Routine and tedium

The next few days go surprisingly smoothly. You make daily trips down to the prisoner, who generally insults you or ignores you. Eventually, you ask your court and your girls for advice. The decision is unanimous, and the next day you execute him personally. The body is shrouded, and sent back to Humanitas, with a note for their ‘Protector’.

“Your attempt on my life was unsuccessful, as I’m sure you already know. Here is a warning. Try it again, and I will be far less forgiving. You’re fortunate that no one else was hurt. I will give you one chance to surrender and rethink your ways. This world is moving towards harmony, and I will not allow bigots to flourish in paradise. Your ‘nation’ full of hatred, is a distraction from the true enemy, but you must be removed regardless. This is the only time I will offer you this chance. Refuse, and face the consequences.

—King Josh”

You don’t expect surrender, but the offer must be made. Refugees continue to flee to your country, and you hope that when the time comes to attack the capital, the innocent will have fled already. You know that you’ll need to lead the attack at that time, so hopefully you can confirm it beforehand.

Meanwhile, Samara has started to make some friends among the girls. Kali and her seem to get along well, their old rivalry quickly fading.

Strangely, Yura becomes fast friends with the Lilim. You’re not sure if it’s a shared enjoyment of quiet, or simply the little selkie’s lack of prejudice, but the pair spend hours together, either reading or having subdued discussions. Apparently Samara has discovered a love of books, now that she is allowed to indulge in such things.

Speaking of indulging, Sadie and Samara become friendly in an entirely different fashion, as you discover one evening. Walking past Sadie’s room, the door opens and Samara quietly slips out. Spotting you, she somehow manages to blush, quite a feat for someone with reddish skin already.

“I…we were…” She stumbles over her words looking for an excuse.

You smile. “Don’t worry about it, Samara. Sadie gets to everyone.”

As if summoned by your voice, Sadie throws the door open and bounces out into the hall, naked and grinning. “I like her! She can do the thing, like Kali! She’s smaller and softer though. We should get them together!”

You laugh. “See? Sadie has no shame whatsoever.”

Sadie winks and kisses you, then Samara, before bouncing back into her room. You chuckle at the embarrassed Lilim. “Glad to see you’re getting along already.”

You walk past her, chuckling as you head to your room.

The rest of your time is spent running your kingdom, though the machines of state seem to mostly run themselves at this point. Much of what you do is wait for word from your army, as you plan your next steps. You’re left with a little paperwork and a lot of listening to ministers of state. You figure you’re fortunate, having inherited a kingdom that both runs well, and seems to approve of your rule. However, one day a visitor arrives that makes you nervous.

“I bet you were wondering when I’d show up again!” Bast grins as he approaches your throne.

You sigh. “Well, if it isn’t the god of obtuse prophecy and bearing bad news.”