Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Free Lands- City of Ingson

Base of the Outer Wall

Jacob looked at the towering wall looming over him as he waited for someone to respond. Jacob counted himself lucky that no one had shot a spell, arrow, or javelin at him. "What do you want Imperial?" A guard called from the wall.

"I WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE THAT CAN LISTEN AND MAKE DECISIONS!!" Jacob yelled back and the guard nodded before ducking back behind the cover of the wall. Jacob was at the base of the wall outside the south gate. None of his guards or Legionnaires within one hundred feet of him. He was vulnerable and the defenders knew it but didn't do anything to antagonize the situation.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT IMPERIAL?" an older woman asked as she looked out over the wall.

"AS I SAID BEFORE, I WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE THAT CAN LISTEN AND MAKE DECISIONS!!" Jacob quickly replied.

"WELL TALK!!" She yelled back causing Jacob to sigh in frustration and causing her to smile at his frustration.

"I WANT TO TALK FACE TO FACE PLEASE!!" Jacob bellowed up at her causing her to smile to turn into a full laugh as she disappeared behind the wall. Jacob ground his teeth in frustration before moving forward and leaning against the nearby wall of the gatehouse.

Suddenly a door opened and the woman was there. Two guards were accompanying her and eyed Jacob for a moment before settling their sight on Jacobs distant escort. "Well, what do you want?" she asked as she crossed her arms and drummed her fingers. Jacob snorted in amusement at her posturing.

"Got somewhere to be?" Jacob asked in return causing the women to frown before laughing.

"No, I guess I do not have anywhere to go. What would you like to talk about?" She prompted again.

"The better question is what you want? From what I have been told is that you are a penny pincher and hungry for power. However you didn't even try to parley with the invading attackers, you sealed your city and I assumed called up your reserve forces fortifying your position. That strikes me as someone trying to protect her people, so what do you want Lady Conrad?" Jacob asked as he listed out his reasoning of the situation.

Lady Conrad snorted in amusement, "I am a penny pincher but I am not power hungry and I am sure Lord Tupperwine told you that. I want what is best for my people and my cities economy. Your Empire is a risk, a huge one. What assurances do my people have?" she asked as she studied Jacob.

"If you are talking taxes, everything is 5% sales and tariffs. Exports are not taxed. If you are talking about the military, the only military in the Empire are the Legions any city guard will be disbanded but if they wish to join the Legions the can. I will also open up a recruitment center for the Legions in your city, but I do not have any conscriptions in effect nor do I expect your city to meet any sort of quota on recruits. Just don't interfere with their ability to recruit those that want to join." Jacob replied and she nodded in acknowledgment,

"What about me? I heard you assassinated the former Lord of Uldon and executed the city leadership of Ordgan." Lady Conrad asked while staring Jacob in the eye.

"I did order the former Lord of Uldon to be assassinated to end the siege on his city. The city leadership of Ordgan was executed because they ordered their city to be set on fire to cover their retreat to the cities keep. Men, women, and children died because of the fires. If you surrender unconditionally you have my word, you will not be executed and based on Lady Winters recommendation you will probably end up as Steward of the city." Jacob told her as he pushed off from the wall. The nearby guard fixed their eyes on Jacob but he ignored them. The siege could end or continue based her decision and that was more important than anything else currently.

"Slavery is outlawed and the Slavers Union has no presence within the Empire of Night?" Lady Conrad asked and Jacob nodded.

"Correct, slavery is illegal within the Empire. Any member or mercenary of the Slavers Union, that enters the Empire will be arrested for assisting in an invasion of the Empire. As far as I am concerned they are an illegal organization. Worse, they have allied themselves with Chaos." Jacob replied quickly.

"What else would be required of Ingson if we joined the Empire?" she asked.

"Immediately, you would be required to recall the troops from the siege of Athesas. The Empire is not at war with Free Cities Alliance nor the city of Athesas." Jacob told her and she nodded with a smile.

"Agreed, I Lady Mona Conrad, hereby surrender the City of Ingson unconditionally to the Empire of Night." Mona Conrad sighed deeply.

Jacob offered her his hand and she took it, "I Jacob Longstrider King of the Empire of Night, accept your surrender Lady Conrad. Please order the gates of your city open and your men stand down during this transition.' Jacob replied as he shook her hand graciously. 'Mona, thank you for doing this and saving lives. Whatever happens, you can be proud of that." Jacob told her and she smiled at that.

Kingdom Alert...

For conquering a Level 4 City Stronghold you have gained...80,000 Kingdom Experience

Kingdom Alert...

Regional Alert...

The City of Ingson has joined...the Empire of Night.

Regional Alert...

Alert...

Secret Achievement Unlocked: Sun Tzu Wannabe I

Description: Using words, wisdom, and intimidation you conquered multiple cities without a fight. (Fame +50, Luck +10, Charisma +10, Intimidation +10)

Alert...

Jacob sighed in relief and Lady Conrad gave him an odd smile, "If I was a decade younger I would have taken you to bed and ruined you for any other women for this." She whispered in Jacob's ear before grabbing his head and giving him a kiss that made his toes curl and sent him stumbling back blushing. The two guards laughed as they turned and led Lady Conrad back in the city. Jacob distractedly walked back to his guards.

Thorgron coughed hard and more than one of the guards was laughing openly. "My King, it appears the negotiations with Lady Conrad went...well." Jacob glared at the Duergar before nodding.

"Yes and please do not mention the kiss to my wife, I will tell her soon enough," Jacob told the Duergar who simply nodded. Jacob could swear Star was laughing at him, she had a wolf smile on her face and based on their link, she was amused by what had happened. Jerks Jacob thought as he pulled himself into the saddle.

Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Ingson

Keep

"The First and Second Legions have returned to Eternal Night, the Seventh and Tenth Legions will be assigned to Ingson and the Fourth and Eighth Legions will be assigned to Salinda. The Twelveth Legion will remain at Uldon, that gives you five Legions to defend these three cities and the Civic Legionnaires." Jacob told Lady Winters as they watched the portal close on the last of the Eighth Legion.

"Ok, but I am no General. I am more of a politician than a military leader or advisor." She responded.

"I know, trust the Generals of the Legions. They were placed in their positions for a reason. Trust them to do their jobs. They will advise you, but as Governor of the Twisted Hills Region, any decisions will ultimately be up too you. You will be held accountable for them." Jacob informed her and she nodded in understanding.

"What are you going to do about the city of Cliphis?" Tiffany asked about her former home and Jacob sighed.

"They are supporters of the Slavers Union and leaders of the siege of Athesas. Even with Ingson and Salinda pulling their troops back, they are a very big danger to the Free Cities Alliance and the Empire of Night. I cannot let your father walk away without repercussions for what he has done." Jacob told her and she nodded.

"Lord Winters is a complete ass, and that is coming from me!!" Lady Conrad stated as she walked up. She was eyeballing them both with a smile on her face and Cathrine started laughing. Jacob glared at her and Mona in response to what the look meant.

"Before you say anything Lady Conrad, the answer is no she did not get her position because we have had sex," Jacob told while rolling his eyes.

"No kidding, the one time we tricked him into bed he fell asleep on me," Tiffany responded shaking her head and leaving Jacob stunned.

"Oh sweetie, is the stress getting to you?" Mona asked patting his cheek and Cathrine started laughing even harder.

"No, preparing armies to march and working eighteen-hour days did get to me though," Jacob replied glaring at his wife who covered her laugh by coughing.

"Oh sweetie, you have Generals for that. You are also a husband as well and from what Tiffany said, she wanted a lover as well. So don't forget your manly duties, not just your kingly ones." Mona stated and Jacob studied her as a woman for the first time. She was a good looking woman, not too big or too small, light brown eyes, and her hair was dark brown, red, and grey. She was a looker and cocky bordering on arrogant.

"Like I said sweetie, I would ruin you for other women if I was a decade younger. Now, why don't you take your wife home and don't leave your room until you can barely crawl out? I will finish discussing everything with the Regent here and send her on her way." Mona Conrad stated before turning and grabbing Tiffany and dragging her off.

Jacob was stunned by her brazen attitude and Cathrine just continued to laugh until Jacob mock glared at her. She continued to giggle even then until he went over to her and picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. "Well you heard the lady women, let's go home grab some food, I got to leave you exhausted and wanting by tomorrow," Jacob said and Cathrine slapped his ass as she hung off his shoulder.

Real World-

North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate

Ava flung the FIVR Pod open and rushed to the bathroom where she felt like she puked her lungs out. Richard came running in, "What the fuck Ava!! You go all MIA and now you are puking everywhere? What the hell is going on?"

Ava ignored him, "Get me my comm unit please." Ava said as she heaved her guts into the toilet again. That Alexi and his pet Illithid were sick and twisted.

Richard came back and handed the little wrist band to her and then left at her gesture closing the door as she started making calls. Within thirty minutes she finally picked up. "What do you want bitch?" She said upon answering.

"Nice way to respond to your dear sister calling Ailis. I also know I deserve it, but I need your help. Kevin needs your help." Ava stated and her sister laughed.

"Why would he need our help? Why would he listen to either one of us after everything you and I did too him? He is free of us and he has earned that freedom many times over Ava, so no I am not going to help you with whatever sick and twisted plan you have to try and wiggle your way back into his life." Ailis stated before hanging up.

Ava started cursing immediately and called the number she had called from hoping she would pick up. "WHAT BITCH?" She responded after the fourth ring.

"This is not for me, it's for him Ailis. I fucked up again, I know...." Ava started cursing and crying as the line went dead and Ava curled up in a ball trying to figure out how to fix the situation that she had created again.