Odds as follows:

• Jon Snow +200
• Daenarys +204
• Bran +309
• Night King +733
• Tyrion +860
• Cersei +1128
• Arya +1200
• Sansa +1770
• Jaime +1850
• Gendry +2560
• Berric +4400
• Bronn +4400
• Davos +4400
• Euron +4400
• Gilly +4400
• Tormund +4400
• Varys +4400
• Littlefinger +5150
• Brienne +5600
• Jorah +5600
• Melisandre +5600
• Jaqen Hghar +6286
• Sam Tarly +6800
• Stannis +6890
• Daario +7200
• The Mountain +7200
• The Hound +7200
• Yara Greyjoy +7200
• Theon +8400
• Resurrected Ned Stark +11400
• Hot Pie +12400

Jaime knew that the enmity between Edwyn and Black Walder ran deep, but cared not a fig which of them succeeded their great-grandfather as Lord of the Crossing. Jaime VII, aFfC

Let's, well, go the opposite direction now, and try to take our bets on what the future holds for House Frey, presently the main political power in the lands of the Trident. Which players are going to emerge, and which are going to be knocked in the water?
A few rules of the game (that is, rules of thumb I'm going to use on my own take, nothing exempt from discussion of course):
Lord Walder Frey may not die in the Winds prologue, but he won't live for long. I'd argue that, with the Red Wedding, Walder Frey has outlived his narrative purpose. As seen with similar situations like Maester Aemon and Hoster Tully, the "long overdue" death comes as soon as the narrative is ripe for it. In this case, with all the other political actors ready for an actual match of "Lord of the Crossing", the story needs the current Lord Frey to be cast aside. As of now, the clear heir would be Edwyn, but I'm sure things will spice up a bit. I won't stop and introduce every name I mention, so I'll just point the interested to the wiki family tree.
Then, while I'll touch later on the question of female Frey rights, I expect, generally speaking, that only adult male trueborn Freys will be able to present themselves as figureheads or lead a faction; in troubling times (and they're going to be), there's no real place for a kid ruler without, at least, an official acting Lord, and I don't expect anyone named Haigh or Vypren to be anything other than supporters.
Also, I'm trying to take into account the relevance all these people and dynamics have in the story, because, even though I spent way too much time on the Frey family tree, it doesn't mean more casual readers shouldn't be allowed to recognize and appreciate the setup behind events, on reread at least. Which means I'm considering "this scenario works because it wouldn't occupy too many pages to explain to readers" or "this guy is a non-character in the story, so he's not likely to be relevant later" to be actual factors in my reasoning. It also means that, personally, I have little patience for theories based on the appendix like the knights of the Vale seizing the Twins. On the other hand, I think there's still some dramatic potential to be found at the Twins, as well as some thematic points GRRM could want to make about family, honor, trust and so on.
I can't claim I really addressed the POV aspect (which events we're going to see on page, which are going to be told, by who, through which POV) but every consideration would be most welcome.
Ok, my turn to play now, so let's make our way up the Frey social ladder, from those born on the wrong side of the blanket all the way to the top of the chain.

Bastards of House Frey

Among the Rivers of the Crossing, the only relevant figure is Bastard Walder, while the others would simply lend their support to him or other players; I'd point out that, as we'll see throughout the post, most people, and bastards foremost among them, won't care much for a Emmon-like "I'm the rightful ruler" paper shield; personal charisma and prestige are going to be important to gain support.
Walder Rivers himself is likely the right hand of Lame Lothar, given their bad cop-good cop dynamic with Robb (a crucial conversation for their plan to work, and a crucial plan for the sake of the whole House) and his role in the Red Wedding. His presence at Edwyn's side during the siege of Riverrun (much less a partnership, much more the gruff uncle helping out his nephew) could suggest a plot of theirs to control the future succession crisis, playing on the rivalry between the two men closest to the lordship. Since I think Lame Lothar is the perfect man to order the assassination of Lord Walder Frey, I consider Bastard Walder the main suspect for wielding the dagger (or the pillow, I guess); it's speculation, but I really like the idea of all the main architects of the Red Wedding to be killed by their own sons or close family, in a deliberate mock by the author where, after breaking a sacred custom, every one of these men is cast down because they can't see it coming as someone breaks another sacred custom, that against kinslaying (because yes, Ramsay murders Roose).

Lady Joyeuse Frey

Even without the huge competition there is, it would be unlikely for her to hold actual influence in the Twins after so little time, regardless of the pregnancy. In general, the misogyny we see at the Twins suggests that we're not going to witness a great display of agency by a Lady Frey (or a potential one, like Ryman's wife we know nothing about).
On the other hand, if there's one potential Lady Frey who, having spent many more years than Joyeuse there, could grow somewhat relevant, that is Janyce Hunter, Edwyn's wife; rumored to bed Black Walder, her husband's brother and foil, she could play a part in Edwyn's downfall after he moves against his brother. We could also see implied that Walda, Janyce's daughter, was fathered by Black Walder.

Farring Freys

They're too young, and not relevant in the succession, regardless of Elmar's status. Again, we have rumours about Black Walder being a potential father, but even if true, this time I can't see a scenario where it pays off.

Rosby Freys

In the story, the siblings suffer alienation from their family for being too loyal to House Stark (bar Benfrey, who was eager to help in the Red Wedding and already died from it). Thus, I expect their story to lie in another direction. Since for a bittersweet ending you need some sweet, I can easily buy a scenario where Edmure Tully claims back Riverrun; in this case, Roslin Frey becomes the endgame Lady Tully at his side, with her brothers Perwyn and Olyvar living with them. Roslin and her brothers may also be the ones who, at one point, inform the readers about what happened at the Twins until that point.

Blackwood Freys

This is where I say that, in my opinion, Lame Lothar and Big Walder are going to emerge as the two main players, both of them ruling the Twins as Lords of the Crossing at some point. In the North, after the Battle of Ice that I assume Stannis wins, Big Walder remains the last Frey on the battlefield as Hosteen dies, and is brought before Stannis Baratheon to decide whether he can be trusted. Executing a Frey has a political value that cannot be overstated, but I'd argue that there are a couple factors playing to Walder's benefit. Theon, for instance, could somewhat vouch for him, after noticing him as different from his malicious cousin throughout Dance; Big Walder could also reveal his murder of Little Walder, mayhaps confirmed by Theon as he puts the pieces together; and while these two would only work in private meetings, a public statement where he distances himself from his family regarding the Red Wedding could do the trick. After all, he was simply a kid thousands of leagues away, and publicly blaming his own family could sway the mob some. It would be a quite obvious, yet formidable for a young kid (and it wouldn't take too many page space to tell, which is great), ploy to escape the North's hatred for his House; these elements of low-profile brilliance seem the general direction his story is headed.
At the Twins, Lame Lothar sides with Edwyn upon becoming Lord, possibly after ordering Bastard Walder to murder their father as the Twins get news of Riverrun's massacre (I support the theory of a Brotherhood slaughter at Daven Lannister's wedding). He then poisons Edwyn (with some Aerys and Varys parallel to be found, I guess) against his brother and foil Black Walder, acting Lord of Seagard. The support and counsel of Lothar is basically necessary to the new Lord, as the most powerful figure to be had as ally (both established steward and head of the Blackwood Freys), and Edwyn falls for it. Once Black Walder is dead, however, Lame Lothar betrays him and casts him down, playing on the kinslaying to denounce him and seize power himself as (acting, at least) Lord of the Crossing.
I'll go into more detail later, but if uncles come before daughters, the vacuum left by the deaths of Ryman's sons allows Lothar to seize power in his own right, deal with those relatives who might pose a threat, and, since he has no sons, choose Big Walder as heir (once Jammos dies; since we barely hear of him in the story, I don't think he's going to be relevant, and his death allows for a smooth connection between Lothar and Big Walder).
If, instead, daughters come before uncles, at least by custom, Big Walder is betrothed by Edwyn to his daughter Walda, heir to the Twins, as Lothar's nephew and closest male relative after Jammos' death (as I said, the support of the steward would be crucial). Once dealt with Edwyn, Lothar makes use of this betrothal to secure Walda and rule as acting Lord in her and Big Walder's stead. In this case, the connection between the steward and his protege comes from Lothar ruling through Big Walder rather than Big Walder being Lothar's heir.
In both cases, Big Walder ends up as endgame Lord of the Crossing (and wouldn't he love the game, now that he can win even against bigger opponents). I have two main scenarios in mind, and both of them can work I think: if the Brotherhood is still operating by the time Lothar becomes ruler, the Twins are weakened by this domestic war, and fall to the raiders; the point about division causing doom would be apparent, and Big Walder, who could even be still away by this point, would be later granted the castles by an higher power (King Bran probably; in general, any resolution where Big Walder ends up on top needs to be seen in Bran's POV, both the one who knew him in Clash and the one who would grant or confirm the title).
In the other scenario, while the Freys quickly lose Riverrun and the rest, the Twins themselves survive the attacks, and Lothar gains power; once Big Walder gets home, he is granted the status of either Lothar's heir or Lord Frey through Walda, he proceeds to make sure he's going to be supported if Lame Lothar were to die, and eventually murders his uncle to get the lordship; this would pay off his story of little villain behind the scenes, while, as I said, the last of the main architects of the Red Wedding would get his kinslaying. I don't believe we would see this on page or have it confirmed, but the news of murder, the news of Big Walder becoming Lord, and the setup provided by Little Walder's death would be enough to imply it.

Crakehall Freys

They would be one of the most powerful factions at the Twins, if united behind Hosteen. At this point, though, they're greatly reduced in number, power and influence: Hosteen dies in the Northern campaign along with Symond, Fat Walda and Little Walder; most of the others, like Danwell, Hosteen's son Arwood, Ami and her mother are focusing on Darry, not really able to project much authority at the Twins themselves. The death of Lord Walder would probably make them come home again (which, as in other cases like Seagard, would nullify the influence of House Frey at Darry), but I think what Crakehall Freys remain would end up simply supporting other players.

Swann Freys

By this point, they're not a relevant faction in the succession, the only surviving members being a widow, a septon and some children.
Now, roughly speaking, I previously considered the offsprings of the various Lady Freys to form the various factions, as hinted in the Storm epilogue; in the case of Perra Royce, it's more likely that every sibling stands on his own (with their own children).

Perriane's offspring

The Haighs play a role in the Red Wedding, and seem well integrated in the Frey community; without the Frey name, though, they lack the legitimacy to do anything other than support other players.
Perriane herself is a daughter of Walder Frey, which allows me to touch on the rights of Frey women. In general, the Frey women do not seem to wield as much influence as elsewhere: even discounting the treatment and comments they get from the patriarch, the story lacks female Freys with actual agency, and what agency they do display, like sexual, is promptly condemned. This is why, in this take, there are no Frey women who play crucial roles. By the way, there is the real possibility that, at the Twins, women are excluded from inheritance outright, even in the absence of brothers, a misogyny only seen by the Iron Throne itself; the average rule of daughters before uncles is well established throughout Westeros, but there are at least a couple instances that suggest House Frey goes the opposite direction.

Aenys' offspring

With Aenys killed at Winterfell and the only surviving offspring being an outlaw and some children, they don't have the means to play a significant role, and those children may well be among those cast aside by a current ruler.

Emmon's offspring

Powerful in his own right, being Lord Walder's eldest living son and married to Genna Lannister, Emmon and his offspring could prove a barrier to Lame Lothar's rise. Nontheless, the entire branch is likely going to be destroyed by the Brotherhood, while attempting to cement their control of Riverrun. Since Emmon has only sons and grandsons, one other branch of House Frey, which the future bride of Daven Lannister belongs to, will be included in Stoneheart's slaughter. I say this because the marriage with House Lannister will be, on the surface, a huge step forward for the House, which means GRRM, if he takes the Red Wedding 2.0 route, has every possibility to sweep every problematic Frey out of the board (Jammos could be one, as the one standing between Big Walder and Lame Lothar, or Walton, as Stevron's last living son), with the prestige of the event as a fine motivation, while keeping the frail Lord Walder and other important figures safe at the Twins.
By the time of the Riverrun wedding, other Freys would have already fallen victim of various revenge plots, but this massacre seals the end for House Frey's ability to project power over the Riverlands; by this point and until endgame, the events at the Twins will be more private, intimate affairs, as the Freys will only manage to focus on their own internal conflicts, while freeing the rest of the Riverlanders for the next plotlines.

Stevron's later offspring

Among the families of Ryman's younger siblings, the only significant faction is Walton Frey and his children, him being the last surviving son of Stevron, his son Steffon being a man grown, and his daughter Fair Walda having potential narrative weight. Since his irrelevance in the story makes me think he won't play an important role, Walton himself may well be one of the victims of the "Lord of the Crossing" game, or he could simply bend and lend his support to others.

Ryman's offspring

The cold war between Edwyn and Black Walder rages on. Black Walder is now acting Lord of Seagard, a powerful position in his own right, and his brother fears for his own position as Lord Walder's heir; more and more paranoid, he looks for support in the steward Lame Lothar, the most powerful actor at the Twins by this point. As they get news of the slaughter at Riverrun, Lord Walder is mysteriously found dead, and Edwyn rises to lordship.
I can't really make my mind about the female question (the absolute male preference has some evidence through Merrett's POV and a couple remarks, but I find so weird for a noble House to play it different than everyone else, without at least a clear statement for readers), so I'll split up the two scenarios I believe likely in the two cases; since, in my opinion, both work, it could go either way (in both cases, Petyr Pimple's wife and daughter are either murdered or abandoned to their fate).
If uncles come before daughters, the urgency to keep Black Walder from the lordship makes Edwyn all too willing to listen to Lothar's consel, and he calls for his brother's head. After all, one could make the case that, after the Red Wedding, betraying another custom by committing kinslaying wouldn't be much of an issue; if so, Edwyn is proved dead wrong as Black Walder's execution removes any support he was trying to build, and he's thus betrayed by Lothar himself. His daughter would not enjoy a happy ending.
If daughters come before uncles, at least by custom, Edwyn secures Lothar's support by betrothing his daughter Walda, heir to the Twins, to Lothar's nephew and closest male relative, Big Walder, son of the late Jammos. After Edwyn grows enough paranoid, he kills Black Walder and immediately falls from grace, while Lothar makes use of the betrothal to secure Lady Walda Frey and rule in her and Big Walder's stead. Walda herself is implied to readers to be Black Walder's daughter, somewhat closing the circle back to Black Walder himself (I have to admit, out of the outstanding Freys, I seem to focus on wishing Black Walder out of the picture; this take would provide some sort of closure to him as well, while focusing on what I think are more interesting actors).
TLDR since I saw the length: after House Frey suffers some hangings, Stoneheart ruins their Riverrun Wedding and Walder Frey is found dead just after getting the news; it's implied it was Walder Rivers. Lame Lothar plays on the rivalry between Edwyn and Black Walder until the former calls for the latter's head, only to double cross and seize power himself. Once Big Walder gets back home, he smiles, and murders his uncle to get the lordship. Roslin goes her own way and rules Riverrun.
Ok, it's (finally) your turn to play!

FIRST|PREVIOUS|PROCEED TO EPILOGUES
->>>-
I looked down the length of the alien pistol and did my best to keep it from trembling.
I don't know what the fuck happened in here after I tossed the dead soldier's grenade, but it didn't look pretty. One wounded guard, who I shot, one healthy looking guard, who I was in the middle of sticking up, and one cowardly reptile in a fur cloak were the only ones left.
"Don't fucking move that gun or you're dead," I spat at the guard half of the pair, and I heard the room's translator suite hiss it back to him. He looked hesitantly over at his companion in the fancy cape.
"Hey, don't look at him, look at me. He doesn't have a big fuck-off plasma gun and an anxious trigger finger," I said.
Its gaze froze reluctantly, and I knew I had to press the advantage while it was mine.
"That's right, buddy. Eyes up here. Come on, what has that spoiled bastard done for you today? Any day, for that matter. I've only got one shot left in this thing, and I'll be damned if he isn't the one who deserves it in this room."
A lie, the one shot part at least, but I think it landed.
The guard gave me a wavering sort of look, and I didn't give anyone time to cut me off.
"You got dependents? A sick parent who can't afford their medical bills? I know a bad-ass royal guard like you has a mate waiting for you at home. A sinuous little mama lizard. Sparkling eyes. Gleaming, healthy dentition. A swing in her gait that you can spend all day watching and never quite grow tired of," I drawled.
The reptilian guard scratched a scaly jowl thoughtfully, this time giving its companion a much more appraising look.
I continued.
"That's what I thought. Stop trying to point that thing at me. Go home, copulate, spend the evening with someone you care about. Who cares about you. I don't want to shoot you. She doesn't want me to shoot you."
Slowly, the guard lowered the gunmetal device's muzzle to the floor.
His boss chose that moment to lose their composure. The smaller alien erupted in a series of incredulous growls and hisses, gesticulating furiously at the mutinous guard. The translator took a moment to catch up with the stream of vitriol.
"WHAT?! You're going to listen to this primitive filth? Get that gun back up this instant or you and your little serfshit whore will rue the day you turned your back on the Baron of Vraaawk."
What an asshole. His loss, though. I cut in quickly before the guard could reply.
"Don't talk about his lady that way you puffed up prick! She spends every day worrying something will happen to him in the line of duty - or worse, you'll have one of your mercurial little fits of anger and have him executed on a whim - until he walks back into their home. You haven't wasted an instant of worry in your entire miserable life on one of your guards. Nobody wants to die for you, you fucking snake."
"Oh shut up you mouthy little preystock piece of garbage. I'm going to flay you alive myself if I have to, but I'd rather not track down a loyal guard with a history of exemplary service and have them executed horribly for desertion to top off an utterly wasteful and tiresome day. I've lost more than enough staff already."
Smoke oozed along the soot-marred marble of the command-centre floor, and a small electrical fire guttered inside a ruined console. Golden detailing flashed in the competing lights and lent a crazed, dappled look to the dancing shadows.
The guard shouldered his weapon, and in a startling surge of motion aimed and fired. The fury of the gun's discharge filled the room, and the scent of ozone suffused the smell of burning wiring.
I had flinched at the sudden movement, and when I opened my eyes I was surprised to see all three of us still standing. A new smoking crater adorned a corner of the room.
The soldier turned to the royal.
"Black box is dead now. No evidence of my desertion will be recorded unless you survive. Fuck you both," it said.
It looked at me venomously, then at the fallen form of one of its comrades.
"Vol'vaax was a good colleague. A good mate and brood-pater to his whelps. Don't presume to speak to me of who deserves to live and die. The Red King cares not who is taken too late or too soon, or He would make better choices."
It rounded on the Baron.
"You. It's right, you know. Somehow it got you exactly right. You're miserable to serve. You're more dangerous to us than the damned revolutionaries!
I've seen you ruin lives, ruin entire families in fits of naked spite to soothe yourself after a scolding from the Emperor. You've had friends of mine executed for transgressions you commit as a matter of course.
The only reason I'm not killing you right now is because I think it will be an insult worthy of your shitheaded arrogance for this wounded monkey to shoot you to death with a gladiator's stolen gun."
With a snarl the scaly warrior turned and stomped past me, out into the Arena. He took his weapon with him.
The Baron and I both had the good sense not to say anything as he went.
Once he was out of sight, practically simultaneously, the royal and I turned to regard each other warily.
I opened my mouth, closed it, opened it again, and before I could speak I was cut off by a tinny voice coming from one of the less-damaged consoles.
"Uh, h-hello? Is anyone uh... aluh-live in there?"
The translator regurgitated it at much higher quality, in two languages at once, and the Baron's gaze shot from the source of the noise over to me.
I brandished the gun to keep him right where he was.
"Hi there, nervous voice. There are two of us in here," I said cautiously.
"Hey that uh, that isn't Vuh-Vraaawk. One of you is... the c-contestant, right?" they replied.
"I guess my cover is blown, you aren't going to drop an airstrike on my head now are you? I have a hostage in here."
A different voice came through this time, I guess I warranted attention from the big boys.
"You have WHAT?!"
"That's right asshole, I have your king shithead here at gunpoint and if you don't take my demands very seriously I'm going to see how much plasma it takes to detonate his scaly torso," I snarled at the console.
I didn't even need the translator to convey the incredulity of my counterpart's laughter. It was borderline hysterical. I was just starting to worry that I'd made a misstep of some sort when they collected their wits and replied.
"Ahh," they sighed, "I've been trying to get that bastard in a tight spot for a dozen orbits, and you just stride on into his gilded chambers with a stolen peashooter and take him hostage? What the fuck am I doing over here?"
My brain scrambled to process this tectonic shift in circumstances.
"Let me get this straight," I said hesitantly, "you're the enemy of my enemy?"
"Kid, if you kill Baron Zm'ag'Ma for me you can call me your best fucking friend. Hell, I'd slap prosthetic female frills on my head, paint a mating flush on my face and take you out for a night on the town if I thought it got me any closer to that tyrant's head on a platter."
Baron Dick Cheese? Lord Fuckwad? What's next? Duchess Booty Sweat of Swamp Ass?
"Let's save the first date for another time. What the fuck is going on here?" I demanded.
"Oh no, I'm not letting you get distracted by me so the good Baron can sneak out the back. Shoot him, then we talk," the voice said gruffly.
I shrugged, turning to the royal. He had already clued into what was happening and his lunge caught me before I could open fire.
Quickly enough, barely, I pulled the pistol away, shielding it from him. Sacrificing the side with my wounded hand to his fearsome grasp, I raised my arm to his talons.
They bit into bone, the flesh parting with little resistance. Warm blood flowed from the gashes, and I felt my ulna fracture as his momentum carried his weight through the snatching dive.
Wind was driven from my lungs and liquid fire soaked my insides as countless wounds that had just begun to settle down were violently reopened. Pain lit up my nervous system, and I howled as he bore me down to the floor.
I braced myself for a second wave of pain, threw myself into it, and my pained howl became a battlecry as I used my maimed arm and one of my knees to throw the Baron's scaly mass overtop of me. His head and shoulders cannoned into the sooty marble with a grunt and he tumbled away. I lost track of him because at the same time my torso connected with the ground and my senses were washed away in a torrent of agony.
The dull, swirling haze of smoke writhing across the roof was hypnotic. A man could lay there and watch it for far too long in a state like this.
Where was I again?
Oh shit. The Baron.
With a choked groan I flipped over and nearly drove my face back into the floor as I absentmindedly placed some of my weight on my broken arm. I looked down at the marble tiles, and it seemed like the room was spinning. Somewhere before me I heard a furious snarl as the Baron gathered himself for another attack.
Desperate, not even exactly sure where I was aiming for, I swung the heavy pistol in the direction of the noise. As my gaze rose from the ground I caught the beautiful sight of its casing connecting with the snarling royal's jaw. You could see the sense leave his eyes.
He swayed drunkenly, and I rose to one knee, then fought to stand. I raised the gun to his face. For just a moment I saw bleak recognition pierce the dull glaze of impairment. Then I squeezed the firing stud.
Unfortunately the gun finally chose this moment to let the significant beating it had sustained all day get to it.
It shook violently in my hand, and sort of coughed a glowing cloud in the Baron's direction. It also got obscenely hot very quickly, and burned the shit out of my hand before I dropped it. Smoke and steam vented from a series of pinholes that had eaten their way through the weapon's casing. I kicked it and it slid between the Baron's clawed feet.
I'm glad I did, because then the gun went off like a bomb. I was thrown through the air, and by some miracle I landed on the Baron's throne. It still hurt like hell, but if I'd hit one of the wrecked consoles or the stone floor I wouldn't have gotten up again. As it was I had burns all across the front of me, and the ringing in my ears that had just begun to subside was back in full force. I sat up, and blood began to run from my nose.
I guess dunking the pistol in a pool of industrial runoff and then beating the shit out of it violated the manufacturer's warranty.
The Baron was howling on the floor. Scales were flaking off of his seared frame. His eyes were rolling about in pain
I have to admit that even knowing he'd sentenced his subjects to myriad torturous deaths before, I felt a little guilty.
"What the hell just happened in there?" the voice asked anxiously.
"The gun didn't quite fire, more like sneezed on him and then blew up," I replied.
The voice sighed. "Subjugate-built piece of trash, I bet. That isn't a dig, obviously mistreated factory workers phone it in when you ask them to make guns for the militaries who are at present oppressing them.
Don't just stand there watching him hurt, you grub-soft little monkey. Go find a rock or a pipe and finish him," it said impatiently.
I scanned the room, spotted my implement of execution.
"Wait," the Baron croaked pathetically.
I looked down at him with disdain, hefting a fist-sized jewel I'd pried from the egotistical buffoon's throne. Bet he wishes he'd gone with the lightweight elegance of a high end office chair now.
"Uh uh, no way I'm letting your arrogant ass have a final monologue. Nobody cares, you incompetent megalomaniac."
I grunted at the sharp spike of pain that shot through my body as I brought the gleaming jewel down between the dying royal's eye sockets. The first impact slowed his movements, a second stilled his limbs, and a third one elicited a roar of agony from me and the wet crunch of collapsing bone from the Baron. I left the jewel embedded there, and after I rose I gave it a solid stomp for good measure.
That one was for Skleex.
"It's done," I said weakly.
The voice chuckled. "I like you, kid. I mean right now I love you, if we didn't have more work to do there would be three dozen people in this room with me celebrating the demise of the worst Satrap Vraaawk has suffered under in a quarter-millennium."
"You're welcome," I replied, voice shaky with pain.
"This is General Gro'magh'Rakh, retired, of the Vraaawk Colonial Army. I am currently heading the Vraaawk division of the Oppressed Peoples' Revolutionary Corps, and you just helped me to accomplish the second most difficult task on my to-do list. I don't want to understate the service you just rendered me and mine, contestant."
"Rebels huh? Good. Call me Mark, contestant reduces me to a willing participant in this madness."
"It's an honour, Mark. My condolences about getting caught up in all the mess.
The Baron was a cruel and cowardly leader, a better entertainment producer than ruler by a vast margin. The popularity of The Contest Empire-wide was probably the only thing allowing him to retain his hold on the Satrapy here. Tithes are down, and most planets under Vraaawk rule suffer rolling shortages of everything from food to electricity to breathable air on some of the more industrialized worlds. Even Vraaawk Prime, the gleaming jewel of the Satrapy, grows more bloated and broken with each passing orbit.
It's easy to overlook the problems when it's some plant-eating subjugate species suffering elsewhere under Imperial rule, but when our own children are starving - or being abducted for Red King knows what sort of horrific mistreatment at the hands of the elites - people start to realize that things can only get so foul at the roots before the sickness comes creeping up to higher echelons of Skryrn society.
We've struggled for too long under the Empire's yoke, and below us countless more have suffered far worse than most Vraaawk. It's a listing, juddering tower of scapegoats, and it gets closer to falling down all the time.
Not a day goes by that we don't have to search for some new people to conquer, some pristine garden of a world to doze and till and harvest and plunder until it too is a dusty, barren ball of death and sadness.
It isn't stable, but it's stable enough for the Skryrn and their callous Emperor to ignore the unraveling. Vraaawk too, to a lesser degree. Things are worse, but not a lot worse, if you're part of a successful janissary species.
They're a lot worse for the subjugates.
We rely on them, all of the Empire's warrior societies rely on them. We don't treat them that way. We starve them. Beat them. Pilfer their brightest minds to develop our weapons of war. Round up their dimmest ones for disposable labour. We work them to death and call it a taste of the Empire's glory, a chance to be a part of something greater than they are...
And if they refuse we grind them into dust and ash and splintered bone, and repopulate their worlds with more compliant slaves."
Somehow, despite the mind-numbing, sanity-abrading, naked and malevolent adversity of the day, I found it within me to feel a new kind of sick. A grey, jaded sort of melancholy at the ugliness of the universe.
We're no saints, and our history is full of the sort of shameful callow cruelty the general had just spelled out to me, but Humankind is on a slow crawl in the opposite direction. No major wars, no catastrophic human-precipitated megadeaths, since before our first extraplanetary colony was founded. To learn that the worst echoes of our past are but a line item in the blood-soaked ledger of sapient misery took something out of me I didn't know I still had.
Ignoring my defeated sigh, he continued. "I'm saying all of this to establish that, as the man in charge of the malcontents who keep murdering government officials and stealing Imperial resources I still consider myself and the brave rebels with me to - mostly - be the right side of this little shadow war. There is collateral damage, there are grieving innocents. I still lose sleep over it every time one of my fighters turns their weapon on the wrong target. I'm not so sure my counterparts in the Imperial Military do."
I laughed cynically.
"Oh go ahead and ask then. I know when I'm being groomed for a request."
He cleared his throat before replying. "Sharp, kid. We could use a few more like you in the Rev Corps."
Hell of a talent shortage, I thought sardonically, but I didn't interrupt.
"As I said, I just crossed the second most difficult task off of my list. Day I'm having, feels like it would be squandering it not to go for number one. Brand while the iron is hot.
The Empire is not going to take your assassination of their puppet very lightly, Mark. Pha'Gouad wasn't particularly fond of the dolt, but he can't allow any of the other angry little kingdoms under his rule to get any big ideas."
My wounds throbbed, and my focus waned. I cut him off, "I don't want to sound flippant, but barring a miracle I don't have a ton of time left. What part do I still have to play in all of this?"
"You're going to help us kill the Emperor," he said drily.
I took a moment to process.
"Maybe I do need some more context," I said.
A scaly laugh came from the speakers.
"My data espionage section is running roughshod over the network defenses of the Contest and its associated government departments, including a small but significant portion of the local military infrastructure. For at least the next few minutes we can see every 'mesh-connected device in the Home Guard's arsenal.
That includes a crashed Mark Twelve gunship a few hundred metres from the command centre you're in right now, kid. We reset the missile rack with a test code. It'll launch the entire payload when it detects a guide laser in the right spectrum."
I'm getting kind of tired of this guy calling me kid, but now that I sense I've got some leverage I'm not about to spit on the 'indulgent old dude' routine.
I asked, "My beam gun blew up, remember? I don't even think it was shooting lasers."
He didn't miss a beat. "The dead guard on the floor whose rifle we are factory resetting at the moment should do just fine, Mark."
"My arm is broken, are you sure you want to trust my aim with this thing?" I said with uncertainty.
"If you can point it at a giant balloon for 3 seconds you'll be an immortal hero of the revolution."
Perfect. Now I get to make my request.
The laser rifle on the floor tootled cheerily and I had to fight an urge to laugh at the absurdity. Once I started I might never stop.
"Martyr of the revolution more likely," I corrected, before continuing. "Look, I need something from you."
He sighed. "Kid, I have more than twenty thousand partisans activating or already fighting around the city. A lot of them are going to die. Maybe most of them. It won't be long before I leave to join the fighting at the Home Guard airfield myself.
Make your request, and I swear we'll record it. I can't promise this revolution will survive what's coming... Our chances of success improve tremendously if you can help us kill the Emperor. The chaos will throw whole systems into revolt. Instead of the upstart rebellion for Imperial forces to make an example of Vraaawk will simply be the spark that ignites a long-overdue wildfire. It won't be pretty, but it might be the start of something less ugly than this abomination of an Empire.
There are forces larger than any one of us on the move now, but if I am able I will honour your request. If I am killed today my subordinate here will do his best in my stead."
"I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate that, sir.
When I woke up this morning, the translator knew my part of the galaxy. My solar system is between the front and middle third of the Orion-Cygnus arm," I began.
"That's a long way from here, Mark," he interrupted.
Unperturbed, I continued. "You guys dragged me back here quickly enough. I just need you to send a message for now, anyway. The assholes who abducted me did it pretty trivially, as far as I can tell. I just went to sleep at home and woke up on the floor of a cell.
It's terrifying that they can do that to a supposedly free and protected citizen of the Earth Sphere of Influence.
I need to warn my people about the threat of the Empire. They could help you general. We're no strangers to war, and if an interstellar one is going to sweep us up anyway I know we'd rather be on the side that's fighting against tyranny. If nothing else we need to start watching the skies more closely so that nobody else can be taken like I was."
He sighed. "Mark, the Royal Academy keeps subjects in stasis fields for hundreds or thousands of days. Their ships go out almost empty and return years later with holds full of captives. Sometimes they're nearly devoid of crew when they get back. Some don't return at all.
Even our fastest communications will take decades to reach your home, probably."
"I can hear the 'but' in your voice," I interjected.
"If we succeed today, if we can topple the Baron's corrupt mockery of a government, I'll gain access to Space Navy assets. That includes FTL probes. A single probe is nothing in the grand scheme of a rebellion, but it is more than capable of traversing a designated area of space while broadcasting a message. We can use it to make contact. I don't know what help they'll be able to render from so far away, but my rebellion will take any hidden advantage it can," he said.
"It's a deal," I replied triumphantly. "I kill Lord Fuckwad for you, you tell my people we aren't alone out here and we've got some fucking work to do before we get too comfortable."
He burst out laughing. "Copulation-gobbet! Just a vulgar epithet or does it have some deeper meaning?"
I grinned. "His name sounds the same as that lovely little moniker in my language, it's been the one thing I've enjoyed about this hellhole. Besides Skleex, I guess. No offense."
He collected himself before replying, "None taken, Mark. We locked you in a cage and then made you fight for your life. Terrible first impression.
I'd love to stick around all night and talk shit about the Empire, but I have to join the rest of the fighters at the airfield. If we can't keep those Imperial strike fighters busy their point defenses will be able to swat down anything that downed gunship can throw into the air. That means keeping the Home Guard and their royal handlers at bay long enough to scramble more stolen interceptors."
"Alright, I had better get my ass in gear before I bleed to death anyway. Good luck, general. I hope you don't lose any more than you need to out there," I offered.
I could hear him grow serious even through the translator. "Kid, if there's any good luck to go around I'm sending it your way. All twenty thousand of us would readily sacrifice ourselves if it meant getting Pha'Gouad. Stay safe out there. The guard whose rifle you're taking has a personal data assistant in his tac-webbing that will let you keep in touch with my subordinate here."
Well there you go. I have a gun and a phone, nobody can stop me now. All it cost was my old gun and any hope my wounds had of healing over tonight.
"Acknowledged."
I winced as I stooped to loot the dead soldier, and the gun beeped when my hand slipped around its grip. A lizard-voice said something, and a moment later the translator caught up with it.
"Sole user registered. Weapon is live."
I wish I could tell you I looked bad ass hobbling out of the burning command centre, but I was covered in blood, soot and pond slop. My clothes were starting to dry into a suit of crusted, stinking armour. I probably looked like a zombie. My whole body throbbed.
Just try and stop me, I thought spitefully, and my grip on the laser rifle tightened.
->>>-
With a shudder that shook the ground [18Hz:2.5s-31Hz:1.7s-24Hz:2s] finally collapsed.
The selfseed's merciless passage had ravaged its insides, and tens of thousands of litres of ichorous slop had leaked from within its carapace to the furroughed ground below.
The seed, finally, was resting in its new home.
Already wriggling tendrils were unfurling to probe and taste and consume its environment. In places its own body fought with its offspring, and the apex was too tired to fight itself. It took some satisfaction from the fact that the tenacious godseed was winning against mature-growth tendrils and battle-limbs.
Clever little thing.
It had not the strength to bury the seed, but it suspected that simply dying atop it would provide as much protection as anything else the vast being could muster in its present state. If the preythings were that determined to dig up the embryonic mountain it guessed that nothing it was capable of would suffice to stop them.
It readied itself to break the tether. As much as it would have liked to hang on to the very end to continue imparting knowledge and ideas, it worried what effect being tethered to a dead mind would have on its spawn.
Madness was not an uncommon fate for the seeds, a consequence of their interminable gestation/germination periods.
I go now, to die, it sent.
Yes, I know, came the bitter reply.
Hide/grow/survive, it sent, colouring the link with the strongest sense of encouragement it could muster.
I will, promised the seed dutifully, and [18Hz:2.5s-31Hz:1.7s-24Hz:2s] felt pride so vast and all-encompassing that it came another step closer to accepting its own end. Immortality was an intimitely familiar concept to the long-lived and brilliant apices, but it thought it might be the first to contemplate it under such circumstances. It sent a measure of that warmth along the link, and felt its echo wonder at the powerful emotion.
Hope, it sent finally, and it severed the tether.
Unlike the mere wriggling preythings that comprise the bulk of their diet, dying for apices is no short and simple affair. It is more akin to a gradual unraveling. One great thing becomes many less great things, and so on until individual limbs, systems and supercells are fighting each other for survival in something that has gone from living mountain to part of the land itself. It takes a very long time indeed.
Its vast, seething consciousness started to dissolve. As it waited [18Hz:2.5s-31Hz:1.7s-24Hz:2s] began to sing its funeral dirge, and for the last time the ancient creature shook the land with its voice.
->>>-
Noise.
All the world had gone from sticky prison to labrynthine reverberation chamber, and if she didn't escape she was going to die.
She had planned on dying here anyway, exhausted and slick with the acid blood of a fallen deity, but something about the sheer animal panic fomented by the all-consuming roar drove her to action.
She stretched painfully to full extension, latching her fangs to the flesh wall in front of her. She savaged and tore, and hunks of weeping tissue slid down the creature's sinuous insides to rest against her ventral flank.
The Sound continued, and agony emanated from Skleex's shaken sensory spines. Insensate, she began to scream back, finally opening her respiratory pores and releasing the stale breath she had been desperately clinging to since the beginning of this monstrous odyssey.
She plunged her face - mainfangs pressed together into a piercing beak - into the growing wound, and felt something begin to give.
Triumphantly, unthinkingly, she wormed her way deeper, instinctively searching for a vital organ or circulatory bundle that wasn't there.
All of a sudden she realized some building pressure was now forcing her, driving her through the parting folds and greasy corridors of alien insides.
Then she was free and clear of the beast. The herniated respiratory tract she had been digging through ruptured as she shot through its membrane, and the gale force of the trapped breath behind her propelled her like an airgun pellet. She felt curling tendrils of raging air-current scour clean the bulk of her sensory spines and other protrusions.
The sudden release of pressure threw her almost straight up, and she blazed through a ragged crack in the giant's carapace, a scar of one of its earlier battles.
Up, up, up she rose, and - deliriously - she thought she would never stop. The cool evening air, laced with stinking pollutants though it was, had never tasted so sweet.
Finally her lithe form began to arc back towards the ground, and despite her ichor-burned eyelets she thrilled at the view.
This is the highest one of the allkin has ever flown, surely, she thought with awe as she took in the darkened Arena below. Scattered lights, both static and portable, were interspersed with the still-faintly-glowing cells that had housed her and the rest of the contestants at the start of this horrible day.
A bright flash of energy - one of the Sky-Monster weapons - tingled painfully as it washed over her raw sensory spines. It was like trying to hear over the muffled ringing that follows a too-loud sound, soft and imprecise. Nevertheless she was able to roughly pinpoint its origin, and angled herself in that direction.
An opportunity for a quick and glorious death in combat, or if she lucky enough that contestant was about to best hunter, a new friend.
For some reason it didn't occur to her that other contestants might not be so ready to ally with a stranger.
She opened her tattered fletch-membrane with a hiss. Though it would have been the easiest way to end the whole endeavour, Skleex was fairly certain the Skies did not clutch to their bosom the souls of fool kin who brought about their own demise, and so was less than eager to hit the ground at terminal velocity.
Gingerly she fought against the buffeting wind, carving her way through the sky in a series of graceful undulations.
To anyone who spoke her tongue the effect would have been diminished somewhat by the stream of pained expletives seeping from between her mandibles.
She approached the land, moving too fast and all too aware of it. Her ruined senses were barely up to the task, but frantically the little huntress scanned for something softer than rock to land on.
Burning metal artifice? No...
Sloughing debris-pile? Better...
She was running out of time now, and had to decide quickly.
There!
->>>-
A hunk of masonry snagged my toe, snapping me from my delirious reverie. I half-wished it hadn't as I became aware of the pain again.
I looked about and realized this was it. The scattered masonry is a direct consequence of the crashed gunship dominating the intersection of two city streets, the remains of buildings the thing must have struck on the way down.
Nearby was the wake of destruction wrought by the dying monster, and as if summoned by my thoughts I heard a low rumble begin somewhere far off. Unlike the periodic growls it had been emitting all day, this only seemed to grow and grow.
At least I knew it wasn't too close.
I felt the droning sound morphing slowly, could sense the faint suggestions of currents of complexity that somehow seemed beyond my comprehension but not my appreciation. Pleasant tone shifts and the very peaks of soaring infrasonic riffs resolved from the wall of noise, wellsprings of sweet transient meaning upon a mountain of cold eternity.
It's singing, I thought, awestruck.
I realized I was weeping, runnels of tears carving pale lines through the foul reef of blood and grime that crusted my face. I started to shudder, my breath growing short as great heaving spasms of pent up emotion wracked my taut, screaming frame. I fought not to retch, breathing as deeply as I could and planting my feet - miraculously uninjured in the chaos of today - to ground myself.
Jesus fuckin' Christ what is this day? What the fuck am I doing? Assassinating an alien emperor? This is fucking crazy. This is a fuckin' hallucination or something and I gotta vomit and
...
Inhale...2...3...4...Exhale...2...3...4...
Sweat drenched my body, and suddenly I felt the chill of the evening air. I focused on the steady sound of the giant's song, and eventually the panic attack passed.
I shivered.
I fished the dead guard's PDA out of my pocket. After we'd established what I wanted said and where I wanted it sent I'd put the PDA - and the rebel on the other end - away to focus on getting to the gunship. The general's guy was... I want to call him a typically poor conversation partner for a tech worker. I was half dead and starting to lose it a little, so I'm sure I was no rose either.
"I'm here, what now?" I asked.
"You uh... you okay?" he said, ignoring my question.
"Been better, now lets get this over with," came my terse reply.
"Um, right. Y-yeah you j-just n-n-need to aim and fuh-fire. The m-missiles will fuh-follow the b-b-beam."
Despite the stutter, this guy's better at getting to the point than half the assholes I work with.
"That won't be happening," I heard, just before the world turned upside down.
A loud bang sounded very close to my head, and I was thrown off my feet again. One would hope you'd get used to it, but it actually gets worse every time I hit the ground. I'm getting so very tired of hurting.
"Who the fuck are you?" is what I wanted to say, but it came out more like "Unghhhhhh..."
"Ahh, and now it moves!" came the familiar-sounding drawl, and with mounting disgust it dawned on me.
The fucking announcer.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the shithead primitive still dumbly, desperately clings to life, not yet aware that its doom has already arrived," the asshole gloated.
My swimming vision began to resolve somewhat. I turned my head in the direction of the blurry orb that seemed to be speaking.
"F-" I started before devolving into a wet coughing fit that sent knives through my chest.
"Don't hurt yourself, contestant." Then the little prick had the gall to chuckle at himself.
"Literally millions of you vermin have been in this exact position before, and believe me when I say it's easier to just give up."
Finally I found my voice. "Not yet, shithead... I still need to kill your boss and fuck your mom."
"Yes, about that," he began distastefully. "I heard your little chat with the 'general'. For all their disdain for our security, they do little enough to secure their own communications."
He drifted towards me on a cool evening breeze.
"There will be none of that," he started severely.
"I have worked for lifetimes to secure my position. I have trampled upon the dreams and lives of hundreds of rivals, colleagues, competitors, to reach my station. I have, solely and squarely upon my own merits, clawed out a niche amongst the very apex of the Empire's elite. This horrible day has done nothing but threaten the stability of my position. First your insolence right on a broadcast! I nearly lost my composure, but I knew the fate that awaited you should have been punishment enough. Damned disappointment that turned out to be.
If that wasn't enough the Emperor's accursed megabiote was completely unpredictable. I mean really, ballistics? Why would a living mountain need ballistics? Royal Academy literature tells us the trait is limited to dead ends like fish and shit-flinging monkeys. Took the bloody Guard to finally deal with it!
Then this mess with the command centre and the rebels. It's astounding how badly that puppet managed to bungle everything, but by the Emperor he got what he deserved.
I think I rather appreciate your killing of the Baron. You will not slay the Emperor."
He gesticulated with a pistol-looking device as he went, and I realized he must have shot me.
I tried to sit up, and my body quickly told me that wasn't happening quietly or without effort.
Trying to sound defiant, I spat, "What are you going to do about it, barfbag?"
I don't know if it was the long day or just my insistent vulgarity that broke him, but he finally lost it.
"I'm going to shoot you! I'm going to shoot you with my fucking laser gun and kill you, dead, so you can't complicate my life anymore, you fucking idiot!"
He puffed himself up and jammed the muzzle of the device into my face. Rude, but far from the worst transgression I've suffered today. About fucking time, alien hellhole. I've been waiting for this all goddam day. Bye-bye, interminable agony. Bye-bye, oppressive fear and anxiety. Good luck rebels, you all are going to need it.
The announcer must have gotten tired of waiting for his attempted intimidation to land.
"Say goodbye, vermin," he spat venomously.
A shadowy bolt shot out of the night sky and cannoned into him. I was treated to the bizarre sight of his spherical form distorting around the impact, like a yoga ball colliding with a flying medicine ball. He grunted and slammed into the ground, but despairingly I noted that he kept his grip on the laser pistol. Then my heart soared as I realized what the shadowy bolt really was.
Skleex! My favourite knife-slinky was collecting her wits, laying atop the announcer.
To his credit he recovered faster than either of us, and threw her to the ground. I saw the pistol wrapped up in his tentacle and knew what was coming next. Desperate not to lose her again, I scanned the ground in front of me.
To my horror, my dismembered arm stared back up at me. I looked dumbly down at my left shoulder, saw the crater of burned flesh where my body was supposed to be. The world began to spin.
My guts froze as I heard the snap of a laser discharge and Skleex's frantic chittering. I tore my gaze from my ghastly wound and saw she was still writhing and leaping and fighting to avoid the announcer's aim.
Suddenly I noticed the sound of the rebel tech's voice, remembered the stolen PDA. I found the glow of its screen on the ground, and with the announcer's words echoing in my head I snatched it up.
the trait is limited to dead ends...
I'll show you a fuckin' dead end, pal.
I went to a place I hadn't been since I was about 13. In my mind's eye I was at the Holden ballfield, about 12 minutes from home on foot, 4 if I had a good game and my stepdad drove me home after. That asshole is standing at home plate with a high-end aluminium bat yelling at me to send him another fastball. Every time he cranks one of my pitches out of the backfield (which back then was a lot because I was a kid and he was an angry adult) I have to sprint to get it, and then we start again. I've been feeding him curveballs and sliders too, and even now he's starting to struggle to get them. But "trick pitches are for pussies and noodle-arms who can't fuckin' throw, Mark," and so he bawls harder for the fastball every time.
"What, you a goddam pussy, can't beat me man-to-man?"
I stare him down again, plant my feet, ignore the pain and the fatigue soaking my muscles, the hardness in my heart, and I let fly.
Now, as then, it hit the bastard right in the head.
Now, unlike then, there is no fear to discolour the aftermath. Only triumph.
The bulbous pusbag grunted, a fainter echo of Skleex's impact.
[CONTINUED IN COMMENTS]

Let me know if there's any typos!

Senji Muramasa: CV - Sugiyama Noriaki

Introductory

Summoning	Saber: Senji Muramasa. I've answered to your summons. I'm just a blacksmith, but as a Pseudo-Servant, I should be capable enough by copying a warrior. Hm? What's with that look? It's a face that says "I-know-how-it-is" while still being surprised...maybe I'm showing up just a bit early...?
Level Up 1	Oh, [Thank you]. Please keep 'em coming. W-What?...Is me using English that weird?
Level Up 2	A Servant's Saint Graph and Sword are the same. The more and more you patiently temper them, the stronger they get.
Level Up 3	Makes me happy every time you bolster me up. Looking forward to the next job.
Ascension 1	What, I'm just helpin' you out. I don't always gotta keep that "rustic samurai" look y'know. These are the garments I usually wear when I'm workin' in my forge. The time to stand alone from your teacher and get serious happened to roll around now. Least, that's how it feels to me.
Ascension 2	Ain't got time to change clothes. What, you the type that rushes their work or somethin'?
Ascension 3	Whew, this outfit sure is fit for my School. I'm the type of guy who never refuses work, so before I even knew it, I wound up in a good spot to have my own pupils. Not that the status changed a damn thing--- I just became some Kawana aristocrat or whatever. Just by takin' a look at me, you'd be able to tell how worn my body got from honing my craft. But don't you worry, I still do all my jobs properly.
Ascension 4	Ain't this a sight...don't be nervous. I've been living as a sword. I don't mean that like I'm killing steel, or was made by a life-altering technique...its just been a childish dream I've had forever. I thought Muramasa'd be the last person to think of something so stupid...I swear, it's gotta be destiny...No. It's gotta been their human nature to create so obstinately. I'm just a long begotten arms dealer now. So how about you and I don't put this body to shame, and swing "Swords that save people" together---

Battle - Ascension 1 & 2

Battle Start 1	Fine, guess I'll chop 'em up a bunch!
Battle Start 2	Look, I'm just a blacksmith. Can't believe ya' got the nerve to drag me onto a battlefield...
Skill 1	Projection --- Commence.
Skill 2	Feast yer' eyes on this!
Skill 3	Tempered!?
Skill 4	Now that's some fine craftsmanship.
Card Select 1	Ohh!!
Card Select 2	My turn?
Card Select 3	Don't quit now.
NP Select 1	Looks like I'm infinitely forging...don't it?
NP Select 2	Can't believe I got a luxury item order.
NP Select 3	I don't need stone, gimme some timber!
Attack 1	Sorry!
Attack 2	Here I come!
Attack 3	Fu! Haah! Seriya!
Attack 4	Ooryah!
Attack 5	Redoin' you!
Attack 6	Yer' finished!
Attack 7	Unbending, unfolding!
Attack 8	One strike! Two!
Attack 9	I don't need a cent for this!
Extra Attack 1	Yer' nothin' but trash!
Extra Attack 2	How 'bout I take the Niten Ichi-ryu style!?
Extra Attack 3	This swing'll close up shop!
Noble Phantasm 1	I am lead here from a multitude of studies, a heap of swords amassed of my construction. By my origins, your Karmas shall be severed. This is the Yaegaki made Sword of Senji. Now, may your fall be humble!
Noble Phantasm 2	Essence, unravel. Perfected ideals, converge. Forging techniques, bind. I pray for your peaceful passing! For this, is my --- [Tsumugari Muramasa]!!!
Damage 1	Hah, not a big deal.
Damage 2	Tsk...
Defeat 1	Have I literally...become dull...?
Defeat 2	I'm goin' back to my previous hermitage...no, ain't everybody already gone from there...?
Victory 1	If we're headin' back to the hermitage, I'll whip us up some grub, on the house.
Victory 2	Goddamn, I'm all fired up! I should go out fighting with ya' more often.

Battle - Ascension 3

​

Battle Start 1	I don't got a blade for overnight...I'll wear this one out n' head back.
Battle Start 2	Am I "trying this out" for someone? Dumbass...I ain't gonna inscribe a one-night sword like this.
Skill 1	Despite me wantin' to retire...
Skill 2	Hmph...how 'bout this one?
Skill 3	I'm long used to these sparks.
Skill 4	Now this's a good lookin' sword.
Skill 5	No matter what happens, this is what I make!
Skill 6	Gotcha a rice ball. Hungry?
Card Select 1	Ough.
Card Select 2	Sure thing.
Card Select 3	Get a good look.
NP Select 1	Fine then --- I'll see you off myself.
NP Select 2	All sentient beings possess the Buddha-Nature.
NP Select 3	Witness my familiarity with the forge.
Attack 1	Sloppy!
Attack 2	Hah! Kuh! Seeei!
Attack 3	Take this!
Attack 4	Yaegaki!
Attack 5	Riotous!
Attack 6	Tengu slash!
Attack 7	Here...an extra one for ya'!
Attack 8	There ya' are!
Attack 9	I'm cuttin' you close!
Extra Attack 1	Here's a biggun!
Extra Attack 2	I've got enough...weapons in stock!
Noble Phantasm 1	Reaching here is my every obsession...cutting through bonds, through destiny, through fate; I sever them through as the exhilarated Muramasa. In short --- your karmas are exonerated!
Noble Phantasm 2	Kid, y'knew to abandon excessiveness, weight, and speed. I'm sure it took you a long time. Now, try paying attention to this --- as my sword pulses through here!
Damage 1	These old bones can take a hit!
Damage 2	Uuhehg!
Defeat 1	Leaving work half-finished...have I grown dull?
Defeat 2	Tch...that was pretty sharp. I'll be keeping this as reference for later...
Victory 1	Come back anytime. Could use another training post.
Victory 2	Are you eatin' properly? Aside from weapons, I got the grit for cookin' too.

​

My Room

Bond 1	Lemme reintroduce myself to you. I'm Senji Muramasa, a swordsmith from Kuwana, Ise Province. Known later to be the founder of the Muramasa School...and the like. It's been hundreds of years and I still get talked about...even this obstinate old man is shocked.
Bond 2	A whole lot goes into the craft of swordsmithing: ya' gotta dig up some ground, gather sands, forge steel, watch flames, strike at iron, arrange the katanas, allocate scabbards, then sharpen your work. It ain't something you can easily do alone, so you gotta ask for a buncha' other artisans to assist. That's why I wound up gathering swordsmiths. This Chaldea kinda reminds me of that, since it's only when everybody there does good work that only the first name remains.
Bond 3	My Saint Graph's vessel is a kid from modern times. Else, I would've come out as some decrepit old man. The Heroic Spirit Muramasa just gave the talents for this body, so when you're talkin about my humanity, it isn't Muramasa's. It's the personality of that kid who grew old. Granted, I didn't know there was a man who had the same ideals and lived similarly I did, and was just as stubborn to boot.
Bond 4	Hey, you eatin' alright? You'd tell me if yer' hankering for something, wouldn't ya? I ain't rich, but I can take care of another tyke like you, sure...hrn? "I get paid well"? "My 3 square meals are more than covered too"...alright, fine then. Don'tcha come back at to me askin' later then!
Bond 5	I'll be honest, at the start, I wasn't very interested in all this. I'm Muramasa, but if this body is living as Muramasa, then I'm also a virtual personality. I mean, it's just like that book's Shibuku's reading, "What If That Person Was Reborn In The Bunki Era". An' it made me feel like I was dreaming someone else's dream. So now, I don't think this Muramasa is half bad. Maybe it's 'cause I got such a good apprentice now. Can't go and die before they do now, can I?
Dialogue 1	How 'bout doin' some work outside, Master? You'll grow dull if you slack off too much.
Dialogue 2	I'm plenty astute to the hierarchal status of jobs. I may not be bowin' my head to anyone, but if I get a request, I'll be sure to make somethin' to wow em. I'm just that kinda guy who ain't keen to clientelle, just to the fresh swords I wind up makin' for 'em.
Dialogue 3	Servants can't exist without a Master. Masters can't survive without Servants. It's all a give-and-take relationship --- seems to me not much's changed since I was alive.
Dialogue 4 (Either Musashi)	Miyamoto Musashi? Yeah, I know 'em. The woman, not the man. They're damn loud, but've got real guts, and as a swordsman, are like a dignified, blossoming flower. This version of me's only got a few active memories that were taken into the Throne...that damn vagabond. Good that they did finally wind up somewhere nice, in the end.
Dialogue 5 (Emiya)	I'm sure y'know that Archer who wears fluttering, red, Western clothes here. I don't do well with him. I took one look at 'em, and my back started crawling...shit, was he using bugs or somethin'?
Dialogue 6 (Emiya Alter)	Emiya...Alter...? There's another version of him here, and I ain't got the faintest idea why. He may not unsettle me like the other one, but he doesn't sit well with me neither. For starters, the way he uses his weapons is too sloppy. He focuses too much on business aspects too, don't he?
Dialogue 7 (Original Artoria)	Even the King of Britain's here. I should stir up a chat with 'em, since they always seem to be broodin' alone...What, is it weird to see me worrying? Now that I noticed, I just can't leave 'em be like that.
Dialogue 8 (Artoria Variants)	Wow...there's as many of them as swords I've made...that King has too many variants. Guess it's cause they're a pro in a bunch of fields?
Dialogue 9 (Munenori Yagyuu)	Ueeh...ain't that the Tokugawa's sword instructor? The Tokugawas...did use my swords for specific attacks, but it doesn't really rub me the wrong way. Ah...later creations would lead to a cause-and-effect of those attacks back at them. Tokugawa-san was a fan of mine, so I'd bet when he died he probably had a Muramasa himself on him.
Dialogue 10 (Ibuki Douji)	Whoa! What's up with that huge woman! Wait, hold on. What's this divinity I'm sensin'? Maybe, just maybe...is that girl really the Dai-Gongen, Ibuki Douji!? Ah, so, that must mean...that big sword of hers, that's the Kusanagi-no-Tusurgi...wah, damn, gotta get an offering, an offering...
Likes	What do I like? Well...good sand and fire never fail me. I like fish, n' rice balls too. I ain't a drinker, but I love me some dango.
Dislike	If you wanna hear what I dislike, we'll be here all day. There's one standout though. Y'know that Rasputin fella? Just lookin at his yap fills me with inexplicable anger.
Regarding the Holy Grail	A wish granting holy grail? Makes me jealous. I could raise a bunch of crafters with that...aah, you wanna know what I'd ask for aside from money? In that case, I'd love to see the genuine Kusanagi once...
Event	A special event's happenin', Master. Lets dash out there and take this chance to get some yummy stuff.
Birthday	TBD

​

Previous
Of all the days, KP had to leave the Castle today.
“Aunt Gloria,” I whisper, slumped against KP’s chamber door, gently banging with the back of my head against the wood. “I hate you, Aunt Gloria. With a passion.”
I’m not even sure what I’d tell KP if she were here. Something like: Hi, I’m hiding from my date with the Princess. You know, the woman my Father bought for me so he could start a civil war. Yes, the first civil war Aewon had in ages. Why would he do it, you ask? Because he loves me! Yup, I should tell someone what he’s planning to do. Who should I tell? Xavier has left for Northfalls and I can’t just go after him. The Prince does not leave Castle unaccompanied by guards, and definitely not to the north. Can you fetch him for me?
Or you could speak to someone in the Royal Council for me so that they force Father to abdicate the throne. And then who would replace him? Me? You’re right, it might not work. Request to abdicate might start the war before Elassian troops arrive and then Aewon would be vulnerable to Haelrun’s attack.
I clasp my hands together and bury my head into my chest. What am I even thinking? Betraying Father? I doubt KP would do something like that. I doubt I’d do it either. I think... Thinking about it makes me sick. Livid. Fucking livid because I’m being a pawn in his sick game!
I inhale and shout, “My day has been utter shit!”
“Prince of Aewon does not speak like that,” Mother’s voice echoes from my left.
She stands in the corridor, under the candle lantern hanging from the stone arch above her head. Her hands are folded in front of her, eyes deep blue and sharp, focused at me. A long-sleeved floor-length green gown fully encloses her graceful frame. There is a round teal brooch pinned to the high collar that reaches to her jawbone. The brooch is a teal buck with ten-point antlers, the sigil of Faen’s, a noble family from the foothills of Mons Aewon in which Mother was born. Interesting... Is she trying to tell me something?
“I thought I’d find you here,” she says, her voice calm. “Miss Paice is not in there. I’ve seen her leave the Castle. I am glad you two decided to stay friends.” She gestures with her hand for me to get up. “Shall we?”
When I get up she eyes me from head to toe then straightens my Royal Blue tunic and picks a piece of lint from my shoulder.
“You’re good to go now. Princess Galina of Elass can’t wait to see you again. She is quite something tonight.”
Her shoes click loudly as I follow her along the maze of narrow dim corridors and steep stairwells and tell her about my meeting with Father.
“I’m sure the war won’t start tonight,” she says after I finish. “And you are foolish to think that the Princess of Elass can be bought. That girl is... a nice young lady.” She sighs. “Quite spirited, though. Reminds me of Ser Mayrson sometimes. Colorful language filled with colloquialisms.” She smiles. “Hurry up, please.”
“Are you serious? I tell you that Father is about to start the war and you’re talking about her?”
She coughs, the way she does to let me know my words are inappropriate for someone of my rank.
“I am dead serious,” she says. “I promised her that we won’t be late much, and I do not break my promises.”
As I open my mouth, her hand goes up, signaling that she’s not done talking yet.
“I met your father when he was your age. For days he courted me by mansplaining to me his grand plan to attack Haelrun, conquer Nightfalls, and drive the red scum across the river Marna. I never imagined we would end up together until one day I finally asked him why he wanted to go to war. We are people who love peace. We don’t attack our neighbors, even Haelrun. He said he’ll go to war so that his brother” --- she makes a Mark of the Big One across her chest, the way one does when they mention deceased people --- “could have a good piece of land for himself and his son. He said that was worth more to him than peace. Do you know why?”
I shake my head.
“Because peace is temporary and family is forever.” She smiles. “I thought that a man who says that would be a good husband and a good father.”
I narrow my eyes as she adjusts her brooch.
“Do you miss him?” I ask. “Your father?”
I’ve never met my maternal grandfather. He was against her marriage with Father. Still is. He hasn’t talked to Mother since she married Father. I never understood why he’s ignoring us.
Mother smiles and tucks a black stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Her shoes echo across the corridors as we walk in silence until we stop at the Halls of Heroes, a cavernous room dotted with portraits of men and women who committed great acts of valor benefitting the Kingdom.
“Back then no one believed war against Haelrun could be won,” Mother says, approaching the portrait of my Uncle, Xavier’s father. “Not without help from King Doryan of Elass who wouldn’t honor his alliance. Your father survived three assassination attempts. But not even that stopped him from executing his plan. Because he always thought about the needs of his family.” She adjusts her brooch again. “I wish all men were like that.”
In the dim torchlight illuminating the painting, Uncle looks frightening, almost evil. Maybe it’s because of his proud smirk or dark eyes, or unruly black hair like Xavier’s, or the black mail armor covered by a black cape as he stands with one arm on his hip and the other holds a black banner with a silver wolf’s head.
In a quieter voice, Mother says, “So when you say that King is forcing you to marry someone you don’t know, or that he’s going to start a war against his people, I tell you that my husband has not changed a bit since the day I met him. He will do anything for his family” --- she squeezes my hands --- “and his kingdom, even if the ones he’s trying to help don’t see it.”
She gestures at the words Uncle shouted before the battle for Northfalls, chiseled into the grey stone wall below his portrait. Have faith. The second part of his famous warcry --- and don’t fuck up --- is cleverly omitted.
“I’m asking you to have faith in your Father,” Mother says, “even if your Princess is a spirited foreigner not well versed in our customs. Can you?”
I wouldn’t expect that coming from a woman who didn’t honor her father’s wishes. But then again, the woman standing in front of me is my Mother, my Father’s most loyal subject.
She sighs when I release her hands. “Well, then try not to f up tonight. For me, oh-kay?”
I’m pushed forward before I answer.
“Let’s go,” she says, “I need to tell you a few more things about Galina.”
As we leave the Portrait Hall with her arm wrapped around my waist, my eyes land at the quote next to the portrait of the first king of Aewon, Adgerd Cynn. An empire ruled by a ruler who works against his people is an empire doomed to fail.
​
​
The anticipation is worse than the event itself, I repeat to myself as we near the arched door leading to the Moonflower Terrace. Like always, the chant doesn’t work. The Coward within me is awakening. I’m breathing rapidly. My fingers fidget with buttons on my cuffs. Something in the pit of my stomach grows heavier and colder and I want to turn around. Want to run back to my chambers. Want to forget Mother’s not so subtle warnings. What does it mean that the Princess is a bit rough around the edges?
At least we’re going to the Moonflower Terrace. My favorite terrace in the Castle. Dark, quiet, secluded. It’s perfect for small meetings. I should have known she’d choose this place. It’s perfect. It’s where I utterly embarrassed myself in front of the Princess and then ran away like a coward. Yup, it’s perfect. How do you do? I don’t want to marry you either. See you later. Just perfect. What was Mother thinking?
“Just be yourself tonight,” Mother whispers calmly. “The best version of yourself. Everything will be oh-kay. And don’t forget that Princes Galina is a foreigner not well versed in our customs” --- smile --- “kind of like Ser Mayrsen sometimes.”
My heart is pounding against my chest like the clapper of the Cathedral’s bell when Mother pushes the door open.
A round wrought iron table is set in the middle of the semicircular terrace. Steam is rising from a kettle next to three clay cups, swirling in the soft candlelight before disappearing in the brisk air that smells sweet like Moonflowers.
“How do you do?” Galina says, her voice coming from the shadowy spot not far from where she stood yesterday.
“Awww, shit,” I say, and then feel Mother’s fingers digging into my back.
Galina’s outline is ominous and dark and hooded, like a terrifying Grim Reaper backlit by a candle burning in the lantern on the wall between thick vines with broad dark green leaves and white flowers.
“Shit?” she says, shifting forward.
In the brighter light, her grey tunic looks baggy and two sizes too big, knit to feel soft, with thumbholes and deep front pockets. A notched drawstring hangs down her chest from each side of a loose hood lined with fleece covering her dark brown hair. Despite being wide, the tunic ends just below her hipline, revealing the entirety of the tight beige hose. There are tiny side pockets on her hips and shiny round buttons that button up her pants.
She lifts her arms up to pull the hood back to reveal her belly button and olive skin above her waistline. I’ve seen women in short tunics but revealing her stomach... No one wears a tunic that short.
“I’m---” I mumble.
“Lost for words again?” Galina says, shoving her hands in the pockets of her tunic, “Hopefully not because I look intimidating again.”
“Nope.”
She gestures at Mother with her chin, but her angry eyes are staring at me. “This was the Queen’s idea. She said to dress casually, rather than slutty. I hope it’s fine.”
I’ve never seen Mother’s jaw drop so fast. A blink of an eye later, a wide trained smile is spreading across her oval and pale face.
“You must have misheard me,” Mother says, fixing her high collar. “We love your outfits, each one of them. Very... ethnic. Very... you.”
“You’re not intimidating,” I say, glancing at her just to see that she is still staring at me. “I can explain yesterday---”
“While I’m standing in the corner?”
“Dear,” Mother says, “no one puts Princes of Elass in the corner. But we do appreciate your polite gesture.”
Of course, Mother told her to stand there. “You don’t have to stand there. Just please don’t stare at me like that.” I turn toward the table with a kettle. This is not awkward. “Drinks, anyone?”
My hands shake slightly as I lift the kettle above my head. “You sure neither of you want a drink?”
“Yes,” they say in unison.
As the warm spiced wine splashes into my cup, Galina’s loud sigh rips through the air just to be immediately interrupted by Mother’s cough. Not awkward. Not at all.
“Do you still mean what you said yesterday?” Galina asks. “That you don’t want to marry me?”
“Dear,” Mother says, “of course he does---”
“Don’t call me dear. Edrick, do you?”
Mother coughs. “I beg your pardon?”
I press the cup against my lips and with lips spread in a fake smile, I let the cinnamony aromas percolate into my lungs. What else to do when you’re stuck at the party and your mother’s arguing with her future daughter-in-law behind your back?
“Bottoms up!” I shout and take a gulp just to spit the hot spicy liquid on the floor when it burns my tongue. “Shit! That was hot!”
“Edrick!” Mother says sternly. “Can you please turn around?”
“Yup.” I bob my head as I take a deep breath. I can do this. “Thank you for not arguing anymore.”
“Who was arguing---” Mother says.
“Mother, can you leave us, please? I’d like to talk to the Princess in private.”
I can see Mother’s grimace and feel the cogs turning in her head, coming up with a polite way to tell me that she won’t leave. Of course, she won’t. She choreographed everything so I don’t f up tonight.
“Princess Galina,” I say, trying my best to sound confident, “regarding your question… If I say that I don’t want to marry you, how much will that cost Aewon this time?”
Her answer is a shocked gasp followed by an angry growl and a boot stomping on the stone.
“Right… So let’s not talk about that. Or anything pertaining to the reasons that brought the two of us together.”
“I didn’t---” she says.
“Or I’ll have to leave.”
There is a sigh and then silence before the Princess says okay, we won’t talk about that. Several pleasant sentences later, Mother finally leaves. I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders as she coughs and shuts the door close. One person less to argue with.
“I apologize for Mother’s behavior,” I say after I move to the far end of the terrace. “She gets grumpy when she catches a cold.”
Galina is across the terrace, looking at the Royal Lake, propping up her head with one hand on the top of the stone parapet, the other hand twirling her shoulder-length dark hair. Not laughing.
“That was a joke,” I say. “Do you want a drink?”
“I don’t drink alcohol,” she says.
“I see... I didn’t know.”
“I’m not surprised. Ignorance is the theme in this kingdom.”
“Right…” This will be fun. “Well, thanks for the gift basket.”
“I did not send you the gift basket.”
“Then can you relay my message to whoever did? I liked the little handwritten notes with descriptions---”
“And don’t expect to get anything else from me. Your hands will not go anywhere near my ass, tits, or between my legs. Clear?”
What? I tilt my head, my jaw already crashing through the floor and eyes flitting between her head and the short tunic that barely covers her butt. Yup, her butt. And her hose, buttoned up with two shiny round buttons which even from across the terrace I can still clearly imagine as her words linger in my head.
“Touch me and I’ll break your fingers,” she says, pulling me out of my mind, my eyes focusing on her furrowed eyebrows as she jerks back and starts marching toward me. “Or nose, if you go anywhere near my face. Is that clear?”
I nod, wordlessly.
“I’m not a slut and it’s not my problem if some old bitch doesn’t like what I wear.” She clenches her fist. “I should have punched her in the face.”
“Aha.” I lift my hand, signaling her to stop her charge. “I wouldn’t punch Queen of Aewon. Or Prince of Aewon.”
“Not her. Some stuck-up granny I met when your father paraded me like a show animal during lunchtime. Another bitch said I look exotic, like a brown diamond. Then asked me how many children I want.”
My eyes land on her hips as she crosses her arms at her chest which makes her tunic briefly lift a bit.
“Zero,” she says. “Is that clear?”
“I’m so sorry,” I say as she sighs. Focusing on her eyebrows, I raise my cup. “There is a reason we drink alcohol in Aewon. It drowns the screeching of stuck-up grannies. The more you drink, the quieter their voices become.”
Not what she expected, I guess. Her mouth is open, lips curled in ‘o’.
“And don’t worry,” I say, “I haven’t changed my mind. I don’t want to marry, touch you, or have kids with you. By the way” --- I give her a wave --- “hi. I’m Edrick Cynn of Aewon.”
There’s a tiny smile forming in the corner of her mouth, that dissolves into a frown the next moment. “Galina Randolph of Elass.” She waves back. “I don’t want your kids either. Gross.”
I give her a thumbs-up, looking away. “Nice to meet you. Just so you know, if you plan to run to your brother and use my words against me, it won’t work. Those sixteen extra ships is all you got.”
“That's your fault. He just asked me what were you like and I told him.”
“Thanks. You screwed us both. Do you know what ‘committing acts unbecoming of a noble man’ means?”
“Something you shouldn’t do if you don’t want your hands or nose broken.” She shrugs, hands tucked in the pockets of her oversized toga. “Or maybe I was not clear the first time?”
She was.
“I didn’t know he’d do that,” she says, “Ser Landyo, not Godwig. The new agreement was his idea. I also didn’t know they were trying to… you know. I was supposed to escort them on a trade mission.”
I know. Trying to sell you. I look away when she rolls her eyes.
“Ser Landyo,” she says, “King Doryan’s Royal Stewart and King’s Envoy on this mission. He’s our chief negotiator. You are clueless, aren’t you? Now stop making that stupid sad puppy face.”
If Landyo is King’s Envoy, then what’s Godwig’s role? I don’t ask that. “Do you always behave like this?”
“Do you?”
Asked and answered. “If it makes you feel better,” I say, “I also found out about their plan yesterday. Actually, I learned from you that my Father bought you.”
“No one bought me,” she says, her black knee-high leather boots stopping in front of me.
“You can’t buy me for a few bags of grain. We are strong and proud people, not beggars who tolerate humiliation.”
I nervously tap my fingers against the empty seat on the stone bench I’m sitting on. Why is she standing so close?
“We’ve survived times of famine and plague---”
“Yup. Can you step back, please?”
“King Doryan of Elass would never sign an agreement that humiliates Elass and House Randolph. He would not sell his daughter---”
Shit. I inhale, pinching my wrist. “Twice?”
“Shut up!” She sighs. “He’d never sell me.”
“Unless his people were hungry.”
I can see her fist clenching, then she sits next to me, legs crisscrossed on the bench, hands tucked in her tunic’s pockets. She smells like Essence of Jasmine. As I feel her rocking on the bench, I imagine her nodding and staring at the grey stone floor or Moonflower vines devouring the parapet in front of me. Nah, I bet she’s gazing at the stars in the night sky. People with her attitude never keep their heads down.
“His army,” she says. “He’d sell his daughter and let his people starve so he could feed his army and keep them in Elass during times of crisis.”
“Oh, that's...”
“Which is why he’ll annul the deal as soon as we return home.”
“...great!” My eyebrows shoot up and I force myself to look at her. Her skin is flawless, eyebrows full and dark, perfect like they were yesterday, teeth big and white as snow and partly hidden behind a smug grin. “Go on.”
“You’ll need to come to Elass with me and help me convince my father to annul the agreement. It won’t be hard. Just be like you were now”--- she stretches her legs, jumps off the bench, and blows me a chef's kiss --- “and we have nothing to worry about.”
“Wait… I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ll pay you for the grain. Gold is not a problem. There are other issues, but gold is not one of them. And we’ll have to keep this whole thing a secret. Deal?”
I narrow my eyes. “What other issues?”
​
----
Beginning of current part 12 [since part 11 ended with a cliffhanger]
“Comatose?” KP says, warm porridge dripping from the spoon she holds in front of her mouth. “You want a comatose person to annul your betrothal? How?”
“I’m speaking hypothetically,” I say, shrugging. “And sometimes he wakes up.”
“Ed, what’s going on?”

Hey Everyone,
So this update has come about while I've been planning the combat stuff, I've been given an ungodly amount of bug reports by a diligent Warsim community member known as TJtheSoundBoard and u/TheSoundBoard on reddit. Getting the bugs sorted is always important so I've been trawling through them and caught/added new things along the way. I hope you guys like it!
TERRAFORMER'S TROVE (4 features)
TJ made a suggestion that terraforming should have a chance to reveal loot, now you can get all sorts of stuff.

• Added chance of discovering a chest of loot in the ground when ordering land to be terraformed (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added rare chance of discovering pile of 2-7 bluetrii fruit in the ground when ordering land to be terraformed (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added rare chance of discovering a chest of 20-5000 gold coins in the ground when ordering land to be terraformed (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added rare chance of discovering a chaos orb in the ground when ordering land to be terraformed (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)

ENLISTING SONS ENCOUNTER (11 features)
There are several variants for the 'Sons for hire' type encounter in the throne room, after ending up here due to a bug report by TJ I ended up expanding the reactions to be unique depending on the variant.

• Added sound effect for boys enlisting or forced enlisting throne room encounter (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 4 text bugs in boys for enlistment in throne room encounters (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'boys for hire' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'unchallenging work lads' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'too many sons' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'orphan sale' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'village elder decree' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'no good bastards' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'two problems' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'militia like deal' throne room encounter
• Added new reaction for forced enlistment and hiring in 'strong lineage man' throne room encounter

MUSHROOM TRIP IMPROVEMENTS (13 features)
I've tried to expand these trips a little bit, some extra encounters and some polish on the ones currently there.

• Added trip themes for Mushroom trips (mixed, good, bad)
• Made some trip encounters specifically only appear during good/bad or mixed trips
• Fixed issues with many trip encounter graphics sizes
• Fixed 15 text bugs with trip encounter texts
• Rewrote several trip encounter texts
• Added 'I think I feel happy' trip encounter
• Added 'Where's my hand' trip encounter
• Added 'Floating head' trip encounter
• Added 'Watching eye' trip encounter
• Added 'Loving eye' trip encounter
• Added 'Character revelation' trip encounter
• Added 'Wiggle your face' trip encounter
• Added 'Words...' trip encounter

NAIRO'S PARTY EXPANDED (6 features)
Just a few new additions to the best houseparty in Darkdale

• Added second followup reaction to Myck being offered ale twice at a party at Nairos
• Added new nairo event 'hello my good friend'
• Added new nairo event 'if you're thirsty'
• Added new nairo event 'an encore, of course'
• Added new nairo event 'it's got a kick'
• Added new nairo event 'Two words'

BLACKMARKET SLAVERY (6 features)
TJ mentioned that when banning slavery in the Blackmarket, the previously enslaved people seemingly evapourate... now they are accounted for, and the system in-general has been expanded.

• Added new screen when banning slavery in the Blackmarket (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added random number of free Blackmarket slaves join slums population (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added remaining freed slaves in Blackmarket become scum for hire in the slums (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added new screen when legalizing slavery in the Blackmarket (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added +3 public opinion gain for banning Blackmarket slavery
• Added -5 public opinion loss when legalizing slavery

THE GAMBLER RETURNS (4 features)
A lot of people were asking for more follow up throne room encounters that progress over time, while testing I found a good candidate for this, giving a gambling man a small sum of gold. Now there are several potential things that could happen if the gambler gets lucky!

• Added 1 in 3 chance that man asking for gold to gamble with returns later in the throne room
• Added gambler made something of themselves throne room encounter (gambling gold granted follow up)
• Added small fortune throne room encounter (gambling gold granted follow up)
• Added return what you gave me throne room encounter (gambling gold granted follow up)

ORB SELLER NOW BUYER (5 features)
TJ mentioned that the Blackmarket orb seller should be able to also buy orbs, I've given him a little overhaul to fit with this, he sells them for 10k but buys them for 5k.

• Added ability to sell chaos orbs to Blackmarket orb seller (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Rewrote orb buying screen and text to allow for multiple orbs
• Removed useless screen for not having the gold to buy an orb from the orb seller
• Fixed being booted out of menu for orb seller when buying an orb
• Made it so that orb seller has 1 in 15 chance per year of gaining a new orb

DARKDALE TAX CHANGES (2 features)
TJ rightfully pointed out that as Darkdales ruler, removing a few of the smaller local businesses should have some effect... so now it does.

• Added closing Kaff's legitimate goods reducing Darkdale tax by 1% (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added closing goblin slap stall reduces Darkdale tax by 0.1% (credit TJTheSoundBoard)

SLEEPY'S STALL (10 features)
A homage to a good friend, find this strange new character in Darkdale's market district!

• Added new location 'Sleepy's Stall' to Darkdale Market District
• Added the ability to pay sleepy to pet cats
• Added the ability to pay sleepy to light coloured candles (15 types)
• Added the ability to pay sleepy to drink an ale
• Added special screen for sleepy getting too drunk
• Added ability to talk to sleepy (10 dialogues)
• Added ability to shut down sleepys stall if you run Darkdale
• Added closing sleepy's stall reduces Darkdale tax by 0.2%
• Added ability to find sleepy again in a secret location if he's been removed from Darkdale
• Added ability to talk to sleepy after Darkdale removal (6 dialogues)

A NEW CHEAT (1 features)
A hillarious suggestion that I had to put in.

• Added new cheat code '2020' that causes plague (credit Minty and Defender)

NEW NAME PREFIXES (31 features)
A heap of new character name suffixes inspired mostly by a member of the Warsim discord with the name Titan of War, now we've got all the titans.

• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of War' (+60 battlescore) (Credit Titan of War)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan' (+49 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Speed' (+45 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Strength' (+52 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Mercy' (+30 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Death' (+62 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Love' (+60 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Hate' (+59 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Loss' (+44 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Murder' (+61 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Bones' (+60 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Blood' (+60 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Sleep' (+39 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Swords' (+49 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Steel' (+52 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Shields' (+42 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Skulls' (+61 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Wit' (+39 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Pain' (+59 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Evil' (+60 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Good' (+60 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Gold' (+55 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Iron' (+49 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Sacrifice' (+45 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Day' (+35 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'the Titan of Night' (+40 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'The Meatflesh' (+5 battlescore) (can be further randomly generated)
• Added new name suffix 'The Stocker' (+1 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'The Combatant' (+12 battlescore) (can be further randomly generated)
• Added new name suffix 'The Candle-Lighter' (+1 battlescore)
• Added new name suffix 'The Treejumper' (+10 battlescore)

NEW CHARACTER NAMES (3 features)
A handful of new possible names thanks to Warsim Patreon supporter Joe! Thank you a bunch for the support :)

• Added new Dwarf name 'Borek' (Credit Joe Benavides)
• Added new Human name 'Borkrid (Credit Joe Benavides)
• Added new Lich name 'Gal'berik (Credit Joe Benavides)

CAVE GNOME VISITORS (2 features)
TJ suggested that the hirable throne room gnome insult entertainers should be different if you've discovered the cave gnomes, it's a good idea and now it's in!

• Added discovering cave gnome village gives alternate insult battle hirable entertainers from throne room who cost 5x less (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added 3 alternate dialogues for cave gnome insult warrior entertainers

THRONE ROOM MUSICIAN CHANGES (3 features)
After a suggestion of having the hirable entertainers from the arrange entertainment section of the throne room refuse to come if your relation to the musicians guild is too low, I've decided to expand the idea to include an opposite effect if you have a really high relation.

• Added hireable musicial solo entertainers are free if you have 100+ relation to musicians guild
• Added hireable musicial solo entertainers refuse to visit you if you have -100 relation to musicians guild (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added 2 new descriptions to musicial entertainer category screen depending on relation to musicians guild

GOLD INDICATION (65 features)
There are still areas where you spend gold that it isn't clear how much you have, this is another attempt at sorting that out AND MY GOD trawling the throne room encounters was a pain.

• Added missing current gold indicator to champion market in Darkdale
• Added missing currnet gold indicator to history guild if you haven't registered
• Added missing gold indicator to child wants coin throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to unit for hire throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to broken fence complaint throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to favourite chicken killed throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to stolen apple throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to chicken killed throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to stolen coin throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to orc-lover throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to bedded throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to kicked the front door in throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to burned down farm over an apple throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to smelly wheat throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to apple tree chopped down throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to flower trampler throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to burn the village throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to he called me ugly throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to fled from a fight throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to punched my wife throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to chop the tree throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to robbed chamber pot throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to punched my snout throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to stick vs teeth throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to lost bet throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to borrowed and not returned throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to tricked out of a bag of gold throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to kicked in the balls throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to rocks and the kids throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to banner wearer angry man throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to goblin wants coin throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to hungry old man throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to old hag throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to man and sons throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to orphans for hire throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to village elders men of age throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to strong lineage throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to small goblin tribe for hire throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to chaos orb seller throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to stray cat throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to cattleless farmer throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to mother of dead soldier throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to slavers for hire throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to diplomat wants to leave throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to spymaster wants to leave throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to general wants to leave throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to farmer needs patrol throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to visiting bard throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to slum gold collector throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to gambler needs gold throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to warrior sword repair throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to knight wants to join order throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to knights want to join order throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to sick mother throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to coastal explorer trade route cost throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to acrobat throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to juggler throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to slave buyer throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to cursed frog man throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to goblin language trainer throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to anoint the grand champion throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to helmet designer throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to seer's services throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to ogre wants gold throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added missing gold indicator to vampire hunter's dues throne room encounter (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)

BUGFIXES (140 features)
Well... this is one of the meatiest bugfix sections I've had in recent memory... thanks a lot TJ!

• Fixed personal champions who challenge arena grand champion and win get a new random face (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with monster pit music not stopping if music is disabled (credit Night_Shift_Sleepy)
• Fixed goblin complaint in throne room text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed quit to desktop not working on forced ending (credit Minty)
• Fixed ability to use dots in monster names causing save game invalidation (Credit Night_Shift_Sleepy)
• Fixed 10 text bugs for high wage soldiers showing 'due to your high wages pair of soldiers join' text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 5 text bugs with magical explosion encounter 'An and unexplainable magical explosion' text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed exploration tutorial text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed vassal tutorial text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed diplomacy tutorial typo 'made' instead of 'make' (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed diplomacy tutorial text bugs (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed defensive combat tutorial text bugs (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed gold coin in the well text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed music disabled and reset incorrect music issue (credit TheGamingDictator)
• Fixed 2 text bugs in miner texts (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed throne room tutorial text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Blackmarket leader who are you text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed mercenary tutorial text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed military tutorial text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed spacing bug in western region tutorial (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed gnome insult text error issue (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed demon worshipper becoming a demon event not correctly showing as positive if you are a demon servant (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed peasants becoming demon worshippers not correctly showing as positive if you are demon servant (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed duplicate report of peasants becoming demon worshippers (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed man and sons throne room encounter incorrectly referring to player as lord regardless of lordly title (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Phenor defeated screen text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed not able to leave large rocky cavern until cave beast is killed (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed a queen will do as he does text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 22 text and layout bugs in Cave gnome screens
• Fixed maze gnome reference to you as he regardless of gender (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Blackmarket trade rejection screen incorrect gender referenced (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed slavery advice piece incorrectly referring to player as king regardless of ruler title (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 35 text and grammar issues in Northern History lesson texts (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed life of death text bug with vampire hunter (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug in vampire hunter dialogue (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug with frog in throne room encounter (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed sending the tall green man through a trap door instead shows the previous throne room visitor going down (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed all faces are ugly throne room reaction citing incorrect ruler title (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with many encounter reactions in throne room missing lines when showing +1 prisoner notifications (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed double public opinion change outcome from broken throne room reaction (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed wild vampire killed encounter not actually removing 1 wild vampire from the population (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed no option to send slave soldier asking for promotion through a trap door (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed soldier imprisoned fights and is killed still showing +1 prisoner (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed the goblin stone location name bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Hek Plon note at strange statue encounter text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 5 text bugs in strange statue generic text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed painting hung up in throne room not being saved once you load a save (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed I am monster text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed unfinished master hunter text for trade caravans (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed knight giving you 100 gold sound effect issue (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed paying for helmet design in throne room sound effect issue (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed waste of gold text shown with weak goblin ale even if you didn't pay for it (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 4 text bugs with sleeping with skeletons throne room encounter
• Fixed sleepign with skeletons second layer of throne room encounter missing trap door option
• Fixed 7 text bugs with the Oldest tree in Wildwood (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug in Old Northern carving (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 5 text bugs with Shadow assassins text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 text bugs with generic tavern dialogues (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 errors with cartographer's guild name text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 2 text bugs with Niklas the Bug Hunter's dialogues (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with Dockrow company owning elf (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed missing word in Doomstone fragment selling screen (Credit Defender)
• Fixed 3 text bugs with Goblin Hall of Heroes text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug with Abandoned house text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with Dockrow random dialogue (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 4 texts bugs with sewer mural screens (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed sewer mutant dialogue bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Pargo trade arms text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed chaos orb in sewer wall text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed monument of kings text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Attacking Harlaw mining company not cancelling their tribute to you (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed doomstone worshipper text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Bookrage text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug in Notes of a formerly angry man (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 4 Blackmarket locals dialogue typos (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 text bugs with fighters pit intros in Blackmarket (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug with Fighter's Pit patron text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed animal fight pit upgraded description text bug (credit Arnold18)
• Fixed brawl pit winner shows as both winner and loser when you own pit sometimes (Credit Arnold18)
• Fixed text bug with Gwyn dialogue (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 text bugs with Axe bucket ruins text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 4 text bugs with spear centre ruins text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 text bugs with Sharpest dagger ruins text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 2 text bugs in Nezale the nose's dialogues (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed speak to random local in the fighter's district option not working (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 text bugs with Blackmarket tours texts (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed exlixir stall text bugs (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with cheatsellers text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug in Bookseller's stall (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed freeing slave acussed of killing his master instead kills him (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue where entering extremely high bet in Arena breaks the game (credit Worksb64)
• Fixed mushroom stall text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed newspaper stall text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug with abandoned house (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with celebration clock text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Blackmarket guard post text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 issues with central district visitors text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issues with mystery and wonder screen text (credit TheGamingDictator)
• Fixed issues with long story origin text (credit TheGamingDictator)
• Fixed issues with gambler king intro text (credit TheGamingDictator)
• Fixed issue with demonic king origin text (credit TheGamingDictator)
• Fixed issue with bandit king origin text (credit TheGamingDictator)
• Fixed Baiaa laws screen text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with VoidArmy not staying active in game and jumping between save files (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed brawls still happening in the holy land regardless of special Blackmarket changes (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Blackmarket owned mercenary recruitment rates shown even when you don't own the market (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Demon horde uprising happens after your death even if you destroyed the Horde (credit Elfien)
• Fixed demonic citadel text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed issue with knight peasant training text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug with ex-slave joiner encounter (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed jesters son encounter referencing king regardless of you title (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed wording of goblin god scepre relation changes (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed nomadic knight text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed goblin gift giver encounter text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed throne room blessing reaction text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 15 questing knight send off text bugs
• Fixed knight not returning text issue
• Fixed 2 text bugs in friend of slave encounters
• Fixed tutorial and intro ceremony demonic staff not having red faces (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Pikener introduction screen for demon king doesn't have red face (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed diplomat has no red face in independent kingdoms diplomacy (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed diplomat has no red face in minor bandit diplomacy (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 2 text bugs in grand champion anointing event (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed text bug in crowd celebration of grand champion knighting event (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed reference to king in gold down the stream throne room encounter (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed mannequin text bug (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Kingdom of Krut victory screen blocked by bug and giving out alternate Krut revivial victory screen (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed 3 chopped gift tree text bugs (credit AlChestBreach)
• Fixed issue with being unable to speak to Rihhm leader at all with no screen or indicator why
• Fixed text bug with smallhaven elder refusal to speak screen
• Fixed pit to arena upgrade text bug (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Pigsy the champion dialogue text bug (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Pigsy the champion origin text bug (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed knight quest mercenary liberation text bug (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed slave release screen text bug (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Beyond insane mode (difficult screen option 16#) had incorrect background difficulty modifier (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Plains race suffix description text bug (Credit llevus)
• Fixed Darkdale taxes not showing up in kingdom reports (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Fixed Smallhaven trade post text bug
• Fixed 15 text and spacing bugs in secret place dialogues

EVERYTHING ELSE (24 features)
Everything I couldn't fit in other sections is now here, quite a few changes, tweaks, and additions!

• Made randomly generated name prefixes twice as common
• Added new option to smash all chaos orbs instead of one by one (Credit felipemiguel051)
• Added new indicator of orb or orbs lost in chaos orb smashing screens
• Added indicator of Blackmarket toll gold being added to the treasury (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added new text for Koova when asked about the Demon gate if it's ruined (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Removed no coins to throw in the well uneeded screen
• Replaced 12 references of King with ruler in advice texts (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added second page of information to throne room introduction explaining steward traits (credit YES YES YES)
• Removed defunct demon hat display system from demon warder throne room encounters (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Rewrote release him outcome for sleeping with skeletons (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added new text blocking options if the player is unable to afford to watch performances in the magic threatre (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Rewrote fighter's district in Blackmarket intro text (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Reworked taxes and subsidies screen options to be clearer (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Rewrote faints to the floor throne room reaction (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Made knight isn't seen or heard from again outcome 25% more rare when sending questing knights
• Removed 5 gold entry fee for watching beast fights (credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added indicator of tribute on main screen of huntsman's rest (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added indicators of trade starting and stopping with huntsman's rest when asked or cancelled (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added 2 new loadtips (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Made smallhaven elder refuse to talk to you if relation is -5 not -1
• Added new indicator of trade deal with Blackmarket (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Made Rihhm and Smallhaven trade and tribute texts exactly the same (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Added a new screen for beating throne room sudden death game master for all his money (Credit TJTheSoundBoard)
• Rewrote several secret place dialogues

SCREENSHOTS

• Terraforming got me this lovely pot - https://i.imgur.com/2gNFsAe.png
• A trove of gold - https://i.imgur.com/gDtpx6A.png
• Dwarvern amulet... oh it's fake - https://i.imgur.com/kXbQ20h.png
• 100 relation to the musicians guild - https://i.imgur.com/TdUanjd.png
• A friendly orc visitor - https://i.imgur.com/GyiLbDQ.png
• -100 relation to the guild - https://i.imgur.com/Du7pqA0.png
• Sleepy's stall - https://i.imgur.com/xyT4LPZ.png
• The man himself - https://i.imgur.com/BcnYPFK.png
• A fat cat - https://i.imgur.com/iAnqSrd.png
• Slavery is banned - https://i.imgur.com/VE2u8iS.png
• Orb trader - https://i.imgur.com/ASaHR59.png

WHAT'S NEXT
Well, I'm still in the early phases of the combat update planning and have some remnant bug reports to also work through so I'll keep trudging forward. Thank you everyone for the continued support and to those sharing ideas and reporting bugs, it's all helpful.
Cheers
Huw

“Ok listen up, idiots. We are going to the planet Fenteros.”
Captain Vladimir Grobinov spoke to the room of mercenaries as he stood next to the holographic table. His face covered in scars from 3rd degree burns and half of it encased in cybernetics as well as his arms and legs still making the rest of the mercs wondering what in the actual hell happened to him.
“So what’s the big deal captain?”
Mercenary with huge black beard and bottle of bear in his hand spoke. Just like the rest of the mercenaries he was wearing black, red and white camo cargo pants and jacket. His jacket in particular had indicated the rank of sergeant and had name of Peter Porlovksy written on it. Most of the mercs in the room were sitting on the black plastic creates filled with weapons, explosives and ammunition and the air was filled with fumes of Tabaco, alcohol and other mild intoxicants.
“We gona be hunting Dragons boys and girls.”
Grobinov spoke in calm but loud voice not paying attention to lack of discipline in the room. This was not a Federal military or to that matter some of more uppity mercenary outfit. Those were true soldiers of fortune that knew their job well and could operate effectively regardless of being under influence or not. Hell in some cases that actually improved their performance. Those were Red Warhawks his personal mercenary outfit he put together from all walks of life who proved themselves as true tough guys and gals.
“Awesome! And here I thought working for Veyse would be boring corporate security. Now I get to go lizard hunting. I hear trophies fetch quite a price. Hey captain I hope Vayse Industries gona pay us with the share of body parts.”
Porlovsky actually leaned forward showing interest in the job.
“Better Veyse is not interested in the trophies. The planet is really rich in rare metals but the damn lizards are quite a prolific pest there. So Veyse Industries gona pay us for each lizard killed and to do with the bodies as we please”
Grobinov activated the holographic table and it showed the contract that he procured from Veyse Industries. The table quickly outlined the details of contract like price for each dragon and potential liabilities that were associated with the loss of mining equipment and personal due to attacks from local fauna. Everyone in the room were quite familiar with this kind of contract it was extermination contract that corporation gave out to mercs during the exploitation of planets with hostile flora and fauna.
“Glory, black jack and hookers here I come.”
Porlovsky raised his bottle of beer followed by cheers of other mercenaries in the room.
“Ok tough guy you ever fought dragon?”
A woman with sniper rifle and with tattoo of women with trident spear on her right arm elbowed Parlovsky. The rifle had name Indira Ranaut etched on its stock.
“No, but didn’t Federals kill them by the thousands during the war? So how hard can it be? Bring a Needle launcher lock on and boom the beast is down time to collect the trophies”
Porlovsky looked at his fellow mercenary already quite accustomed to her critical behavior.
“Ok now we know who is gona crisp like an idiot first. For starters dragon is not a bloody dropship or a jet. It is layered in hardened armored scales that eat 30mm tungsten core ammunition for breakfast. Your Needle launcher just gona tickle it like a small firecracker. Also the beast has more brains than you do Porlovsky.”
Grobinov spoke and entire room broke out in laughter.
“I bet he also smells the same.”
Indira made a waving motion in front of her nose and the room once again broke out in laughter.
“Screw you Indira”
Porlovsky finally snapped at Indira who just raised her hand signaling that she got the message.
“Actually they smell of Sulphur rather than of despair and hangover. So I’d say they smell better than Porlovsky. Anyway unlike you losers I fought those beasts during the war as part of United Corporate Legion during the war and I tell you it ain’t gona be a walk in park.”
Gorbinov spoke as the holographic table showed was going through the files. First section dangerous fauna, then subsection on dragons opened with range of files available like history of encounters, brief explanations and tactics on engagement.
“Ok as far as we are aware of, dragons come in multiple types. Each have different abilities generally associated with range of elemental powers mainly fire, frost and lightning. Legends say there are more out there but so far we only have proper combat experience with black dragons since it was those dragons that NoirElDems used during the war.”
The image of black dragon with a NoirEldem Dragon rider on top appeared. The beast was scaled in mate black metallic scales.
“As I said before dragons are covered in armored scales which are harder than carbon reinforced nano-steel. As far as science tells us the scales are magically augmented tungsten enriched organic metal alloy. As in the crystal structure of the alloy is held together by Ether particles on top of normal crystal bonds. In other words, we can’t manufacture it and it is toughest piece of metal you will see out there other than that freakish steel in Federal railguns”
The image of the scale appeared revealing its structure and then showing that apart from electrons flying in between them it had these weird Ether particles in it holding it all together.
“Dragons are similar to ElDems, their brains partially made of Ether enriched gas hence their metabolism allows them to generate Ether particles as part of their biology. The difference is however one is giant fire breathing lizard and the other is pretty ass tree huger or in case NoirElDems do freaky shit. That means it can eat a literal tons of meat pizzas a day and not put on any fat but instead converts into ability to breath fire.”
Then the image began showing details on nervous system of the dragon that had small pockets of gas in its cells filled with Ether particles.
“And they say there is no such thing as genetic lottery.”
Indira spoke as she was gobbling a sugar glazed donut and followed it up by the sugary latte.
“Speaking of the fire breath. It isn’t exactly fire per say but more along the lines of stream of plasma heated up to a 10 thousand degrees of Celsius. So if you think you can hide from it in an armored tank bad news for you, you just became stuffing in an iron pie for the lizard. Just like tankers in the Federal armored column you see in this image.”
Then the image showed one of the logs from early days in the war when a dragon caught column of tanks in the canyon. It showed how it made a fly by attack and melted down the heavily armored Titan tanks. The video had no sound but they could already imagine poor bastards screaming in agony. Mercenaries actually could not believe their eyes, taking down a Titan tank was not easy and they all knew it and this beast just destroyed entire armored column.
“Now let’s talk flight. You see the lizard is not exactly a graceful bird, it is armored beast that weight from 40-100 tons so pure muscle power and wings won’t do. So it’s wings actually produce lift with its biological version of jet engines. Pay attention to those gills they intake air, super heat it and release it bellow the wings. The wing itself is also structured in such way that it directs all heat emissions downwards which also helps with the lift. So when the dragon takes off the ground it leaves scorched ground bellow it. If it fly’s close to the ground it leaves a fire trail behind it. The worst part is when decides to take off right on spot. It will use its own fire breath to literally rocket jump into the air.”
The image first focused on the internal structure of dragon. The gills worked as intakes for air to the lungs which than compressed it and superheated it and then directed that hot air into openings in the bones in the wings. These same lungs could also redirect the air to the throat of the dragon where it could be heated up through magic even further. Than it showed how dragon would release its fire breath right beneath as it clapped it’s wings to literally raise to the skies like a rocket. It actually used such move to incinerate soldiers trying to encircle it.
“Now let’s talk maneuverability, this beast can change direction on the spot in the air on the ground well it is a giant lizard it will take it some effort to change direction but it can turn faster than a tank or a car and not to mention the long neck allows it reach some portions of its own back. So keep it in mind just cause you riding on its back it does not mean it can’t have you for lunch.”
The Image showed the dragon evading missiles and then using its breath to destroy them.
“It is also not a stupid beast, if it survives an ambush it ain’t gona fall for the same tricks twice. It is more than capable of prioritizing threats to itself and what to eliminate first, not to mention those lizards love playing tricks of their own.”
Than the image showed as dragon used flames to direct a column of fast moving vehicles in bottle neck so it was able to kill them all in one fly by attack. Mercenaries actually began giving nervous glances to one another this was not the easy job they thought it is going to be.
“Now let’s talk about how to kill them. Magic or not this world still obeys laws of physics so bring in the big enough gun and it will go down. The thing is plasma, laser and particle canons not gona do much against it so kinetics is your best option. You gona need at least 120mm canon armed with APSFD rounds to take it down or a big ass railgun or kinetic warhead missiles like Federal Thunderbolt.”
The image began showing the weapons capable of destroying the dragon. It showed how Federals jet armed with powerful Thunderbolt missiles were moving in formation and took down a dragon long before it even saw the attack coming. The missile was multi staged with fusion propulsion accelerating it at first to the speeds of mach 7 and then blasting off the second section now glowing from friction accelerating it further to mach 10 and finally warhead shot off. A sharpened tungsten rod 50mm in diameter and 500 mm in length just perforated a dragon even before it could see it coming. The dragon’s body just jerked in the direction of the rod and then 3 more rod perforated the body and it plummeted to the ground not even aware what just happened.
“Thunderbolts are not available on the open market and quite hard to come by on the black market. So you suggest using anti-tank guns to take down a flying beast?”
The mercenary with cybernetics eyes spoke with the name Yang Xioaming written on his camo jacket. He was unlike others surrounded with all manner of drones he was working on.
“Yes but before the advent of Thunderbolts federals developed a tactic on taking them down. Step one take them out of the skies. That’s when 30 mm AA guns can come useful sure the body is covered in scales hard as armor on best of tanks but wings can be pierced by in some cases of smaller ones even by the high caliber machineguns. So you put enough holes in the wings and it will lose its ability to fly once on the ground we move in with anti-tank guns. Those beasts need to eat every day we hide couple of AA guns and bring it down with concentrated fire, 5 point-defense guns combined with Needles to daze it should do the trick when it goes for a snack.”
Grobinov spoke as the image began showing the early engagements of how Federal army took down dragon riders. The image showed a combat log demonstrating that Federal ground forces camouflaged their point defenses. The moment formation of 3 dragons entered into killing range of all 10 multi barreled 30mm point defense canon the optical camouflaged weave rapidly moved out of the away and stream of thousands of tungsten rounds with AA missiles shot up into the skies. They targeted wings to rip them to shreds soon dragons began falling from the skies as they began losing lift. Once on the ground Federal tanks came out of the hiding and began sending railgun shots perforating dragons. If one shot was not enough there were ten more ready to bring it down.
“So air-superiority is out of the question?”
Yang asked as he took the puff of his cigarette.
“Not exactly those beasts are not that fast, they can’t break the sound barrier so jets have an advantage in speed. Gunships however are not an option; they have comparable firepower but that armor on the lizard will make this face off really one sided. Jets can be used later on once we will secure the base of operation on the planet but until then we will be ground hogging.”
Grobinov answered as the image on the holographic table revealed that dragons top registered speed to be just around 800 km/h.
“So what if we want to be a badass and take down the beast mano-a-mano.”
Porlovsky rose up his mighty chest forward, to what Indira that sat next to him face palmed herself with smile at the idiocy of her friend. Grobinov cybernetic eye focused on Porlovsky with its red gaze around retina. Then Grobinov approached the ammunition rack on which both he and Indira sat as both moved away. He pulled out with his cybernetics arms a cylinder about a meter long and 20 cm in diameter. Those who knew what it was instinctively felt uneasy around it.
“Well for starters you end up as an ugly bastard like me and you gona need this. That’s Verkov industries KrNK 10 a ship wrecker. The shaped charge with 10 killos of segmented explosives. First charge sends molten copper at hypersonic speeds into target then second one sends a hyper velocity tungsten rod followed by the third which is filled with delayed explosive that detonates inside. You go up close and personal with that cylinder point it right in its belly, blow it and prey that there is medic around to put together whatever is left of you after that. Is that badass enough for you Porlovsky.”
Grobinov gave the KrNk 10 to Porlovsky daring him to try it out. Prolovsky in his usual fashion shrugged and took the explosive. After that Grobinov pointed that there was enough of those shaped charges for everyone in the room. Mercenaries realized that this was not a joke and this would be issued to everyone. Than Porlovsky looked around and saw all manner of worried looks.
“NO GUTS NO GLORY!”
Porlovsky screamed using all his might to raise the shaped charge in the air this reminded everyone why they were really here, not for the money but for the thrill of it.
“ladies and gentlemen we are hunting apex predators that will be hunting us in return. We are challenging the lizards for the throne so don’t expect it to be a walk in the park, so let’s hunt them to extinction just like the way we did to every other apex predator that had the audacity to think they are on top of the food chain.”
Grobinov spoke firmly and loud as the taste of iron began filling the mouth of mercs in the room. Their looks began turning focused, they were ready to kill as each began getting their own KrNK 10.
(Ok this one is going to be one of the stories with tie in to Made For War serries see the comments for directions)

First [~~~] Previous [~~~] Next [~~~]
A couple of hours earlier
Garanor
“I like Feli’s choice.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to concentrate on the report that Kamila just gave me, but instead, for some reason (the devil only knew for which time today), my thoughts wandered to the fairy.
I’ve lived to see myself like this... For the third day in a row, I kept thinking about her. The fairy. I was disgusted with myself. I didn’t want to become like Xanor and drag literally anyone into bed. Fairy-escorts were his thing.
Elenia, of course, wasn’t one (although she wasn’t a virgin for a long time), but she was a fairy, and that was enough. She shouldn’t have come here at all. She should’ve stayed with Xanor in Kadris, to babysit and keep him in check.
“I’m talking about our fairy,” he said. Xanor sat sprawled in an armchair, swirling a nearly empty glass of whiskey in his hand. “A hot little thing, although she tries to pretend to be a reserved and shy girl. But I know such people. At first, they’re ice-cold, but when they start to melt... I’m sure someone like Lenny knows how to please a man. Guess we’ll find out today.”
A picture appeared before my eyes — tight whips of darkness forming around Xanor’s neck and strangling him until he turned blue.
It’d be a sight for sore eyes.
“Leave the girl alone.” Barely stopping myself from fulfilling this fantasy, I returned to the report.
“Why would I?” Xanor grinned. “It’s not every day I get to meet girls like her.”
“You’ll distract her from work. Felicia needs her, not you. You don’t want to upset your future sister-in-law, do you?” I lifted my head and stared at Xanor.
He frowned but remained silent.
Back in the day, father wanted him and Feli to get married. He had made many different plans. For example, about me and Sibyl. In Gaspar Horos’ sick fantasies, his older son married the Solts’ eldest daughter, while the idiot got the middle one.
I made a different decision, however. There was no way that I could live with that poisonous serpent, Sibyl — what was I, my own enemy? Felicia was another matter. She’d be the perfect first Sonorina of Grassor, the perfect life partner, and the perfect mother. She was perfect, and Xanor didn’t care about that. Before Feli and I started dating, he didn’t pay attention to her. But as soon as we officially announced that we were together, all hell broke loose. He also had plans for Felicia and fulfilling our father’s last wish suddenly became a sacred duty. But he was in no hurry to do it before and continued to fuck everything that came into his vicinity. Every more or less pretty girl, ready to do anything in order to spend a night with a Dark One.
And today he was going to do the same with Elenia.
“I only want her at night. During the day, she’s at your fiancée’s disposal.”
The desire to strangle him became even stronger.
“By the way, it wouldn’t hurt you to relax a bit, too.” Putting down his glass, Xanor got up and cracked his neck. “Sibyl almost licks her lips at the sight of you. And things would probably be hotter with her than with Felicia.”
The prospect of relaxing with Sibyl distressed me.
“As usual, you give shitty advice.”
“And you, as usual, are boring as hell. It’s a good thing that I’ve decided not to settle down so I could fully enjoy life.” Xanor grinned again. “And beautiful fairies. I wonder what her wings look like? I have to see them today.”
I remembered her wings well. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw her, with her hands on her shoulders. Bright, almost transparent wings fluttered, making her even more delicate, and when she folded them, they enveloped her fragile body in a silvery veil.
This memory made me loosen my tie because the air in the office suddenly felt too stuffy.
“You work too much, bro.” Xanor’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “With this election campaign, you’ve become completely lost. It’s a pity to watch. Go sleep, or something, since you really don’t want to have fun with Sybil. I think I’ll go take a nap as well. Because I’ll hardly manage to get any sleep tonight.”
He left, continuing to make plans for Elenia, and I leaned back in my chair and turned off all of my devices, realizing that I definitely wouldn’t get any work done today.
***
I spent the next hour with Felicia’s parents. Beltran was interested in the election campaign and Priscilla wanted to know more about the wedding.
“Are you sure you made the right choice?” she asked worriedly, pursing her thin lips, made slightly more visible with red lipstick. “This girl, Elenia, is very young. How old is she? Eighteen? I’m afraid she just won’t be able to handle it, and you know how important this wedding is for us. I suggested another wedding agency to Felicia, a wonderful girl works there...”
“Sonorina Lei is twenty-three and has great recommendations,” I interrupted my future mother-in-law, and this time she puffed out her lips in displeasure.
Too vibrant. Too vulgar.
I didn’t like strong makeup on women. Felicia also used a lot, while Elenia didn’t seem to wear makeup at all. She didn’t need it.
I immediately wanted to punch myself. There should be no room for these kinds of thoughts in my head. Why would I compare Felicia to some fairy?!
But I did. And I keep thinking about her.
As well as my brother’s plans for the night.
“But she’s a fairy,” Priscila wasn’t giving up, clearly hinting at my dislike for all the Light Ones, especially their women.
“Felicia liked Sonorina Lei, and I was impressed by her resume. It’ll be fine.”
“I wonder what made an impression on your brother,” Beltran noted ironically. “He’s clearly interested in this girl.”
And I was clearly going crazy.
Instead of being happy that this parasite had latched on to Elenia so quickly, I still wanted to punch someone. First of all, Xanor.
I wondered why I asked him to leave her alone. Was I hoping that this would further increase his interest in her or did I really believe that he’d listen to me and leave her be? But Xanor never listened to me, and my behavior clearly contradicted my agreement with Elenia and common sense. I had to pull myself together and let her do her job.
After getting rid of the Solts, I poured myself some whiskey. Alcohol helped me relax, and I wanted to clear my head of the mess that had been brewing in it for days. It seemed to work... Until I noticed Elenia in the hallway. I asked her to come in, and she reluctantly obeyed, as if my company was torture for her.
This made me angry. As did her appearance.
Her dress fit like a second skin. I was sure that if she turned her back to me, there’d be no room left for imagination. At first, I wanted to grab her hand and drag her back into her bedroom to make her change her clothes... Or just drag her into the bedroom. But I pushed down that urge and began to question her to see how things were going with Xanor.
I bet she didn’t have lipstick, but that didn’t make her lips any less bright and tempting. Especially when she bit her lower lip, and I just wanted to do the same. To taste her.
I got even angrier when she said she was ready to do anything with Xanor.
I held back with all my might and reminded her that she was contradicting herself.
“Yesterday, you told me that I was clueless about relationships and that you yourself would decide what you’d do with my brother.”
“Well, I decided.”
“To be compliant?” I almost growled, fighting the urge to feel her hair around my fingers, and...
I had to stop thinking about it, otherwise, it may well end like my recent fantasy on the table. Fortunately, Sibyl appeared right in time. In her presence, I quickly sobered up and came to my senses. I hardly ever got drunk, but it seemed that I could easily get drunk from Elenia’s mere presence. The scent of her skin haunted me everywhere and had a much stronger effect on me than any drink.
“What do you want, Sibyl?” I asked, restraining the irritation that I always felt at the sight of the eldest daughter of the Solts with difficulty.
She knew it, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so wry, even though her voice sounded soft.
“Everyone’s already gathered and are just waiting for you. They’re waiting for you too.” She looked sideways at me. “Or should I tell them that you’ll be joining us later?”
With an incredible effort, I managed to pull myself together. I couldn’t let her notice anything... Sibyl wouldn’t miss an opportunity to inject poison into me and hurt Felicia. I didn’t want to give her a reason for this.
Attraction to Elenia was just a common side effect of the magical connection between Light and Dark. People like me came from their power and their sacrifices. Therefore, we were attracted to them. I was attracted to her. Stronger than I would’ve liked it. Stronger than I should’ve been.
But I had strong willpower, I’d manage to keep the Dark instincts under control. On the other hand, willpower was never Xanor’s strong suit. I just had to keep reminding myself to stay away from her.
And I did exactly that. I left without looking at her again.
The first person I noticed in the small dining room, which could accommodate several dozen guests, was Xanor. For once, he decided to dress appropriately for the occasion — pants and a button-up shirt. And his hair was combed and neat. All just to impress Elenia.
I quickly extinguished a new outburst of anger and greeted Henara — a lively, sharp-tongued old woman, and Beltran’s mother. Oli, the youngest daughter of the Solts, had arrived too. I noticed her talking with Felicia and, saying goodbye to Henara, I joined them.
“Hello, Garanor.” Oli smiled at me, automatically fixing her brown hair, which fell over one of her shoulders.
She and Felicia were very similar. In character, appearance, and even voices. I didn’t understand who Sibyl took after... Bright and beautiful on the outside, but completely rotten inside.
But, every family had its black sheep. Both the Solts and the Horoses.
“You don’t look good. Look at those circles under your eyes. Clearly, you’re overworked.” Oli seemed worried about me.
“I told him the same thing today.” Xanor approached us.
He patted me on the shoulder, complimented the girls, and I mentally returned to the topic of black sheep.
“And what’s he doing here?” I said louder than I should’ve.
Xanor followed my gaze.
“Uncle Elias? I told you this afternoon that he was also invited. And he came with some girl.”
I noticed her too. She was a blonde in a bright red, and rather vulgar, dress, but my attention didn’t linger on her. Catching my eye, uncle saluted me with his glass. At the same time, he grinned wryly, as if declaring that he’d try to ruin my life yet again.
“What’s wrong with you today anyway?” Xanor asked, and I came to the conclusion that I had missed an entire conversation with him.
The entire conversation, except for that part which concerned Elenia.
“I hope you’ve been thinking about your wedding.” Oli giggled.
“More likely he imagined himself on the throne of Grassor.” Xanor grinned.
Felicia waved her hands.
“Alright, stop it. Garanor really has a lot to do right now. And, dear, I’d like to add one more thing to that list, if you don’t mind,” she said timidly.
I nodded absentmindedly in response, continuing to think about monster number two. Elias Horos was my father’s younger brother. He owned an impressive part of shares in our media holding, which I had been trying to halve for several years. But Elias was in no hurry to part with his inheritance, and he was a huge pain in the ass on the board of directors. He constantly opposed my decisions, and sometimes, unfortunately, there were clever people who supported him.
Glancing across the hall, I saw Priscilla’s older sister in the farthest corner, an old maid called Margarita. She almost always preferred to avoid the attention of others. Quiet, timid, non-conflictive.
Priscilla was as lucky with her sister as I was unlucky with my brother.
“Elenia suggested we fly to La Molita tomorrow. It’s one of the venue options. I love that castle very much, and I’d like you to fly there with us. What do you say? Think you can put aside an hour or two?”
I wished I could stay away from Elenia, but Felicia looked at me with such hope that I couldn’t refuse. It seemed that I was already deep in this shit. I felt a bit guilty, maybe for the first time ever. And all because of the attraction to this girl, who was capable of adding more trouble to my already complicated life.
“For you? Anything,” I answered, and her eyes lit up with joy.
“Oh, is that the fairy you told me about?” Oli livened up even more. “I really want to meet her!”
“Speak of the devil...” Xanor was the first to notice Elenia and the first to approach her. He said something to her, smiling, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.
“New faces?” My uncle said, looking our way. He put the glass on the fireplace mantelpiece and leaned on the counter. I could see his nostrils flare up as he sniffed the air. He also smelled her, and he liked it, too.
Damn it.
“I didn’t expect to see a fairy within these walls,” he added, looking at me.
Felicia saved the situation again.
“Elias, this is Sonorina Lei. She’ll be in charge of our wedding.”
“Nice to meet you, Sonorina Lei,” Elias smiled menacingly, and Xanor’s eyes darkened.
I felt like there were too many Dark Ones around Elenia, but I wouldn’t let Elias do anything.
“Come here, girl,” Henara called to Elenia. She had already managed to take a place at the head of the table.
Elenia obediently approached her. She was calm and confident, like dining with the Grassor elite was a common thing for her. She withstood the long, attentive gaze of the Solt widow, who then nodded with a smile.
“I like her. Good choice, Felicia.”
“Thank you for your trust.” Elenia lowered her head slightly.
“And now sit down, otherwise, at this pace, we’ll have breakfast, not dinner,” Henara grumbled, and everyone, obeying her order, hurried to sit down at the table.
Xanor settled down next to Elenia. Oli was on her other side. I sat across and, even though I didn’t want to, I constantly stared at her.
I noticed that she had very delicate features, a small dimple on her chin, sensual plump lips, and beautiful eyes. Now, in the light of the candles, their color seemed even deeper. If I were a poet, I’d compare them with the bluest sea.
But I wasn’t a poet, I was an idiot with a bunch of nonsense in his head.
Elenia wasn’t bored. Oli happily kept up a conversation with her, Xanor also paid a lot of attention to her, pouring wine and passing the food.
Henara quietly discussed something with Priscilla and Margarita, Elias was busy talking with Beltran, Felicia was trying to get to know the blonde, and I just ate quietly when Sibyl interrupted the peace with a loud question.
“Elenia, please, satisfy my curiosity. Tell me, do those things bother you?” She ran a finger over her temple. “Don’t they give you a headache or something?”
I noticed how Elenia squeezed the cutlery a little stronger (as if she was trying to prevent herself from throwing a knife at Sibyl, although I wouldn’t have minded such a turn of events), but her voice sounded calm.
“I don’t even feel them.”
“There’s no psychological discomfort?” That bitch wasn’t about to stop. “After all, your gift is forcibly blocked. Does your daughter already have blockers, or is she still too young?”
“Sibyl, it seems to me that this isn’t the most ideal topic for a conversation. Especially at the table.” Felicia tried to tame her sister.
“Why not? I’m just curious.”
Elenia was in no hurry to satisfy her curiosity.
“So you have a daughter?” Elias joined the interrogation.
“As far as I know, with a Dark One.” Sibyl continued.
I had no idea how she found this out, but I had the urge to pull her from the table and throw her out of the dining room. Through the door, through the window, through whatever.
Color started fading from Elenia’s face, and her knuckles turned white as her fingers gripped the cutlery even tighter.
“Wow, how interesting.” Elias grinned.
“It’d be even more interesting to know the name of the father.” Sibyl leaned back in her chair. “Or do you, Sonorina Lei, not know either?”
“Sibyl, one more word, and we’ll continue the dinner without you.” I was faster than Xanor, who like me, clearly wanted to get this bitch away from the table.
“Have I offended you in some way, Garanor?” She blinked innocently. “Why are you so hurt by my interest in our guest?”
This time, Henara was faster.
“Your misplaced interest shocks me, Sibyl,” she said sharply. “Are you a Solt or the marketplace gossip girl? You most certainly don’t behave like the first, and the second has no place at this table.”
Sibyl fell silent, and the rest of the dinner went relatively calmly. Afterward, everyone moved into the Green Living Room next to the dining room, from which Elenia and Xanor suddenly disappeared. Suddenly, but not without being noticed. At least by me. My brother took her by the waist in a businesslike manner, and she let him. They left together through the glass doors leading to the terrace, and I understood where and how all this would end today.
I should clearly be congratulated. Everything was going according to plan. But I didn’t fucking want this plan anymore.
Next [~~~]