NSLICE-00P made her way to the Legion keep of Velusitum. An airship had flown over the city and now floated in the air above the keep. It was a sleek vessel made out of metal and in the shape reminiscent of the Imperial ships she had ridden from Turannia, only much larger at 800 feet long and decorated with gold, silver, and purple paint. The ship had no wings, thrusters, or any visible means of lift and propulsion, yet was able to remain motionless in the air. NSLICE-00P was able to notice some small protrusions that appeared similar to turrets, and if she zoomed in she could find magic circles engraved on their sides.

She updated her assessment of the Empire’s technological prowess once again. Even her creators would have been hard pressed to develop a metal aircraft of that size that could loiter in place like this one apparently did.

Once she entered the keep, she found Ateia, Taog, and Estrith already waiting for her. They were staring up at the airship with wide eyes. Estrith whispered to herself.

“So this is the Empire My King respected…”

A smaller ship had landed in the courtyard, and a number of people disembarked. First came soldiers dressed in golden plate armor with purple cloaks. Then came several men and women in silk togas and stolas. Most wore shades of red and white, but one woman had a purple stola with a silver-colored tiara around her forehead. She glanced around and smiled when she saw NSLICE-00P.

She began walking over, with a soldier on her right, a pointy-eared woman in a stola behind her, and a minotaur woman on her left. The Minotaur woman wore a basic tunic that exposed her arms and midriff, all of which rippled with muscles, and had a massive warhammer on her back. She also had the clasp and cloak of an Exploratores.

The woman in the stola took a step forward as the guards filled the courtyard.

“Presenting Her Highness Caecila Galvisia Electus, wife of Imperial Prince Octavianus Numerius Electus.”

Ateia and Taog gasped and then saluted. Princess Caecila smiled and made her way towards NSLICE-00P.

“You must be NSLICE-00P. I am Princess Caecila Galvisia Electus, but you may call me Caecila. On behalf of the Northern Court of the Empire, allow me to formally welcome you to the Empire, NSLICE-00P, Queen of the Dobhar and Amiciti Populi Elteni. Please forgive us for the late greeting.”

“Greeting: This unit is designated NSLICE-00P. It is nice to meet you.”

The woman who made the announcement frowned but Princess Caecila continued to smile.

“The pleasure is all mine. It is also my pleasure to extend an invitation to you from the Northern Court. The Court wishes to greet a friend of the Empire, as well as to reward you for your assistance in both Turannia and Utrad. If it pleases you, I would love to escort you to Corvanus.”

“Acknowledged. Statement: This unit must confer with friendlies to determine the optimal course of action. Please standby.”

The announcer woman’s eyes widened at that but Princess Caecila simply nodded.

“Of course. Please, let me know when you are ready.”

NSLICE-00P turned back and walked towards her friends. Ateia and Taog were gaping at her.

“Statement: Imperial authorities have extended an invitation to escort this unit to location Corvanus with the stated intent to greet this unit and provided compensation for services rendered. Query: Is this course of action efficient regarding the friendlies’ primary and major directives?”

Ateia and Taog just stared at her for a moment.

“YES! OBVIOUSLY!”

Ateia caught herself and clasped her hands over her mouth. Taog heaved a sigh.

“Yes, Seero. A friendly invitation to the court by an Imperial princess is a big deal. A really big deal. One that you don’t really refuse.”A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Query: So it is beneficial for this unit’s and the friendlies’ current missions?”

Ateia and Taog looked at one another.

“I mean, yes? Obviously? Corvanus is the capital of the North. It has the most connections and resources of anywhere in this part of the Empire. If there’s anywhere we can find information on the people we’re both looking for, it’s there.”

Taog then frowned.

“I…am concerned. I don’t think we’re at all ready for court politics. But we also don’t really have a choice. Well, I guess Seero technically does, but I still wouldn’t refuse a direct invitation from an Imperial princess if I were you. We’ll just have to be careful.”

Ateia nodded at that.

“Right. It would be good if we could at least meet with Vafum and Agedia first before we go, but Taog is right. If we’re going to find my father, we have to visit Corvanus at some point anyways.”

“Acknowledged. Access to additional resources and connections predicted as beneficial. Moving to respond.”

NSLICE-00P turned and walked back towards Princess Caecila.

“Response: This unit will accept offer by Imperial Princess Caecila and travel to Corvanus. This unit requests time to prepare for departure.”

Princess Caecila broke out into a wide smile.

“Excellent. That is no problem, some of us will be staying here and we need to get them set up, so we will not be departing today in any case. Please, take your time and let us know when you are ready to go.”

“Affirmative.”

And so NSLICE-00P and her friends returned to town. NSLICE-00P picked up the stray drones and monsters she left to monitor the area, then the group proceeded to Khalbuldor.

They found Vafum and Agedia in the former Council chambers. It turned out that after the Council fled, taking with them most of their family and clansmen, the most distinguished dwarf left in Khalbuldor was Vafum. A fact he deeply regretted, especially now.

The man was waving his hands around, using magic circles to levitate documents all around him. His face had been locked in a scowl for days.

“Thabumlir spent how much on his birthday party? No wonder the tavern’s been out of the good stuff all year long. By the Aesdes, I’m surprised this place hadn’t collapsed under the sheer weight of stupidity yet.”

He heaved a sigh and turned to the group. Agedia placed a huge stack of documents on the center table and then reclined in a chair.

“Enough of that! We have a princess here! Princess Caecila actually came to greet them personally!”

Vafum sighed again.

“Obviously she would in these circumstances. Girl needs all the help she can get. The only surprising part is she convinced the court to let her come. They probably just couldn’t decide on a representative of their own.”

Ateia tilted her head.

“What do you mean by that?”

Vafum looked at her.

“Girl, do you know anything about Princess Caecila?”

Ateia shook her head. Vafum sighed again.

“Turannians. Look, there was a huge scandal a while back that practically everyone in the Empire talked about for years. Imperial Prince Octavianus defied his family and broke his engagement with Aemilia Hiberna in favor of Caecila Galvisia, a girl from some regular old family. Long story short, he got his way and Aemilia was all but exiled to Turannia. And since then the Northern Emperor’s been in a bind, since it turned out Consul Hibernius was more than a little upset by his daughter being shipped off to the dangerous and remote frontier. Instead of securing his legitimacy, the Emperor alienated his most important supporter and has been completely ineffectual ever since. So after she married into the family, Princess Caecila has been trying everything to boost her own political clout and get them back on track. Be careful with her. She likely means well but she’s desperate to gain support. Who knows what she will do with a powerful and unaffiliated agent like the shiny lass?”

Ateia gasped.

“Wait, isn’t that the plot of that banned romance novel?!”

Vafum stared at her.

“Yes, yes it was. Of course Turannia got the book and didn’t even hear the news. It’s only banned in Turannia by the way.”

Agedia shrugged.

“I mean, wouldn’t that make sense with Governor Aemilia taking over there?”

Vafum blinked and then nodded.

“Oh, I guess that’s true. In any case, this illustrates the problem beautifully. You all are NOT ready for court politics. Not even close. Biggest scandal of our generation and you haven’t even heard of it. But there’s no helping it now. The Court is ready for you, you’ll just have to adapt.”

Agedia made eye contact with Vafum at that. He narrowed his eyes at her.

“I could really use you here, you know.”

Agedia nodded.

“I know. But they need the help a lot more.”

Vafum heaved a sigh then looked at her with concern.

“Are you sure? It’s been a while but I doubt those guys have just forgotten.”

She nodded again.

“I’ll be careful. And I need to do this. I’m not going to let Tiberius’s work go to waste.”

Vafum raised an eyebrow.

“So you’ll stay sober?”

She smirked at him.

“No, I’ll stay drunk. We all know what happens when I’m sober.”

Vafum groaned as she chuckled.

“Well shove off then! Can’t you see some of us are working here?!”

Agedia turned to the group and smiled.

“Alright kiddies, pack your bags! It’s been a while since I’ve been to the capital! And since I’ve stabbed anyone in a dark alleyway!”

Ateia and Taog could only gulp at that.

With that, Agedia joined the group. They spent the night in town, and then set off to the Legion keep.

And so NSLICE-00P departed for the capital of the North…