Leon was quite subdued when he arrived at Emilie’s residence at the top of her tower, just below the magical spire that helped to hold the Hexagon in the air. After some thinking done on the flight over, he decided that losing Kassia wasn’t quite the blow that he’d originally thought, as she was probably not that connected to the vampires that were chasing him since her contracted demon wasn’t Amon.

Still, it enraged him that his witness had been murdered while in custody.

He’d calmed down by the time he arrived, and when he stepped off the magic lift and into Emilie’s penthouse, he was back to his usual rather unemotive self. He was greeted by one of Emilie’s servants and was shown to his mother-in-law’s formal dining room, to his surprise. He’d arranged this late lunch with her to get her advice and assistance in shoring up his support against the Director, hoping she could back him up when he dealt with other board members and powerful members of the guild, but it was to be just the two of them in the meeting since Elise was still out hunting down land for the golden apple orchard. This meeting shouldn’t have warranted the formal dining room…

As he was escorted through the penthouse, he noticed Jordan, Elise’s father and Emilie’s first husband, walking the opposite direction with several other gorgeous or ruggedly handsome men that Leon found vaguely familiar—several of Emilie’s concubines, he figured—and Leon called out a greeting.

“Hey there, Leon,” Jordan responded, a huge grin on his face appearing after seeing Leon in the hallway. He paused as they drew closer and leaned in, whispering to Leon, “Heads up, kid, someone quite important showed up unannounced today.”

“I kind of figured that much,” Leon replied. “We’d just be in a solar or something otherwise, wouldn’t we? Who should I prepare myself for? A board member?”

“No one so high up,” Jordan replied, “but still influential. Narses the Black, a high-ranking inspector that keeps an eye on the Tower Lords of the south.”

Leon cocked his head at that name. He hadn’t heard it before, but judging by the epithet, he knew a couple things about Narses already: he wasn’t from a prominent family, and he was more than likely from a place that didn’t have family names for commoners. The Bull Kingdom was one such Kingdom, but as far as he knew, the Ilian and Sacred Golden Empires were two more, as was the city of Argos, among many other places. Narses certainly wasn’t from the Bull Kingdom, though, not with that epithet.

Leon nodded. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

“No problem. Be sure to give Elise my love, will you?”

“Of course.”

Leon continued, and his escort soon showed him into Emilie’s formal dining room, announcing him at the door with his full name and rank within Heaven’s Eye.

Sitting at the head of the table was Emilie, her emerald eyes narrow from the strength of her smile, her red hair gleaming in the light shining in from the floor-to-ceiling window behind her. On her left was a man with quite striking looks: hair as dark as the moonless night sky, green eyes so dark that they were almost black, strong masculine features, the pale skin of a man who rarely left the indoors, and an eighth-tier aura. He was tall, rather lithe, and though he smiled toothily when Leon walked in, the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Leon,” Emilie warmly said as Leon walked in. She rose to greet him, with Narses rather lethargically doing likewise, making it clear that this small respect was only out of obligation.

“Emilie,” Leon responded in kind, and he quickly stepped forward to give his mother-in-law a hug. When they parted, he looked to her guest and asked, “Narses the Black, I presume?”

The man didn’t look even slightly surprised, though he said, “It seems my name has preceded me, though I have no idea how; I’m no one special…”

“I’m sure you’re just being humble,” Leon politely responded. Looking to Emilie, he said, “I hope I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” He glanced at a clock on the wall, noting that he was perfectly on time for their lunch meeting.

“Of course not,” Emilie replied. “Narses just found himself in town and had some business to conduct with me. It seems we’ve carried on a bit longer than expected, though…”

“There’re always fires that need putting out for the board members,” Narses bemoaned. “Fortunately, you, My Lady, are quite adept at extinguishing them.”

“You flatter me,” Emilie replied. She then turned to Leon and said, “Leon, you’re quite good at dealing with problems, aren’t you?”

Unsure exactly where she was going with this, but having at least some idea, Leon replied, “I’m quite good at manipulating fire as needed, if I do say so myself…”

“That’s spectacular,” Narses said. “There have been quite a few pirate raids on cities in the Pegasi States recently, and we’re thinking the Sky Devils have had something to do with it. We’re having to scramble a lot of security forces south to deal with the growing threat, and if one of the Hands of the Director could find his way down there, I’m sure there would be no end to the problems they might be able to fix…”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Leon politely responded.

Narses and Emilie then continued to discuss what exactly the problems down south were, but Leon found himself only half-paying attention. The longer he stared at the man, the more he found that was something familiar about him, but he just couldn’t put his finger on it. He was quite certain he’d never met the man before, and when he thought hard enough about it, he thought he’d heard the name come up once or twice in the past decade…

But it was just something about the man’s general aura that had Leon squinting, trying desperately to see what it was that seemed so damned familiar about him. Given recent events and the paleness of his skin, Leon’s first thought was that the man was a vampire. However, Narses’ skin wasn’t quite that deathly pale, his body wasn’t nearly so thin as a typical vampire’s was, and he didn’t shy away from politely laughing at any jokes Emilie made, showing his teeth to be quite unfanged. Leon also couldn’t detect so much as a trace of demonic magic in his aura.

That certainly put him somewhat at ease, as he didn’t want to even think about having an eighth-tier vampire coming after him—the previous seventh-tier blood-suckers had been problem enough. Still, he couldn’t quite place why the man seemed so familiar.

After about fifteen minutes, Narses excused himself and departed, his business with Emilie done.

“So, what was your impression of him?” Emilie asked once they were alone.

Leon stared at the door through which Narses had departed and stayed silent for a moment as he turned her question over, wondering how to answer. Finally, he said, “I’m unsure. He’s certainly powerful enough that I’m surprised he isn’t more widely talked about in the Hexagon, but… I don’t know, why do you ask?”

“My own curiosity,” Emilie replied. “Well, that and the fact that you need supporters right now, don’t you?”

“I do,” Leon agreed, turning his eyes back toward Emilie.

“Narses would be a good place to start. There aren’t many eighth-tier mages in Heaven’s Eye that aren’t either on the board or serving as one of the Director’s Hands or Eyes, and having one of those few on your side would mean quite a bit of clout with the rest of Heaven’s Eye.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Leon said as he glanced at the door again, only to almost jump out of his skin when it opened a moment later. However, it was just some of Emilie’s wait staff bringing in the first course of their lunch.

The two politely chatted for several minutes as the food was laid out, but once the servants had left the dining room, they were back to business.

“Aside from Narses,” Leon said, “are there any other people you might be able to recommend to me? As you said, I need support.”

“I can certainly give you some names, and more besides,” Emilie replied. “First, though, answer me something: are you only looking for support within Heaven’s Eye?”

Leon shook his head. “If someone can advance my cause from without, then I have no problems with bringing them in.”

“That’s good to hear.” Emilie set aside her food for a moment and retrieved from her soul realm two sheets of paper, upon each were written a list of names and a short sentence or two giving their positions and relative worth for Leon’s goals.

The first sheet had names of those within Heaven’s Eye, and with no more than a cursory glance, Leon realized that he knew just about everyone listed on it, even if only in passing. The other five members of the board were on it, as were the names of their vice-chiefs. There were also several others like Narses who were in high positions of power within the guild, though not sitting on the board.

The second sheet was filled with far more unknowns. About three dozen people were listed, and only a bare few had Leon ever heard of before, and only then because they operated relatively small businesses that were affiliated with Heaven’s Eye, filling in some of the few gaps in the guild’s expertise that existed.

“I can help with those on the first list,” Emilie said as Leon looked them over, “but my aid with those on the second can only be limited.”

Leon nodded in understanding. “All of these people could be useful, but are there any you might recommend more than the others?”

Emilie smiled and nodded. “I can do you one better, Leon; I can even tell you about a few people to avoid. Rufus, for example—Chief of Magical Research and Development here in Heaven’s Eye—is on the list only because he’s a board member. But he’s also one of the Director’s oldest and most trusted allies, so the chances of him supporting you over the Director are slim.”

Leon frowned. “Not even if we reveal that the Director is working with vampires?”

“It might be good to keep that information in reserve. I’m guessing you haven’t interacted with many of these people before?”

“I’ve spoken with all of them in my capacity as a Hand. But I’ve never invited them over for dinner or spoken with them about anything other than business.”

Emilie shrugged. “It might be best to avoid talking about the vampires, then. Save that for an ace in the hole. For now, I’d recommend just talking with these people and getting to know them, and only bringing up your need for support against the Director if the Director proves that he’s acting against you and your interests.”

Leon lightly scowled, but he understood what she was saying. “You want them to get to know me instead of having me, barely more than a stranger, try and force them into acting against their leader of centuries?”

Emilie responded with a grave nod.

“Would that advice track with those on the second list?”

“I can’t recommend anything from those on the second list,” Emilie said. “I just don’t know most of them. I only know ‘of’ them.”

“Then of those you know of, who do you think I should start with?”

Emilie looked at the list in Leon’s hand and pointed to one name roughly halfway down the list. “It might be risky, but in this situation, I think he might prove most useful—assuming you can get him to cooperate.”

Leon glanced at the name and his eyebrows rose in curiosity and he grinned at Emilie. The name simply read: ‘Stelios. Officially, a vigneron operating six vineyards south of Occulara. Strong links to the Saltwater Road smuggling organization.’

“I wouldn’t have expected you to send me after criminals,” Leon said.

Emilie gave him a deadly serious look and replied, “Vampires are outcasts. They become criminals the instant they become what they are. It’s only natural that their allies and most of their enemies are also criminals. So if you want to track down and fight some vampires, then you need someone who knows the business. And Stelios would be the man for that conversation.”

“Still, asking a guy like that for help…”

“It’s risky,” Emilie admitted. “I certainly wouldn’t go outright asking Stelios for help. But you asked for anyone who might be able to provide you with support, and Stelios can. Whether or not you make contact with him is your business.”

Leon nodded. “I’ll look into these other names first, then, and make my decision later. At the very least, there aren’t going to be any serious talks of opposing the Director until after my expedition to the north.”

“You’re still going to be meeting with some of these people, though, right?”

“Of course. I have a bad feeling that the Director is already making his own moves, and I’m already behind just from virtue of our positions.”

“Then how about you meet with some of the board members soon?”

Leon hummed in agreement.

“The Chief of Public Relations is an attractive place to start, but…”

Emilie smiled in understanding and finished his statement for him, “… But she’s an obvious place to start.”

Leon knew that five of the six Chiefs sitting on Heaven’s Eye’s board had been placed there by the current Director; only the Chief of Public relations hadn’t, being the oldest and longest-serving Chief in all of Heaven’s Eye. Since she didn’t owe her position to the Director, she had less reason to be loyal—though, Leon fully admitted, not no reason, for the Director had managed Heaven’s Eye quite successfully for a long time.

Still, if he had to rebel against the Director, then the Chief of Public Relations was an obvious woman to get on his side. Unfortunately, that also made it predictable.

“We can shelve that idea for now,” Leon continued. “I was also thinking the Chief of Security, if possible. If push comes to shove, then I’d prefer to have those with the weapons in my corner.”

“A good choice.” Emilie then pointed to one of the names highest on the first list. “Narses the White is the current Chief of Security.”

Leon nodded, remembering the huge blond, boisterous man he’d spoken to a couple of times. “Any advice for dealing with this guy?”

“Narses the White is a heavy drinker and loves a good brawl. Get him drunk, challenge him to a fight, and win. He’s also eighth-tier, though, so it won’t be an easy win.”

“That can’t be all I have to do…”

“You won’t get him on your side with that alone, especially since the Director is ninth-tier, but it should be enough for him to pay attention to what you have to say. You could also appeal to his sense of duty; I think rooting out the vampire menace will be an attractive thing for the Chief of Security.”

“Then I’ll make some time for him.”

“Are you at all trying to be subtle?”

Leon smiled, but his lips were thin and his eyes flashed with scorn at the idea. “The Director, as far as I’m aware, will already know that I’ve been here. He’ll know exactly where I go and who I talk to within hours of my visit, if not sooner. It won’t matter how secretive I try to be, it honestly won’t help. So there’s no point. Hells, if I’m more upfront about this, then it might better sell how seriously I’m taking this issue and make him more likely to side with me over the vamps.”

“Or it might provoke him into acting against you more directly. Are you ready for that kind of heat?”

Emilie’s tone took on a deadly tone, and Leon knew that she was asking after more than just him.

“I’m ready,” he responded. “All of us are. Elise hasn’t forgotten about that vampire attack on our home back in the Bull Kingdom; she wants these creatures who’ve been harassing us for years dealt with, as much as is possible.”

One of Emilie’s perfectly trimmed eyebrow’s rose in curiosity. “You say that as if you don’t expect this problem will go away.”

With a deep scowl, Leon said, “I don’t. The demon that’s most involved in these matters is an old rival of Xaphan—my demon. And he’s had eighty-thousand years to grow his network on this plane. His power here seems to be limited, thank the Ancestors, otherwise the entire plane probably would’ve been his a long time ago, but his followers are dangerous enough. Even if we kill all of his people, though, not only will it not affect that much since he’s not physical on this plane, but he’s also undoubtedly far more powerful than any of us can deal with right now. Probably at a level that only after a long time in the Nexus will we have strength enough to face him directly and have a chance to win.

“So, no, I don’t think that anything we do here will permanently end this problem. But that’s no reason to lay back and let it happen, is it?”

“A healthy attitude to have, I think.”

The two sat there for a few more minutes, quietly picking at the food that had been brought out. After it became clear that neither had any more real business to bring up, Leon asked, “So, I was thinking of hosting a party at my villa—”

“—A party?!” Emilie cried out, almost choking on a piece of fruit in her shock.

Leon nodded, unfazed by her shock. In the ten years since he’d arrived in Occulara, he’d never once hosted a party at his home. “I’m thinking of using it as a pretext for meeting Narses the White. And I was hoping you’d be there too; lend this thing a little air of dignity and legitimacy, right?”

“Of course!” Emilie cried out, reaching over and doing her best to pull Leon into a hug without pushing them both down into her food. “Oh, this is going to be incredible! I need to plan out what to wear and who to bring!”

“I can’t speak to the first, or even really to the second—bring whoever you like, as far as I’m concerned—but I know Elise would be beyond thrilled if Jordan were to come. They don’t see each other enough.”

“Neither does she see me enough,” Emilie replied in a slight huff. But she brightened up a moment later and said, “That’s still a wonderful idea! Just send Talal with the details and I’ll be sure to clear my schedule for the day! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”

Leon grimly smiled, wondering just what he was getting himself into with this idea. He couldn’t very well take it back, at this point…