Ch. 13: Dominance and Authority 5

“And this is Outpost Roseir, my home for right now.”

Rainier gestured towards the entrance to the underground base. Most of his improvised traps from before were already cleaned up and gotten rid of. Rainier was glad he didn’t need to rely on those unpredictable traps anymore.

Along the way home, Rainier had some of the dhampirs collect supplies he needed. Namely blaze crystals along with any other kinds they could find. He also had two of them collect a supply of wretched poisonfingers and their poison. Other than that and some hunting for food, Rainier led Sataska and the rest of the dhampirs back to the outpost.

“A simple place not fit for people of our stature. It’ll have to do for now I suppose until better lodgings are available.”

“Nera, don’t be rude.” Falth sighed and indifferently shook his head. Already during the walk several similar comments came from Nera’s mouth, but Falth gave up trying to truly reprimand her.

“Yes Elder.”

Rainier didn’t care himself. If he tried to shoot down every hostile comment from everyone, his voice would have given out long ago. Even he was prone to making rude comments every now and then considering his banter with Sataska.

“There should be enough rooms here for the thirty-two of you. You can transport the coffins you use for sleeping into here.”

“The coffins we sleep in are symbolic in nature, true vampires may need them but us halves do not. Of course symbolism plays a great deal in the magic of Ademptis. We only truly need our coffins for meditation. But after this long sleep of ours, I doubt we will need to meditate for a great amount of time.”

“Outpost Roseir, I heard this used to be the first human bastion on the Roseir Plateau during the war between humans and the avians. Of course both races do not exist anymore, but it is still a wondrous place in history.” Ganel leaned forward with his arms wrapped around his polearm behind his neck. “History is such a fantastic subject… Lord, did you perhaps find anything like a written statement on this place or any books?”

“Something like that, head all the way down the hall, go right and it’s the final room on your left. There are also all the necessities to keep a reasonably sized group up to one hundred in this outpost, so there can be a room per person if that is what everyone would like.”

“How about a training room for weaponry and magic?” Inquired Falth as the group of dhampirs dispersed into various directions to check out the place.

“Erm, it’s not that big, so no. At most there’s an armory and out of use blacksmithing station along with some ratty old dolls to practice on.”

“There’s also an open air room which seemed to be a stable for flying mounts. Fairly convenient for you guys to fly out if there’s an emergency.” Rainier was fairly proud with how he turned the entire outpost into a clean and reasonable area for living. He had spent a great deal of time sprucing the place by himself into a suitable living area.

Unfortunately Rainier hardly had anytime to live inside it until now.

“While we dhampirs won’t need to sleep due to our long rest, we can still do so to pass the time.” Falth then turned to the twins. “Tero and Nera, unless you need to recover from an injury or a lack of energy, guard Lord Rainier at all times.”

Nera half frowned while her brother dipped his head in respect and curtly smiled.

“That’s not really necessary, I’m not defenseless you know.”

“Nonsense, Lord. While I have not yet seen it, I have no doubt of your skill. Still, allow me to put my own mind at ease by having Nera and Tero guard you as needed.

“Even if some creature managed to enter the outpost without being accosted and slain by the rest of the Ladia, there is no way it could survive for too long inside the outpost.”

Rainier knew far too well not to underestimate Ademptis. However, that also meant the various monsters of Ademptis shouldn’t underestimate him and his following of dhampirs. Survival was a luxury everything in Ademptis needed to spare every expense for, from the lowliest fish to the mightiest dragon.

It was late evening and there were some things Rainier needed to take care of before sleep, namely dinner. Rainier was a competent cook, but there was little he could do without knowledge of ingredients.

“Falth, is there anyone among the Ladia that can teach me about food ingredients around here?”

“Hm, yes. Nera and Tero bring the lord to Rasi. In the meantime I will begin managing my family member’s duties.” Falth then turned to Sataska. “You are Sataska, my lord’s consort? Well the lord can be with whomever he wishes, but I will require you for a few moments.” Falth pushed Sataska along with him harmless with his intent.

Sataska clearly wasn’t expecting to be practically forced along with Falth. “H-huh? Waaaait! I want to be with Rainierrrrr-.” Her voice trailed off as Rainier watched with a half lidded expression clearly amused.

“If I may inquire, how exactly did you impress Elder Falth?

Tero had been very curious about Rainier. He had not a chance to ask him anything without being in Falth’s presence until now.

“Nothing much. I simply unsealed him after bringing his coffin from being hung below the cape.” Rainier wasn’t sure himself what exactly Falth saw in him.

“Falth has no mental probing magic, but he is a very good judge in character which I trust more than magic itself. I can’t say the same for my sister, but let us get along.” Tero had an amiable voice that seemed reluctant in general to be rude to anyone.

Nera’s eyes opened just a little wider hearing her brother’s words. She even clicked her tongue in annoyance when she heard him mention herself.

Rainier smirked. “I don’t mind since her haughty appearance is rather cute.”

“I-… Hmph!” Nera didn’t expect the nonchalant compliment and lost her composure for only half a second before regaining her emotionless expression.

Unfortunately for her, the damage was done. Rainier was satisfied with his playful provocation. He was rather entertained when he played with other’s emotions like that harmlessly or otherwise.

Tero and Nera brought Rainier to a dhampir that was making herself acquainted with the kitchen establishment in the outpost. She introduced herself as Rasi who wielded an extremely long spear around 5.5 meters long and had dark purple robes draping around her body.

Rainier had Rasi teach him about all of the various ingredients belonging to the Roseir Plateau as well as cooking techniques belonging to various places the human empire had reached those many years ago. His mind easily retained all of the information and soon his cooking skills reached far beyond the rudimentary survival cooking he fashioned during his time with Sataska.

Since Rasi seemed to believe that only those with adequate skills in cooking were to be let in the kitchen along with those who wish to learn those skills, she had Tero and Nera wait outside the kitchen.

Rasi proved to be an apt teacher, Rainier learned very quickly and the two engaged in conversation as the former was rather interested in the latter.

“If I may ask, Lord-” Rasi attempted to speak but was immediately cut off.

“Rainier, just call me Rainier please. I’m not a rich or noble guy at all so it’s kind of getting on my nerves being call that all the time.” Yes, Rainier wasn’t particularly fond of the new title.

‘If I had to have a title I would’ve preferred choosing my own. Maybe something like Exarch or Legate? Those sound pretty cool.’ Whatever Rainier’s sense of style dictated, his having a title was here to stay.

“The honor of being noble does not come from birth or blood, erm… Rainier. It comes naturally to those who are deserving. Simply being born or acquiring wealth and power does not count.”

“As you say, but I honestly haven’t done anything special enough to warrant this honor or nobility you talk about. Freeing a group of people from their coffins that I didn’t even know were sleeping in or knew nothing about shouldn’t be enough to be described as a great deed.”

Rainier didn’t know why he tortured himself so often. He didn’t think so lowly of himself, so why was he always so humble with his words when attempting to explain his actions? Rainier himself did not know the answer.

“I’ve always pondered the meaning of power and how and why should one have it. I often wonder how the gods of yore were put in their position. Were they born powerful or did they do something amazing to gain their power?” Rasi seemed to stare into Rainier, as if boring through his body with a contemplative gaze. She then shook her head as if throwing away a nagging thought. “Pay me no mind, my words are too heavy for this atmosphere.”

‘No kidding? Christ, you should think more happy thoughts.’ Rainier had a blank open smile that seemed to say, “What the heck is she on?”

“Hm, perhaps I should think more happy thoughts?”

Rainier raised his eyebrows, just now realizing that he mentally manipulating her. His mental domination was more potent that he thought. Along the way to Outpost Roseir he noticed aside from the obvious distance restriction of the mental domination that weakened depending on the distance from him to his target, that his mental commands were much more potent on weaker willed creatures. He also realized that since the dhampirs had wills like steel, he figured that their ingesting of his blood played a part in the mental magic.

Of course without proper study this was all just a hypothesis to Rainier, but the logic behind it seemed unshakeable.

“Allow to make you tonight’s dinner. Of course you can make it yourself if you so choose, but I would be pleased if you would allow me to take care of your meals. You are our master and I am sure you enjoy my mastery of food.”

“Hm, alright then. Let me have your best. In the meantime I’ll be in the aviary.” Rainier learned that the name to the room containing the stables for flying mounts was normally called an aviary.

Rasi smiled sweetly with closed eyes. She seemed almost motherly despite her young appearance. “I will do this. And I have one favor I wish to request you, though it is rather inappropriate to do so.”

Rainier cocked his head to the side. “Which is?”

“Please treat my children well. Though she is intolerant in a way, Nera is a headstrong and loyal girl. Tero is equally so, but he is quite vengeful and malicious against his enemies.”

‘So she is a mother, and to those twins no less.’ Rainier didn’t feel very surprised, but he still did not expect Rasi to be their mother. He quickly nodded and left the kitchen.

Once outside, he saw Tero and Nera standing outside. Out of desire to tease the two, especially the sister, Rainier said, “Rasi was quite the gossip. She said some interesting things about you two as your parent.”

Both Tero and Nera comically widened their eyes to the size of mugs. “Whatever she said-” “Don’t believe her!” They spoke simultaneously resulting in a jumble of words that Rainier could understand but feigned doing so and shrugged his shoulders not caring.

He wrapped his arms behind his necked and rested his head while walking with an amused expression towards the aviary. Along the way, he could see several dhampirs involved into truly restoring the outpost to a larger degree than he ever could alone. He could also see an influx of supplies from food of plant and animal life. There even bunches of uniquely colored crystals divided into colors with the blaze crystals in one bunch.

“In the Ladia family, half of us specialize in combat like myself, Nera, Falth and Ganel by physical weapons or magic. The other half are also skilled in combat, but specialize mainly in various professions like hunting, alchemy, mechanics, enchanting, sewing, smithing, and so on.” Explained Tero as they walked by. “My mother would belong to the latter with her cooking skills, although she can be incredibly dangerous with her pike if angered.”

“I can see that happening…”

Rainier imagined someone walking to Rasi and casually calling her old, and thus invoking the wrath of a thousand suns.

…

Moments later, Rainier found himself standing at the very edge of the opening in the aviary. And as always, the view from this location was spectacular.

This time he could not see Magnus marching about like always, but Rainier could still hear the loud venting of steam in the distance past the horizon. He could barely make out the ground; his antenna proved quite useless even at this distance. A thin layer of fog draped the scene like always. In the sky, Rainier could see a group of cloud wyverns making their next in a dense group of cumulus clouds.

“Looks like they are raising their young in that cloud, how adorable.” Although Rainier’s blank tone didn’t suggest that he actually found it adorable.

He sat down next to a ledge and began eating the meal Rasi prepared for him. It consisted of a hot soup that warmed him to bone. The soup itself had a taste between chicken and vegetable stock with wild herbs, soft nuts, rachr root for more body, and a strange but tasty chunks of meat Rainier vaguely recognized belonged to the hornet stag. On the side there was a plate with a pretty decorative arrangement consisting of ether pears (similar taste to pears but more airy and fluffy), pinyars (a blood yellow colored fruit with a sour pineapple taste), and chasis seeds. For a drink, Rainier simply had clean water filtered by a dhampirs water magic.

Tero and Nera ate similar meals since dhampirs couldn’t subsist off blood. To a dhampir, blood was like an addictive, but beneficial, drug. So they still needed to eat normal food for nutrients and energy.

During the middle of the meal, Sataska came by with a dead air around her. “I… I cannot believe that man. Is Rainier truly the only decent person I know?”

“Who? Falth? What’d he do?” Rainier was quite curious about what exactly Falth wanted with Sataska.

Sataska looked at Rainier as if he was a single light in the darkness of death. She took a giant leap of joy and landed neatly besides him and attempted to wrap her arms around Rainier, though he managed to keep her away by slamming his palm into her face.

Sataska licked the fingers of the hand keeping her way which prompted a quick return on Rainier’s part. With nothing obstructing her, she explained. “He-HE LECTURED ME! Imagine that? A queen like I being lectured, unthinkable!”

“And what exactly did he lecture you on?” Rainier shook the hand that had saliva coated on it in disgust.

“On how to be a proper and useful consort to you of course. I don’t need to be taught that when I am obviously such an amazing queen in the first place.”

‘What amazing confidence. It’s almost admirable in a way. Of course her being an utter idiot makes it meaningless.’

“Specifically, he taught me about proper etiquette and manners as well as how to act like lady. I may have not grown up in a human environment like you dhampirs, but I am most assuredly a lady!”

‘Lady… If you really think that, then you have to be on some sort of reality bending drug.’

“She has much to learn if she is to be your queen like she claims. Though I can only teach her so much until I hand her off to a proper teacher in the art of being a noblewoman.” Falth nodded knowingly with a pleased expression.

“Oh, you’re here. Falth, time to get to brass tacks. I need you to carry out my orders.”

“While I do not understand the portion about brass, I am ready to carry out your commands.” Falth answered with an eager grin.

To Rainier, it was finally time to start striding down the path to his goal. His main goal was survival, and the simplest way to accomplish that was to eliminate all of his enemies and assimilate potential allies. In this case, absorbing the arachnacosa while helping them defeat a potential threat in the far north of Roseir Plateau.

“How many of the dhampirs are skilled in covert operations and stealth?”

“All of us. Every dhampir has trained to various degrees their natural element of darkness which have a decent array of concealment type spells.”

“Excellent. Well, I want at least four or more if needed to head towards the northern tip of the plateau and scout out the inhabitants of the area. If you can, identify their race, overall forces, magic, and city weaknesses. As a priority, I want to know how they got on top of the Roseir Plateau. According to the arachnacosa, they are invaders and thus were not there originally.” Rainier paused for a few moments, collecting his thoughts. “I want a different set of four to do the same with the arachnacosa, but focus on these other leaders Kosok Kre mentioned. If possible, I want the arachnacosa under one banner and eventually under my own. Lastly, send how many you think is needed to see what potential threats or useful resources can be found. And by resources, use your imagination. Almost everything may have a use.”

“Yes, Lord Rainier.” Falth bowed and walked out of the aviary.

-----

While Rainier concocted his plans, there was another force at large on the Roseir Plateau.

This force belonged to a race of sentient beings which branched off of the old draconic species. They were known as the Karkans, a race of bestial ferocity and unwavering loyalty. They were currently occupying the northernmost territory of the plateau and were facing off against the Arach race.

Normally Karkans answered only to their own power and looked down upon any race or nation that was even the slightest bit weaker than them. However, they were among the last sentient races that still survived in Ademptis against all odds. And to do so, they had to sacrifice their race’s cornerstone to survival to grab that small chance at continued survival. They performed an exospheric summoning magic ritual to summon a hero. They summoned a human champion with the potential to bring their race greatness which is surprising given their racist attitude.

In order to acquire this hero, the Karkans sacrificed their immense pride towards their race. They still believed themselves, but the fervent belief that fueled warriors with strength. Their troops of both magical and foot soldiers were still strong, but they lost that mental aspect that brought their race much in the way of territory. However, their lost pride and belief was replaced with a new spirit that placed resolute trust in their summoned hero.

His name is Musala Kasamir, a Bulgarian of thirty years of age.

“So, how is the city colonization proceeding?”

Musala asked this while conferring with his advisors in the building at the center of the city.

“The revitalizing of the firehouse is going well. We have our second most powerful fire mage with all the necessary materials to set it ablaze.” Reported on Karkan with a pleased smile. One of the most essential buildings in a large city was its firehouse.

“Our skirmishes against the native spider-humans have gone well. Our casualties in each conflict are one of ours to five of them.”

“The great stairwell is nearly fully restored; soon our people can fully colonize the vast land of the Roseir Plateau.”

“We have also brought our ecologists to begin identifying the edibles and dangers of the various flora and fauna of the plateau.”

“The city defenses have been fully restored first thing like you ordered, Sire. Farseers and arhers have been posted on the watchtowers and walls with our vanguard force preparing itself for when our scouts find the native’s home.”

Musala smirked. “Excellent… And you’re sure that you didn’t locate any high humans in the area?”

“No, all humans, including you, have the same sort of ‘high’ presence. And I did not sense any such power on the plateau. Although a word of warning, the Roseir Plateau is large. If a high human skilled in concealing their presence was around, I could very well miss it.”

“As you say, but I do not believe any of us humans could master magic in this short amount of time. No doubt most of us, myself aside, are still panicking like fish out of water. Even if we do find such a guy, I’m quite certain we will defeat him or her.”

Musala was abnormally confident in himself. He was, after all, a veteran mercenary officer back on Earth. While born in Bulgaria, his impeccable record in military service acquired the eye of a private military corporation and was promptly hired. Peace, after all, was boring. His skill and experience in commanding not only his fellow mercenaries, but rebel forces in Eastern Europe.

After he was summoned to Ademptis by the Karkans, he quickly adapted as befitting of his personality. After consolidating himself as the undisputed leader of the Karkans, he formed a plan in bringing the race he was responsible for to economic and military greatness fueled by expansion. He would not be satisfied in leading only the Karkans, it was Musala Kasamir’s intent to take over all the surviving sentient races.

After all, to Musala there was no point in living if you didn’t challenge yourself.