Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Inner City- Plaza

The Portal snapped shut discharging the two people that had requested entry. Four Wraiths were scanning the area and they reported no one had come with them so the Legionnaires and Dead Legion members went back to their normal duties while the Heart Guard and Dawn Guard remained on standby, "I can't say I am surprised you requested this visit, I am surprised you waited this long and that you did not try to sneak anyone in." Jacob told his mother and father-in-law.

Ishmael and Anastasia On'tel acted differently to his comment, Ishmael looked slightly ashamed while Anastasia looked indigent of what Jacob had said. "What is that supposed to mean." She asked.

"It means I do not trust you or the Hollowed Tombs an inch. It means if you step over the line the Non-Aggression Pact we made will become null and void. I let you have some wiggle room before because I was hoping to turn your people into allies, but your people are too much of an isolationists society that has to control everything. Your peoples attempt to control me almost killed my wife instead, your daughter. Yet you did nothing to stop it nor do I see the heads of the people that did it so, you did nothing to make sure it does not happen again. That tells me your loyalty lay with the Hollowed Tombs over your own daughter. She is at the palace, you may see here and interact with her, but she will be staying here. You will be constantly under guard and if I or Cathrine want you to leave at any time, you will." Jacob informed them.

Jacob then turned and led the way, ignoring them and any possible response they could have.

Although they spun a grand tale, Jacob could already poke a few holes in it. According to them and their sources, it was former members of the Plague Lords followers that had been behind the kidnapping attempt. No way could anyone within the Council of Nine or any members of their nobility, be behind the attempt.

"Can I ask you something, now from what I understand the Deathwalkers are renown for a few things. How deadly they are, their ability to complete almost impossible missions, and their absolute loyalty to the Council of Nine. That's correct?" Jacob asked and Anastasia On'tel nodded but Ishmael frowned.

"Why ask that?" The Death Knight wondered.

"I just assume that because your people have so many problems with Plague Lord sympathizers, that they have managed to infiltrate the ranks of your elite most units." Jacob mused in response.

"No, impossible. We wave multiple Mind Mages check them for loyalty and the cast spells on them to ensure both their loyalty to the Nine and so that no one can infiltrate their minds." Ishmael.

Jacob smiled, "I am glad to hear that. Miss Dotts, can you bring out dessert please." Jacob called out to the cook.

"Regular or the special request my King?" The Gnome responded.

Jacob gave her a smile, "The special request for our special guests." The Gnome bowed and moved away.

Jacob smiled at the two guests and Cathrine frowned, she could feel his cold determination and anger that had flared up again. A small cart was wheeled out of the kitchen and Miss Dotts placed the covered platter in front of the two Noble Undead as Jacob took Cathrine's hand to calm himself and to pull her away from her parents if this went the worst way possible. "Please enjoy your just desserts, Ishmael, it is everything you deserve," Jacob told him coldly.

The Death Knight frowned before removing the cover, Anastasia and Ishmael both froze while Cathrine looked at Jacob in alarm. "What, don't you like your dessert Ishmael? He is one of your vaunted Deathwalkers that you just swore that was only loyal to the Nine above all else. Go ahead and feel free to lie some more." Jacob pushed the platter with the man's head closer to the two guests.

"Nothing to say?' Jacob waited a few moments before turning to Cathrine. 'He was part of the group that killed the two guards assigned to protect you and then tried to kidnap you. He is a Deathwalker, he was one of those assigned to protect you in the past, he has been here many times and would know your routines and where and when you would go anywhere. You father and mother have been lying to protect the Hollowed Tombs, why I do not know. However, this sham is over. This visit is over, you have a minute to say goodbye and then you will be escorted to the Palace Portal Pad." Jacob stood and the Heart Guards and Dawn Guards closed in.

Cathrine started to cry, Jacob wanted to hug her, but she needed this time to say goodbye, he did not know when she would see them again.

As they walked back, Anastasia looked lost and sad while Ishmael remained stoak, "When did you know?" the Death Knight asked.

"The Council of Nines part or that you valued the Hollowed Tombs above your own daughter's life?" Jacob replied coldly.

"Both." He croaked out.

"Two days after the attempt I finally had a chance to review the bodies. I knew then someone from the Nine was behind it. I suspected your loyalty problem when you appeared without a head or heads of those responsible when you spun that story, it confirmed it.' Jacob told him coldly, ' Blood Knights have a saying, Blood and Honor above all else. Our enemies think when we say blood we are referring to our feeding habits, it refers too out families and people. Towns and Cities can be burnt to the ground, you cannot replace life once it is lost. Do not contact us again, do not enter the Empire uninvited. We will contact you if and when she wants to see you."

Jacob watched as the two Noble Undead that seemed so large and powerfull all those months ago, appeared weak and broken as they disappeared through the Portal. Jacob turned and walked away, time to deal with the fallout of what had happened.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- Eternal Forest

Jacob moved through the various sword stances and forms while Cathrine pummeled Big John. Jacob had wrapped her hands in linen so she wouldn't scratch her knuckles up too bad. Her gloves were tucked into her belt and her knives sat on either hip. "Really now?" Cathrine asked as she whipped around.

Jacob blushed embarrassed that he had been caught, but it's difficult to hide your thoughts from a mind reader. "Sorry, but your ass looks really good in those leathers. I am not hitting on you, just admiring the view. Feel free to continue to pound on Big John, he can take it." Jacob said while Cathrine rolled her eyes and snickered.

Jacob gave her a sheepish smile before he closed his eyes and went back to concentrating on sword forms and stances. All the information he had unlocked when he had invested another Skill Point into Sword Mastery, maxing it out and giving him more instinctive knowledge of the various forms of combat with a single blade.

"Oh, the couples that work on anger problems stay together longer." Nila mused as she walked up.

Jacob smiled, "Yup, very true and it increases the odds she won't turn abusive on me." Jacob quipped out.

"Watch it, mister, I can always break your nose again!!" Cathrine responded as she moved to Nila and gave her a quick hug.

"So what happened so bad that you are beating up Big John?" Nila asked Cathrine. The Banshee looked at Jacob who gestured for her to talk before he went back to his sword work.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Control Room

"When did they start moving?" Jacob asked.

"About an hour ago a portal opened and they have started moving the bulk of their troops. Our contact at the City of Uldon confirmed that they are marshaling the troops from Ordgan there. It will take them most of the day to get all their troops through and all the supplies together, so we have 24 hours at least before they actually start to march. Do you have any last-minute orders?" Nadal asked.

Jacob looked at the strategic map and pulled up the Underdark portion of the Empire of Night. "Pull five Cohorts from the City of Oblivion and have them marshall with the rest of the army at Middlebrough with any supplies we have been laying aside. Get it done during the day so we can march tomorrow night. You will be in overall command so no one can complain. I will put the word out with the Seekers of the Dawn, let them know if they want to come as well. I will cap the Immortals at 100, the remainder will stay here in case we have any other emergencies. This will be voluntary only and Bonded are not required to come." Jacob brought up his Kingdom tab and made his purchases, Battle Lord and Diplomatic Service. He banked the last point for now.

Nadal saluted before running from the room. "What are you going to do Jacob?" Cathrine asked. She was clearly worried but they had been preparing for this ever since Jacob had gained the Throne.

"Kill them all. If I was the monster they think I was, I would line the road leading to the Empire with their corpses after, but I think I will use their bodies for the Bone Barracks instead.' Jacob replied. 'Make sure the Screen Shots and copies of the orders that they were given are handed over to Lord Devinshire. Make sure he is aware that the City of Uldon will be held responsible for their part in this. Also make sure our people at Athesas are on their guard protecting Lord Devinshire, if the Slavers Union is openly moving like this, they might take a shot at him." Jacob told Ezekial and Darren.

Jacob finally turned to Tarren, "You heard what I told Nadal, put the word out to the Seekers. Cap the group at 100 and it's up to each individual if they want to bring their Bonded." Tarren nodded as he left the room.

"Did you ever think that we would be at war with the surface this soon my King?" Ezekial asked.

Jacob snorted, "It was inevitable as soon as I found the Tomb all those months ago. I guess the Sisters of the Damned was just a warmup, its time for the real thing."