Lord of the Foresaken
Chapter 41: THE NEIGHBORING KINGDOM

Chapter 41: THE NEIGHBORING KINGDOM

The void nexus pulsed beneath Goblin’s Hollow, its rhythm now stabilized but changed—like a heart that had survived trauma only to beat with a new, uncertain cadence. Three days had passed since Reed’s return and the domain’s elevation to Tier 3, days spent reinforcing barriers and preparing for the inevitable scrutiny from the regional authority. The image of Valerian’s distorted face haunted Reed’s dreams, the collector’s warning echoing in his thoughts during waking hours.

They’re coming. All of them. The fragments have awakened.

Reed stood atop the eastern watchtower, his gaze fixed on the horizon where dawn painted the sky in shades of blood and ash. Beside him, Grimscar remained silent, understanding his lord’s need for contemplation. The evolved goblin had grown even more during these three days, his frame now nearly human-sized, his emerald skin etched with deeper, more complex runes that pulsed in time with the void nexus below.

"Report," Reed finally said, his voice carrying the weight of command.

Grimscar inclined his head. "Three more refugee groups arrived during the night. Forty-seven humans in total, mostly peasants but including two lesser nobles from House Terras." His voice lowered. "They bring troubling news from Azurehall Kingdom."

Reed’s attention sharpened. Azurehall—the neighboring kingdom to the east, known for its rigid hierarchy and expansionist tendencies. For generations, an uneasy peace had existed between Azurehall and the Imperial Domains, maintained by mutual suspicion and the natural barrier of the Bloodridge Mountains.

"Bring the nobles to the strategy chamber," Reed ordered. "I’ll hear their account directly."

As Grimscar departed to relay the command, Reed remained at his post, studying the eastern horizon with renewed intensity. The crimson fragment at his chest—the only one of the seven he’d managed to retain after Valerian’s disappearance—pulsed with unusual warmth. Was it responding to something in that direction? Another fragment, perhaps?

The strategy chamber had been transformed since Reed’s return. What was once a simple room with wooden tables and crude maps had become an architecturally impossible space, its dimensions seemingly fluid, shifting subtly as one moved through it. The walls were lined with crystalline displays that updated in real-time, showing territorial boundaries, resource flows, and mana currents throughout the region.

At the chamber’s center stood a massive tactical table crafted from void-touched obsidian, its surface depicting a three-dimensional landscape of the surrounding territories that rippled and changed as new information was integrated.

Lady Lyra Thornbridge was already present when Reed entered, her fingers tracing patterns over a section of the table representing the eastern border. The void energies within the table responded to her touch, highlighting key defensive positions along the mountain passes.

"Our eastern fortifications are at seventy percent capacity," she reported without preamble. "We can accelerate to full deployment within two days if necessary."

Reed nodded, grateful for her efficiency if still wary of her motives. The daughter of his former enemy had proven herself valuable, but trust came slowly to a man who had carried a void fragment within his heart for decades.

"Let’s hope it won’t be," he replied, moving to the head of the table as Grimscar entered with two haggard figures in tow.

The refugees wore what remained of noble attire—once-fine garments now torn and stained with the evidence of desperate flight. The man, perhaps in his fourth decade, retained a proud bearing despite his disheveled appearance. The woman beside him, younger by at least ten years, carried herself with palpable tension, her eyes constantly scanning the chamber as if expecting an attack.

"Lord Armond Terras and Lady Selene Terras," Grimscar announced formally, "formerly of Whitestone Hold in the Eastern Province of Azurehall Kingdom."

Reed gestured for them to be seated, noting how they flinched when the chairs—grown from living crystal rather than crafted by hand—adjusted to accommodate their forms.

"Your domain... it’s unlike anything we’ve seen," Lord Armond said, unable to mask his unease. "The rumors barely captured its nature."

"Rumors travel quickly," Reed observed, his tone neutral. "What exactly do they say of Goblin’s Hollow?"

Lady Selene’s laugh held an edge of hysteria. "That a demon lord has claimed the borderlands. That goblins walk as men and practice forbidden magic. That the very soil bleeds with void essence." Her eyes fixed on the runic patterns etched into Reed’s visible skin. "They did not mention that the lord himself bears the mark of the Void."

Reed smiled thinly. "Demon lord is a bit dramatic. Though I suppose perspective matters." He leaned forward, his hands splayed on the tactical table. "I’m more interested in why nobles of House Terras would flee their ancestral lands to seek shelter with such a... controversial neighbor."

Lord Armond exchanged a glance with his wife before answering. "Because Azurehall is tearing itself apart, Lord Nightblade. And House Terras stood on the wrong side of the fracture."

With a gesture from Reed, the tactical table shifted its display, zooming outward to show the entirety of Azurehall Kingdom—a sprawling territory organized into seven major provinces, each controlled by a Great House that answered to the Azure Throne in the capital city of Luminspire.

"Explain," Reed commanded.

Lord Armond rose shakily and approached the table. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out to touch the representation of the capital. The table responded to him, though sluggishly compared to its reaction to Reed or Lyra.

"It began three weeks ago," he said. "King Aldon IV died suddenly—officially from fever, but whispers suggest poison. His heir, Prince Tarrant, ascended immediately... but something was wrong." Armond’s finger traced a path from the capital to the western provinces. "Within days, House Morvath and House Caligan declared they would not recognize Tarrant’s rule, claiming he was not the true heir but an impostor."

"An impostor?" Lyra interjected, her political instincts engaged. "On what grounds?"

"They claim the real Prince Tarrant died months ago," Lady Selene answered, her voice steadier now as she addressed familiar political intrigue. "That this man on the throne shows subtle differences in behavior and appearance. Some whisper of void corruption or possession."

Reed felt the fragment in his chest pulse at these words. "Possession," he repeated. "By what, exactly?"

"The most persistent rumor," Lord Armond continued, "speaks of the Cerulean Heresy—an ancient belief that the royal bloodline was meant to merge with entities from beyond the veil, becoming vessels for greater power."

The tactical table rippled beneath his touch, displaying historical markers across Azurehall’s territory—locations where similar rebellions had occurred centuries earlier, all connected to the same esoteric beliefs.

"The kingdom has split along ancient lines," Lady Selene added. "Three Great Houses support the new king: Duskwind, Ironvale, and Solaris. Three oppose him: Morvath, Caligan, and Silverthorne. And House Terras, our house..." She faltered.

"House Terras attempted neutrality," Lord Armond finished grimly. "A fatal mistake in civil war. Both sides demanded our allegiance, and when our lord refused to commit, our holdings were declared forfeit. Whitestone Hold was besieged by royal forces from the east while Morvath raiders struck from the west. We barely escaped with our lives."

Reed circled the table slowly, absorbing this information as the tactical display updated to show reported troop movements and territorial control. Nearly half of Azurehall was now embroiled in open conflict, with skirmishes spreading toward the border regions nearest to Goblin’s Hollow.

"And the common people?" Reed asked. "Where do they stand?"

"Terrified," Lady Selene replied without hesitation. "Villages are emptying as peasants flee the fighting. Some seek refuge in the capital, believing the king’s protection is their best hope. Others flee to the borderlands, including your domain, Lord Nightblade."

Reed glanced at Grimscar. "How many refugees total?"

"Two hundred and sixteen humans have crossed our borders in the past week," the evolved goblin answered promptly. "Mostly peasants, though the noble count now stands at seven, including our guests."

Reed nodded thoughtfully. "And what do they offer in exchange for sanctuary?"

Lord Armond straightened, affronted. "We are nobles of—"

"You are refugees," Reed interrupted coldly. "Nobles without lands or vassals are merely people with expensive tastes and outdated skills. My domain operates on exchange, Lord Terras. Everyone contributes according to their ability."

After a tense moment, Lady Selene placed a hand on her husband’s arm. "I was trained in arcane cartography at the Azure Academy," she said. "And my husband served as Justiciar in Whitestone Hold for fifteen years. We offer our knowledge and skills in exchange for protection."

Reed studied them both, sensing the desperation beneath their dignity. "Acceptable," he finally said. "Grimscar will assign you appropriate quarters and duties." He turned to Lyra. "Integrate them into the human enclave. Lady Selene’s cartography skills may prove valuable for our strategic planning."

As Grimscar led the Terras nobles from the chamber, Reed returned his attention to the tactical table, his mind calculating possibilities and threats. Azurehall’s civil war presented both opportunity and danger for his evolving domain.

"You’re considering intervention," Lyra observed, reading his intent with unsettling accuracy.

"The fragmentation of a neighboring power creates a vacuum," Reed replied. "Nature abhors such things."

"As do ambitious lords," Lyra countered, though without judgment. "Which faction would you support? The king suspected of void corruption, or the rebelling houses fighting to preserve their kingdom’s purity?"

Reed’s lips curved in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Both assumptions may be flawed. This ’Cerulean Heresy’ they mentioned—what do you know of it?"

Lyra’s expression grew guarded. "Only whispers from old texts. The belief that the original Azurehall dynasty made pacts with entities from beyond the mortal realm—not void creatures, but something else. Beings of pure mana who supposedly gifted the royal line with extraordinary abilities."

"Interesting that such beliefs would resurface now," Reed mused, "just as the fragments are awakening." He gestured over the table, highlighting the capital city. "What if this ’impostor king’ isn’t void-corrupted at all, but fragment-touched?"

The possibility hung in the air between them. If one of the twelve fragments of the Monarch had found its way to Azurehall’s royal line...

"We need more information," Reed decided. "And eyes within the kingdom."

"Spies?" Lyra asked. "The evolved goblins can pass for human at a distance now, but their speech and mannerisms would give them away in aristocratic circles."

Reed smiled thinly. "Not spies. Emissaries." He manipulated the tactical display, highlighting three specific locations within Azurehall territory. "We’ll send diplomatic missions to both factions—openly to the rebel houses as a potential ally from beyond their borders, and secretly to contacts within the capital to assess this new king."

"Diplomatic missions require an officially recognized domain," Lyra pointed out. "Goblin’s Hollow is still considered a monster-held territory by most human kingdoms."

"Then perhaps it’s time we changed that perception," Reed replied. "Prepare formal declarations of our domain’s elevated status. We’ll dispatch them to all surrounding territories, including both factions in Azurehall."

Lyra stared at him. "You’re declaring Goblin’s Hollow a sovereign state? The Imperial Authority will see it as rebellion."

"The Imperial Authority is distracted by threats to the north," Reed countered. "And we offer something unique—stability on a fractious border, and sanctuary for those fleeing conflict. By the time they mount a response, we’ll be too entrenched to dislodge without significant cost."

The tactical table shifted once more, displaying potential diplomatic and trade routes extending from Goblin’s Hollow into Azurehall territory. Reed traced one path with his finger, feeling the void energy respond to his touch, illuminating a route that led directly to Luminspire, the Azurehall capital.

"We’ll support whichever faction offers the greatest advantage," Reed continued. "But first, I want to meet this ’impostor king’ myself. If he truly carries a fragment..."

"How would you even gain audience with him?" Lyra asked. "The capital will be locked down during civil unrest."

Reed’s expression darkened as the crimson fragment in his chest pulsed. "The fragments call to each other across any distance. If King Tarrant possesses one, he’ll know when I approach. The question is whether that knowledge will make him welcome me—or fear me."

"And if he fears you?"

Reed’s smile was cold. "Then we support the rebels, and he falls. Either way, we move closer to gathering the fragments."

The decision crystallized in his mind with absolute clarity. Goblin’s Hollow would extend its reach into Azurehall’s conflict, positioning itself as a rising power while secretly pursuing the greater prize—the fragments of the Monarch, scattered across the world.

"Prepare three diplomatic envoys," Reed ordered. "One openly to House Morvath, one openly to House Caligan, and one... for a more discreet approach to the capital."

"And who will lead this discreet mission?" Lyra asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.

"I will," Reed replied. "The void energy within me can be masked, but not the fragment’s resonance. If King Tarrant possesses a fragment as I suspect, only I can confirm it."

"The risk—"

"Is necessary," Reed cut her off. "Grimscar will oversee the domain in my absence. You will coordinate intelligence between our envoys." His expression softened marginally. "I trust you both to maintain what we’ve built."

Lyra bowed her head in acknowledgment, though concern remained evident in her eyes. "When will you depart?"

"With the new moon," Reed decided. "Three days hence. Until then, we continue fortifying our borders and processing refugees. Knowledge is our advantage—the more we learn from those fleeing Azurehall, the better prepared we’ll be."

As night fell over Goblin’s Hollow, Reed returned to the eastern watchtower, his gaze fixed on the distant lights of border villages within Azurehall territory. The crimson fragment pulsed against his skin, a steady rhythm that seemed to intensify when he faced northeast—toward Luminspire.

"You feel it too," he murmured to the fragment. "Your sibling is there."

The fragment’s pulse quickened, as if in affirmation.

Behind him, the door to the watchtower opened. Reed didn’t turn, recognizing the distinctive footsteps of his evolved goblin commander.

"My lord," Grimscar said, his tone urgent. "A new refugee has arrived. He claims to be a former court mage from Luminspire."

Now Reed turned, his interest piqued. "Bring him to me."

Minutes later, a haggard man in tattered robes stained with blood and ash was escorted to the watchtower. Despite his disheveled appearance, he carried himself with the unmistakable bearing of an educated mage. His eyes widened as he took in Reed’s void-marked appearance, but to his credit, he didn’t flinch.

"You stand before Lord Reed Nightblade," Grimscar announced formally. "Sovereign of Goblin’s Hollow and Master of the Void Sanctuary."

The mage bowed deeply. "Magister Dorian Vex, formerly of the Azure Court. I have fled Luminspire with information I believe you will find... valuable."

Reed studied the man carefully, noting the fresh burn marks on his hands—defensive wounds, likely from a magical confrontation. "Speak, then."

Magister Vex straightened, his expression grave. "The king is not what he appears to be. I served in the royal arcanum for twenty years, and witnessed Prince Tarrant grow from child to man. The being who sits on the throne now may wear his face, but something else looks out through his eyes."

"Something void-touched?" Reed prompted.

"No," Vex replied, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Something far older. In the ancient texts, it was called the Azure Catalyst—a crystalline entity said to have merged with the first Azurehall king." He hesitated, then reached into his robe with trembling hands.

What he withdrew made Reed’s fragment pulse violently against his chest. A shard of crystal, smaller than the crimson fragment but unmistakably similar in composition, gleamed with deep blue light.

"I stole this from the royal treasury," Vex confessed. "It’s said to be a piece broken from the original Azure Catalyst during an assassination attempt centuries ago. When the new king took the throne, he ordered all such artifacts brought to him immediately."

Reed’s breath caught. A second fragment, here, practically delivered to his doorstep. The coincidence was too perfect, too convenient.

"And why bring this to me?" Reed asked, his voice dangerously soft. "How did you even know to seek out Goblin’s Hollow?"

Magister Vex’s lips curved in a smile that never reached his eyes. "Because, Lord Nightblade, the king himself sent me. He has a message for you."

The mage’s form shimmered, the illusion of humanity falling away to reveal something else beneath—a humanoid figure composed of crystalline azure light, its features vaguely reminiscent of Valerian Thorne but distorted, transformed.

"The gathering begins," it said in a voice that resonated at frequencies that made the stone walls vibrate. "The Monarch stirs. Choose your allegiance wisely, Fragment-Bearer."

Reed lunged forward, void energy coalescing around his hand, but too late. The azure entity shattered into thousands of glittering motes that swirled once around the tower before streaking eastward, toward Luminspire, leaving only the blue crystal shard behind.

As Reed picked up the azure fragment, a whisper filled his mind—not the Monarch’s voice, but something similarly ancient:

"The board is set. The players return. What was twelve becomes one, and the Ascension nears."

The game of fragments had begun in earnest. And Reed now held two pieces of the puzzle.