Politics

They made it to breakfast just in time. Caine sat at the head of the table with Xanthe on his left. To his right were two empty seats and Gavin took the one closest to him, Riley next to Gavin.

Riley sat with his hands on his lap and his head down. He was sitting at a table surrounded by demons. He was trying hard to hold himself together.

The maids came in and laid the food on the table. They looked in a better state than Riley, but not by much. Once the table was set Caine stood.

"All of our years of planning helped us achieve the first victory for Yisa. Controlling Dreymore is only the first step. From here we will spread out and show the world that Yisa is not weak.

"We will no longer hide from those that seek to oppress us. We will make them regret ever raising their blades against us!"

Fists hit the table in a rising tempo that was soon loud enough to be heard outside the large dining room. They didn't stop until Caine raised his hand.

"Let's eat. After that we will have a quick meeting before dispersing for the day."

It was quiet while everyone ate. After the noise generated from Caine's speech the silence was almost deafening.

Caine waited until they were done eating and the servants had cleared the table before speaking.

"Xanthe, you will be overseeing level one. Captain Tan will be working under you. I will reiterate; we have two noble titles that I wish to give to those that stand out on level one.

"I want to start working on establishing running water in every home. We are not just establishing a base, we are cultivating loyalty.

"Gavin will be overseeing the second level. He's already established a relationship there and we might as well continue the momentum. Captain Raul will be working under him."

Caine took a moment to look around the table, making eye contact with everyone there.

"Before the end of the day the three elder mages will arrive and begin fortifying the walls. We will be offering all of the inhabitants of Dreymore the opportunity to learn magic.

They won't be required to join our army, but they will be required to swear fealty to Yisa. We won't give anything away for free, but we also won't make the cost unreasonable.

"I want all of you to continue to become stronger. Push your men, push yourselves. We can't rest for a moment because of an easy win. Dreymore was never supposed to be difficult. It was merely us announcing our intent to the world."

Caine stood.

"Every win that comes after this will be a fight. It will be the little things that sway the battle. We cannot slack. We are Yisa. We are demons and we will endure.

"Dismissed."

Everyone stood and bowed then dispersed. Caine turned to address Gavin before they went far.

"I would suggest that your prince stay away from large crowds for now. None of us will be able to guarantee how they'll react."

"He's right. The commoners won't know who I am, but the nobles will and seeing me might inspire them."

��So he can talk."

Riley's cheeks grew red and he looked away.

"Will you be ok waiting for me here?"

Riley nodded his head and looked up at Gavin. "I can stay in the library and read."

On their way out they left Riley at the library with a guard standing outside. Gavin felt bad just leaving Riley. He knew that his position would require situations like this, some things were just too dangerous.

Riley had no training in anything. He had been born prematurely, his mother dying while giving birth, and had spent most of his childhood sick. He hadn't been strong enough to learn magic or how to use a sword.

Gavin knew all this from when he had first been summoned and trained at the capital. He didn't know anything else, and wouldn't until he asked Riley about it. Just that little bit of information made him feel extra protective.

"An established relationship with the nobles? That's an odd way to describe what happened yesterday."

Caine chuckled, "They understand that you won't hesitate to kill them. Because of that they are more likely to listen to what you say. I would call that an established relationship. If I were to send Xanthe it would result in more deaths because she would have to show them that she's serious. This saves both sides trouble."

Gavin just shook his head. They were close enough to their destination that he didn't want anyone to overhear their conversation. He wasn't sure what to think about the fact that he will be dealing with the nobles of Dreymore. He didn't spend enough time in Dreymore on his way to Yisa to meet any of the nobles.

He had met enough nobles in Kael, the capital city. None of them had impressed him, a lot of lazy and entitled individuals. Some of his attitude comes from living in a world that has no use for nobles or royalty.

A stage had been erected in the center of the market on the first level. People were already standing around. It was just crowded enough that Caine and Gavin managed to make it to the stage without anyone noticing them. After today everyone within the city would be able to recognize them. Traveling within the city after that would prove interesting.

Xanthe was there with Captain Tan, a handful of soldiers were spread around the stage. As the appointed time grew near the market became so crowded that it was hard for anyone to move around. It was then that the group of four moved on the stage. A hush moved through the crowd as everyone's attention was on the stage.

"Greetings, citizens of Dreymore. I'm sure you've heard a lot of rumors recently and are wondering what's going on. I am here to officially announce that Dreymore is now under the control of the demons of Yisa.

"I am Lord Caine, Demon Lord of Yisa and your new ruler."

He paused for a moment as the words sank into the people around him.

"No harm will come to you so long as you do not cause trouble. I would like our two peoples to peacefully coexist and believe that it's possible. I ask only for the loyalty of the people. I also understand that you have no reason to give it. Let me show you the benefits of loyally serving me.

"Starting tomorrow the homes on the first level will be given running water. It will be a slow process and will take several weeks before every home is changed. I believe this is a good start. I am also willing to teach magic to anyone here, no matter your birth. I have learned that your country only offers training past beginners spells in Kael, and only for those who have the money to send their children.

"I do not have any limiters, merely the desire to become stronger. Because of the nature of this I will require oaths of fealty before your training, but only for those who are thirteen and older. You will not be required to fight.

"No one will be forced to join the army that does not desire to do so. Your current army has been dispersed and only those who desired to integrate with my army were retained. Anyone that does wish to become a soldier will have all their needs taken care of. Those with family will be given a monthly expense. We do not discriminate based on gender or race, so long as you are thirteen and considered an adult."

Caine paused again, giving himself time to catch his breath and the people time to process. All of his new declarations would be posted throughout town. He was hoping that enough people would be willing to become a soldier. Over half of Dreymore's army had been willing to integrate with his army. They would need larger numbers to succeed against Edicia.

"Everything that I've said will be posted where everyone can see it. The offers will be there indefinitely so there is no rush. Moving forward I would like for the people of the first level to elect a representative. Someone that will work for your benefit. This person will work closely with General Xanthe and Captain Tan."

Caine pointed to each one respectively. "General Xanthe will personally be overseeing the first level. Captain Tan and his men will be working under her. If you are in need of anything simply speak with a soldier and they will relay your needs up the chain of command. Having your own representative will help with that.

"To my right is General Gavin. He is my second in command and will be the one overseeing the second level. Just because he will be overseeing the second level does not mean you will never see him here. Within the demon hierarchy his words are the same as mine.

"The hope is to make this transition as seamless, and painless, as possible. "

Caine went on for a few more minutes before ending his speech. With the help of the soldiers they slipped away from the crowd and made their way to the second level. They were greeted by a similar scene in the center of the second level.

For this speech Captain Tan remained on the first level, spending a lot of his time answering questions. Xanthe stood on Caine's left and to his right was Gavin and then Captain Raul. Not much was changed in his speech, outside of the change in captains. The crowd here was smaller as fewer people lived in the second level. It spoke to the difference that money can make.

When Caine ended his speech and they were leaving the stage a man with red hair approached them and genuflected before them. Gavin recognized the man from his hair and told him to stand.

"I have been chosen to represent the nobles, my Lord."

"Interesting, and you are?"

"Ondrea Capell, I believe I mentioned him yesterday."

Gavin answered before Ondrea could, the latter bowed in acknowledgement. He had a good idea of why they chose Ondrea over another and it was most likely for the same reason that he had been chosen to oversee the nobles.

"Ah, I see. I will leave you two to talk, I have things to take care of."

Ondrea bowed again and Gavin sighed internally. He was beginning to understand Caine's statement regarding the maids with each interaction. The man standing before him was doing his best to be pleasing and as unoffensive as possible. The fear that radiated from him was almost tangible.

Gavin couldn't blame him, not after what had happened yesterday. It was his own fault that the humans here feared him to such an extreme. When he had been here before those that came near him had been excited to meet the hero. Now they feared him as the right hand of the Demon Lord.

"I would like to know where the nobles stand after Lord Caine's speech. Come by the castle this evening, half an hour before sunset. I will make certain that the guards know you are coming."

"I will be there, sir."

Ondrea was still bowing when Gavin walked off. He had the urge to rub his forehead, who would have thought that the nerdy kid who got bullied in school would become someone so feared?

Gavin had an idea of how those in the first level would lean, especially once all of the improvements were made. People who live with nothing, ignored by those in charge, are quick to give everything to anyone who is willing to help them. People who have been given everything their whole lives, never wanting for anything, tended to think only of themselves and what they can gain.

Gavin planned on getting Riley's help when dealing with the nobles. Even if Riley wasn't the heir to the throne he should have still had some schooling on politics. Not to mention years of interacting with nobels. Thinking about Riley made him feel suddenly anxious and a strong urge to join Riley in the library.

He had some time before Ondrea would be at the castle. First, though, he needed to speak with the captain.

"Captain."

Gavin found him not far away talking to one of his men. When Gavin spoke the captain dismissed the soldier and turned with a bow.

"General, how may I be of service?"

At least the demons don't fear me. "Can you get word to our spies within the nobles?"

"Yes, General. I have a device that I can communicate directly with them."

"The nobles should be having a meeting some time today. Their representative will be meeting with me this evening to talk about what they decide.

"I want to know what they have to say and where their loyalties truly lie. I don't trust that they won't play us."

Raul smiled, "I will get in touch with them immediately. I believe that they have access to a spell that can record the meeting."

"That would be helpful."

A visual recording would allow him to see the faces of every noble. He speaks with Raul some more before leaving. Before returning to the castle Gavin decides to walk around the second level and get a feel for the layout.

It's built similar to the first level with the market area the first thing you come to when walking through the gate. The market here is smaller and specializes in high end, quality items. Most things here cost more than the average citizen could make in a year.

The residential area is further back. Each home is a mansion with a small yard and the homes become more elaborate the closer to the castle they are.

The center where Caine had addressed the people was what separated the mansions from the castle. The castle itself had a large empty space around it. That made it easier to see potential enemies.

Gavin found himself walking back to the castle. There had been so many changes lately that taking the walk had helped him process things. He's worried about his new position and working with the nobles, it wouldn't take much to mess up.

He made his way to the library. The sight that greeted him inside the room left him in a better mood. Riley was curled up on an oversized chair, a book lay open on his chest and his eyes were closed.

Gavin couldn't help but think that he looked cute, and vulnerable, sleeping on the chair. He walked over to the chair and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Riley opened his eyes and looked up with sleep still clouding his vision.

"Did it go well?"

"Well enough. I think most of the people are still in shock. What are you reading?"

Riley closed the book and hugged it close.

"It's just some stories, nothing interesting."

Gavin went down on one knee to put him at eye level. He reached out and ran his fingers through Riley's hair. Riley closed his eyes and smiled.

"You don't have to hide anything from me. I'm not going to judge you or make fun of you for what you like."

Riley held out the book, his eyes still closed as if waiting to be yelled at. Gavin looked at the book and found that it was a collection of fairy tales. It was a book for children, the kind that you'd read at bedtime.

"Are they good stories? I haven't read a lot of books while here and all of them were for learning."

Riley opened his eyes, they were filled with an emotion that Gavin couldn't place.

"I enjoy them. Reading helps me to relax, but I enjoy these the most. It's just that, they're for kids."

Gavin couldn't help but laugh at that statement. He regretted it, though, when Riley pulled the book close and turned away.

"I wasn't laughing at you, Riley. Designating something as being only for this or that is stupid. In my world grown men play with dolls. I still have the teddy bear from when I was a baby.

"In my world fairytales are for all ages, though most are gory enough that more for adults."

"Really?"

"Really."

Gavin moved Riley over so that he could sit down then let him lay back down, head resting on his lap.

"Why don't you read me some of your favorite stories. If you want, we can have lunch here, spend some time together with just the two of us."

Riley smiled and his whole face lit up. They spent the rest of the afternoon in the library. Riley read every story in the book, only taking a break when lunch was brought to them.