Kingdom Expanded

“So, I’m about to do something some would say is a ‘Pro Gamer Move,’” John said as he clicked Yes on the screen.

“What does that mean?” asked Queen Ranarch. Before John or anyone else could respond to her, she got her answer. A glowing white light engulfed the entire mountain as everyone quickly huddled together, unknown what was happening. Everyone except for John, that is. He just stood there and waited for the results to happen. The wall of light lasted for a few seconds before it finally dissipated to reveal that the mountain had moved. Idena and the other residents gasped as they realized what had happened as they looked around their new location.

“We...we’re in Tenebris?!” asked Idena.

“This is your new home, right?” asked her mother.

“Yes, it is,” John said. “You all will now be living in my kingdom under my protection,” John told the two.

“Really, master?” asked Idena, surprised.

“Yes, you both are now under my protection and have been reunited. We’ll keep the transportation crystal here as well. That way, you two can easily stay in contact,” John told the two.

“Dear, your husband seems to be strong and kind, but he’s not the brightest, is he?” asked Queen Ranarach.

“Mother!” said a shocked Idena.

“Sweetie, we can fly. We can just fly to the castle,” she told her.

“Good point,” she said.

“Yes, well, you see, I just wanted to make it more convenient if you needed to move a large portion of harpies to the main village,” John said in a way to save face.

“That is a good point, I take it back, sweetie, he’s not stupid,” she told her daughter. “Of course, I knew that when he decided to take you as his wife,” she said warmly as she gave her daughter another hug.

“Thanks, Mama,” she said as she reciprocated the hug.

“Well then, Queen Ranarch, you will be the representative of the harpies in my royal court,” John decreed to the Queen.

“Should it not be my daughter, since she is your wife?” asked the queen.

“No, she is too busy being my wife, consort, and Guard Captain to be the representitive. So it falls on you to be it, understood?” he informed her quite assuredly.

“Of course, my lord,” she said as she nodded her head in deference to John.

“Good, I’m glad you agree. Now, you and Idena tend to the flock and get our egg nice and safe. Then you two can come to the castle and we will get this vassal state set up properly,” John informed the two women.

“Yes, my lord,” said Queen Ranarch.

“Of course, master,” replied Idena.

Happy with the outcome, John and his troops left the mountain and allowed the harpies to recover in peace from the ordeal they were just through. Gali had left some of her healers there to assist any harpies that may still have some injuries that they could not get to in the initial wave of healing.

“So we have gained new territory?” asked Fran as she and the rest of John’s companions traveled near him.

“We have. Once they have recovered, we can begin to implement the harpies into our forces. They will provide invaluable air support in any future combat situations,” John informed his military leader.

“Very true. I will begin thinking up plans to integrate them into our current formations,” she told John as she began to shift her focus to her new task at hand.

“Very good. Make sure to ask Idena on who should be the commander of the new air corps. I’m sure she has some suggestions,” John recommended to Fran.

“Good point, my liege. I will consult with Idena on who to lead them and how to best integrate them. There will surely be some logistics issues with how harpies normally function. It will take some time on both sides to be able to function as one cohesive unit,” Fran pointed out.

“True. Let’s hope we won’t have to call on our forces until after they have settled in,” John said with hope in his voice.

“My lord, do you think there is more trouble on the horizon?” asked Gali, a hint of worry in her voice.

“I can only trust my gut, which is telling me this is merely the calm before the storm,” John told her in full honesty.

“It must be an omen,” Mikuru said as she jumped into the conversation.

“You think so, onee-san?” asked Miho with worry in her voice.

“It doesn’t matter,” started John, “We will overcome whatever is thrown at us. We are strong separate, but even stronger together. As long as we all work together, we will crush whoever or whatever dares to challenge us!” John told the women in an attempt to cheer them all up. Their faces, which were full of fear and worry, immediately perked up with hope and a sense of calm as they all listened to their leader and lover. John wrapped the two nearest women in his arms and beckoned the others closer as they all made their way to the transportation crystal.