minutes,

heading to a great stone building that was undoubtedly the monarch's

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palace. A three-meter-tall stone barrier surrounded it, with an iron gate protecting the entranceway, which reminded Judge of The Academy. From behind the barrier, a guard inquired, "What business do you have here, sirs?"

"Only I have business. My son here merely tags along.""Wait, you're not Supreme General Bucks, are you?""I was last time I came, but now I am merely Citizen Bucks.""Retired?""My retirement, as you call it, stems from crises that have be-

fallen our homeland.""Then you may enter, once I see some identification.""Indeed," Bucks agreed as he showed passports."You're both clear. We'll get the gate."The sentinel walked to the spoked wheel sticking out of one of

the walls, pulling down the spokes and lifting the gate. Once it was far enough from the ground, Bucks and son passed through the tunnel be-tween the palace and the streets of Charlotte, and the guard let the gate fall afterward. They eventually exited the tunnel into the front gardens before the palace entrance, which, since it was winter, weren't wholly beautiful. The cricket hopped to the entrance, where a guard, upon see-ing her, descended the stairs before the entrance doors and bowed.

"May I take your steed, sirs?""Indeed," agreed Bucks as he and his son dismounted."Many thanks," bid the guard as he took Beasley's reins."Her name is Beasley," Bucks indicated. "Remember that.""Hey, you're not Supreme General Bucks, are you?""I was. Now I am merely Citizen Bucks.""That your son?""He is. Let's go."The two ascended the stairs and entered Chatterley Palace, its

entrance hall, naturally, being grand, with countless nobles wandering. Bucks eyed the doors on the second floor after a pair of curving stair-cases, one of which he and his son ascended, with royal guards dressed in red, white, blue, and yellow, crossing their halberds at the doors. "State your business with His Majesty, sirs."

"My son is just here to accompany me. I, on the other hand, wish to inform His Majesty of the troubles that have befallen my homeland. I was Supreme General of Connexion. Though I am but a citizen now, I beseech His Majesty for at least a few minutes."

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"His Majesty isn't busy now, so we'll inform him you're here."The sentinels entered the King's hall, returning a minute later.

"You may enter.""Show your manners.""Especially you, young one.""This is nothing new for me, sirs.""Good to hear.""Now enter."They obeyed, entering the King's hall, just as grand as Queen

Virginia's hall, with national flags hanging from the ceiling and royal guards by the walls, ready to defend their King if necessary. Chatter-ley's flag consisted of a tree with a white trunk and leaves of gold and red, all against a blue field. Judge and his father slowly advanced, eventually reaching the monarch's throne and kneeling respectfully. Chatterley's King was a white antediluvian feline with blue eyes, and little fur aside from that extending from behind his left ear, to behind his head, to his right ear.

"Ah...Supreme General Bucks...it has been a long time...what brings you here?"

"I came to inform Your Majesty of the troubles that have be-fallen Connexion and its allies," replied Bucks, telling his story.

"So I see...you have our word that the Kingdom's Military will aid our allies against the Nidhoggr...we may be but another nation of Ymir, but strength in numbers is every bit as important as strength in strategy and the hearts of those who support our cause..."

"Yes, Your Majesty.""Has your son any words he would like to impart to us?""I think not, sire.""Nonsense...you mentioned that your son was briefly in Con-

nexion's Air Force...surely his words would be every bit as significant as yours, Bucks."

"Very well. speak, son.""I'm glad to be able to talk of my own experiences, sire.""You are welcome...we open our ears to your words.""It began on my birthday, sire," Judge began, telling his tale."Very few youths experience what you have, Judge...if ever

you wish to join our military or stay, you are welcome to do so...""I thank Your Majesty, but I think I'll continue traveling with

my father until we find a nice school I can attend, so I can one day

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thrive on my own.""Indeed...independence should be anyone's goal...maybe mar-

riage, as well.""I really haven't thought that of that, Your Majesty.""Really? You haven't a girl in mind, young one?""No...""I am sure you'd have little trouble seeking your soul mate...""I'll, uh, try to think about it sometime or another.""Well...looks like you both have finished your business here...

you are most welcome to remain for dinner and lodging.""Our thanks," Bucks stated, "though there is one final issue that

bothers me...""And what would that be, Bucks?""Has Your Majesty perchance received word of Connexion

civilians arriving here?""Not yet, although ships have been seen near Fort Brigadine,

and should arrive by nightfall...if you wish, I could send soldiers to seek your family when they do arrive...

"That Yours Majesty may," Bucks assured."Could they come here if they're found?" wished Judge."Most certainly...they deserve our hospitality...""I just hope they're alive and well, Your Majesty.""As do I, lad...guards...show these two to their rooms!"A pair of royal sentinels complied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"Bucks and his son followed their two escorts outside the King's

hall, where they surprisingly split, Judge going in one direction and his father in the other. Judge eventually followed the guard through a smaller pair of arched wooden doors into a hallway with several single doorways, reminiscent of Virgo Palace. After a decameter or two, the sentinel stopped before one door, handing Judge a key. "Return this before you leave tomorrow, alright?"

"Yes, sir," agreed Judge as he unlocked the door and opened it into a darkened chamber.

"Oh, yes," noticed the guard as he illuminated the chamber's lanterns with a flint-and-tinder mechanism, producing enough light for the boy to find his way around.

"Thanks, sir.""No problem. Enjoy your stay. If you haven't eaten lunch yet, I

could have one of the servants deliver some to you."

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"I would appreciate that, sir."The guard left, leaving Judge to scope his room, very much re-

sembling that he had in Virgo. He walked around, observing its sundry features, such as a curtained bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, a desk, and a table with two chairs. The Younger Judge sat at the table, anticipat-ing lunch, which ultimately came and was satisfactory. Then eying the bed, he supposed that to rest until dinner wouldn't hurt, and therefore, he slumped onto its comfortable surface, closed his eyes, and slept, for once forgetting about the troubles surrounding the nations to the north.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. "Dinner, young sir!"Judge heeded the butler, getting out of bed and dashing to the

door to open it, revealing the servant. He followed him to the entrance hall and downstairs to a grand pair of arched wooden doors like those on the second floor, which led into a long dining hall at whose end the monarch sat. He waved to Bucks' son, signaling him to come near. Bucks sat near the King, with Judge dashing to the vacant seat by his father, sitting and anticipating dinner. Most everyone at the table con-versed while awaiting their meal.

"Well, I gather everyone has assembled," indicated the King. "Cardinal Helmuth, would you be so kind as to lead us in a prayer?"

"Most certainly," the Cardinal, a balding white-haired, blue-eyed, gray-furred hamster, indicated. "Bow your heads, everyone. Dear Lord, we thank You for this meal we are to time tonight. We are also thankful for the peace of our Kingdom at the moment, and bid You to continue it for years to come, even as war rends many of our northern neighbors. We make this request not out of selfishness, but of our will that by some force, the Nidhoggr see their defeat, releasing their blood-stained clutch upon the world. See to it that Your blessings empower those who battle them, and let them triumph so we may see many millennia of peace as we have seen in the previous instances Ni-flheim saw its defeat. Amen."

"Amen," repeated everyone else, eating dinner and afterward calling it a day.

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Chapter VII

Onward to Jersha

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. Judge awoke and got out of bed, head-ing to the door and opening it to reveal the butler, who entered, illumi-nated the lanterns, and gave him his breakfast tray, afterward leaving back into the hallway.

"Thanks, sir.""My pleasure, young master. Enjoy."Judge did indeed enjoy his breakfast. Once finished, he left his

chamber, venturing to throne room, where the guards there stopped him. Though the boy handed them the key to his quarters, he still re-ceived no access into the hall. "Your father speaks with His Majesty."

"You may wait downstairs.""Alright, then." Judge then descended to ground floor, noticing

the circle of sofas centering the open area there, in which sat a few fa-miliar faces. "Mother!"

"Judge!" Barbara then embraced her eldest son with her right arm, her left holding Martin, who eyed his albino sibling and seemed to smile. "Oh, how I missed you!"

"Dad told about what happened!" Jed indicated. "Must've been pretty exciting, bro!"

"Ex-citing!" piped Nyle, hugging Judge's legs."I'm just glad to see you all again," Judge affirmed."Please, don't ever scare us like that again!" admonished Bar-

bara as she released her son."Yeah, I think I've had enough military service for now. I'm se-

riously thinking about going back to school when the month ends.""That's what I want to hear! I don't ever want you talking about

joining some military and risking your life again!""Right, I get it!""Good, I don't want to have to repeat myself, boy!""A woman's fury is more than enough to straighten a man out.""Hmph! Would my fists help, as well?"

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"No, mother, for words can scar far more than any weapon.""I'm just glad I don't have to get physical with you boys...""I'm glad I don't have to get physical with you, mother.""Hmph! Well, I do hope your father doesn't want us to wander

around with him forever. We do need to settle down somewhere even-tually and send you boys back to school!"

"Could there be school as great as The Academy, mother?""Only time will tell!"Just then, Bucks joined his family. "We may leave now.""Where are we going next, father?""South to the Kingdom of Jersha, and after that, the peninsular

Kingdom of Flora. By the way, the palace has lent us a carriage; Bar-bara, you may drive the rest of the children while Judge and I ride Beasley and lead you."

"Speaking of which, where's Barney?""He's way back in Virgo near Bloodland's border. He probably

won't be flying again, and I guess it's all for the best.""Oh...really?" Barbara's calm attitude surprised Judge. "In any

case, we should probably get going. We don't want to keep the rest of Ymir waiting, do we?"

"Indeed. And by the way, I do wish to find a school for the children to attend while I continue my diplomacy, and maybe find a home for you too, so fret not!"

"Then fret I shan't, dear," complied Barbara.The Buckses then headed downstairs to the stable area, where

the patriarch led his family to the carriage and roach the King had lent them. Barbara took care of the roach, Martin still in hand, as the rest of her children except Judge entered the wagon. Bucks' eldest son fol-lowed his father to the stable with Beasley, who seemed happy to meet her master again. Bucks mounted her, with his son doing the same. Once Barbara had readied the carriage, she and her husband rode above ground to the tunnel leading outside the palace grounds, with the sentinels there lifting the gate for their egress. Once outside, they ventured west through Charlotte, reaching its exit and entering the vast winter wilderness of Chatterley.

The Buckses briefly passed an airfield on the eastern side of one of the roads they took to depart the capital of Chatterley, although they ultimately took an intersecting highway running westward past a warehouse and corporation, followed by a few taverns and a newspa-

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ONWARD TO JERSHA

per's headquarters. A carriage shop followed, as did a few more build-ings, with a river coming afterward along with the town of Belmont, although here woods mostly bordered the highway, various construc-tions of course visible through them. More significant sights such as a bazaar to the south and a religious university, Belmont Abbey College, to the north, then came, the road simultaneously curving slightly to the northwest, followed by woods on the northern side and a wooded neighborhood on the southern side.

As the highway curved back westward, the cricket and the car-riage passed a corporation in the middle of the woods, which another woodland neighborhood, more forestland, a bridge crossing a river, and the twined towns of MacAdam to the south and Lowell to the north followed. In the former was a doctor specializing in eye care, and in the latter was a restaurant offering Chatterleyan cuisine. Beyond these towns the road curved slightly southwest, with a bicycle shop visible northward and residences to the south. The town of Gaston fol-lowed, its prominent sights being a theater, a bookstore, and vast bazaars where one could lose himself or herself shopping for a while.

Many neighborhoods and restaurants the cricket and carriage passed, the road soon curving northwest past an Aesir cathedral, with a curve back southwest coming in the middle of woods, followed by an-other slightly northwest curve, with stores to the north and forests to the south. Again did the highway curve southwest, going through more wilderness occasionally interrupted by buildings, among them being the occasional corporation and parts store, the town of Bessemer began by a fabric factory. An inn alongside some shops was the town's most prominent sight, ever more woodlands, more rugged, following, along with a sharper southwest curve and the town of Kings, commenced by a factory that evidently produced mainly undergarments.

A breakfast restaurant to the north and an inn to the south came afterward, with several diverse bodies of water visible through the woods northward and southward. A boat repair shop interrupted the forestland as the highway ran west-southwestward, along with another bicycle shop, and a small cemetery to the south, where all the Buckses crossed their hearts in condolence of the deceased. Into the town of Black the cricket and carriage ran, with a few small restaurants and a liquor store, which more woods, and another small graveyard, fol-lowed. The road curved northwestward and southwestward, ultimately stopping in the latter direction as it continued through Black.

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After more woods came a few more small restaurants, followed by, unsurprisingly, yet more forestland. When signs of civilization ar-rived again, the Younger Judge took surprise that no sign indicated an-other town, and that the Buckses were still in Black. First came a store that specialized in toys and other accessories for adults, which Judge and his father knew the government typically taxed more than other goods in discouragement of alternative lifestyles; a sandwich shop fol-lowed, as did ever more wilderness. A carriage store came in the mid-dle of the woodlands as the highway curved due southwest, and then westward again, into the town of Gaffer, among its first sights being a coffee bean shop.

After more woods came more of Gaffer, an Aesir cathedral south of the highway and a marina alongside a lake to the north, with the road curving west-southwestward beyond a religious elementary school before running west again past neighborhoods to the south and plentiful wilderness to the north. Some open fields became visible for the first time in a while as the highway ran southwest, passing a small restaurant along the way as well as a bazaar before the woodlands dominated the Buckses' view again, albeit with the interruption of yet another open field. Some farms and a carpet and rug store followed, with the vast cultivated fields being a welcome sight.

With the farmfields came the town of Cowl, equally agricul-tural, although wilderness quickly bordered the highway again. A restaurant with a large carriage building south of the road and a fruit market were among the first sights, not to mention an Aesir academy and a gift shop. The woodlands soon fell away again, although these particular fields didn't seem cultivated, with residences among them. The woods quickly returned in full force, a carriage shop within these woodlands, not to mention a bridge crossing a river. Beginning the town of Sparta was a small warehouse, the Younger Judge aware the community took its name from a region of the Hellenic Empire that specialized in instructing its inhabitants in the ways of war.

Although there weren't any soldiers visible, north of the road was a vast factory that the Younger Judge assumed produced many in-struments of war, given the community's nomenclature. Otherwise the town wasn't terribly martial, with sights such as a bicycle shop and a few small restaurants, woods and farmfields being prominent as well. The highway ran southwest past an Aesir cathedral, the road turning south and then curving back southwest before going roughly west. A

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ONWARD TO JERSHA

cemetery indicated the beginning of Wellford, the Buckses once more crossing their hearts, after which came woods and a curving river that ran southward into a lake.

An inn indicated the beginning of the settlement of Duncan, al-though woods mainly inhabited the community. Following some fields was another Aesir cathedral, and ultimately came a large carriage building alongside a factory that housed the Chatterleyan division of the Bavarian Carriage Works company, Judge the Younger aware Bavaria was a Kingdom in the Germanian Empire. Now had the family entered the town of Greer, the highway running west-southwestward, and the wilderness quickly returning in full force. Greer soon contin-ued after these woods, a few supply shops being visible, not to men-tion a few office buildings, along with numerous inns to the north and a large stable building to the south.

Many restaurants offering local cuisine were visible as well, followed by yet more woods, a south-southwestward curve, and the colorful community of Green, its hues mainly coming from the green constructions, although the woods, since it was winter, were still bar-ren. Vast bazaars, stable buildings, and occasional restaurants dotted this settlement, its inhabitants mostly wearing green winter clothes, as well. The cricket and carriage soon passed between a golf course to the north and a university to the south, following which were more sports fields and the occasional school, not to mention an Aesir cathedral a few kilometers later, the terrain aside from these buildings appearing somewhat marshy as well.

Roughly westward continued the road through Green, with the marshlands ultimately replaced by typical winter wilderness, definitely a welcome sight, as the highway ran slightly southwest. The settlement of Pied followed, commenced by several country eateries and shops, the town also upholding its colorful moniker, at least with regards to its buildings. Open fields were more visible amongst the woods and buildings, with plenty of bazaars as well, particularly on the western side of the highway. The family passed a carriage shop to the east and a farmfield to the west, a few warehouses following a few kilometers later, not to mention more open fields.

What woods did appear among the fields were especially thick, with the town of Pelzer afterward commenced by a quarry, although woods and fields largely dominated this community, not to mention the occasional lake and farmfield visible through the trees. A newspa-

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per's headquarters began the town of Anderson, with an Aesir church appearing in between the woods and fields that dominated this settle-ment as well, the wilderness being dominant afterwards. Clearings and bushy fields did appear amongst the woods, however, not to mention a sports store. Several inns appeared alongside vast fields, with a few restaurants visible as well, the road now running due westward.

Wilderness, plains, and bushy fields alternated, a lake ulti-mately visible through the southern woods, and the highway then curv-ing west-southwestward, and soon crossing a wide river thanks to a bridge, the woods being most prominent at this time. Another bridge came that the carriage and cricket crossed southwest across a wider river, the woodlands relenting not. Finally came a different commu-nity, the oddly-named Townville, although hardly any buildings were visible, cultivated fields being the most prominent sight, followed by ever more forestland. An eatery dominated the hamlet with the unusual name of Fair Play, and a small shop the equally-small settlement of Seneca.

After more woods, the cricket and carriage crossed a bridge spanning a significant body of water, after which water bordered the highway on the north, and the Buckses finally reached the interna-tional border between the Kingdoms of Chatterley and Jersha, where sentinels from the latter nation halted the insect and vehicle before the bridge spanning international waters. Vessels from the Navies of Chat-terley and Jersha dominated said waters, with Judge the Younger tak-ing fascination at the diversity of the ships. In preparation of present-ing their documentation to the guards, Judge the Elder and his son dis-mounted Beasley, and Barbara and the rest of the Bucks children de-parted the carriage.

"Passports, please," requested one guard, the family complying and presenting their identification. "Ah, General Bucks, nice to see you again. Welcome back."

"Thank you.""Have a safe trip, now."Bucks and his son remounted Beasley, and Barbara and the rest

of the children got back on the carriage, afterward beginning their trip through the Kingdom of Jersha. The nation's territory didn't appear any different from Chatterley's, what with the continued presence of barren winter woodlands, and occasional snow-covered open fields. The road curved west-southwestward away from the waters, the first town the

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family encountered being Lavonia, buildings being somewhat scarce. However, marshlands seemed to be common, although the occasional farm and cultivated field did appear. The town of Carne ultimately came, constructions again being scarce, although the Younger Judge could spot a small restaurant in the distance.

Nothing significant appeared in Carne, aside from some more small restaurants, among them being a sandwich shop, a few kilome-ters later. A farm appeared afterwards to the south of the highway, the terrain having a rugged appearance, albeit mostly forested. The family soon reached the town of Commerce, which, true to its identity, was a commercial hub with a few restaurants, a coffee shop, and a small bazaar, with dreary snow-covered swamps following. The town of Jef-fords followed, commenced by a carriage and carriage equipment em-porium, not to mention more rugged wilderness, a reservoir, and a quarry. West Jack ultimately came, began by a cemetery, the family again crossing their hearts were they able.

West Jack was, like previous settlements, a low-density town with residences spread out a good distance, the town of Brasel follow-ing, another cemetery provoking the Buckses to cross their hearts. Restaurants and bazaars were more common in this community, al-though undeveloped terrain largely dominated their view, a furniture store also being present, not to mention plenty of residences, especially on the highway's northern side. Brasel quickly gave way to Buford, with abodes crammed together on the north and south sides of the road indicating its beginning, followed by an elementary school with sev-eral sports fields to the south, and an Aesir church north.

Dacula followed, its most prominent sight being a theater, with the Younger Judge having hardly seen any shows in his lifetime, but hoping that would change were the Buckses able to get far from the domain of the Nidhoggr. The next town was Lawrence, which con-tained a Jershan Air Force field, a medical center, another theater, and a few bazaars. Dulles followed, also containing a theater and an ele-mentary school, with the Younger Judge hopeful that wherever his family settled, he and his family would attend school again. Norcross came afterward, commenced by a local restaurant, not to mention a furniture store.

Jersha's capital, Atlas, ultimately came, among its first sights being yet another theater, not to mention a few hospitals and accompa-nying medical college, with the family now running relatively south-

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southwestward. They now ran through a low-density neighborhood, al-though the Younger Judge knew that it was likely only the beginning of the capital. Indeed, when they turned southwest, they noticed a grand bazaar, after which they turned south-southeastward, passing yet another shopping center. Then turning southwest, the Buckses passed a few restaurants, although lunchtime was still a few hours away. At a park they turned northwest, reentering the residential area of the city while simultaneously passing a history museum.

The cricket and carriage ultimately reached a metallic-fenced and gated area that was undoubtedly the monarch's residence, with a few royal sentinels stopping the insect and vehicle before one of the gates and observing, "Ah, Supreme General Bucks, welcome back!"

"I am a Supreme General no longer, just Citizen Bucks.""You'll still always be a Supreme General to us. Would the rest

of your company be your family?""Indeed.""We'll still need to see some identification since it is routine.""No problem," complied the elder Judge, the rest of the clan

presenting their passports."Alright, you're all clear," affirmed the guard, handing back the

passports, after which he and his companions helped open the gate.The Buckses, returning to their respective forms of transporta-

tion, passed through the now-open gateway, hearing the gates creak shut as they traveled along the road, passing a few barren trees along the way and experiencing a leftward curve beyond a few bushes. Be-fore the palace itself, which consisted of a central square building with extensions jutting left and right, was a hexagon centered by a fountain that ran not in the wintertime. The Elder Judge and his son dismounted Beasley, and Barbara, carrying Martin in hand, got off the carriage, the rest of the Bucks children following, after which servants came and took the transportation away to the stables.

The Piers-Bucks dynasty ascended the entrance stairs to the double-doored ingress itself, with a pair of guards gladly holding open their respective doors. The palace interior was fairly fanciful, with a large golden chandelier illuminating the multistoried entrance hall, and a ring of sofas surrounding a wooden table. The Buckses, tired from traveling, decided to take a break on the sofas, admiring the palace's grandeur, even if it was nothing they really hadn't seen before, what of course with their visit to other palaces of equivalent grandeur and, of

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ONWARD TO JERSHA

course, The Haven Academy. The Younger Judge, and perhaps the rest of his family, wondered if they would ever see Connexion again.

"Well, I suppose we should meet with the King," noted the El-der Bucks.

"I'll go with you, father," desired the Younger Judge."Of course, son."The two then ascended the central staircase to the second story,

where a pair of guards defended a large pair of doors. "What business have you with His Majesty--oh, Supreme General Bucks! A pleasure to see you again! And would this be your son?"

"One of my sons, yes.""Please, enter."The sentinels opened the doors, letting Bucks and his son enter

the monarch's hall. Jersha's flag hung from several places on the ceil-ing, bearing a beige temple with three columns, a triangular roof, and stairs, against a blue field. At the throne, they bowed before the King, who was a gerbil, brown-furred, blue-eyed, and with short blonde hair, dressed in blue and beige garments matching the flag's hues. Standing nearby was a mule priest, dressed in the Church of Asgard's signature white and gold garbs, which included a golden skullcap atop his short blonde hair; his fur was brown and his eyes blue just like the King's.

"Welcome, friends. Please tell me why you visit.""Grave events have befallen our homeland," stated Bucks."Do speak of them," invited the King, who heard both Bucks

and his son's experiences. "Very grave news, indeed. We shall do whatever we can to aid the troubled nations of Ymir. We shall send soldiers up there, and maybe even spies all the way to Niflheim..."

"If Your Majesty seeks spies, then I would be glad to go to Ni-flheim," volunteered the mule vicar. "I have, after all, had past experi-ence with espionage."

"Are you certain, Cardinal Mull? Surely, the faithful would de-sire your presence here."

"Would not a man of faith be able to bring even the slightest ray of light to Niflheim?"

"If you wish to convert them, they would surely martyr you...""Espionage, Your Majesty, would be my main goal there.""But they would still try and hunt you down...""Though conversion, and possible incitement of insurrection

within the Niflheim Empire, would be secondary goals."

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"In either case, your life would still be at stake.""Not if I go incognito, Your Majesty.""But it is far too risky, Cardinal.""If I cannot go for Your Majesty, then I shall go for God.""I will not contest your decision, then.""I thank Your Majesty.""We shall pray for your safety as you go.""I will leave tomorrow, sire. I shall take a ship from Flora to

Vanaheim, which I will tread to find a port willing to take me to the heart of the Niflheim Empire."

"Hey, we're going to Flora, too!" indicated Judge."Truly? If so, would you be willing to let me travel with you?""It would be folly to deny a priest's request," complied Bucks."My thanks, sir."The King then indicated, "Well, the afternoon draws near! Let

us feast, shall we?""Certainly," agreed the former Supreme General, after which

the Buckses ate lunch with George VII, King of Jersha, Cardinal Azell Mull, and countless top officials, enjoyed the rest of the day, ate din-ner, and called it a night, sleeping well.

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Chapter VIII

The Flight to Flora

Following what was perhaps his best night of sleep in a while, Judge awoke a little before the first hour of the Tenth of Odin's Daylight Pe-riod, getting out of bed, stretching, and illuminating the lamps near the door. He dressed himself in the attire he had gotten back in Virgo, belting it all with his sword belt. Since breakfast hadn't come yet, Judge decided to pass time by practicing a few moves with his blade, being careful not to cut anything in his room. Once he heard knocks at the door, he stopped practicing and sheathed his sword, heading to the entrance, unlocking and opening it to reveal a butler, from whom he got his breakfast, which he enjoyed.

Then he went to the entrance hall, meeting his family and Car-dinal Mull. After a few words, they headed to the stable area, where they got the roach and carriage and Beasley, the former which Bar-bara, her younger boys, and Cardinal Mull took, and the latter whom Bucks and his eldest son mounted. Once ready, they exited the stable building onto the front roads of Jersha Palace, heading to the western entrance and exit, where royal soldiers gladly opened the gates for them to reenter the streets of Atlas. The family and Cardinal's trip be-gan in a westerly direction through the current wooded neighborhood.

The travelers ultimately departed the street upon which the royal palace sat, going roughly southwest through the wooded neigh-borhood still, passing an Aesir academy and some apartment com-plexes along the way. A park followed, not to mention a large Aesir cathedral, and then a smaller chapel. After a youth center, the wayfar-ers turned south onto a wider road, somewhat thicker with traffic since they were, after all, in a big city. Trees mainly lined the highway, al-though the Cardinal and the Buckses did pass a few parks along the way, indistinguishable from the winter wilderness, as well as a gymna-sium and another apartment complex.

As the highway curved southeastward, the travelers passed a few hospitals and a bazaar, more apartment buildings, and a few stan-

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dard houses. A Judean synagogue became visible east of the highway, as well, with the road now running due southward, another significant sight being a business specializing in the production of comics, which the Younger Judge was aware originated in the Nipponese Empire, an Aesir chapel being across the street, as well. A coliseum passed on the western side, not to mention a gymnasium and a few sports fields, as well as a high school on the eastern edge, with the road ultimately di-viding a university campus.

A hospital passed to the east, not to mention a few restaurants, with an apartment complex being visible to the west following the end of the university campus. The highway ultimately fell southeastward away from the apartments, with some restaurants to the south and an-other Aesir cathedral to the north. Past a park and a secular school ran the road, not to mention another academy with the name Sacred Heart, with Judge the Younger wondering if it was religious or not. As the highway passed a middle school to the east, it curved southward, run-ning past a few marketplaces and then curving southwestward beyond a hospital and some pharmacies.

Next came a few government buildings, large stables, and a large domed construction the Younger Judge assumed was the Jershan Parliament. Afterward the highway curved due southward, passing a few banks to the west and several stable buildings to the east that ad-joined a sports field. Then followed a wooded residential area, the road curving south-southwestward, although a junior university followed the abodes, as did an Aesir cathedral. After this, the route curved south-southeastward, passing a playground along the way that few children braved. The highway ran southward again through more resi-dential areas and the occasional apartment complex, not to mention a few businesses.

Ultimately came a point where residences lined the highway's western side and warehouses the eastern side, an Aesir academy inter-rupting the abodes. Undeveloped wilderness followed, although a few more buildings, among them a post office, did become visible after about a kilometer. Whereas foreland dominated the western side of the highway, more buildings, including a few inns and carriage shops, dominated the east, with the cricket and carriage having finally de-parted Atlas into the town of Forest Park, with warehouses being the dominant sight afterward on the eastern side. As the highway ran south-southeastward, an aviators' museum became visible, although

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the Younger Judge knew that his family had bigger tasks ahead.A quarry was eventually visible through the western woods,

with some marketplaces to the east, the highway then curving east-southeastward beyond some small residences and apartments. A forested residential area quickly came, the Younger Judge hoping that his family would find an equally-serene place to settle in due time. Al-though the residences continued on the route's northern side, a vast bazaar with plenty of stable buildings became visible to the south, but plenty of other businesses and marketplaces followed. Residential area reappeared in the north as the highway curved southeast, with a uni-versity across the street, followed by ever more businesses.

The houses in the north ultimately fell away, replaced by generic winter wilderness, although a few hospitals became visible south of the route in the town of Jones. A theater and accompanying stable building were present as well, along with some apartments to the south and an Aesir preschool to the north. Woods then dominated the north, with a large carriage shop then dominating the south, not to mention a few marketplaces. Some inns became visible to the north, and another university to the south, after which the road curved south-east between wilderness and an open field beyond which was a parallel road that ultimately merged with that the cricket and carriage occu-pied.

A neighborhood then became visible through the southwestern trees, as well as a public swimming pool and more houses through the northeastern wilderness. A field opened up to the southwest after the wayfarers entered the town of Stock, a golf course to the south and more neighborhoods, followed by ever more wilderness, to the north. They soon entered a commercial area, with many diverse bazaars and restaurants, followed by, unsurprisingly, more woods, and a lake visi-ble through the southwestern trees. Afterward, the highway curved south-southeastward, with no signs of civilization through the wilder-ness, although the trees briefly fell away to give way to some open fields, buildings visible at a distance through them.

By now the party had entered the town of McDonald, whose founders Judge the Younger assumed were of Eirish descent, Eire be-ing a Kingdom across the Atlas Ocean in the Alfheim continent, and part of the islands of Britannia, close to the Grand Duchy of Otterland. Through the western woods was a gypsy community visible, and after-ward, an Aesir cathedral and accompanying academy on the eastern

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side, another grand bazaar being across the road. Directly south from the Aesir church and school was a theater, which the Younger Judge assumed perhaps performed Aesir-themed plays and shows. The forest the travelers then reentered, though a neighborhood quickly became visible through the western trees.

The town of McDonald quickly reappeared, bringing a neigh-borhood to the north that yet another grand bazaar followed, with a few inns and shops ultimately lining both sides of the highway. The wilderness briefly reappeared before various shops and a carriage em-porium followed, not to mention a few corporate buildings. McDonald eventually gave way to Locust Grove, with locusts, unsurprisingly, serving as transportation for most of the town's inhabitants, as they did across Terra, some apartment buildings at the time visible through the western trees. After a stretch of wilderness did the town reappear, mostly in the form of inns, although Judge the Younger assumed he and his family would likely be overnighting at another royal palace.

Trees soon populated the western side of the highway, and a large marketplace the east, the road now running south through the wilds of the Kingdom of Jersha. The current stretch of wilderness was far longer, although a pair of farms on either side of the highway inter-rupted the great forest, the road curving south-southeastward. The town of Jack ultimately came, commenced by some residences, with the Younger Judge somewhat pitying those who chose to live in the middle of what he believed was nowhere. Another farm quickly bor-dered the eastern side of the highway, followed by another towards the southwest. Farms were now surprisingly more common until the town of Jack reappeared, some small restaurants breaking the wilderness.

Southward the road curved, past a shop to the west that sold carriages of diverse houses, some that could double as residences, per-haps for vagrants such as gypsies. The wilderness bore a more rugged appearance afterward, the road running southeast, ultimately settling in a south-southeasterly direction, although it soon ran due southeast in the middle of the woodlands. A farmfield was one of few sights the wayfarers saw through the western woods, although some small abodes did line the eastern side of the highway. The rugged appear-ance of the woods soon gave way to more traditional, albeit equally-barren, snow-covered woods.

These woods briefly fell away on both sides of the highway to make way for picnic areas, ideal for travelers, although the Buckses

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and Cardinal Mull would likely receive their next meal in a palace were they to make it to Flora's capital by lunchtime. Finally came an-other town, Forsyth, commenced by a grand park to the northeast and a soldiers' academy to the southwest. Businesses and residences, not to mention the occasional Aesir church, alternated in this town, with a carriage-laden gypsy community soon lining both sides of the high-way, the carriages perhaps purchased from the previous carriage store back in Jack.

East-southeastward the highway then curved through the wilderness, although farmfields ultimately dominated the south for a kilometer or so, after which uncultivated fields and wilderness alter-nated somewhat. Alongside a quarry on the western side of the route did it curve south-southeastward, quickly turning due south into the town of Boling, which more wilderness and low-density housing fol-lowed, uncultivated fields and woods alternating again afterward. A sign soon indicated the town of Macon, though no buildings were visi-ble at first. However, they soon came in the form of an apartment com-plex to the south, the road then running southeast between a neighbor-hood to the south and a few inns to the north.

More neighborhoods followed, with an Aesir church among them, after which the highway curved south-southeastward, soon reen-tering Macon, more inns being visible, as well as a few shops. After a little more wilderness came a college with a few sports fields to the west and some inns to the east, some restaurants among them too. South in the middle of the woods curved the highway once again, be-fore running south-southeastward alongside another neighborhood. Due south it briefly ran once more, following which came a south-southwestward curve that took the travelers beyond a few quarries, a bank, and a pharmacy, still within the vicinity of Macon.

Briefly did yet another quarry border the highway on the west, residences to the west and a store replacing the quarry, after which came some open fields, some cultivated by farmers. Then did the ter-rain alternate between quarries, uncultivated fields, farmed fields, and, unsurprisingly, ever more wilderness, the route ultimately settling southward between residences to the west and a store selling carriages of diverse sizes to the east, commencing the community of Byron, containing several inns, restaurants, and other shops. A grove of trees became visible to the east, followed by parallel lines of bushes that ob-viously yielded fruits or vegetables.

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South the highway continued through Byron, passing through more wilderness interrupted by the occasional house, not to mention farmfield, with the woods eventually giving way to more open fields, cultivated and uncultivated alike, among the most significant of these being a crosshatched grove of trees. Lakes became visible to the east and west as well, replaced by thick wilderness interrupted by the occa-sional open field, some harvested by farmers. The town of Perry com-menced with a few small eateries and inns, ultimately replaced by more wilderness and a wooded neighborhood, although the businesses quickly came again, with a more significant sight being a fairgrounds with many diverse tents of various sizes and colors to the east.

The Younger Judge sighed, knowing that he would likely never visit the carnival anytime soon, and hoping that wherever his family settled, there would be something for decent entertainment. The fair-grounds quickly fell behind, replaced by farmfield east and west, those in the latter direction consisting mostly of trees likely harvested for fruit. Then did the woods return in full force, albeit with the occasional serene snow-covered field. The town of Elk began with a small food market and a gypsy community respectfully on the west and east sides of the highway, the wilderness returning afterward. Vast farmfields ul-timately came first on the west side of the route, but then both sides.

The town of Yuna came first with a carriage shop, although it mostly seemed to be a farming community, a gypsy settlement appear-ing within the burg. Winter wilderness followed for about a kilometer, replaced again by vast farmfields that continued into the town of Pine. The equally-agricultural settlement of Vienna, which the eldest Bucks child assumed took its identity from the capital of the Austrian Empire in Alfheim, cam afterward, woodlands dominating the community as well. The settlement of Cord then came, its most significant sights be-ing a few small restaurants, not to mention a high school and a few farmfields, beyond which the cricket and carriage turned southwest.

Through woods and plains did the Buckses and Cardinal Mull tread, the highway curving due westward as it continued through the community of Cord, another significant sight being a prison, with the Younger Judge aware that prisoners in any nation of Terra typically and rightfully used for slave labor. Farmfields and forests alternated as the highway curved southwest again before briefly running due south beyond a bait shop and curving southwest once more past a cemetery (with the wayfarers respectfully crossing their hearts) and a school

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with the unusual name of Crisp Academy, Judge the Younger wonder-ing if perhaps the school specialized in the culinary arts.

The highway ultimately settled in a south-southwesterly direc-tion past more farmfields and forests, turning southwest beyond a fire station where roaches and firefighting carriages, as well as the firemen themselves, awaited their next emergency. A restaurant with the un-usual name of Nell's Generations was shortly afterward visible, fol-lowed by a general store and a hardware store. Due southwest the road ultimately ran past yet another cemetery, beyond which was a bridge across a river that gave the travelers no trouble, the route afterward running south-southwestward through more farmfields into the town of Warwick, which had a grocer and yet another cemetery.

The wanderers yet again crossing their hearts, they continued southwest, and then south-southwest, through more rugged terrain that yielded, to everyone's surprise, another cemetery in the town of Oak, provoking them to repeat their respectful ritual again. The highway ul-timately curved roughly southward passed more cultivated fields and bushy terrain, a laundromat lining the road, beyond which were some large farmfields and a curve southwest through more woods and culti-vated fields. The town of Albane began with a carriage shop, the route afterward taking a west-southwesterly curve through ever more wood-lands that contained the occasional abode, as well as a pub.

Past a travel center the wayfarers rode, with the former Supreme General leading Beasley along an intersection running west-ward, a neighborhood to the south and farmfields and plains to the north. Quickly afterward did they turn southward, continuing through the community of Albane past a paper factory and into the town of East Doe, commenced by an Aesir cathedral, although surprisingly, they reentered Albane afterward, some farmfields appearing among the wilderness and neighborhoods. The route took a south-southwest curve in the middle of the woods, which seemed to contain more clear-ings than normal, and the occasional vast field, cultivated or not.

The wilderness thinned somewhat as the highway ran south-ward into the town of Bank, which didn't seem to harbor any sort of fi-nancial institutions as far as the Younger Judge could see, although he and his father could glimpse great farmfields that a pacific wooded neighborhood followed. Cultivated fields and forests then alternated, the latter being more common, although a great plain did become visi-ble through the western woods. After more farmfields came the quaint

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community of Camilla, in the middle of which the Elder Judge steered Beasley due westward, taking her back southward after about a kilo-meter, south ultimately becoming south-southwestward. Farmfields and forests again alternated, along with the occasional lake and quarry.

The cultivated fields that followed seemed far greater than those the travelers had previously encountered, although they ulti-mately gave way to another alternation of woods and smaller farm-fields. A cemetery the wayfarers passed in the town of Lime, everyone again crossing their hearts if able, the Younger Judge on the lookout for indicators of the town's nomenclature yet finding none. Another graveyard and another crossing of hearts came in the hamlet of Spencer, farmfields seeming more common afterward into the town of Cairo, the eldest Bucks boy aware it shared its name with the capital of the Kingdom of Egypt in the Muspelheim continent, which also har-bored the World Tree Yggdrasil in the Kingdom of Babylonia.

A small cemetery came in Cairo, the travelers aware of what to do then, following which were more farmfields and woods, the high-way curving southeast and then south-southeast. The town reappeared a few kilometers later, the Elder Judge guiding Beasley along a southerly intersection that ultimately led them southeast beyond a hos-pital, the highway curving south beyond a barbecue joint. In the ham-let of Duncanville was another graveyard, everyone crossing their hearts in respect and experiencing a southeasterly curve afterward, al-though the road rebounded between south and southwest. The Buckses and Cardinal Mull took little surprise to see one more graveyard when the town of Thomas commenced, followed by another.

After the second cemetery (and odd return to the town of Dun-can) did the former Supreme General of Connexion turn southwest, heading beyond a furniture store and barbecue restaurant, the road now running south-southwestward to the international border between the Kingdoms of Jersha and Flora, many wooden saltires indicating the boundary between the nations, the light border indicating that perhaps the two countries were on good terms. Everyone stopped so that the sentinels could confirm their identities via their passports, after which their trip resumed, the climate of the Kingdom of Flora seeming a little warmer than that of Jersha.

Southward the highway then ran, passing many bushy fields before running southwest, a high school indicating the commencement of Flora's capital city, Tellah. Past many restaurants, bazaars, and

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pharmacies the wayfarers went, soon entering a peaceful neighborhood before the eateries and other businesses dominated the city again. Yet another neighborhood followed, in the middle of which was the Good Shepherd Aesir Church, the Younger Judge firmly believing that the Church of Asgard was a good shepherd for the people of Terra. The travelers came to another commercial sector of Tellah, where the road curved south-southeastward beyond a college and more restaurants.

Southeast the route then curved, beyond a hospital, a carriage parts store, and a travel agency, before running due south. The road took some more curves between southwest and south-southwest before the Elder Judge turned west-southwestward onto a different road that ran past another hospital and through another neighborhood. Beyond a middle school and performing arts center did the wayfarers travel, af-ter which the former Supreme General turned northward, passing some more businesses and ultimately arriving at a quadrant with tall stone walls that was undoubtedly a place of great import. The Elder Judge turned east and then north to reach the entrance gates of what his son assumed was a royal palace.

"Welcome," greeted one of the royal guards. "What business may you have with His Majesty?"

"I wish to inform His Majesty of dark tidings surrounding our homeland, the Connexion Republic."

"What for dark tidings?""The Nidhoggr bring war to the north.""The Nidhoggr? That might be an area of which His Majesty

would be knowledgeable, since he is, after all, of Aesir ancestry.""I was also Supreme General of Connexion," the Elder Judge

indicated, presenting his passport, as did his son, the rest of the Bucks clan, and Cardinal Mull.

"Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, eh? Rings a bell. If you do have important business with His Majesty, you may enter."

"Our thanks," bid the former Supreme General as he retrieved his passport, everyone else getting theirs back as well.

The sentinels opened the gates, and Beasley and the carriage passed through, quickly reaching the palace's front, where another sol-dier offered, "May I take your cricket and carriage?"

"You certainly may," agreed the Elder Judge, he and his son dismounting Beasley, and his wife and her children, along with Cardi-nal Mull, got off the carriage.

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Another pair of royal sentinels held open the pair of doors giv-ing entrance into the palace, whose interior hues were largely green, a few Floran flags hanging from the ceiling. The flag consisted of a dark green saltire centered by a circle within which, surprisingly, was the Emblem of Asgard, three golden crosses, the central one larger than the other two, an indication that Flora bore some kind of connection to the Holy Kingdom of Asgard. While most of the Bucks clan decided to sit within the sofas and chairs centering ground floor of the entrance hall, the former Supreme General, his eldest son, and Cardinal Mull separated from them, ascending the main staircase to a large pair of doors unsurprisingly defended by another duo of Floran soldiers.

"Greetings. Do you have business with His Majesty?""I do. I am Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, the former Supreme

General of Connexion.""And I'm his son, Judge the Younger.""Cardinal Azell Mull of Jersha.""A shame what's become of Connexion," lamented the second

soldier, before facing the Younger Judge and inquiring, "I'm sure the grownups here will be discussing things that are of disinterest to you."

"I've been through a lot in recent days, sir, so I assure you that it would be of interest to me."

"He speaks sooth," affirmed the Elder Judge."Very well, you all may enter. Be polite before His Majesty,

especially you, young sir.""I may be young, but I know respect.""So you say..."The guards held open their respective doors, the party of three

entering the grand throne room, ever more royal soldiers defending both sides, and many Floran flags hanging from the arched ceiling. As they advanced forth, the Younger Judge could see that the monarch and his family were vulpine, most bearing a green hue, and surpris-ingly, having green-feathered wings. The first of the green foxes, a vixen appearing to be of middle age, stood alongside the throne, while a younger male green reynard occupied the throne itself. Another vixen who was orange-furred, red-haired, blue-eyed, and wingless, ap-peared to be the King's consort, while the remaining two appeared to be their issue, one being a green vixen like her father and the other be-ing a reynard resembling his mother, albeit with green-feathered wings.

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The very appearance of this vulpine family brought the three visitors to their knees, the monarch himself ultimately bidding, "You may rise."

The trio did so. "Do impart your words to us."The three did so, with the monarch, King Jeremiah, noting,

"Very troubling indeed. We shall certainly lend our strength to you. Flora's Navy is unsurpassed, and has proven effective in our battles against the island Kingdom of Kobold, under control of the Nidhoggr. We may also be able to call upon Asgard's help, because most of us, of House Zora, have connections, and blood ties, to the Holy Kingdom."

"Indeed," the elder green vixen affirmed. "I am Victoria Thomasine Vulpesgod Zora, Queen Dowager of Flora and daughter of Lord and Lady Vulpesgod of Asgard. My older sister Francine is con-sort to the King of Foxwood in Britannia, and, being the elder issue, bears the White Wood Rune."

"I do not have blood ties to Asgard, being a native Floran," the wingless vixen noted, "but Lady Victoria speaks sooth. I am Queen Valeria Vanessa Fox Zora, consort to His Majesty."

"I'm Princess Columbia," the younger green vixen, who ap-peared to be around Jed's age, introduced, while seeming to take a lik-ing to the Younger Judge. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."

"Likewise," added the young winged reynard. "I'm Festus, Crown Prince of Flora."

"Nice to meet you all," Bucks assured. "I have seen very few of Your Majesty's kind. I am glad we could tell our stories, and intend to inform the other nations of Ymir of my homeland's plight." "Shall we be of assistance?"

"Come again?""Bucks, you needn't act as a diplomat alone. Surely other mes-

sengers could help spread the word of the Nidhoggr's twisted doings.""But I think an ex-Supreme General should spread the word.""Well then, perhaps you could write a few letters informing of

Connexion's downfall.""Word of mouth would surely be more poignant than word of

paper, Your Majesty.""If you wish to squander your time informing of Connexion's

downfall, we suppose we cannot stop you, but we should mention that the Republic of Stellasolum, west across the Aztec Gulf, seeks a new Supreme General for its Army." "Truly, Your Majesty?"

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"Indeed.""My family and I shall go there, then.""Someone of your experience would be fit for the job.""Indeed.""If you wish to stay here for the rest of the day, feel free to do

so, although the St. Marcus Abbey to the south would surely give you and Cardinal Mull ships to your desired destinations."

"We shall stay for lunch, at least.""So we see. Columbia, you may lead these men outside.""Yes, father," agreed the Princess, who took Judge's hand. Dur-

ing the walk outside the hall, she told him, "You are as pure as King Odin Himself."

"Um, thanks, Your Highness.""I wouldn't be surprised if you were related to him.""I take mostly after my mother.""Oh, I see. But you are welcome to stay here, if you wish.""Thanks, but I'll follow my father to Stellasolum.""You love your father, don't you?""He's my hero. He was once a great military leader, after all.""I hope he becomes a Supreme General again in Stellasolum.""Thanks, Your Highness."At this time, Bucks, his son, the Cardinal, and the Princess had

descended the stairs outside the throne room to ground floor, rejoining the rest of the Bucks family. Barbara noted, "Ah, welcome back."

"Hello," Jed greeted Princess Columbia. "I'm Jedediah, one of Judge's brothers. Are you a princess?"

"Indeed, and it is nice to meet you, Jedediah.""Please, you can call me Jed.""Very well, then, Jed. You and your family will always be wel-

come here.""Thanks. In fact, I was actually thinking about staying behind

here, since I'm sort of sick of escaping from the Nidhoggr.""He shall do no such thing!" argued Barbara."Really, my father wouldn't mind at all," assured Columbia."I wouldn't mind, either," added Bucks. "Barbara, dear, I don't

wish to drag our children around the world forever. They do need to settle down somewhere one of these days so they can attend school. What better place for a boy to grow than with a royal family?"

"But he's our son!" Barbara insisted. "We can't just leave him

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behind like that!""To be honest, Mom, I'm a bit tired of traveling all over Ymir

as well," Judge contributed."Not you too!""No! I still want to follow Father wherever he goes, but I think

Jed's perfectly capable of making his own decisions.""But he's just four!""The Zoras are good people, I know it," Bucks assured."And don't worry, I'll right often if you eventually settle down

somewhere. At least you'll know where I am.""But then again, you may never know where we are," sug-

gested Judge. "Not that I object to you staying here, either.""And it's a bit...hard, to let go of one of my children," Barbara

tearfully added, "but I guess I don't want them to wander around for-ever like refugees, either, so I guess Jed's welcome to stay here if it's for the better."

"Will you miss me, bro?" Jed asked Judge."Sure! You've been my brains as long as you've lived.""Hope you'll do without me, then!""I'll try to make ends meet, of course.""If you really want to stay here, son," began Bucks, "you

should inform the King.""We can do so after lunch," Princess Columbia assured.

"The boy may stay," King Jeremiah assured after lunch while everyone headed to the palace stables, ready to leave.

"I thank Your Highness," Jed assured."I'll definitely miss you, Judge," Princess Columbia noted."Why? Your Highness barely knows me.""I see in your eyes that you'll do great things one day.""Uh, thanks, I guess. Goodbye, Your Highness, and you too,

Jed. I hope we meet again one day.""Yeah, I hope for the best for everyone!""Don't forget about us!" cried Barbara as she embraced Jed."I'll be fine, mom, really.""Bye... bye..." Nyle bid as he hugged Jed as well."I'll miss you too. I hope this new life works out for me.""Shall we leave now?" Bucks then wondered, getting no reply.Nonetheless, Bucks and Judge saddled and mounted Beasley,

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and Barbara loaded herself and her children into the carriage, Cardinal Mull taking the roach's reins. Then everyone departed the stable build-ing to the front of the palace, with the royal guards at the gates open-ing them to allow them back into the streets of Tellah. The travelers rode north to the current street's termination, where they turned east, both sides of the streets thick with trees, and then turned south into an-other commercial area of the capital, passing an inn, a bedroom furni-ture store, a carriage part store, a restaurant, and a bank.

The buildings of Tellah were somewhat larger than in other cities the wayfarers had visited, most of them evidently belonging to the Floran government. The highway began to curve south-southeast-ward past a lake to the east in the shape of a padlock, fields with occa-sional trees being present to the east and an Aesir cathedral being present to the east in the middle of the woods. The eight o'clock bells rang as they traveled the streets of Tellah, passing carriage shops lin-ing both sides of the highway, not to mention a pharmacy and other businesses. Woods, buildings, fields, and quarries then alternated, al-though forests ultimately became the dominant sight.

Some lakes and quarries passed as the wayfarers went onward, although again, woodlands dominated the Kingdom's terrain, inter-rupted by occasional stretches of buildings. Although the density of said buildings was somewhat lower than in the sector of the city har-boring the royal palace, the city of Tellah seemed fairly endless, as had been the case with some other towns and cities throughout Ymir. A farm even appeared lining the eastern side of the highway, giving the Younger Judge the impression that the capital was undoubtedly for people of diverse occupations and backgrounds. Tellah, however, fi-nally ended when a sign indicated the town of Crawford, commenced by none other than a liquor store.

The neighborhoods of Crawford were fairly quaint, not to men-tion heavily wooded, the occasional business, such as a carriage parts shops, interrupting the residences. A vast farm consisting mostly of groves of trees soon lined the eastern side of the highway, although the fields quickly fell behind. Eventually, a citadel with great white walls and Aesir flags flying from its towers came, with winged soldiers pa-trolling the walls, and occasionally taking to the skies during their pa-trols. A pair of the feather-winged soldiers guarded the large wooden entrance doors, both taking notice of the cricket and carriage and natu-rally halting them for security purposes.

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"Welcome to Saint Marcus Abbey," greeted one guard. "May we see some passports, please?"

"Indeed," replied Bucks, showing his and Judge's passports; Barbara and Cardinal Mull got off the carriage to show theirs as well.

"You're all clear."Then did the soldiers open the giant doors, allowing the way-

farers to travel through the vast doorway into the Abbey, which, sur-prisingly, contained as much wilderness as the exterior, with some pri-vate businesses such as a sandwich shop even operating within the Ae-sir territory. Another shop catching Judge's attention was one that spe-cialized in selling various products from the seas such as seashells and fish. They ultimately entered the town proper, among its many sights being a few seafood markets and grocers, not to mention the occa-sional church. However, their main destination was the docks, since the Buckses and Cardinal Mull would be parting ways there.

Barbara left her carriage and roach in the stable building by the docks, while Bucks and his eldest son, the former holding Beasley's reins, approached a winged sailor, the Cardinal greeting, "Good after-noon. We need two ships, one to Stellasolum and one to Niflheim."

"Well, it just so happens that we have a ship leaving at nine o'clock, and while it won't take you all the way to Niflheim, it'll go south to Fort Evergreen, and they might do something for you."

"Good to hear, sailor. The Buckses here will take the ship to Stellasolum, and I hope you can accommodate them."

"Oh, certainly! We'll take care of the cricket, and if you have any other transportation, we'll take care of it as well, not to mention the family, as well!" The sailor then whistled to Bucks while Barbara went back to the stable building to recover the roach and carriage. "You, sir! You the leader of your little clan?"

"Indeed. I am Judge Victor Hartford Bucks.""Huh, doesn't that name ring a bell, eh?""Yes, I was Supreme General of the Connexion Army.""Really? In that case, nice to meet you, Mr. Supreme General!""Charmed, for sure.""Anyway, you all hop aboard! Me and my boys here'll take

care of your transportation.""Well, I guess it's goodbye," bid Cardinal Mull as he headed to

his vessel. "Oh, and good luck in Stellasolum, Bucks.""You'll need far more in Niflheim, for sure," Bucks replied.

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"Yeah, thanks. I'm sure your luck will be greater than mine. You were a Supreme General before, and soon you'll be one again!"

"Or maybe not, if fate is unkind.""Stay positive! You will be their next Supreme General!""Unless someone else has already taken the post.""Why do you worry?""Because I do not wish to set anyone up for disappointment.""Just...keep your sanity, then!""I will try...""I do hope we meet again one day, Bucks.""As do I..."Cardinal Mull and Bucks then separated, with the former ven-

turing to a small Aesir clipper and the latter taking his family to a larger ship. Once aboard, the family separated, with Judge leaning near one of the sides while his father surveyed the sailors, his siblings (aside Martin, still with Barbara) went below deck, and the white deer himself watched his mother return with the roach and carriage, which the sailors tugged aboard thanks to a roped platform and transported below deck through horizontal doors. Once the ninth hour arrived, the sailors removed the planks between the ship and jetty, and raised the anchor, with the ship then leaving.

The ships that the Bucks dynasty and Cardinal Mull took, dur-ing the first part of the journey across the river, remained together, the ships moving at a steady pace through the waters to the southwest, al-though they ultimately took a branch that took them between south and southeast. The terrain lining the river was fairly marshy, albeit with trees at a distance, not to mention several narrower streams endlessly branching off from the main waterway. The tributary ultimately widened, the large and small vessels then traveling south while the widened river aimed roughly south-southeastward. Both ships eventu-ally followed the river's direction as it opened up into the vaster waters of the Aztec Gulf.

Here did the vessels carrying Cardinal Mull and the Bucks family respectively separate southeast and southwest, the half-horse, half-donkey vicar emerging above deck and waving his adieus to the Piers-Bucks clan. Even after he waved goodbye, he continued to gaze upon the Bucks' vessel until both had separated a great distance. All the Buckses except Judge remained above deck afterward, the white deer wishing to scope the terrain and the seas during the journey. Once

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the vessel was far enough from the Floran shores, winged Aesir sailors at the rear of the ship extended their hands towards the waters, shoot-ing streams of water to propel their ship faster across the Aztec Gulf.

Judge knew that these were Espers, Terrans with natural magi-cal abilities, and the first he had ever seen in his lifetime. They pro-pelled the vessel south-southwestward, ultimately turning southwest when near the Floran coastline, before settling for a longer time in a west-southwestwardly direction. Around the time the white deer heard twelve o'clock bells from the Floran coast, he retreated below deck for dinner, which consisted mostly of delicious seafood. Once full, Judge returned back above deck to enjoy the nautical scenery for the rest of the day, although one thing that somewhat prevented him from doing so was the sudden appearance of fog, which provoked the sailors to cease propelling the vessel magically, what with the need for increased caution in this kind of weather.

Still starting beyond the vessel's port side, Supreme General Bucks' eldest son noticed a ship-shaped shadow through the fog. Un-surprisingly, one of the sailors reported to the captain, "We have what looks like another ship approaching from the port side!"

"Is it hostile?" inquired the captain."We don't know yet, sir!""Be on alert, then!""Aye-aye, Captain!"The large mass soon revealed itself to be another ship, its wood

black, and Judge could glimpse the flags flying from its topmost mast. The topmost banner was that of the Niflheim Empire, while that below contained a red triangle alongside the pole centered by a white Nifl-heim Emblem, the flag's remainder consisting of alternating blue and white stripes. Judge recognized this as the flag of the Kingdom of Kobold, a nation he knew was under control of the Nidhoggr. Gazing down the ship's port side, he noticed cannons pop out of open wooden windows in anticipation of an attack.

"Captain, it's a Kobold vessel!" a sailor alerted."Open fire!" commanded the Captain.The Aesir vessel was first to shoot the Niflheim ship, although

a forcefield glimmered on the vessel's starboard side to indicate that it had repelled all their antagonist's projectiles. Unsurprisingly, the Kobold clipper retaliated, although sailors on the Aesir vessel elevated their hands and projected a forcefield that deflected the enemy's own

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cannonfire. Afterward, a winged Aesir sailor leapt beyond the port side and soared towards the hostile vessel, although its forcefield repelled him, as well, at first throwing him off balance, though he ultimately re-gained stability in the sky, then drawing his sword and stabbing the forcefield in an attempt to destroy it.

Several more winged seamen joined the single sailor, stabbing the Nidhoggr's forcefield as well, although crewmembers of the antag-onistic vessel, bat-winged demons, took flight as well and drew their own sabers, clashing with the Aesir above the waters separating their ships. Neither side seemed to gain the advantage, with both vessels' cannons ultimately aiming upward to shoot both the other ship's force-field and sailors, a few consequentially plummeting into the seas, al-though the forcefields, again, harmlessly deflected what cannonfire sought to down the barriers. Judge drew his own sword in case one of the Koboldan sailors managed to land upon the Aesir ship.

"Judge, boy, what are you doing?" the former Supreme General of Connexion angrily inquired. "We have to evacuate! It's too danger-ous for us to remain here!"

"I'm not afraid!" assured Judge."Look, son, I admire your courage, but we're facing an enemy

that we, as Moglis, stand no chance against. Let the Espers handle this while we evacuate! If only General Quill were here..."

"I know something I can do!""Oh, no, you don't!" countered the elder Judge as he grabbed

Judge by the collar."No, Dad, I'm serious!""You'll get yourself killed, son!" admonished Bucks as he be-

gan dragging his eldest son towards the starboard side.Still gazing across to the Nidhoggr vessel, Judge could notice

several hooded black-cloaked wraiths point their hands in the air, con-juring a giant sphere of fire that they ultimately flung towards the Ae-sir ship. While the forcefield deflected it, the consequential explosion quaked the ship, loosening Bucks' clutch on his son's collar, with the white deer afterward charging back towards the port side of the ship and leaping overboard, sheathing his saber as he dived into the seas below, briefly emerging from the waters for respiration. Then he re-turned underwater, quickly swimming below the Nidhoggr ship and not encountering the forcefield, soon reaching the other side.

Judge emerged above water on the port side of the Koboldan

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vessel, discovering, true to his expectations, that the Nidhoggr and sailors aboard were pouring all their energy into protecting the star-board side of their ship while ignoring the port side. Breathing again, he returned below water and unsheathed his sword, cutting a square into the ship's bottom and watching the water force it inside, the en-emy vessel beginning to sink. Going back above for another breath of air, the deer dived below once more and returned to the hole in an at-tempt to widen it, only for the opening to suck him inside, where he emerged above water to notice he had entered the ship's storage room, with many barrels and boxes.

Judge took relief that there were no enemies within the storage area, although he sought refuge behind the wooden stairs in case any-one was to come down here. The waters continued to rise, the storage room even slanting due to the deer having cut a diagonal hole, with the white warrior ultimately deciding to emerge from behind the stairs and ascend to the next floor, which was a hallway with many doors that, too, was vacant. Knowing that the hall would make him an easy target, Judge decided to seek refuge in one of the rooms, although in case someone already occupied the one he chose, he knocked upon its doors and flattened himself alongside the edge bearing the hinges.

Nobody answered, the deer then quickly opening the door and heading inside to discover a dark room, although he found a lantern by the entrance that he ignited thanks to some matches. This chamber was on the starboard side of the vessel, and therefore pointed away from the water, Judge then heading towards the window, drawing apart its curtain, and barely opening the shutters to notice that the Aesir vessel seemed undamaged, although sailors did stand near its port side in case their enemy were to retaliate. The skies above the seas between the an-tagonist vessels was empty, as well, making Judge suppose that the Aesir had won this battle, thanks to him.

As the vessel began tilting further portside, the deer immedi-ately closed the shutters and hooked them, flattening himself against the portside wall while feeling the ship tilt on its side with a great splash. Judge then got on his feet and slowly stood in case the wooden wall weren't sturdy enough to hold his weight, which it mercifully was. Afterward he stepped to the door, turning its knob and seeing it drop into the hall, splashing into the water that had downed the ship. Sur-prisingly, he noticed someone in the water, his or her features blurred, and more surprisingly, heading towards the open door, provoking the

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deer to step backward so he or she could emerge.The creature emerged, revealing itself to be a dolphin, which

Judge knew had the ability to breathe underwater, and was nude aside from seaweed loins. The cetacean landed, kneeling and holding a tri-dent, which he pointed at the deer, commanding something in a lan-guage that he recognized as Hispanian, official language of nations such as Hispania in Alfheim not to mention the Aztec Empire, which had adopted some influence from Hispanian explorers that visited the Empire. Judge unfortunately knew not the language, Anglian being the only one he could speak, but he could recognize occasional vocabulary from other languages, despite not being fluent in any of them.

"Sorry, I don't speak Hispanian," Judge affirmed."It's okay," the dolphin assured with an accented voice, raising

his trident and lowering its bottom to the wall. "I am fluent in several languages, Anglian being among them."

"Well, that's good to know. To whom do you owe your alle-giance, sir?"

"The Aztec Empire, which controls the entire Aztec Gulf and the land that bottoms it."

"Do you oppose Niflheim?""That we do, my friend.""It is safe outside?""The Kobold sailors have attempted to return via lifeboat to

their motherland, although we have taken many as prisoners of war for attempting to wage war with an Aesir vessel. The winged ones, how-ever, were able to flee back towards their homeland. Are you perhaps a survivor of this ship?"

"No, sir! I was aboard the Aesir ship when they attacked us, and I decided to help by trying to sink their ship."

"Well, then, you did a fine job, young one. We were prepared to do so ourselves."

"I've never met a Merman before; you're the first.""Am I?""Indeed. I've heard great things of underwater civilizations. A

pity that I don't have gills like you do.""In that case," the dolphin began as he drew from one of his

pockets a small green seaweed ball, "ingest this.""What is it?""You'll develop gills, and thus be able to breathe, not to men-

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tion communicate, underwater.""Really?""I jest not. Now eat it.""Yes, sir," agreed Judge as he took the ball and put it into his

mouth, immediately detecting its foul taste but reluctantly chewing and ultimately swallowing it. "So, when will my gills appear?"

"Just you wait.""Okay." After about a minute, Judge felt sudden craps from his

stomach that brought him to his knees. "Ugh...I feel sick.""That's a natural side effect. It'll eventually pass.""Ugh..." The pains then traveled throughout his upper chest,

being especially prominent above his nipples, although they eventually stopped after about a minute or so. "Whew..."

"You'll probably want to take off your shirt and vest if you wish to come with me."

"Yes, sir," agreed Judge, stripping his upper clothing and tak-ing no surprise to see gills above his nipples. "It worked."

"What did I tell you? Now you may follow us underwater.""Will the prisoners of war be okay?""Yes, we've fed them what I've just fed you.""By the way, I never did get your name.""Diego Delfin. What about you?""I'm Judge Victor Piers Bucks.""Bucks...can't say I'm familiar with anyone by that name.""My father was Supreme General of Connexion, but I'll save

that for later, Mr. Delfin.""Please, you're welcome to call me Diego, Judge.""No problem, Diego.""Let us leave, then," noted the dolphin as he dove through the

doorway into the water, emerging and wondering, "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I'm coming!" assured Judge as he slid his legs through the doorway and allowed himself to drop underwater.

"Can you hear me?" the deer could hear Diego inquire."Loud and clear! Can you hear me as well?""Yes, I can! Let's go!"The deer and dolphin then swam through the submerged hall-

way of the downed ship, heading towards the stairs leading into the bottommost storage area and departing the vessel through the hole that

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the former had cut. Diego led the way, and Judge followed, noticing other dolphins, orcas, manatees, and the occasional giant whale, drop-ping through the waters, some holding chains that bound the hands and feet of the Koboldan prisoners of war, whose upper shirts they had torn so they could breathe during their downward transportation. Di-verse fish swam throughout the seas as well, although Judge definitely preferred his cooked rather than raw, as he knew many Merman liked, given their evident inability to cook underwater.

After a few minutes, the deer could glimpse illumination com-ing from what he discerned was the bottom of the Aztec Gulf, assum-ing that the light came from jellyfish, one of the only nautical sources of luminosity. He was eventually able to discern the features of the un-derwater dwellings themselves, their shapes mostly hemispherical, and surprisingly, static hemispherical bubbles seemed to protect them as well, most interconnecting into a submarine settlement. The marine abodes were of diverse sizes, large and small, unsurprising given the differing volumes of the various species of Mermen. To avoid plum-meting onto the rooftops of one of the constructions not to mention a nasty fall to the streets and alleys separating the erections, Judge fol-lowed Diego towards the bottom of one of the bubbles, the two ulti-mately exiting the waters into one of the air-filled hemispheres and falling only briefly to the seafloor.

"Welcome to Delfin," Diego introduced what was evidently his underwater hometown.

"I take it your ancestors founded this place?""Indeed.""Are you or your father mayor, or something?""Neither of us are, and my father, along with the rest of my

family, is dead.""Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.""Yeah, they were killed by sailors from Kobold.""I see...""Anyway, I'm sure you're hungry, so I'll take you to my house.""Actually, I ate dinner before the ship attacked, although I

wouldn't mind dessert, if you have any.""Alright, do you like flan?""Haven't had any before, so I can't judge.""Believe me, it's delicious. Follow me!"Judge did so, then wondering, "So, have Mermen ever been at

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all involved in the wars between Asgard and Niflheim?""We mostly keep to ourselves, so no. Only when we need to

defend ourselves or anyone violates our sovereignty do we take part in any conflict among terranean nations."

"Do you follow any religion?""We Mermen tend to go with the flow, and since the Church of

Asgard is mostly followed in Azteca, there are a few submarine Aesir churches. The real challenge is constructing them so they can accom-modate Mermen of all shapes and sizes."

"Yeah, I can understand," noted Judge as the shadow of a giant whale passed the two.

"Being large has its good and bad points," Diego jested.The dolphin ultimately stopped before the front door of what

was evidently his abode, a decameter-wide hemisphere with an arched extension terminated by its wooden entrance door. Drawing a key from one of his pockets, Diego unlocked the door and allowed himself and Judge inside. As the dolphin went forth, the deer stood at the door, ready to close it when his new friend illuminated his house. The light quickly came, Judge then closing the door and entering the abode proper to see that the source of light was indeed a glowing jellyfish, a black curtain hanging from a nearby hook.

The interior was fairly simplistic, with no windows, unsurpris-ing given the absence of any form of underwater illumination other than jellyfish under the sea. There were, however, different quadrants that served as a normal multi-chambered abode's various rooms, such as a section with a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a nightstand with a black-curtained object Judge supposed was another glowing jellyfish not in use. Another section served as a kitchen, with an oven, an ice-box, cabinets, a counter, a sink, and cooking equipment hanging from the ceiling, with a table having a few chairs nearby. Finally, there was a living room area with a few comfortable-looking sofas and chairs, Judge occupying one of the latter and sighing with relief.

"Just sit back and relax, Judge, and I'll get you some flan. I'll have some as well."

The white deer waited as Diego went to the kitchen quadrant of his abode and opened the wooden icebox, removing a clay jar that evi-dently harbored the flan, placing it on the counter and retrieving from one of the cabinets a wooden spoon and two plates, which he set aside so he could unplug the jar and scoop the dessert, one lump per plate.

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Then he headed to the living room quadrant, handing Judge a spoon and one of the plates while he himself took a chair nearby and began eating. The deer scooped a small spoonful of flan with his spoon, put it into his mouth, sucked and chewed on it for a few seconds, and then swallowed, satisfied with the dessert.

"Not bad," he commented."Yeah, it's good, isn't it?""Indeed."The two quietly finished their desserts, with Diego afterward

taking the spoons and plates and to the kitchen sink to wash them, dry-ing them with a towel and putting them away. Yawning, he indicated, "Well, I think it's time we both call it a day, no?"

"Yes, I could sleep.""You're welcome to share my bed.""No thanks, I'll just crash on one of the sofas.""In that case, I'll get you a pillow and blanket," noted Diego,

going to the wardrobe and taking the aforementioned objects to Judge, who lay on one of the sofas to begin sleeping. "Good night, Judge."

"Good night, Diego," the deer responded, his cetacean friend covering the jellyfish by the entrance and undoubtedly heading to his own bed to slumber as well.

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Chapter IX

The Halls of Montezuma

"Wake up, Judge," Diego alerted the morning on the Eleventh of Odin, the deer doing so and noticing that his cetacean comrade had removed the drapery on the entrance lamp, the jellyfish illuminating his abode. "Breakfast is ready."

"What are we having?" wondered the white deer."Gaulish Toast.""Mmm, been a while since I've had that," noted Judge as he

leapt to his feet and traveled to the table, sitting and seeing a plate with two syrupy pieces of egg-battered and fried Gaulish Toast.

"Let us pray, first," stated Diego as he and his cervine friend bowed their heads, the former beginning, "Dearest Lord of Asgard, we thank You humbly for this food before us, and for the new companion-ship between us. We also thank You for sparing the lives last evening on the sea battle above Delfin, and hope that Judge, one of your many servants, ultimately reunites with his family. Have mercy on the pris-oners of war we have taken, and let them and the Niflheim Empire one day see Your glorious light so that all inhabitants of Terra may live in peace. In Your name we pray, amen."

"Amen," Judge echoed, he and Diego eating up.

After breaking their nighttime fasts, the dolphin told the deer, "This morning I help interrogate the prisoners of war we captured dur-ing last night's battle."

"Mind if I help?" wondered Judge."You helped us win the battle, so you're definitely welcome to

do so, Judge, my friend.""Thanks, I won't let you down.""Come along, then."Diego draped the entrance jellyfish, darkness enveloping his

abode again, after which he and Judge ventured through the short tun-nel to the door and exited into the Delfin underwater colony, then

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locking the entrance and beginning his trek through the submarine set-tlement. During their trip, many recognized and greeted Diego, unsur-prising since he was after all a descendant of the town's founders. Al-though he had a hand in the Koboldan ship's downfall, the deer didn't get any attention, although he did desire to keep a low profile in case spies from the Niflheim Empire had infiltrated the settlement. The two ultimately reached what was undoubtedly Delfin's jail, consisting of several clustered domes of diverse volumes, and entered through the double-doored entrance.

The jail's first chamber was an entrance hall with a few chairs and a counter behind which a female receptionist worked. Facing the ingress, she gave a Hispanian greeting that Judge couldn't compre-hend, Diego afterward returning the evident greeting with Hispanian dialogue of his own that lasted for a minute or so, the bull regularly facing and indicating the deer while the cow occasionally gazed at him as well and nodded. The conversation ultimately stopped, with Judge's friend indicating him to follow along, which he did, through the halls of the jail, ultimately reaching a thick wooden door with a barred win-dow through which both could see another Merman, although he didn't seem to be a Niflheim sailor.

Following more Hispanian dialogue, the door opened, reveal-ing a Merman guard holding a trident that allowed Diego and Judge to pass into a hallway with numerous thick wooden cell doors like that through which they had just passed. Several other sentinels wielding tridents patrolled the hall, with Delfin initiating a Hispanian conversa-tion with one of them, as well, the guard going to one of the cell doors and unlocking it, cautiously opening it afterward. The soldier entered, and following the sound of shackles and locks, he tugged out a chained Koboldan sailor, afterward shutting and locking the cell door, then sig-naling Diego and Judge to follow.

The Mermen eventually stopped before another apparent cell door that the guard unlocked and open, revealing a domed chamber centered by a table with chairs on either side. Upon entering, the sen-tinel relocked the entrance, escorting the sailor to one of the chairs and commanding him to sit, Diego occupying the opposite seat. Again did the Merman converse in Hispanian, the conversation lasting for about a minute or so, Judge assuming that it concerned strategy for interro-gating the prisoner of war. Following this, Diego inquired to the dark seaman something in Hispanian, although he responded in a different

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language that the deer couldn't comprehend, although he could tell from a few words that it was Aesir, official language of both the Holy Kingdom of Asgard and the Niflheim Empire, the latter founded by outcasts from the former state ages ago.

"What's he saying?" wondered Judge. "Do either of you speak Aesir? I also wonder if this prisoner speaks Anglian."

"Yes, I am fluent in Aesir," assured Diego, then facing the sailor and asking him something in the language, to which he shook his head, Judge of course recognizing the negative gesture. "Sorry, Judge, but I will translate all he hears."

"Thanks.""And feel free to ask your own questions if you have any.""I do, and will.""Very well, then." Diego afterward asked the sailor something

in Aesir, and as the seaman prepared to response, the dolphin held up one of his hands to signal him to remain silent, after which he trans-lated, "What's your name, sailor?"

Following some introductory words, Judge could discern the name "Negro Rata."

"His name is...""Negro Rata, I could tell," Judge interrupted Diego, knowing

that the sailor, true to his Hispanian identity, was a black rat. "I may not be fluent in Hispanian, but I do know a few words?"

"Do you, now?""You can continue," invited Judge."What's your rank?" Diego once again translated once he asked

another question in Aesir."Seaman," was the sailor's response."For whom do you work?""The Kingdom of Kobold, part of the Niflheim Empire.""Any person in particular?""Yes, I serve His Majesty Infidelus Castora, King of Kobold.""Was it he who ordered the attack on the Aesir ship?""No, we decided that ourselves.""Under whose orders, your Captain's?""His Majesty wants us to constantly patrol the Aztec Gulf in

case one of you bastards decides to attack us, and lo and behold, the Aesir ship was first to fire! We didn't have any damn intention of at-tacking that vessel at all!"

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"Then why did your ship return fire?""Self-defense, you numbskull!""Your ship, however, did make hostile maneuvers, namely by

pulling alongside the Aesir ship...""We intended to inform you that the King of Kobold wished to

negotiate a peace treaty with Flora!""Did you fly a white flag indicating that you came in peace?""Yes, we did..."He's lying!" Judge interrupted. "They were flying the flags of

Niflheim and Kobold, and I didn't see any white banners."Diego repeated this to the prisoner in Aesir, to which the rodent

responded, "He's the liar, not me!""Mr. Bucks here is a good...""DONT TELL HIM MY NAME!" Judge then snapped.The jail guard then pointed his trident at the deer, who leapt

backward to about its stab. Diego commanded, "Hold it!"Seaman Rata then began chuckling, observing in his accented

voice, surprisingly in Anglian, "So you're related to the Supreme Gen-eral, or should I say, former, Supreme General of Connexion, eh?"

"I thought you said you couldn't speak Anglian," Diego, also in Anglian, indicated.

"Like I'd tell you the whole truth, you fish-eating scumbag..."The guard then slammed Seaman Rata's back with the side of

his trident's prongs, shouting something in Hispanian that Diego trans-lated, "Show some respect, you filthy bastard!"

"Name-calling will get you nowhere..." the rodent scoffed."Hypocrite..." sneered Diego."What did I tell you?""Is your name really Negro Rata?""Only the Dark Lord knows, but I will say that I am indeed a

Seaman and am damn proud of my service to both the Kingdom of Kobold and the Empire of Niflheim."

"Serving tyrants is hardly something to be proud of!""How dare you insult our leaders! Like your vastly inferior po-

litical systems aren't loaded with corruption and plenty of other prob-lems of their own!"

"At least most of them have a choice in who leads them!""Ha! Whoever heard of a democratically-elected monarch?""Unelected authority is sometimes necessary to keep elected

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authority in check...""Checks and balances only weaken what good the government

wishes to do for their people. In the nations of Niflheim our leaders don't have to put up with that bullshit!"

"You do make some valid points," Judge remarked, not out of agreement, but in an attempt to maybe get the Niflheim sailor on his and the Mermen's side.

"Ha! Even the boy agrees with me! The dolphin said that your name was Bucks..."

"I don't know what you're talking about...""No who's the liar? You're the son of Supreme General Judge

Victor Hartford Bucks of Connexion, or should we now say, Convolu-tia? Like we'd keep the names of any filthy shithole we conquer!"

"How do you know who I am?""First of all, the leader of the Seven Satans, Lord Gogh the

Great, said that he saw someone in Withering Darkness who was as pure as King Odin Himself!"

"My God..." Judge muttered, recalling his encounter with the black goat in Withering Darkness.

"Like He'd help you! His soul is safely split...""Now answer me this," interrupted Judge. "You say that I'm as

pure as King Odin Himself...you're not the only person who said so.""Glad I'm not alone!""Who am I, really?""I'm pretty sure that birdbrained bitch General Quill would be

happy to answer that for you, but no, she had to flee west into the safety and comfort of the 'free' nations of Ymir!"

"Is she okay?""How the hell would I know, you Aesir dog? I'm pretty sure

that Lord Gogh and the Seven Satans would be happy to take care of her and remove one more obstacle in our conquest of Asgard!"

"Who is she, exactly?""Why, she's none other than Su--ugh, ugh, ack..."Something or someone had forced Seaman Rata's hands to his

throat in self-strangulation, provoking the two Mermen to rush to his side in an attempt to pry them away and prevent his death, the duo struggling for several seconds. As they did so, one of the walls that Judge determined was adjacent to one of the cells burst open with a hole, through which wandered a faceless Nidhoggr wraith that threw

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his arms apart, slamming the Mermen against the walls, the prisoner of war now free. However, his freedom was only short-lived, as the Nid-hoggr finished the job he had commenced, shooting fire from his left hand that incinerated Seaman Rata down to his skeleton.

As the wraith did so, Judge rushed him, unsheathing his sword and slashing his middle, causing the body to dissipate and the robes to fall to the stone floor. Getting the jail guard and Diego back on their feet, the deer inquired, "Are you two okay?"

"I think that bastard broke some of my bones," the dolphin re-sponded, his fellow Merman uttering some evident Hispanian curses, "but I guess that's enough interrogation for one day."

"Tell me about it," agreed Judge. "Now the Nidhoggr know who I am, but even I'm not sure anyone who I am, exactly."

"Our Emperor must be told," Diego noted, "and I think that you, Judge, should be the one to relay this news. Luckily, my arms still work so I can write you a letter you can give His Imperial Majesty."

"Will you be okay?""I've been through far worse.""Would you like me to carry you home?""I'd rather go to the town clinic.""You'll have to tell me how to get there, then. What of him?"The jail guard uttered something in Hispanian, and Diego

translated, "He says you can take him as well.""I'll get you both, then," indicated Judge as he took the dol-

phin's hands with one of his own while using his vacant hand to drag his fellow Merman along as well. As he did so, however, the interroga-tion room's entrance burst open, with several guards entering and aim-ing the prongs of their tridents at the deer, who explained, "I didn't do this, men! One of the prisoners of war did!"

Diego stated something in Hispanian, and one of the other jail guards, in Anglian, apologized, "I'm sorry, we'll get these two to the infirmary right away!"

"I'll come along!"The guards took Diego and the injured jail soldier from Judge,

slowly transporting them outside the interrogation chamber back into the hallway, where the deer noticed that the door leading into the adja-cent cell was open, through which he peered to notice the large hole into the inquisition room. A few other guards examined the room, and fortunately, it and the hallway appeared secure, the deer afterward fol-

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lowing the soldiers through the station, past the lobby, and into Delfin proper. The infirmary was just a few buildings away, everyone enter-ing its lobby area where several patients awaited care, the transporters of Diego and his fellow injured Merman going to the counter and com-municating in Hispanian again.

Nurses, male and female, brought a pair of stretchers for the in-jured Merman, the soldiers carrying them releasing them onto their cloth surfaces, after which they exited the hospital to return to the jail, likely in case the prisoners of war were to stir up trouble again. Judge followed the nurses through the infirmary's halls, the stretchers ulti-mately going into a room with two beds, the nurses elevating the in-jured Merman onto each and departing. Doctors came in afterwards with some paraphernalia such as a few rolls of cloth bandages and scissors to cut it, beginning the process of bandaging their patients' legs while communicating with them in Hispanian, with Diego in par-ticular seeming to ask for something.

While one of the doctors remained to observe the patients, the other departed, eventually returning with a clipboard, a piece of paper, a pen, and an envelope that Diego accepted, commencing his letter to the Aztec Emperor. Judge watched as his cetacean comrade wrote his message, although he took little surprise to notice that it was in His-panian, only recognizing a select few words such as his name, as well as the evident name of the Emperor, Montezuma III. After signing his name at the bottom, Diego wrote a few words alongside the Emperor's name on the envelope before folding the letter, placing it in inside, and licking the adhesive so he could seal it.

"Here you go," noted the dolphin as he handed the sealed letter to his cervine companion.

"Thanks. Now how exactly will I get to the capital of the Aztec Empire, wherever or whatever it is?"

"The capital is Aztec City, and I know a shortcut that can get you to the shores of the Empire."

"Really? What kind of shortcut?""Below most of our underwater settlements are fast-moving

streams that connect them. The closet they can get you to Aztec City is offshore Veracruz, in the Kingdom of Veracruz."

"Would that be the Kingdom's Capital?""No, that would be Xalapa. You need not inform all monarchs

of the Empire's Kingdoms of the threat of the Nidhoggr, for if you give

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the Emperor my letter, he will mobilize all the Empire's forces into de-fending his nation, and perhaps lend some support to the nations of Ymir, as well."

"It's going to be hard traveling alone," noted Judge. "I'll need some money for transportation, clothing, and maybe lodging once I get onto terrestrial Azteca."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry, just show that letter to Aztec soldiers on the surface and they'd be happy to take you to their capital. Some of them might even know me!"

"I see. Where are the steams of which you speak?""There are stairs in the middle of Delfin leading underground,

and once you get there, ask for the stream leading to Veracruz.""Alright. So I guess this is goodbye, for now?""I do hope to meet you again one day, Judge. Hopefully I'll be

healed before then.""I won't forget you, Diego. Goodbye, and get well soon.""God be with you, my friend.""With you as well.""By the way, that envelope is waterproof, so don't worry about

it getting damaged during your travel.""I'll keep that in mind."Judge finally departed the room with Diego and his fellow in-

jured Merman, wandering the hospital halls to the lobby and waiting room, and exiting into Delfin. Then did he seek the aforementioned stairs leading underground, and quickly, he saw a rectangular pit with fencing around all but one of the short sides, a sign suspended above serving as a doorway to the stairway. He couldn't read the Hispanian words that were on the sign, although he nonetheless descended and entered a vast area with many stone columns and countless pairs of stone well-like structures with signs indicating where they would take those who used this mysterious underwater transportation system.

"Excuse me!" Judge called out. "Anyone here speak Anglian?""I do," a soldier replied, then inquiring, "How may I help you?""Will one of these wells take me to Veracruz, or the shores of

that particular city?""Yes, yes, follow me, boy." Judge obeyed, following the sen-

tinel across the subterranean field of wells, into which many jumped, and from which a few occasionally burst, with nearby soldiers catch-ing them so they didn't forcibly impact the ground. They eventually

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stopped before a pair of wells by which was a sign saying, "Veracruz," and where the guard stated, "Here you all! Safe travels, now."

"Thanks, sir.""Don't mention it!" he stated, walking away to help other

prospective well travelers.Wondering which well he was to drop into, Judge gazed at the

sign that said "Veracruz" again, seeing that it had arrows on either side, the one to the left pointing up and the one on the right pointing down. The deer assumed, then, that the right well would take him to the city, or at least near it, and gazed into the well to see about five meters down a rushing stream. Holding his breath, but then remember-ing that he now had gills, and thus exhaling, Judge climbed onto the edge of the well and sat, dangling his legs into the pit, his hands firm on the stone rim.

Following a few seconds, the deer pushed himself off the edge of the well, plummeting through the abyss and feeling himself splash into the stream, after which he felt himself rush quickly through a long aquatic tunnel at great speed. As the waters pushed him onward, he reached into the pocket of his pants in which he had stored the letter to the Aztec Emperor, finding that it was luckily intact, the envelope evi-dently protecting the message within. Nonetheless, he kept his hand there in case the stream's force was to push it out, consequentially de-priving him of the correspondence from Diego.

Surprisingly, the tunnel remained relatively straightforward for most of the trip, with Judge having a strong appreciation for this rapid form of Merman transportation, hoping that one day the underwater settlers would share their secret with terrestrials and distribute their gill-producing seaweed to the general populace. Curving stone lined the interconnected ceiling, walls, and floor of the great tunnel, with the deer wondering how long it had taken the Mermen to produce such an innovation, regular holes in the wall lighting the tunnel with illuminat-ing jellyfish. However, the monotony of his stone surroundings ulti-mately hypnotized him into slumber, although he fortunately remem-bered to keep his clutch upon the letter to the Emperor.

Towards the termination of his submarine trip, Judge felt the tunnel curve diagonally downward, before straightening and taking a sharp upward curve that a great splash followed, indicating he had forcibly departed the tunnel, opening his eyes to notice that he was in

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an underground field of well pairs. He nearly touched the ceiling after his emergence, then plummeting, with a soldier mercifully breaking his fall with his outstretched arms. The sentinel allowed Judge to fall onto his feet, after which he straightened himself and again checked his pocket to discover that the letter was fortunately intact, although there was the matter of actually delivering it to the Emperor.

When the guard that had caught him communicated something in Hispanian, the deer wondered, "Do you speak Anglian, sir?"

"That I do. Welcome to Sacrificial Island.""Sacrificial Island? I thought the stream was supposed to take

me to Veracruz.""Sacrificial Island is just a few kilometers off the coast of Ver-

acruz, my good sir.""Oh?""Yes, you could take a ship there, or swim there, whatever your

preference is.""I think I'll take a ship. Will it cost me any money?""It depends...""Well, I do have a letter to the Emperor from Diego Delfin of

Delfin, whence I came.""Truly? Let me see it, then?""Yes, sir," concurred Judge, showing the letter, having success-

fully repelled any water that dared damage the letter within, Diego's writing intact as well.

"Yes, I think I know a Diego Delfin, and have been to his town a few times. Just show this at the docks and they'll be sure to give you a free ride, since we wouldn't dare charge anyone with a message for the Emperor."

"Thanks.""Don't mention it."Judge headed to the stairs leading up from the vast field of

wells, afterward finding himself within a large area with many wooden tables and benches, many of their occupants dining on what appeared to be breakfast, an indication it was morning still. Since he wasn't fam-ished at the moment, the deer wandered through this area, attracting a few gazes with both his white appearance (most Aztecs seemed to have dark fur, hair, and eyes), not to mention his lack of upper cloth-ing, furthering their evident supposition he was a Merman paying a visit to the surface world. There were, however, true Mermen among

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the diners, most who lacked upper clothing themselves, these individu-als in particular glad to see another apparent one of their kind.

Several pairs of doors allowed Judge to depart the vast dining hall, after which he found himself upon a vast, though not vast as the building's interior, stone-paved terrace upon which rested more sets of tables and benches, these tables in particular shaded by giant umbrellas of diverse colors. A dirt terrace fronted the paved one, and there was a wide path jutting from its central region, although a lighthouse to the south caught Judge's attention, making him walk in its direction rather than to the path within the tropical wilderness consisting mostly of palm trees. Another dirt path upon which wandered a few Aztecs went through the exotic wilderness, the deer definitely taking admiration of this scenery vastly different from Ymir.

Judge ultimately reached the lighthouse's base, a pair of doors giving him ingress, ground floor including a few sofas and chairs that a few Aztecs occupied, although he instead set his sights on the exten-sive railed spiral stairs that led upward, beginning his ascent. Several other Aztecs ascended and descended, the former, like the deer, likely wanting a grand view of Sacrificial Island and its surroundings, most evidently the seas of the Aztec Gulf. The stairs eventually wound their way through the ceiling of the tall stairwell, leading him into the area that contained the light itself, currently unlit given the lack of any need for daytime illumination, unless there was precipitation outside.

Judge departed the topmost chamber onto the circular balcony, treading a slow path so he could truly absorb the Island's surroundings. The Aztecs standing upon the veranda were just as interesting as the scenery itself, with many of them wearing colorful clothing, and the men in particular having a fondness for wide-brimmed straw hats (al-though colored felt occasionally covered the straw) that the deer knew were called sombreros. As for the environs around the lighthouse, the Supreme General's son had entered the balcony on its northern side, seeing the bulk of Sacrificial Island, the building from which he had left the well chamber, and distant seas.

East did the tropical wilderness dominate the island, followed naturally by sandy shores and ever more endless waters. The southern scenery was similar, exotic woodlands followed by shores and more seas, although at a distance was what he supposed was part of the town of Veracruz. Beyond the remainder of the island, its forest, shores, and adjacent seas, Judge could glimpse the bulk of Veracruz, consisting

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mostly of buildings as colorful as their inhabitants. On the island shore could the deer also glimpse a jetty alongside which docked a vessel, likely to transport him to the city proper for free were he to show the letter to the Emperor.

(Isla de Sacrificios, Veracruz, Mexico 9th 2000 words)

His next destination in mind, Judge reentered the lighthouse af-ter hearing the distant bells that indicated it was three o'clock, de-scended to ground floor, and exited back into the island jungle, return-ing to the dining building and taking the other path he had seen before through more tropical woodlands, ultimately stepping upon a wooden pier that crossed the beach's sands and then the water itself, leading him to the rope-railed wooden stairs leading onto the vessel, which a red-uniformed sailor defended. The Aztec seaman spoke in Hispanian, Judge then presenting the letter, which the sailor discovered was for the Emperor, making him nod.

Speaking more Hispanian words, the sailor returned the letter and gestured Judge to follow along, which he did, adding, "Do you speak Anglian?"

The deer couldn't comprehend his Hispanian response, which seemed to indicate that the seaman did not know Anglian (alongside with a sideways shaking of his head), although he continued to follow him onto the ship's deck, after which the sailor tugged the wooden stairs aboard and closed the wooden panel, as if the ship were ready to depart. Indeed, Judge then heard the anchor rise, seeing the red, white, and green-striped sails unfurl, the winds beginning to transport the ship across the sea. It turned northwest, with the sailor afterward going about his own business, and the deer then heading to the port side to see the gradually-approaching city of Veracruz.

The bells indicating the middle of the third hour tolled by the time the vessel approached an extensive jetty jutting from Veracruz, the ship pulling alongside it and a sailor approaching the port side to open the panel, a few others bringing the roped stairs to connect the boat and the pier. This Judge descended to the jetty, with the same sea-man from before escorting him across the pier, from which a few Aztecs clothed in tight-fitting swimsuits dived into the Aztec Gulf, some of them having long winding pipes they kept in their mouths, perhaps to be able to breathe while underwater, given their evident ab-

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sence of gills.The sailor led Judge into a building alongside the pier's city-

side termination, where a few Aztec soldiers dressed in white, with red neckerchiefs, large yellowish sombreros, and armed with bows and quivers of arrows, swords, spears, or axes, wandered. As they wan-dered the halls, the deer gazed through one of the open doors to notice what seemed to be a classroom, what with several chairs and desks facing a podium behind which a teacher spoke Hispanian while demonstrating the use of one of the long bendable pipes that he had seen people using on the jetty. However, the sailor instead took Judge to an office with a desk fronted by a few chairs and backed by a large cushioned one in which sat an Aztec that seemed to be a high-ranking naval officer, what with his epaulets and fanciful hat with upright brims and avian feathers underneath.

After occupying one of the chairs, Judge greeted, "Um, hello, good sir. Do you happen to speak Anglian?"

"Yes, yes, I do, young man. When you're in the military you've gotta be able to communicate with friends and foes alike in other lan-guages, eh?"

"The sailor who brought me here didn't seem to think so.""You can't expect everyone in the Aztec Empire to speak An-

glian, little boy! You might wanna put some effort into actually learn-ing our language if you don't wanna stick out like a sore thumb."

"I'll think about it, sir.""Don't think about it, boy, just do it! Here, this should help,"

the naval officer indicated as he handed Judge an Anglian-Hispanian dictionary that he promptly opened and began studying. "Hold on, I'm not done speaking with you yet, Mister..."

"Bucks. Judge Victor Piers Bucks.""And I am Admiral Pinnepedo," returned the black-eyed, dark-

haired, and brown-skinned seal, Judge assuming his surname was His-panian for what he was. "Please to meet you, Mr. Bucks. Obviously you're not from around here, are you? I take it you're from Ymir, given your fluency in Anglian, no?"

"I'm from the Connexion Republic, though my family and I have had to flee given the Nidhoggr's invasion."

"Ah, yes, I'm familiar with those filthy cabrónes," Admiral Pinnepedo noted, Judge immediately looking up the Hispanian word and noticing that it could stand for an obscenity.

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"Yeah, they're cabrónes, alright," agreed the deer, then telling of his recent travels and experiences, afterward showing the letter to the Aztec Emperor.

"Ah, a letter to His Majesty! As you are a messenger sent to meet our dear Emperor, we'll take good measures to ensure you make it to his palace in Aztec City safe and sound! By the way, are you in need of a passport?"

"Yes, I left mine on the ship."Admiral Pinnepedo then retrieved from one of his desk's draw-

ers a blank passport and a quill that he dipped into ink, allowing some of the octopus secretion to drip before asking, "So, what do you want your new name to be?"

Judge then looked up the words comprising his forename, mid-dle name, maternal surname, and paternal surname, in the dictionary, afterward suggesting, "Juez Vencedor..."

"Want me to write that down, señor?""Just a moment," urged Judge, seeking Hispanian surnames to

match his canine and cervine heritage. "Okay. Juez Vencedor Perros Ciervos. How does that sound?"

"Muy bien, señor Ciervos!""Gracias.""De nada!"Judge took surprise at how quickly he was beginning to pick up

the Hispanian language, with Admiral Pinnepedo filling in some more information in the passport. The seal inquired some other information such as his age, height, weight, although he decided to fill in an alter-nate birthplace to help the deer become more incognito, in this case the capital of the Aztec Empire, Aztec City (Ciudad de Azteca in His-panian, Imperial District (Districto Imperial), Aztec Empire (Imperio Azteca). The passport also required a picture of its holder, with the Ad-miral surprisingly putting down a sketch as well, proving he had some artistic talent, though for Judge's monochrome picture, he gave him an eyepatch over his left eye, a sombrero, a white shirt, and neckerchief.

"Both my eyes are fine, señor.""A white deer with the use of both eyes might give cause for

concern for the Niflheim Empire, should any of their spies infiltrate our Empire, but a one-eyed white deer might be safer."

"Even with Aztec clothing I would still somewhat stick out since I'm not dark like your average Aztec, would I not?"

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"Relax, there are plenty albinos among us! Here's your pass-port; keep it safe."

"Gracias otra vez.""Now to get you some new clothing. Follow me!"Judge did so, getting out of his chair and following Admiral

Pinnepedo out of his office and through the halls into a changing room for people who wished to go diving, opening one of the wardrobes to reveal diverse Aztec clothing. The deer emptied his pockets of the let-ter and passport, unbelted and removed his pants, and took off his shoes and socks. Replacing these were white pants (which he belted using that he had just removed), a white shirt, a red neckerchief, and a broad-brimmed straw sombrero. The Admiral further provided a quiver of arrows and a bow for ranged combat in addition to melee combat with the sword he still had.

"You look muy hermoso, señor Ciervos!""Thanks, Admiral. Who will take me to Aztec City, now?""Some of the soldiers plan on heading there at the end of the

hour, and I'm sure they'd be happy to take you! Don't worry, some of them speak Anglian, and I'm sure they'd be happy to enhance your Hispanophone skills."

"I'd appreciate that, sir."Once again, Admiral Pinnepedo took Judge through the halls to

the hay-floored stable area, with the beasts of burden here relatively silent, obviously not hungry for a midmorning snack. Here stood a few Aztec soldiers in attire similar to that the deer wore alongside an open-aired carriage hitched with a cockroach, with the seal, in Hispanian, stating, "This boy holds a message to His Majesty Emperor Mon-tezuma, and needs a ride to the capital."

"We'd be obliged to take him, Admiral.""Gracias. Buen viaje!"After Admiral Pinnepedo wished the Aztec soldiers a good trip,

he departed, with one of the soldiers inviting, "Well, hop aboard!""With pleasure," concurred Judge, climbing aboard.The deer could then hear the four o'clock bells toll from a few

churches, assumedly Aesir since darkness didn't seem to shroud this land from what he had seen thus far, after which the driver whipped the roach, provoking it outside into the streets of Veracruz. The vehi-cle first went eastward alongside the boardwalk upon which the gov-ernment building/diving school sat, quickly afterward turning south by

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a few more piers with boats docked at their terminations. Following these was a hotel, with a few tourists who seemed to hail from the na-tions of Ymir, what with their mostly lighter-colored fur, entering and exiting, alongside native Aztecs.

Another seaside hotel passed as the road curved in a south-southwesterly direction, and then the path curved back roughly south-ward, passing a freshwater swimming pool that lined the saline seas. The route curved southeast past an Aztec restaurant, with Judge being something of a stranger to the Empire's cuisines, given his native na-tion's distance from Azteca, although he was certain he would be able to sample a variety at the Emperor's palace. Beyond a seaside triangu-lar plaza with plenty of odd designs ran the carriage, the highway then curving south-southeast again, although shortly after this, the driver turned west-southwestward onto another road.

Veracruz, with its colorful buildings of diverse sizes, definitely impressed Judge up-close, although there were definitely some less impressive constructions. A doctor's office was among these, with few patients, and more impressive was a street encircling bushes and a fountain, which the carriage circled counterclockwise before heading south through the city. Flora consisting of palm trees, bushes, and oc-casional flowers surprisingly ran parallel to the right and left sides of the roads except the one on the coast, with an office supply shop being visible on the eastern side. A carriage factory passed on the western side, as well, along with a wooded park known as Magical Kingdom, with some colorful tents among the woodlands as well.

The road ran briefly southeast alongside a cemetery, with the Aztec soldiers apparently familiar with the Aesir tradition of crossing hearts in honor of the deceased, which Judge, of course, was, as well. The road running south once again, the carriage passed a pharmacy, along with a liquor store, with the deer having sampled potent potables in the past but tolerating them not, given his ability to taste mostly the alcohol other than the flavors poorly seeking to mask it. A vehicle reg-istration center came, as well, not to mention a hospital and a carriage repair store. Another pharmacy passed, the road beginning to curve southwest, going beyond a vast bazaar with plenty parked carriages.

A bridge crossed a river, with Veracruz afterward seeming less dense, what with some open fields with the occasional tree as the road curved due southwest. A beverage bottler the carriage passed, the route curving west-southwestward beyond a grocer and some carriage shops.

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Then did the vehicle finally exit the city into vast open fields covered with shrubs, bushes, and grass, the terrain seeming much rougher than that to the north in the nations of Ymir. Here the driver turned the ve-hicle southwest, occasional bunches of palm trees present in the vast fields before coming alongside both sides of the highway in full force.

Fields and forests alternated for the new few kilometers, Judge enjoying the warmer climate, his sombrero protecting him from the potential wrath of sunlight on the skin below his fur. Some signs of civilization came in the form of several scattered buildings that ap-peared to form an unincorporated hamlet, what with the lack of any signs indicating where the soldiers and Judge were now. Some vast farmfields became visible as well, along with the occasional grove of large trees. As time ran on, Judge took surprise that he had not seen for a while a sign indicating another community, although he could see a smoke-emitting factory to the northwest at one point.

The highway briefly straightened westward alongside farm-fields before curving west-northwestward and then southwest, taking another sharp curve southeast past wooded and bushy regions. Yet an-other curve came shortly afterward, this time west-southwestward, and into the settlement of Tinaja, Judge assuming he and the soldiers were still in the Kingdom of Veracruz. The driver took an intersecting high-way west-northwestward, the hamlet quickly falling behind and the road curving west-southwestward, passing occasional buildings that didn't seem to belong to any settlement in particular. The route curved northwest beyond more buildings, trees, bushes, and grassy plains, be-fore turning southwest once again, ultimately settling west.

The highway constantly swerved in sundry directions as time pressed onward, still transporting the soldiers relatively westward be-fore reaching the small settlement of Orange Picker, its constructions, unsurprisingly, being mostly orange in hue, and where they turned northward, going west through the community of Cuitláhuac. The Aztec soldiers told Judge that this settlement took its name from a past Aztec Emperor, with the deer regularly looking up entries in his An-glian-Hispanian dictionary so he could better comprehend the lan-guage. The town quickly thinned out after about a minute or so, al-though residences largely lined the highway, apparent farmfields be-hind them.

The town of Yanga came as the route wound relatively north-west, the native Aztecs informing their albino companion that it took

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its identify from its founder long ago. Once again, residences and their accompany farms, if they had any, dominated the scenery, the highway then settling relatively westward. The small but fortified Aesir Abbey of Little Saint Michael passed, as did the larger settlement of Cordova, at first lying mostly north of the road but then surrounding it on both sides, although there were occasionally forested and bushy patches. Then came a military base, Fort Flowers, which contained large stone walls, soldiers guarding the large doors into the palace demanding to see everyone's identification, which they gladly presented.

Fort Flowers was, true to its identity, full of diverse flowers and other flora, with Judge occasionally glimpsing Aztec soldiers cam-ouflaged among them. The hamlet of Drainage passed only a few sec-onds after the carriage had departed the military installation, which contained plenty of drainage in case heavy rain were to precipitate, certainly a likelihood given the tropical climate in which the commu-nity stood, and occasional gathering of clouds in the sky. The city of Orizaba followed, which contained diverse buildings like the other Aztec settlements, not to mention the occasional park, library, hotel, and even a small university, the highway still taking the carriage west.

In the city did the driver turn the vehicle southward, reaching a street that seemed to serve as the southern boundary, what with vast wilderness beyond. Tropical wilderness ultimately came to the north, as well, before reaching a highly-agricultural section of the settlement, followed by the town of Acultzingo. Afterward, the highway took a strange curve northwest, then southwest, and afterward northwest again, the road passing through rugged terrain in that direction until it ran briefly eastward and north once more. Yet another unusual road curve took the carriage in sundry directions through cultivated fields, before flora-covered fields replaced them.

Then the highway finally entered a different Kingdom of the Aztec Empire, Colonia, in a northwesterly direction, the border be-tween the two indicated by an extensive border of wooden saltires. Al-most immediately afterward did the road zigzag southward alongside the border before briefly heading westward and then south again, sur-prisingly back into the Kingdom of Veracruz. Back in Veracruz, the highway curved in various directions once again before reentering Colonia, this time apparently for real, the Kingdom commenced by vast cultivated farmfields. Due northwest the route ultimately ran, en-tering the first settlement in the new Kingdom, Hope, which agricul-

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tural fields almost entirely surrounded.Even beyond the settlement known to the Hispanians as Esper-

anza, agriculture seemed to be the name of the game, with occasional farmers wearing sombreros planting seed, picking their crops, and so forth. However, the scenery suddenly changed to be somewhat moun-tainous and hilly, with diverse bushes, grasses, and occasional trees populating the terrain, although after a few curves the cultivated fields reappeared, continuing even as the highway ran northwest. Within the agricultural meadows did the Saint Michael Abbey, Aesir flags flying from its corner towers, pass, giving Judge great assurance that Asgard had a positive influence in the Aztec Empire.

Various communities passed within the farmlands such as Im-maculate Conception, Palmarito Tochapán, and even another Aesir Abbey, Saint Francis, its northern walls bordering the southern side of the highway. A few other agricultural Abbeys were present as well in-cluding Saint Isis and Saint Anthony, these two lying south of the road. Twin cities passed to the north and south of the route, respec-tively being Hidalgo's Acatzingo and one more Aesir Abbey, Saint Maria Actipan. Yet another, Saint Geronimo Ocotitla, came, requiring all soldiers to present identification, all thankfully gaining acceptance to travel through the monastery. Although farmfields continued to dominate the scenery, about a kilometer to the south could Judge glimpse a few grassy, bushy, and forested mountains.

Then came the agricultural community of Specked Amozoc, followed by the large city of Colonia City, which the Aztec soldiers told Judge was the Kingdom's capital, essentially a forest of resi-dences, although wooded borders occasionally interrupted the abodes. Following the (or first, were there more than one) residential section of the town was a commercial and industrial sector, with plenty of smoke-emitting factories and warehouses. South of the highway could the passengers glimpse a great coliseum, with the citizens of the Aztec Empire evidently no strangers to sports. Following this was another residential area, and then another industrial and commercial borough.

More residences followed, as did an inn to the south and a car-riage and animal store across the street, the highway then running due northwest, reentering a labyrinth of business and industry, farmfields gradually reappearing afterward, although plenty of homes lined the southern side of the route at one point. An Aesir Abbey, Saint Michael Xoxtla, lay south of the highway as well, the carriage merely passing

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beyond its northern wall, a metallurgy laboratory lying across the road. The research building was directly on the southern corner of the exten-sive line of wooden saltires serving as the border between the King-doms of Colonia and Tlaxcala, the highway briefly running parallel to the border running northwest and southeast before abruptly falling away to the south.

Tlaxcala's terrain was quite similar to Colonia's, what with ap-parent endless farmfields, of which Judge had somewhat grown tired, hoping to see another change in scenery soon. The border separating Colonia and Tlaxcala quickly returned, again running parallel to the current highway, but for longer this time. The border ultimately passed the highway (albeit without the wooden saltires) to the north-northeast, among the first sights upon their return to the Kingdom of Colonia be-ing a ceramics factory alongside the route. Another Aesir Abbey, Saint Balthazar Temaxcallac, passed on the northern side of the highway, a petroleum plant lying south followed by more farmfields.

Unsurprisingly, yet another Aesir Abbey followed, Saint Mar-tin Texmelucan of Labastida, once more requiring identification to en-ter, Judge feeling somewhat guilty of using a false alias to get through terrain of the Holy Kingdom of Asgard, although he knew the Church occasionally made exceptions to their commandments were one's life on the line as his was. Following brief farmfields was another Abbey of Holy Asgard, Saint Raphael Tlanalapan, and then another to the highway's north, Saint Lucas the Great. After this was the secular ham-let called The Canid, although another Abbey of Asgard, Saint Mathias Tlalancaleca, followed, its interior consisting mostly of farmfields rather than buildings.

Following a tree-bordered stream was the next Aesir Abbey, Saint Rita Tlahuapan, after which was the secular settlement of Ben-jamin Juarez. Afterward did the farmfields began to lesson, replaced by wooded, bushy, and grassy plains, not to mention the occasional stream alongside which trees really flourished. In the middle of a great wilderness did the carriage enter the next Kingdom in the Aztec Em-pire, incidentally called Azteca, Judge's Aztec companions explaining that the entire Empire had taken its name from this particular state, all the Kingdoms of the Aztec Empire originally being independent, yet still today retaining some semblance of sovereignty. At first the high-way ran parallel to the wooden saltires indicating the simple boundary, although they quickly fell due southward.

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The first town in the Aztec Kingdom was Cold River of Juarez, Judge perplexed by this identity as he could glimpse not the stream from which it evidently took its name. Then the highway curved back and forth southwest through thick tropical wilderness, the forestland ultimately replaced by vast farmfields, although the territory afterward contained a rugged alternation of trees, bushes, and grasses as the road began running zigzaggedly northwest, then heading west-southwest again. Between two Aesir Abbeys, Good Saint Ventura and Saint Mar-cus Huixtoco, the highway passed, some cheers coming from the latter as though clergy were cheering at a sports match, somewhat amusing Judge and the true Aztec sentinels.

The large city of Xico quickly followed, commenced by a few businesses and industries but then proceeded by plenty of residences, the settlement also seeming to surround a great mountain range to the north of the highway, beyond which it curved northwest, a river seem-ing to commence after the peaks and running parallel to the road even when it curved. The stone wall-bordered stream, however, ultimately fell away from the highway, the residences in this particular section of the city seeming endless, although larger residences replaced them, the road soon pulling alongside the many wooden saltires marking the bor-der between the Kingdom of Azteca and the Imperial District.

Among the first significant sights when the highway ran paral-lel to the boundary was a mountain that appeared as though its peak had caved in, the Aztec sentinels calling this The Boiler, since during the time of the Ancient Race, it had spewed incinerating liquid rock from the netherworld. Judge knew that the liquid rock was known as lava, and that the mountains that spewed them during the Ancient Race's time were known as volcanoes, although he learned that when the Seed of Yggdrasil struck Terra, all volcanoes across the world qui-eted, and lava almost completely vanished from the world.

With Azteca north of the highway and the Imperial District to the south, the passengers noticed a municipal building in the former di-rection, along with a hospital, and official entrance into the Imperial Capital. Among the first sights within Aztec City was fairgrounds ded-icated to the Orient, followed by plenty of packed residences, not to mention a hospital complex. Bazaars occasionally came and went, not to mention a few parks, with vast fields dedicated to diverse sports ap-pearing on the southern side, as well, a coliseum appearing among them, one to the north, too, the highway now running relatively west.

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The carriage soon turned northward within the vast city, pass-ing a great alternation of homes, businesses, bazaars, and the like on the way to the Emperor's residence. East the driver ultimately turned, passing the vast facade of what was undoubtedly the Aztec monarch's abode, with many commoners wandering alongside the walkway that bordered the front. Here did the driver tug upon the roach's reins to provoke it to slow down, ultimately stopping before the large pair of wooden doors leading inside the palace proper. The passengers, Judge included, leapt from the carriage, although the driver remained aboard so he could drive to the palace stables, wherever they were.

A few large-hatted sentinels defended the doors into the resi-dence, one of them greeting, "Welcome to the Imperial Palace, home of His Imperial Majesty Montezuma III!"

"What business have you all here?" inquired the other."Oh, we don't have the actual business, mi amigo," began one

of Judge's companions, "but this here has a letter for the Emperor!""I do," affirmed the deer."Obviously you're not from around here, are you, señor?""Well," Judge began, presenting the letter along with his pass-

port, the other soldiers showing theirs as well."A letter for His Imperial Majesty, eh? The boy may enter.""My thanks," bid the deer as he watched the soldiers open the

entrance doors, passing into the Imperial Palace along with the other Aztec soldiers.

The palace interior was as grand as its exterior, with the en-trance hall spanning three floors, balconies allowing for travel across the second and third stories having fanciful railing and archways. Once inside, a royal soldier in red, gray, and white, a sombrero hanging from his neck down his back (which Judge and the visiting Aztecs imitated as well since they didn't need their giant hats indoors), escorted the travelers through the palace. Many high-ranking Aztecs wandered about, and it didn't take too long until they reached the large doors leading into the throne room, which also spanned three floors, and had at the end an occupied golden throne.

Judge and the visiting Aztec sentinels bowed before the black-haired, black-eyed, brown-furred monkey monarch that, much like his guards, dressed in red, white, and green, and had a golden crown with countless jewels. "You may rise. I, as you probably know, am Mon-tezuma III of House Monorey."

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"I knew Your Imperial Majesty's name, but not Your Majesty's dynasty," informed Judge.

The Emperor laughed. "So, what business brings you here?""I have a letter for Your Imperial Majesty.""Do you, now? Let's see it, then.""Yes, sire," concurred Judge, presenting Diego's letter.The Emperor tore open the envelope, removed the paper, mer-

cifully intact from its deliverer's underwater adventures, and began reading, "To the Honorable Emperor Montezuma III of the Aztec Em-pire, I give this message to inform Your Imperial Majesty of an attack by the forces of the rogue Kingdom of Kobold off the coast of our ally, the Kingdom of Flora. We managed to capture some prisoners of war from the ship that our good friend, the white deer, whose name I wish not to state for security reasons, managed to sink. However, our initial interrogation of one of the prisoners didn't yield much, although if we do find out anything significant, we will most assuredly inform Your Imperial Majesty. Yours truthfully, Diego Delfin of Delfin.

"Mr. Delfin mentions that you wish not to disclose your name.""Aye, milord.""But surely you have a passport, do you not?""I left my previous passport on the ship that was attacked, and

it's likely intact since the vessel didn't take any damage. I did get a fake passport from Admiral Pinnepedo in Veracruz."

"My good friend Salamando!" exclaimed the Emperor, likely having identified Admiral Pinnepedo's forename. "Only he would be willing to give out a fake passport!"

"I'm sorry to have come into Your Majesty's court under such circumstances, but surely you would appreciate my honesty, no?"

"But of course! Do tell me, then, your real name!""But Diego said...""Whisper it to me, then!" Judge did so. The Emperor quietly

continued, "Hmm, can't say I've heard of the Supreme General who sired you, young Judge."

"It's a long story," the deer noted, telling of his misadventures from Connexion to Aztec City.

"Seems like you've been through a lot for a child of your age! I assure you that you are always welcome in our court."

"Thanks, Your Imperial Majesty.""Don't mention it! By the way I'm sure you haven't had lunch

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yet, so rest assured you'll be fed this afternoon and again this evening as well!"

"I'd love to try Aztec cuisine, sire.""It's unbelievable, I tell you!"

Though typically skeptical of food he had never consumed be-fore, Judge found the palace's cuisine to be more than adequate, with diverse dishes such as tortilla soup, a mixture of insect meat with fried corn tortilla strips, upon which some grated cheese, although the deer preferred his with none. There were also "shells" of hardened corn, some flat and some partially folded, both able to hold refried beans and insect meat, the former known as tostadas and the latter tacos. Flexible flour tortillas could wrap around meat and refried beans, as well, in what they called fajitas. These meals Judge most certainly en-joyed, both at lunch and dinnertime, with flan for dessert, after which he rested well in one of the palace's many spare bedrooms.

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Chapter X

A Day of Diplomacy

The morning of the Twelfth of Odin, the one o'clock bells of the clock within his temporary chamber awakened Judge, who got out of bed, il-luminated his chamber, and clothed himself with his Aztec attire. Al-most immediately afterward did knocks come at the door, which he opened to reveal a servant that offered to escort him to the dining hall for breakfast, which consisted too of delicious Aztec cuisine, with scrambled insect eggs being among it, not to mention flour tortillas in which the table's occupants wrapped the eggs. Once had filled himself satisfactorily, Judge walked near the Emperor, curious as to what was on His Imperial Majesty's itinerary for today.

"Today we shall travel to the Republic of Stellasolum, which borders our Empire," noted the Emperor. "Stellasolum was once part of Azteca, although centuries ago they declared their independence and won their war. Since then we have made peace with that, so rest assured, young Judge, that our aims at traveling there are peaceful."

"Good to know, Your Majesty.""But on the way, we shall inform the lesser Kingdoms of the

Empire we encounter along the way of the rising threat the Nidhoggr pose, so they can inform the other Kingdoms to be on alert."

"A sound plan, sire. My father last said that he intended to head for Stellasolum, so perhaps we shall meet him there."

"Hopefully we shall, young man."The Emperor, Judge, and several top-ranking Aztecs then trav-

eled the halls of the Imperial Palace to the stable area, where a few sol-diers busily prepared a sheltered carriage with a roach for their nation's head of state. One of the sentinels held a door open, allowing everyone inside, with the deer sitting next to the simian monarch, after which they could hear the whip lash the roach, provoking it onward. Once the vehicle had entered the streets of Aztec City, it ran south-southwest-ward, taking a turn west-northwestward after about half a kilometer. After around two hectometers did the carriage turn south-southwest-

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ward again, passing a few stone stairways on the sidewalks that he knew led to underground transportation, where beasts of burden such as giant spiders transported underground vessels to other portions of cities, sometimes other settlements as well.

West-northwestward the carriage turned again after reaching an intersection populated by a few trees, eventually settling due westward as it passed a wooded cemetery with diverse headstones, everyone in-side the vehicle crossing their hearts. West-southwestward the road turned afterward, the driver soon turning west-northwestward before curving back slightly, but not due, west. The highway took a sharp curve north-northwestward through a forested park, before curving back westward and slightly northwest alongside another wooded area. Afterward the road curved back a little southwest, taking a sharper turn in the direction past a hotel and then returning to its prior direction and passing a college founded by Ymirans, which contained a sports field.

The highway intersected with another running west-southwest alongside a rugged forest, with rugged open fields quickly appearing to the south. The route took several unusual curves afterward yet ran relatively southwest through a combination of rugged plains, forests, and the occasional residence among them. South of the road ultimately appeared a vast university with plenty of large buildings along a sports coliseum. After some southward curves, the highway ran southwest again, passing factories to the north and an inn to the south. A hospital, some bazaars, and plenty of residences then followed, as did many curves that still guided the vehicle southwest.

Afterward did the highway run through thick wilderness, still in green despite the winter season, which seemed to affect the Aztec Empire far less than it did its northern neighbors in Ymir; a clearing on both sides interrupted these woodlands. The route curved west beyond some buildings to the south before the woods once again surrounded the long roadway. More residences with vast deforested yards then came, along with a curve northwest beyond more packed abodes, and then a turn south-southwestward. Forest lay northwest and buildings southwest, the carriage ultimately passing from the Imperial District back into the Kingdom of Azteca.

The highway ran west-northwestward through more tropical wilderness before entering the quaint settlement of Salazar, where, while trees centered the highway's left and right sides, much of the ter-rain was deforested, although buildings weren't terribly common here.

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Salazar gave way to more wilderness, with fog at many times envelop-ing the woodlands, causing the driver to slow down in case he lost track of the vehicle's current direction and crashed into the forest. The village of Hondito River followed, a fairly agricultural community al-though Judge failed to notice the settlement's namesake. Numerous bazaars appeared among the farmfields, with plenty of residential and commercial buildings replacing the farmlands as well, the former ap-pearing mainly southward and the latter appearing primarily north.

A performing arts center passed among the commercial con-structions, Judge certainly wondering what Aztec entertainment en-tailed. A hospital passed on the south among the homes as well, a sign eventually indicating that the vehicle had entered Toluca, capital city of the Aztec Kingdom. Here the driver took several more streets, soon stopping and bidding his passengers to get off as he took care of the vehicle and accompanying roach within the stable area. The King of Azteca's palace was definitely not as grand as the Emperor's, although it was beautiful nonetheless, and a pair of royal guards bowed before their supreme monarch before opening the doors into the abode.

Once everyone had entered the palace, Judge took little sur-prise to see a vast lobby with plenty of comfortable-looking chairs and sofas, not to mention plenty of bureaucrats and royal guards that re-spectfully bowed before the Emperor. Montezuma, having evidently been here before, lead the party, ultimately reaching a large pair of doors that more royal soldiers opened after bowing to the Aztec Em-pire's head of state, giving entrance into the large throne room. In the throne, naturally, sat the monarch, a black-haired, black-eyed, brown-furred donkey in fanciful royal clothing and a crown, though not nearly as lustrous as Emperor Montezuma's.

All but the supreme monarch bowed before the asinine king, the monkey hugging the donkey as he rose from his throne. Mon-tezuma noted, "It has been a while, Barry, old friend. Everyone, please meet Barracus II Aztecus, King of Azteca."

"A pleasure to meet Your Majesty," assured Judge."You all may rise," Barracus invited, everyone doing so. "So,

what brings you all into our court?""Dark tidings, dear Barry," Montezuma noted, informing his

fellow monarch, with a little bit of help from Judge, of what had hap-pened off the coast of Flora and underwater in Delfin, as well.

"Very troubling, indeed," noted Barracus. "I shall make it a

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point to help inform all Kingdoms of the Aztec Empire of the threat the Nidhoggr pose to our freedom and security."

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind me asking," Judge began, "how is it that the Empire has a Kingdom named Azteca, which is also the name of the entire Empire?"

Barracus laughed. "There is no such thing as a stupid question, young señor. You see, before Azteca became an Empire, it first con-sisted only of the Kingdom I currently rule, and which my family has ruled since its founding. It was not until Hispanian settlers came to-wards the end of the Second Age that they brought their influence from their own Kingdom in Alfheim, and introduced a number of tra-ditions that we accepted, such as our current tongue. As the Hispanians spread their influence throughout what would become the Aztec Em-pire, the numerous Kingdoms received a new sense of unity and ulti-mately forged a treaty that officially established the Empire, with a capital within a special Imperial District within the Aztec Kingdom. At first the Aztecus family ruled the entire Empire, along with the Aztec Kingdom, although the new Aztec Parliament ultimately decreed that the Aztecus family only rule the Aztec Kingdom, replacing the Impe-rial family with the Monoreyes. That's the gist of our history."

"I thank Your Majesty.""Don't mention it."

The imperial party remained in King Barracus's palace until the four o'clock bells rang, after which they began traveling through the streets of Toluca again, first heading east beyond a coliseum before turning north, the road going briefly north-northeastward and then north-northwestward past a forested area before returning to its northerly direction. A park passed to the east, after which the highway turned north-northwestward, although it briefly ran due north once more before going more northwestwardly, yet another wooded park with a small coliseum passing. A reservoir to the southwest the high-way passed, with Judge hearing stories about how the waters of the Aztec Empire could infect anyone, a reason why many in the nation, he had heard, sterilized it first by boiling before drinking it.

A much larger reservoir passed on the highway's northeastern side passed, some boats of diverse sizes upon it and other Aztecs within the waters themselves. Then did the town's density lighten, a marketplace to the east and some farmfields to the west, the farms

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quickly surrounding the highway afterward, although a large forest in-terrupted the agricultural terrain, as did the occasional residence. A stream the vehicle crossed via a bridge, with two lakes bordering both sides of the river afterward. Wilderness and rugged hills also inter-rupted the farmlands, the highway then running north-northwestward, the terrain frequently alternating between farms and forests. The town of Ixtlahuaca came, undoubtedly a farming community since farms en-circled it.

Some unincorporated hamlets followed, the farmfields still be-ing common, and at the base of a mountain and some wooded hills sat the city of Atlacomulco. More farmlands followed, and rugged moun-tains became fairly common as the highway briefly ran eastward, and then north again. The settlement of Acambay came eventually, bearing nothing of significance, the highway then curving back and forth northwest through farmlands, some of which lay on small hills and mountains, although afterward, farms became less common, with plenty of wooded peaks surrounding the highway. The farmfields ulti-mately returned, along with an Aesir Abbey, Saint Anthony Escabedo.

After the Abbey, the highway finally entered the neighboring Aztec Kingdom of Querétaro, heading northward through ever more farmland before entering the vast Saint John of the River Abbey, in which a river did indeed run, and plenty of gleaming white buildings stood. Northwest the road then ran into, unsurprisingly, more agricul-tural fields, followed by an inn that apparently encompassed several buildings. Three farming communities, The Sauz, Peter Escobedo, and Lazard, followed, with Judge glimpsing a school in the last commu-nity. Finally came some more unusual curves westward by the high-way, followed by the party's entrance into the city of Santiago, with many packed bazaars, residences, and the occasional park and ceme-tery, everyone sure to cross their hearts upon encountering the latter.

The carriage slowed and ultimately stopped before what Judge assumed was the monarch's palace, everyone but the driver getting off the vehicle, and the soldiers at the entrance doors giving ingress to the imperial party, no questions asked. Again, the palace wasn't nearly as luxurious as that back in Aztec City, although it was most certainly on par with that in Toluca, plenty of golden chandeliers illuminating the vast entrance hall. Into the equally-massive throne room the party ven-tured, all but the Emperor bowing before the King, who was, to the surprise of Judge, a fellow cervine black-haired, black-eyed, and

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brown-furred, wearing fancy colorful garbs and surprisingly with golden antlers, a feature he knew King Odin was famous for having.

"You may rise," the monarch indicated, the visitors aside from the standing emperor doing so. "I am Quetzalcoatl Querétaros, King of Querétaro. It is a pleasure to meet you all, especially a fellow deer, one as pure as King Odin Himself."

"I get that a lot, Your Majesty," noted Judge."Do you, now? What do they call you?""Here I'm called Juez, but my real name is..." Judge began, ap-

proaching the monarch's ear and whispering his true name.

"Why do you travel under an alias?""It's a long story, Your Majesty," noted Judge, telling of all his

travels from Connexion to Santiago. "Very interesting. Rest assured that you will always be wel-

come in the Kingdom of Querétaro, not to mention the Aztec Empire, led by my good friend Montezuma."

"Many thanks, Your Majesty. By the way...""Have you another question?""Yes. Are your antlers really golden?""They do have golden coating, yes, although beneath they are

normal deer antlers. Because a crown would be awkward for an antlered individual such as I, I opted instead for something else to sig-nify my kinghood."

"Fascinating.""By the way, have you eaten lunch, yet?""No, Your Majesty.""Then let us go to the dining hall, where an afternoon feast

awaits us all!"

After a decent afternoon repast, the Emperor, Judge, and the rest of his convoy were on the road again at eight o'clock, traveling west-southwestward through the streets of Santiago, among the first significant sights being Saint Clara Cathedral, evidently the monarch's church. The carriage turned south-southeastward after about half a kilometer, before going relatively southwestward on a wider highway, and passing a few marketplaces. The highway ultimately led them westward beyond a park, a hospital, and an art museum, although the albino deer had viewed plenty of Aztec art within the palaces he had

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visited thus far, most of which had impressed him.Barren fields soon appeared north and south of the highway,

quickly replaced by greener farmfields and lower-density residences. In the middle of this agricultural terrain did the carriage pass from the Kingdom of Querétaro into the Kingdom of Guanajuato, which was equally agricultural, the highway gradually shifting southwest, passing the town of Ameche on its northern side. Through the horticultural set-tlement of Tenango the road then passed, with Apaseo the Great com-ing to the north, as well, the highway afterward running between west and southwest through the village of New Ranch. After this came the city of Celaya, fields of crops replaced by fields of buildings, among them being the University of Celaya.

The highway curved west-northwestward through the city, be-fore running due westward, farmfields ultimately coming again, along with a town with an unusual identity, Second Fraction of Curls. The agricultural settlement of Villagrán followed, followed by the twin cities of Sarabia and Aztecos, not to mention Valtierrilla to the south, beyond which the carriage took a northerly route. The vehicle then turned westward, passing through another pair of towns, Sardines and White Garcia, not to mention the northern part of the vast settlement of Salamanca. Ever more farmfields followed, as did the town of Grand Ranch, not to mention the eastern edge of another city, Irapuato.

A tavern was visible among the farmfields north of Irapuato, the highway running north as well, passing through the hamlet called the One of Juarez. The Limekiln followed, as did Aldama, and The Nicholases, with an Aesir Abbey following, Saint Andrew of Baraña. Then did the highway shoot northward through a combination of hills and farmfields, another Aesir Abbey, Saint Teresa, following. The seat of government for the Kingdom, called Guanajuato, followed a cluster of towns, the carriage stopping alongside the facade of the evident monarch's palace, everyone but the driver of course getting off, the ve-hicle proceeding to the stables.

Guanajuato's monarch was a black-haired, black-eyed, green-skinned lizard of a variety known as the iguana, Ignatius XI Guanaju-ato, with the convoy informing him of what had happened off the coast of Flora. The reptilian monarch consequentially pledged his support to the forthcoming crusade against the Nidhoggr. Since the next Aztecan capital was about three hours away, and ten o'clock bells had tolled when they had reached the capital of Guanajuato, they decided to stop

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for the day, enjoying a good Aztecan dinner and dessert, after which everyone called it a day, Judge in particular resting well, believing his father would have approved of his diplomatic adventure.

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Chapter XI

To Tamaulipas

The morning of Odin the Thirteenth, Judge awoke as usual in his tem-porary bedroom chamber and clothed himself with his Aztec attire, af-terward joining the rest of the Aztec convoy and King Ignatius in the dining hall for a decent morning repast, after which everyone bid adieu to one another in the stable area. The deer sat within the royal carriage and watched the streets of Guanajuato appear, going northwest beyond a hotel and several marketplaces, before turning northeast. Then the vehicle ran relatively northward with occasional curves, passing plen-tiful abodes before briefly curving southward and then north again, af-ter which the city's density thinned somewhat.

The terrain outside the city was somewhat mountainous, with said peaks containing diverse rustic flora, the highway afterward run-ning relatively north-northwestward before curving east, then curving northeast. Plenty of eastward curves followed, after which the route curved back and forth in a northerly direction, before heading north-east then east again. Undulations were fairly frequent as the highway ran onward, although it seemed to guide the carriage northward, and then northeast. The hilly terrain ultimately gave way to vast farmlands, the route seeming more straightforward afterward, settling for an east-southeasterly direction. In the town of Dolores Hidalgo, the carriage took a sharp turn north-northeastward, and then east-southeast, head-ing northeast afterward with several undulations.

Farmfields soon replaced the mountains yet again, though hills appeared among the cultivated prairies. Hills and farmfields alternated afterward, the hamlets of Darkpalm and Covadonga appearing among the cropfields. The highway ran eastward for a few kilometers before the carriage took a sharp turn north, and then northwest through yet more agricultural prairies. The village of Pure Guadalupe appeared among the farmfields and occasional hills, the route then going north-northwestward past Sauceda. Mountains replaced the farmfields again, along with a familiar sight: extensive white walls with the occasional

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tower that indicated an Aesir monastery, although the walls seemed far more extensive this time around.

The convoy stopped at the large wooden doors giving ingress into what an inscription above the arched entranceway indicated was the Saint Louis Potosi Province of the Holy Kingdom of Asgard. Two winged guards stood before the doors, one of them inquiring in His-panian, "Passports, please."

Everyone in the convoy complied, after which the other guard affirmed, "You all are clear."

The soldiers then signaled those atop the wall, after which the wooden doors opened, and the crosshatched metallic portcullis behind elevated, allowing the Imperial convoy through the large entranceway. Judge immediately noticed the difference between the territory of the Aztec Empire and that of the Aesir Province, with the latter appearing more heavily forested, the trees, bushes, and grasses blooming green, and the flowers being diverse and colorful. Running northward, the highway passed an Aesir hamlet with pristine, gleaming white build-ings, after which the road curved east-northeast, with some agricultural fields interrupting the thick tropical wilderness, the route then turning northeast and then relatively north.

The second settlement within the Saint Louis Potosi Province bore the name of Saint Mary of the River, with large white walls adding a second ring of security about this town, the winged sentinels not bothering to check their identities since they were certain those soldiers at the border had done so. True to its name, Saint Mary did sit alongside a river, a bridge naturally giving passage across it. Then ex-tending northwest, the convoy passed the unprotected town of Hoteye, its buildings white like in the previous Aesir communities. Running north-northwestward a few kilometers, the highway ultimately reached the evident capital of the Province, also called Saint Louis Potosi, a wall encircling this citadel like Saint Mary.

Seeing the convoy approach, the winged soldiers opened the large wooden doors and elevated the portcullis to allow them ingress into the city, with constructions of diverse volumes. The Emperor's procession ultimately reached a residence with a tertiary white wall, albeit shorter than that around the city, where, upon noticing that the head of state of the Aztec Empire led the convoy, the soldiers opened the gates leading into the palace gardens. The carriages pulled along-side the gleaming white abode's facade, with everyone getting off the

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TO TAMAULIPAS

vehicles, and other soldiers offering to take them to the stable area. Ev-eryone then ascended the steps leading to the double-doored entrance, more Aesir soldiers allowing them inside.

Like the exterior, the interior of the evident Provincial leader's palace gleamed white, with several golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in the vast entrance hall and truly emphasizing the inside's whiteness. More guards offered to lead the Emperor and his party to the leader's audience chamber, the leader containing the title of Grand Duke of Saint Louis Potosi. Another pair of sentinels held open the large wooden doors leading into the audience hall, also white and illu-minated by a few golden chandeliers. Within the throne sat a winged albino panther of indiscernible age, Judge aware that seraphim were immortal and could live for eons.

Everyone, the Emperor included, bowed before the leader of Saint Louis Potosi, the Aztec head of state evidently doing so as he was in the court of one of the servants of the Lord of Asgard. "You may rise. I am Grand Duke Louis XXIII Potosi, and open my ears to your words whatever they may be."

"It's a pleasure to meet Your Eminence, one of King Odin's ser-vants, no less," Judge noted. "By the way, you say you're the twenty-third Grand Duke Louis. What of Your Eminence's ancestors?"

"The Provincial Parliament of Saint Louis Potosi limits the rule of Grand Dukes to a century, with my ancestors, when their reigns reach that length, retiring to Zion, the tradition starting with the first Grand Duke, Saint Louis Potosi, this Province's namesake."

"I can understand.""So, what news do you all bring this morning?""News of the Nidhoggr, Your Eminence," Judge informed, he

and the Emperor telling of recent occurrences. "Since you are a servant of King Odin, we figure that you deserve to know about the doings of the Nidhoggr, and hope to have the Holy Kingdom's support."

"Have it you shall, then, although we must warn you that As-gard has its own internal problems with which to deal."

"What kind of problems, Your Eminence?""Well, first of all, our King has gone missing.""Missing? Surely you jest!""We kid you not. He, along with the newborn Prince Vidar as

well as Supreme General Reyvngard, vanished on the First of Odin, and Queen Luna has been ruling alone since then."

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"I do hope they are found then, and that your nation's problems don't prevent you from helping other nations that need your help."

"We shall help you to the best of our abilities.""By the way, Your Eminence, what is an Aesir Province doing

in the middle of the Aztec Empire?""Not very well versed in the history of Terra, I see. At the be-

ginning of the Second Age, after the death of Prince Vali at the hands of the Judeans, Asgard began a conquest of various lands across the world, both to spread their religion and to keep a tab on nearby nations controlled by the Nidhoggr, were any to arise."

"Makes sense, Your Eminence.""Indeed it does. It has been a supreme pleasure speaking with

you all today. May God be with you all.""With Your Eminence as well."

At five o'clock did the Imperial convoy depart the capital of Saint Louis Potosi to the northeast, reentering the Provincial wilds, where farmlands and forestland alternated constantly, a few towns such as Innocent Navarrese and the oddly-named Future Station pass-ing as well. Jaguey and Leon passed as well, along with Tape and Whitepool, after which the highway ran relatively northward. The Pas-ture of Saint Anna passed as well, being a fortified city such as those the convoy had encountered today. Wolflevel came as well, beyond which the highway curved eastward, passing through the walled citadel of Saint Dominic, not to mention the unprotected settlement of Guadalupe's Prey.

The route then ran southeast passed the town of Spectacles, which seemed to specialize in the art of making pairs of glasses for those whose vision needed correction, Judge hoping he wouldn't need to use them one day, when he was perhaps older. Immediately after this community came the border between the Saint Louis Potosi Prov-ince and the Kingdom of Tamaulipas, the Aztec sentinels standing on the Aesir side allowing them into back into the Aztec Empire upon noticing the Emperor was with the party. However, travel through the Kingdom only lasted around a kilometer before the border with the Province came again, requiring a validation of everyone's passports once again.

The town of The Teasel came back within the Saint Luis Potosi Province, although a few kilometers later, the convoy turned northeast,

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again reaching the Provincial boundary, the Aztecs there gladly allow-ing the Imperial party back into their Empire. Upon reentering the Aztec Empire yet again, Judge immediately noticed the difference be-tween it and the recent Aesir Province, the terrain more barren, albeit with the occasional forest, the first town in the Kingdom being Magda-lene Cedillo. Rugged mountains followed, not to mention plenty of farmfields, the town of James, and even more mountains that extended eastward and westward while the highway ran north through them.

Within the mountain range did the convoy encounter the com-munity of Capulin, after which the highway turned eastward, afterward winding northeast from the mountain town of Palmillas, and passing through the hamlet of Flowers as well, with fields of flowers and other crops being visible afterward. The agricultural community of Jaumave followed, in which the convoy turned north-northeastward, mountains and farmfields alternating again, the former being especially promi-nent after a few kilometers. An Aesir monastery after the mountains required everyone to validate their identities through their passports, the carriages turning north-northwestward and quickly afterward arriv-ing at Victoria City, capital of the Kingdom of Tamaulipas.

The Imperial convoy reached the monarch's palace at around ten o'clock, with everyone starving and having dinner before commu-nicating with King Thomas XX, a black-haired, black-eyed, brown-furred feline, about the recent occurrence off the Floran coast. The King took pleasure in seeing his friend the Emperor again, mentioning his good relations with the Holy Kingdom of Asgard through the Saint Louis Potosi Province, although said relations fell short of the royal family marrying into that of the Aesir Province, with the Aesir there wishing to keep their seraphim bloodline pure. A good dessert fol-lowed, after which Judge, Emperor Montezuma, and everyone else en-joyed a good rest, although Judge nonetheless wondered if he would see his father again.

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Chapter XII

The Return to Ymir

Following a hearty breakfast the morning of Odin the Fourteenth, King Thomas had guided Emperor Montezuma and his convoy to the stable area, where he inquired, "Does Your Imperial Majesty intend to travel into the Ymir Continent?"

"Indeed. Juez here said that his father was interested in visiting the Stellasolum Republic, and if he spoke sooth, then it would be the perfect opportunity for father and son to reunite."

"I see. Obviously the boy isn't from this part of Terra, is he?"Judge could hear the Emperor whisper, "No, he's not.""He could get a lot of trouble for impersonating someone that

he isn't, milord," King Thomas whispered in return."Relax, Tom, remember who's in charge of the Aztec Empire!""Ah, I understand. God be with you in your travels, then.""With you as well, Tom."The two o'clock bells rang by the time the Imperial convoy fi-

nally departed the royal palace, traveling through the streets of Victo-ria City to the northeast, with plentiful farmfields bordering the city. The hamlet of Futuria passed along the way, along with the larger set-tlement of Gomez, beyond which the highway sharply turned eastward before settling into a north-northeasterly direction. New Padilla passed as well, with Judge wondering if there was an Old Padilla, and where exactly it was, did it actually exist. The farmfields somewhat became less common when the route curved east-northeastward, soon traveling east and then northeast through the community of Mary Ubalda.

The highway passed Santander Jimenez's western side before taking a curve beyond its northern section and heading northeast once again. Rugged fields followed, along with the hamlets of Encinal, Comma, and Three Woods, the last one hardly upholding its moniker, given its encirclement by the aforementioned rugged fields. The high-way curved further northeastward beyond the community of Zacatal, and then due north, with the Aesir abbey of Saint Fernando towards

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THE RETURN TO YMIR

the west, gleaming white walls and all. General Francis Town came af-terward, the convoy taking a northwestern intersection through more farmfields, and then north through the settlement of Lechuguillas. Pe-ter J. Mendez passed as well, along with the comely community of Paradise, which seemed like another generic Aztec village.

The last Aztec settlement the Imperial convoy encountered was the city of Reynosa, which encircled some more farmfields, afterward encountering the international border between the Empire and the Re-public of Stellasolum, a river serving as a natural boundary, along with a few Stellasoluman sentinels that stopped the procession. Noted one of the soldiers, "Quite a party you have here! We would like to verify your identities."

"I think mine alone should be sufficient," noted Emperor Mon-tezuma as he showed his passport.

"Your Imperial Majesty! Didn't realize it was you! Have some business in Asteria?"

"The capital of Stellasolum? Indeed.""In that case, you and your procession are free to enter. Have a

safe trip!""And you all have a good day."The first Stellasoluman settlement across the bridge was Hi-

dalgo, which extensive farmfields similar to those within the Aztec Empire followed. Afterward came the city of McAllen, evidently with Eirish founders, among its first sights being a likely Air Force base for Stellasolum's military. Beyond a reservoir, the convoy turned east, passing a theater a bazaar, some parks, and a few hospitals, the road then curving northeast and north-northeastward afterward, with many of the residences here containing moderately-sized farmfields. The twin city of Eden followed, begun by some bazaars and an Aesir col-lege, along with some parks and low-density neighborhoods and a small cemetery where everyone crossed their hearts.

More miniature farmfields came afterward, along with a car-riage repair shop, a carriage rental facility, a bar, and a few general stores. A business that oddly served as an eatery and machine repair store followed, ever more farmlands coming within the community, along with another Air Force base, the highway running northward. Thin wilderness then came, plus some residences that didn't seem to belong to any particular settlement, and vast open prairies with the oc-casional tree. The route took a northwesterly curve, with a few farm-

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fields in perfect circles interrupting the open fields. What wilderness did appear seemed to thicken as the highway ran due northward, the settlement of Falfurrias following.

The hamlet of Gloria came afterward, its most significant fea-ture being a school that obviously didn't have many pupils, given its location. Premont passed as well, with some neighborhoods and shops, followed by more tree-strewn prairies that a few vast farmfields occa-sionally interrupted, along with the hamlet of Ben Bolt, which had a middle school named Ben Bolt as well and a few sportsfields, the set-tlement of Alice following. Farmlands seemed more common after-ward, some more of them having perfect circular shapes, with a small eatery seemingly in the middle of nowhere in the hamlet of George West, perfect for travelers, although the Emperor and Judge weren't hungry at the moment, and could wait.

More of the aforementioned town followed, mostly consisting of neighborhoods and small businesses and eateries, the highway curv-ing northwest within the community. The farming town of Three Rivers came afterward, a theater incidentally appearing in this village, Judge and the others in the convoy baffled at how the settlement re-ceived its name. The highway took some more northwesterly curves, with some small lakes along the way, and the small military base of Camp Bellton appeared to the west. A cemetery that perhaps consisted of deceased sentinels followed, as did another crossing of hearts, and some more open prairies dotted by trees and bushes.

More farmfields followed, along with an eatery in the middle of the country that seemed to specialize in breakfast food, given its mention of steak and eggs. Then the highway curved due northward, passing through the town of Pleasanton, its most significant feature be-ing a carriage shop, plenty of circular and semicircular farmlands fol-lowing. Next came an extensive white wall that undoubtedly indicated a vast Aesir monastery, in this case Saint Anthony Abbey, a few winged soldiers at the entrance verifying everyone's identities before allowing them into Aesir territory, which at first consisted mostly of prairies and a few farmfields, although there were some occasional stores and residential neighborhoods.

Branung park, with an accompanying lake, appeared within the abbey as well, the highway then curving northward, some more farm-fields being visible as well. Then did the density of the Aesir settle-ment thicken, with plenty of gleaming white residences that at first ap-

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THE RETURN TO YMIR

peared on the road's western side, woodlands to the east. Following this was a store that specialized in diverse-sized carriages that were perfect for gypsies or other Terrans constantly on the go. A furniture repair store appeared within the woods as well, although with a shop specializing in goods imported from the Aztec Empire, a golf course surprisingly appearing within the abbey as well to the west.

A cluster of schools for diverse grade levels appeared to the west, tree-dotted fields being present to the east, some small shops and neighborhoods coming as well, the highway straightening northward. Bazaars then came to the east while residences remained to the west, some moderately-sized farmfields becoming visible as well. A few competing carriage repair stores came, too, the route curving north-west afterward, plenty of marketplaces also coming. Some factories and eateries then came, among them being a Nipponese restaurant, along with some inns and general stores, neighborhoods then to the west and farmfields to the east, although some stores and an academy for youngsters were among the residences.

A tavern even appeared within the Aesir abbey, Judge knowing that potent potables within Aesir territory typically got more taxation than the average product. Some inns, bazaars, and a seafood restaurant then came, along with an arts and crafts store and a small college. The highway then curved northeastward, passing some banks, another inn, and a bicycle shop. A hospital and pharmacy appeared within the vast monastery as well, along with a few more inns and a piano store, not to mention some more taverns. A wooded field appeared northwest of the highway, too, although more marketplaces and other businesses soon surrounded the road again.

Less dense neighborhoods ultimately came north of the high-way, some appearing south as well, along with a vast green nursery and plenty more markets. Vast fields soon followed, and the convoy fi-nally departed the monastery, almost immediately afterward entering the community of Schertz, Judge assuming that its founders had been Germanian. Among the town's first sights were a flea market to the south and a gypsy settlement to the north, although normal neighbor-hoods proceeded. Then came the vaster city of New Brownrock, the deer and likely others in the convoy wondering where Old Brownrock was, if it even existed, a general store and another gypsy community being among this town's first sights.

A preschool also appeared in New Brownrock among plenty of

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residences, another appearing as well, a cafe to the south and an Aesir cathedral to the north. Marketplaces came as well, although they and the neighborhoods seemed to alternate. A white courthouse was among the businesses, too, with yet another gypsy settlement appearing river-side, the highway ultimately curving northward past a few medical clinics and a high school, followed by yet more normal neighborhoods. Some open fields then came, along with more bazaars, a store special-izing in camping paraphernalia, and a factory across the street, some more fields and a sandwich shop following.

The town of New Brownrock thinned out somewhat, with plenty of grassy fields and forest among what businesses, one a gym-nasium, came along as well, not to mention a park and a cemetery (ev-eryone once more remembering to cross their hearts). Gypsy commu-nities also seemed to be common in this town, as yet another appeared among the cultivated and uncultivated fields, some of them undoubt-edly belonging to the vagrants. Abruptly did the town end, with the Aesir monastery of Saint Marcus coming, an identity check by the winged border guards necessary for the convoy's passage. As with Saint Anthony and all the other Aesir abbeys before, white construc-tions illuminated the community, and the density was low at first, al-though there were a few businesses such as those selling carriages, and even an entertainment center where youths could fight mock battles.

Another carriage store, a general store/eatery, a few other restaurants, and shopping centers followed, although residences ulti-mately replaced them, not to mention a pair of parks on either side of the highway. The businesses then returned, among them being some Nipponese restaurants, a government building, a few inns, a hospital, and a glassware shop. As with some of the prior Stellasoluman settle-ments, moreover, some farmfields appeared within the city limits, forests lying beyond them. A river alongside which the woods really flourished came as well, ever more farmfields following. The monastery the convoy eventually exited, following which was the sim-plistic community of Kyle, begun by a campground and carriage store.

Some equipment stores, not to mention plenty of forests and the occasional agricultural prairie, came within Kyle, a lake appearing as well, not to mention another government building. A small wood-working business appeared, too, along with a restaurant, a pharmacy, and a carriage paraphernalia emporium. Neighborhoods and a storage facility were also present, along with some marketplaces specializing

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in selling food, and a few farmfields afterward. Following the farm-fields did Kyle continue, with an inn surprisingly appearing on the cor-ner of one of them, and another residential area beyond them. Immedi-ately afterward came the equally-quaint community of Buda, which had a few restaurants, small shops, and a gypsy settlement.

A carriage parts emporium followed, settled between neighbor-hoods bordering both sides of the highway, a lake appearing to the west as well. Clusters of businesses and residences came afterward, along with a carriage store and yet another gypsy community. Various businesses followed, and ultimately plenty of uncultivated prairieland with occasional trees and bushes, not to mention plentiful grass, the temperature being lukewarm in spite of the current winter. Along with a florist that specialized in selling plants from the Alpine Mountains in the Alfheim Continent was the capital of Stellasolum, Asteria, which commenced with the aforementioned shop and plenty of residences on the highway's eastern side.

Woods briefly resumed in the middle of Asteria, although there ultimately came in the woodlands an easterly road leading to Saint Al-ban's Aesir Cathedral, and a few farmfields afterward. The city became more apparent afterward, farmlands to the west and an Italian eatery to the east, along with a liquor store on the left side of the highway. A medical clinic, a few marketplaces, and a restaurant specializing in Oriental cuisine came as well, as did a theater that seemed to empha-size plays and drama for adults. Another adult theater, alongside plen-tiful thick wilderness, some carriage shops, and a nursery across the street from the aforementioned performing arts center.

A park that consisted mostly of an open field with trees at a distance followed, as did a storage facility, yet another adult theater, some carriage repair emporiums, and an Aesir church. Ever more bazaars along with the occasional restaurant proceeded, the highway at the time running northeast, going beyond an eye care center as well. Clusters of inns and more carriage shops then came, with some apart-ments eventually coming on the right side of the road while across the street were some woods. A high school followed, bearing a few sports fields, along with some government buildings, inns, and a few eateries, after which the road turned northward, crossing a wide river.

An elementary school proceeded the river, along with a few parks and a war memorial the Aztec convoy then turning westward, passing a tavern and a facility that doubled as a theater and an eatery.

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North the procession turned after about a kilometer, with a few more theaters, another doubling as an eatery, passing, along with some stairs leading underground to whatever the citizens of Asteria utilized as transportation within the city. Beyond a few more restaurants and an art museum the carriages passed, afterward turning left past a sand-wich shop, after which the vehicles turned north stopped before the gates of the wall encircling what was undoubtedly the abode of the Re-public of Stellasolum's leader.

"Welcome to the presidential palace," noted one of the soldiers. "What is the purpose of your visit?"

"Diplomatic business with President Clemente," the Aztec Em-peror informed, showing his passport to prove his position.

"Your Imperial Majesty!" observed another guard. "Our apolo-gies! Welcome back! Your convoy may proceed!"

The procession did so, the many carriages parking alongside the columned facade of the palace, everyone getting off the carriages while soldiers offered to take them and their respective roaches to the stables. Judge and Emperor Montezuma remained together as they as-cended the entrance steps, and passed the columns, a pair of Stella-soluman guards holding open the entrance doors so they could con-tinue. A lobby area greeted everyone as it had within previous palaces, with a counter behind which a clerk kept appointments, as well as a circle of cushioned sofas and chairs centered by a low-altitude table. Within them, moreover, were some faces familiar to Judge.

"Mom?" wondered Judge, sliding his sombrero off his head and allowing it to hang from his neck behind his back.

"Judge!" Barbara returned, getting up and embracing him, af-terward softly hitting his shoulders a few times, somewhat angrily ad-monishing, "Don't ever leave us behind like that again!"

"I can't guarantee that, Mom.""You little...""Please go easy on the young man, madam," Emperor Mon-

tezuma urged. "He has been a great asset to the Aztec Empire, helping spread the word of the looming Nidhoggr threat."

"And just who the hell would you be?" inquired Barbara as she released her son.

"That would be the Emperor of Azteca, Mom.""Yeah, and I'm the President of Stellasolum!""Last time I came, Willard Clemente was President," the Em-

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peror informed."Mom, this is really the Aztec Emperor!""He is," an Aztec soldier confirmed."Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry, Your Majesty!" apologized

Barbara, bowing before the Emperor."It's okay," assured Montezuma, then facing Judge and noting,

"You must have the patience of a saint to deal with a mother like that.""By the way, Mom, where's Dad?""Speaking with the President.""I'm sure the Emperor would like to speak with him as well,"

Judge noted. "Come on, Your Majesty!""His office is just upstairs," noted Montezuma.The Emperor and Judge then proceeded to the wide stairway

behind the sofas and chairs, ascending them to the square balcony that comprised the second floor. Afterward they took one of the railed sides to the opposite end beyond the golden chandelier, approaching the pair of doors that two sentinels defended, the evident entrance into the of-fice of the President of Stellasolum. The simian monarch showed his passport to verify his identity, after which the soldiers moved apart and allowed the two inside, the office lined with filled bookshelves, a desk with one chair before and another behind it being present as well. An open window also gave a view of the manor's front lawn.

"Well, well, what a coincidence!" the occupant of the chair near the window proclaimed, a lizard with brown hair, brown eyes, and green skin. "Two great leaders coming into my office the same day, the former Supreme General of Connexion and the Aztec Em-peror! And His Majesty's brought a little friend, as well!"

"Judge?" inquired the adult deer."Dad!" the Younger Judge proclaimed as he ran and embraced

his father. "I'm so sorry for leaving you like that!""No need to apologize, son. You did a very, very good thing by

getting the Aztec Emperor involved in our crusade against the Nid-hoggr. It's a pleasure to meet Your Majesty."

"We may have also gotten Asgard's help as well, Dad, since they have a Province in the middle of the Aztec Empire!"

"Even more good news, then!""Your son's quite the diplomat, eh?" wondered the lizard, then

introducing, "I'm Willard Clemente, President of Stellasolum!""Pleased to meet you, Your Honor."

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"You'd make a great Supreme General yourself, you know!""Thanks, but I'd rather my father take the position.""Hell, he's pretty much guaranteed himself the post, what with

his son's help in getting us some allies against the Nidhoggr!""So, Dad, where all did you and the rest of our family go after

that incident off the Floran coast?""We decided to refrain from ship travel for a while, so instead

we headed into the Albam Federation to inform its leaders of the Nid-hoggr's rise to power in northeastern Ymir, and did the same in the Misys Federation, as well as the Kingdom of Lucian. We would have also gone into the Kingdom of Arcadia, though we discovered that its borders were close to outsiders."

"Why were their borders closed? Could it be the Nidhoggr?""We're not really sure, son, and not even the President of Stel-

lasolum here knows what's going on there.""Damned if I know!" President Clemente affirmed. "Anyway,

I'm pretty sure you all got some long stories to tell me about your trav-els, diplomacy, and whatnot?"

"Indeed," the Emperor replied, after which he and the Younger and Elder Judges told of their travels.

"Interesting," responded the President. "Looks like you all have been through a lot! But rest assured those Nidhoggr bastards won't come storming into Stellasolum under my watch! Anyways, I'm sure you all are starving, so I'll have the cooks whip us all up a nice dinner and dessert!"

"I haven't eaten until morning, so I could definitely use some-thing to eat," Judge noted, everyone afterward heading to the dining hall for dinner and dessert, after which everyone separated into their own temporary chambers, some of Montezuma's convoy having to stay in nearby inns in Asteria since there weren't chambers enough for everyone at the presidential palace.

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Chapter XIII

A New Home

Judge awoke when the bell indicating the first hour of the Daylight Pe-riod of Odin the Fifteenth tolled, quickly getting out of bed and stretching so he would be functional for the day. Then he proceeded to his temporary chamber's wardrobe, opening it and hoping that today he could wear clothing other than that he had worn in the Aztec Empire. Fortunately, he found a nice diversity of garments alongside his old Aztecan clothing, and settled upon a white shirt, blue vest, blue pants, red neckerchief, and brown shoes with light brown socks. Once he had dressed himself, the white deer departed his chamber, a butler escort-ing him to the dining hall where his family, the President, and other top-ranking officials awaited breakfast.

"Today's the Sabbath, dad," Judge noted. "Shall we be going to church after breakfast?"

"But of course, my son. St. Mary's Cathedral near the presiden-tial palace commences its services at two o'clock, and at three-thirty, the Aztec Emperor shall speak before the Stellasoluman Parliament."

"I take it we'll be staying to hear him speak?""Yes, son. Afterward, we shall go north to Fort Capricorn,

where I shall be headquartered as Supreme General. It is, after all, the largest military base in the Republic."

"So our new home will be there, no?""There are two towns alongside Fort Capricorn, its namesake,

Capricorn, and a larger city, Klein.""Which one shall we live in?""Probably Capricorn, since it's in a dry Province, and I don't

want any of my children to go on any drunken escapades before com-ing of age."

"Well, we could always go over to Klein, then!" jested Judge.The new Supreme General of Stellasolum laughed. "You're all

good children, though, even if you all do have your flaws.""Thanks, dad."

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The cooks ultimately entered the dining hall with several trays of dinner, setting it all on the table. Then the President spoke: "I think since today's the Lord's Day we should all give a little blessing for our meal! Bow your heads, everyone! Yeah, alright, let's begin! Dear Lord of Asgard, we thank You kindly for this meal for us all to break our fasts, and for new friends and allies in the form of individuals and even entire nations. Be with the Emperor of Azteca as he helps spread the word of the looming threat of the Nidhoggr, be with our nation's new Supreme General and his family, and be with all officials within our country's government. In Your name we pray, amen."

"Amen," repeated everyone else, beginning breakfast.

Following the morning repast, everyone had gathered on foot at the gates giving ingress to the yard encircling the presidential palace, with plenty of Stellasoluman sentinels providing security for their na-tion's head of state. The President had noted that St. Mary's Cathedral wasn't terribly far from his abode, and that they could arrive there in plenty of time merely by walking. The gate guards opened the metallic doors to allow everyone into the streets of Asteria, closing it once ev-erybody was outside. Then they headed south on the sidewalk to the nearby street intersection and turned east to cross the road, with traffic not being very heavy.

Across the street was a tall unidentified building, followed by a home inspection center on the northern side, a bail bonds center lying on its southern side. A bakery was at the northwestern corner of the following street intersection, and once the party had crossed, they passed stairs leading to the city's public transportation system what-ever it entailed, along with a nearby bank and pharmacy business council across the route. Afterward on both sides of the street were buildings composing an Asterian newspaper, with Judge not very well-versed in current events, after which they crossed the street, and crossed it again to the south to reach their destination.

Immediately following the street were stairsteps whose bottom touched the road, with a few metallic rails providing extra security for those who ascended, with everyone taking advantage of it. After this was a flat stone area before the church, with the cathedral itself having a pair of pointed-arched wooden entrance doors following another set of steps, the ingress encircled by a few arches and a triangular-topped edifice. Above the entrance was a circular stained-glass window that

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bore the appearance of a multi-spoked wheel, above which was a trian-gular roof topped by a stone cross. Left of the entrance was a three-sto-ried tower with minarets jutting from each of the top's four corners, an arched stained-glass window on the middle story. Right of the entrance was a second tower that stood two floors, having a conical top and yet another stained-glass window on its second floor.

A pair of choirboys with white robes that extended to their feet held open the doors, allowing everyone inside. Following this was an entrance hall a few meters wide on whose opposite side was another pair of doors, albeit with a flat top, which two wooden wedges, one for each door, held open, giving ingress to the large sanctuary, which sev-eral conical white lanterns adorned with the Emblem of Asgard hang-ing from the ceiling illuminated. Several wooden pews a meter tall al-lowed worshipers to sit, with vertical shelves holding hymnals and Ae-sir Bibles on the back of each pew, and a meter-tall wooden barrier af-ter the frontmost pews having the aforementioned shelves, as well.

Supreme General Bucks, his family, President Clemente, his own family, and their bodyguards occupied pews near the front, within which sat several delegates along with the Aztec Emperor and many members of his convoy. A pair of wooden rails bottomed by cushions allowed parishioners to take communion, and behind this were several musical instruments, chief among them an organ, the wooden podium behind which the church's bishop would speak, and several pews bear-ing the white-robed church choir. The organist and other cathedral mu-sicians currently practiced on their respective instruments, stopping when a priest finally came behind the podium, ready to begin.

"Good morning.""Good morning," echoed the congregation."Welcome to St. Mary's Cathedral on this beautiful Lord's Day

in the winter season, although as usual, the cold weather comes late in the season, and snow is fairly uncommon across Stellasolum except in the northern panhandle. That aside, we have several announcements this morning, such as..." Then the priest, for a few minutes, told of the church's various announcements. "Now please stand for our call to worship, saints of St. Mary!"

The congregation obeyed. "All hail Lord Odin!""Hail His unending glory!" repeated the parishioners."Forever do we venerate You for this world's blessings!""We, Your humble servants, shall venerate You ever more!"

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"Protect us from Your wrath this winter season should You choose to test us!"

"Keep us warm in our abodes, and warm in spirit!""Amen! Now for our opening hymn, 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore

Thee. Please rise!"The congregation did so, the organist and her fellow musicians

commencing the song.

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, Glorious Odin, Lord of Love,Hearts like flowers unfold before Thee, open to the sun above.Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away,Giver of Immortal Gladness, fill us with the light of day!

The hymn continued for three more stanzas, after which the vicar invited, "You may be seated."

The parishioners did so. "Now for our morning prayer. Dear Lord, we are thankful for Your many blessings on this Your Sabbath, and bid You to protect us all in these troubling times. However, we know not to rely on You alone for protection, but to rely on ourselves as well as we seek to do good for Your world so that others may live in peace. In Your name we pray, amen."

"Amen," echoed the churchgoers."Our second hymn this morning is 'We Gather Together.''"The musicians began playing again, beginning the next song:

We gather together to ask Odin's blessing;He chastens and hastens His will to make known.The wicked oppressing shall cease from distressing.Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.

Two more verses followed, and the hymn was over; following this was the recitation of the Aesir Creed and singing of "Glory to the Father." Then the priest informed, "Now we come to the time in our service when we give back to our Lord a portion of what we toil to earn, so He and the Church may empower the Holy Kingdom. May our ushers come forth."

Two choirboys, one for each offering tray, came from the pews near the altar, taking the trays and bowing their heads as the priest con-tinued, "Dear Lord of Asgard, we return to You a portion of what we

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A NEW HOME

have worked so hard to earn so that we may empower Your Holy Kingdom and better Your world. In Your name we pray, amen."

"Amen," echoed the congregation, after which the choirboys took the offering, Judge and his father offering some of their sundry currencies to the tray that came past them.

"Please rise," bid the priest, after which everyone sang the Ae-sir Doxology as the choirboys advanced down the aisle separating the two pew sections.

"Please be seated," ordered the vicar again. "Now the choir shall sing their special music for this morning."

The choirboys rose, the musicians playing for the next hymn:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing,For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,On Terra is not his equal.

Three verses later the song terminated, the priest proclaiming as the choir sat, "Amen! Now for the joys and concerns our congrega-tion has for today..."

The cleric read the various notes that the congregation had written before the service commenced, telling of various anniversaries and birthdays, with a few obviously from the President, the new Supreme General, and the Aztec soldiers and Emperor, hoping for se-curity against the Nidhoggr. Afterward, the priest commanded, "Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, we give to You our various joys and con-cerns, pray that you give us blessings for anniversaries and birthdays, pray for peace and security across Ymir and the rest of Terra, and that the foes of the Aesir Church see due justice. We are simply grateful for what blessings you have indeed bestowed upon us, and bid You to continue your divine protection. Now let us pray the Lord's Prayer."

Following Lord Odin's Prayer, the priest informed, "Now for our reading from the Saga Terra."

On the very first day of creation,Lord Odin shed His light upon Terra,Heavenly but without indignationThat naught could deflect, even a mirror.

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"Let there be light!" Odin said of this shineBrought forth by the great sacred star of SolThat stayed pure with nothing to intertwine,Although a time for rest the Lord did mull.Thus shined Odin only half of the earthSo the dark would give inhabitants restAlthough them He had yet to give His birthSo they couldn't this new planet molest.Thus did begin the first creation day,Odin still having plenty more to say.

"This is the word of the Lord," stated the priest."Thanks be to God," echoed the congregation."Let us pray. Dear Lord, let our message this morning be true

to Your word and honoring of Your glorious creations. Amen.""Amen.""Our message today is why and how we should honor Lord

Odin's many creations. The scripture we have just read explicitly men-tions that the Lord refrained from immediate creation of life upon His world so that they couldn't interfere with its genesis and perhaps dam-age the planet in the process. It would not be until the fifth day of cre-ation that Terra would receive any form of inhabitants, and they were for the most part extremely grateful for Odin's creations, even though they did not have back then the gift of speech or legible communica-tion. The following day, however, Lord Odin would create what would ultimately become the Ancient Race in His image, with said image be-ing unbeknown to us today.

"What we do know about the Ancient Race in our time is that they were often defiant of the will of God, and often earned His indig-nation because of their countless sins. However, they ultimately re-deemed themselves and flew into the heavens to be closer to the spirit of the Lord. It was after this exodus that the Seed of Yggdrasil struck the heart of what today is the Empire of Babylonia, sprouting forth the Great Tree Yggdrasil whose topmost branches enveloped the moon Luna. Then did the Terrans rise to take the place of the Ancient Race, with our Lord Odin ultimately taking the form of a white deer seraph within the womb of Bestla Avatara, Borr Deerlord His father.

"Lord Odin and His brothers Hoenir and Lodur did the first great deed among the Terrans by defeating the beast Ymir, afterward

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A NEW HOME

founding the Holy Kingdom of Asgard and bringing an end to the long Fimbulvetr that had ravaged Terra during the Genesis Era. The sib-lings knew that the world needed some form of hope and stability, leading them to establish the Aesir Church and extend its main influ-ence over much of the northern hemisphere of Terra, although they did establish the occasional colony such as Saint Louis Potosi in what would become the Aztec Empire, Helvetia in the heart of Alfheim, and Vatican in the middle of the Italian Empire.

"Towards the end of the First Age that followed the Fimbulvetr did Prince Vali do another good deed for Terra, avenging the demise of his brother Prince Baldur and defeating Empress Hel of Niflheim, after which he spread the word of the Church of Asgard in the King-dom of Judea, which had developed its own worship of God through the Sect of Judea, giving additional honor to the seven primary ele-ments as the Judean Star indicates. However, Prince Vali was betrayed and crucified for spreading the word of Asgard, along with a pair of Aesir priests that had assisted him.

"Each faith on Terra, from the Aesir Church to Sect of Judea to the Order of the Nidhoggr to the Cult of Muspelheim to the Fellowship of Brahman to the Society of Buddha, has its own view of good and evil. We of the Aesir faith value as good charitable works, military campaigns to rescue the oppressed from cruel rulers, feeding the poor and hungry, and so forth. Some of the other religions I mentioned may hold these values but differ in how they execute them, and in some cases, some have done more bad than good throughout their history, namely the Order of the Nidhoggr.

"During the Second Age did they attempt to purge Terra of avians and bird-winged seraphim, believing bats and bat-winged demons to be vastly superior. It is this selfish feeling of superiority on part of one religion that has led to the great conflicts throughout his-tory, and the Nidhoggrian track record shows that they exploit the lands they conquer, bringing them under the cover of constant dark-ness, destroying the natural environments of their puppet nations, and anything else with significant beauty or color. We of the Aesir faith, on the other hand, condemn such destruction of Terra's natural envi-ronments, and thus put the Aesir Peace Corps to good use in helping reclaim natural areas and protecting the environment while still assist-ing the main military and spreading the word of the Church.

"There are also many that speak often about doing good things,

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although many merely speak along about what good they intend to do for Terra. It is far better to be a man or woman of action than a talker of action, for our actions speak far louder than our words or thoughts. Some of us might have grand ideas on how to protect the natural beauty of Terra but then become passive in regards to its destruction at the hands of the Nidhoggr. On the other hand, there may be those with tortured thoughts about the atrocities of the Nidhoggr that conversely attempt to overcome their mental states to do good for the world. The best Terran to be, however, is one with a positive mind, words, and of course actions. If we can hit this triad of good thoughts, good words, and good actions, then we shall secure ourselves a far higher plane in our next lives when we transmigrate.

"Let us pray. Dear Lord, please help our thoughts, words, and actions be in Your name, so we may better our world and make it more tolerable for even the least fortunate. In Your name we pray, amen. Our final hymn today is 'Onward, Aesir Soldiers,' which I think very well summarizes the sermon's message of going to action in the name of Odin. Please rise."

The congregation did so, commencing the hymn:

Onward Aesir soldiers, marching off to war,With the cross of Odin going on before.Odin, Royal Master, leads against the foe,Forward into battle see His banners go!

After this was a refrain in the form of the first two lines of the first verse, with five more following, the hymn ending afterward. The priest bid, "Now go in the name of the Father, the Mother, and the Lady Valkyrie, whether you march off to war or do peaceful deeds for the world. In His name we pray, amen."

"Amen!" the congregation echoed, the service terminating, the musicians continuing to play their instruments as the congregation be-gan its departure.

"The Emperor will speak at the Halls of Parliament," informed the President. "Don't worry, it's close-by, so we can just walk there."

The Emperor, his convoy, the Piers-Bucks clan, the President, and his soldiers then exited the pews into the aisle, slowly departing St. Mary's Cathedral. Beyond another Hellenic and Roman-inspired government building they walked, after which was the long black-

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painted metallic fence encircling the yard around the Stellasoluman Halls of Parliament, the construction itself taking inspiration from Hel-lenic and Roman architecture, with a rectangular shape and a dome sprouting from the central portion, atop which flew the national flag, a vertical blue field centered by a white star on the left and horizontal white and red bars on the right. Everyone took time to admire the erec-tion as they walked alongside the fence to the entrance gates.

Once they got there, Stellasoluman sentinels, upon seeing their President, held opened one of the pairs of gate doors to allow everyone into the parliamentary lawns, after which they began walking forth upon the tree lined paths to the entrance steps into the Halls of Parlia-ment. There were a few memorials dedicated to soldiers fallen in wars that Stellasolum had fought in its past, with the staircase before the en-trance taking everyone to the second floor, with ground floor windows visible to the sides, the left and right extensions being four stories tall. More Stellasoluman soldiers held open the wooden entrance doors, with the travelers first entering the large lobby area illuminated by a few golden chandeliers.

The central circular room gave everyone a view of the ceiling of the dome not to mention the balconies for each upper floor, with the second floor walls adorned with portraits of men, not to mention one woman, which had served as President of Stellasolum. Mr. Clemente himself led everyone up a stairway to the second floor, leading them through the labyrinthine halls to another pair of doors, above which read "House of Representatives," undoubtedly the lower chamber of Stellasolum's Parliament (Judge remembered that Connexion itself had a bicameral legislature). A pair of sentinels opened the doors to give everyone a few inside the parliamentary chamber, which contained a pack of politicians that were chattering about what the Emperor of the Aztec Empire's speech would encompass.

"Alright, Your Imperial Majesty," began the President. "You and your procession wait here, and at three-thirty, a page will come and open the door and announce to the Chancellor your arrival."

"I understand," Montezuma affirmed. "As for the rest of us, we'll be watching from the second floor

balcony, and we'll be cheering you on.""Thanks, I suppose.""Come on, follow me!" President Clemente then told the Piers-

Bucks clan.

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The President and Supreme General Bucks' family then as-cended nearby stairs to the third floor, coming to another pair of doors that led onto the balcony with plenty of seating that encircled the lower House of Parliament, with a few soldiers and other politicians seated and talking as well. The bottom floor contained many desks and chairs at which the politicians sat, although the balcony didn't contain such desks. At the rear end of the bottom floor was a vertical-hanging Stel-lasoluman flag, below which were three speaking platforms, with two standing taller than and behind the third. Two politicians stood in the former posts, one a ferret and the other a lion.

"Would they be the Vice President and Chancellor, Mr. Presi-dent?" inquired Judge.

"Yes, the ferret is Bill Hob, the Vice President, leader of the Senate, and the lion's Gato Lowe, the Chancellor, leader of the House of Representatives."

"Connexion has...well, had, a similar system of government.""Don't worry, I'm sure you'll live to see your homeland free one

day, Judge, old boy!""But when is definitely a matter for discussion.""I'm sure the Emperor may have some kind of plan."When the clock on the rear balcony showed the time as three-

thirty, the bottom entrance doors opened, with a page announcing, "Mr. Chancellor, His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Azteca, the Right Honorable Montezuma the Third!"

The simian monarch then entered along with his Aztec soldiers to great ovation, the monkey king exchanging handshakes with what-ever Stellasoluman politicians drew near him and briefly broke from their applause. It took several minutes for Montezuma to reach the end of the aisle and ascend to the bottom pedestal, the ovation still continu-ing, with everyone on the upper balcony contributing their applause, as well. The Chancellor banged his gavel to silence the audience, the Younger Judge hearing the first strike and promptly sitting, although the P.M. had to bang it again to further silence the crowd, whose con-versations ultimately dwindled to a whisper.

The audience finally silent, the Chancellor announced, "Mr. President, Montezuma the Third, Emperor of Azteca!"

The audience applauded again for about a minute, and then the Emperor began his speech in accented Anglian. "Thank you very, very much for that fine welcome, Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Mr.

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Speaker, and all the fine politicians of the Republic of Stellasolum. I am glad I could come here under such happy circumstances, although terrible things have been occurring throughout Ymir, such as the rise of the Nidhoggr in the northeast that drove your new Supreme General from his home in the Connexion Republic, which the Nidhoggr now call the Kingdom of Convolutia, now a puppet nation of the Niflheim Empire. But we shall see to it that their reign of terror is short-lived!"

The audience applauded about a minute. "As the Aztec Empire controls the Aztec Gulf, over and undersea, we will see to it that the Gulf remains free from Nidhoggr oppression! We just might have a few secret weapons at our disposal that shall see a swift end to their advance once they cross from the Atlas Ocean into the Aztec Gulf! I would also like to give honorable mention to your nation's new Supreme General, Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, who survived the in-vasion of his homeland of Connexion so he could come here and act once more as Supreme General to lead Stellasolum to victory!"

The crowd applauded again, with many facing the new cervine Supreme General, who stood and bowed. "I know it might be difficult for you to lend your ears to the Aztec Empire, as your fair nation was once part of the Aztec Empire as the Kingdom of Taejon, until we al-lowed Anglophone settlers to cultivate the land in respect towards the Lord Odin's commandment that we must not oppress aliens, for either we or our ancestors were at one point foreigners from another land. The Stellasoluman Revolution was certainly bloody, with both sides, including my predecessors in House Aztecos, committing their equal share of atrocities, for which I assure you that I am gravely sorry."

The audience evidently accepted Montezuma's apology, clap-ping once more. "We are also gravely sorry for inciting the Aztec-Ymiran War towards the end of the Second Age, for trying to reclaim Stellasolum, New Azteca, Aries, and Ursina for ourselves, but I am glad that we both could bid farewell to our bloodstained pasts and work together once again against the Nidhoggr. The path ahead will definitely be long and arduous, but I am certain that our teamwork will assuredly pay off, and that we can free Terra from the wrath of the Nidhoggr once and for all! May God bless you all, the Republic of Stellasolum, the Aztec Empire, and especially Terra! Thank you for lending me your ears!"

The audience applauded one last time, and the Emperor de-scended from the pulpit, rejoining his sentinels and traversing the aisle

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back towards the entrance, again encountering plenty of Stellasoluman politicians that wished to exchange handshakes with him. The Presi-dent, his security guards, and the Piers-Bucks family got up from their seats as well, exiting into the hallways of the Parliamentary Building and descending so that they could meet the Emperor one last time. They could still hear the ovation that occurred within the House of Representatives, with the pair of doors ultimately opening to reveal the Emperor and his party, with whom they shook hands as well.

"A wonderful speech, Your Imperial Majesty," assured Supreme General Bucks.

"My thanks, Mr. Supreme General. Best of luck in your new role, and I hope we can work together in harmony."

"Well, this will be the last time we'll be meeting one another for a while, since my family and I are going north to Fort Capricorn to find a new home. But I do hope we shall meet again one day."

"I hope so as well.""It was nice traveling with Your Imperial Majesty," assured

Judge. "Have a safe trip back home!""Thank you, young Judge.""Don't mention it!""Well, I won't be traveling with you all up to Fort Capricorn,

but it was nice seeing you as well, Mr. Supreme General," President Clemente also assured.

"God be with you, Mr. President.""With you as well, Mr. Bucks!"The Piers-Bucks clan once again navigated the hallways of the

Halls of Parliament, finding their way back to the lobby and exiting into the greens encircling the construction. Because their carriage was evidently back at the Presidential Palace, they walked to the entrance into the yard, exiting into the streets of Asteria and turning west to travel the brief distance to the barrier around the President's abode, go-ing south to its gates and receiving entry. To the stables they ventured, with the Younger Judge surprised to see Beasley as well as the car-riage they had used since Virgo, the Supreme General and his eldest son mounting the cricket while Barbara and the rest of the clan took the carriage.

Before they knew it, the family was back in the streets of Aste-ria, passing through the entrance gates once again, traveling the brief distance north to the road around the Halls of Parliament and then trav-

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eling a short distance westward, during which the bells indicating the fourth hour had tolled. A stable building that evidently served to house the beasts of burden and vehicles for visitors to the Halls of Parliament the family passed, afterward turning north, passing a few stairways leading underground as well as the occasional shop. Then they turned left, passing a few more restaurants and stairways, not to mention a large coliseum and a wooded neighborhood.

Dividing the neighborhood from another was a wide dirt high-way that the Piers-Bucks clan took to the north-northeast, the road quickly winding back and forth in a northerly direction, with the red-bricked Asteria State School passing on the western side. Afterward came a few government buildings to the east and a Stellasolum Army Museum to the west, a large parade ground being present as well, fol-lowed by several warehouses that formed an old military base, Camp Mabry. Some condominiums lay across the street from the antiquated base, followed by more wooded neighborhoods, a large open field with the occasional tree ultimately coming to the east and the residences to the west replaced by a bank, a clinic, and other businesses.

Some more clinics followed, along with some small eateries, among them being a restaurant specializing in Aztec cuisine, enough of which Judge had had for the previous few days. Many medical cen-ters followed on the western side, a cluster of sportsfields quickly dominating the east, followed by more neighborhoods, businesses, and hospitals, the latter two appearing primarily on the western side. More markets and bazaars followed, along with a university to the east that had an accompanying stable building for students and teachers alike. Around then the highway drastically began to widen, and Supreme General Bucks, undoubtedly having received decent directions to Capricorn, turned northwest, his wife's carriage following.

More bazaars, restaurants, and even a government building fol-lowed the change of highways, the current one then turning relatively northward. Ever more businesses, another university, and a hospital came next, along with a performing arts center, some upper-middle-class abodes coming to the east and a large carriage shop to the west. Then the highway curved north-northwestward beyond a few inns and restaurants, the route curving more directly northwest beyond a pawn shop. Ultimately did the road settle in a west-northwesterly direction past a teacher's university alongside a sporting goods store, along with an alternation of residences, businesses, marketplaces, and clinics.

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Sundry buildings followed, such as a bank and an inn behind it, the highway at that point taking a north-northwesterly curve, passing a few more inns, a gym, and a preschool. Some more bazaars and eater-ies proceeded, among them being a restaurant specializing in food from the distant Kingdom of Siam. Then did the city of Asteria begin to thin out, the highway curving northward through fields and forests, and then north-northeast, and back northwest again. The town of Cedar Park followed Asteria, begun by plenty apartment buildings and du-plexes. Some eateries offering local cuisine to the east followed, a for-est across the street.

Then came the countryside with sparse trees along with the hamlet of Leander, a vast neighborhood ultimately lining the western side of the highway. The residences ultimately disappeared, replaced by vast wooded prairies, more of the hamlet of Leander coming in the form of a few storage facilities, the aforementioned forested plains fol-lowing. Wooded neighborhoods came on the eastern and western sides of the highway, along with the village of Liberty Hill that had a bank, a gym designed with women in mind, a barbecue joint, and some small grocery stores. Forests along with the occasional hill came afterward, along with a few more buildings, commercial and residential, although no sign indicated a new town thus far.

The village of Florence ultimately came, its founders perhaps Italian since Judge the Younger knew it to be the name of a city in the Italian Empire over in the Alfheim Continent, among the first of its features being a bow-and-arrow shooting range, the white deer remind-ing himself to hone his shooting skills were war ever to face the Stella-solum Republic. Some farmfields came as well, along with the occa-sional lake, a cemetery following in the settlement of Briggs where all of the Piers-Buckses crossed their hearts were they able. More culti-vated prairies followed, with the occasional worker visible, what with the lukewarm temperature in spite of the wintertime.

The town of Briggs proper ultimately came, among its chief features being a firefighter station, along with a wooded neighborhood, and where Supreme General Bucks turned Beasley to the right on an intersecting road, now heading east-northeastward through more resi-dential areas and beyond a courthouse. The road curved northward through tree-strewn prairies and hills, curving northeast through the former before heading back northwest, another small cemetery pro-voking everyone to cross their hearts out of respect. A volunteer fire-

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fighter's house came in the middle of the woods, the highway then run-ning northeast through a few farmfields. The route continued its rela-tive northward undulation, passing through a house and tree-strewn neighborhood along the way forming the town of Kempner, another significant feature being a small grocery store.

A cemetery that a small country Aesir church proceeded made everyone cross their hearts once more, the highway ultimately termi-nating at another, the new highway also running fairly northward. Af-ter accessing the new road, the family finally reached their destination of Capricorn, passing some storage facilities, two evidently rival Aesir churches, one of them having a school as well, and a dental clinic, as well as some neighborhoods to the south. The travelers ultimately en-tered the town proper, passing a few restaurants that served cuisine from Italia and the Orient, not to mention a pharmacy and a carriage parts emporium, along with some vast bazaars.

Plenty more restaurants serving diverse cuisines passed, along with a large grocery store and a clinic for beasts of burden, some bar-bershops, and a real estate agency where Supreme General Bucks de-cided to pull into the nearby stable building, providing Beasley, the carriage, and its accompanying roach a temporary chamber until they were en route to whatever house the Elder Judge intended to purchase. The stable building, along with the real estate agency, were both rela-tively small, an indication that the Piers-Bucks clan would not have to wait long to receive service, making them cautiously optimistic in get-ting prompt service.

Upon entering the facility, a female clerk behind a counter saluted, "Welcome to Armour Properties! How may we help you?"

"We're looking to settle here in Capricorn, ma'am.""Oh? Where are you folks from?""The Connexion Republic, now the Kingdom of Convolutia

under control of the Nidhoggr.""Sorry to hear that," the clerk lamented, retrieving a book about

which she noted, "Here's a portfolio of some of the houses we have available, with sketches and even blueprints."

"Our thanks," accepted Supreme General Bucks, beginning to browse the book along with his family. "Hmm...too small...too big..."

"How about that one, father?" Judge noted of a red-bricked abode with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a living room. "Twenty-Four Meyn Veterans' Avenue."

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"That house has a bit of a history," noted the clerk upon hear-ing the Younger Judge pick the aforementioned abode. "Most of it and the homes built along Meyn Veterans Avenue were once owned by settlers from the Kingdom of Meyn, which is near what was once the Connexion Republic. That particular home was built and owned by the Douglas family, a military family from Meyn, and among the name-sakes of the street. It's atop a hill, as well."

"No need to worry about flooding, then," noted the Supreme General. "We'll definitely check it out."

"One of our agents will take you there and give you a tour."One of the real estate agents working at his desk got up and

volunteered, "I could show them the old Douglas place. Follow me!"The Piers-Bucks family followed the agent into the stable area

where he got his own cricket, the Supreme General and his eldest son mounted Beasley, and Barbara hitched the roach to her carriage, after which everyone exited into the highway and followed the employee west across the highway. The agent escorted them northwest onto Robertson Avenue, passing a small bank, the city hall, and a municipal court, the route curving southwest and becoming Meyn Veterans Av-enue. The riders passed the first few homes of the street, which began from one, among them being a few apartment buildings where letters appeared alongside the complex's number to indicate specific apart-ments, although there was the occasional small house.

West the highway curved, going beyond the Holy Family Aesir Cathedral to the south and its accompanying school to the north, with more abodes, although these technically appeared on different streets, coming and going. Beyond another school and church the real estate agent and the Piers-Buckses passed, both bearing the name Fairjewel, the Younger Judge imagining that this would be where his younger siblings would go to school, with Judge himself being an intermediate school-level student that would enter the sixth grade beginning the month of Neptune. The party passed more houses that technically were on intersecting streets, going beyond a Stellasoluman Military veter-ans' assembly hall, and then going up a hill, the road curving south-west and then west.

Everyone could hear the six o'clock bells toll by the time they reached the old Douglas residence, which, true to its image within the home portfolio, was mostly of red brick, although there was a stable annex primarily composed of wood whose eastern doors touched the

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edge of Babbitt Street, the main single-doored entrance on the northern side, a sidewalk leading to a mailbox, still facing Meyn Veterans Av-enue. The real estate agent dismounted his cricket and pulled from one of his pockets a ring of keys, one of which he used to unlock the pair of stable doors and open them inward.

Then the employee remounted his cricket and rode into the old Douglas residence, the floor strewn with gold hay, stopping and dis-mounting once again and opening one of the stable doors to guide his cricket inside. Supreme General Bucks himself led Beasley inside and chose one of the stable chambers to headquarter her, after which the roach-drawn carriage controlled by Barbara entered as well, the matri-arch of the Piers-Bucks clan getting off the vehicle, removing the reins from the roach and guiding both the beast of burden and the carriage into another of the stable rooms. Once everyone was on foot, the agent led the prospective homebuyers to the evident entrance into the main area of the abode, opening the door and allowing them inside.

"This is the kitchen," noted the agent when everyone had en-tered, immediately encountering another door straight ahead and one to the left; to the right was the kitchen itself, with brown wooden cabi-nets, a polished wooden floor, a stone counter, and a black stove.

Beneath the countertop were a few stools, and past the counter was a pair of curtained doors that Judge assumed led into the home's backyard. Then the agent proceeded to the door left of the entrance from the stable area, opening it to reveal a chamber with a desk, two closets, a rocking chair with an ottoman in the alcove between the closets, a bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, and a large curtained window behind the bed. Noted the employee, "This is the master bedroom."

"I call this one," jested Judge."We haven't yet decided if we want to buy this house," his fa-

ther indicated, "but you would be most welcome to have it if we do de-cide on this house."

"Thanks.""And through this door is a bathroom," the agent continued,

opening the door adjacent to the wardrobe and revealing a bathroom with a sink, a mirror, a shower, and wooden cabinets.

The bathroom had another door that led back into the kitchen, the first door the family had noticed when entering the residence from the stables. Across the kitchen the Piers-Bucks clan followed the agent to a door between two perpendicular cabinets that led into a chamber

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with a rectangular wooden table with a few wooden chairs. "This is the dining room."

Beyond the table they went to another door that the employee opened to reveal the hallway leading from the northern single-doored entrance. Down the hall they wandered beyond a door that undoubt-edly led into a closet into a chamber with several cushioned sofas and chairs, not to mention a golden chandelier. "The living room."

The agent afterward guided the family to folding doors on the other side of the living room that he opened to reveal a door to the left and one directly ahead that he opened and closed, revealing it to be a closet. The left door he opened, revealing another chamber with a bed, desk, wardrobe, nightstand, and two small curtained windows. "This is another bedroom."

Down the hall the agent led the family, stopping before a door in the middle that he opened to reveal a chamber with a crib, a diaper-changing table, and a large curtained window. "This would be a per-fect room for your baby, ma'am."

"Indeed," Barbara concurred.Down the hall they continued, with the right door leading into

another bathroom, and the door ahead leading into the final bedroom. "That covers the house. Now for the backyard!"

Back to the living room went the agent and the prospective purchasers, venturing into the kitchen, where he unlocked and opened the double doors to reveal the backyard, with a path leading to a gazebo to the left and another leading to a grill and a sheltered win-dowed building whose purpose Judge couldn't determine. Facing it, however, the agent informed, "That would be the spa."

"Fascinating," Supreme General Bucks noted. "I have a good feeling about this particular home."

"There are still others we can tour, you know.""I'm with my old man on this one," Judge added."It is a nice house," Barbara concurred."We shall take it, then," the Elder Judge confirmed."It shall be a thousand Dollars a month, then.""Here you go," indicated the Supreme General as he handed

the clerk ten hundred-Stellasoluman-Dollar coins. "Thanks!" indicated the clerk as he handed Bucks the key to

the abode."Don't mention it."

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"Well, I think I'll get back to the office to I can share with them this wonderful news. That and I'm sure you all will want to settle in to your new home."

The agent then reentered the house, evidently went to the stable annex, the sound of his cricket galloping becoming audible and ulti-mately fading away. When the seven o'clock bells tolled, the family patriarch noted, "I think we could use a good lunch, now."

"I saw two Italian restaurants when we came here," indicated the Younger Judge. "One is on Robertson Avenue across the street from the pharmacy."

"Sounds good. Let's go."The Piers-Bucks clan then reentered the abode, the Elder Judge

being certain to lock the double doors, after which they ventured to the stable annex and prepared their beasts of burden, and in the case of Barbara, vehicle, for departure, after which they slowly departed the annex. On Babbitt Street they briefly stopped so the Supreme General could lock the stable entrance, although afterward, they were off, turn-ing right on Meyn Veterans Avenue and going down the hill. Near the intersection between Robertson Avenue and the highway that halved the city was their destination, the Beautiful Evening restaurant, where they stabled their beasts of burden and carriage, afterward heading to the entrance for want of a table.

"Welcome to the Beautiful Evening!" greeted the waitress be-hind the podium. "How large is your party?"

"A table for four and one baby.""Will do! Follow me, and we'll get your baby a high chair!"The waitress seated the Piers-Bucks clan at a circular table with

four chairs, the servant ultimately bringing a high chair for Martin, who sat in it next to his mother. "What can I get you all to drink? We have a fine selection of wines and sparkling fruit juice with flavors ranging from grape to apple to cherry."

"I'll take some sparkling grape juice, then!""Same for me and my wife," requested the Supreme General."Me too!" piped Nyle.Martin, on the other hand, sucked infant formula from his bot-

tle. "Four sparkling grape juices it is! I'll be back to take your orders!"The family then looked at their menus, with a nice diversity of

Italian cuisine, ranging from spaghetti and meatballs to pizza with var-ious kinds of toppings. When the waitress returned with their drinks,

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she inquired, "Are you ready for me to take your orders!""I think we'll all share a large meaty pizza," requested the

Supreme General."Anything else?""That and the free Italian bread should suffice.""One large meaty pizza! Got it down!"The family remained relatively silent until the pizza arrived,

topped with diverse insect meats, with the Supreme General urging ev-eryone to bow their heads so he could say grace. "Dear Heavenly Fa-ther, we thank You kindly for this meal and for getting us safely to our new home in Capricorn. Thank You for protecting us all from the wrath of the Nidhoggr, and we assure You we shall do our part to help in Your nation's crusade against them. In Your name we pray. Amen."

"Amen," repeated the rest of the family, beginning their meal.

After lunch, which came to around fifteen Stellasoluman Dol-lars, the Piers-Bucks clan was on the road again, this time taking the highway dividing Capricorn to the east so they could reach the military installation of Fort Capricorn. Plenty more businesses and restaurants lined the highway, with a large bazaar coming near the community's edge as well, followed by countryside with the occasional tree, not to mention meter-tall stone barriers on both sides of the highway. Were they two separate military bases or two halves of the same base? Some warehouses were visible to the north behind the stonewalls, and the family passed a road intersection with entrances into the northern and southern sides of the base.

Some soldiers' quarters passed to the south, as well, the north-ern barrier of the base's south side ultimately falling away, replaced by Central Stellasolum University, which contained much Aztec-inspired architecture, a small pond, and even bushes that spelled out the institu-tion's initials, CSU, before a large-windowed building. The travelers ultimately turned northward, encountering one of the base's many en-trances where Stellasoluman sentinels desired to see identification so they could pass. Upon noticing that the new Supreme General of their nation was present, they hesitated not in allowing them into Fort Capricorn, which contained plenty of military buildings, some com-mercial areas, barracks, and commander headquarters.

The Piers-Buckses ultimately stabled their animals and vehicle within a stable building alongside a multistoried construction where a

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sign indicated that it was Fort Capricorn's main office of operation. Through the main entrance doors they passed, with a tall lobby area following, a soldier behind the counter greeting, "Welcome to Fort Capricorn's Headquarters! How may I serve you all today?"

"I am Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, the new Supreme General of the Republic of Stellasolum."

"Ah, Mr. Bucks, sir! We've been expecting you. We'll have someone lead you to your office!"

Indeed, another soldier came and escorted the Piers-Bucks clan up a few floors and through the headquarters' hallways, eventually stopping before a pair of doors, one of which he opened, indicating, "This would be your office, Mr. Supreme General."

The office was somewhat larger than the average study, having a wooden desk with a few chairs before it and one cushioned chair be-hind it, a few bookshelves filled to capacity, a large window, and a golden chandelier for light. Commented the office's new occupant, "So this is where the magic will happen. Barbara, you and the kids head home, since I intend to start my work right now."

"I'll go shopping back in Capricorn for groceries," noted the sheepdog. "Come on, children, let's go!"

"I'd like to stay and help, father," requested the Younger Judge."You are more than welcome to do so, son. You shall be a fine

page, until school starts.""I'll have supper waiting for you all at home," Barbara indi-

cated as she and the children other than Judge began to depart."I'll be home at twelve."Once the Supreme General and his eldest son were alone, into

the office came a soldier that saluted and greeted, "Good afternoon, Mr. Supreme General, sir!"

"To you as well. What is the reason for your visit?""Just to deliver this scroll to you, sir.""Thank you," bid the Supreme General, accepting the scroll."You're welcome," returned the soldier, leaving."Now let's take a look," the Supreme General indicated, open-

ing the scroll on his desk.The scroll included a map of the Aztec Gulf and the various na-

tions that encircled it, including the Stellasolum Republic, the King-dom of Lucian, the Misys and Albam Federations, the Kingdom of Flora, the Aztec Empire, and the Kingdom of Kobold, which the map

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indicated was a puppet nation of the Empire of Niflheim. A few vec-tors extended from Kobold's port cities, chief among them being the Kingdom's capital of Hellhaven, pointed to the various port cities of Stellasolum, with an especially thick arrow connecting Hellhaven and the Stellasoluman port city of Galvin. Above this particular vessel read "Mikhail Stanford Bakis Dukis, Fleet Admiral of the Kingdom of The Massgraves," the other arrows bearing the names of lesser comman-ders from various Nidhoggr-controlled nations such as Kobold.

"At least we now know the name of some of our enemies," in-dicated the Supreme General.

"Surely the Mermen of the Aztec Empire will take care of the rogue fleet, won't they, dad?"

"That is for the Aztec Emperor to decide, although I am cau-tiously optimistic that they will, but I would like to meet with this Fleet Admiral Dukis to see if maybe we can negotiate a peaceful end to whatever impending conflict may arise."

"What if they don't yearn for a peaceful end, dad?""Then we take them down, of course, with or without help

from the Aztec Mermen. Even extremists can be reasoned with.""By force if necessary," added the Younger Judge."Indeed."A few minutes later the soldier from before came and noted,

"We await your orders, Mr. Supreme General, sir!""Prepare me a carriage to take us to the city of Galvin tomor-

row morning at one-thirty sharp. I live at Twenty-Four Meyn Veterans Avenue in Capricorn."

"Will do, sir!" indicated the guard as he departed."Can I come, too, dad?""Yes, which is why I said 'us' and not just 'me.'""Well, I assumed you were talking about other soldiers that

would serve as your bodyguards.""I shall bring a few of those, as well.""Well, if the Mermen don't back us up, hopefully the Navy of

Stellasolum will do so, no?""We can only hope, son.""By the way, mom might not be supportive of me going with

you on your first mission as Supreme General of Stellasolum.""We don't have to tell her. What she doesn't know definitely

won't hurt her."

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"I'll simply treat our journey onto the Aztec Gulf as just an-other day of work."

"But mom might get suspicious if you don't return by the day's end, dad."

"True, but we'll just wait and see."Judge and his father continued to work for the rest of the day,

occasionally interacting with Stellasoluman soldiers, until the twelfth hour, when they took Beasley home, traveling west across the highway back into the town of Capricorn. They took the Robertson Avenue exit from the highway, the street becoming Meyn Veterans Avenue and curving past the two Aesir churches and going up the hill, to the left, and to their abode, where they stabled the cricket and came home to a nice dinner of tacos, Barbara having shopped at the grocery store. The dessert was flan, and at the beginning of the Twilight Period of the Sixteenth of Odin, everyone got a peaceful rest.

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Chapter XIV

The Battle on the Gulf

When the one o'clock bell rang in Judge's chamber at the beginning of the Daylight Period of Odin the Sixteenth, he rubbed his eyes, got out of bed, and stretched. Then he exited into the kitchen, where his mother was busy preparing breakfast. "Morning, mom."

"Good morning, Judge, dear.""What's for breakfast?""Pancakes and sausage.""Sounds delicious," the white deer commented as he headed

into the dining room where his father and siblings awaited breakfast. "Morning, dad."

"Morning, Judge. Ready for today?""That I am."Barbara ultimately came into the dining room with breakfast,

which everyone consumed after a morning prayer. Then Judge went back into his chamber to relieve himself in the bathroom and perform his other morningly duties, afterward clothing himself and meeting his father at the entrance, where he kissed his wife goodbye and both went outside on the front porch. The time was only a few minutes before the middle of the first hour, with the two sitting on the porch, their feet resting on the path to the mailbox, awaiting the carriage to bring them to Galvin so they could do something about the Nidhoggr fleet.

The carriage ultimately came from the east, with the Supreme General and his eldest son getting up and walking to it, the driver saluting, "Good morning, General!"

"To you as well.""Ready to head to Galvin?""You know I am.""Hop aboard, then!"The father and son entered the carriage, the driver then whip-

ping the roach and urging it onward across Meyn Veterans Avenue, with a wooded slope to and some houses to the south, although their

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TWO YEARS LATER

stable buildings mainly touched the highway, their main entrances ap-pearing on a parallel street. The front ingresses of more houses ulti-mately appeared alongside the street, which intersected with Freedom Lane, where the carriage turned south. Houses were less present on this street, with many trees and the occasional field, up until Oaktree Pass, where the vehicle turned east, passing a few more homes and then descending the hill.

With the highway Oaktree Pass ultimately intersected, the car-riage turning northeast and heading back into the town, the route curv-ing eastward and ultimately exiting into the countryside between the northern and southern sides of Fort Capricorn. Past the first entrance into both sides of the military base the carriage went, along with Cen-tral Stellasolum University and the second base entrance. The road curved southeast, running between east and southeast when it entered the city of Kline, commenced by some military barracks to the north and civilian residences to the south. Southeast the highway then went past a few businesses, inns, restaurants, and the occasional bazaar.

Southeast the highway continued past the headquarters of the Kline Daily Herald, along with a few inns and elementary schools, be-fore curving east-southeastward beyond more businesses, market-places, and restaurants. A particularly-large bazaar passed on the route's northern side, along with a performing arts center and ever more eateries that mostly offered local cuisine, although some offered Aztec food. Some carriage shops passed, as well, as did a children's school that specialized in the performing arts, and the city of Kline ul-timately gave way to Harker, which had another children's school and a bicycle store. A gym, liquor store, a cafe, and plenty of other restau-rants followed as the highway began to curve east-northeastward.

Beyond a funeral home and a pedicurist the highway wound, also passing a shop that sold large carriages catering particularly to gypsies on the go. East-southeastward the route ran again, with the buildings disappearing and giving way to a patchwork of wilderness and fields. Some of these fields farmers had cultivated as the town of Nolan appeared, along with a few residences and a school. Farmfields ultimately gave way to more wilderness, with some cliffsides being present as well, although the highway then settled in an easterly direc-tion beyond a few residences and some more cultivated fields, a sign soon indicating the carriage had entered the town of Bell.

Some flea markets and a gypsy community commenced the

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town, along with plenty of standard abodes, the highway curving east-southeastward. The route took a northeasterly curve within the settle-ment, some farmfields and a carriage store among them also passing, after which the carriage turned south-southeastward onto a narrower intersecting road, passing a vehicle-repair shop. Vast farmfields the carriage passed, along with an Aesir cathedral, the road now running relatively east-southeast and entering the town of Temple, began by another church and a few residences. Wilderness came, and then the farmfields again, followed by a cemetery and a tavern across the street, Judge thinking that perhaps alcohol was the main cause of death in this area, although he crossed his heart nonetheless.

The vehicle eventually took a southerly intersection, the new road being wider, and running southeast through ever more farmfields, a farming equipment store among them. The town of Roger came, be-gun by a taxidermy emporium, with Judge hoping one day he would have the leisure time to hunt wild beasts such as spiders. Through a neighborhood and past a small grocery store the road ran, the rugged farmland continuing afterward. The town of Buckholt eventually came and contained one school that seemed to encompass all grade levels, given the small size of the settlement, followed by more vast farm-fields and then tree-strewn prairies.

Beyond some agricultural warehouses, the highway curved due eastward before heading east-northeast, farmfields and some clusters of homes following that composed the community Cameron, which contained among other things a junior university. Not to mention an inn in the countryside and a clinic right next to it, a cemetery across the street likely for those whom the doctors and nurses failed to save. Southeast the highway ran afterward, then south-southeastward, south-east again, and then south through plenty of farmfields where clusters of trees were present. The carriage took a different highway to the northeast within the town of Milan, which contained a small market and comely neighborhoods.

Then the vehicle turned southeast onto another road, with woods and fields dominating the environs all the way to the commu-nity of Caldwell, which contained a barbecue joint, a farmfeed empo-rium, and a pharmacy, not to mention a few other restaurants and, of course, residences. South the highway then curved, passing another barbecue eatery in the countryside, fields and forests once more domi-nating the scenery all the way to the settlement of Somer, containing a

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small park and a few homes. A cemetery came as well, everyone being certain to cross their hearts in honor of the deceased. After some more countryside came Somer again, with an art studio and a courthouse be-ing among its sights.

The hamlet of Brenham came as well, containing among other things a junk store, with the Younger Judge wondering why anyone would pay money for junk. Farmfields dotted by trees followed, as did another graveyard in the community of Gayhill. Brenham ironically came again as the highway began curving southwest, wooded fields still dominating the town. The route returned to a southeasterly direc-tion within the community, which contained some occasional factories. Due east the road then ran past a cafe, a bank, a sandwich shop, and an inn, plenty of farmfields with the occasional tree, bush, and pond fol-lowing, giving way to the town of Chapel Hill.

Vast farmfields with the occasional barn and/or residence came afterward, with the woods thickening alongside a river that a bridge naturally crossed. North and south, vast farmfields lined the highway, with those to the south bordered by trees. A lake with two small is-lands dotted by trees followed, along with the hamlet of Hemp, which was mostly an agricultural community. A triangular pond ultimately bordered the route's northern side, along with a square pond centered by an unidentifiable construction on stilts. As the highway curved southeast, a liquor store came, along with an inn and a few small restaurants, lunchtime still not being near.

Farms and forests followed, the latter containing the occasional large clearing, although farmfields rarely dotted by a pond quickly fol-lowed. Then came the community of Prairie View, with the settlement indeed containing a nice view of the agricultural fields, within the town also being a college that perhaps specialized in the agricultural arts. A lake shaped like a boot whose sole touched the side of the road, its heel extending westward, with an island containing a building and a bridge leading to it from the northern side, became visible afterward, unsurprisingly followed by vaster farmfields, forests, as well as the town of Waller.

A barbecue eatery and an elementary school were among the town's prominent sights, not to mention a pair of farmfields bordering both sides of the highway encircled by woods. More farmlands, two containing lakes, followed, lakes oddly becoming more common in this area of Stellasolum. The hamlet of Hockley eventually came, ap-

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pearing to be an agricultural community and not containing anything of significance, the highway curving southeast. With the settlement of Seal came a grand bazaar lining the northern side of the road that ap-peared to sell a wide variety of goods such as shoes, Judge believing his current boots were sufficient for the time.

More farmlands following the bazaar, Judge thought it ironic that such a large marketplace could appear in the middle of nowhere, although there were nonetheless plentiful customers. An Aesir cathe-dral commenced the community of Cypress, its residences chiefly ap-pearing on the northern side of the highway, although plenty of mar-ketplaces and restaurants quickly appeared. A bow-and-arrow shooting range appeared south of the road, businesses and residences, the latter mainly appearing south of the road, coming afterward. Following this was the city of Hugo, commenced by an oddly-shaped lake south of the road and a combination of a elementary school, middle school, and high school to the north.

Surprisingly, though, the town of Cypress returned, bearing with it some businesses such as a carriage shop to the north and a clus-ter of manufacturing factories to the south. Some more commercial ar-eas, a pharmacy, and hospital appeared north, with a vast community beyond a border of trees to the south. The city of Hugo returned after a forest to the south and a neighborhood to the north, a pharmacy and medical supply center following. Plenty of bazaars, diverse restaurants such as one offering cuisine from the faraway nation of Mongolia, and storage facilities dominated the town of Hugo, along with some ware-houses and a college.

Some inns and a few Aesir cathedrals followed, along with a hospital, an accompanying pharmacy, and a store offering various paraphernalia for packing and shipping goods across Terra. Neighbor-hoods ultimately surrounded the highway, following which was a col-lege specializing in the performing arts, along with a stairway leading to whatever underground transportation system Hugo employed. South curved the highway beyond a bazaar to the west and an open field to the east, along with sundry clustered businesses beyond which the road curved east again. A small farm also appeared to the south, beyond which was a forest, businesses still dominating the north.

A wooded park also appeared to the south, among them being tennis courts, with Judge never having played the sport in his life. Vast marketplaces then surrounded the highway, with the city's blocks be-

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ing near-perfect rectangles, although this suddenly changed with an inn and a bank to the north. Southwest the highway then curved, and briefly due south through some more commercial area, the road then curving south through perfect square blocks, a hospital occupying all of one of them. Some residences and schools followed, businesses still dominating the north, with an inn appearing alongside a great Aesir cathedral, a university appearing south beyond a field.

Judge also glimpsed a family planning clinic south of the road that he assumed also specialized in terminating the pregnancies of women that desired it, the Aesir Church vastly denouncing the proce-dure, and governments typically levying plenty of taxes upon it. More businesses followed, those to the north clustered among residences, al-though the southern part of the highway remained strictly commercial. The University of Hugo appeared south of the highway as well, with vast stable buildings for the countless students that undoubtedly at-tended the upper-level academy, with more abodes and the occasional business among them following. A river the carriage crossed, after which was a neighborhood to the south, and a park with several roads running through it to the north.

The residences quickly afterward appeared north of the high-way, the south then dominated by plenty of bazaars and stores such as one that specialized in offering paraphernalia for restaurants as well as another that offered furniture for abodes. Businesses then lined both sides of the wide road, a sports field being visible to the north, neigh-borhoods with the occasional small business among them bordering the highway again afterward. The carriage then crossed a bridge span-ning another river, with an inn, a few restaurants, and a tavern being prominent in the following commercial district. A high school, some boutiques, and a few carriage rental facilities were present as well.

Afterward came apartments to the north alongside an Aesir re-ligious academy, with an Aztec restaurant across the street. Some bush and tree-laden fields followed, a gypsy carriage store and a bank being present to the south of the highway, not to mention a daycare to the north. Some more fields proceeded, with some apartments as well as a carriage store to the north, the fields continuing afterward. Finally did the vehicle exit the city of Hugo, with the town of Friendswood south of the highway, containing a carriage, furniture store, and infant para-phernalia emporium, Webster to the north, indicated by a tattoo studio, with Judge aware some Terrans shaved themselves so they could get

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permanent art upon his body, something without which he could most certainly live.

A learning store appeared in Friendswood and a bakery within Webster, the latter settlement seeming to be the larger one as large fields appeared south of the highway. Webster ultimately dominated both sides of the highway with a sports supply store, a fitness gym, an inn, some restaurants, and a memorial park. A large cemetery made everyone in and on the carriage cross their hearts out of respect, fol-lowing which was another bridge spanning a river and the town of League., commenced by an Aztec grill, seafood restaurant, and an inn. A hospital near a sandwich shop and a gypsy community respectively came north and south of the highway, not to mention an eye clinic.

A triangular lake, one of whose corners touched the northern edge of the highway, was another prominent sight, an inn appearing alongside it. Some more bazaars and restaurants followed, not to men-tion some woods and some abodes being present among them, a pair of rival carriage shops afterward coming on the north and south sides of the highway. Another river the carriage crossed, entering a residen-tial area in which was an Aesir cathedral, a few open bushy and tree-laden fields following. Then came Stellasolum City, ironically not the capital of the Republic despite its name, commenced by a carriage em-porium and an Aesir academy.

Some bazaars and restaurants appeared south of the highway, with apartments and an inn to the north across a field, not to mention more woodlands, rugged fields, and even a government building. The town of The Mark followed, with a country cooking restaurant and a real estate agency being prominent, along with a preparatory school and a high school north of the road. Wooded neighborhoods followed, and more open fields with the occasional body of water, a particularly large body eventually bordering the southern side of the highway, an-other residential area coming afterward. Following this was a different sight within Stellasolum, vast marshland that a long bridge crossed.

Brief level land followed and then a longer bridge crossing a larger body of water, an inn commencing the community of Galvin, with the highway ultimately running parallel to another body of water, the carriage taking an intersection and crossing a bridge to the south-ern side of the city, where they went further south beyond some ceme-teries that made them cross their hearts, after which the driver parked the vehicle in a stable building, unhitched the roach, and everyone got

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out. Outside they all went, crossing the street and heading to a nearby wooden pier alongside which docked a few small vessels.

"Excuse me, sir, would you mind allowing us to borrow your boat?" Supreme General Bucks inquired a fisherman, presenting his passport to verify his identity.

"You're the Supreme General? Sure, anything for this country's military! You can keep it if you want!"

"Simply borrowing it would be enough, thanks.""Good luck dealing with those bastards from Kobold!""Our thanks, we shall do fine."Supreme General Bucks, his son, and the Stellasoluman sen-

tinels hopped aboard the boat, which they untied from the jetty, after which the guards headed to the oars and began transporting the clipper onto the Aztec Gulf. Directly ahead was a line of many ebony vessels that flew the flag of the Niflheim Empire. Some of them flew the flag of the puppet Kingdom of Kobold, bearing a yellow Emblem of Nifl-heim within a rightward-pointing red triangle, blue and white stripes alternating on the rest of the flags. Some flew the flag of the Kingdom of The Massgraves, as well, not to mention a few other flags unfamil-iar to Judge, who assumed they perhaps represented the new nations in northeastern Ymir that the Nidhoggr had conquered.

The vessel towards which the Stellasoluman soldiers rowed the borrowed vessel bore a Massgraves flag, with Supreme General Bucks supposing perhaps that the Massgrievous Fleet Admiral was aboard it. When the clipper drew near, its occupants took surprise to notice that the sailors aboard dropped a rope ladder down its port side, with the small vessel ultimately reaching the rope and dropping anchor. Then the crew began to ascend to the ship itself, Judge the Younger being first to reach deck, and he took little surprise to notice the sailors draw their weapons and point them in his direction. Once the others were aboard, up from below the ship came a black deer/duck hybrid who Judge supposed commanded the ship.

"Good afternoon!" he quacked. "Unless your pathetic nation's leaders left you in the dark, I am Mikhail Stanford Bakis Dukis, Fleet Admiral of the glorious Kingdom of The Massgraves, loyal servant of His Majesty King Warden Sweeney!"

"I knew of your name, Mr. Fleet Admiral, but not of the King whom you serve. I am the new Supreme General of Stellasolum, Judge Hartford Victor Bucks, and though I am new to the Republic, I am no

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stranger to battle, and assure you that I am ready for the trials both our sides shall endure."

"But your trials shall be greater! The Nidhoggr have seized much of Ymir, and their terrain shall further expand!"

"Not if we have our way, Dukis.""You shall not taste your first draught of victory, Bucks!""What makes you so confident?""That I have single-handedly seized nearly all of northeastern

Ymir for the Nidhoggr! True, I have had my share of shortcomings further south, but who do you think stands a better chance? I, a sea-soned Fleet Admiral who has darkened the seas of the Atlas with his enemies' blood, or you, a novice Supreme General?"

"I did serve as Supreme General of Connexion, Dukis.""And obviously lost, as you shall here!""Overconfidence will not win you this battle.""I'm not overconfident! I know I will win!""Are you a prophet?""Do you mock me?""Of course not. I would not mock such an arrogant Admiral.""You'll pay for your insolence, Bucks!" admonished Dukis as

he drew his sword and charged at the Supreme General.CLING. The Fleet Admiral's sword, to his surprise, met oppo-

sition, but not from whom he had expected. "You won't dare touch the Supreme General of Stellasolum!"

"And just who is this new adversary?"Somewhat surprised that he stood just as tall as Fleet Admiral

Dukis, Judge replied, "I am the son of the one you wish to slay.""You obviously take after your mother, boy," supposed the

Fleet Admiral, who suddenly lunged his blade forward, knocking back Judge, "but none of that, now! I'll have your head, Bucks!"

PLINK. SPLASH. Bucks wondered, "What was that?""Admiral, one of our men has fallen!""And just who could be responsible?""None of them lifted a finger, sir!""Do you dare turn against me?" an enraged Dukis interrogated

as he put his sword to the speaking sailor's neck."Well, to be honest, Admiral, I didn't see how he went down,

but I can say that no one of them did anything!""LIAR!" screamed Dukis as he slashed the sailor, sending him

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overboard. Then he addressed the other sailors: "Now if any of you scoundrels do that, you'll meet his fate! YOU HEAR ME?"

"Yes, Admiral!" came the chorus of Massgrievous sailors."Now, getting back to business..." PLUNK. SPLASH. Con-

founded by this repetition of noise, the Dukis madly gazed around seeking a possible source. "Just what is going on here?"

"I think I know, Admiral!" suggested a Massgrievous sailor."Then tell me!""It looked like an arrow came from the sea and killed him!""An arrow came from the sea?" repeated Dukis, who laughed,

only to turn angry and yell, "YOU FILTHY LIAR!""I'm not lying, sir! I swear I...""ENOUGH EXCUSES!" interrupted the Fleet Admiral, who

slashed the sailor overboard, admonishing the others, "Let that be a lesson to the rest of you! Don't forget that our real enemy is them! They've pulled enough stupid tricks behind our backs! Men, attack!"

"Yes, Admiral!"The sailors then brandished their weapons, marching towards

the Supreme General and his party. Unsurprisingly, a few of the sea-men began dying suddenly thanks to arrows that apparently flew from the seas. Fleet Admiral Dukis was apparently ignorant of this, and laughed as his men crossed weapons with the Stellasolumans. As they did so, however, a sailor emerged onto the deck of the Massgrievous ship and alerted, "Admiral! Our ship's sinking!"

This caught nearly all the sailors off guard, and the Stella-solumans managed to repel the horde that had charged them. Enraged by this diversion, Fleet Admiral Dukis immediately stabbed the sailor, screaming, "How dare you betray me!"

"I don't think he was lying! I think this ship is sinking!""Oh, so you're with him!" Dukis angrily wondered."Why don't you ever listen to your own--AHHHHHHHHH!""Because I'm your leader!" retorted Dukis as he stabbed the

sailor "That's why! Whoa!"Just then, the ship tilted, sending Dukis to the Gulf, after which

he spread his wings and flew, vowing, "You'll pay for this, Bucks!""Not with our lives, apparently..."As Dukis soared to what remained of his fleet, the Stella-

solumans could hear him scream, "ATTACK!"The Massgrievous fleet then sailed forth, although there were

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no Stellasoluman vessels to halt their advance. While the borrowed ship among the fleet was especially vulnerable, Bucks and his son took relief to see many of the Massgrievous vessels sink mysteriously. De-spite the rapid loss of their ships, they still advanced, with Dukis per-haps foolishly believing he actually had a chance in this battle. The vessels closest to the solitary Stellasoluman ship were the first to sink, with the sinking advancing left and right along the armada. As this oc-curred, Judge stood near the edge of the small ship, eying the seas and seeing a few Mermen, mainly dolphins, swimming below with diverse weapons, the white deer smiling and waving at them.

A few minutes later, the Nidhoggr fleet consisted mostly of lifeboats with evacuating sailors that rowed southeast, undoubtedly heading back to Kobold. The Supreme General, his son, and the sol-diers returned to Galvin, where the sailor greeted, "Welcome back, friends! How did it go?"

"Can you not see the ships sinking?" asked Bucks."Yes! It's a miracle! Let me treat you all to lunch!"The fisherman had a stove aboard his vessel, which doubled as

his abode, and cooked fish for Supreme General Bucks, his son, and their escorts from Fort Capricorn. Afterward they all began their return journey back to Capricorn, which took roughly five hours, with Bucks and his eldest son coming home just in time for dinner, with his wife having cooked spaghetti and meatballs with breadsticks, a delicious meal. Dessert followed around half an hour later, and then everyone headed to bed well-fed, Judge the Younger savoring the victory that the Aztec Empire's underwater forces had brought the Republic of Stellasolum, giving him confidence that peace might just return to the troubled world of Terra.

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Chapter XV

The Return to Flora

For the rest of the month of Odin in the year 4888 III.A., Judge contin-ued to help his father at his place of work on Fort Capricorn, though there weren't any more special missions where he the Supreme Gen-eral's lives, as well as the lives of pretty much everyone in Stella-solum, were at stake. However, they did occasionally travel with Presi-dent Clemente on diplomatic trips to the Republic's neighbors, the New Aztec Kingdom to the west, the Oki Federation to the north, and the Kingdom of Lucian to the east. Another of Stellasolum's neighbors was the Kingdom of Arcadia, although it had for some unknown rea-son closed its borders to outsiders, with a giant stone barrier encircling the nation in construction as though they intended to bolster their iso-lationism. Were the Nidhoggr responsible?

On Neptune the Second the following month, Judge began the sixth grade at Ledger Williams Intermediate School, and had little to no trouble adjusting to his new academic life, what with the break he had gotten since finishing the fifth grade at The Haven Academy. Nyle in the meantime was placed into a preschool program at the Fairjewel Aesir Academy, an elementary school that covered preschool through the third grade. Martin on the other hand was too young to attend a school, although his parents did ultimately train him to use the toilet, and he began to speak. The schoolgoing Buckses had weeklong breaks in the school year the first week of the fifth month of the year, Terra, when spring commenced; the eighth month of the year, Vulcan, when summer began; and the eleventh month of the year, Shiva, when the autumnal season started.

The year 4889 ultimately came, with the Piers-Bucks family blessed with another child, the albino Dorothy, making her the first fe-male child of the family. The following school year, Judge began the seventh grade at Buckley Junior High School, while Martin was placed into preschool and Nyle continued his preschool education, still not old enough for grade school. The year itself was fairly uneventful, al-

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though during the next winter break on the month of Odin in 4890, the Republic of Stellasolum experienced an election on the third day of the month, where all politicians in all level of office were up for election.

One had to be a score old to be eligible to vote, and none of the Piers-Bucks children, of course, had yet reached that age, although the Supreme General and his wife were certain to vote. No citizen of the Republic of Stellasolum, however, could vote directly for a President, with the people of each Province, the Piers-Bucks family's being Cory in the heart of the nation, instead voting for competing electors who would then cast their votes for candidates based on their positions on various issues. Willard Clemente did not seek another term as Presi-dent, and in his place the electors ultimately chose a rather ambitious female, Anna Richard, to be his successor.

Elected members of the upper chamber of the Stellasoluman Parliament, the Senate, chose their Vice President (who doubled as President of the Senate), in this case selecting a new one to replace Bill Hob, Rob Bull. The members of the lower chamber, the House of Rep-resentatives, chose their own leader, the Chancellor, in the recent elec-tion keeping Gato Lowe in the position. Those politicians that did not vote for the chosen President of the Senate and Chancellor formed the Opposition within both chambers, the leading factions known as the Lowe Faction in the lower chamber and the Bull Faction in the upper chamber. About all this Judge had learned through his social studies classes in school, with the eldest Bucks child himself entertaining the thought of one day running for office when he was old enough.

All this on his mind, Judge awoke the morning of Odin 9, 4890 III.A., in his chamber, rubbing his eyes, getting out of bed and stretch-ing, after which he relieved himself within his bathroom. After this, he breakfasted with his family, joining his father on Beasley in the stable hall as they exited into the streets of Capricorn, en route to the adjacent military base. Down the hill upon which they lived they went, follow-ing the street past the Aesir churches as it curved and became Robert-son Avenue, after which they departed the town east on the highway and made their way to Fort Capricorn, at whose headquarters the father and son stabled their cricket and went to the Supreme General's office for another day of work.

"Sir, this letter came for you," indicated a soldier as he entered the military leader's office.

"From whom does it come?"

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"President Richard, sir!""Give it to me, then.""Yes, sir!" concurred the guard, handing over the letter."My thanks.""You're welcome," bid the soldier as he left.The Supreme General opened the envelope, removed the letter,

and began reading: "To the Supreme General of the Republic of Stella-solum, I bring you grave news of the Empire of Babylonia invading and occupying the Emirate of Kuwayt. You are to lead forces across the Atlas Ocean and other seas to reach the far-off nation and liberate them from Babylonian captivity. As you travel to arrive there, you will receive the alliance of many nations in Alfheim, Muspelheim, and Jo-tunheim, and greater will the armada grow all the way to the Emirate. This shall undoubtedly be a difficult mission, but I am certain that it does not exceed your capabilities. You are to report to the Port Ark Naval Base to begin this long mission. Sincerely yours, Anna Richard, President of the Republic of Stellasolum."

"Sounds like a challenge," noted Judge, "but I'm sure that I can help you, dad."

"You are most certainly welcome to join me, and again we will not tell your mother of this as we did with the invasion by Fleet Admi-ral Dukis two years ago. However, I must warn you that it may take some time to arrive there and you will likely miss out on the first few months of eighth grade, and either wait until the following year to at-tend that grade or begin in the middle of the school year and have to do plenty of makeup work."

"I don't mind, dad.""You must also realize that the people of Kuwayt and in nearby

nations follow the teachings of the Cult of Muspelheim, with whom we must be extra sensitive, since they do not take criticism of their faith very well like other religions do."

"Got it.""Supreme General Bucks, sir?" alerted a soldier as he entered

Bucks' office. "There's a carriage waiting for you outside the entrance to take you to The Body of Vali."

"I'm ready," assured the Supreme General, following the sen-tinel to the large building's entrance where a carriage did indeed await his arrival, perhaps sent by President Richard herself.

South from the headquarters drove the carriage as the two

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o'clock bells tolled, ultimately departing Fort Capricorn into the wilds of Stellasolum, the road curving southeast into the city of Kline. The vehicle curved south-southwest between a pawn shop to the west and a bank to the east, traveling between a combination of businesses and neighborhoods. Bushy, wooded, flowery, and grassy countryside fol-lowed, not to mention an Aesir Cathedral, the Piers-Bucks family hav-ing attended services at Fairjewel Church yesterday morning and defi-nitely needing the blessings of Lord Odin in the upcoming mission in an unfamiliar region of Terra. South ran the highway beyond some thick forests, the town of Kline ultimately returning in the form of a few low-density constructions.

Southwest beyond an airfield the highway ran, entering the onomatopoetic hamlet of Ding Dong, which a river crossed by a bridge terminated, a vast open field to the east and forest that especially thick-ened alongside the stream to the west. Rugged hills and several undu-lations in the road followed, along with some more houses in the ham-let, and then more countryside. It was around then that Judge began to see some towns through which he had previously passed, including Florence, although there were some he had never seen before such as George, which farmfields seemed to dominate, along with the standard businesses and abodes.

Another unfamiliar settlement followed, Roundrock, which was a suburb of Asteria, and beyond which the Supreme General and his son encountered more familiar settlements, such as the Abbeys of St. Marcus and Saint Anthony. Beyond the latter monastery, with the highway running relatively southward, however, the terrain and occa-sional towns they passed were mostly unfamiliar, endless farmfields seeming to dominate the environs. The two ultimately arrived in a city called The Body of Vali, named in honor of the ritual sometimes per-formed in Aesir churches when parishioners consumed bread and wine that symbolized the body and blood of the sacrificed Prince Vali.

A rugged bay the carriage crossed, with a pair of Shore Patrol-men defending the tall stone barriers of what was undoubtedly Port Ark, one inquiring, "We'd like to see some identification, please."

Luckily, Supreme General Bucks and his son were certain to bring along their passports, which they would undoubtedly require for international travel. "You may enter."

The large wooden doors opened and the metallic portcullis be-hind it opened, allowing the father and son into the military base. In

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Port Ark were countless waterways, shipyards, barracks, and all the typical amenities of military bases, with the highway ultimately head-ing northeast about a kilometer or two from the Stellasoluman shore-line, upon which were many jetties and naval vessels. The coastline drew nearer the road as time elapsed, with the two ultimately arriving at more buildings, with many of the seamen headed to the docks for evident departure all the way to the Emirate of Kuwayt. Bucks and their son followed them, ultimately reaching a dock with several ships whose end they ultimately approached.

"Greetings!" saluted the Shore Patrolman guarding the wooden stairway leading onto the vessel. "Off to Kuwayt, are we?"

"Yes," the Supreme General affirmed."We'd like to see some passports, then."The father and son showed their passports. "Ah, Supreme Gen-

eral Bucks! We've been expecting you! You and your, um...""Son.""Yes, you and your son may come aboard."Supreme General Bucks and his oldest son did so, the Shore

Patrolmen taking the wooden stairs onboard and closing the panel al-lowing it to connect to the vessel. Then the anchor rose, and the vessel commenced its long journey to Kuwayt across the Aztec Gulf. Other Stellasoluman ships followed, forming a great armada that gradually sailed eastward. The journey was fairly slow since the ship didn't ap-pear to have the assistance of Espers to propel it across the seas, and Judge wondered how he would spend his time aboard. The vessel was still the middle of the Aztec Gulf by the time the day's end arrived, with everyone gathering in the mess hall below deck for a decent din-ner, afterward calling it a night.

The morning of Odin 10, Judge slept about an hour or so into the morning in his cabin, needing not to awaken early since he hadn't an activity to occupy him throughout the trip. He got out of bed and opened his chamber's window, seeing nothing but distant waters. He assumed that the ship hadn't traveled far across the Aztec Gulf, after which he clothed himself and headed to the mess hall for an enjoyable breakfast with his father. They had no words to exchange and after-ward went their separate ways on the ship, Judge ascending to the deck and watching the seemingly endless waters.

The fourteen year-old Judge unfortunately didn't know much of

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the world outside the Ymir Continent, and wondered exactly what would await him in the Emirate of Kuwayt, not to mention the Empire of Babylonia if his father chose to invade the nation in retribution for their conquest of the nation. He had heard that most inhabitants of the Muspelheim continent were members of its namesake faith, the Cult of Muspelheim, with its symbol being a curved scimitar, a likely indica-tion of the religion's warlike ways. He hadn't received much history of Terra in his studies, with his seventh grade curriculum focusing mainly on the history of Stellasolum.

The earliest known settlers of what would become the Republic of Stellasolum were the Stella tribe that would ultimately provide the nation its name, having risen during the Genesis Era when the Fimbul-vetr ravaged Terra. Vastly-organized civilization did not arise upon Western Terra, which included the continents of Ymir and Vanaheim (with Judge having visited the latter continent when he traveled the Aztec Empire) until settlers from Eastern Terra, which included conti-nents such as Muspelheim, Alfheim, Jotunheim, and the Orient, found their way to the West. The Stella were a fairly isolationist people that didn't explore much of what would become Stellasolum, and didn't covert to the Aesir Church until much later.

Stellasolum further remained uneventful during the First Age of Terra, with the nations of Eastern Terra being relatively small and isolationist as well, although they occasionally fought wars and con-quered one another. Asgard itself had only seen its foundation a few years into the First Age, and itself was small at the time, comprising the northern icecap of Terra. Judea itself had been a small Kingdom at the time, although the Holy Kingdom annexed it shortly after the death of Prince Vali at the hands of the Judeans there, with Asgard becoming the first source of civilization in the world.

It was after the termination of the First Age thanks to the Great Demon War that the nations of Terra's continents received their mod-ern formations and boundaries, and relatively coexisted with each other during the Second Age that followed. Niflheim itself also be-came a secondary source of civilization and it began to colonize many nations within Southern Terra, although Niflheim, as it had been dur-ing the First Age, was a source of tyranny and oppression. The nations of Alfheim became a tertiary source of civilization, with some brave explorers daring to brave the Atlas Ocean in search of new lands, since they tired of wars with other nations within the Alfheim continent and

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desired to transport their surplus populations to their new colonies.The nations of Alfheim brought their civilization to Western

Terra, and mostly purchased their new lands from the indigenous folk there, with the Grand Duchy of Otterland, Judge knew, being one of the nations that sought colonization in the form of the New Otterland Colony in what would become the Connexion Republic. Other nations such as the Empires of Gaul and Hispania established colonies in what would become Stellasolum, the former nation not having that much success, given their inability to negotiate with the native Stella tribe, although Hispania had far more success, with its population procreat-ing with the natives.

However, neither Gaul nor Hispania could properly colonize what would become Stellasolum, as civilization already existed there in the form of the Aztec Empire, within which the Holy Kingdom of Asgard had established a colony in the form of Saint Louis Potosi, and it was against the laws of the Aesir Church to oppress foreigners, since virtually everyone on the planet had foreigners as descendants that had at one point migrated around the world. Like the nations of Alfheim that sought colonization in Western Terra, the Aztec Empire had be-gun as a small nation, but a Kingdom, until it expanded into an Empire that encompassed many Kingdoms, among them being the Kingdom of Taejon that would become modern Stellasolum, ruled by the Taejon dynasty, a family of badgers.

Not until after the Great Seraphim Purge that ended the Second Age of Terra, which commenced the Third Age, did the Aztec Empire fully allow foreigners to reside in and develop their land. The new im-migrants mainly settled in the Kingdom of Taejon, the majority of them speaking Anglian, and ultimately developing a culture of their own within what was back then one of the Aztec Empire's northern-most Kingdoms. Tired of Aztec rule, the new residents overthrew the Taejon family and established in its place the Republic of Stellasolum, beginning a brief war with Azteca that ultimately resulted in a Stella-soluman victory and the nation's assured independence.

During the Third Age, some of the other northernmost King-doms of the Aztec Empire sought independence as well and waged an-other war with Azteca known as the Aztec-Ymir War, with the result-ing independent nations being the New Aztec Kingdom, the Kingdom of Aries, and the Kingdom of Ursina. Colonies of Alfheim nations to the northeast also sought independence, although they mostly did so

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through peaceful means such as civil negotiation, as was the case with the New Otterland Colony, which became the Connexion Republic. Given the rise of the Nidhoggr again around the nations near the Holy Kingdom of Asgard, Judge suspected perhaps that another great war would occur on Terra and end the Third Age.

Thinking about the history of Terra consumed most of Judge's day, although he did have lunch and dinner with his father and the ves-sel's crewmembers, afterward calling it a day. It was not until the first day of the month of Dolphina that Judge could see land by looking out of his cabin's window, which contained a pleasant surprise, as well, the gleaming white disposition of an Aesir monastery (with Aesir flags confirming this), which led him to believe that perhaps they would re-ceive some additional help in the form of Espers that could perhaps transport them more quickly to the Emirate of Kuwayt. This in mind, he clothed himself and headed to the mess hall, meeting his father.

"Land at last," Judge noted."Land indeed," affirmed the Supreme General."Looks like an Aesir monastery.""I could see, my son.""Think Asgard will help us against Babylonia?""They could, or they could not.""I would like it if they at least provided us faster means of get-

ting to our destination, dad.""Yes, I remember the Espers that could quickly propel a ship

through the seas as they did before we encountered that ship from the Kingdom of Kobold."

"Thank God they haven't attacked us again.""Perhaps the Aztec Empire is far more aware of the threat of

the Nidhoggr and has provided greater protection to their Gulf.""Back to Flora...I miss Jed.""As do I, son.""Think we might meet him while we're there?""I doubt it since he is likely busy with his studies in Tellah.""A shame...""He has his own life now with the Floran royal family, and I

think he thus has a better life than with us.""Why him and not me, dad?""You are a great asset to both the Bucks family and the Repub-

lic of Stellasolum, son. It would most certainly be difficult to part with

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you of all people.""Yes, I imagine it would drive mom insane.""That it would, son. I dread to see her face when you and I re-

turn from this mission.""If we survive it.""I am certain we will son, but the bright side of death would be

to avoid seeing her reaction to our leaving without informing her.""Now that you mention it, father, living to see her face and re-

action would certainly be a fate worse than death. At least in death we could transmigrate into another form and hopefully avoid having to deal with her again."

"Unless we reincarnate as Terrans that must deal with an equally-tyrannical wife and matriarch."

"We can only hope that doesn't happen, father. But I think we should focus on our current lives rather than the next lives we might or might not have."

"True, son. Matters of the living are far more important than matters of the deceased. Even Lord Odin Himself would will us to fo-cus on our current lives rather than our next lives."

"Can't defy God, can we?""Unless we join the Nidhoggr...""Like that'd happen."Supreme General Bucks and his son enjoyed a laugh, after

which they consumed their breakfast, then ascending to the deck to see the ship pull alongside one of the jetties extending from the monastery, with gleaming white Aesir ships mostly docked among them, the Stel-lasoluman vessel being the only one of a different hue. The vessel's an-chor dropped, after which sailors began to tie the ship to the pier, with one seaman opening the panel on the starboard side of the ship so that he could connect the deck and the jetty with the roped stairway plank. Then did the crew start their departure into Aesir territory, with every-one needing to show their identities as they had, after all, entered for-eign terrain.

The giant wooden doors connecting the abbey's interior to the marina opened, with the iron portcullis rising to reveal a convoy of royal guards, which caused Judge to tell his father, "I think the King might be here, dad!"

"Those do look like royal soldiers, my son.""Hopefully Jed didn't stay home."

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"Virtually everyone on Terra gets Odin and Luna's Days off, so I assume he would take a break from Tellah once in a while."

"We can only hope."Among the royal party, Judge could promptly recognized the

vulpine royal family that included King Jeremiah, Queen Victoria, Prince Festus, Princess Columbia, and, to his delight, his brother Jede-diah. Running to his sibling, Judge exclaimed, "Jed!"

"Big brother?" the younger brown deer wondered. "Long time no see!"

"It's so good to see you again!" assured Judge as he embraced his younger sibling.

"You too, bro!""What about me, Jed?" the Supreme General inquired as his

oldest son released Jed from his embrace."I'm glad to see you too, dad," assured Jed as he leapt and em-

braced his father.Releasing his second-oldest son, Bucks noted, "Were you all

expecting us?""Well, I knew you would become Supreme General of Stella-

solum, dad, and I've heard of the troubles between the Empire of Babylonia and the Emirate of Kuwayt, but I was somewhat expecting you to go directly to the heart of the conflict."

"We do wish to stop on land once in a while during a long trip, Jed. Even sailors can get tired of endless oceans. I am certain we shall make other stops in Muspelheim and Jotunheim, as well, before help-ing liberate Kuwayt."

"I certainly don't want to go over there, since I'm perfectly con-tent in Flora."

"Even more so than your own family?""As I told you then, I'm tired of running away from the enemy,

and want to be like my big brother and be closer to them and stand up to them once in a while."

"Are Flora's neighbors free from the Nidhoggr, Jed?" Judge in-quired his sibling.

"Last we heard, yes.""Will Flora be sending forces to Kuwayt as well?""Yes! That's one of the matters the King and Queen will likely

want to discuss with you all.""It's been a while, Bucks," King Jeremiah noted, he and the

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Supreme General exchanging an embrace."And I am glad to see Your Majesty once more, not as Citizen

Bucks, but as Supreme General Bucks once again.""We assure you, Mr. Supreme General, that the Kingdom of

Flora shall be behind you all the way to Kuwayt and beyond. This monastery shall also be willing to provide Esper seamen that can trans-port your ship more quickly to that troubled part of Muspelheim."

"Just what we need!" noted Judge."But we must warn you that if the Nidhoggr are at work, that

their vessels will have similar capability.""Yes, we found that out two years ago with that incident off of

Flora's coast. Are the Nidhoggr at work, again?""That we know not, although history has taught us that they

can be wicked manipulators of the weak-minded, and have incited plenty of minor conflicts during each Age alongside the greater ones that have terminated the First and Second Ages."

"Who currently rules Babylonia?""Emperor Sodom of House Hassan.""Is he a member of the Order of the Nidhoggr?""No, the Cult of Muspelheim, although from what we have

heard, he is fairly secular and somewhat thinks organized religion to be a pestilence upon Terra."

"A pestilence the Nidhoggr may be, but certainly not the Aesir Church, Your Majesty."

"It would surprise us not if Babylonia, being the harbor of the World Tree Yggdrasil, were one of the main battlegrounds of Rag-narok should that ever occur."

"Then it would be best if we stopped Ragnarok from happening or at the very least delay it."

"Indeed."

At three the Stellasoluman ship departed St. Peter Abbey, heading south with some Aesir ships among the fleet, not to mention Esper seamen that propelled the vessels throughout the water. Many coastal towns the armada passed, Heading due south away from the coast at fifth hour of the Daylight Period. At seven everyone on the ship had lunch, and at eight the ships passed a few islands that one of the propelling sailors indicated were still part of the Kingdom of Flora, the ship turning east afterward. Even with the increased agility, none

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of the vessels had reached land by the time the Twilight Period com-menced, everyone but the Esper sailors enjoying a good rest.

238

Chapter XVI

Bahama and Kobold

Judge took surprise when he heard a one o'clock bell toll, stirring him awake and making him wonder, "Damn, are we already at Kuwayt?"

Wondering if this was the case, the white deer got out of bed and promptly headed to his cabin's window, drawing the curtains apart and unhooking the shutters to get what could possibly be his first view of the Kuwayt Emirate. Gazing directly outside the starboard window, Judge noticed nothing but distant waters, and staring right gave him the same scene. However, staring leftward, Judge noticed a large sea-side settlement, although he doubted that the vessel had arrived in Kuwayt, given that nothing but the Twilight Period of the Second of Dolphina had elapsed, at least as far as he knew. The buildings mostly contained a white hue, at first making him suppose they had reached another Aesir Province, although he was aware that nations close to Terra's Equator tended to tint their abodes white to reflect the sun.

Concluding that the Lone Star was still far from the Emirate of Kuwayt, Judge closed and hooked the shutters and drew the curtains back together, dressing himself in his Stellasoluman attire and exiting his cabin into the halls of the Lone Star, noticing a few sailors and civilians chatting or walking about. Towards the vessel's aft he trekked, ascending the wooden stairwell whose midsections lanterns lit, as they did the main hallways. One floor upward was the mess hall, where he scoped the tables in search of his father, finding him not. To a vacant table he walked, sitting and awaiting the opportunity to break his fast.

Upon receiving his breakfast and beginning to eat it, the white deer heard his father greet, "Good morning son."

"Morning, dad.""How are we this morning?""I'm fine. You?""Same as always.""Do you know where we are, now?"

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"Probably not the Kuwayt Emirate since I seriously doubt the Aesir sailors could have propelled us there overnight, but I do assume we have business wherever the Lone Star had docked, or else we'd be continuing our voyage across the Atlas."

"True. Hopefully we'll be getting another nation's alliance this morning and be off by the afternoon."

"That would be most prudent, son," assured the Supreme Gen-eral as he received his own breakfast tray and began eating.

Following the morning meal, the Supreme General and his el-dest son ascended to the deck, the former inquiring a Stellasoluman sailor, "Would you happen to know where we're docked, sir?"

"Why, yes, I do! We're in Nassau, capital of the Kingdom of Bahama. Can we assume that you'll want to meet with its monarch?"

"Certainly! Fetch Beasley, if you would.""Aye-aye, sir!" agreed the sailor.The seaman and some of his companions then took the cross-

hatched metallic guard off its hole in the center of the vessel, bringing a crane's platform above it and beginning to lower it. Upon the plat-form the crewmember leapt, afterward disappearing into the ship. A few minutes later, the platform returned with the Piers-Bucks family's black cricket Beasley, who had apparently been chewing hay during the ascent, what with the new presence of some straw upon the dais. Off the platform the sailor took the cricket, with the Supreme General and his son mounting, the former taking its reins and guiding it to the port side, where it leapt grandly onto the nearby jetty, softening its fall by spreading its wings.

"Welcome to Nassau in the glorious Kingdom of Bahama!" a Bahaman sailor greeted. "I'd like to see some passports, please."

"Certainly," concurred the Supreme General as he and his son showed their identification.

"By the way, could you show us to the monarch's palace?" the Younger Judge inquired.

"Certainly!" agreed the seaman, mounting his own cricket and bidding, "Follow me!"

For a few minutes the father and son followed the Bahaman sailor through the streets of the Kingdom's capital, with plenty a twist and turn en route to the monarch's residence. On the way, Judge ob-served that most of the city's residents consisted of animals that origi-

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nated in the Jotunheim continent such as lions, tall-necked giraffes, massive elephants, and so forth, with the volume of many of the con-structions reflecting that. Ultimately the sailor guided the two to a white stone-encircled palace with metallic gates granting entry, the royal soldiers allowing the two crickets beyond, afterward shutting them within the palace yard.

The palace consisted of three pink constructions centered by a statue depicting a horned ovine monarch sitting in a throne upon a stone block, a plaque upon the block reading in Anglian, "Bahamut I, Founder of the Kingdom of Bahama." The central building featured four white stone columns suspending a pink triangular roof beyond which was a double-doored entrance, the leftward and rightward build-ings appearing more subdued and merely bearing entrance doors with no columns. Within the palace yard the Bahaman sailor escorted the Elder and Younger Judges to the front of the central construction, ev-eryone dismounting and royal soldiers coming forth to take the beasts of burden to the stables.

"Well, here you are!" noted the sailor, signaling the father and son to follow. "We'll all see the King together!"

The sailor guided the Supreme General and his son around the bushes near the palace facade to ascend the stairs that preceded the en-trance, the royal soldiers gladly opening their respective doors upon noticing the sailor and his party. Although the exterior contained pink-ish hues, the interior was mostly white, a golden chandelier illuminat-ing the entrance hall that spanned two stories, a balcony encircling the hall on second floor with doorways leading onto the front balcony the Elder and Younger Judges had seen before entering. Another pair of royal soldiers allowed the party into the throne room, in whose throne sat the ovine monarch, his wool black and his horns brown.

"Greetings," saluted the King as his visitors bowed. "To the strangers I assume do not hail from my Kingdom, I am Bahamut X, King of Bahama, and I welcome you all into my court. May I ask what brings you all here?"

"I don't have any personal business," the Bahaman sailor indi-cated, "although my friends here do."

"Indeed," Supreme General Bucks agreed, introducing himself along with his son, the two telling of their exploits.

"Very interesting. We would be most obliged to provide you ships and soldiers to help liberate the Kuwayt Emirate from the Baby-

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lonian Empire, although since our nation is not exactly populous, and we have our archipelago's defense to worry about as well, we shall not provide all forces at our disposal."

"Trouble with Kobold, I take it?" Bucks assumed, aware of Ba-hama's proximity to the Nidhoggrian puppet nation.

"Indeed, Kobold is by far our most dangerous adversary. We are on good terms with the two Kingdoms that occupy the island of Hispaniola, Haiti and Dominica, and we shall do our best to rally them against the Empire of Babylonia assuming a domestic dispute does not draw our attention."

"Your Majesty!" a royal soldier shouted as he rushed into the throne room and bowed before the King.

"What brings you here in a rush, soldier?""It's Kobold! They've invaded Inagua Island!""Curse those bastards! Who leads them?""A ship that flies the flag of the Kingdom of The Massgraves

to the north!""It has to be Dukis," inferred the Supreme General."I'm not sure who's leading them, sire!" huffed the soldier."Mikhail Stanford Bakis Dukis is Fleet Admiral of The Mass-

graves," King Bahamut noted. "From what our intelligence has gath-ered, he has been staging a military campaign off the shore of Ymir that he terms the Dukis Miracle, hoping to bring the coastal states of the continent under Nidhoggr control. He has been trying to use the puppet Kingdom of Kobold as a staging ground from which to invade the nations of both Ymir and Kobold. Recently Stellasolum succeeded in repelling their armada."

"Although we had the help of the Mermen of Azteca," elabo-rated Judge. "Does Bahama have their support, Your Majesty?"

"Unfortunately, the Merfolk of the Atlas Ocean are not exactly organized, given the size of the ocean, and it would be difficult to unite them against the Nidhoggr, unlike your Aztec Mermen who fall in the vicinity of the Aztec Empire."

"With or without Mermen, we can still try and help Your Majesty repel the invaders," suggested Bucks.

"Fortunately, Inagua Island is fortified with a naval base and should hopefully do a decent job repelling them unless the Koboldans have come in full force," noted the King.

"They've brought enough ships to match Inagua, maybe the en-

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tire Bahaman Navy!" the reporting soldier admonished."Blast," cursed King Bahamut. "Our only options are fighting

them with what military power we have or surrendering.""If we capture some of them, we could interrogate them as to

why they're invading," suggested Judge."That would depend upon whether the tide of battle flows in

our favor or Kobold's.""I could easily sink their ships," noted Judge, then unbuttoning

his shirt and revealing his gills. "I can breathe underwater and could make holes in their ships. I'm also skilled in combat and could maybe capture and interrogate one of them to see why they're invading in the first place."

"Unfortunately, most residents of Bahama do not share that ca-pability, so you would likely be on your own, young Judge."

"I don't mind working solo, Your Majesty. All I'll need is a fly to get there quickly."

"Fortunately for you, we have a few." To the bearer of the un-fortunate news the King commanded, "Take him to the stables."

"Yes, Your Majesty! Follow me, Mr. Judge!"Judge then followed the royal soldier to the palace's stable area,

which was fairly quiet since most of the bugs of burden there had likely already had their breakfasts. One stable the guard opened to re-veal a fly, which he harnessed and took out of its chamber. The white deer followed the soldier outside, where he mounted the fly and won-dered, "Where can I find Inagua Island?"

"Just fly southeast, and you'll see it! I'm pretty sure the war that's going on there will help you find it better!"

"My thanks," bid Judge."But it'll take a few hours to get there, so you might be too late

by the time you arrive!""Better than standing idly by and doing nothing.""True. Now go!"Judge then took to the skies with his avian insect steed, hover-

ing above the palace yard until he was beyond the altitude of every massive construction within Nassau. Afterward, he turned southeast and commenced his journey to Inagua Island, soaring above the seas and lowering his altitude in case an accident was to send him flying into the vast waters. He did not encounter land again until after around an hour, consisting of a small archipelago that didn't seem to have any

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inhabitants, although around two hours later, he could glimpse a single paved road. The island with the highway ultimately gave way to ever more seas, although another with a road came around an hour later, followed by another hour of sea a crescent-shaped island proceeded.

Two and a half hours later, Judge could glimpse what he sup-posed was Inagua Island, what with the great white stone barricade with countless towers that encircled it, although this barrier seemed to lose some of its beauty because of the Koboldan invasion, with some portions crumbling into the seas, and many black ships docked along-side the island's countless jetties flying the flags of the Nidhoggr's var-ious puppet kingdoms. The white deer sought one that flew the flag of The Massgraves Kingdom, ultimately finding a solitary one among the docked vessels and diving thither. Although his speed was great near the ship, he pulled the fly's reins and managed a safe landing.

"Get him!" one of the Massgrievous seamen commanded.Judge immediately drew his sword and executed a whirling

slash that surprisingly disarmed most of his antagonists, after which he headed to the aft of the vessel and ascended a floor in hopes of finding Fleet Admiral Dukis. More hostile crewmembers he encountered, his weapon crossing theirs as he managed to repel them. However, several Nidhoggr wraiths joined the fray, shooting missiles of different ele-ments such as lightning bolts, fireballs, and icebolts, quickly evading all of these, attempting not to swipe at them with his sword for fear that the respective element would affect him as well. Working to-gether, the wraiths and the sailors encircled Judge near a pair of doors leading into a ship chamber, although he ducked through them and en-tered the ship cabin.

The Nidhoggr and sailors followed the white deer into the chamber, although they halted when a familiar voice quacked, "Hold it, men! He's all mine!"

"Aye-aye, Admiral," the wraiths and seamen agree, exiting the cabin and closing its doors.

"Just the boy we're looking for!" scoffed the hybrid Fleet Ad-miral of The Massgraves.

"You're after me?""You're Bucks' boy, aren't you?""Alec Gogh, Lord of Sloth and leader of the Seven Satans,

warned all Nidhoggr to be wary of a boy as pure as King Odin! And lo and behold, he comes stupidly walking into my cabin!"

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"Why are you invading Bahama, Admiral?""Just another part of the Dukis Miracle! We actually tried in-

vading Bahama when we first went south, but they were ready the first time! But now with reinforcements from Kobold, they don't stand a chance against us!"

"I'm surprised they didn't execute you after your failures.""The Order of the Nidhoggr is all about redemption, which I

certainly have accomplished to compensate for my first failed invasion of Bahama and that of Stellasolum. As long as I have men under my wing, they'll have faith in me. Now that I've found you, they'll love me even more!"

"Why do you want me, specifically?""Niflheim is looking for possible scion of King Odin, and how

often does a deer as pure as you wander the earth? Add a pair of golden antlers and white wings, and you could easily pass for Him!"

Judge laughed. "You think I'm related to King Odin? Now that you mention it, my antlers haven't come out, yet, which sort of makes me worry if I'll ever hit adulthood. Then again, I don't have wings..."

"Mayhap you have the scars to prove that you once had them! Mayhap they were shorn off after you were born!"

"Now that you mention it, I'm not all that familiar with my own backside," suggested Judge, beginning to remove his upper clothing.

"You've got the right idea, boy!" lauded Dukis, clapping his hands and summoning a Nidhoggr wraith that appeared in a swirl of ebony mist.

"Yes, Admiral?" the necromancer hissed."Singe this boy's backhair!""Yes, master..." concurred the wraith, walking behind Judge

and assuring, "I'll be gentle, boy..."Although the white deer doubted the Nidhoggr's assurance, he

was indeed gentle as he singed the boy's backhair, the only remnant of the light incineration being some mild heat. Wondered the Supreme General's son, "Are there any scars?"

"No..." hissed the wraith."Any bastard Aesir Esper could cover up scars with magic,"

suggested the Fleet Admiral."But why would King Odin send one of his own into Midgard

to live among mortals?" wondered Judge."Only He would know...too bad He's..."

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"Besides, I get my color from my mother's side of the family, and she's sure as hell not related to King Odin," interrupted Judge. "My old man's also as brown as your average deer, thank you."

"You could be adopted," countered Dukis."Believe me, I'm not adopted.""You are a great warrior, boy. You have yet to realize your full

potential. You would be an excellent asset to Niflheim.""What makes me think I'd turn traitor and join you?""The fact that your father will be sailing right into a trap when

he reaches the Gulf of Persia.""A trap?""Yes, the Niflheim Empire sent a few wraiths to Babylonia to

secure a possible alliance, and though Emperor Sodom saw them as a threat to his regime, they did persuade him, so to speak, to invade the Emirate of Kuwayt and annex it to his own Empire."

"I take it you want an alliance with Babylonia because that's where Yggdrasil lies?"

"Indeed. Supposedly Emperor Sodom found a way to weaponize the World Tree and vaporize his opposition. Oh, if only Ni-flheim could get its hands upon such a weapon of mass destruction! I'm certain Asgard would like to get their hands on it, as well!"

"The World Tree, weaponized? Surely you jest!""I kid you not, boy! However, its range is somewhat limited at

the time, so it can only reach the outskirts of Babylon, but rest assured that when your father's forces get there, they'll be vaporized!"

"The World Tree, a weapon of mass destruction...surely it can't be good for Terra...how exactly does it work?"

"While Emperor Sodom hasn't made a full alliance with the Ni-flheim Empire, some necromancers were left behind as a peace offer-ing, and he accepted, wanting to strengthen his clutch on Babylonia. The forbidden fruit of Yggdrasil, not to mention the life force of Terra that consists of souls that haven't quite transmigrated, provide its en-ergy, and since fruit is always growing up the trunk of the Tree, and people are always dying, its power, I assure you, is unlimited!"

"How much power does one shot consume?""I'm not certain for now since the weapon has yet to see its us-

age, but I am sure that there's enough energy on Terra to fuel it!""What happens once all of Terra's energy is depleted? Would

the world crumble?"

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"The details aren't important, but what does matter is that we've got something Asgard doesn't!"

"Yeah, an unfinished weapon. I doubt it would even work! Hell, I'm pretty sure my dad could walk right end and liberate Babylo-nia from the clutches of its Emperor!"

"Don't you dare question the Nidhoggr, boy! To think that you could win against us is simply ridiculous!"

"Or somewhat possible...""Quiet, fool! My good friend here will take you before King

Infidelo to prove my success in capturing you!""It would be my pleasure, master..." hissed the wraith, clutch-

ing Judge and making appear a thick black mist.When the smoke dissipated, Judge noticed that he and the

wraith were within a throne room with many columns lining its sides, Koboldan and Niflheiman flags hanging vertically from the ceiling. Within the throne sat the evident monarch, a brown-furred beaver with gray hair and gray eyes, his crown golden with a scarlet interior, his epaulets yellow, his uniform blue, his sash white, and his pants black. He currently smoked a cigar, the smoke's smell being acrid, and dis-posed of the ashes within either of the golden ashtrays that terminated each of his throne's armrests. Several of his skeleton-armored royal soldiers seemed to share a similar passion for tobacco.

"Ah, we have a visitor!" observed the King in Hispanian. "I am Infidelo Castora, King of Kobold. And who might you be, boy?"

"A prisoner of war from the invasion of Bahama, sire.""That I could assume, but do you have a name?""My name's not important, Your Majes--AHHHH!"Likely due to his refusal to disclose his identity, the Nidhoggr

that had transported Judge hither electrocuted him with a small jolt of lightning. The monarch commanded, "Now, boy, your name!"

"My name is Ju...er, Juez Vencedor Perros Ciervos.""Ha! Obviously a fake name, eh? Your real name, please!""It is my real name--AHHH!"The wraith once more jolted Judge. "Now, boy, tell me your

real name, or my good friend will shock you to death!""It's Judge Victor Piers Bucks. I am the son of Judge Victor

Hartford Bucks, former Supreme General of the Republic of Connex-ion and the current Supreme General of Stellasolum."

"The Connexion Republic, you say? Ah, yes, what we the allies

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of Niflheim call the Kingdom of Convolutia.""Yes, I know the Nidhoggr's fetish for dark names--AHHH!"Following the latest electrocution by the wraith, King Infidelo

admonished, "Pull that shit again and you'll be dead, boy!""Yes, sire.""Then tell me this, boy: what were you doing in Bahama?""My father's en route to the Emirate of Kuwayt to liberate it

from the Empire of Babylonia."The King and a few of the skeleton-armored sentinels scoffed.

"You mean Babylonia's newest Province, eh?""If it's a Province, now, then yes, Your Majesty.""Emperor Sodom was always the ambitious type, warring with

our ally the Kingdom of Persia for a decade, harboring equal hate for Asgard and Niflheim. Even with the gift of a few Nidhoggr he stayed adamant against a full alliance with us, and even offered the chance for peace between his Empire and Persia, he instead preferred the path of war, believing it good for his nation's economy."

"Avarice is indeed the root of all evil...""So your pathetic Church of Asgard preaches! The Order of the

Nidhoggr and the Aesir Church are not all that different, you know. I was once a devout Aesir churchgoer myself until the Nidhoggr arrived in my country and showed us the potential glory of Niflheim, offering to build many great stone buildings, shrines, and barriers for Kobold at the cost of my conversion!"

"I can see why Your Majesty converted...""So you do, boy! The services of the Order and the Church are

actually fairly similar, while at the same time antithetical. If only you would see the glory of the Order of the Nidhoggr, young Judge, you would be a valuable asset to my Kingdom and the Niflheim Empire!"

"What makes Your Majesty think I would convert, simply be-tray my native faith and serve Niflheim?"

"Why, the threat of death, of course! We're not expecting you to make a decision right this instant, so we shall give you time to mull it over in a prison cell."

"How long do I have, sire?""Until the first hour of the Daylight Period of II Aqua 3.""And when is that, exactly?" inquired Judge, unaware of Nifl-

heim's differing calendar system."What you would call the Third of Dolphina, named after that

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wretched cow serving as Water Goddess of Asgard.""No need to insult Asgard's Gods, Your Majesty," Judge stated,

although fearing retaliation from the wraith, he quickly added, "Well, I suppose you can since you are King, after all."

"Good answer! You would make a great ally of Niflheim yet, young Judge!"

"Thanks, and I will give a potential conversion to the Order of the Nidhoggr full consideration, I assure Your Majesty."

"Bravo! Now take this son of a bitch to Nose Prison!"To hear King Infidelo insult his mother infuriated Judge, but

the name of the prison, which in Hispanian was Morro, somewhat hu-mored him, largely nullifying the insult's effect. With another wisp of black smoke, the Nidhoggr that had taken him to the throne room in-stantly transported him to what he discerned was a dark prison cell, at first seeming no different from the transportational mist, although the white deer ultimately saw light flowing through an arched barred win-dow. Judge could then hear the wraith snap his fingers, which appar-ently ignited the brass-held candle sitting on the low wooden night-stand and illuminated the bleak stone prison cell.

"You have until one o'clock tomorrow morning to renounce your wicked ways, infidel," hissed the wraith as he took his hand off Judge. "When that bell tolls, you'll be dead before you know it!"

"Yes, sir.""Oh, and by the way..." The Nidhoggr snapped his fingers once

more, and Judge felt lighter; then did he realize that the wraith had made his weapons vanish. "You won't be starting any kind of insurrec-tion with your weapons."

"You read my mind," noted Judge, who had indeed contem-plated retaliation against the Nidhoggr with his weapons.

The wraith cackled before coughing. "You would make a great Nidhoggr yet...until we meet again...hopefully with you agreeing to join our great and noble Order..."

"I will consider the offer, sir," assured Judge, attempting to be honest while simultaneously giving serious contemplation to conver-sion, what with his fear that the Nidhoggr could perhaps detect trea-sonous thoughts were he to summon those within his mind.

Through the open arched doorway the wraith trekked, after which the accompanying thick wooden door with a square barred win-dow seemed to automatically close, likely the result of the necro-

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mancer's telekinesis. The force of the door's closure reached the night-stand, extinguishing the candlelight and leaving Judge again in dark-ness that only the light illuminating through both the door's window and the cell window on the opposite wall interrupted. Before the illu-mination disappeared, Judge had glimpsed an ebony tome alongside the candle that he felt around for, finding it and elevating it, afterward wandering to the larger window opposite the cell door.

The outside light illuminating the volume's title, Judge saw it to be the Tome of the Nidhoggr, the title being in Hispanian, which gave him the supposition the book itself was in Hispanian, and made him open the scripture to discover that the text was indeed in the language he had only a few years ago learned. Even in Hispanian did the scrip-ture rhyme in couplets, each stanza consisting of two, with the white deer reading the first nine stanzas and finding the creation mythos of the Order of the Nidhoggr to be somewhat similar to that of the Aesir Church, including the mention of the Ancient Race.

Judge continued reading after the ninth stanza:

From the Seed of Yggdrasil grew the World Tree itself,Having given the world of Terra newfound health,The Tree being to the earth a bountiful boon,Its topmost branches enveloping Luna the moon.

One root of Yggdrasil extended to the northWhere wretched Asgard would come forth,And another south in agile timeAround which would grow Niflheim.

Among the Terrans were furred MammaliansNot to mention scaled ReptiliansAs well as the underwater-dwelling MerfolkFor whom there was no reason to sulk.

Three for Winglings on Terra wereIncluding bats of mammalian fur,Dragons noble with scaled wings,And avians, diverse and colorful feathered things.

One gift the Light and Dark Gods would heed

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Was every race's ability to interbreedTo produce scion with characteristics diverseWith little blood clash or effects adverse.

Bat-winged demons flying Mammalians were,With dragon-winged dragoons to concur,And seraphim of avian wingOf whom no Niflheiman would ever sing.

During the Genesis Era did the diverse races struggle,With not a shred of the Ancient Race's rubble,No writing system or alphabet letterDuring the long tumultuous Fimbulvetr.

Only did the Fimbulvetr endWhen Odin and his brothers Ymir to the dark void did send,Although the northern and southern icecaps remained cold,Yet would be home to many stories told.

Wretched Asgard was among the world's first nationsWith which demons enjoyed tolerance and patience,Although this acceptance most certainly changedWhen Loki a meeting with Prince Hodur arranged.

Although Hodur was not Asgard's Crown PrinceHe nonetheless wished for the throne thenceAnd thus shot an arrow at Prince BaldurWho would consequentially die and not prosper.

As punishment for Hodur's deedDid Odin his son bring to his knees,Melting his eyes into boiling pus,His vision having seen enough.

Loki, did the eyeless Prince confess,Plotted to make inheritance a messFor Asgard's damned Holy King,Who to the lupine wanted vengeance to bring.

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Loki and Hodur did Asgard fleeSince it was then hostile as could possibly beAlthough a utopia for rogues existed at the timeIn the form of the Empire of Niflheim.

In the Genesis Era had Niflheim formedWith Empress Hel upon its throne adorned,A warlady she to unite the south icecap's tribesAnd to her enemies bring utter demise.

A kindly leader was Empress HelAs any of her servants' tales would tellAlthough against her enemiesNo mercy showed she in totality.

Thus the Aesir exiles did she accept,Loki as Supreme General she kept,And Hodur bearer of the Black Yggdrasil Rune,Sight restored, and wishing against Asgard doom.

Like Asgard had Runes that numbered nine,Niflheim its own sources of enforcement did pine,And thus did Hel the Empire's own Runes makeFor peace and security and her nation's sake.

First was the platinum-banded, jet Black Rune,Which turned into Ginnungagap, Sword of DoomFor the leader of the Seven Satans, the Lord of Sloth,Bringer of darkness, nothingness, naught.

Second was the Black Water Rune of sapphire,Manipulator of water, ice, and tidings dire,And in its weapon form the trident Maelstrom,Sinker of ships were they foolish to come.

Third was the Black Earth Rune, platinum-bound amethyst,Quakes could it rend that would not cease and desist,In its weapon form Quake the great hammerTo make its enemies crushingly suffer.

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Fourth was the emerald Rune of Black Wood,Of emerald, make thorns on flower stems it could,And turn into Thorns, a pair of clawsTo gut their foes and give them deadly pause.

Fifth was the amber Rune of Black Fire,Infernos could it summon and incineration direAnd turn into the mace called Firestorm,Powerful weapon, among the Aesir a scorn.

Sixth was the ruby Rune of Black War,Fueled by anger, empowered by gore,As a weapon the twin axe Bloodrain,Bringer of death, creator of pain.

Last among the elemental Runes of darknessWas the Black Wind Rune, peaceful nature's distress,Summoner of lightning, cyclones, hurricanesTo complement Black Water's wicked rains.

Then there were the secondary Black Runes,First being Black Yggdrasil, one of the Grandmaster's boons,Conjurer of countless waves of magicTo bring swift demise and peril tragic.

The last of the Runes, the one of Death,Summoner of the Nidhoggr in many a press,Servants of darkness, slaves to their Master,Whether lowly slave or forgotten bastard.

With Seven Runes of its own, each with a platinum bandDid Niflheim against Asgard a chance stand,Being of equal power to the Holy Kingdom's might,With them would they commence many a fight.

The first of these in Niflheiman loreWas the glorious Great Demon War,For decades fought the rival realms

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With learned leaders at their helms.

Judge ultimately closed the Nidhoggrian Tome, desiring to hold onto it so he could read it later and better understand his antago-nists, although he was still firm in his Aesir faith, even if it cost him his life. Placing the book aside, he dropped to his knees, clutched both his hands, and began to pray: "Dear Lord, please forgive me for read-ing the Tome of Your enemy the Empire of Niflheim, which I accom-plish only to better understand our enemies the Nidhoggr. I realize that by remaining true to Your faith, that I put my very life in jeopardy, but I am perfectly willing to sacrifice my life for the Church the same way Prince Vali died for his own beliefs in Judea. In Your name, amen."

Crossing his heart like he had done before commencing his prayer, Judge got back onto his feet and gazed outside the prison cell's window, observing the thick gray-clouded skies that he knew was characteristic of the lands the Nidhoggr conquered. He couldn't see much flora or terrain since the prison stood on a coastal cliffside, the waters being nearly black as well, with ebony Koboldan vessels docked in a marina at the cliff's bottom. Taking in this melancholy scenery, Judge got the feeling that he had somehow seen it even before what he assumed was his first visit to a nation controlled by Niflheim, and had viewed it through barred windows as he did now.

The white deer took surprise to see many ships appear on what he assumed was the northern horizon, squinting and noticing them to be of brown wood, and could barely glimpse that they flew flags of the Kingdom of Flora. Perhaps Judge wouldn't be meeting his end tomor-row morning, after all! Then again, however, no Aesir vessels were among the armada, with some seaman wandering the docks bottoming the cliffside taking notice of the invaders and hopping aboard whatever ships their leaders had assigned them to, beginning their trip to meet the Floran fleet. Although the ships from Flora greatly outnumbered the Koboldan vessels, Judge nonetheless assumed that the fight would be grueling for the Florans since the Koboldans had necromancers on their side.

Before the black vessels even drew new the Floran invaders, however, the prisoner noticed that they had somehow begun to sink into the dark waters, making him recall his own sinking of the Koboldan ship back in Northern Flora, not to mention his encounter with the Mermen. The Mermen! Surely they were at work here since

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the Aztec Gulf was in Kobold's vicinity, affirming their alliance with the nations of Ymir. The crewmembers of the Koboldan vessels began flowing into their lifeboats, dropping them into the seas and rowing them back to the prison, afterward getting back upon the docks and drawing their weapons, ready to fight the invaders up close.

The Floran ships, upon drawing near the prison docks, turned to aim its cannons at them, beginning to fire. However, the Nidhoggr in the marina elevated their arms and make appear forcefields around the piers that deflected the ammunition. Only one round of cannonfire did the invaders shoot, evidently feeling that continuing to shoot the wraiths' barrier was futile. A few seconds later, Mermen warriors leapt out of the water onto the docks, engaging the wraiths, sailors, and skeleton soldiers. A bigger surprise to the Koboldans was a giant whale that emerged between a pair of jetties and easily swept his ad-versaries into the seas.

Victorious in the marina, the smaller Mermen began entering the prison itself, the Floran ships docking as well and unleashing their crews to liberate the prison that they assumed mostly harbored ene-mies of the Kingdom of Kobold. The whale was unfortunately too big to fit into the natural entrances into the prison's underbelly, although he did advance to the side of the marina and began a careful ascent up the cliffside from the water, ultimately reaching the stone prison build-ing itself and sticking his fingers through each of its windows, pushing the metallic bars out of place and providing a means of egress for the incarcerated inhabitants.

As the vast majority of the prisoners were unwilling to dive through the windows into the seas, the whale gladly offered his hand to lower them to the Floran vessels (although he had to descend back to the waters first), placing them aboard while assuming they would be safe aboard them. The sea giant ultimately began ascending the prison wall directly beneath Judge's cell, and the deer took little surprise to notice one of his large fingers push the window's metal bars into the cell, afterward removing it and turning the hand around with an open palm for his descent, the eldest Bucks boy accepting.

Other prisoners climbed onto the whale's open hand, after which he descended back to the seas, placing everyone upon a Floran vessel. Instead of remaining on the vessel, however, Judge instead un-buttoned the top part of his shirt to reveal his gills, afterward diving into the seas, noticing many Mermen swimming towards the prison

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marina. He allowed himself to sink, hoping he would perhaps en-counter a Merfolk settlement at the bottom, and fortunately, he could notice illumination below, making him begin swimming there. To-wards the lowest possible region of one of the bubbles he swam, with Judge departing into the undersea village.

Towards one of the stairways leading below the settlement the deer wandered, descending into a vast jellyfish-illuminated with plenty of wells and signs indicating various destinations across the Aztec Gulf and even some beyond. Vainly did Judge seek one that led to the capital of Bahama, and lo and behold, he found a pair of wells along-side a sign that read "Nassau." Into the right well jumped the cervine, ultimately splashing into water and feeling himself rushed through an underwater tunnel that constantly undulated. Thinking this trip would consume a long time, Judge decided to close his eyes, slumbering and allowing the water to take control of his travel.

An indeterminable intervention later, Judge felt himself rush upward, provoking him to open his eyes to witness his springing de-parture from the extensive tunnel, with a royal soldier of Bahama en-suring that his fall didn't impact and maybe kill him. Knowing the sen-tinel would request to see something for identification, the deer pre-sented his passport, which had unfortunately suffered some damage due to the water during the recent trip, although it was nonetheless leg-ible, and enough to allow him to proceed. Pocketing the passport, the boy wandered through the field of wells, finding a staircase and as-cending it, finding himself on a sidewalk bordering the streets of Nas-sau, directly across from the monarch's pink residence, no less.

After crossing the street once it was safe to do so, Judge in-quired the soldiers, "Is my father still here?"

“That he is,” assured the soldier. “Welcome back.”“Thanks,” noted the young deer as he followed the sentinel

back into King Bahamut’s throne room, where his father and the na-tion’s monarch awaited his return. “Dad, I have so much to tell you!”

“I am sure you do, my son.”“Have the Koboldans been dealt with?”“Indeed,” the monarch assured. “Inagua Island alone repelled

the invaders. Do tell us about your experiences, young Judge.”“Yes, Your Majesty,” noted the albino deer, narrating his en-

counters with Fleet Admiral Dukis and the King of Kobold.

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“Very few could have your experience in war and live to tell the tale,” noted the King of Bahama. “It was, in fact, your alleged cap-ture that distracted the Koboldan invaders from warring with Bahama that caused them to retreat. We will, however, brace for another attack since you escaped.”

“And thanks for the intelligence about the possibly-weaponized Yggdrasil,” Supreme General Bucks added. “That makes it more im-perative that we put a stop to Babylonia.”

“But Dad, how could we possibly stop them if they have some-thing that could very well vaporize your forces, maybe even drain the life-force from Terra? It almost seems like whatever we do, whether we liberate Kuwayt or no, we would still lose in the end, and either way, Babylonia would still unleash its weapon.”

“In that case, son, we would concentrate our efforts on liberat-ing Kuwayt while we send a smaller force to the capital to see to their alleged weapon. That way, casualties would likely be minimized were they to unleash the potential force of Yggdrasil.”

“But then there would rise the question of whether Babylonia would unleash the powers of Yggdrasil upon the forces liberating Kuwayt or those traveling to the capital,” suggested King Bahamut.

“Or the forces still sitting in the Gulf of Persia,” added the younger Judge.

“Who knows, the weapon might not even work!” Supreme General Bucks encouragingly theorized. “Babylonia could possibly be bluffing to deter any invasion. But we should maybe space out our forces upon the Gulf of Persia and on land so that if their supposed weapon does work, casualties, again, will be minimal.”

“We’re not even sure of its range yet, Dad.”“From what I have, and I am certain you, son, have studied of

Terra, Yggdrasil is but about a kilometer thick, so I am certain that while a weaponized World Tree might be deadly, it would only be so for maybe about a scarcely-populated village or a few ships spaced far enough apart.”

“Perhaps the biggest priority of this mission, then, should be sending a small force to Babylon to see this weapon and report back if possible, maybe gather intelligence from disloyal Babylonians about Yggdrasil’s destructive potential,” stated the King of Bahama.

“In any case, we should be quick about treading Babylonia to its capital,” Supreme General Bucks indicated, “maybe send multiple

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battalions on land spaced out decently so that the Emperor, again, will face the decision of which force to vaporize with Yggdrasil.”

“So I guess it’s settled,” his son affirmed. “We continue on-ward to Babylonia, albeit with greater caution in case they supposedly have Yggdrasil weaponized.”

“A sound plan,” assured Supreme General Bucks. “We shall depart Bahama after dinner, eastbound for the West Serra Colony in the western edge of Muspelheim Continent.”

“Muspelheim,” repeated the Younger Judge. “It’ll be interest-ing visiting a new continent.”

“We must be very sensitive with the inhabitants of the Muspel-heim Continent,” suggested the Supreme General. “They are incredi-bly sensitive about their religion, the Cult of Muspelheim, and have a culture the average Terran would deem barbaric.”

“I’ve heard the ugly rumors about the Cult, but believe there is good in its followers, even if they don’t show it well. Besides, West Serra’s a Colony of Hispania, correct? Then surely there would be some significant form of civilization there, no?”

“My sentiments exactly. Well, I think we’ve covered every-thing we’ve needed to, Your Majesty. We shall return to our ships.”

“God be with you when you tread Muspelheim,” the King bid.“Our thanks, sire.”Supreme General Bucks and his son spent the rest of the day

aboard the Lone Star, which departed alongside the other vessels of the Stellasoluman fleet, not to mention the Bahaman ships that augmented the armada. There were fortunately plenty of Esper seamen to propel the Bahaman vessels through the Atlas Ocean so they could keep up with the fleet, although the Younger Judge was uncertain if there were for the allied vessels the armada would possibly pick up from the mar-itime nations of both Muspelheim and Jotunheim. During the eastward journey, Judge eyed Yggdrasil, hoping that Babylonia at best exagger-ated its turning the World Tree into a weapon, and that the liberation of Kuwayt would be swift.

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Chapter XVII

The Edge of Muspelheim

The journey to the West Serra Colony consumed the remainder of the week, with Judge awaking the morning of Dolphina the Eighth to get out of bed and promptly head towards his cabin’s window to draw open the curtains, unhook the shutters, and pull them apart, providing him a starboard view that consisted of the jetty alongside which the Lone Star had docked, not to mention other vessels, most of which flew the mostly red and yellow banner of the Alfheiman Kingdom of Hispania. An eastward view from the starboard window yielded the site of a West Serran settlement containing many warmly-colored sandstone constructions, with plenty of narrow towers.

Judge clothed himself while the morning light illuminated his chamber, after which he shut the window, exited into the halls of the Lone Star’s nether regions, and found his way to the mess hall, where he breakfasted with his father. The Supreme General noted, “West Serra at last.”

“West Serra, indeed,” agreed Judge. “Today’s the Sabbath, dad. You think we can find an Aesir church here?”

“Hispania is an Aesir nation, so I am certain there would at least be a cathedral here in Dakhla, even though most of the natives likely worship with the Cult of Muspelheim. One must note, however, that the more zealous Cult members sometimes love to persecute the Church of Asgard.”

“I’m willing to die for my faith, father.”“As am I, son.”After their morning repasts, the cervine father and son departed

the Lone Star via a stairway plank, with a sentinel in the Hispanian Foreign Legion inquiring in his native tongue, “Good morning to you both! May I see some identification, please?”

“Um…” stammered the Elder Judge.“He’s just asking for our passports, dad,” his son translated, af-

ter which both Buckses provided their documentation.

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“Very good,” noted the sentinel. “You both are clear. Stay safe here. You know how those Muspelheim zealots can get.”

“We’ll try our best to stay safe,” assured Judge in Hispanian. “By the way, may where we find an Aesir church?”

“Our Lady of Yggdrasil’s Shadow is just a few blocks from the docks, young man,” noted the soldier, providing simple directions. “You both have a good day, if luck is kind to you.”

“Thanks, sir,” bid Judge as he relayed the directions to his fa-ther and both began their walk to the church.

The father and son reached the church in only a few minutes, unsurprised to notice a pair of winged Aesir guards defending the large wooden doors serving as its entrance. Perhaps so it could blend in with the remainder of the city of Dakhla, the cathedral appeared superfi-cially similar to the Muspelheim mosques that the Buckses had noticed during their trip here, with a sandstone construction, square shape, bell tower protruding from its center, and minarets at its corners. A queue formed at the church entrance given the Aesir soldiers’ desire to con-firm that potential parishioners actually belonged to the Aesir Church, with the father and son understanding given their alleged persecution in this region of Terra.

Supreme General Bucks and his eldest son queued themselves, with the line moving steadily towards the church entrance, and ulti-mately guiding them to the Aesir sentinels. One of them inquired in Hispanian, “Do you both owe your allegiance to the Aesir Church?”

“Yes,” the father and son simultaneously affirmed.“Anyone can make that claim,” suggested the other soldier.

“Perhaps we’ll give a little quiz on the Aesir Bible.”“A sound plan,” the first guard noted. “Alright, who was King

Odin’s first son?”“Baldur,” both cervines simultaneously answered.“Correct! Come on in!”The winged sentinels opened their respective doors into Our

Lady of Yggdrasil’s Shadow, with Supreme General Bucks and his el-dest son entering through the doorway, after which the soldiers shut the doors, likely to quiz the next potential parishioners about Aesir his-tory as well. The cathedral’s interior appeared relatively similar to its exterior, with sandstone walls, albeit inside adorned with portraits of various figures from Aesir history such as King Odin’s deceased issue.

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Many churchgoers conversed within the hallway separating the ingress doors from the sanctuary, mostly in Hispanian, although a few seemed to talk in Arabian, the chief language of most members of the Cult of Muspelheim and inhabitants of the vast Muspelheim Continent, and a tongue with which neither Judge was overly familiar.

Hispanian and Aesir soldiers alike patrolled the halls that likely encircled the sanctuary, giving both cervines assurance that today’s service would be safe. Both then proceeded through the doors held open by small wooden wedges leading into the sanctuary itself, at whose opposite end was an altar containing seats on either side for the choir and musicians (the most prominent instrument being a steel-piped organ), a large sandstone statue of King Odin, and a podium for the preacher. The frames of the pews were sandstone as well, although they fortunately contained gold cushioning, with the father and son sit-ting close to the front.

When the two o’clock bell tolled, the red-garbed priest that the Younger Judge assumed was a Cardinal stepped behind the podium and greeted in Hispanian, “Good morning!”

“Good morning,” echoed the congregation.“In the name of King Odin we welcome each and every one of

you to Our Lady of Yggdrasil’s Shadow, newcomers and returners alike, so we can praise God’s name as His loyal servants and do good works in His name. We don’t have any important announcements this Luna’s Day aside from our continued recruitment of missionaries to bring the word of Odin across the Muspelheim Continent and worship in peace with our brethren who follow this land’s native religion. If you would all please stand for the call to worship.”

Everybody stood, with the Younger Judge eying the bulletin he had picked up from a table in the hall before the sanctuary for the call to worship, which was the first item in the bulletin’s interior. The Car-dinal began, “Let us praise the wondrous works of King Odin!”

“Our King above our own Kings!” the congregation chanted.“Let us perform our own good works in His honor!”“For good works are an easy path to a glorious afterlife!”“For faith alone is not enough!”“It is good and righteous to live a life of both loyal faith and

good works in the name of King Odin!”“Our opening hymn,” continued the Cardinal, “is ‘Lord Odin at

the Lakeshore.’ If you all would please stand.”

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Judge was familiar with the hymn in Anglian and easily found it in the Hispanian hymnal, whose songs contained an alphabetical or-der. He and his father stood, sharing the hymnal as the psalm began:

Lord Odin, You have come to the lakeshore,Looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones,You only asked me to follow You humbly.

Then came the refrain:

My Lord, with Your eyes You have searched me,Kindly smiling and speaking my name,Now my boast is on the shoreline behind me,By Your side I shall seek other seas.

The hymn continued for a few more stanzas before the Cardi-nal stated, “Please be seated.”

The parishioners complied. “Now let us pray. Dear Lord, we are thankful that we are able to gather this morning in this land, and that your people are able to escape persecution wherever it may exist in Terra. In Your name we pray, amen.”

“Amen,” echoed the congregation.“Our second hymn,” indicated the Cardinal, “is ‘Great Is The

Lord.’ Let us sing.”The musicians began playing again to start the next hymn:

Great is our Lord, He is holy and just,By His power we trust in his love.Great is our Lord, He is faithful and true,By His mercy He proves He is love.

Then came the chorus:

Great is our Lord, and worthy of glory!Great is our Lord, and worthy of praise!Great is our Lord!Now lift up your voice!Now lift up your voice!Great is our Lord!

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Great is our Lord!

“Amen!” praised the Cardinal after a few more stanzas termi-nated the hymn.

Afterward the Cardinal led the congregation in their recitation of the Aesir Creed, followed by “Glory to the Father” and the collec-tion of offerings, the Aesir Doxology following. Then came the review of joys and concerns that the congregation had written out and contrib-uted before the service commenced (Supreme General Bucks and his son had not written any), with some mentioning Babylonia’s takeover of the Kuwayt Emirate. Birthdays and anniversaries were among them as well, not to mention the birth of new children, with this part of the service taking several minutes, what with the great volume of parish-ioners, although the Cardinal ultimately came to the next prayer.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that You bless Your loyal fol-lowers in all their endeavors, be they helping the poor, helping the op-pressed, and spreading Your word, and that whatever trials may come in their way are but tests that they pass while they go onward as loyal soldiers of Asgard, even if they are not officially with the Aesir Mili-tary. Give direction to those who have lost their way, health to those who are sick, and encouragement to the discouraged. Even though the people of Terra may follow different faiths, let us all seek a righteous path so we can all ultimately walk in peace. Amen.”

After a moment of silent meditation, the Cardinal continued: “O wondrous Lord of Asgard, we are all fortunate to worship in Your faith, and serve You to the best of our abilities, and thus give us the strength to continue. Help us together solve the mysteries of Terra, not to mention the universe, so that we may become further enlightened and continue to spread Your word. Now with the confidence to do so, let us all pray His Prayer.”

Lord Odin’s Prayer followed, not to mention the scripture read-ing from the Aesir Bible, the Cardinal stating, “Let us hear the word.”

On creation’s subsequent second day,Completely cover Terra did waterWith nary a shred of land or a bayThat Lord Odin could possibly temper.Thus did he the altitude of the seasDecrease so that land beneath would appear

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Devoid of life, inhabitants, diseaseAlthough creation of life did draw near.On land did Lord Odin make plant life sproutTo cover the lands of Terra in greenWith many other colors strewn aboutUnlike anything the cosmos had seen.Thus passed creation’s secondary phaseWith a few more to come creation days.

“This is the word of the Lord,” affirmed the Cardinal.“Thanks be to God,” added the congregation.“Amen. Today’s sermon relates to our scripture reading, and

concerns how best we can care for our world in addition to its inhabi-tants. As the reading mentions, all plant life in our world is the cre-ation of Lord Odin, from the smallest blade of grass to Yggdrasil the World Tree. Now I am certain many of you know how best to care for the grass in your yards, if you have any, by taking the time to shorten it while still leaving its bases so it can continue to grow, without de-stroying the grass. Grass that is too tall definitely has its disadvan-tages, such as shielding undesirable things for view, such as cadavers, and we all know that murder in most faiths is a grave sin.

“All plant life, including grass, ultimately connects to Terra’s World Tree, one of its roots leading northward to the Sacred Realm of Asgard, providing our Gods the opportunity to listen to the concerns and accomplishments of Terra, and thus in order to honor the Lords and Ladies of Light, it is necessary that we at least maintain some sort of flora within the largest of our cities, which often come in the form of gardens, yards, and parks, so that our Gods can listen to our prayers and keep track of whatever lowly sinners may do, whether they fib or commit grievous murders.

“While most faiths, such as our Aesir Church, not to mention our brethren in the Cult of Muspelheim, value our various environ-ments, there are some fellowships such as the Order of the Nidhoggr that choose instead to gnaw and eradicate the wondrous flora of Terra, hence the dark, decaying appearance of the nations across our world that they control. We should note that one of the roots of Yggdrasil connects to the dark Empire of Niflheim on Terra’s southern icecap, and that even in nations loyal to the Aesir Church, they are able to keep tabs on the doings of most Terrans.

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“One would wonder why members of the Nidhoggrian Order would seek to destroy the very flora that would in theory allow them to keep tabs on the doings of inhabitants of their puppet kingdoms, al-though the mysterious wraiths that serve the Order have great tele-pathic powers that allow them to communicate quickly over vast dis-tances, and thus transfer critical information to the bureaucrats in Co-cytus, the capital of the Niflheim Empire. The antarctic continent har-boring the center of the Empire is dark, cold, and devoid of flora aside from the root of Yggdrasil that extends there, with the Holy Kingdom of Asgard, while its northern reaches are also devoid of plant life, nonetheless having more flora towards its southern edges, and having greater concern for the wilds of Terra.

“Asgard’s own angelic warriors, the Einherjar, focus more on the protection of the Holy Kingdom’s borders as opposed to the Nifl-heim Empire’s continuous hunger for expansion that has led to the great wars at the end of the previous ages. The Great Demon War and the Great Seraphim Purge devastated much of Terra, particularly in those territories controlled by the Nidhoggr, with both conflicts’ scars taking many millennia to vanish, although fortunately, that time has been sufficient for flora to repopulate former domains of the Niflheim Empire, and for the diverse faiths of Terra to take hold again. Some believe that another great war with Niflheim is imminent, and be that the case, we must do our best to care for all of King Odin’s glorious creations so that our world can heal more easily from warfare.

“Let us pray. Dear Lord, let us care for Terra so that our living world may be healthy alongside the paragon Aesir that worship in Your name, and that the wounds of strife and conflict do not harshly devastate Terra. Amen.”

“Amen,” repeated the parishioners.“Our closing hymn is ‘Odin Guide You Till We Meet Again.’

Let us stand.”The congregation stood, commencing the psalm:

Odin guide us till we meet again,Let His counsel guide, uphold you,With His veils securely fold you,Odin guide us till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

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Till we meet at Odin’s feet;Till we meet, till we meet,Odin guide us till we meet again.

After a few more stanzas and repetitions of the refrain, the hymn ended, the Cardinal bidding, “Now for our benediction. Dear Fa-ther of Asgard, let Your counsels guide and uphold us until we meet on the following Sabbath. In Your name we pray, amen.”

“Amen,” stated the congregation one final time to terminate the worship service, everyone bidding their adieus to one another follow-ing the benediction.

The musicians played for a little longer as everyone made their egress, with Bucks and his son finding the trip to the back of the sanc-tuary sluggish, although they ultimately reached the open pair of doors and made their way through the entrance hallway. Some parishioners continued conversations they had commenced within the sanctuary in the hallway, while those near the egress to the entrance stairs and the streets of Dakhla gazed outside as though something of note were oc-curring. The father of son being curious as to what caught the congre-gation’s eyes, they slowly found their way through the thick crowd and exited onto the front stairs.

Because of the wide stairway’s diagonal disposition, Supreme General Bucks and the Younger Judge could glimpse well what was happening upon the street parallel to the church’s façade. Five white-clothed and turbaned West Serrans dark of fur, hair, and eyes were bat-tling with their scimitars drawn, among their chief antagonists being the pair of winged Aesir sentinels that had tested their knowledge of the Aesir Bible, with the two fluttering their wings to avoid slashes from the scimitars and retaliate with their own halberds. Several His-panian Shore Patrolmen drew their sabers and assisted the Holy King-dom’s soldiers, ultimately subduing the apparent native West Serrans and getting them to kneel and drop their weapons.

As the combatants forced the West Serrans’ arms behind their backs and cuffed them with rope, an evident high-ranking naval officer dressed in a red, yellow, and white uniform with a black hat containing golden feathering emerged from the observing crowd and lauded the victors in Hispanian, “Nice work, men. Take them into custody.”

“Aye-aye, Admiral!” the Shore Patrolmen agreed, hauling their new prisoners away, although the Aesir guards remained silent and re-

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turned to their positions by the church entrance doors.“Nothing to see here,” the Admiral, who was a brown-haired,

brown-eyed, light brown-skinned seal, stated. “Keep calm and carry on, everybody.”

“He’s an Admiral,” Judge the Younger told his father. “Dad, this could be your chance for a little diplomacy.”

“Indeed, son, but you’ll have to interpret for me, since I’m not very well-versed in Hispanian.”

“No problem, dad.” Judge then approached the seal Admiral and alerted, “Um, sir?”

“Shoo, boy,” responded the Admiral. “I said there was nothing to see here.”

“Well, my father and I saw that there was.”“Oh, and with whom may I be speaking?”“The son of Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, the Supreme General

of the Republic of Stellasolum.”The Admiral laughed. “Then why am I speaking with you? I

would much rather speak with him! Don’t worry, I speak Anglian.”“That’ll save me from interpreting, then,” noted Judge, telling

his father, “He speaks Anglian, dad.”“Greetings,” saluted the Supreme General, exchanging a hand-

shake with the Admiral. “I am…”“Judge Victor Hartford Bucks, yes, your son told me,” replied

the seal in Anglian. “I am Stefan Pinnepedo, Rear Admiral of West Serra. It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Did you say Pinnepedo?” wondered Judge.“That’s my last name, don’t wear it out.”“I met an Admiral Pinnepedo in the Aztec Empire.”“Likely my cousin Solomon Pinnepedo. I also have an elder

brother, Zacarias, who is Fleet Admiral of Hispania’s Navy.”“Naval heritage aside,” stated the Supreme General, “I must

ask if you are aware of the Empire of Babylonia’s invasion of the Kuwayt Emirate.”

“We are, and a small fleet from Hispania is already on its way to the Gulf of Persia.”

“Good to know. I suppose our work here is done.”“As do I, Mr. Supreme General. I myself would love to partici-

pate in the liberation of Kuwayt, but I am afraid my duties anchor me here to the West Serra Colony.”

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“That we understand, Admiral. I suppose this is farewell.”“Me too. A fond farewell to you both.”“To you too, Admiral.”According to the clock tower topping Our Lady of Yggdrasil’s

Shadow, half past the third hour had elapsed by the time the Supreme General and his son left Rear Admiral Pinnepedo behind on the church stairsteps, the service having consumed all of the second hour. To the Lone Star the father and son returned, its anchor rising so that the Supreme General could hopefully continue his diplomacy along the coast of Muspelheim, and eventually, the adjacent Jotunheim Conti-nent. Once the Stellasoluman vessel had steered southward far enough from the West Serran coast, the Esper seamen began propelling it quickly through the Atlas Ocean.

Gazing northward from the aft deck of the vessel, Judge the Younger could notice that the city of Dakhla sat upon a peninsula, and that it sat at the edge of a rainforest that he knew was the Great Serra Jungle, with extensive sandy beaches bordering the coastline, which appeared devoid of civilization for the next few hours, even when lunchtime approached. Only when the eleventh hour of the day arrived did the jungle give way to a fortified naval base, with several vessels flying a flag containing a golden downward-curving crescent blade above which stood a golden star, all on a dark green field. The Younger Judge was well-aware that the crescent blade was a symbol of the Cult of Muspelheim, and hoped this new nation would be peace-ful.

Once one of the alien ships had sailed alongside the Lone Star, several white-turbaned and robed sentinels from the country hopped aboard, their evident indistinguishable leader bowing and bidding, “We bid you welcome to the Muspelheim Kingdom of Mauretania. We ask that you present your passports before we give you passage through our waters.”

“Certainly,” agreed Supreme General Bucks as he and his son presented their identification, with the Mauretanian sentinels taking several minutes to verify the identity of everyone aboard.

Afterward, the leader of the soldiers noted to Bucks, “I see you are Supreme General of Stellasolum. Is your arrival here a sign of ag-gression against Mauretania?”

“By all means, no! We are simply en route to the Emirate of Kuwayt, and along the way wish to secure alliances with as many na-

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tions as possible to aid in its liberation.”“Is that so? In that case, God be with you in your endeavor.”“Would the Navy of Mauretania be willing to contribute per-

haps a few ships to the liberation cause?”“We shall pass on your offer, for we wish not to engage in any

aggression against a fellow state of Muspelheim.”“We understand and respect your decision.”“We do ask, however, that you not engage in any persecution

of followers of the Cult of Muspelheim, or else, you may find your-selves a new adversary in Mauretania.”

“We would never dare to think of persecuting people based on their religious beliefs.”

“Consider yourselves warned.”“We will.”“To make sure you don’t pull anything against us, we shall re-

main aboard your ships as they sail through our waters.”“We accept that condition so long as you leave when we depart

them, my good sir.”“That we intend to do, Mr. Supreme General.”“Very well,” concluded Bucks as he walked away.“So,” began his son, hoping to strike up a casual conversation

with the Mauretanian soldier, “you follow the Muspelheim faith?”“Indeed. Have you a problem with that?”“No, sir! I myself am of the Aesir faith, and we are taught tol-

erance for other faiths!”“What about the Order of the Nidhoggr? Has your religion not

clashed with them in wars that have nearly ravaged Terra?”“Yes, sir.”“So your religion is hypocritical, no?”“We are not hypocrites, sir. Asgard has simply sought to quell

Niflheim’s aggression whenever they threaten the other nations of Terra. Defending the world’s people is hardly hypocrisy.”

“Would Asgard respond in kind were members of the Cult of Muspelheim to engage in terrorism against the Holy Kingdom?”

“Asgard has waged war with nations, not religions, sir. They have respected the Order of the Nidhoggr’s right to exist, but not the right to force their faith upon others.”

“Has the Church of Asgard not forced its faith upon others dur-ing its existence, boy?”

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“Asgard has encouraged others to convert to their faith, but not forced them. They have brought civilization to people that might not have the benefit of civilized society.”

“Do you think yourselves morally superior to others because of your faith in Asgard?”

“Even though our values may differ, I do not consider myself morally superior to followers of other faiths.”

“I am glad to hear that, young man.”The voyage along Mauretania’s coastline consumed the rest of

the Daylight Period, with most of the Lone Star’s passengers retreating below deck when the twelfth hour arrived for dinner and dessert, the Mauretanian sentinels appreciating the meal as well, giving Judge the hope that all cultures of the world would eventually live in peace and unify against those who would dare disturb it. He spent the day’s re-mainder above deck, watching Sol set below the western horizon, real-izing that it was still likely daytime in Stellasolum. He knew that the Jotunheim Continent drew near and definitely anticipated intermin-gling with another culture, a thought that gave him peaceful rest.

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Chapter XVIII

Into Jotunheim

Church bells indicated the first hour of the Daylight Period of Dol-phina the Ninth, naturally waking Judge, who dressed after illuminat-ing his cabin by opening the window. Gazing east from the starboard window gave him the view of a jetty extending from a town that ap-peared vastly different from those he had seen in his travels thus far. The dwellings were of diverse sizes, from very large to moderate in size, which Judge knew was necessary to accommodate some of the giant inhabitants of the Jotunheim Continent. The buildings them-selves mostly contained wooden walls with cloth rooftops, doorways, and windows, not to mention many wandering residents of diverse species and volumes wearing colorful clothes that in some instances covered their whole bodies and in others just their private regions.

The vessels of this particular nation’s navy, if it indeed had a navy, were fairly simplistic compared to the ships composing the fleet from Stellasolum, with similar construct to the residences and busi-nesses of the port town. In most instances they were barges containing tents with rectangular bases and triangular roofs of cloth, not to men-tion oars for steering. As with the buildings of the present community, they were also of diverse sizes to accommodate the sundry volumes of Jotunheim’s inhabitants from giraffes to elephants to lions and the like. Even the largest Jotun, however, were not as large as the whales that dwelled within Terra’s vast oceans, with the Supreme General’s son having seen the houses on the bottom of the seas back in West Terra.

Once clothed and having had enough of the sights outside his window, Judge closed the shutters and curtains, afterward exiting into the Lone Star’s halls and heading to the mess hall for want of break-fast, which he ate alongside his father. Afterward, the boy inquired, “Where are we now, dad?”

“The port city of Dakar in the Kingdom of Senegal.”“Definitely seems different than Muspelheim.”“Indeed, son.”

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“What religion do they follow?”“The people of the Jotunheim Continent are more open-minded

to religion than the people of Muspelheim, with most following local gods, although those Jotun nations close to Muspelheim follow the Cult, while others may follow the Aesir Church.”

“So hopefully we might be able to rally them to our cause.”“We can only hope, son.”“Also, am I to assume that the soldiers from Mauretania have

departed, dad?”“Indeed; they left when we crossed borders.”Then the father and son departed the mess hall, descending to

the jetty alongside which the Lone Star had docked. Almost immedi-ately afterward did several soldiers wielding spears approach the two, separating to either side of the pier as a black-haired, black-eyed hip-popotamus wearing clothes that covered her whole body, approached the Supreme General, bowing. Greeted his son, “Um, hello.”

“Greetings,” she surprisingly responded in Anglian. “I am Hip-polyta, Fleet Admiral of Senegal. We bid you welcome to our fair country. Whom may I be addressing?”

The father and son introduced themselves, the former stating, “This is our first time in Jotunheim.”

“In that case, welcome to the Jotunheim Continent, as well. May I inquire as to why ambassadors from a faraway nation have trav-eled so far?”

Supreme General Bucks and his son narrated their travels, dur-ing which they mentioned the takeover of Kuwayt by Babylonia. “We hope to rally as many nations as possible to our cause.”

“So I see,” Fleet Admiral Hippolyta noted. “We must inform you, then, that most of the nations of Jotunheim, except perhaps for the South Jotunheim Republic on the southern end of our continent, are not as wealthy as those whence you came. Therefore, we cannot natu-rally provide you a great number of forces to assist in Kuwayt’s libera-tion. However, as you sail the Jotun coast, we shall make it known to our neighbors to the east of the situation that imperils that particular part of Muspelheim in hopes that they might contribute something to your cause. We must note, however, that there are many within Sene-gal loyal to the Cult of Muspelheim that would not appreciate an act of aggression against a Muspel nation, one of the chief reasons we will not contribute greatly to your cause, alongside the meager volume of

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our nation’s military.”“We understand,” Supreme General Bucks assured.“Which faith do you follow, Admiral?” Judge inquired.“I am not loyal to any religion, although I do believe there is a

divine power that supersedes any earthly individuals that claim to be gods or goddesses such as your King Odin. I assume you and most of your crew follow the Aesir Church?”

“Yes, ma’am.”“In that case, may Odin guide you in your endeavors. A good

day to you and your crew.”With that, Fleet Admiral Hippolyta turned and headed back

into Dakar. “So, what now, dad?”“We continue along the coast of Jotunheim. We shall still alert

its nations about our intended liberation of Kuwayt in hopes that they might inform their neighbors and spread the word about our cause.”

“Sounds like a plan.”Supreme General Bucks and his son returned to the Lone Star,

shoving off from the port of Dakar and steering southward to whatever Jotun nation would follow Senegal. Judge wasn’t well-versed in the geography of Jotunheim, which certainly opened the doors for plenty of surprises in their trip alongside the mysterious continent. Although Senegal’s civilization didn’t seem very advanced, the white deer could hear bells toll melodically, following which were two monotone tolls that undoubtedly indicated the second hour of the day had arrived, which gave him the knowledge that the Aesir church reached this far from the frigid north of Terra.

To think about Asgard’s climate made Judge think about that of Jotunheim, which was considerably warmer even in winter, some-thing that the boy did retain from his lessons. Off the port side of the Lone Star he gazed, witnessing the vast jungles of the continent and seeing the occasional primitive village, although he could glimpse bell towers, some spanning from evident churches, giving him continued relief that there was some indication of civilization here. Throughout the second, third, and fourth hours, villages and rainforest alternated, with the tropical wilderness being dominant throughout the fifth, al-though Judge didn’t consider the amassed fleet lost, given the direction of the extensive coastline.

When the sixth hour arrived, several Jotun barges pulled up to the Lone Star, causing it to drop anchor. Sailors dropped a rope ladder

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to one of the vessels, with a few of the smaller Jotun ascending and bowing. In Anglian one of them greeted, “Welcome to the Kingdom of The Gambia. We would like to see identification, please.”

Everyone on the vessel complied. “You all are clear. We must ask, though, why you have such a large fleet amassed.”

“Certainly,” agreed Supreme General Bucks, informing of the Babylonian Empire’s conquest of Kuwayt. “I know The Gambia is but a small nation, but even if you cannot add to our fleet, we ask for your support in our crusade.”

“We will give you our support. May the heavens guide you in your endeavor.”

“Thanks.”“It is you we thank for giving consideration to visit a small na-

tion such as The Gambia.”Following this was a wide river running into The Gambia, after

which came a village sitting on the northern end of a peninsula, and then more jungle. Afterward, Judge took a little surprise when the ar-mada reentered the waters of the Kingdom of Senegal, confirming that The Gambia was indeed a small nation. Senegalese sailors had to ver-ify everyone’s identity again, with not enough time clearly passing so that the whole nation would be aware of the presence of the ships en route to Kuwayt. Lunchtime had arrived during the reentry to Senegal, with everyone enjoying their afternoon repast, and then going about their own business.

With the ninth hour came the fleet’s entry into the Kingdom of Guinea-Bissau, whose primary language, Judge heard, was Portogan, given the Alfheim Kingdom of Portoga’s influence upon the country, something of which the boy wasn’t aware until his father told him. Here the Supreme General again told of the invasion of Kuwayt by Babylonia, although the nation’s navy seemed reluctant to provide ad-ditional vessels. Into the nation the armada headed due south away from the Jotunheim coast, which slightly distressed the Younger Judge since it seemed at first that they headed back into the Atlas Ocean, al-though a little over an hour later, an archipelago became visible.

The ships continued south alongside this chain of islands that evidently belonged to Guinea-Bissau, which lay east for around two hours, the vessels then turning east once the isles disappeared, with Judge seeing signs of simple civilization and several ships from the country’s navy afterward. When the twelfth hour came, everyone on

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the Lone Star enjoyed a hearty dinner, following which the ships en-tered Guinea-Bissau’s similarly-named neighbor of Guinea, whose pri-mary language was Frankgaulish, the Frankgaul Empire being another nation in the Alfheim Continent. As with Guinea-Bissau, Guinea was reluctant to augment the fleet headed to Kuwayt, given its population following the Muspel Cult, although they promised to make inland na-tions aware of Babylonia’s invasion.

The ships were still sailing through the seas of Guinea when Judge was in his cabin, where he prayed before going to bed, “Dear Lord, thank You for Your protection as we sail through the seas of na-tions whose inhabitants follow another faith, although You and I be-lieve there is good in the followers of the Muspel Cult, and seek to co-exist with them in Terra. They are right to divide the world into two factions, the House of Muspelheim where they rule, and the House of War where they don’t, as even nations whose populations belong to the Aesir Church definitely have their disagreements at times. Please continue to protect our fleet as we continue to sail alongside Jotunheim and ensure that the liberation of Kuwayt is without severe incident. In Your name I pray, amen.”

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Chapter XIX

Of Lion Mountains and Ivory Coast

Judge awoke the morning of Dolphina the Tenth thanks to morning bells in whatever Jotun settlement the Lone Star was docked at, the boy replacing his pajamas with his standard attire and gazing northeast out of his window to glimpse another typical Jotun community. Won-dering where the Stellasoluman vessel had docked, and knowing that his father would possibly provide the answer, the white deer exited into the ship’s halls and noticed several soldiers that were mostly lions or leonine chimeras wandering about, with some having to kneel a bit since the vessel was not accommodating to their volume, a somewhat humorous sight.

“Excuse me, sir,” Judge alerted one of the lion guards, “where is this ship docked now?”

“The Republic of the Lion Mountains,” responded the sentinel whom the deer had inquired. “Have you just awoken?”

“Yes, sir.”“I will need to see your passport, then.”“Sure,” complied Judge.After scanning his identification and nodding a few times, the

lion returned it and noted, “You’re clear. Just so you know, our Presi-dent is currently aboard speaking with the Supreme General of Stella-solum, and we ask that you be polite when meeting her, if you do in-deed meet her.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”Judge proceeded to the mess hall to discover that the President

of the Lion Mountain Republic was unsurprisingly leonine, and more formally dressed that the soldiers she likely commanded, wearing a uniform containing yellow epaulets, a green coat, a white sash, and blue pants. He sat at the table where she and the Supreme General con-versed, greeting, “Morning, dad.”

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“Morning son. It’s my pleasure to introduce Sierra Leone, President of the Republic of the Lion Mountains.”

“Pleased to meet you, Madam President.”“And you must be the Younger Judge,” the lioness noted.“Yes, ma’am.”“You obviously take after your mother.”“I do.”“Back to business,” the Elder Judge indicated, “would you be

willing to support the liberation of Kuwayt, Madam President?”“Most inhabitants of the Lion Mountain Republic follow the

Muspel Cult, including myself, although the Aesir Church has coex-isted peacefully, and therefore, we don’t want to upset that peace by involving ourselves in the conflict between the Muspel nations of Babylonia and Kuwayt.”

“We understand, Madam President.”“In any case, may God be with you in your venture.”“Our thanks.”After breakfast, the leonine President and her soldiers departed

the Lone Star, with the ship and the remainder of the fleet leaving the port of Freetown to the south halfway through the day’s first hour. The terrain of the Lion Mountain Republic was unsurprisingly mountain-ous, with the village sitting at the base of many peaks, covered in trop-ical wilderness aside from their tops in most cases, these having some indications of snow. A few more primitive villages passed, with the ar-mada ultimately turning southeast along the coastline, a longer stretch of wooded mountains following. The sixth hour had arrived by the time the ships departed the Republic.

The following country was Librya, the vessels somewhat slow-ing given the need to verify the identities of everyone aboard, although luckily, the soldiers allowed the armada to proceed. The nation, which was a Kingdom as identified by the soldiers that had checked pass-ports, was far less mountainous than the Lion Mountain Republic, but nonetheless beautiful with its exotic wilderness. The afternoon had ar-rived by the time the Lone Star docked at a coastal town that consisted mostly of wood-walled and hay-roofed huts of diverse volumes, with most members of the Stellasoluman delegation appearing small com-pared to some of the voluminous Libryans.

Around the center of the settlement, whose name was Monro, was a complex construction with tall wooden entrance doors defended

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by a pair of sentinels wearing colorful garbs that extended from the bottom of their necks to only about a few centimeters above the earth. Both wielded spears with long wooden handles and stone spearheads, the two crossing them to deny them entrance at first until the Supreme General confirmed his identity as an important military leader, with his son allowed entrance as well. The palace interior was as exotic as the jungles of the Jotun Continent, accommodating to Terrans of diverse volumes, the father and son feeling as though they had shrunk.

“So you are the Supreme General of Stellasolum,” indicated a soldier that approached him and bowed. “His Majesty awaits you.”

The soldier was about the Supreme General’s size, escorting him and his son through the main hall, which contained sofas of vari-ous sizes surrounding tables that were also of diverse volumes. Look-ing at the ceiling, Judge could glimpse the Libryan flag, which surpris-ingly contained a golden Emblem of Asgard on a blue field in its up-per-left corner, with stripes alternating between red and white, the for-mer feature likely indicating this to be a nation where the Aesir Church was dominant. Paper lanterns provided much of the building’s illumi-nation, with red, white, blue, and gold colors being most dominant, in sync with the national flag’s hues.

Large soldiers defending a pair of doors opened their respec-tive sides, allowing the Supreme General, his son, and their escort into the evident throne room, with dashiki-clothed sentinels lined against the left and right laws, several Libryan flags hanging from the ceiling, and the monarch sitting in a throne at the end, with several Emblems of Asgard on a long blue field lined by red and white respectively on the left and right sides serving as carpeting to the royal seat. Judge the Younger half-expected the King to be as large as his abode would ac-commodate, although surprisingly he was about his and his father’s size, being lupine, with black hair and eyes, and a tribal uniform that contained his domain’s colors.

After the father and son bowed before the wolf King, he in-vited, “You may rise.”

The two did so. Supreme General Bucks lauded, “It is a plea-sure to meet Your Majesty.”

“You as well, Mr. Supreme General. I am Monro V, King of Librya, and most humbly welcome you both to our court. What news bring you of your native land?”

“It’s not quite our native land, Your Majesty,” indicated the

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Younger Judge. “We departed our home country of Connexion due to an invasion by the Nidhoggr.”

“Ah, yes, the dreaded adversaries of Asgard’s Einherjar. Fortu-nately for you, most inhabitants of Librya, our family included, follow the Aesir Church, and while there is a small Muspel population here, the needs of the many undoubtedly outweigh those of the few. If Nifl-heim threatens the world again, we shall gladly assist you.”

“We’re not sure if Niflheim’s at work here, but we would gladly accept some reinforcements of our armada en route to liberate the Kuwayt Emirate from the Babylonian Empire.”

“That we can gladly provide, my friend!”“Your Majesty’s cooperation is most definitely appreciated.”“As is yours, Mr. Supreme General. Shall we have lunch?”“We would appreciate that, sire.”“Our cooks are the best in the nation, we assure you!”Indeed, as both Judges saw when in the royal palace’s dining

hall, cooks brought many exotic cuisines to the table, after which the Cardinal of Librya, Edward Geraldine, a tall giraffe, led the lunchtime prayer: “Dear Lord, we are most thankful to have gathered here for this meal this afternoon, and for having brought us friends from across Terra, such as Supreme General Bucks and his son. Though our nation has been affected by civil war at times, we are glad that we could leave those conflicts in our past a more stronger and secure nation. May You guide ours and their ships as they seek to liberate Kuwayt from Baby-lonia, and see to it that what bloodshed arises is minimal. In Your di-vine name we pray, amen.”

“Amen,” repeated everyone else, eating lunch afterward.

After lunch, King Monro and his men escorted Supreme Gen-eral Bucks and his son back to the Lone Star, bidding, “God be with you in your endeavors, Mr. Supreme General.”

“May He guide Your Majesty as well.”The church bells indicating the eighth hour tolled when the

Stellasoluman fleet and their international nautical confederates de-parted the port of Monro, now with reinforcements from the Kingdom of Librya. Southeast they headed alongside wooded coast that con-tained the occasional village, not to mention some mountains towards the end of the nation, which came shortly after the twelfth hour and dinnertime, with the Libryan seamen sharing some culinary secrets

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with the chefs from Stellasolum. Vessels much larger than any in the fleet spearheaded by the Lone Star approached the vessels en route to Kuwayt, with the explanation of their volume that the new nation’s in-habitants consisted mostly of pachyderms.

“Bonjour,” greeted one of the elephant sailors, and although the Younger Judge wasn’t fluent in the language, he knew it was a word from the Frankgaulish language.

“To you as well, sir,” returned the boy.“You speak Anglian, then?”“Yes, sir. Here’s my passport.” Judge and his father presented

their identification. “In which nation are we now?”“The Republic of Ivory Coast.”“Sounds exotic. I take it most of you are pachyderms?”“Indeed.”“We could use ships such as yours in our quest to liberate

Kuwayt from Babylonia,” suggested Supreme General Bucks.“The population of Ivory Coast is almost evenly divided be-

tween the Aesir Church and Muspel Cult, so we wish not to engage in any diplomacy that would likely upset one of the major populations of our nation.”

“Understandable. Thanks, anyway.”“Godspeed in your endeavor.”“To the people of Ivory Coast, as well.”The Ivorian vessels departed, allowing the assembled armada

to flow freely through the country’s waters. Northeast the Younger Judge gazed at Yggdrasil, which gradually darkened throughout the twelfth hour, although the fruit across the World Tree provided twin-kles of illumination. While rounding the coast of Jotunheim would briefly take them farther from the tree, it most certainly appeared far closer than it did back in Stellasolum, with the boy hoping maybe he would be able to glimpse it close if the liberation of Kuwayt also in-volved a visit to Babylonia’s capital of Babylon. Knowing, however, that such a visit might have to wait until the Empire was at peace again and maybe under a different regime, Judge went to bed.

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Chapter XX

To the Skies

The simultaneous sound of knocking and a one o’clock bell the morn-ing of Dolphina the Eleventh awoke Judge, who, in his pajamas, got out of bed and answered, seeing a sentinel from whatever nation the Lone Star had docked at. “Good morning to you, young sir. I would like to see identification, please.”

“Yes, sir,” agreed Judge, showing his passport.“You’re all clear. I take it you’re the child of Supreme General

Bucks, young man?”“Yes, I am.”“He’s speaking with our King over breakfast, and you are wel-

come to meet His Majesty.”“I will, sir, and I’ll remember to show my manners.”“Good for you, boy. And welcome to Ghana.”The soldier departed, with Judge, after clothing himself, unsur-

prised to see more wandering the ship corridors as he headed to the mess hall where he noticed his father speaking with a dashiki-clothed guinea pig he supposed was the King of Ghana. Sitting at the same ta-ble and receiving a breakfast tray, Judge greeted, “Good morning, dad. Good morning, Your Majesty.”

“To you as well,” the monarch returned. “I Ged VIII, the King of Ghana. You should be proud of your father for asking us to assist his liberation of Kuwayt.”

“Will Your Majesty.?“But of course! Although our contributions shan’t be great,

since we are not a terribly large nation.”“That we can understand, sire.”“We could possibly take on the whole Babylonian Empire with

what we currently have amassed,” noted the Supreme General, “and believe that the larger our forces, the more likely we can very easily intimidate Babylonia away from Kuwayt.”

“A sound plan,” King Ged lauded.

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“International cooperation is always necessary whenever crises threaten the stability of Terra. A conflict that originates in a small part of the world could very easily spread to other nations, and it is thus necessary to contain such incidents for the sake of Terra.”

“Amen,” concurred the King of Ghana.

After breakfast the monarch and his soldiers departed the Lone Star, with the fleet shoving off from the Kingdom’s capital, Accra, and continuing eastward along the Jotun coast. The tropical terrain yielded no significant changes for the next few hours, with the armada still ap-parently within Ghana when the second hour arrived. It was not until the fourth hour that the Younger Judge could glimpse ships that appar-ently belonged to a foreign nation, the coastline at the time taking the fleet northeastward. The barges were unsurprisingly voluminous to ac-commodate Jotun of diverse sizes, although a surprise that did surprise the boy, not to mention his father when he emerged from below deck, was the presence of vessels that apparently flew thanks to ovular bal-loons and aft propellers.

Both Judges noticed the seafaring vessels to be swift as well thanks to evident Espers that propelled the ships through the seas, with one of these clippers coming alongside the Lone Star and one of the sailors coming aboard with the Frankgaul greeting, “Bonjour.”

“Bonjour to you as well,” returned the Supreme General. “Our apologies for not being fluent in Frankgaulish.”

“It’s no problem,” assured the seaman in Anglian. “Though the official language of the Kingdom of Togo is Frankgaulish, we Jotun tend to travel across borders often, so being multilingual is a must.”

“I take it you wish to see our passports?” wondered the Elder Judge, showing his identification, as did his eldest son.

“Certainly,” agreed the nautical sentinel, quickly looking over the Younger Judge’s passport and handing it back, afterward scanning his father’s more carefully. “You are a Supreme General?”

“Yes, sir.”“Why have you amassed such a large fleet?” The Elder Judge

told of the troubles between Babylonia and Kuwayt. “So I see. You wish us to augment your forces?”

“We could use aerial power such as that Togo seems to have.”“Our King, Tobias X, controls the military, so you will have to

ask him about augmenting your forces, Mr. Supreme General.”

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ACROSS NORTHERN JOTUNHEIM

“I would very much like to meet His Majesty, although if your nation’s capital is not along the coast, I would prefer that you relay my message to him since we have a host of other nations to visit on our sa-fari along Jotunheim.”

“Our capital, Lome, is indeed on Togo’s coast, although I can easily take you before our King faster.”

“How so?” wondered the Supreme General.“I know,” noted Judge, holding one of the sailor’s hands.“But how…”Before the Supreme General could complete his question, the

sailor took his hand, closed his eyes, and a mist veiled the three, after which it cleared, and everyone found themselves within a palace simi-lar to that back in Librya, what with a voluminous disposition to ac-commodate Jotun of diverse sizes. Togolese flags hung vertically from the ceiling, bearing a red upper-left field centered by a white star, the rest of the banner occupied by alternating yellow and green stripes. In the current chamber was a throne occupied by a tiger who wore a col-orful dashiki bearing his nation’s colors, with the sailor leading his two guests there and everyone bowing.

“You may rise,” invited the feline monarch. “May I ask whom I have the pleasure, or displeasure, of meeting?”

“I am but an insignificant sailor in Your Majesty’s Royal Navy, although these fine gentlemen here are Supreme General Judge Victor Hartford Bucks of Stellasolum and his son.”

“Stellasolum, I see,” noted the King. “I am not familiar with that particular nation. Undoubtedly it lies far from Jotunheim. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”

“Indeed, sire,” noted the Supreme General, narrating recent events with assistance from his son. “We were hoping Your Majesty might be able to lend an airship or two to our cause, since we are lack-ing in aerial power.”

“You wish us to intervene in a situation that involves two na-tions whose populations follow the Muspel Cult?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” noted the Younger Judge.“While there are Muspel and Aesir populations here in Togo,

most of its inhabitants follow old local gods, and I myself believe in a power that supersedes all earthly religious icons, and that I am that en-ergy’s chief ambassador here on Terra within my Kingdom. Many that follow the ancient ways are well attuned to the lifeforce of Terra.”

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“Meaning many Togolese can use magic?”“But of course, boy. Esper blood runs well through me and my

family’s veins, for instance.” To demonstrate, King Tobias summoned a fireball within his right hand, and extinguished it with a powerful ex-halation from his mouth. “I take it that since you have come far from the Ymir Continent in such little time, that you perhaps have Espers at work for you?”

“Yes, sire,” indicated the Supreme General. “They primarily came from the Kingdom of Flora in the Ymir Continent, ruled by Ae-sir descendants.”

“Interesting. One needs not be Aesir to have magical ability, as you have recently seen.”

“One just needs to have the right blood running through their body,” contributed the Younger Judge.

“Well-observed, young man!”“So, will Your Majesty lend airships to our cause?” the

Supreme General then inquired.“We shall lend one airship.”“We understand Your Majesty is concerned with the security

of his own nation.”“Of course! We wish not to leave Togo defenseless. Besides,

we are certain that your forces would find use with even one airship, since you will have a greater view of your surroundings. You may find more aerial power in the nations of Jotunheim that employ Espers in their militaries.”

“We shall continue along the continent, then.”“Would you and your son like to see the airship we shall lend

to you?”“We would be honored, Your Majesty.”“Each of you hold my hands, then,” invited the King, extend-

ing both palms towards the deer.The cervines complied, clutching the tiger’s hands, with an

opaque mist surrounding the trio, after which it cleared, the three after-ward finding themselves aboard the shadowed deck of a ship. Gazing above, the Younger Judge noticed a white balloon inflated both by Es-pers exhaling massive gusts of wind, not to mention torches topping clay pedestals providing hot air to suspend the vessel. To confirm that the vessel was indeed in the sky, the albino deer approached one of the wooden edges and gazed down to notice what was likely Lome about a

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kilometer below. Somewhat fearful of heights, Judge wandered back to the center of the ship alongside his father and the King of Togo.

“What do you think?” inquired King Tobias.“Impressive,” the Supreme General commented.“This is the Princess of Togo, one of the flagships of our na-

tion’s Air Force.”“And I am its namesake,” a tigress elaborated while approach-

ing the trio, “Princess Tomasina. Who might these handsome men be, father? Visitors from afar?”

“Friends from the faraway Republic of Stellasolum, my dear Tomasina. We pledge them our support in liberating the Emirate of Kuwayt in Muspelheim from the Empire of Babylonia.”

“Sounds fun,” the Princess obviously jested. “I’d like to get in on the action, if I might.”

“It will likely be a dangerous mission, dear daughter, even while traveling there.”

“I’m not heir to the throne like my brother Tuta, so I’m ex-pendable, aren’t I?”

“Surely you value your life more seriously than that…”“Self-sacrifice is noble in any major religion, is it not, father?”“We do not follow the major religions of Terra, my dear

Tomasina, and rightfully so.”“I think I’m old enough to make my own decisions…”“True, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”“I consider myself warned, father. Danger’s my middle name.”“No, it’s Tierra.”“Whatever…” muttered Princess Tomasina, walking away.“Quite a rebellious one, sire,” noted the Younger Judge.“Fortunately, Prince Tuta does not have that streak, although

he has yet to come of age.”“I would say that my son has been through many events that

would in effect cause him to come of age quite early,” the Supreme General suggested.

“So you told us. We could use more men like him.”“I’m just happy to help my father, Your Majesty. And it would

seem that the Princess would be happy to do so as well.”“As much as I disagree with her decision to fly to Kuwayt, I

am afraid I cannot change her mind.”“What are Your Majesty’s plans for the Princess of Togo?” the

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Supreme General inquired. “Do you intend to have this vessel fly di-rectly for Kuwayt or to have it follow our fleet.”

“That would be up to my daughter to decide.”“I can fetch Her Highness if Your Majesty wants,” the

Younger Judge suggested, seeing Princess Tomasina enter a cabin above the stairs that evidently led below deck.

“Thanks, young man, but I don’t think the Princess will want to speak with me almost immediately after she ended our conversation on a negative note.”

“I could ask her without compelling her to come back outside, and relay the information on this vessel’s destination to Your Majesty and you, dad.”

“Just don’t try anything funny with her, boy,” admonished the King of Togo.

“Relax, sire, I would much prefer someone my age or younger, so there’s no need to worry.”

King Tobias laughed. “You I like, boy. Feel free to extract that information from her, but only through talking, you hear?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”The Younger Judge then separated from the monarch and his

father, traveling to the airship’s aft portion and ascending one of the two staircases alongside that leading below deck. The twin doors lead-ing into Princess Tomasina’s evident quarters he knocked, with King Tobias’s eldest issue asking, “Who’s there?”

“Judge Victor Piers Bucks of Stellasolum, son of Supreme General Judge Victor Hartford Bucks of Stellasolum.”

“Ah, so you’re the handsome young man whom I met but a few minutes ago. Come in!”

Judge did so. Though he only needed to open one door, it took slightly more effort than average to open since it was large, as was likely the accompanying chamber, not to mention heavy, although he could manage the weight. Once inside, the boy took little surprise to notice a large chamber topped by a golden chandelier with plenty of il-luminating candles, with many shelves laden with books and scrolls lining the walls. Centering the chamber was a curtained bed, on the starboard side was a desk among the shelves, and beyond these was another pair of doors indicating that the airship had a rear balcony.

Princess Tomasina emerged from her bed and greeted, “Wel-come to my airship’s private chamber, young Judge.”

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“A pleasure to meet Your Highness again.”“Please, we can dispense with the formalities. You’re free to

call me Toma if you so desire.”“Okay then, Toma.”“What is the reason for your visit, young Judge?”“You’re welcome to just call me Judge, Toma. I am aware of

my own age, after all.”“You’re the boss.”“Actually, your father the King seemed to indicate you are, be-

ing this vessel’s namesake.”“True. So, why have you come to my private quarters?”“To ask where you intend to take this vessel.”“To Kuwayt, of course.”“Yes, but how do you intend to travel there? Directly, or by

following the fleet my father’s amassed?”“It would be far easier to fly directly there than by following

your father’s fleet, so I suppose I shall take this ship the direct route to Kuwayt. Besides, there are plenty of inland nations with whom we can forge alliances if they’re willing, although I know not if they would be willing to lend their support, since we would be heading into territory where the people largely follow the Cult of Muspelheim.”

“Yes, most of the Muspel nations my father and I have encoun-tered have been reluctant to add to our fleet.”

“Anyway, I’m sure our fathers would like to know about my decision, so we should probably talk with them about it.”

“Okay, Toma. Let’s go.”Thus, the Princess and the Younger Judge departed the for-

mer’s chamber, descending to the main deck and rendezvousing with their fathers. The tigress informed, “Father, I’ve come to a decision about how this ship will go about traveling to Kuwayt.”

“Do tell us, my dear Tomasina.” The Princess did so. “It will be a risky endeavor, you should realize. Be especially cautious of the Kingdom of Egypt.”

“A Muspel nation, I take it?” asked the Younger Judge.“Both a nation in the Muspelheim Continent and a nation that

owes most of its allegiance to the Muspel Cult,” elaborated the King of Togo. “Word has it that King Amunra and his younger brother King Yulij of Sinai are at one another’s throats.”

“Why so, Your Majesty?”

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“The Kingdom of Sinai is a relatively new nation whose inhab-itants seceded from Egypt to form their own Kingdom, led by the King of Egypt’s younger brother.”

“Are they of different faiths?” the Supreme General wondered.“Bingo,” affirmed King Tobias. “King Amunra follows the

Muspel Cult and his younger brother King Yulij the Aesir Church, and was one of the many reasons for the Sinai Peninsula’s divorce from Egypt. Sinai’s capital, St. Catherine, doubles as the relatively new Kingdom’s capital and an Aesir citadel, also serving as the home of the Pope of Muspelheim, Cyril VI Zoroaster.”

“I see,” noted the Younger Judge, aware that all Continents on Terra had individual Popes of Asgard, high ambassadors to the Church in their respective Continents. “Who’s Jotunheim’s Pope?”

“Although we do not follow the Aesir faith,” began the King of Togo, “we do keep an eye on the Church’s doings. The Pope of Jotun-heim is William V Simone, and he lives in the Republic of South Jo-tunheim on the southern end of the Continent.”

“And Ymir’s Pope, of course, is John XX McCann,” the Supreme General informed.

“I knew that, dad.”“Of course you did, son.”“Anyway, I am certain you all would like a tour of the Princess

of Togo, no?” the King wondered.“That would be nice,” agreed the Supreme General.“Follow me, then!” King Tobias escorted his visitors and the Princess away from

the navigational wheel, leading them to the aft of the vessel, ascending the stairs alongside those leading below deck. At the doors into Princess Tomasina’s chamber he noted, “I’m sure that Young Judge here is familiar with the Princess’s private quarters.”

“Yes, sire.”“Let’s continue, shall we?” The feline monarch led his daugh-

ter and guests up one of the stairways alongside the Princess’s cham-ber, with everyone arriving at an observation deck providing a nice view of the ship’s posterior, not to mention the rear propeller below. Also present was an apparent navigation wheel at which a sailor cur-rently stood. “This is where we steer the ship left and right, with sailors inflating or deflating the balloon above with hot air if they wish to bring this ship up or down. Down below is what moves our airships

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forward! Sailors below deck man the propeller, and take turns when they become exhausted.”

“So I see,” the Supreme General observed.The King then led everyone down from the observation deck,

down from the level with his daughter’s chamber, and down the stairs leading below deck. Afterward he led his daughter and guests through one of the hallways alongside the stairs, bringing them into what ap-peared to be the mess hall, with endless tables and chairs, although none of them seemed occupied at the moment, unsurprising since it was not early in the morning or the afternoon. The tables and chairs were naturally of diverse sizes to accommodate the various volumes of species the Kingdom of Togo contained, with a high ceiling from which a golden chandelier’s candles illuminated.

“This is the mess hall, which is significantly busier at break-fast, lunchtime, and dinnertime,” the King noted, leading everyone to the end of the dining facility into a narrower hall (though still wide to accommodate large species), with plenty of doors of diverse volumes. “These are the upper quarters for our soldiers.”

To the end of this hall King Tobias led his guests and daughter, bringing them down another set of stairs to the second level below deck, with a pair of doors a few meters from the bottom of the stair-way. One of the doors he opened, leading the party through so they could view a mechanism that the soldiers there currently didn’t manip-ulate, and where the King informed, “This is where our men rotate the propeller to move the airship forward.”

The propeller room they then exited, with the party wandering through one of the halls alongside the wide staircase into an area that was vaster than the mess hall, with several open windows and ballistae that undoubtedly served as the aerial ship’s defense. “This would be the ballista room, so we can defend against our enemies; fortunately, we don’t have very many in this part of Terra.”

“But the ship probably will when it reaches Kuwayt, maybe along the way there, as well,” admonished the Younger Judge.

“Only time will tell, my boy,” the King assured.Across the ballista room he led everybody, with yet another

stairway leading them down into a narrower hall with many pairs of doors and plenty of cacophonic buzzing. “This, my friends, is where we keep our flying insects so that our soldiers aboard can engage in closer combat with the enemy.”

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“How do you get them outside the ship, sire?” wondered Judge.“There are special doors within each stable so that the bugs can

fly outside.”“Ah.” Through the hall and down another set of stairs King Tobias

led his guests and daughter, bringing them into a wider area that con-tained countless crates and weapon racks, where the monarch in-formed, “This is where we store all our supplies, food, and weapons. And that, my friends, completes the tour.”

“We thank Your Majesty for showing us around this vessel,” lauded the Supreme General. “If only we had vessels like this for our Air Forces.”

“We are certain that time won’t be too far off,” suggested King Tobias, then offering, “Shall I take you back to the palace?”

“I would appreciate that, Your Majesty,” noted Supreme Gen-eral Bucks as he held one of the monarch’s hands. Noticing that his son neglected to hold the other hand, he wondered, “Well, aren’t you coming back with us, son?”

“I think I’ll stay here with the Princess, dad.”“You’re not in love with her, are you?”“Of course not, dad! I said I would rather woo someone my

own age or younger!”“I trust the boy not to defile my daughter,” approved the King

of Togo. “He is welcome to accompany her to Kuwayt.”“Thanks, Your Majesty,” lauded Judge, then telling his father,

“You go your way to Kuwayt, dad, and I go mine.”“If you insist, but do realize that combat in the air, should the

Princess of Togo encounter any militant opposition, would be far riskier than combat on the ground.”

“I’ve flown before, dad, so I think I can handle it.”“Very well,” the Supreme General finally approved, facing the

King and commanding, “Sire, you may take me back to my ship.”“Will do!” noted the King, who disappeared along with the

Supreme General, leaving his son and Tomasina alone in the Princess of Togo’s storage area, along with the occasional sailor that had come to the vessel’s lowest level.

“Well, now that our fathers are gone, let’s go back to my room and fornicate!” suggested the Princess

“What?” an alarmed Judge inquired.

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“I’m kidding, I’m kidding! I’m too old for you, remember?”“Yeah, and I’m not ready for children yet,” jested Judge. “So, I

guess Kuwayt’s our destination now, no?”“And whatever nations along the way are willing to back us. I

guess I should inform the crew.”Princess Tomasina then led Judge through the corridors below

the deck, proclaiming her vessel’s intended destination to the crew, her trip ending at the navigation wheel where the sailor inquired, “Ready to depart, Your Highness?”

“Of course! Set sail for Kuwayt!”“Will do, milady!”Northeast the Princess of Togo began flying away from well

above the capital city Lome, with Judge assuming that around half of the fourth hour had elapsed since he and his father first entered the na-tion. Fifth hour bells eventually tolled below, with Judge gazing be-yond the edge of the vessel to notice an extensive line of wooden X’s that undoubtedly indicated the eastern border between Togo and an-other Jotun nation. Confirming this was the arrival of several fly-riding sentinels, some of which landed upon the vessel’s deck, with the al-bino cervine noticing that this new nation itself had a few airships composing its Air Force.

“Bonjour,” greeted one of the airmen in Frankgaulish, with Judge showing his passport and the Princess of Togo’s namesake pre-senting hers as well, conversing in Frankgaulish, likely about the ves-sel’s destination of Kuwayt.

“Merci,” thanked another sentinel as he and his companions flew away upon their avian insect steeds.

“I think I might want to learn Frankgaulish,” suggested Judge.“I have several reference books in my chambers,” Princess

Tomasina informed. “Allow me to show you.”“Will Your Highness meet with this nation’s leaders?” the

white deer inquired.“I’ll leave that to the ships along the coast, since the Kingdom

of Benin’s capital, Newport, lies along the seas. Anyway, follow me, to my quarters.”

“Will do, Toma.”The Princess led the Supreme General’s son across the deck

into her bedroom again, where from the shelves she found an Anglian/Frankgaulish dictionary, presenting it to the boy. “It’ll be

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some time before we enter the next country, so I can be your tutor until then, and maybe in between border crossings and diplomacy.”

“Thanks, Toma.”“Don’t mention it.”Fortunately, Judge quickly picked up the Frankgaulish tongue

and became as fluent in it as Hispanian, with the Princess and he occa-sionally going to her private balcony at the very aft of the vessel and gazing down to notice the terrain of the Kingdom of Benin, consisting primarily of tropical jungles interrupted by the occasional primitive village, as was the case with the other nations he and his father had en-countered thus far in Jotunheim. At the turn of the seventh hour, the two could glimpse a linear barren area running northward and south-ward, with wooden X’s dotting the path, an undoubtful indication of an international border.

Surprisingly, a fly-mounted soldier came up to the balcony, which contained enough space for the sentinel to land, the guard get-ting off, bowing, and greeting in Anglian, “Welcome to the Empire of Nigeria, my friends! May I see some identification?”

“Sure,” the Princess and Judge simultaneously concurred.“Ah, welcome back, Princess! Got yourself a boyfriend?”“He’s just a friend,” corrected Toma.“Oh, okay. In any case, Godspeed with your trip!”After the fly departed along with others that had likely landed

upon the main deck to confirm the other passengers’ identities, Judge inquired, “Will we meet with this nation’s leaders?”

“Abuja is on our way to Sinai, so yes, we will. It might be a bit difficult to get them on our side since the country’s population is about evenly divided between the Aesir Church and the Muspel Cult, but ev-erything’s worth a try, no?”

“Indeed, Toma. By the way, I think it’s lunchtime.”“You’re right. To the mess hall!”Princess Tomasina and Judge thus departed the former’s pri-

vate balcony and passed through her chamber to the main deck, where they noticed that many passengers had gotten the same idea and thus headed to the mess hall. The two sat at one of the many diverse-sized tables, where a cook brought them each a meal in appropriate portions, with the larger Jotun naturally receiving larger meals. The feline and cervine silently prayed in their respective faiths, afterward devouring their Jotun cuisines, and then heading back to the Princess’s chamber

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for more Frankgaulish lessons and practice; Tomasina took astonish-ment at how fast her friend mastered the language.

“It’ll probably be nighttime by the time we reach the Empire’s capital, so we can chill for the rest of the day if you want.”

“Are there any other languages you know and could possibly teach me, Toma?”

“Since we’ll end up in Muspelheim again on our trip, I could teach you Arabian, though I must warn you that it’s a much more diffi-cult language with its own writing system.”

“I’m always ready for a challenge.”“Let’s get started, then.”For the day’s remainder Princess Tomasina instructed Judge in

Arabian, with the deer needing to master a totally different script than the languages he already knew, a challenge he gradually overcame. The two ate dinner together in the airship’s mess hall, with the boy’s Arabian lessons continuing until bedtime, with Toma and Judge part-ing, the former slumbering in her chamber and the latter sleeping with the vessel’s soldiers, with the cervine taking the time to find a bed, most of which contained multiple levels to save space, that could fit his frame, relatively small compared to those of the larger Jotun such as the elephants and giraffes. Judge prayed for his and his father’s safety before going to sleep, hoping the diplomacy with the Empire of Nigeria would go well even if they didn’t contribute forces.

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Chapter XXI

Diplomatic Success and Failure

One o’clock churchbells awoke Judge the morning of Dolphina the Twelfth, with the boy following his typical morning routine of dress-ing and going to the mess hall to break his nightly fast. Once he ar-rived in the dining area, Princess Tomasina waved at him and alerted, “Judge! Over here!”

“I’m coming!” Judge assured as he approached the table where the Princess sat and occupied the seat next to her.

“Judge, this is His Majesty Emperor Nigel IX of Nigeria,” Toma indicated a fellow tiger, this one masculine and with black hair and eyes like the Princess.

“Good morning, Your Majesty.”“Ah, and you must be Judge. The Princess has told me much

about your adventures.”“And Uncle Nigel has pledged his support for liberation

Kuwayt from Babylonia.”“Uncle? Are you related to His Majesty, Toma?”“I am actually her distant cousin once removed, but it’s a lot

easier for us to consider and address one another uncle and niece,” Emperor Nigel informed. “House Togo is distantly related to House Nigerius, with House Nigerius ruling our northern neighbor Niger as well. We assure you we will inform them about the situation between Babylonia and Kuwayt.”

“Thanks, sire. We could use all the support we can get.”“Indeed, and I am certain the Muspel world doesn’t want a sit-

uation such as this to shake their relative peace.”“Which faith does Your Majesty follow?”“I follow a mixture of both Aesir and Muspel views. Our

cousins in Niger are of the same belief system. “We shall do as much as possible to ensure that all faiths on Terra coexist peacefully. Except, of course, the Nidhoggr Order that has deliberately made war during the past few eons.”

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“Does Your Majesty think that they could possibly be behind the troubles between Babylonia and Kuwayt?”

“They could be, they could be not. Our intelligence has yet to research the motives behind Babylonia’s invasion. Our ultimate prior-ity is liberating Kuwayt from Babylonia, so we should focus on that.”

“A good idea, Uncle Nigel. Anyways, I am certain my soldiers, as well as those you have contributed, are willing to shove off, so I guess it’s goodbye for now.”

“And may God be with you in your endeavors.”“Thanks.”“Don’t mention it.”With that, Emperor Nigel magically vanished from the mess

hall, with his niece and the albino deer finishing their breakfast after-ward, the time being around the middle of the first hour. Then she led her friend onto the deck, going to the aft navigation deck and com-manding the sailor there, “Alright, let’s go! Our next stop is Chad!”

“Aye-aye, Your Highness!”A sailor then untied the airship from the complex building

above which it currently hovered, likely the Emperor’s palace, after which Esper sailors filled the balloon with hot air to elevate the vessel for takeoff. As it did so, Judge inquired, “Is Chad a friendly nation?”

“Depends on your definition of friendly,” Toma suggested. “It lies in Muspelheim, and like other nations in the continent, they can become fairly nasty if you poke them the wrong way. But if you han-dle them sensitively enough, they just might be willing to open up.”

“I wouldn’t dare mess with a Muspel.”“Neither would I, my good friend.”For the next few hours, Judge stood at the fore of the Princess

of Togo and gazed below to watch the terrain of the Empire of Nigeria pass. It mostly remained constant, what with plenty of jungle and vil-lages composed mostly of wood and hay constructions, with the capi-tal city of Abuja having been much of the same disposition. The vessel was still in the middle of the Empire when lunchtime arrived, with Tomasina and Judge enjoying a decent afternoon repast, afterward standing together at the ship’s front. The two occasionally gazed at one another, yet would quickly return their sights to the scenery due to the age different between them, and Judge’s firm belief that he was too young at the time for a romantic relationship.

Near dinnertime, the boy noticed an extensive barren line cut-

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ting through the tropical wilderness with countless wooden saltires in-dicating the border between Nigeria and another nation, with several flies landing upon the deck, one of the soldiers dismounting, bowing, and greeting, “Bonsoir, or good evening, depending upon what your preferred tongue is.”

“Bonsoir to you as well,” returned the Princess in Frankgaulish as she and Judge presented their passports.

“Ah, welcome back, Princess. Do you wish to meet with our King again?”

“We’re just passing through Cameroon en route to Chad, thank you very much.”

“Chad, eh? Be careful of them.”“I can manage.”“God be with you, then.”“With you too, sir.”The flies and their sentinels then departed the airship’s deck,

with everyone aboard enjoying dinner afterward. A little into the final hour of the Daylight Period, flies from a foreign nation again flew onto the deck of the Princess of Togo, with the soldiers here wearing dif-ferent clothes than the flymen of the Kingdom of Cameroon, who had preferred dashikis and other colorful guards, along with wooden spears having stone tips as their weapons. The pilots of this new nation by contrast preferred whitish clothing topped with white hoods that ex-tended to their sandals, with their weapons largely consisting of metal-lic scimitars that they brandished upon dismounting.

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Chad,” greeted one of the sen-tinels in Frankgaulish; one of his comrades repeated the greeting in the Arabian tongue. “We request to see identification.”

“Certainly,” agreed the Princess.“Here you go, sir,” noted Judge as he showed his passport.“Looks like the Kingdom of Togo and Republic of Stellasolum

are in some kind of alliance, eh?” one of the Chadian airmen noted.“Please, sir, we don’t want any trouble…”“Well, looks like you have indeed brought trouble along, no?

It’s not every day that a flying ship comes to the borders of our King-dom! What is your purpose here?”

“A meeting with your nation’s leaders would suffice,” noted Princess Tomasina.

“Luckily, our capital city of Nijamina is right below! Our King,

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Francois V, has just gotten through with dinner, so we can very well take you to him!”

“Just be sure to show your manners!” another one of the sol-diers admonished. “You definitely don’t want to get on his bad side, or ours, for that matter!”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” assured Princess Tomasina.“Follow us, then!”The Chadian sentinels began departing the airship deck upon

their flies, soaring beyond the vessel’s aft so they could guide them to the monarch’s palace. They began by descending, with the sailors aboard releasing air from the balloon to follow, the city below, consist-ing mostly of sandstone constructions, with occasional minarets in-dicative of Muspel mosques, gradually coming into view. When the airship hovered about a decameter above the city, the Chadian flymen began moving forward, leading the visiting vessel across most of the buildings until they reached what appeared to be the largest construc-tion in the vast settlement, upon whose roof they landed.

One of the sailors aboard the Princess of Togo tossed a long rope to one of the airmen, which he tied to one of the upward-jutting castled edges of the rooftop, centered by a large sandstone dome. The vessel now secured, another aerial sailor dropped a rope ladder, first securing it on the edge of the vessel, to the rooftop so that Princess Tomasina, Judge, and a few soldiers for security, could descend to the royal palace. Once they were on the roof, they noticed two doors lead-ing into the dome open, and out came a feline with black hair, black eyes, a moustache, a red fez with a black tassel, and a uniform consist-ing of yellow epaulets, a blue sash, a red overcoat, and black pants, along with sentinels of his own.

“Who dares disturb me, not to mention the peace of the King-dom of Chad, at this hour?” inquired the man in Frankgaulish.

“We dare, Your Majesty,” Princess Tomasina returned, “and we apologize that we could not come sooner.”

“I had planned to enjoy this evening after my dinner alone, un-til the lot of you came along. May I ask who has the supreme displea-sure of disturbing me?” Tomasina and Judge introduced themselves, appending their homelands to their names. “So you hail from nations for which we do not much care, and have the audacity to try and land that flying abomination here!”

“We shall not stay long, Your Majesty,” assured Princess

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Tomasina, backing towards the rope ladder. “We simply wish for your opinion on the recent invasion of the Kuwayt Emirate by the Babylo-nian Empire.”

“You want my opinion? Good for Babylonia! Only the strong shall survive in this world, and if Kuwayt as a nation ceases to exist, then so be it!”

“Your religion divides Terra into the House of Muspelheim, where the Muspel Cult is dominant, and the House of War, where they aren’t,” lectured the Princess. “Don’t you think it ironic that war has erupted between two nations within the House of Muspelheim?”

“War, you say! Nonsense! It is you and your allies that are bringing war to Babylonia and Kuwayt!”

“But Babylonia’s attack upon Kuwayt was completely unpro-voked, Your Majesty,” suggested Judge.

“Completely unprovoked? Again, such nonsense! Kuwayt pro-voked Babylonia by being a weak nation that just so happened to bor-der a larger, more powerful nation!”

“So obviously Your Majesty won’t contribute to our forces en route to Kuwayt,” noted the Princess.

“You should get a job stating the obvious, Princess, because you fare incredibly well at that task! In fact, I might just ask the Na-tional Assembly to declare war on all nations that seek to ‘liberate’ Kuwayt from Babylonia! Hell, I’m Supreme Commander of the mili-tary, so I might just make war myself!”

“Your Majesty grossly underestimates our forces,” Princess Tomasina indicated. “We have strong backup on the shores of Jotun-heim, and they would surely crush Chad into fine powder.”

King Francois laughed. “It would take a while for them to ar-rive here, so we’d have plenty time to prepare for an invasion!”

“We don’t wish for war with Chad, Your Majesty,” desired Judge. “We simply came here in peace with the simple question of whether you would contribute to our forces or not.”

“And you’ve already gotten my answer! What part of ‘no’ do you people not understand?”

“Your Majesty has made himself perfectly clear,” Princess Tomasina assured. “Would Your Majesty at least be willing to harbor our aerial fleet for tonight!”

“Again, the answer is no!”“What about safe passage across the skies of Chad?”

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“Again, we refuse! Fly somewhere else with your damn air-ships! Just not in our skies!”

“We understand, sire,” noted Judge.“Good! Now get the hell out of my country!” admonished the

monarch as he stormed back into his palace.“We make no apologies for His Majesty’s behavior,” one of

the Chadian sentinels noted, “for your arrival here was most unantici-pated, and our King appreciates some sort of structure and predictabil-ity in his life and country.”

“We’ll keep that in mind next time we visit,” suggested Judge.“We doubt you shall return after your recent meeting.”“Adieu to you all, then!” bid the Princess, clutching the rope

ladder and urging Judge, “Come on, Judge! We’d best leave!”“I’m with you, Toma!” agreed the boy, ascending afterward.Back on the airship, Princess Tomasina told him, “That, Judge,

is the dark side of diplomacy.”“At least we now know Chad’s not a friendly nation.”“Well, it was kind of our fault for not informing the King be-

forehand of our visit. You know how followers of the Muspel Cult can be sometimes.”

“I’m pretty certain King Francois doesn’t reflect the average Muspel follower.”

“I’m sure things are worse in Babylonia, being an aggressive state that just so happens to follow the Cult.”

“Let’s just hope for the best, Toma.”The airship quickly reached the border with the Kingdom of

Cameroon, with flies again boarding, one of the soldiers dismounting and noting, “Obviously things didn’t go well in Chad, eh?”

“Didn’t go well is an understatement,” the Princess advised.“Rest assured that we Cameroonians are a hell of a lot friend-

lier than those bastard Chadians.”Judge laughed. “I’m sure you are.”After the Cameroonian flymen again verified identities aboard

the Princess of Togo, its namesake yawned, “Well, I think we’ve had enough for one day, eh, Judge?”

“Yeah. I could use a good rest myself.”“In that case, good night. See you in the morning.”“You too, Toma.”

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Chapter XXII

Across Northern Jotunheim

After a good night’s rest, Judge awoke when the Daylight Period of the Thirteenth of Dolphina commenced, with bells from whatever town the Princess of Togo had docked at indicating this particular half-way point through the day. Off his bed the albino deer climbed, stretching and taking little surprise that his fellow airship soldiers and sailors were doing the same, the boy going with a few of them to the chamber’s windows so they could breathe the fresh air and receive a good view of the town below. Unsurprisingly, everyone could glimpse below another primitive Jotun settlement, this one extending a few kilometers, although the vessel now hovered above an especially-large building that was perhaps the monarch’s palace.

Expecting that Princess Tomasina was speaking with the monarch over breakfast, Judge immediately headed into the mess hall and indeed saw his friend communicating with a fancily-clothed figure that was undoubtedly the King of Cameroon, with the deer sitting next to his feline companion and greeting, “Good morning, Toma. To you as well, Your Majesty.”

“Greetings,” returned the green-skinned, black-haired, and ebony-eyed chameleon. “I am King Cameron VII of Cameroon. You must be the son of Supreme General Bucks of Stellasolum.”

“I am, sire.”“We have received word some time ago that the Supreme Gen-

eral and his fleet were moving along the Jotun coast to rally as many nation as possible to his cause to liberate Kuwayt from Babylonia.”

“Would you be willing to support it, Your Majesty?”“But of course! We do not wish an incident in the Muspel

world to spill out into the Aesir world.”“Your Majesty is with the Aesir Church, I presume?”“Indeed! We do have a sizable Muspel population here, and we

assure you that our faiths are at peace in this country.”“Glad to hear it, Your Majesty. People of all faiths, excepting

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of course the Order of the Nidhoggr, should work together in harmony for the greater good of our world.”

“Well-put, Young Judge!”Everybody ate breakfast after the discussion, after which the

monarch returned to his palace below and the Princess of Togo was off again on another adventure through Jotunheim. East the vessel pro-ceeded, passing above plentiful exotic wilderness and the occasional primitive village, with lunchtime having come by the time they had ar-rived at the international border separating the Kingdom of Cameroon and the North Jotunheim Republic, with the inhabitants of that particu-lar nation speaking the Frankgaulish tongue, Princess Togo and Judge thankful to be well-versed in the language. A little before dinnertime, the vessel arrived at the Republic’s capital city of Bangui.

The Princess of Togo came to hover above the front gardens of the presidential palace of the Republic, which appeared no different than the royal abodes Judge had visited recently. Sky sailors dropped a long rope ladder to the pathways separating flora in the gardens, with Judge and Tomasina, along with a few escorting sentinels, descending and proceeding to the palace entrance. Along the way, the deer wan-dered slowly, taking time to scope out the exotic flora composing the palace gardens, which seemed to come from all across Terra. At the large wooden doors leading inside the abode undoubtedly belonging to the nation’s leader, a pair of North Jotun guards halted the party.

“What business do you have with President Simone?” one of the defending soldiers inquired.

“Simone,” whispered Judge. “I wonder if he’s related to the Pope of Jotunheim…”

“We simply wish to visit the President,” Tomasina noted.“Ah, Princess Tomasina of Togo!” the other sentinel observed.

“Welcome back! Of course our President would be perfectly willing to meet you. The rest of your party, however, we’re not so sure of.”

“Relax, we have no intentions of harming the President.”“Yes, yes, just mind your manners, okay?”“I would show nothing but the utmost respect to the President

of North Jotunheim, sirs,” assured Judge.“You may proceed, then!”The guards opened their respective giant doors, which took

some effort given their volume, although Princess Tomasina and her party ultimately received passage into the presidential palace. Inside

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they took little surprise to see a lobby, with the clerk there waving ev-eryone through, given the checking of the visitors back at the entrance, and letting them go forth into the massive central chamber that accom-modated Jotun of diverse shapes and sizes. Beyond the central sofas and chairs they ventured, with the guards defending the doors at the other end of the vast chamber recognizing the Princess of Togo and al-lowing her through.

Through the doors was a large office that bore resemblance to the Princess’s chamber aboard her airship, albeit much larger, without a bed in the middle, and generally circular. Hanging from the ceiling were paper lanterns with small flames emphasizing their colors and providing colorful illumination. Wooden shelves laden with books and scrolls lined the circular walls, with a desk on the end of the chamber opposite the entrance, behind which was a curtained window currently closed. The President himself, sitting in a chair behind the desk, was a black-haired, black-eyed, brown-furred monkey that signaled his visi-tors to come forth and sit in the chairs before his desk.

“Welcome, welcome,” greeted the President in an accented voice. “We welcome you to the Republic of North Jotunheim, to those other than the Princess that have not visited before.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. President,” assured Judge.“Same to you, mon ami. With whom do I have the pleasure of

speaking, if you don’t mind me asking?”Judge introduced himself and narrated his travels throughout

Jotunheim thus far. “We hope you can assist us, Mr. President.”“While we lack the aerial power certain Jotun nations contain,

we are willing to provide a few soldiers aboard your airship to aid with the liberation of the Kuwayt Emirate.”

“Our thanks,” the Princess assured.“It is no problem. Would you care to join us for dinner?”“Yes we would, Mr. President.”“In that case, follow me!”The President got up from his desk chair and ventured in front

of his, signaling his guards and the convoy from Togo to follow along to the chamber entrance. During the trip to the dining hall, Judge in-quired, “Mr. President?”

“Yes, Mr. Bucks?”“Are you related to the Pope of Jotunheim?”“Indeed. I am his younger brother Winton.”

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“Ah. Must be nice to have a sibling who’s one of King Odin’s supreme vicars.”

“We were both born and raised in North Jotunheim, and while he pursued a religious education, I on the other hand pursued a politi-cal education.”

“Are you of the Aesir Church, Mr. President?”“Of course, young Judge. Just became I am a politician doesn’t

mean I should abandon my religious views. A government without God can accomplish evil deeds.”

“But the Nidhoggr have a God in the Dark Lord, and they’ve accomplished plenty of evil in the past.”

“That is because their faith is misguided, and misguided reli-gion can be just as bad as no religion. The right religion can provide a moral foundation that can keep one on the path of righteousness, while the wrong one can lead one on the path to goodness knows where.”

“Indeed, Mr. President.”“Anyway, I am certain you all are starving from your long ad-

venture. Care to stay with us for dinner?”“That would be fine, sir.”Thus, Judge and the Princess followed President Simone to the

presidential palace’s dining hall where they dined on diverse cuisine from all across Jotunheim. Once everyone had had their fill, North Jo-tunheim’s President guided the visitors outside, where he bid them adieu and they ascended back onto the airship, departing Bangui after-ward. Northeast they headed alongside the border between North Jo-tunheim and what President Simone had indicated was the Congo Em-pire, although the Princess desired to make haste to Muspelheim, with the President having promised to send ambassadors into the Empire. Judge had a relatively dreamless sleep, continuing to hope that it wasn’t too late to liberate Kuwayt from Babylonia.

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Chapter XXIII

Back into Muspelheim

Judge awoke as usual when bells tolled to indicate the first hour of the Daylight Period of the Fourteenth of Dolphina, with his first task being to venture to the communal chamber’s windows, which were already open thanks to fellow soldiers, almost all of them larger than he was. Gazing outside, the deer looked down and noticed the Princess of Togo hovering above a great city consisting mostly of sandstone con-structions, which he assumed was capital of a nation in Muspelheim, given its people’s preference for the building material. Judge afterward returned to his bedside to clothe himself, after which he departed into the halls and headed to the mess hall to meet with the Princess.

“Over here, Judge!” Tomasina indicated as she waved her hand at her cervine comrade.

“I’m coming!” Judge sat at the table next to the Princess, notic-ing directly across a pair of evident high-ranking officials, a pair of ot-ters, one male and the other female, both being black-haired, black-eyed, brown-furred, and clothed with lush, colorful garments. Not knowing their exact titles, Judge greeted, “Um, hello…”

“To you as well,” the male lutrine returned. “I am Othello III, Emperor of Nubia.”

“And I am his consort, Empress Ottoline,” the otteress added.“It’s a pleasure to meet Your Majesties.”“And you as well, Mr. Bucks,” the Emperor assured.“So obviously the Princess has told Your Majesties both who I

am, no?”“Indeed. We welcome you to the Empire of Nubia’s capital

city of Khartoum.”“Thanks. Has the Princess told you about the situation between

Babylonia and Kuwayt?”“She has.”“How do you view it?”“We wish we could assist in that part of Muspelheim, but we

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have plenty of issues with which to deal on the homefront, namely rebels in the south who have spoken of possible secession.”

“For what reason, milord?”“Religious differences. We in the north of Nubia mostly follow

the Muspel Cult, while the southerners largely follow the Church of Asgard, and believe they have faced persecution at the hands of our nation’s Muspel population.”

“Have they, sire? Being of the Aesir Church myself, I do take concern about my faith’s persecution across Terra.”

“There are zealous Muspels that believe their faith to be supreme to the Aesir Church, but we assure you that institutional per-secution is largely nonexistent, and that we of House Nubius have not participated in any persecution for our long existence.”

“Has Your Majesty’s government made any attempts to crack down on persecution?”

“We have not openly condemned the persecution of the Aesir within our borders for fear the majority Muspel population would also rebel against us.”

“I can understand. Your Majesty is definitely in a tough predicament, whether or not you condemn the persecution.”

“Indeed. We suspect the manipulative bastards of the Order of the Nidhoggr, for they have been behind most major wars throughout the history of Terra. Perhaps they have influenced weak-minded Aesir within Nubia to speak of persecution and speak of secession.”

“Does Your Majesty suspect they orchestrated Babylonia’s in-vasion of Kuwayt?”

“Indeed, for the Nidhoggr absolutely lust for war amongst na-tions in Nidhoggr, which would make them all the more conquerable. We reckon that another great war could break out in a few years.”

“Which is all the more reason to resolve this conflict between Babylonia and Kuwayt, so that Niflheim sees the nations of Midgard as strong and able to overcome petty conflicts. If they see us as weak, they wouldn’t hesitate at all to wage war once again.”

“We would very much like to participate actively in the libera-tion of Kuwayt, although as we have said before, skirmishes on the homefront are our primary concern. We consider the world outside the reach of the Muspel Cult to be chaotic and the Muspel world itself to be peaceful, and we most certainly don’t want any conflicts across our continent to shatter that peace.”

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“In fact, we don’t wish to see any kind of conflict across this world,” added the Empress.

“Your Majesties speak well,” Princess Tomasina lauded. “It’s a shame that you can’t help us any more than you are able.”

“Religion is definitely a powerful force,” acknowledged the Emperor, “although the world would definitely be far worse without it. Who knows what godless heathens would accomplish?”

“I dare not think of that, Your Majesty,” affirmed Judge.“Anyway, it has been a supreme pleasure for us to converse

with you,” stated Othello as he and his consort rose and exchanged handshakes with Judge and Tomasina. “A pity we cannot actively sup-port your crusade, but we will keep you in our minds and hearts.”

“Farewell, for now,” Empress Ottoline bid, she and her hus-band ascending to the Princess of Togo’s deck, likely to depart via the rope ladder the deer and the tiger had used many times.

When the second hour arrived and the Emperor and his consort were gone, northeast the airship departed Khartoum, the vast jungles of the Empire of Nubia being visible for most of the morning. When lunchtime arrived, Judge and Princess Tomasina could notice a seaside settlement, with the waters containing a reddish tint, likely from a mix-ture of sandstone residue and clay. The cervine knew that these waters contained the appropriate identity as the Red Sea, with occasional ves-sels from whatever nations bordered it visible far below. Above them the airship turned northward, and later north-northwestward so that the aerial vessel would not venture into another nation, perhaps one that was unfriendly.

“Beautiful sea,” commented Judge, “though I am certain the water would be unsafe to drink. Which nation controls these waters, Toma? Nubia? Egypt? Arabia?”

“None of them, Judge.”“Who, then?”“The Red Sea is controlled by its underwater inhabitants, who

form the Red Sea Republic, a nautical nation consisting almost entirely of Merfolk. I know you have met some of them before, no?”

“Perhaps we could ask for their alliance.”“Ah, yes, you told me you had gills, I remember. Alas, I do

not, and neither does the rest of my crew. We could land in the water, although we would put ourselves at risk at the hands of the Egyptian Navy, should their reach be far in the middle of the Red Sea.”

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“Obviously Egypt’s out of the question for an alliance, no? I remember you said its King and Sinai’s have bad blood between them, so I guess we’re at an impasse right now.”

“What about Arabia? Given the influence of their culture and language across Muspelheim, they would make decent allies…”

“Arabia is also the nation in which the Muspel Cult was first founded many millennia ago.”

“I see. The conflict between Babylonian and Kuwayt is essen-tially in their backyard, so surely they should have some kind of opin-ion on the impending war we will wage, no?”

“The Arabians are a fairly conservative people, adhering well to the teachings of the Muspel Cult. Public song and dance are forbid-den, and women must at all times be accompanied by at least one man when going away from their homes. Some of the men even have more than one wife, and can divorce them simply by saying so three times.”

“Obviously not a people to mess with, eh?”“We may wish to avoid them for the time, yes, and we can ac-

complish just that by going through Sinai, Judea, and Jordan, which shares its eastern border with Babylonia.”

“So obviously war with Babylonia comes before the liberation of Kuwayt, no?”

“We’ll probably avoid central Babylonia where its capital city of Babylon is located, but basically, we may have to fight part of the Babylonian Air Force en route to Kuwayt.”

“I would actually like to visit the capital city beforehand to get a glimpse of Yggdrasil to see if they are indeed serious about weaponizing it, so that the rest of Terra can be more alert if neces-sary.”

“A reasonable idea, though I can’t say if the Princess of Togo would make it there in top shape. As I’ve said, we would have to deal with the Babylonian Air Force along the way, and the balloon in par-ticular would be especially vulnerable to enemy weapons. A few punc-tures would easily spell doom for us.”

“Perhaps Jordan would be willing to harbor the airship while we take the winged insects across Babylonia. That way, your airship would be safe, Toma.”

“We’d have to ask the King of Jordan for permission before-hand, but I am certain he would comply with our wishes.”

“Wait…perhaps the Espers aboard could do something to bet-

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ter protect your ship.”“Ah, I didn’t think of that. I could help as well, being an Esper

myself, and I’m sure the other magicians aboard could cook something up to protect our transport.”

Gazing beyond the edge of the vessel, Judge could see a fleet of flies fly from one of the ships below. “Um, Toma, I think now may be the right time to conjure up some sort of protection for your ship, if those flies aren’t here on a goodwill venture.”

“I’ll get right on it, Judge! Men! Conjure a forcefield!”“Aye-aye, Your Highness!” concurred the Esper sailors.The magical seamen thus ran to the port and starboard edge of

the Princess of Togo and extended their hands beyond deck, conjuring from their palms blue beams that extended a few meters into the sky and then expanded into a spherical barrier for the vessel. When the flies arrived near the vessel, Judge could notice that a few of them car-ried lit torches, perhaps desiring to use them on the balloon and the wooden ship it transported, with a few others drawing scimitars and spears, not to mention bows and arrows. Apparently they glimpsed the barrier, as they stopped before it, creating a circular perimeter around the airship.

The vessel’s crew received confirmation that their barrier in-deed functioned when one of the hostiles extended his spear at the forcefield to touch it. Consequentially, the airman that did so caused a blinding light to appear (with the Princess of Togo’s crew blinking in response), after which the pilot and his fly forcibly separated from one another, plummeting towards the Red Sea. However, one of his con-federates broke from the perimeter and quickly zoomed downward, saving his distressed companion from a nasty impact with the water far below. As the airship zoomed forward, the flies managed to keep up, with the pilots evidently having enough skill to stay near the barrier and not incur its reflective wrath.

Since he had come aboard the aerial clipper, Judge had armed himself with a bow and a quiver of arrows, with the deer drawing an arrow, notching it to his bow and inquiring the Princess, “Permission to fire on the hostiles, Toma?”

“Granted,” she responded. “While the forcefield reflects hos-tiles, it won’t reflect our own firepower back onto us, so fire away. Men! Fire at will!”

“Aye-aye, Princess!” concurred the very seamen that had con-

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jured the barrier, their hands afterward reaching for their bows and ar-rows, their barrier mercifully remaining intact.

Judge was first to fire an arrow, with the deer, currently gazing beyond the port side, aiming his arrow slightly to his right since he took concern that the wind would affect his shot once it departed the barrier’s spherical vicinity. The projectile ultimately departed the zone of protection, with water-like ripples indicating its departure through the barrier, and true to his prediction, the wind did drive the arrow to the left, at first missing its intended target, although some kind of force drove it back rightward and through the pilot’s skull, causing him to drop deceased from his fly.

Suspecting one of the Espers was responsible for the arrow’s altered trajectory, Judge faced Princess Tomasina, who smiled and af-firmed, “You’re welcome. No need to waste arrows on these bastards, men! We can get a lot of them even with just a few arrows!”

“Aye-aye, Your Highness!”Indeed, when one of the bowmen fired another arrow at one of

the hostiles, another Esper caused it to clone into several arrows that all found targets and downed more antagonists. Taking the hint that the crew of the Princess of Togo was ready for whatever its enemies would toss at it, the airmen evacuated, and the Espers removed the bar-rier. However, many soldiers and sailors remained on deck just in case other hostiles attacked, which they mercifully did not for the day’s re-mainder. Even as the Daylight Period terminated, distant water sur-rounded the airship, with everyone aside from the watchmen that alter-nated shifts departing below deck for well-deserved rests.

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Chapter XXIV

A Sabbath in Sinai

Judge awakened the morning of Dolphina the Fifteenth, away that to-day was the Sabbath and that he would need to worship at an Aesir church. Hearing a churchbell indicate the Daylight Period’s first hour gave him assurance that whichever city above which the airship hov-ered would have an Aesir cathedral, and he therefore got out of bed, stretching and promptly heading to the barrack windows, where he and the larger soldiers and sailors of the Princess of Togo beheld below a city that, surprisingly, contained tall white boundaries and gleaming white buildings alongside some sandstone constructions, along with a few Aesir flags that assured him that he was in the domain of the Holy Kingdom of Asgard.

The airship hovered above the courtyard of a great white mar-ble squared palace that flew flags containing horizontal red, white, and black stripes alongside with a golden three-crossed Emblem of Asgard that he supposed indicated the Kingdom of Sinai, a relatively young nation compared with its former fatherland of Egypt. Enthusiastic to likely be able to visit this evident abode of King Yulij, Judge headed back to his bedside, dressed, and promptly headed into the mess hall, half-expecting to see the King himself breakfasting with his compan-ion Princess Tomasina, although instead he saw the royal scion dining with a few bodyguards.

“Toma!” greeted Judge as he sat across from the Princess. “I take it we’re in Sinai now?”

“Yes, Judge. Below us is Saint Catherine, capital of the King-dom of Sinai and home to both the King and Pope of Muspelheim.”

“So likely we’ll meet both today, no?”“A strong likelihood, for it would be to our advantage to de-

pend upon both royal and papal diplomacy.”“Hopefully we can be done with the King by the second hour,

since church will likely begin then.”“Ah, yes, I forgot you Aesir celebrate the Sabbath at the begin-

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A SABBATH IN SINAI

ning of each week.”“I respect your religious views, Toma, so you don’t have to

come if you don’t want.”“Actually, I would like to join you for an Aesir service. Other

religions very much fascinate me.”“Oh? I do take concern that your coming to one of my reli-

gion’s services would be sacrilege to your own religious views.”“I don’t follow any specific religion, so I’m fairly certain that I

wouldn’t be breaking any kind of spiritual rules.”“Okay, then. But first, I take it we’ll want to meet the King.”“I’m friends with good King Yul and his son Prince Seti, and

I’m sure they’ll be delighted to meet me again.”After breakfast, Princess Tomasina and Judge left the mess hall

and began descending the rope ladder that terminated at the palace courtyard below. Several Togo soldiers accompanied them, as did a few sentinels native to Sinai, with the whole party venturing towards the northern side of the palace and ascending the steps beyond the sus-pending columns to the giant pair of doors that granted them ingress into the palace. Following a great hall was another pair of great wooden doors that more soldiers opened, with the chamber beyond un-doubtedly being the throne room, what with the presence of a royal seat in which the King sat, with several others to his left and right.

“Come forth, visitors!” invited the King, who was a sheep with brown wool, light brown fur in non-wooly areas such as his face, brown eyes, dark brown horns, and a red, white, black, and gold-epauleted uniform. Before him the Princess, Judge, and their escorts bowed, with the monarch inviting afterward, “You may rise.”

“Pleased to meet Your Majesty again,” noted Tomasina.“And you as well, Princess. To those who are new here, I am

Yulij Boris Briner Ramses, or simply Yulij or Yul depending on your preference, the King of Sinai.”

“And I am Crown Prince Seti,” a less-formally-clothed ram in-troduced himself, appearing similar to his father.

“And I am Breha Briner, Queen Dowager of both Kingdoms of Egypt and Sinai,” an old female gray bear stated; King Yulij undoubt-edly inherited his large frame from her.

“It’s a shame Your Majesty’s sons are at odds,” Judge noted.“Sibling rivalry is not unnatural, young sir. I am certain you are

sometimes at odds with yours, if you have any.”

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“Actually, I get along just fine with my brothers and sister.”“Oh, in that case, I am glad. Hopefully your healthy relation-

ship with your family can be a beacon to other houses that are divided against themselves, such as House Ramses.”

“Religious divisions are present in my family as well,” the black-haired and bearded, brown-eyed, orange-furred fox with reli-gious garments indicated. “My older brother, Xerxes II Zoroaster, is Emperor of Persia and a devout member of the Muspel Cult, while I am the Aesir Church’s Pope of Muspelheim.”

“Cyril VI Zoroaster?” inquired Judge.“The very same.”“It’s a pleasure to meet Your Holiness,” Princess Tomasina as-

sured, shaking hands with the Muspel Pope. “I’m not an Aesir myself, but I am fairly tolerant of and interested in other faiths.”

“So I see. It is good to meet others who are tolerant of religious differences, a view I wish all across Terra would share. My brother is lamentably not among those I mention, nor is His Majesty’s brother, as has been stated. The Emperor of Babylonia himself, while he is sup-posedly a secular member of the Muspel Cult, has a bit of a disdain for all religions across Terra.”

“Would Your Holiness and Your Majesty support the liberation of the Kuwayt Emirate?”

“I detest war,” noted the Pope, “although it is in some instances a necessary evil to secure peace throughout Terra.”

“I support the liberation as well,” King Yulij added, “though I am sad to say I cannot provide great military support since we must al-ways be vigilant in case my Egyptian brother seeks to subjugate Sinai as he did when our nation first declared its independence a few decades ago.”

“Why couldn’t Your Majesty’s brother simply let your nation go in peace instead of waging an unnecessary war?” wondered Judge.

“Because many leaders are far too proud to lose even the tiniest pieces of their nations and seek to reaffirm their territorial integrity once in a while. Amunra even had the audacity to call the conflict be-tween Egypt and Sinai a civil war.”

“It was not a civil war,” noted the Pope, “but rather a war be-tween two sovereign states.”

“Perhaps King Amunra considered his conflict with Sinai a civil war since he didn’t recognize Your Majesty’s nation as its own

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country, and probably still doesn’t today,” suggested Tomasina.“Very true, dear Tomasina,” affirmed King Yulij, “although we

Sinaians do not recognize Babylonia’s claim over Kuwayt, which we are certain the rest of you here do not, either.”

“Yes, and if we simply let Emperor Sodom get away with con-quering Kuwayt, then other nations could fall under his Empire’s reign if we sit back and do nothing.”

“Evil prevails when good men do nothing,” concurred King Yulij, “and it’s best to fight them in their homelands so we don’t have to face them in ours one day.”

“Anyway, the morning is still young, but church commences at two o’clock,” noted Pope Cyril.

“How far away is Your Holiness’s church?” asked Judge.“Within walking distance of the palace. Come, all, we have

talked enough, so let us make haste.”Pope Cyril then led everyone out of the throne room, through

the hall before the monarch’s audience chamber, and into the court-yard of King Yulij’s great palace. Across this they trekked to the south side of the building, passing across stairsteps, more columns, and an-other great pair of doors into another grand hall that connected with the main entrance, the party now walking across a great square where no vehicles roamed, with a great Aesir cathedral about a hectometer from the King’s abode. Many others had the idea of going there, al-though the crowds near the church were passable, and everyone quickly found themselves within the church.

As with most churches Judge had encountered throughout his lifetime, there was an entrance hall before the pair of wooden doors leading into the sanctuary, with most of the parishioners conversing in either Arabian or Anglian, making the deer wonder which language the Pope would prefer in his service this morning. Most of the gath-ered congregation took excitement in seeing Muspelheim’s Holy Fa-ther, with Pope Cyril presenting the ring of his left hand so that his fol-lowers could kiss it. As the vulpine vicar did so, the rest of the party with which he had arrived entered the sanctuary itself, occupying a pew near the front row.

One of the choirboys within the entrance hall was handing out pamphlets indicating today’s hymns, which section of the Aesir Bible the Pope would read, and the overall structure of the service, with the program itself written in both Anglian and Arabian, Judge assuming a

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bilingual service. From the pew he, the King of Sinai, the Princess of Togo, and all their sentinels occupied, the white deer gazed around at the sanctuary, noticing the stained-glass windows towards the ceiling depicting various figures from the history of the Aesir Church such as Holy King Odin, not to mention the raised area at the end centered by what was evidently the pope’s throne, also having a podium before which the Holy Father would likely preach, seats for the choirboys, the organist and other musicians, and so forth.

Pope Cyril himself ultimately entered the sanctuary, with parishioners that had not greeted him yet briefly departing their pews to kiss his ring, with the vicar slowly making his way down the aisle as he returned greetings. He did eventually make it to the end, ascending to the elevated area and occupying the papal throne, with the organist and other musicians practicing and playing instrumental versions of various Aesir hymns, some of which Judge easily recognized. When the church’s bells rang to indicate the second hour of the Daylight Pe-riod, the Holy Father got up from his throne and walked the brief dis-tance to his podium, ready to preach.

“Good morning, everyone,” greeted the vulpine vicar.“Good morning, Your Holiness,” replied most parishioners.“I welcome each and every one of you today on this glorious

Lord’s Day so we may worship our Holy King in all His splendor, and reaffirm our promises to God. We do not have any major announce-ments today, so if you would please stand so we may recite the pledge to our church, our God, and his servants.”

The parishioners did so, and the pledge commenced. “On this Lord’s Day we pledge our allegiance to Odin our Holy King, his con-sort the Holy Queen, their servants the Lady Valkyrie and the Pan-theon of Asgard, and to the Saint Catherine Church of Asgard, where we have gathered to extol our Lord once again. Amen.”

“Our opening hymn,” indicated the Pope, “is ‘Rock of Ages’. Let us stand praise our Lord.”

The congregation stood, and the organist and other musicians began playing their instruments to commence the hymn:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee,Let the water’s torrent flood,From the heavens which they flowed,

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Be of sin the double cure,Save our world and make it pure!After a few more stanzas, the Pope indicated, “You may be

seated. Let us pray. Dear Lord, we thank You kindly for letting us gather here this morning so we can praise Your holy name. In your name we pray, amen.”

“Amen,” echoed the congregation.“Our next hymn is ‘We’re Marching to Zion.’”Once again, the musicians began to play to begin the hymn:

Come, we who love the Lord,And let our joys be known;Join in a song with sweet accord,And thus surround His throne.

We’re marching northward to Zion,Glorious, beautiful Zion,We’re marching northward to Zion,The wonderful city of God!

Three stanzas and refrains later, the song ended, and the Pope indicated, “Now let us recite the Aesir Creed. Let us stand.”

The parishioners did so, reciting the Creed of the Church of Asgard and following it with “Glory to the Father.” Then they sat, af-ter which the Holy Father of Muspelheim noted, “Now is the time in our service during which we collect tithes and offerings. If our ushers would please come forth.”

Two choirboys each received offering trays, with the Pope con-tinuing, “Let us pray. Dear Lord, let us return to You a portion of that which we have labored to obtain so we may greaten the glory of Your Holy Church. In Your name we pray, amen.”

The churchboys thus began collecting offerings from both sides of the congregation, with Judge contributing sundry monies from his travel and the King and his family contributing more greatly. Once the choirboys had reached the main entrance into the sanctuary, the Pope bid everyone to stand, and everyone sung the Aesir Doxology, the Holy Father afterward indicating, “You may be seated. Now for our special music from our choir.”

Thus commenced the next hymn that the choirboys alone sang:

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Let Terra reign in peace,And let it begin with me.Let Terra reign in peace,The peace that was meant to be,With Odin as our Father,Siblings all are we.Let me walk with my siblingsIn perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,Be this the moment now.With every step I take,Be this my most solemn vow.To take and live each moment,With peace eternally.Let Terra reign in peace,And let it begin with me!

The choir sung both stanzas once more, and the hymn ended. The Pope indicated, while looking through slips of paper upon which the parishioners had written before the service began, “Now comes the time in our service in which we give ear to the joys and concerns from the congregation, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, deaths, prayers for peace in our troubled region of Muspelheim, and so forth…”

After reading through the joys and concerns, Pope Cyril indi-cated, “Let us pray. Dear Lord, we thank You for giving ear to our var-ious elations and worries, and for your various tests and blessings that measure our resolve, and in the end make us stronger parishioners in Your Church. Give us the strength to overcome Your trials and tribula-tions, and continue to bless us, as we pray the prayer that You have taught our disciples, saying…”

Following this was Lord Odin’s prayer, the Pope noting after-ward, “Now for our reading from the Aesir Bible. Let us hear the word of our Lord.”

On the third day of Odin’s creation,He called for there to be lights in the sky,Lights mercifully void of indignation

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And causing nothing on Terra to die.He summoned lights to part the day and nightThe greater light becoming the daytime,And the lesser night, dark and full of frightAnd the potential for beings of crime.So the Twilight Period would be safe,Lord Odin summoned stars to pierce the darkSo nighttime beings would be fools to rapeAnd the twilight would nary be so stark.Thus passed day of creation the thirdTerra still devoid of life like the bird.

“This is the word of our Lord,” the Pope noted after finishing the morning’s scripture.

“Thanks be to God,” echoed the congregation.“As many of you are aware, a crisis exists within the continent

of Muspelheim between the Empire of Babylonia and the Kuwayt Emirate. While we of the Aesir Church do not condone war, we must realize that it is sometimes necessary to prevent greater conflicts from erupting across Terra. Even extremists can be reasoned with, even if force is the only power they understand. Some prefer to stick their heads in the ground and ignore the conflict that occurs across our frag-ile world, while others may wish to engage in war even with states that show no indications of hostility, and may not have even violated an-other nation’s right to exist.

“The root of the great wars that terminated the First and Sec-ond Ages of Terra is undoubtedly isolationism, the ignorance of hostil-ities by the Niflheim Empire even as they showed aggression against the nations of Midgard, and sometimes, we must be willing to admit, the Holy Kingdom of Asgard itself may sometimes ignore hostilities that occur in Middle Terra. I thus challenge Asgard and its allies in Midgard alike to give diplomacy a chance so that we can prevent more great wars from breaking out, and prevent both Asgard and Niflheim from using one of the nations in Midgard as their battlegrounds.

“War may be beneficial to the economies of the nations that participate in it, although as we of the Aesir Church teach, avarice is one of the many roots of evil. Some may scoff at our Church’s desire for donations from its parishioners while simultaneously lecturing on the sinfulness of greed, although we can assure that your donations

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will go to good causes, such as helping the impoverished, helping peo-ple across Terra devastated by war, and spreading the good news of our Holy King Odin. However, you must realize that you cannot sim-ply purchase your way into a healthy afterlife, but must take actions to secure your place after your demise.

“Most major religions across Terra value good deeds, even our brethren in the Muspel Cult and the Judean Sect. We must seek to live in harmony with these other faiths, except of course for the warmon-gering Order of the Nidhoggr, responsible for most major wars that have nearly ravaged Terra. We consider self-sacrifice to be a good deed, as well, with some soldiers paying the ultimate price in service of their nations’ militaries, especially if their intent is to free a nation that lives under tyranny. In the end, we must shun isolationism and give ear to all that occurs across Asgard, so we can prevent war from breaking out and cherish peace.

“Let us pray. Dear Lord, we thank You for the long periods of peace You have provided during Terra’s existence, and ensure that if there erupts another war across Terra, it does not ravage the world, and that Terra can emerge much stronger and more peaceful than before. In Your name we pray, amen.”

“Amen,” repeated the congregation.“Our closing hymn is one that I personally hold dear to my

heart, the Battle Hymn of Asgard. Let us all stand as we sing our final hymn and rally ourselves to do good works.”

The parishioners stood, the musicians began playing again, and the final hymn commenced:

Oh, my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,He shall trample out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,He shall loose the fateful lightning of His terrible swift Sword,His truth shall onward march!

Glory, glory to King Odin!Glory, glory to King Odin!Glory, glory to King Odin!His truth shall onward march!

The hymn ended a few verses coupled with the refrain later, and the Pope, his followers still standing, bid, “And now for our bene-

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diction. Go in the peace of King Odin of Asgard and His Holy Church so that you can seek to do good works and sacrifice your lives, even if not by death, for the greater good of Terra. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.”

“Amen,” repeated the parishioners one last time.“Now go in God’s peace!”The three o’clock bells tolled when the service was over, with

the parishioners departing the sanctuary and conversing among them-selves. Tomasina lauded, “Great service. I can see why you follow the Aesir Church, Judge.”

“I think all can agree that good deeds are necessary for salva-tion, regardless of your faith.”

“Liberating Kuwayt from Babylonia would be a wonderful thing to accomplish, indeed.”

King Yulij then asked the Princess and Judge, “So, I take it you’ll be leaving shortly?”

“We have to get to Babylonia and Kuwayt at some point in time,” Tomasina indicated.

“You can get there by passing Judea, Palestine, and Jordan.”“Are they friendly nations, Your Majesty?” wondered Judge.“Judea is a Province of the Holy Kingdom of Asgard that

mostly follows its namesake Sect of Judea, and while Palestine and Jordan are Muspel nations, they are not hostile from what I remember. Both the Judea Province and the Palestine Kingdom share a capital city in Jerusalem, so perhaps you can meet leaders from both nations once you arrive there.”

“Like killing two Egyptians with one arrow,” jested Judge, al-though his jest elicited silence. “Too soon?”

“Now that I think about it, perhaps killing those Egyptian air-men was unnecessary,” reflected the Princess.

“Perhaps,” concurred the King, “but mayhap you can repent in prayer and still have a good afterlife.”

“I always pray before I go to bed, so tonight,” indicated Judge.The party returned to the palace courtyard above which the air-

ship hovered, with Judge, Princess Tomasina, and their escort soldiers bidding their final adieus to the royal family of Sinai, and ascending onto the aerial vessel, where the ship’s namesake bid the sailors to shove off. North-northeastward the Princess of Togo flew, with Saint Catherine below passing for a few seconds before the distant jungles

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of Muspelheim became visible in all directions. The woodlands ap-peared more mountainous than they previously did, although luckily, the airship could merely ascend to avoid the mountaintops and ensure a safe, uneventful voyage to Judea.

Lunchtime had come by the time the Princess of Togo arrived at the border between Sinai and Judea, a tall, extensive white marble wall atop which many soldiers, most of them winged, patrolled. Here the vessel slowed so one of them could fly aboard and greet, “Wel-come to the Judea Province of the Holy Kingdom of Asgard. We’d like to see some identification, please.”

Judge and the Princess showed their passports, with another guard afterward stating, “You’re all clear. Have a nice day.”

“You all as well,” bid Judge, the winged soldiers departing, and everyone aboard the vessel enjoying lunch.

Very few settlements were visible in the wooded mountains of Asgard’s Judea Province, although there were occasional roadways, with some of them tunneling through the peaks. About two hours after entering the province, the Princess of Togo came within distance of another extensive white marble barrier where it slowed again, likely indicating they were about to depart Judea, although since its passen-gers suspected that the inhabitants of the nation they would then enter wouldn’t likely all be winged, the sailors dropped altitude, landing be-yond the border and dropping a rope ladder for soldiers to board, and true to their suppositions, none of them had wings.

In Arabian one of them greeted, “Welcome to the Kingdom of Palestine! We would like to see passports, please!”

“We don’t want to leave Judea,” Judge insisted, nonetheless showing his identification. “We’re on our way to the capital city of Jerusalem, although we have heard it is capital of both the Judea Prov-ince and your Kingdom.”

“Indeed it is! Jerusalem is considered to be both in Judean and Palestinian territory!”

“Will we have to show our identification again once we get there?” wondered the Princess.

“Free passage through Jerusalem is granted to both citizens of the Judean Province and those of Palestine! Of course, you do not hail from either nation, but you won’t have to endure any border checks once you get there! Just head due north!”

“Our thanks, sir,” bid Judge.

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“No problem. And may God be with you in your travels, de-pending upon your faith.”

“With you all as well, sir.”The terrain of Palestine was largely the same as Judea’s, with

wooded mountains interrupted by the occasional white-walled town, with roadways being much more apparent. The tenth hour had arrived by the time the airship reached Jerusalem, a great white-walled city with gleaming white buildings, Aesir churches, Judean synagogues, and Muspel mosques. Shortly after the vessel entered the city’s airspace, several winged soldiers and a few mounted upon flies, the former likely Aesir and the latter likely Palestinian, began to soar near the Princess of Togo, many of them going beyond the aft and signaling to follow along, perhaps to where Judea’s leader and the King of Palestine lived and conducted their business.

Eventually, the winged sentinels and flies landed upon the roof of a square palace that contained white minarets topped by golden onion-shaped domes, with a larger one centering the rooftop itself, be-low which was a shorter white tower that contained a pair of doors leading inside. Above this grand construction hovered the Princess of Togo, with sailors dropping a rope ladder to the roof so that its name-sake, Judge, and their escorts could depart and meet the leaders of Judea and Palestine. Shortly after the tiger and the deer reached the roof, the great doors leading into the tower opened, revealing two men they assumed were the aforementioned leaders.

“Greetings,” saluted an old white-haired, blue-eyed, and light-brown-furred stoat wearing blue and white garbs, the colors of the Judea Province, topped by a blue skullcap, while speaking Anglian. “I am Jeremiah Stein, Duke of Judea. It is a pleasure to meet you all.”

“And I am Paladin, King of Palestine,” greeted a much younger black-haired, brown-eyed, brown-furred polecat wearing white royal garbs, also speaking Anglian, likely because neither he nor the Duke of Judea knew the native language of their visitors. “Like my good friend Duke Jeremiah, I am glad to make your acquaintance, whoever you all may be.”

Judge and Princess Tomasina introduced themselves and briefly told of their travels en route to Babylonia. Duke Jeremiah indi-cated, “Very interesting. Closer you all draw to the Empire of Babylo-nia, so perhaps the captive Kuwayt Emirate may breathe freely in a few days or so thanks to your efforts.”

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“Would Judea and Palestine be willing to aid our efforts?”“We can only assist you by guaranteeing that we are in favor of

Kuwayt’s liberation,” King Paladin noted.“I have heard that Holy King Odin went missing recently,” the

white deer told Duke Jeremiah. “Are we to suppose that Judea and Palestine’s leaders search for Him?”

“Indeed,” the Duke of Judea affirmed. “Our militaries are searching for Him, so our forces are tied up and cannot directly assist with your crusade.”

“You could try asking the King of Jordan,” suggested King Paladin. “Babylonia’s basically in their backyard, so surely they would have a position on the question of Kuwayt’s liberation.”

“To Jordan we shall fly, then,” Tomasina stated. “We thank you for your time.”

“Don’t mention it,” assured Duke Jeremiah.“God be with you in your endeavors,” added King Paladin.Back aboard the Princess of Togo its namesake and Judge as-

cended, sailors tugging the rope ladder back aboard and the vessel it-self shoving off eastward en route to the Kingdom of Jordan, with a slight northeastern tilt since the Princess knew that its capital city of Amman was in that direction. The ship ultimately departed the skies of Jerusalem into the skies of the Palestine Kingdom. A highway roughly ran in that direction, so fortunately the airship had something to follow to Amman, with a river running north and south that widened into a sea in the latter direction ultimately coming into view, not to mention plenty of wooden saltires serving as an international border.

Jordanian airmen flew their flies onto the deck of the Princess of Togo, with one dismounting and greeting, “Welcome to the Hassan-ite Kingdom of Jordan! May we see some identification, please?”

“Certainly,” agreed Judge, showing his passport and wonder-ing, “What’s ‘Hassanite’ about your Kingdom?”

“The royal family, House Hassan.”“Hassan?” repeated the deer. “Any relation to Emperor Sodom

Hassan of Babylonia?”“Yes, the King of Jordan and Emperor of Babylonia share an-

cestors and are distant cousins.”“More bad blood between relatives, I take it,” Tomasina indi-

cated. “Seems especially common in Muspelheim.”“Except in Jordan and Babylonia’s case,” began another of the

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Jordanian pilots, “religion isn’t the root cause of the ‘bad blood’ as you call it.”

“What is, then?” inquired Judge.“Politics, the ultimate drug. Politics can do bad things to good

people. It’s rare to find a politician that actually cares about their peo-ple and does good for them.”

“The Nidhoggr can do bad things to good people as well,” the deer added. “I have heard that they offered alliance with the Empire of Babylonia, and that Niflheim left a few behind in his Empire.”

“The Nidhoggr could be at work, indeed. Fortunately King Ha-keem has done his best to keep them from influencing his nation.”

“Perhaps the Nidhoggr could be behind the invasion of Kuwayt by Babylonia, which is why we seek your King’s assistance in liberat-ing the Emirate.”

“His Majesty might just be willing to aid your crusade since Babylonia, after all, is in our backyard.”

“Sounds good,” Princess Tomasina suggested.“You shall likely reach Amman before the day ends. God be

with you in your crusade.”“With you all as well,” returned Judge, the airmen finally de-

parting the Princess of Togo.The airship continued in its current direction, with the terrain

of the Kingdom of Jordan largely resembling that of Palestine, rugged, mountainous, and wooded. Around the twelfth hour’s arrival, the city of Amman came into view, with many tall constructions that contained whitish hues, not in indication of Aesir influence, but rather most likely to reflect the general heat of the region that occurred in spite of wintertime, Judge knowing that he and everyone else aboard the vessel were closer to Terra’s Equator than in Stellasolum. A golden onion-domed palace topped a mountain rising beyond the cityscape, with the sailors leading their ship there and dropping a rope ladder to the roof.

Jordanian sentinels departed the central onion-domed tower, most of them wielding scimitars, one commanding as Tomasina and Judge reached the rooftop, “Halt! What business do you have at His Majesty’s residence?”

“Diplomatic business, sir,” indicated Judge. “We don’t want any trouble, and shall gladly depart if His Majesty wills it.”

“What’s going on here?” wondered a white-clothed hare with black hair, brown eyes, and brown fur.

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“These people claim to have diplomatic business with Your Majesty but we’re not certain if we can trust them!”

“At ease, men. They seem to be of good stock, and I shall al-low them to dine with us as a goodwill gesture.”

“Thanks, Your Majesty,” bid Tomasina, introducing herself and Judge.

“A pleasure to meet you!” King Hakeem stated. “I am certain you all are starving! My men shall lead us all to the dining hall, and we shall speak over dinner!”

Hence, Princess Tomasina, Judge, and their escorting soldiers followed the Jordanians into their palace, with everyone immediately encountering a circular balcony with railing to prevent accidental falls, a railed spiral stairway leading to lower floors. They descended these stairsteps into the palace proper, with the interior walls of stone con-taining a general golden hue, most of the doorways containing no ac-companying doors and onion-shaped arches, not to mention stripes al-ternating between the standard gold hue and a darker gold color. The vast dining hall they eventually entered, with opaque lanterns above providing illumination that showed the diverse Arabian cuisines sitting upon the grand wooden table below.

While King Hakeem occupied a throne-shaped chair at one of the table’s terminations, his honored guests sat nearby, a necessity to discuss policy towards Babylonia over the dinner repast. Indicated the lapine monarch, “Before we eat our dinner, let us bless this meal.”

The evident head priest of the Muspel Cult in the Jordan King-dom then gave the prayer, “To the Supreme Creator we pray for His divine blessings upon our meal this evening, and for the continued health of His followers regardless of the specific faiths they follow. Blessed be they that seek to continue the peace within our world, and cursed be those that dare disrupt it. Amen.”

“Amen,” repeated everyone else, helping themselves to dinner.“So, Your Majesty,” began Judge, “what shall we make of the

situation between Babylonia and Kuwayt.”“Undoubtedly Babylonia’s aggression against the Emirate of

Kuwayt was unprovoked, so the oppressed of Kuwayt most definitely deserve our support.”

“Any specific plans, sire?” inquired Tomasina.“Indeed. We shall attack at Babylonia’s western border and

hope that such an assault shall distract them from Kuwayt, perhaps

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their capital, as well. Then your skyborne ship shall proceed to the capital city of Babylon to deal with the Kingdom’s government how-ever you so desire.”

“Your Majesty wishes us to stage a coup against King Sodom?” wondered Judge.

“Again, if you so desire, for we have heard rumors that he has weaponized Yggdrasil thanks to the Nidhoggr wraiths that the Nifl-heim Empire supposedly left behind as a goodwill offering. Such a weapon would be devastating to Babylonia’s neighbors, and perhaps to Terra itself, since it would undoubtedly drain the world’s lifeforce.”

“Our priority should be stopping the weapon, if possible,” Tomasina suggested.

“We’re not even sure what kind of weapon it is,” Judge admon-ished. “We might not even be able to disable it.”

“If we find ourselves unable to disable the weapon, we shall se-cretly get a look at it to see what we’re up against.”

“How would we do that?”“Do not my crew and me have magical powers?” the Princess

rhetorically inquired. “We could make the ship invisible!”“But surely Nidhoggr wraiths would see through a cloak of in-

visibility,” warned King Hakeem.“Which is why we kill whatever Nidhoggr we encounter! Even

Moglis can kill wraiths!”Judge, knowing a Mogli was a Terran without magical capabil-

ity, responded, “We’ll keep our eyes open for them, then, once we cross into Babylonia.”

“It shouldn’t be difficult to notice when you come to Babylo-nia,” began King Hakeem, “for they love to surround their puppet na-tions with great walls that are highly effective at keeping outsiders from mindlessly wandering into their domains. Once your airship ar-rives at their western border, Tomasina, you and your fellow Espers should blow a hole through its bottom so our forces are able to infil-trate the Babylonian Empire.”

“Will do, Your Majesty!”“And once you’ve dealt with the weaponized Yggdrasil and

perhaps Emperor Sodom if you are willing, you are to proceed south-east towards the occupied Kuwayt Emirate so the liberation can start.”

“Sire,” started Judge, “could there be a possibility that a few of Kuwayt’s neighbors have already liberated the nation from Babylonia?

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It has, after all, been a long time since my father and I left Stellasolum en route to the Emirate, and I am pretty sure nations such as Arabia and Persia would not sit idly by and allow a neighbor to be invaded by another nation.”

“We have not made contact with Arabia and Persia, for we do not know where their allegiances truly lie. International relations are somewhat complicated among Muspel countries, more so than in the Aesir world.”

“Hopefully they don’t make things worse if they get involved,” hoped Tomasina.

“After breakfast tomorrow morning you shall depart,” noted King Hakeem.

“Got it,” Judge agreed.

After dinner, Judge and the Princess conversed alongside the former’s temporary quarters for the night. The latter began, “So, to-morrow’s the big day, huh?”

“Let’s hope for the best,” wished Judge.“As long as we’re able to deal with the Nidhoggr possibly re-

maining in Babylonia, we should do fine, although even when the air-ship is invisible, we’ll be vulnerable to their attacks.”

“Best to kill them quickly, then.”“As long as we remain vigilant, we should do fine.”“Well, good night, Toma. See you in the morning.”“You too, Judge.”Judge then entered his temporary quarters, stripping himself of

all his clothing except for his nether garments, kneeling by the bed and praying before he called it a night, “Dear Lord of Asgard, I pray to you to protect me as I venture into Babylonia, a land with possible influ-ence and presence by the Nidhoggr. Please protect me and my allies as we seek to liberate Kuwayt from the Empire. I also must apologize for the lives we needlessly took from the Egyptian Air Force, and pray that our invasion of the Babylonian Empire does not claim innocent lives, even if they work under a disagreeable despot. In Your name I pray, amen.”

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Chapter XXV

In Yggdrasil’s Shadow

One o’clock bells tolled in Amman, waking Judge from his peaceful rest, after which he headed to his chamber’s window, drawing the cur-tains, unhooking and opening the shutters, and observing the gorgeous cityscape of Jordan’s capital. With the morning illumination he clothed himself, afterward heading into the palace halls where he met Princess Tomasina and joined her as she headed to the dining hall for want of breaking her fast. Judge wished to do the same, with the two ultimately finding themselves in the dining hall for a Jordanian breakfast along-side King Hakeem, with the repast being relatively silence, largely be-cause they had pretty much exchanged all battle plans the previous evening and had no need to reassert them.

“So, today’s the big day,” Judge simply stated, hoping to make small talk with his friends the royal tigress and hare.

“So it is,” concurred Princess Tomasina.“Yes, and hopefully the Supreme Being stays with you during

your crusade,” hoped King Hakeem. “Oh, and we neglected to men-tion yesterday evening that a highway leads east-northeastward into Babylonia, so you should have no problems finding your way there.”

“Thanks, Your Majesty,” assured the deer.“Don’t mention it,” welcomed the lapine monarch. “Our sol-

diers will be following the road, and if your Espers could blast through the great doors leading into Babylonia, it would do us well.”

“We will, sire,” Tomasina indicated. Once everyone had suffi-ciently broken their fasts, the tigress noted to Judge and her convoy, “Everyone, gather around.”

After a brief whoosh, the Togolese convoy and the deer found themselves upon the deck of the Princess of Togo, which promptly de-parted east-northeastward en route to Babylonia around the middle of Dolphina the Sixteenth’s first hour. The terrain was still mountainous and wooden, with a few highways leading outside the capital, none of them seeming to go in their current direction. No cities, towns, or even

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villages interrupted the wilderness of the Hassanite Kingdom of Jor-dan, although at approximately the turn of the second hour, the crewmembers noticed a highway that ran in their current direction, with the airship’s occupants also noticing moving specks that were un-doubtedly mounted members of the Jordanian Army.

Fly-mounted airmen that undoubtedly belonged to the King-dom’s Royal Air Force eventually joined the Princess, managing to keep up with its decent agility. The wooded and mountainous terrain continued for the next few hours, although towards the end of four o’clock, the crew could glimpse an extensive wall of stone rising over the eastern horizon, which provoked the sailors to slow the ship, with a few of them extending their hands beyond the edge and shooting light that made a vibrating barrier appear. The airship stopped entirely once the crew had made the evident barrier of invisibility surround it, with Tomasina signaling the crew to come near.

“Alright, men,” began the Princess, “one of you take a fly to the border to look for Nidhoggr.”

“I volunteer, Your Highness,” a Togolese soldier stated.“Good, good. You know where the flies are.”Curious about the flies aboard the Princess of Togo, Judge fol-

lowed Tomasina and the volunteer below deck, going beyond the mess hall and further down to the stables where the beasts of burden chirped noisily, the sentinel opening one of the doors and entering a yellow hay-floored chamber where a fly approached the soldier and nudged him for attention. The guard fed the insect, after which he wandered to a crank and accompanying cylinder wound up with rope, turning the crank to lower a large horizontal door that encompassed the wall oppo-site the entrance, the hinges on the door’s bottom.

Once the door was open, the soldier mounted the fly, which soared outside the stable and headed east towards the barrier. Surpris-ingly, Princess Tomasina walked forth upon the open door and gazed in that direction, signaling Judge to come along, with the cervine re-luctantly agreeing, knowledgeable that she would probably save him were he to plummet accidentally from the stable. Staring eastward as well, the deer could not see the fly-mounted airman at all, supposing that he was an Esper and had made himself invisible, sure to deceive the Mogli Babylonian soldiers but not the Nidhoggr were they present upon the great stone barrier.

A few minutes later, the pilot failed to return. Judge guessed,

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IN YGGDRASIL’S SHADOW

“So perhaps there are Nidhoggr in Babylonia.”“I’d give him a little longer. Perhaps he is attempting some-

thing at the border.”“Yeah, I’m sure an Esper could do pretty well against a few

Mogli soldiers.”A few seconds later, the stable’s fly and the soldier that had

taken it materialized before the Princess and Judge, somewhat surpris-ing the latter and causing him to jump backward, fortunately back into the stable. Proclaimed the airman, “We’re all clear, Your Highness! No Nidhoggr at the border!”

“What did you do there, soldier?”“Put all the guards near the doors into Babylonia asleep! Now

we can obey King Hakeem and break through them! His Majesty’s Army is waiting for us!”

“Right, I’ll give the order once you get settled back aboard and I go on deck!” The soldier flew into the stable beyond the Princess and finally landed the fly, immediately going to the crank and closing the door. The tigress indicated, “Come on, Judge!”

The soldier, Judge, and the Princess ascended to the main deck of the airship, where the sentinel told the sailors and soldiers there, “Well, we’ve scored our first victory against the Empire of Babylonia! The border is clear for us to ram through and proceed to the capital!”

The soldiers cheered, and Tomasina advised, “Now let’s take this ship and tear through the doors!”

“Aye-aye, Princess!”Judge headed for the fore of the Princess of Togo and watched

as the vessel began moving again, lowering its altitude and heading for the giant wooden doors leading into the Empire of Babylonia. On the highway running through the voluminous doorway, soldiers of Jordan awaited the entrance’s destruction, and the avian insects of the Royal Air Force too waited for the vessel to proceed. The airship ultimately reached an elevation low enough to fly level towards the giant door-way while the bottom of its forcefield remained clear of the ground soldiers. Here did the aerial ship began to increase its agility to around the same speed at which it had traveled when arriving here.

CRASH. Although Judge took a little fright at the possibility that the Princess of Togo could crash into smithereens when ramming the grand entrance doors, he experienced relief at himself being intact even after the noise indicating the vessel passing through Babylonia’s

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ingress. The cervine watched as large splintered bits of wood and metal that evidently came from the crosshatched portcullis flew around the ship’s forcefield, with darkness briefly surrounding the vessel to indicate the tunnel between Jordan and Babylonia. Another great crashing noise came as the ship passed through the opposite portcullis and wooden doors, officially entering the rogue Empire.

Once the Princess of Togo was in Babylonia, it rose to its pre-vious elevation and began moving in the direction of Yggdrasil, which lay mostly east of the vessel’s current location. Below was everlasting jungle interrupted not by settlements, the highway falling northward as the ship changed its direction. Since the current territory, which Princess Tomasina noticed was the Babylonian Kingdom of Anbar, which she indicated was the most voluminous of the Empire’s King-doms, was relatively void of life, at around seven o’clock, she ordered the airship, which still retained its invisibility, to land upon the tree-tops so that the crew could break for lunch.

Afterward, the airship resumed its flight towards the World Tree, with the jungles below towards the end of the eighth hour inter-rupted by a highway running relatively northward and southward. At approximately ten o’clock, a lake began to pass beneath the vessel, the body of water containing an archipelago giving it an odd appearance. When jungles replaced the lake, the sailor navigating the ship aimed the vessel southeastward more directly towards Yggdrasil, with an-other great wall, to Judge’s surprise, appearing above the horizon. More surprising was that the wall of stone consisted of one segment running eastward and westward and another segment running north-ward.

“Surely Babylonia doesn’t end here, does it?” wondered Judge.“Apparently the Nidhoggr constructed walls around all of the

Kingdoms of Babylonia for added security. But they’ll be no match for my ship!”

“Here we go again,” Judge sarcastically noted.Indeed, the Princess of Togo lowered its altitude again, with

Judge holding his breath for an anticipated crash into the great stone barrier, which lasted longer than that on the western side of Babylonia, although once the sounds of destruction ceased, the airship rose into the skies again, Yggdrasil appearing much closer than before. Judge, having noticed the lushness of the Empire’s jungles, theorized that Emperor Sodom had banished the Nidhoggr from his Empire because

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of the supposed negative effect the wraiths had upon the ecosystems of whatever nations they controlled, with the Niflheim Empire on Terra’s southern cap, he had read, being a desolate wasteland.

“We are now in the Babylonian Kingdom of Babil, home to Yggdrasil the World Tree,” indicated Princess Tomasina. “We’ll be approaching its capital, Hillah, shortly, adjacent to which is the city of Babylon, where the Tree’s base is.”

Indeed, after only a few minutes, Judge could glimpse the base of Yggdrasil, which seemed to extend from the middle of a river. The adjacent city of Hillah was home to an apparent university and a few factories, although the kilometer-thick World Tree was the real attrac-tion. The deer took amazement at finally being able to see a part of the Tree other than its extensive trunk and topmost branches, although something was definitely wrong with the base, for eight long cylindri-cal metallic tubes that had wider terminations extended from around the area where the water met the roots, with each of these projections pointing in one of the eight cardinal directions.

“So they did weaponize Yggdrasil,” observed the cervine. “I hope we can do something about it, Toma.”

“And do something about it we will!” the Princess boasted. “Men, overload the cannons with earth from the river bottom!”

“Aye-aye, Your Highness!” concurred the sailors.While one of the crewmembers stayed at the wheel to navigate

the Princess of Togo, the remainder of the Esper seamen gathered at the starboard side and extended their hands beyond the edge of the air-ship and at the river, whose name Judge knew was the Euphrates. The stream began to ripple more greatly than it currently did, after which bedraggled earth suddenly sprouted from the tributary, the Espers guiding it first into the northwestern cannon. The airship slowly made its way clockwise around Yggdrasil’s base, with another stream of wet earth spouting from the river, finding its way into the northern cannon.

This process repeated for all the directional cannons, with eight sodden, earthen, and curved streams total making their way into the cannon barrels. The results of the crew’s magical wrath ultimately be-gan to show, with the northwestern cannon being first to tilt, at first slightly, although eventually more greatly to the point where no longer it pointed upward, but rather sunk into the Euphrates, after a few sec-onds breaking from the World Tree entirely. This repeated for the re-maining cannons, and the military of the Babylonian Empire started to

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take notice, with several troops gathering at the riverbank, undoubt-edly unable to glimpse the airship responsible for the deed, what with their evident surprise at the gradual destruction of Emperor Sodom’s attempt to weaponize Yggdrasil.

Eight holes in the World Tree’s base remained once the can-nons had broken from the trunk, and eight metallic barrels total stuck out from the Euphrates, some of them sticking into the bottom of the river and others dropping to the riverbank, with everyone that had ar-rived to glimpse the weapons’ disability getting out of the way to evade injury and death. The Espers repaired the damage done to Yg-gdrasil, leaving no trace that the Empire had weaponized the World Tree in the first place. Successful in their endeavor, the crewmembers took a break, with the execution of their magical powers draining their strength, Judge taking little surprise at this.

“Now we go to Kuwayt, men!” proclaimed the Princess.“Aye-aye, Your Highness!”The airship began to follow the Euphrates as it wound rela-

tively southward, departing the airspace of the city of Babylon back above the jungles of the Empire. Eleven o’clock had come by the time the vessel had commenced its journey en route to Kuwayt, with more settlements appearing alongside the river than they had in the middle of the tropical wilds. Around this time, moreover, the ship flew di-rectly above another extensive stone barrier, although Princess Tomasina, perhaps tired her vessel’s crew exacting destruction of the Empire, did not order a hole torn in the long barrier, with the sentinels patrolling atop it oblivious to the fact that a flying ship had invaded their country.

The Euphrates ran through the wall via a semicircular grating above the river, Judge assuming that it continued below the tributary. The wide stream ran southward towards yet another stone barrier, per-haps a continuation of that they had passed beforehand, the river, be-yond the barrier, turning southeastward, where it remained for the rest of the day. Everyone aboard the Princess of Togo enjoyed a hearty vic-tory dinner and dessert, Judge remaining on deck for the day’s termi-nation as he gazed at Yggdrasil, relieved that they had freed the World Tree from Emperor Sodom’s grasp, although he somewhat worried he might reconstruct the weapons in the future; despite these fears, the cervine enjoyed a good rest once night had come.

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Chapter XXVI

Conflict’s Conclusion

The Daylight Period of Dolphina the Seventeenth arrived, with one of the sailors aboard the Princess of Togo tolling a bell to indicate its first hour. Naturally, Judge got out of bed, clothed himself, and wandered to the nearest window so he could receive a glimpse of where the air-ship currently was, likely the Kuwayt Emirate. However, he noticed that none of the other sailors were gazing outside, and once the cervine did so, he understood why; the vessel was high up in the sky above the clouds, which the deer supposed was for the sake of security, just in case Nidhoggr had disguised themselves within Babylonia and could see through its invisibility.

To the dining hall Judge went upon exiting the barracks, sitting at the same table as Princess Tomasina and her bodyguards. Inquired the cervine, “Where are we, Toma, other than high up in the sky?”

“High up in the sky above the border between Babylonia and Kuwayt, Judge.”

“I see. Is the ship still invisible?”“Yes, although I might command the sailors to remove its in-

visibility once we’ve approached Kuwayt’s capital, perhaps to give re-sistance groups something for which to fight.”

“But the Nidhoggr might still be at work, even if we haven’t seen them at all throughout Babylonia, and the balloon in particular is especially vulnerable.”

“True, Judge. Maybe once we liberate the capital, if at all it needs liberation.”

“That would spare us some trouble. Again, it’s possible that maybe Arabia and Persia have already gotten involved in the conflict and did the work for us.”

“We can only hope!” laughed the Princess. Once she and the cervine had broken their fasts, the two ascended to the deck of her ves-sel and commanded, “Sailors! Prepare to descend! Today we head for Kuwayt City!”

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“Aye-aye, Your Highness!”“Today, we shall liberate the Emirate from the clutch of the

Babylonian Empire!”“Yeah!”The Princess of Togo then descended from high in the skies,

with the primary sight upon coming about a hectometer above the sur-face of Terra being the extensive stone barrier that separated the Baby-lonian Empire and Kuwayt Emirate. Evidently the airship was still in-visible as the Babylonian sentinels patrolling atop the barrier simply went about their own business and didn’t look up. Afterward, the ves-sel began soaring southward en route to the capital of Kuwayt, with the tropical wilderness continuing into the Emirate. A highway cut through the woodlands, the airship easily following it, with no settle-ments in sight for the first part of the day.

During the trip to Kuwayt City, Judge could occasionally see soldiers upon the highway, although he couldn’t tell if they were of Babylonia or the Emirate. The second hour had arrived by the time the crewmembers could glimpse the capital city, whose tall buildings ap-peared to be in shambles, with many sentinels patrolling the streets, the passengers again unable to tell their nations of origin. Flies occa-sionally buzzed near the invisible airship, and to the shock of the ves-sel’s occupants, one crashed right into the forcefield, separating the fly and its rider, both beginning to plummet to the city below.

Immediately one of the Esper seamen dove overboard in the airman’s direction, managing to grasp him and teleport him aboard the Princess of Togo. In Arabian the pilot bid, “Thank you for saving my life friend—wait, where am I?”

“Aboard my airship,” indicated Tomasina.“Airship?” the red, green, black, and white-garbed pilot won-

dered. “That’s the first time I’ve heard that term.”“A ship that flies in the skies,” Judge noted.“Yeah, I assumed that. Where am I, exactly, and who the hell

are you people? No offense, I do thank you all for saving my life, I just want to know the people who have shown me goodwill.”

“The Princess of Togo is the name of this, my vessel,” Tomasina elaborated.

“Are you this ship’s namesake?”“That I am. I hail all the way from Togo.”“Haven’t really heard of that country, but then again, I’m not

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well-traveled outside Babylonia.”“So you’re a Babylonian airman, then?” interrogated Judge.“Indeed. I fight, albeit a tad reluctantly, for His Majesty Em-

peror Sodom of Babylonia.”“Reluctantly?” repeated Tomasina. “We may just find use for

you, good sir!“I could show you where the Emir’s palace is, if you want.”“Are this nation’s leaders still alive?” wondered Judge.“Yes, most of them are being held prisoner in the palace.”“So, where is the Emir’s palace?” inquired the Princess.“Right over there,” noted the Babylonian airman as he indi-

cated an elevated white stone construction with damaged onion-dome towers. “You’re welcome to hold me prisoner until this crisis between my fatherland and Kuwayt passes. Odds are His Majesty wouldn’t want me back after assisting his enemies.”

“We can understand,” assured Judge. “Hopefully the Emir and the other leaders of this country are still alive.”

“We can only hope,” wished the Princess. “Men, take our good friend here to the brig.”

“Aye-aye, Your Highness!”As the ship’s crew led the Babylonian pilot below deck, the

navigating sailor steered towards the ruined Emir’s palace and began to fly there, eventually hovering directly above its rooftop, with mem-bers of Babylonia’s Army patrolling. Before dropping the rope ladder, a few of the Esper sailors made gestures at the patrolmen and made them fall asleep. Then the Princess, Judge, and a few bodyguards be-gan descending, ultimately reaching the rooftop and venturing a brief distance to the pair of doors leading into the palace proper. However, when opening the doors, the infiltration squad remained behind the doors, and unsurprisingly, more Babylonian soldiers flowed out onto the roof, perplexed at their slumbering comrades.

Before the soldiers had a chance to notice who had opened the doors, the Espers among the Togolese squad caused the reinforcements to fall asleep, after which they entered the palace, immediately en-countering a circular balcony with spiral stairs at the other side. Before they went any further, Judge indicated, “Toma.”

“Yes, Judge?”“Are we currently invisible?”“That we are.”

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“Good, just wanted to make sure.”“What, you expected our magical powers to go to waste?”“Better safe than sorry, no?”“True.” The party then descended the stairs to the floor below, the Es-

pers of the group making fall asleep wandering Babylonian soldiers, causing others nearby to wonder exactly what was going on until they too fell into slumber. The onion domes above were evidently the only damaged parts of the palace, as the interior was more appealing, given the diverse colors and fancy doorways with onion-shaped tops, giving the royal abode an appearance similar to that back in Jordan. A few floors the invisible confederates descended, ultimately reaching a less-beautiful portion of the palace with gray walls of stone with thick and arch-topped wooden doors, with small windows containing metal bars, evidently being the prison area.

The invisible invaders made fall asleep the Babylonians near the stairs to ground floor, with Judge retrieving from his belt a set of keys that would likely open the locked doors. The cervine walked to one of the first doorways and attempted to unlock the door with each of the keys, all but one failing. Within the chamber was an armory that had swords, spears, axes, and so forth, providing a perfect opportunity for liberated prisoners to arm themselves and rebel against the Babylo-nians. Since the liberators already had weapons, they ignored this area for now, with Judge again proceeding to the cell across the hallway and trying to determine which key would open its door.

Evidently tired of the deer wasting his time determining the correct key, Princess Tomasina pointed her finger at the lock and re-leased a small beam into it, after which an unlocking sound followed, and she opened the cell to reveal tattered-clothed prisoners, with one of them inquiring, upon noticing that nobody appeared to be at the en-trance, “Who’s there?”

The Princess removed her camouflage and indicated, “We’re here to rescue you. There’s an armory across the hall if you wish to fight with us.”

“Us? But you seem to be the only one there!”A few more Espers removed their invisibility, the Princess not-

ing, “You’re not alone. It might be dangerous outside, so you should probably stay inside the palace.”

“What about the Babylonians?”

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“Hopefully our sleeping magic is still affecting them, so the palace should be safe to wander for now.”

“Well, thank you, missus…”“Call me Your Highness, since I am a Princess, after all.”“Oh, I’m sorry, Your Highness.”“It’s no problem. If you’re not confident enough to wander the

palace on your own, feel free to join us for now, at least until we’ve freed all the political prisoners of Kuwayt.”

“I think I’ll do that, then.”“Is the Emir still alive?”“Yes, Emir Solomon is somewhere in this prison. Where in this

prison, I know not, but I’m sure we’ll eventually find him, no?”“If you wish to arm yourself, there’s an armory right across the

hall, and we would probably recommend you do so.”“That I’ll do, then!”The liberated prisoner immediately ran across the hallway into

the armory and returned to the Togolese party plus Judge with a sword and shield, the party proceeding to unlock and open the other doors in the hall so that the resistance to Babylonian captivity would hopefully blossom. The companions did not encounter any more soldiers from the Hassanite Empire in the prison, with the former captives promptly rushing to the armory at Princess Tomasina’s behest and coming back with some kind of self-defense. Eventually, the confederates opened a cell that contained within a family of saber-toothed felines clothed in the colors of Kuwayt, ironically the same as those of Babylonia.

“Your Highness!” the first liberated prisoner of Babylonia ex-claimed. “It’s good you are safe!”

“Our thanks,” noted the evident Emir Solomon, “although I am curious as to who our liberators are.”

Princess Tomasina and Judge introduced themselves, with the Espers among the group still invisible then removing their camouflage, the tigress indicating, “Your Highness might wish to remain with us since the Babylonians in your palace could awake at any moment.”

“Aye, we suspected that magic was at work, here,” the Emir of Kuwayt supposed. “Feel free to call me Sol since we are both royalty, here. This is my consort Princess Sarah, and these are our children, among them being Crown Prince Samuel.”

“Pleased to meet Your Highness and his family,” Judge noted.“To be quite honest,” Emir Solomon began, “a small nation in

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the Jotunheim Continent is a country we least expected to come to our assistance, not that we’re ungrateful or anything.”

“International cooperation is definitely critical in this danger-ous world, Your Highness,” Princess Tomasina elaborated. “We were not exactly certain if Kuwayt’s neighbors, other than Babylonia, would help in any fashion, and by the looks of things, they seem reluctant to resist the Empire’s takeover of your country.”

“Yes, international relationships are somewhat complex in the Muspel world,” acknowledged the Emir. “My younger brother Prince Solon, though, wanted to see diplomacy with the Babylonian Empire against my will, and wouldn’t you know it, they invaded. He even had the audacity to declare himself King of Kuwayt.”

“Is he here, now?”“No, he is meeting renegade forces in the north of our country,

although once he comes home, we will likely execute him for treason.”“More bad blood,” suggested Judge. “Seems especially com-

mon in the Muspel world, Your Highness.”“A house divided against itself shan’t stand, so they say, which

is why we should weed out the inferior plants of our family gardens.”“An interesting analogy, Sol,” stated the Princess. “Do you

reckon the Nidhoggr could be behind your brother’s treason?”“No, he has been fairly haughty since birth. We are twins, and I

am but older than he is by an hour or so. I am certain that his wrongdo-ings are purely of his own doing, and that the Nidhoggr aren’t to blame for his treasonous actions.”

“Could they be behind Emperor Sodom’s actions, milord?” in-quired Judge.

“We cannot say, young one. Anyway, I am certain you all de-sire to liberate the rest of the prisoners, most who are loyal to House Sabato, and we, of course, would be willing to help.”

“We’ll protect you, Sol,” assured Tomasina.Afterward, the royal family departed its former prison cell,

with their liberators continuing to free others within the royal prison, the Sabato dynasty allowing the Togolese invaders to surround them for extra protection. Judge was certain that if their lives were suddenly in jeopardy that the Espers within the group could simply make them vanish. The ex-prisoners, upon receiving their newfound freedom, im-mediately went to the armory to retrieve arms, and while they encoun-tered a few more Babylonian soldiers, the magical Terrans made them

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fall asleep and threw them into the cells, being certain to usurp their keys so they couldn’t escape.

“Well, I think we’ve accounted for everyone,” Emir Solomon indicated, “so I think it’s high time you all go back up into the palace and herd the sleeping soldiers down into the cells here. Don’t worry; we’ve got plenty of guards to protect us.”

“Yes, sire,” agreed Judge.Thus, Judge and the Princess, along with a few of the Togolese

and Kuwayti soldiers, ascended into the main palace and began to take the slumbering Babylonian sentinels down into the prison, locking all of them within the cells. Once they had done so, the cervine ascended to the rooftop and gazed out on the Gulf of Persia, where he could no-tice ships at a distance, some of which were approaching the docks of Kuwayt City. Judge doubted that these were Babylonian vessels as the Empire was for the most part a landlocked nation, and guessed that the Kuwayt Emirate had more naval power, along with the Empire of Per-sia were they to come and assist with the nation’s liberation.

When the ships drew closer to the docks, Judge could glimpse that they flew the flags of Kuwayt, Persia, and Arabia, and once they had dropped anchor, soldiers began pouring from them to subjugate the Babylonians, with many of them marching towards the royal palace with newfound prisoners in tow. The elevated abode they even-tually approached, forcing open its entrance doors and pouring inside. Before he knew it, soldiers from the three nations had ascended to the rooftop and signaled Judge to follow along, perhaps believing that he belonged to the Babylonian Military, and as the deer did not wish to incite international wrath, he reluctantly followed them down into the vast residence.

“No need to worry; I’m your friend,” assured Judge.“You do look a bit different than the other Babylonians we’ve

captured,” suggested one of the captors in Arabian. “Which part of Muspelheim do you come from, exactly?”

“I come from outside Muspelheim, actually, all the way from the Republic of Stellasolum in the Ymir Continent across the Atlas.”

The captors scoffed at this. “Surely you jest! It’s highly doubt-ful that a nation all the way in Ymir would send martial assistance to aid with the liberation of Kuwayt!”

“A little question for the Arabians and Persians: are you all ac-tually here to liberate Kuwayt or perhaps divide it among yourselves

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once you’ve vanquished the Babylonian presence?”“We already have plenty of territory!” assured one of the Ara-

bians. “Rest assured that Kuwayt will remain autonomous once we’ve dealt with those bastard Babylonians!”

“Babylonia has been our enemy for as long as we can remem-ber,” one of the Persian soldiers indicated. “We’ll take you before our rulers and they’ll be the judge of your nationality.”

“In that case, I won’t protest my capture, sirs.”“Good boy! Now come along!”The soldiers took Judge back down into the palace, with no

signs of any of the Babylonians that had once occupied it. Into the basement prison they brought him, where the royal family of the Kuwayt Emirate conversed with their international brethren, among them being a figure entirely covered in white clothes, with a pair of eyeholes in the area where his face was likely, giving no indication of his species. Another was a black-haired and bearded, brown-eyed fox wearing the colors of the Empire of Persia, with a red-haired, blue-eyed vixen nearby, the deer assuming she was the reynard’s wife.

“Greetings to you, Judge of Stellasolum,” the fox indicated. “I am Xerxes II Zoroaster, Emperor of Persia, and this is my consort Em-press Zelda.”

“Pleased to meet you both.”“Hello,” the white-robed figure simply stated. “I am Mohamed

XXIII, Emperor of Arabia.”“A little secretive, aren’t we, Your Majesty?”“We Emperors of Arabia choose not to reveal our true selves to

the populace of our nation, for we wish not for them to idolize some-one other than our Supreme Lord.”

“I can understand, sire.” Turning to Xerxes, Judge noted, “I’ve met Your Majesty’s brother in Sinai.”

“So you did,” the vulpine Emperor affirmed. “Cyril always de-sired to follow his own path in life.”

“It’s somewhat the same in my family, milord,” Judge noted. “I separated from my father back in the Jotun Kingdom of Togo, but rest assured there is no bad blood between us.”

“My younger brother and I are on good terms,” assured Per-sia’s Emperor. “My consort was, after all, once a member of the Aesir Church, so I am fairly more tolerant than the average Muspel.”

“Indeed,” Empress Zelda began. “My full name is Zelda Freya

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McFly Fitzgerald Zoroaster, and I hail all the way from the Alfen is-land of Eire, which the Nidhoggr call Dire. I am of one of the island’s royal families, and hoped to ease international tensions with my mar-riage into House Zoroaster.”

“Some citizens of Persia protested our marriage, although my people have come to love my consort,” noted Emperor Xerxes. “Are you married, young Judge?”

“I still consider myself too young to seek a mate, sire.”“There are some who are your age that are married. Well, most

of them are young women married to older men, but still…”“I’ll…think about it, Your Majesty. I still haven’t found the

right person yet.”“Surely you will in due time, then.”“Yes, but my mother surely would not approve of me marrying

so young, and I still bet she would be furious with me for going away from home for so long with my dad.”

“I could always send you back home,” suggested Princess Tomasina, “at around the time you departed. It would require a lot of effort on my part, though.”

“Well, since this war seems to have ended favorably, I suppose I am ready to go back home.”

“I’ll have to get a clear look into your mind so I can pinpoint the exact time to which to send you back.”

“Sure, probe away.”“Very well,” indicated the Princess, placing both her hands on

Judge’s head and closing her eyes. “Yes, you departed your fatherland on Odin 9, 4890 III.A. Ah, nice house you have in Central Stella-solum. You and your father are taking a cricket to Fort Capricorn. I’ll return you to around the moment you and your father left.”

“Are you certain you’ll be okay?” worried Judge.“Well, this will be the first time I’ll be attempting magic of this

magnitude, but I have plenty experience in performing powerful magic, so I’m certain I’ll be okay.”

“I just pray that it doesn’t cost you your life, Toma.”“We Muspels largely condemn such sorcery,” Emperor Xerxes

indicated. “We have heard the Aesir are not terribly fond of it either, and have sometimes hanged alleged witches and warlocks.”

“But if people are using magic for good, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem, no?” asked Judge. “I am certain His Holy Majesty

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King Odin has His share of experience with sorcery.”“Odin is a great man,” the vulpine monarch lauded. “A shame

He has gone missing.”“So I’ve heard,” noted Judge. “What has accounted for the

King’s disappearance?”“His daughter’s own disappearance,” indicated Empress Zelda.

“Supposedly the Holy King has taken a personal interest in searching for the Princess alongside His nation’s military.”

“With that distracting Asgard, they would be far more vulnera-ble to Niflheim,” Tomasina stated.

“But we should worry about that later,” Emperor Xerxes sug-gested. “In the meantime we should focus on Kuwayt’s liberation. The northern part is still under Babylonian captivity.”

“I’m sure this war will go well,” hoped Judge. “By the way, Toma, I think I’m ready to go home, now.”

“Okay, here goes nothing!”Princess Tomasina made appear a bluish aura around Judge

that sparked a little, after which the cervine quickly found himself in a curving tunnel looking like an extension of the aura. The deer whirled around constantly within this mysterious passageway, and tightly held the top of his quiver so that arrows wouldn’t pour out. A few minutes later, the blue tunnel straightened, with the familiar view of his home’s stables replacing the aura, Judge managing to land safely on his feet. Into the abode proper he ventured, immediately finding his mother and embracing her, having not seen her for roughly two months.

“Judge!” the sheepdog exclaimed. “What’s the matter? You’re acting as though you haven’t seen me for a while…”

“I haven’t…I mean, I decided against going out to Fort Capri-corn with Dad.”

“Did you? Well, in any case, I’m glad you’re home. I wouldn’t want you going off on some long military adventure with him…”

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Epilogue

After the Miracle

The morning of II Aqua 8, distant one o’clock bells awakened Fleet Admiral Mikhail Dukis, en route to his home after his defeat at the is-lands of Bahama. Thus, he got out of bed, wandered to the aft doors of his large chamber, opened them, and beheld the eastern view of the seas his vessel was leaving behind. Gazing beyond the portside, how-ever, he could glimpse part of the city of Bastion, including a few ports, and gazing portside, he could see several islands that served as naval bases for the Massgrievous Navy. He reentered his quarters to clothe himself for his meeting with the Kingdom’s leaders, a ren-dezvous he believed wouldn’t go well given his failures.

Once he was in his naval uniform, Fleet Admiral Dukis pro-ceeded to the other pair of doors serving as an egress onto the deck of the Massgraves Abyss, with several sailors and soldiers saluting him. The avian chimera took relief at knowing that his crew aboard his ves-sel remained loyal to them, even if he would receive punishment from Massgraves’ leaders. He wandered to the fore of the ship and gazed to-wards the citadel of Bastion, watching as his vessel pulled alongside a jetty, the anchor dropped, and sailors moved a stairway plank to con-nect with the dock and allow its passengers to depart.

Once the Fleet Admiral had stepped upon the jetty, a skeleton-armored Massgrievous soldier indicated, “His Majesty King Warden wishes to meet you, Admiral. We have a carriage waiting to take you to Bastion Hill.”

“Very well,” affirmed the chimera Admiral, well aware that Bastion Hill was the location of the Massgrievous Parliament, serving as an alleged representative of the Kingdom’s people, although it was really more an extension of the King’s bureaucracy.

Into the black carriage, pulled by black roaches, the soldiers led the Fleet Admiral, after which the skeleton-armored driver lashed the pair of giant insects and made them begin moving away from the har-bor through the streets of Bastion. Although he still dreaded his meet-

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ing with Massgraves’ top officials, the deerduck did his best to enjoy the sights and sound of its capital, the current street ultimately inter-secting with a wider highway and going relatively westward. This road crossed a bridge with a toll station that requested one Shadowmark for the carriage to continue, which the driver gladly paid, knowing that the fee would ultimately return as kickback to the Massgrievous Military.

The carriage passed an intersection with another highway, con-tinuing westward for a minute or so before turning northward, this road curving as well. Ymir College the vehicle passed, Fleet Admiral Dukis aware that it had students from all across the Continent, though the number of international scholars had declined since the Nidhoggr took over Massgraves. Beyond this on the left side of the road was a great park consisting of barren flora, with a few children of the King-dom’s elite playing when their parents allowed them to do so, with the deerduck’s children of course being too old for childish games.

As the highway began curving northeastward, the carriage took another intersection northwest, quickly arriving at Bastion Hill, upon which sat the platinum-domed Parliamentary building, its construction mostly of gray granite, with plenty of stairways leading through arched doorways, above which several columns supported the rooftop, from which jutted a rectangular extension with a few windows, the metallic dome sitting atop this. The vehicle pulled alongside the walkway lead-ing to this building, and Fleet Admiral Dukis departed, wandering to-wards it and ascending one of the staircases into the darkened entrance area, a pair of skeleton soldiers holding open their respective doors so the deerduck could enter.

As he remembered, Fleet Admiral Dukis found himself within the dimly-illuminated entrance hall that extended all the way towards the platinum dome, from which hung a platinum chandelier whose candles provided the illumination. Forward he wandered beyond a few skeleton soldiers, black-clothed bureaucrats, and ebony-robed wraiths belonging to the Order of the Nidhoggr, with another pair of skeletal guards holding open the giant wooden doors leading into King War-den’s throne room, the porcine monarch sitting in the bone throne, and several other top-ranking officials such as Supreme General Franklin and Chancellor Panthera standing nearby. Although he knew the ges-ture wouldn’t give him a better reputation, the deerduck respectfully bowed before the orange swine.

“You may stand, Fleet Admiral,” the monarch invited.

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AFTER THE MIRACLE

“Thank you, sire.”“Yes, yes. Welcome back. Surely you know the reason why we

have brought you here, no?”“Yes, milord.”“Your little ‘miracle’ has failed to expand the dominion of the

Nidhoggr into Central Ymir.”“I understand, Your Majesty. I did try my best, though, but ap-

parently it was no match for the forces of the free nations.”“Indeed it was not, Dukis!”“But we did conquer some of the nations in Northeastern Ymir

such as the Connexion Republic, now the Kingdom of Convolutia.”“Yes, but your successes hardly compensate for your failures!”“It was that bastard Supreme General Judge Victor Hartford

Bucks, Your Majesty! He defeated us at Stellasolum and near Kobold! Surely you should spare your anger for him rather than me!”

“Yes, but I chastise you for sake of discipline! What, you ex-pected us to be kind and gentle to you despite your failures?”

“No, Your Majesty.”“Good! Now to discuss your punishment!”“Surely Your Majesty’s anger is punishment enough, no?”“No, it is not! Your so-called ‘Dukis Miracle’ cost many un-

necessary lives among the Massgrievous fleet! For that, we sentence you to death!”

“Please, show some mercy, Your Majesty!”“If you don’t accept your punishment, then we’ll execute your

wife and children as well!”“No, spare them, sire!” begged Fleet Admiral Dukis, drawing a

dagger and pointing it at his heart. “I’ll do the job myself!”“This should be fun to watch!” snorted King Warden, many of

his fellow Massholes laughing as well.Fleet Admiral Dukis clutched his dagger within both hands, el-

evating it so it pointed towards the floor. Then he slowly aimed it at his heart, pressing it a little and feeling the pain of it pierce his skin through his uniform. The deerduck winced at the pain, causing him to lift his knife again, and this time, he quickly plunged the weapon into his heart, attempting his best not to scream at the pain, and falling onto his back, watching his brown blood spill upon the floor. Then the for-mer Fleet Admiral of the Kingdom of Massgraves closed his eyes, fi-nally deceased, his final thoughts concerning his family, which the

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chimera hoped would be safe as King Warden promised.“Very entertaining!” scoffed the porcine monarch. “Wraiths,

clean up this mess!”“Yes, Your Majesty,” hissed a Nidhoggr that then incinerated

Fleet Admiral Dukis’s cadaver, leaving behind ash that quickly dissi-pated, with no sign of the deerduck remaining afterward.

“What shall be our next step, sire?” wondered black-wooled, ivory-horned, ebony-eyed, and hare-eared sheep standing alongside the Massgrievous officials.

“Ah, yes, Lord Balrog,” King Warden identified the sheep chimera, “our good friend from Elnard, or Illomen as we among the Nidhoggr call it. “One of the Seven Satans, Lord Ursin, the King of Arcadia, has plans to expand the dominion of Niflheim across Ymir. We also have word that the President of the Republic of Stellasolum is somewhat sympathetic towards our cause…”

“When shall their campaigns commence, Your Majesty?”“In due time, good friend; in due time.”

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saga terra - judge of the haven

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