332 Remians disappearance (1/2)
Alani was making fast friends with the winged horses in the Neutral Zone.
”Ponies!” the little girl was thrilled. ”With wings!”
”Uh…” the dignified Lord of the Wilds representing the Pegasus King found himself abruptly hugged by a giggling child and fawned over despite his best efforts.
She immediately tried to decorate him with a crown of flowers, and then while he was seriously discussing matters of state and territory with the Emperor, she painted his hooves pink.
[Where did that nail polish even come from?!] spluttered Summer Rain, Prince of the Pegasi, second son of the Storm Pegasus King, and Lord over the southern region of the Neutral Zone.
It was NOT dignified! But what could he do? Standing before the Deep Emperor on behalf of his father, Summer Rain could only bemoan his poor timing and having gained the unfortunate attentions of the Emperor's new Comrade.
[One last thing.] The floating little avatar of the Deep Emperor instructed. [Bring these children safely through to Ashdale.]
[These children?] Summer Rain blinked. [B-but they already have an airship!]
[So?]
Mournfully, Summer Rain lowered his head and resigned himself to his fate.
From somewhere, a giggling Alani found a white shell cone and tied it on his head, proclaiming, ”Unicorn!”
***
Of course, Carrie reported all this to Remian. Including the soon-to-be-popular image of Pegasus Prince Summer Rain sporting a seashell 'unicorn horn' with his hooves painted pink and a little flower sticker on his face.
”A winged escort? That would help.” Remian said, absently considering the plumbing systems of the whole city. ”Give me an update in two hours.”
Carrie snorted at him and went off by herself to do something more fun meanwhile.
When she returned, Remian was gone.
***
Remian wasn't actually sure what happened. One minute he was pondering over city plans, the next, he had a sack over his head, a gag in his mouth, and both his arms bound behind his back.
A throbbing pain in the back of his head suggested that there might have in fact been several minutes in between that he was unaware of thanks to a sharp, skilled blow to the head, but that hardly mattered.
The point was, out of nowhere and without any warning, Remian had been captured.
Who? Why? Remian had no clue. He couldn't even ask anyone around him what was going on. He couldn't even say 'oh crap'. He would love to scan around with Psionic senses and read the thoughts of those around him for answers… just as soon as the throbbing in his head subsided a bit.
Slowly, the pain faded. As it did, Remian began to realize one glaring flaw in his grand plans.
It was himself. Remian suddenly realized he was a 'soft target', easy prey for any mischief maker, evil-doer and greedy opportunist who would seek to take advantage of his weakness for their own gain.
He would be fine while he was surrounded by friends and Wilds. As long as he stayed at Craggy Falls or Three Pines, he should be safe enough. At Kara-Goth, he would likely be even safer. But out here in Fal'Herim, or elsewhere around the world? That was a different story.
Somehow, he had to find some way to protect himself. Build up enough personal strength that at the very least he wouldn't become a burden to his own vision due to his physical weaknesses.
Maybe Mal'thor-dras would like a new Comrade? Hmm. Remian had his doubts though. Knowing his usual physical condition, attempting to squeeze that much power into his weak body might cause him to explode outright, withered meridians and all. No, no, too risky. Maybe he could try it with Vigil first and see if it would help or kill him. After all, it's not like he was particularly close to Mal'thor-dras or any of the Emperors in the first place.
Thinking back to his time in Xiao Yan's world it looked like the martial way was no good for him. Not without some extreme alchemist pills far beyond the capability of his world.
He could rely on technology. That was the best part of mechanical and electrical power. It was always reliable for even the weakest person to employ. A personal Frame, a hidden gun or so… it would be troublesome, but feasible. Availability was subject to permission, though. There were countries with border controls that simply wouldn't let weapons or powered exoskeletons through.
Magic was already dying out. In a matter of months, by his calculation, everything reliant on mana would fail entirely.
That left only one option.
Psionic power. Remian felt it keenly. When it came to Psionics, he seemed to have a rare gift for it. It would take time and effort away from his main agenda, but in order to alleviate the risks his personal vulnerability posed, he felt it would be worth the cost.
Certainly, it would be worth being able to avoid being stuffed into a smelly sack in the future! On that note, having actual guards around would help, even if they were lynxmice.
And then a somewhat familiar voice sounded that answered all Remian's questions.
”Send a message to that George boy. Have him tell his king that we have his brother. If they want him back, they will give us the oil.”
***