600 Allegiance (1/2)

The air around the opening into the cove shimmered and the air turned thick, so thick that the air turned distorted. The distortion turned the air dark grey, like the color of the rock cliff around the cove. Under the watch of thousands, the entrance of the cove vanished to be replaced by a distorted arcane optical camouflage of the surrounding cliffs, effectively hiding the entrance from prying eyes.

Magister Thorn let out a breath of relief as he shagged backwards from the effect he had put into the magical spell. The other mage techs on both sides of the cove entrance gave out a cheer as they congratulated themselves for successfully completing the masking spell that hid the cove.

Runes and arcane circuits covered the sides of the entrance all the way to the top with dozens of mana stones glowing in their slots as they powered the spell. It had taken a lot of time for Magister Thorn and the mage techs to complete the spell formation and finally, it was completed and working.

”Sir, with our supply of mana stones, it should be enough to keep this spell running for months,” Magister Thorn said to Blake who was watching at the side. ”It should be enough to fool anyone from a far distance... But...”

Magister Thorn gestured to the distorted air and said, ”As you can see... If one comes close enough, they could see there is a spell at work here...”

”It will be enough,” Blake replied. ”But for our supply of mana stones, we might not have as much as you like...”

”Hmmm, if that is the case,” Magister Thorn frowned. ”It would affect a lot of our magical capabilities... For the magic is very weak here... Even trying to draw upon the magic of the land to cast a spell takes a serious amount of effort...”

”Get some rest,” Blake said as he finally noticed Magister Thorn's pale expression. ”You and the rest have done well.”

Magister Thorn gave a nod before he left with the rest of the mage techs. Kaga at the side stepped forward and gave Blake the details of his next appointment. ”Sir, your next appointment starts in about twenty minutes... Already the representatives of the Lowland Villages are awaiting your presence on the Floating Market...”

Blake nodded and he headed to the waiting PT boat by the rocks. Once everyone was on board, the PT boat slowly powered away from the rocky shore and penetrated the masking spell. Blake felt as if someone poured a bucket of cold water over him as they touched the spell and suddenly, the feeling was gone once they left it.

The semi translucent rock face before them vanished and the open sea appeared before their eyes. The large disorderly Floating Market sat a couple of kilometers away on their left and the pilot turned the wheel and powered through the waves towards it.

”Greeting Great Lord Blake!” The representatives greeted Blake as he sat down on the cushion. ”Health and Happiness be upon you!”

”So what is this meeting about?” Blake asked straight to the point once everyone had sat down again, surprising everyone by his direct question.

For a moment the representatives looked at each other in awkward silence before Ait clapped his hand paws and said, ”Why Great Lord so hurry?”

”Ait toast to Great Lord and everyone!” The rabbit man picked up a goblet from the table and offered a toast to Blake who grudgingly accepted. The rest of the representatives quickly followed suit and gave their praise and flattering words.

Blake waited impatiently for the sweet talk to end before he asked again, this time his impatience shown. ”What do you all want? Hurry it up, I have many other things to attend to!”

”Erm...” One of the older representatives with a head full of white hair nervously stood up and said. ”G- Great Lord... It... It is our wish that... we would like... To fall under the protection of your mightiness!”

Blake frowned as he rapped his fingers on the table. ”Let me get this straight... You want to become my... people?”

The rest of the representatives all stood up and bowed, ”Yes! Great Lord! We wish to become your vassals!”

Blake sighed as he rubbed his head feeling a headache coming. ”How many villages and people?”

”Fourteen villages...” Ait helpfully provided the number. ”Over one thousand people.”

”Why me?” Blake asked as he stared at the hopeful grazes of the representatives.

”Great Lord helped us defeat the pirates and did not request any rewards or conditions...” The representatives said. ”Great Lord also provided aid to our villages and saved our sick...”

”No other Great Lord has ever done such selfless acts for us,” Another representative said. ”For we are the Banished... We are the Untouchables...”

After a moment of silence, Blake reluctantly nodded despite smiling inside. ”Alright... I shall lead your people!”

The representatives cheered and quickly fall on their knees and gave their allegiance. ”We shall pledge our lives in your service!”

Blake waved for them to get up and said, ”Stay here for the time being... My people will come find you to make arrangements regarding your village governance and other details.”

”Your wish is our command!” The representatives replied as they bowed again. ”Health and Happiness be upon you!”

After that the representatives left, leaving Blake alone with Ait who was showing a shark grin on his fur covered face. ”Great Lord, this truly is an event for celebration!”

”Why do I feel that you had a hand or a paw in this matter?” Blake frowned suspiciously at the grinning rabbit man. ”Did you facilitate this?”

”Great Lord is most wise!” The rabbit man's grin widened. ”Ait just made some pushes here and there...”

”And why would you do that?” Blake asked as he stared coldly at the rabbit man. ”For what purpose?”

”Ait's hearing the best! Ait hear Great Lord will be Greatest!” The cold stare made Ait feel a chill down his spine and he wondered if he made the right choice here. ”Ait gamble on Great Lord! Ait think Great Lord Blake will be the Greatest Lord ever!”

Blake shook his head and demanded in a stern voice, ”Than declare your allegiance to me! Swear to me upon your very soul to serve me faithfully and you shall be rewarded for your loyalty!”

”Ait?” The rabbit man was shocked. He did not expect that this short eared lord would ever demand such a thing upon him. ”Great Lord wants Ait to be his slave?”