YiTi Envoy and Dealing with Norvos

As the next day rolled around, Maximus got up early morning and did his normal daily routine which consisted of him washing his face, brushing his teeth with the mint toothpaste he introduced throughout his empire, and then getting dressed in some custom-made royal robes.

Meeting him outside of his room was a few maids, one of them held a plate with some eggs and toast in her hand. Maximus grabbed a piece of toast as they walked down the hallway, "Do we know when the envoy is supposed to arrive," he asked.

"Should be a few hours from now your excellency, they just arrived at the train station in Vaes Dothrak about an hour ago and should board the magic train and arrive here around midday." informed one of the Maids.

"Good, who is going to meet with him," because it wasn't going to be him since it was an envoy and not the Emperor of YiTi himself. "Chancellor Olorin has decided to meet with the envoy to discuss trade agreements and cultural exchange, Your Excellency. If all goes well, we might see an influx of exotic resources from the east," the young maid said.

Maximus nodded at this update, finishing his toast as they continued their walk towards his study. "Any reports from Achilles?" Maximus asked, shifting focus now onto military updates.

An older maid spoke up, "A raven arrived just an hour ago, Your Excellency. They've started fortifying Port Alexandria as per your instructions and slowly civilians are returning to their homes. There's peace now."

"That's good news. Those people deserve some stability, especially with the changes that are to come," Not only was the city renamed, but the reforms that would be implemented would be very innovative, at least for the people, but it will benefit them greatly.

As they reached the study, another servant was already waiting outside with a map detailing the new things that have been built or are currently being built throughout Imperial territory. It also showed neighboring regions such as the remaining Free cities that Maximus has yet to conquer.

Braavos, Pentos, and Qohor were on friendly terms with the Imperial Union with several agreements being established with each Free city. Braavos and Pentos, since they were situated on the Port, had agreements allowing both their own cities and the Imperial Union trade ships to dock at their ports and conduct trade with each other. Qohor on the other hand was more inland and had a great number of tradesmen and craftsmen, thus it mainly dealt with providing certain types of goods for the Union in return for something else.

Norvos had isolated itself within the mountains as the other Free cities had stopped trading with them out of fear of their relationship with the Imperial Union. The only reason the city is able to maintain itself is because of its trade with Lorath.

But the recent attacks on Imperial caravans traveling through the region had forced Maximus to make a decision. All caravans that were travelling within Imperial territory could register to be able to fly the Imperial flag as they conduct their business.

Most caravans and traders signed off for this and flew the Imperial flag to scare bandits on land, or pirates on the sea. However, even with this, the soldiers of Norvos have attacked 3 caravans within the last 2 Months. This clearly wasn't an act of banditry. If it were bandits, they would not dare to attack a flag that bore the symbol of the Imperial Union. This was clearly an act of provocation, an act that Maximus intended to act on.

The people of Norvos needed to understand that he wouldn't stand for such blatant transgressions over his territory and people.

"Have Merlin take the Black wings and any other forces she needs, to take over Norvos." he commanded. Norvos, because of its position in the mountains, didn't have that big of a population so it could only field at most 5-10 thousand soldiers. Merlin and a few witches riding on top of the Black wings were more than enough to force the city into submission.

One of the maids hastily left the room to deliver the message to Merlin. Merlin, who was Maximus's assistant was officially appointed as the emperor's hand when they returned to the city some time ago. And she would certainly relish the challenge of conquering an entire city with a small number of forces.

After staying in the study for another hour, it was time for him to do his daily training to increase his magic mastery.

As midday rolled around, the envoy from the YiTi had arrived within the palace and was transferred to a room where Olorin was already waiting for him.

Because of the language difference, the envoy from YiTi, Gu Chin, brought his own translator to be able to communicate clearly during his visit. The meeting between Chancellor Olorin and Gu Chin was long and fraught with negotiations over trade agreements, diplomatic intricacies, and cultural exchanges.

Maximus was informed, later that evening, that progress had been made. A mutual agreement had been reached; a handful of YiTi's unique resources in exchange for technology. Olorin was in the process of drawing up the treaty, which would be sent to YiTi for the Emperor's approval.

If all went well, they could expect an influx of Eastern exotic goods by the coming summer.

———

Approaching the airspace around Norvos, Merlin was riding on top of one of the Black wings alongside a few witches and a handful of witch elves. Below they could already see the city of Norvos, nestled in the mountains like a jewel amongst rocks. Unlike other cities, Norvos seemed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, its stone structures mimicking the mountainous formations. But today was not about admiring scenery.

"Begin the assault," Merlin commanded her forces. As one, the witches and witch elves began chanting, their harmonious voices merging into a chorus that echoed within the mountains.

In response to their chants, the skies darkened ominously above Norvos. Clouds formed unnaturally and lighting could be seen within them.

Then came a downpour, not of rain or hail but of fireballs. Roaring flames descended upon Norvos, igniting rooftops and causing widespread panic among the citizens. Dark smoke erupted from the city, almost cloaking it from view within a matter of minutes.

Merlin's forces then descended upon the burning city like vultures diving for prey. The Black wings flew close to the ground, allowing the witches to jump off onto the streets of the city. Once on the ground, they conjured golems from the surrounding stone and earth, creatures of imposing size that took to the streets with thundering steps. It was a shock-and-awe strategy, and it worked to near perfection. Citizens fled their homes in panic, fleeing from enemy that had descended upon their city.

The Norvos soldiers were unprepared for such an attack. Trained to defend their city from ground invasions through terrain advantage, yet they were hopeless against an aerial assault and surprise attack from within their own city.

Resistance was put up, as futile as it was against the witches. The commander of the Norvos force rallied his men at the fortress temple to protect the bearded priests who were inside, and trying to counter-attack as best as he could, but it was too late.

"Round them up," Merlin commanded telepathically, watching from high above on top her Black wing. "Take no life unless necessary." This was a takeover, not a massacre. Golems and witches were powerful, but precise. They used their strength to contain the people.

Down in the streets, people were cowering, their faces reflecting their shock and fear. The attackers had overwhelmed the soldiers defending the city like they were nothing. Instead of swords and shields, these people wielded magic. You couldn't use a spear against a fireball.

As the witches started moving the city's inhabitants into the central plaza, Merlin took flight once again to the fortress temple. She knew that the bearded Priests were probably hiding within their fortress, and she wanted to hurry up and get rid of them.

Descending from the sky, Merlin landed in front of the temple just as the doors swung open revealing the once mighty and unchallenged rulers of Norvos, its religious leaders. Their pious garb paled in comparison to Merlin 's imposing presence.

They were being escorted by slaves who looked at Merlin in fear because of her dark appearance. "Who's this wench that dares intrude upon the sanctity of our sacred grounds?" one of the priests yelled.

Merlin didn't say anything and only stood there as the heads of the bearded Priests were chopped off, causing the slaves to cower in fear.

Behind them were the Shadowhand agents who had already infiltrated the city years ago. She was going to kill them herself, but after sensing them nearby, she just left it up to them. "My lady," one of the agents greeted. "These are all the bearded Priests present, while the other Magisters have already been captured and or killed. Any guards have also already been dealt with around the temple."

Merlin nodded; she was quite impressed by their work as this was the first time she had seen it firsthand. "Good, I'll handle the rest and call for a garrison force to be sent."

The Shadowhand agents bowed before they disappeared.

With the city basically captured, she sent a raven back to Heaven's Reach to report their victory and to call for a Garrison force to be sent to the city.