Crimsoncrest (The Weirkey Chronicles Book 10), page 3
Navim had mentioned that Myufuru was also enslaved, so they decide to liberate it first and take out Amaeli. However, the ambush fails and a battle ensues, which is joined by Isantis, then Nanjuma, who had been organizing a resistance there. In the aftermath, Amaeli is forced to flee with an injured Isantis, but Theo understands this merely gives them time to recover for the final battle.
The people of Myufuru are grateful and give the group all of the village's deathseeds. While Theo takes a closer look, the Landguard suddenly appears and attacks, forcing Fiyu to weirkey them away to Noven, accidentally bringing Nanjuma with them.
After they regain their bearings, Nauda and Nanjuma examine the deathseeds. They estimate that the main seed in the largest tree has around two months before it ripens and potentially drains all life from Nlukoko. They all decide to make their final preparations on Slest. They find the beetle city larger than ever before.
Krikree is noticeably uncomfortable in her home world, refusing to soulcraft sublime materials for herself once again. However, Theo helps her reconsider herself not as a soldier, but as an equal sister to him. She admits that returning to Slest has had a physical effect on her mind, but she accepts her new identity and starts soulcrafting in earnest.
With some guidance from Theo, Nanjuma ascends to Authority. Theo also visits Queen Yeshir with Krikree posing as a royal guard to convince her in naming the beetle city Acidmount now that they've recreated the termites' war acid; their unique identity and official status will protect them from her interference.
Nauda and Fiyu's communication issues continue until Theo makes them talk things out. They confess their self-doubts and finally resolve them, growing closer together. Theo's design problems continue until helping Krikree with opposing symmetries gives him a sudden epiphany, which he rushes to discuss with Senka. They arrive at a very ambitious blueprint that combines a Corporeal Pyramid with an inverted Ethereal Pyramid.
With all of their preparations done, the group finally sneaks into Nlukoko. They successfully ambush Ariano, but before they can deal the killing blow, they're trapped by a sphere that drains cantae and steadily weakens them. It had been created by a special formation of Farmguards, who Theo had ignored in his plans until now.
Senka and Nanjuma keep the enemy at bay while the others struggle to break through. Out of options, Nauda soulcrafts her remaining chamber and successfully ascends to Authority. With her newfound strength, she tears the sphere apart, takes out Arceon, and destroys the main deathseed along with its tree.
During the battle, the characters kill Ariano and Isantis, but Esaire and Amaeli escape back into Deuxan. The Landguard arrive immediately after, now acting friendly with them for freeing Nlukoko. They arrest Arceon and the lone Landguard, then provide the group with an Aathali weirkey.
Theo wonders whether he'll need to spare or kill the Armaeu next time. Nanjuma refuses to join the Landguard and stays in Nlukoko to help rebuild. Nauda and Fiyu, now both Authorities, reaffirm their commitment to each other and share a quiet moment in the city.
Somewhere in Deuxan, an intelligence agent for the Mercury Court speaks of Theo's various activities to Emperor Dave, one of the mythical Siblings that resisted Vistgil. Dave instructs the agent to lay low for now so they don't scare off Theo, but looks forward to contacting him.
Book Nine: Skyvenom
The group prepares to confront the Armaeu family again, although Theo is unsure whether he should spare or finally finish off the stubborn Esaire. They recruit Nanjuma, Janne from House Blacksilver, and Bimanu from the Landguard as support.
When they return to Deuxan, Esaire and Amaeli ambush Theo, Nauda and Fiyu. The trio overpowers the siblings, but Esaire cripples Theo's soulhome using poison from the Demon Court. He tells a horrified Amaeli that he had contacted the court by claiming he has information about the Tereaves family and its vaults.
The siblings are forced to escape when the others arrive, but Esaire returns with the support of a Stronghold named Sartozi, leader of Occoire Court, who demands their surrender. The trio fight him to a stalemate, causing him to retreat and declare a convocation of souls - a Deuxan proxy war that limits direct confrontation and bloodshed.
The group learns that they're in the continent of Socirro, which contains multiple courts led by Strongholds. To win the convocation, Theo must gain their support before Esaire does. Janne and Bimanu keep contact with allies back home while Nanjuma seeks support from a distant Tatian Stronghold in the continent. The rest travel to Ostic Court, where they meet Nourise, Sartozi's biggest rival.
Theo unlocks his basement and gains enough strength to negotiate with her, but Sartozi and Esaire suddenly arrive in Greater Ostic with Strongholds from the Demon Court. In the ensuing chaos, a mediator from Accilonia, a Dominion-led court and the greatest power in Socirro, arrives and convinces the Demon Court to stand down by invoking the presence of the Mercury Court and meddling of the Salebrante in Accilonia.
An armistice of one month is declared. Accilonia organizes a series of events where Theo and Esaire can gain the support of its Strongholds in that time. Theo is contacted by the Demon Court, but he refuses their support. He does the same to the Mercury Court's offer and learns that its emperor is likely an outsider from Earth. Further scouting leads the group to realize that everyone, including the Demon Court, is interested in the Tereaves' vault, rumored to contain great treasures for Strongholds and Dominions.
The Demon Court pumps more resources into Esaire. Despite this, Theo and the others play on equal footing through several events, even during a formal melee where the trio is outnumbered by eight total Authorities. However, this leaves the trio injured and reeling, making Theo realize he has to swallow his pride and play Deuxan's games more aggressively.
Theo approaches both Nourise and Sartozi, playing as double agents for both and negotiating a resolution to their conflict in Western Ostic. There, he meets a young soulcrafting genius named Victon, who he provides with access to weirkey travel for more resources. For his work, the two Strongholds independently promise to support him in the convocation. Nanjuma returns with news of promised support from the distant Tatian Stronghold as well.
While she's alone in the capital, Fiyu is ambushed by Esaire, all his other Authorities, and even a Stronghold from the Demon Court. However, Senka unleashes a blast that instantly kills the Stronghold while Krikree defends an injured Fiyu. In the aftermath, the Accilonian Bank offers a loan that allows the trio to buy valuable resources. With Theo's help, Krikree finally ascends to Authority.
One day, he is suddenly wrenched outside Deuxan via weirkey by Dave, an outsider from Earth and emperor of the Mercury Court. When Theo asks if the Mercury Court can offer support, Dave reveals that the Salebrante, connected to the Demon Court, is also watching the convocation, and he can't afford to break neutrality lest both the Salebrante and Mercury Court be forced to fight - with the whole of Socirro in the crossfire.
He speculates that the supposed Tereaves' vault treasures the Demon Court want so badly are likely lies spread by Vistgil to lure other outsiders from Earth. Theo proposes a plan to reveal the truth and finally end the convocation.
The group uses armaments won in an event to disguise themselves and split up Esaire and his Authorities. Fiyu defeats Amaeli and Nauda defeats Esaire, while Theo and Krikree defeat the rest. The Demon Court rescues Esaire and demands a final count to the convocation.
Back in Accilonia, all of the involved parties are gathered. Nourise, Sartozi, and Nanjuma's Stronghold side with Theo while the rest of the Strongholds either side with Esaire or abstain. Theo threatens to ascend to Stronghold and earn a vote for himself. The balance cascades back to Theo's side until all but two of the Strongholds are supporting him. He wins the convocation.
In the aftermath, Demon Court assassins ambush the Armaeu siblings and Esaire sacrifices himself to save Amaeli. Theo calls in Dave and the Mercury Court to mediate opening the Tereaves vaults for everyone in Socirro. There, Dave confirms the vaults contain only one of Vistgil's traps. For winning the convocation and preventing all-out war, he answers all of Theo's questions: aeon-class soulcrafting, inter-world organizations, Vistgil, and others. Afterwards, he promises to keep in touch.
Elsewhere, an agent of the Salebrante contacts Wiltur of House Crimson, offering valuable sublime materials if they infiltrate the Asplundat Movement, which is about to finish a centuries-long project that has attracted attention from the most powerful organizations of the Nine Worlds.
Chapter 1
Once more, Theo tested the heavens and stepped back.
He should have been hungry for the strength that was within his grasp, since ascending to Stronghold would immediately make him a great power on the Norron continent. And yet, after hearing about all the terrible forces in the world, he knew that wouldn't be enough.
It had been about three months since their victory in the convocation, and in that time he had completed the pyramid atop his soulhome, including a cauldron for his ascension. He held off, in part because there was no urgency and in part because he was still working on his basement. It might not be reinforced by an ascension in the same way as normal floors, but it could definitely benefit, and based on his most recent conversation with Sartozi he had more work to do.
If he ascended now he would be a reasonably powerful Stronghold, someone capable of ruling his own House in Norro Yorthin or destroying a city. Probably stronger than many at the same tier... but he needed to be extraordinary. Reattaining the power he'd gained before would be inadequate compared to Vistgil and the threats he would ultimately face.
Maybe even the threats he would face in the near future. As Theo left the Blacksilver soulcrafting courtyard and flew over Norro Yorthin, he could feel the new tension in the air. There was less squabbling between Houses these days, everyone looking away from the walls fearfully. The Ruling Cities were at odds with the Asplundat Movement again, and worse than that, everyone knew that foreign adversaries from other continents were beginning to scout Norron.
Those in the air like him were especially nervous, since Authorities would be key soldiers if war really broke out. The people below were less impacted, but they felt the pressure as food grew more expensive and work became increasingly martial.
On his way back to the Blacksilver complex, Theo actually found himself wishing the others were there. They'd scattered to the winds, all needing to finish their own preparations. Nauda was fighting in the Dustwind Plateaus, keeping their borders stable, while Fiyu was engaging in her own training through the Ichili gate. They had all implicitly agreed to soulcraft until they were ready for Stronghold, because on a war of this scale, Authorities wouldn't be enough.
As he arced around a Fithan chariot, Theo caught sight of a red banner flapping below. The ragged standards still marked the edges of a House Crimson complex, but they appeared to be unoccupied. Last he'd fought on Fithe, the leader of the House - Wiltur - had been disgraced, but shouldn't it still be active? Shouldn't Tythes have taken over in his absence?
It was a matter that should be investigated, joining a very long list... except abruptly Theo realized that it would be foolish to go skulking around on his own. As much as being integrated with local organizations irritated him sometimes, it did have advantages, especially when it came to keeping track of everything across nine worlds.
When he returned to House Blacksilver he landed directly on the second floor balcony. The House had a dozen Authorities now, but one of them arriving was hardly trivial. Especially one of their three foreign Authorities, who everyone knew were more than ordinary members of the House.
Antha was currently speaking to some younger soulcrafters, showing them the book of materials. She glanced at Theo and he realized that he could have pushed his way to the front. Part of him still wanted to, since his business was unquestionably higher priority, but there was no urgency. He waved her off and sat down in a corner to get back to soulcrafting.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he was back in his soulhome, descending into the pleasantly cool basement. His walls were precisely carved and plated now, but the real fun lay inside. He was tempted to return to his central chamber and had to restrain himself: that sort of soulcrafting was best left to the courtyards, because it could have side effects. Better to focus on the work he could do while sitting in an office.
Theo walked to his westernmost room and returned to carving the basin he was preparing for the skyvenom. It was the most mysterious material in his soulhome, currently. Over time he'd extracted every bit of it from the sky and his soulhome via the coalrag, wringing the spiritual poison out into the basin. There it didn't impede him at all, just quietly radiated power.
He'd placed it in the western room because it was beneath his heavywater chamber. Both were liquids, which was a decent synergy for now, and so the skyvenom boosted his stamina a little. All evidence he'd gotten from Dave suggested that its real potential lay in manipulating ascensions, or perhaps enhancing other materials along the same lines. If he could really transform his basement into a workshop, the skyvenom could be an exceptional tool.
So far, he had yet to crack that problem. Hence the venom-enhancing basin, which would be portable in the future. Theo didn't get ahead of himself and just focused on his carvings, maximizing the effect of the skyvenom until he figured out how to use it fully.
It was so engaging that he was almost irritated when he was interrupted - the other soulcrafters had finished and Antha was free again. Forcibly switching his brain from soulcrafting tactics to political strategy, Theo stood up and went to speak to the administrator.
"What's our current intelligence on House Crimson?" Theo asked, belatedly realizing that this was probably the time for small talk, considering he hadn't seen Antha in some time.
"Our agents report contradictory and ambiguous information," she answered without skipping a beat. "Their reputation in Norro Yorthin was damaged by the incident, so some thought they'd fall apart. They split into several factions, but all of them are holding together. Even though Wiltur is missing, he has a loyal contingent spreading, providing mercenaries and other support across the Ruling Cities. We don't know where they're getting the resources from."
"So they're trying to become an inter-city organization, like the House of Coin?"
"You could say that. But it hasn't attracted too much attention, because House Blacksilver is effectively doing something similar. We're expanding almost faster than we can bear."
Theo had been thinking about Blacksilver mostly in military terms, but he realized that must come with a massively increased social presence as well. "What about Tythes?" he asked. "Surely he's been active."
"Active, yes. But..." Antha shrugged awkwardly. "He's just been hosting feasts, talking down Wiltur and the rest of the House. They say his drinking is getting worse. I don't know what their internal politics are like, but before he disappeared, Wiltur was still favoring an Authority named Roker."
Sometimes Theo forgot that not everyone knew Tythes's true face. He nodded in acceptance, resolving to confer with Nauda later, and was about to deliver his cargo. There was a second purpose to coming here, after all... but it occurred to him that he shouldn't jump straight there.
"Thanks, Antha." Theo gave her a real smile. "Keep your ears open and let us know if they start to move."
"I will." She looked startled by his expression... which was probably deserved.
"Meanwhile, I have the newest shipment from Deuxan for you." Theo reached into his soulhome and pulled a silver-wrapped bundle from his storage chamber. "This is for Janne. I couldn't find her earlier, so I hope you can get it to her."
"Oh, we sent her to the Wavefront. But she asked about materials from Deuxan, so I'm sure she'll be happy to receive them."
"That isn't all, either."
Theo began unloading the lower quality materials he'd collected on Deuxan, feeling a bit like Santa Claus. Back on his first visit to the Nine Worlds he probably would have made a joke about that and annoyed everyone, but now he held his tongue. Truthfully, these weren't presents, they were a key component of both Blacksilver strategy and his own.
By agreeing to bring sublime materials from Deuxan, Theo had gained permanent access to one of House Blacksilver's Fithan weirkeys. No more having to be shuttled around or use the Nlukoko gate, which always wasted time. Even if weirkeys weren't falling into his lap like they did the first time, he was starting to regain inter-world mobility.
In this case, it meant a visit back to the Deuxan Courts. He'd conferred with Sartozi and the others about basements and spent a good bit of time with Victon - the young man had some insightful questions and was rapidly incorporating novel materials.
There was some kind of new court conflict there, several lesser convocations brought about in the aftermath of his own conflict. Theo was exceedingly glad to skate above them. Some of them were sub-Stronghold, so they wanted his commitment, but he'd had enough of Deuxan politics.
The materials he collected weren't anything remarkable for him or his allies, but they could be exceptional finds for weaker soulcrafters in House Blacksilver. Even if the organization was small compared to so many others, Theo thought he was right to keep supporting them. They needed contacts on Fithe, and not only because the war was impending.
Antha was grateful for his shipment but she didn't try to keep him, no doubt seeing the restlessness in his eyes. Theo stepped off the balcony and soared above the city, his mind shifting to higher conflicts. As he pierced through the vast whirlwinds above Norro Yorthin, his mind rose higher to cover the entire continent.
Peace held between the three major powers of the Norron continent: the Ruling Cities, the Asplundat Movement, and the Wavefront. He had yet to explore the last, since House Blacksilver had undertaken major negotiations with the Wavefront in his absence. The treaty with the Asplundat Movement was straining at the seams, as that was always the most unstable relationship.
