So far, the sights of Olimpia have not disappointed me. I had long heard stories of the opulent craftsmanship and architecture displayed within the capital, and it turned out that this was one time that the stories didn't do reality justice. At the very gates of the city, we were greeted on all sides by an open market filled with merchants displaying their goods.

We couldn't even see a fraction of the total wares on display, as the open-faced buildings around us were double-storied affairs, a large portion of which I could see were connected by intricately crafted walkways. We spent over an hour or more meandering through the aisles in and out of the buildings, inspecting one stall after another, my head whipping around every which way the whole time.

I saw more fruits than I could name, animals I didn't even know existed, and tanks of live fish that I wasn't sure were meant for pets or food. Probably a little of both. And that was on top of more gold and jewelry that I had seen previously in my life, and that could apply in terms of changing hands, on people's bodies, or being displayed as the statement held true on all accounts.

I was getting the distinct impression that I could walk around this market and buy anything that existed within the Republic, so long as I had the coin. It was a chilling realization. The world in which the nobles lived and the one in which the commoners existed shared few similarities.

Just look at the clothes everyone walking the market with a guard or two was wearing. In my whole life, I think I have seen a handful of people wearing garments made of the fabled silk of the Free City. There was only one thing all the nobles — or at least all the noble women — could agree on, and it was that losing the Free City was a tragedy.

In the South Sea that swept around the Great Forest, connecting the Imperium and the Republic, there was only one safe harbor. Tales abounded of ships anchoring off the shore of the woodlands, and by morning, nothing but a desolate ship remained rocking on the waves. Whatever was really going on, the stories had enough truth to them that no crew was willing to take the risk.

Somewhere in the middle of that storm-swept stretch of sea was a substantial island, with only one harbor that was hollowed out of the cliffside. For obvious reasons, the island was fortified by the Republic shortly after the Imperium founded itself, and since then, it has been traded back and forth numerous times. Eventually, the inhabitants grew tired of the game and banded together to kick both of the nations out, declaring anyone could rest in the harbor so long as they remained civil.

It was a compromise that everyone seemed to accept a little too quickly, in my opinion, but that didn't really matter for this. Shortly after the Free City's founding, they started producing their only export, silk. The bolts fabric turned the island from a little-known but necessary fort to an economic powerhouse. One that neither the Republic nor the Imperium was willing to let fall into the hands of the other.

With two nations competing over the supply, the cost of silk was exorbitant. Making the fact that I could see hundreds of people wearing entire garments of the material all the more glaring. I thought my new outfit was well-made with good material, but I couldn't even compare it to many of the guards around us.

However, that wasn't the case for the Kin. It wasn't that their clothing was particularly well-made or from rare materials. Or I didn't think that was the case. It was that they weren't playing the same game. While everyone else in our group was dressed in something you could see anywhere else in the Republic, if you looked hard enough, they weren't. It wasn't just their race that made them look exotic, but also their clothing.

Making it no surprise that as we marched through the streets, we drew the same, if not more, interest in us as we were showing everything. The attention as I gawked would have been a bit embarrassing, but I was just one of many in a crowd, as all the other scouts but Kathren, Sathera, and Anooha were doing the same, and the Kin weren't much better.

Except my little bubble of obscurity didn't last long. The farther we traveled into the city, the worse the lookie-loos became as word of the Kin spread. I think it was understandable that I was starting to get nervous. It wasn't every day that a solid line of onlookers was standing at the railing of the multiple-story buildings to either side, watching the people next to me.

Though after a while, I kind of got used to it as well… Though it might have been more that my attention was dragged away by the ever greater opulence all around us as we traveled deeper into the city along the main street. Every building lining the road grew steadily taller, and it seemed like the owners were competing not only for height but also extravagance. The bottom levels of the buildings were filled with enclosed open-air gardens filled with crafted statues lining the walkways leading to discreetly hidden stairwells. Not that the stairwells needed to be hidden, as they themselves were works of art. The upper levels of the structures were dedicated to cafes, libraries, gardens, weapon shops, and anything else that the owners thought would be profitable.

It wasn't just the eyes that the nobles competed with each other, either. For the last few distinct markets, we were bombarded by the lilting voices of singers as more than a dozen voices sang together from all sides, supported by soft instruments. The noise wasn't loud enough to overwhelm your senses, but if you took a moment to listen, you would be pleasantly surprised. I would say at least equally surprised as when you finally realized the last song had abruptly vanished as you entered a new district.

"As I am sure you have noticed by now," the senator said, a pleased note in his voice, "This street is anything but ordinary." Seeing that Kanieta had turned to look at him quizzically, he happily continued, "This is Market Street, and has something of a reputation among the nobility and wealthy merchants. Owning these complexes isn't about the income, though the upper levels are quite profitable. It's a statement of prominence and affluence to everyone."

"Oh? In that case, I am sure your family is one such holder," Kanieta commented pleasantly. "Though I am curious, how much does all of this cost? I can not dream that maintaining this could be in any way cheap or easy."

"Yes, the Ponpti's are blessed to own a Market, and ours is among the middle dozen along the corridor, as is expected of a family with our history. As to the upkeep, I honestly cannot say. The entire first level of the street is managed by one of a handful of theaters, which compete for the contract every five years. They design and reconstruct the street to a new theme when they win the bid. Right now, I believe the current theme is the enchanted garden, though I'm unsure who holds the contract. I do know that the reconstruction is occurring soon, so perhaps we have that to look forward to during your visit. But to further answer your question, every Market Street owner is expected to pay into the fund to hire the team, and the amounts vary depending on location. What I can say is that what I shell out every year is enough to buy an extremely comfortable house for a family."

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Kanieta quieted for a moment as she processed the information before commenting, "I must say, this is not what I was expecting."

"In what way, ambassador?" The senator asked as he slowed to allow easier conversation.

"From what I have seen of your people, everything is about military efficiency. Little thought was given to decorations or perceived frivolous activities such as art."

"Understandable. The north is steeped in the old ways. Oh, I do not mean any offense by my comment or to insult them, but it is the simple truth. There is an argument that such a state of mind is still necessary for them, although most of the South believes it is long past time for them to change. However, even during the old days when our ancestors were still constantly struggling to expand the Republic's borders, Olimpia herself was still filled with craftsmen of all kinds. As Senator Domikus put it, 'If we are so forsaken to not have someplace to consider the center of our culture, what are we struggling so hard to survive for?'"

"…Yes," Kanieta offhandedly agreed, her mind obviously somewhere else. "I must agree to that sentiment. My people are young compared to yours, but even during the darkest periods, we made the time to enjoy life. I think in many ways, our two peoples have each experienced a parallel history. Perhaps it will be enough for us to form a lasting bond."

"I hope so." Ponpti said, his words holding a sudden weight even as they held a hint of uncertainty, "but I fear that there are those within the city who would go to any lengths to ensure that isn't the case."

"You mean our mutual foe?"

"Among others. When you have a history as long as ours, it comes with its own set of problems. One of which is a certain undercurrent of the city that would tear down the walls and see everything burn just for the thrill." Kanieta didn't have anything to say to that as we continued onward, but no one was taking the stroll through the city nearly as casually. Everyone's eyes were now darting to the shadows, searching for what lay within or past them.

***********

"Ambassador Nightstalker, I have just received word that the Kin representatives have arrived in the city. It seems that our time for preparations is finally over." A woman reported as she came to a stop in front of Luna, as she sipped on her wine.

"Oh?" The dark elf murmured as she tore her eyes away from the elven men dancing for her across the room. "I guess my little vacation is coming to an end then… Pity. Well, let's get on with it. I know there must be something else." At her comment, the human woman flinched minutely, but the fact that she refrained from shivering in place meant she did in fact come with another report. Ahh, another pity.

Luna was now in the mood to discipline someone after the recent news, but dishing out undeserved punishments simply wasn't done. Meaningless disorder with punishments led to mistakes, intentional or otherwise, and mistakes of a subordinate led to the leader's punishment, which was not something Luna was planning on experiencing again.

"Some of the senators have shown up and are requesting to have a word with you on how to handle the matter. They are not willing to take no for an answer."

An aggravated sigh escaped Luna's lips, and she threw a glance at the bed in the corner, where she had planned to spend a pleasant night, but it looked like that wouldn't be happening anytime soon. She didn't want to deal with the arrogant Olimpian men, but everyone had to do things they hated at times. Grabbing the robe she had draped over her lounge, she loosely donned it and strode from the room.

Down the absurdly short and narrow corridor running along the second floor of this so-called manor, Luna appeared at the top of the curved staircase. One hand lightly sliding over the railing as she moved, the dark elf studied the men gathered in the foyer. She was not alone in her scrutinizing gaze either, as the men's eyes were locked upon her, or more accurately, their eyes were flitting between her barely covered chest and the large amount of thigh flashing as she glided down the stairs.

Luna wanted to sneer at their reactions, but contained herself. The Olimpians would not take such an action from her well, and could lash out because of it, causing a minor inconvenience for her. As it turned out, in the heart of the Republic, they were surprisingly competent at detecting and tracing mental manipulation.

Relatively. You know, compared to the non-existent measures of the north. They were still crude and inelegant compared to her civilized people, but the half elves were at least proving to not be utter barbarians. Her first effort to insert a senator directly into the meeting had resulted in the man being apprehended by the inquisitors and subsequently disappearing.

That was weeks ago, and while the little event had long been overshadowed by the local gossip, Luna was sure that the mind delvers were still searching for the culprit behind the event, which was her. They wouldn't find anything, but the fact that they were looking could prove bothersome. And it was the reason that she had decided to be more circumspect in her manipulations.

While tiresome, it was easy. Simply a nudge here and a push there, gradually entrapping the minds of those before Luna as she steadily reshaped their reality. It didn't take much, just a suggestion that one emotion, thought, or mixture of both supersedes all others. Do it enough, and suddenly what a person cares about, and thus their personality, has completely altered.

The process was helped by the fact that they were easily distracted by her body, and given another month or two, none of them would be able to so much as deny her a passing request. As it was, if she pushed them too hard, they would buck off the mental compulsion, perhaps even realizing that they were under it. So she had to deal with these annoying matters slowly.

"Well, what a pleasure to see you all here." Luna lied through her teeth with a pleasant smile and soft voice. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"Ahh, Lady Nightstalker," Senator Ulklink said, stepping forward to speak for the group. "We are here to express our concerns about allowing the Kin to enter the city unimpeded. While it would be costly, we could have ended the annoyance before it ever reached the city… or even this very night. We feel that allowing any possibility of a bond forming between our people is too much of a risk for our future plans."

"I understand your concerns," Luna said as she stepped forward to caress the middle-aged man's cheek. "But I assure you that there will be no cooperation. A faction within the Kin has already ensured that, and they will soon make further nuisances of themselves. Allowing these ones before the senate and to prance around the city will only focus everyone's attention on them as we enact our plan. Trust me, there is nothing to worry about. Now come, I have the perfect way to soothe your concerns."

Leading the men deeper into the house to the thralls she had turned into sex slaves, Luna sighed in resignation. She would have to put on a show for the old fat Olimpians, and that was so… tedious. None of them possessed the skills and training a proper man should have to stand beside one of her station. Then again, that would change in time.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.