The mansion was falling apart. And Kurt's party evacuated to the stairs. There he was greeted by King James and a plethora of elves.

The situation had played out basically as Kurt expected. Once they stepped on that ship this was going to be the enviable conclusion.

He and Talia walked down to King James.

"I am a little new to this but I feel that it is rather abnormal to attempt to kill your guests."

"Very," said Talia, "one would call it rude even."

The mansion behind them had given out to one side and fallen behind them, the other half barely holding on.

"So Lord Mordor?"

"It's no more," said Kurt. "He attacked me, I wouldn't suggest that."

"What about me?" said Talia, biting her lip, with a smile. Kurt smiled back.

King James looked like he had no idea what to do. There was too much to process the death of not one but two gods, his mansion destroyed, and it wasn't like he could claim Kurt wasn't directly attacked either. He was a bit struck.

"We should continue our negotiations," said Kurt, turning back to the destroyed mansion. "I feel some concessions are in order after this."

"I agree," said Talia, "they did almost kill your wife."

"Yes, that's true. And imagine if I had not sent off the Kitsune?"

Talia nodded back.

"What were you thinking?"

"Well, hmm given the situation. You submit to Wellspring and come under our banner."

"You want us to…"

"Just switch between master really," said Talia. "I mean, this attack would more than justify an attack from Wellspring." The goblins in their party gave a few grunts.

"I could start right now," said Kurt.

"So what?"

"Nothing really, I like you, James. What do we really know about running an elven empire? Of course, the banished members of our land would have their privileges restored. We'll send someone."

King James looked at the elves next to him. They all had faces of conflict. They didn't want to give up without a fight. But after Kurt's display, no one was going to step forward to fight.

"Talia," said Kurt, "think you can handle some of the things here? I think I'm going to stop the Kitsune from retreating. Ohh and kill any shadows you see."

"Yes, dear."

Kurt flew toward Wellspring and found the Minitaurs running along the canyon. He landed a few yards in front of them. The Minotaurs took a defensive position with Kitsune, and Stacy behind them. Maliki had lit himself on fire with his powers.

It hadn't been that long; they hadn't made it very far.

"Don't worry it's me, Lord Kurt."

"Lord Kurt? What happened?"

"They attacked me and then they died. It's over."

"Over?"

"Sylvain is now a vassal state of Wellspring."

"What?" said Stacy. "They submitted it to you?"

"They didn't have much choice. We can't let the Kingdom go and attack our Lord and his wife now can we?"

The Minotaurs laughed. The straightforward logic of the type they enjoyed. Claiming ownership in Minotaur society is usually a front assault rather than a discussion.

"So," said Kurt, "you can stop running."

"That fast?" said Maliki.

"What can they do? We can easily take the pyramid, you know that. A swarm of Wyvern, a cavalry of Minotaurs. And me. They did this to themselves."

"And Jacob?" said Stacy.

"He's fine." Stacy sighed in relief.

"Sir Kurt," said Maliki, "this is difficult to process. As an apostle, I can exactly approve of killing a god."

"I think you should consult with Ishtar."

"Well, I don't think it's that simple. This hasn't happened since."

"I thought your main focus was on the Kitsune, have I ever done anything to harm him? Even this retreat was designed to keep the Kitsune as safe as possible." The Minotaurs nodded to each other.

"I will have to ponder about this and consult others," said Maliki.

"I would never order you, nor your kin to attack the god Maliki. But I was not going to let him kill me."

Kitsune walked up to Kurt and bowed and then came to his side facing Maliki. Stacy had followed. The Minotaurs stood to the side, still guarding the Kitsune.

After that, the party turned back toward Sylvain. And Kurt flew his way back up to the pyramid's top. He landed near Talia, finding her further down after a bit.

"So," said Kurt, "I trust they have been a bit more welcoming."

"Yes, my lord."

"Can you send someone to greet the Minotaurs and Kitsune for me?" Kurt said to King James.

"Of course," said James, waving to a particular elf.

"And we are all in agreement on things?"

"Yes," said Talia, "many of their concerns have been alleviated."

"Concerns?"

"They thought you were planning on occupying them?"

"Occupying?"

"Yes."

"Well I would expect my citizens to be welcome regardless of race," Kurt said, gesturing to the goblins.

"Yes, that will take some time, but I assured them they shouldn't expect a horde."

"We would want a wyvern nest, but actually how are your forges?"

"Our forges?" said King James.

"Have you ever heard of a train?"

It took a moment, "Some fancy cart?"

Talia gave Kurt a strange look, "It probably tried to translate it. You are all taking this rather well though."

"From my understanding," said Talia, "to them this is more or less what happens when the current King dies."

"So instead of a new clan it's Wellspring," said Kurt.

"Yes," said Talia. "So it would be until your death."

Many of the elves nodded. That seemed to be the simplest story because it was mostly the truth.

"Yes, that would be the simplest explanation," said Talia, "I would insist on a demotion to Governor James. I don't want people thinking it's King James and Queen Layla."

Governor James nodded back. "I shall properly make the decree."

"And the rest of the clans?"

Talia gestured at Governor James' party, "The important one has representatives here."

"Well," said Kurt, "I think we would rebuild their mansion for them or pay their people appropriately for the task. Considerations going into the swift transition."

"As a gesture of good faith," said Talia.

"It is not the first time the mansion has been damaged. But, the way Lady Talia explains it," said Governor James, "we would have autonomy, with a tribute or tax." He looked at Talia.

"I think we can make a deal that the tribute is nothing compared to what's gained from cooperation. We have a lot more markets."

It wasn't what Kurt wanted to happen. He wasn't supposed to take over the place. But the change in leadership in Elvish culture seemed to allow what happened.

The open secret of the shadows and once Mordor arrived. The elves were a bit captive.

It was actually lucky that the elves were so used to this type of takeover internally that a sudden external takeover was surprisingly easy.

After what they had seen Kurt do, the clan leaders were willing to fight enough, and they would need support even if they won somehow and by then their clan wouldn't be able to put up enough of a fight. Taking all the risk to perhaps reward another clan wasn't a winning opportunity.

The reality was that King James was also a very new monarch as well, and didn't have the time to solidify much of his power.

There was still something bugging him. "How did the shadows know?"

"Know what?" said Talia.

"That their friend hadn't returned from the trial. I was assuming they had been in Sylvain for a while, perhaps even since the shadow we found at the Pillar."

Talia looked at Kurt putting it together, "They have a way here is what you're saying."

"That's what's worrying me, I suppose it could have been Mordor."

"That's the only thing that's worrying you? Not that another god ended up dead right next to you. You think it's going to be just one the next time?"

"No," said Kurt, "but I think they will try to bully us a bit less."

"Or a bit more."

"The way I understand it, they are going to end up fighting each other."

"Let's hope."

"So I'm more concerned about how the shadow is even involved and how quickly?"

"I guess that makes sense," said Talia.

"No, that's the problem, it doesn't make sense," said Kurt. "Why was he alone? Not even an angel."

The only way to figure some of it out was to wait for Ishtar to return, and who knew when that would happen. He was sure she would come back, if only for sweets.

They spend the next few days continuing their Norma visit. Though the discussions became a lot more one-sided of course.

The elves seemed to be unaware of the shadows or they had come with Mordor there wasn't a way to be sure. Or if some had managed to escape.

But that still didn't add up to Kurt. Somewhere along the line the God was negotiating with his enemy.

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