exalted fate: ch 14 not edited yet (rough drarft) (Patreon)

Chapter 14: Battle Breakfast

Sunlight unfurled across my skin, weaving a tapestry of warmth and awareness, urging me from the sanctuary of dreams into the arena of duty. In its tender embrace lay the dual promise of vitality and the inexorable weight of expectations, a reminder that with each rising sun, the Empire's demands would once again call for my attention.

I blinked awake in my bed, sheets twisted around my legs, sweat cooling on my skin. Sasha and Milly were gone, their warmth absent. Two other bodies were in my bed, propped on elbows, staring at me. Ashley and Rachel's scents enveloped me.

“Good morning, sleepy husband.” Ashley cooed, her auburn red hair, a blaze of fire’s life next to me.

“Mmm, what time is it?” Groggy disillusionment filled my voice. Shit, did I actually sleep in?

“Eight in the morning… You, Lord husband, slept in.” Rachel said, her tone cute and accusing.

“Holy shit. I don’t remember the last time I did that.” I said, inching up.

“It was quite nice. How do you feel, any dreams?” Ashley asked, morning robe spilling over her supple curves.

“I feel…” How did I feel? “Good, rested, that’s for sure. Dreams, no, well sort of, marble coffins and fire and a small octopus thing.” I said, shaking my head. "How long have you two been awake?”

"Long enough to watch you frown at the ceiling for twenty minutes in your sleep." Rachel stretched, the motion fluid and deliberate. "The Abyssal guardian bothering you?"

"Among other things. But bother might be a strong word. Ha." My laugh was half-hearted but filled with all the pleasures of a restful night’s sleep and the promise of a new day.

I sat up, running my hands through my hair. The morning routine felt surreal after yesterday's revelations. Gods and dungeons and cosmic horrors. But my true worry for now was breakfast.

"It's not just the fight," I said. "It's everything. The titles, the responsibility, the fact that a diminished fire god just handed me the keys to saving the world."

"You already had those keys," Rachel said quietly. "Rakthanos just made it official."

A knock at the door interrupted us. "Master Eric!" Milly's voice was bright and cheerful. "Breakfast is ready! And Sasha wants to know if we're really going back to fight the slimy thing today!" Ah, Milly my bundle of bouncing jiggling joy, no way am I going to let you fight that thing. She definitely does not need that kind of trauma. I thought as Milly’s bright smile filled me with everything a man could need upon waking.

I looked at Ashley and Rachel. Both of them wore the same expression—resolved, unafraid, ready.

"Yeah," I called back. "We're really going back." I kissed Ashley and Rachel in turn as I got out of bed, the act perfunctory but settled in the surety of the bond that only grew deeper between us all.

Clean from last night's shower, I put on my underclothes, as Rachel asked. “Did you want all of us to come?”

“Cumming is always a want I have for you.” My dry reply got a blush from Rachel.

“That can easily be arranged, should we?” Ashley asked, her teasing a melody sweeter than honey in the morning fading malaise.

I puppet-ed my hands as if talking, silently asking Rachel if we were free to speak. She nodded. “I want to get the coffins built and get the adamantium. Once we track down where the next rift opening will be, we will need to set sail at once. I want to take a load of Coffins when we do.” I said, stopping by the door.

“And don’t forget Aunty Elizabeth’s dinner with our fathers on dawning…” Ashley reminded. The look on her face was something new I had not seen before, not quite worry but close.

“A black procession… Yes, that’s… Dinner. I’m looking forward to it. though I am a little terrified.” Meeting the parents was never easy, and I had no idea what to truly expect from the dukes.

“Don’t worry. He’s going to love you.” Rachel said, a blush creeping on her face, “I’m just glad mother won't be attending…” She paused, “I don’t think she could help herself.”

“Yes, best she does not attend. And mine, well, she has no interest. Busy, you see…” Ashley's face fell farther than her trailing words, her brightness dimming for only a second before sparkling once more.

“Well, we will get through it together, just like with everything else,” I said, moving to the bed and pulling the two into a hug.

“We will,” Ashley said.

“Together,” Rachel reiterated. We entered the living room of our college apartment. Strafa bustled in the kitchen as Sasha and the rest of the household made sure the apartment was ready for us to leave for the weekend.

"Master Eric, are you ready for a battle breakfast?" Milly bounced on her toes, vibrating and jiggling with energy. "Strafa made extra eggs because fighting monsters makes everyone hungry!"

"Battle breakfast," I repeated, bemused. "Is that a thing now?"

"It is now!" She beamed. "I helped. Sasha said warriors need protein."

Sasha emerged from the kitchen, with white hair and blue tips gleaming in the morning light. "The eggs are perfect. Though, Milly insisted on making enough for twelve people."

"Better too much than too little," Milly declared. "What if we get really hungry after killing the tentacle monster?"

"Optimistic thinking," Ashley said, settling at the table. "I like it."

The smell of breakfast filled the apartment, full and warm—eggs, bacon, fresh bread. Normal things. Domestic things. A stark contrast to where we'd be spending our day.

"Titus sent word," Faith announced, approaching with the morning Imperial Tribune. "His team is ready and waiting in the dungeon lobby."

"Good." I accepted a plate, appetite roaring despite my earlier nerves. Strafa set down a steaming mug of coffee beside my plate, her movements precise and graceful.

I glanced at the Tribune, but I had no real desire to read vague propaganda in the morning. Luckily, Ashley was already tearing through the Tribune social columns.

Imperial Tribune: September 24, 3212 T.E. Lastness (Friday)

SHADOW WAR IN THE SCATTERED KINGDOMS DEEPENSAssassinations, Betrayals, and Royal Blades in the Dark…

Reports from imperial observers confirm that the southern kingdoms of Alada and Ashmont continue to press their advantage after their recent battlefield triumphs. Yet victory on the field has only stoked the embers of political treachery. The royal courts of Setten and Hammond have been rocked by assassination attempts, with rumors that noble heirs have resorted to hiring foreign blades to settle these blood feuds. At least four prominent lords have vanished this week alone.

Prince Quinten of Ashmont and Princess Tanya of Alada were reportedly the targets of yet another coordinated attack—this time while traveling under assumed identities. Both survived.

The Emperor has issued no formal statement, though the Tribune has confirmed an increase in diplomatic couriers dispatched from the Imperial Palace to the southern front.

—By Candidus Fael, Tribune Senior War Correspondent

I looked up from the article. Both Ashley’s and Rachel’s faces were pale. “What… What is it?”

“Um, here, just look…” Ashley said, pointing to the headline article of the social collum. I turned my paper to it.

Well, fuck.

EXALTED PRINCE LEONARD CHALLENGES EXALTED LORD GRAYSON TO EINVIGI HOLMGANGRoyal Decree Issued— Blood Shall Decide What Coin Cannot.

In an ancient invocation of imperial tradition, Exalted Prince Leonard Palebreaker the Third, heir to the Sovereignty of the East and Blood of the Pale Throne, has formally issued an Einvigi Holmgang, a sanctioned duel to the death, against Exalted Lord Eric Grayson, scion of the House of Stars and recent victor of the Fallen Noble Auction.

The challenge was delivered by a sealed raven to the Imperial Collegium, with the full imprimatur of the Eastern Sovereign’s court, witnessed and countersigned by a Triumvirate of Judges of Blood and Honor. In accordance with tradition, the Holmgang will be fought upon the Imperial Black Sand Arena at dawn. In accordance with custom, the Imperial Seneschal Calthrop has set the date to be October 20, 3212 T.E. Mundness. The winner shall claim all property, wealth, lands, titles, slaves, and honors of the defeated.

Prince Leonard’s formal statement reads:

“Let the stain of shame be washed with blood. Let the common-born who would mock the line of kings meet me where only magic and steel holds truth.”

The House of Stars has yet to issue a response. Imperial tongues whisper of Grayson’s meteoric rise.

The Imperial College remains silent, and the Emperor has not commented. Analysts speculate the Emperor’s refusal to intervene marks this challenge as a sanctioned purge of instability—or a test of the Empire’s newest rising power.

One thing is certain: one Exalted will not rise from the black sand. May Ack’s will be done. Long live the Emperor! Long Live the Empire!

"Fuck," I muttered, staring at the paper. "A duel to the death, again? With the prince?"

"That arrogant prick," Ashley hissed, her delicate fingers crushing the edge of the newspaper. "He's been itching for this for years... Tiffany must have pushed him after the auction… perfect opportunity to play out his boyhood fantasy. A dueling master…" Her last words were delivered with all the sarcasm and contempt she could manage.

Rachel leaned forward, her voice dropping to a calculated whisper. "The challenge requires your formal response. Tradition demands you meet him in person to accept or decline…most likely this morning since the announcement's already public. He’s probably waiting by the stairs to the dungeon lobby as we speak.”

"Fuck I didn’t think he could get up this early… So, I accept today? Can I decline?" I set down my fork.

“No… I mean, yes, but you would have to give up everything. Refusing means you lose the fight without dying… So, you can’t really refuse…” Ashley said with an apologetic frown.

“Well, shit. At least I have until the day after I’m supposed to close the rift. That’s something… I guess there’s nothing to it. If he wants to go to an early grave, so be it. I guess we should get ready to go.” I said, standing.

“Will we be joining, Master Eric?” Milly asked excitedly.

“Thank you for breakfast, Strafa and Milly. It was truly a battle breakfast. But no, today I need you all to get moved over to the house and get ready for Ashley’s and Rachel’s dinner with their fathers.” Milly looked hurt for all of a second before looking at Ashley and Rachel and nodding her head. She must have concluded the importance of making sure her mistress’s parents were impressed.

“I’m going to oversee —all— the preparations for the living and the dead,” Ashley added, more amused at getting to talk in code than really trying to be inconspicuous.

“Good, work with Sarah and Timmothy. I want to set sail for the next rift opening Mundness? Rachel, can you…”

“I’ll inform the college of our need for a leave of absence due to our imperial-mandated extracurricular activity. I’ll work on a mockup you can use for our side enchanting project…working on something else might just rattle an idea or two loose for the needle. Once you get the adamantium, we’ll be able to craft the needle.”

“Thread?” I asked.

“We have enough now to close two large rifts if my calculations are right. Will have to make more later, though.” Rachel answered.

“Good, at least we have one supply sorted out. Any idea how to make it?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s detailed in the notes. It’s a longer alchemical process, but we should be able to manage it.” Rachel answered.

“Shall we get ready and go and see about Leonard?” I said helping each of my wives up from their seats.

“Wouldn’t miss that for the world...” Ashley said, kissing my cheek.

“Mmm, it will be a test of willpower not to laugh.” Rachel chuckled as she kissed me.

“Hum, I just hope it doesn’t take too long.”