It didn’t really take long for Mash to learn what the plan was. The others had come up with some set locations to make portals, and Jill would teleport them to each location at a specific time. Not exactly a complicated plan, but Mash felt like there were a lot of issues with it. What if one location had an issue or it just took too long to move people? The answer to that was simple enough. They just weren’t in a rush. Valeria put it simply. The people, her people, would understand. Nobody in their right mind would expect such a dramatic change to happen without issue or delay, and if they did the worst they could do was leave or complain.

This left Mash with relatively little to do. However, that little left him sitting in a simple chair in an empty room. He glanced at Red who sat in another chair. She sat across from him, a large rectangular table separating them like a river. A single dim light lit the windowless room, and visibly enchanted bricks marred the walls. Each reddish stone was covered with tiny blue engravings that radiated with faint magical power. Red had a book out and was reading something. Mash spoke to get her attention.

“How long are we supposed to wait here?”

Red didn’t look up from her book, as she responded.

“You would know before me. We’ve barely even been here five minutes. “

“I know that, but…”

His voice trailed off. Red glanced up from her book and eyed him. Her grey skin and empty face made it really hard to get anything from her expressions. The flat tone with which she responded made her feelings known.

“But you’re worried? I couldn’t tell. Just ask Priscilla, if you’re really that worried.”

“I did, but now she’s refusing.”

Mash slumped forward in his chair, his arms sprawled across the table. Red didn’t bother responding. Instead, she just lifted the book off the table and avoided Mash completely. He sighed but didn’t bother her anymore. He had mostly just been doing it to pass the time. She was right, he would know anything before her. His domain extends far beyond the walls, so he should be able to spot anyone long before they arrive. After so much time with Jill, he had even got the knack for sensing when someone was teleporting.

That was why, after a few minutes, he felt when someone appeared in the hallway just outside of the room. Mash debated telling Red, but she somehow noticed and was putting the book away. She looked toward the door, and Mash could sense some tension in her. Why was she so worried? Mash knew who was behind the door even bore they entered, and Mash didn’t see the reason.

General Irkish, his brother, and the king were there, but Mash had already engaged with them before. There was only one new person with them, and they were low-level. They didn’t bother knocking, entering the room in a simple line. Irkish entered first. She wore an obviously enchanted set of leather armor. It seemed high quality. Was she dressed for a fight? Just what exactly did the king have planned for this? The others had said that the king had just wanted to talk to Mash, to ensure that he didn’t do anything untoward to the beastmen to coerce them. It was a simple enough condition, so they hadn’t really thought to reject it. With how heavily prepared Irkish was, it seemed like the king thought that this wouldn’t end simply.

The king himself walked in after Irkish. He was dressed more casually than Mash had imagined, only wearing a simple tunic and trousers that weren’t even magical. Arthur was quick to follow and nod toward Mash. He wore a full set of bluish-green armor and carried a helmet under one of his arms. Mash nodded toward him, but Arthur only grimaced in response. That gesture, more than Irkish’s armor and Red’s worry, made him think that this was a trap.

Lastly, came the one-person Mash didn’t recognize. It was a young man only a little older than Mash himself. The man had angular features and narrow dark brown eyes that made him seem perpetually angry. Or maybe he was genuinely angry for some reason. Mash didn’t know the guy, but that didn’t mean the opposite was true. Mash had made many friends and enemies; Fate had practically promised him that. The man sniffed slightly and ran a hand through his hair. Though his hair was matted to his head with grease and gel, the gesture left his hand shining. Mash wouldn’t shake his hand, and a glance at Red made him think she wouldn’t either.

Mash and Red had taken the seats at the ends of the table. There were exactly enough seats to fit them all, but it was clearly designed for the two opposing sides to sit opposite one another. They had broken that idea already. The king looked at Red and Mash as if expecting one of them to move to let him take one of those seats. After a few awkward seconds, he sighed and took a seat beside Red. Irkish sat beside him, which put her next to Mash. Arthur took the seat across from Irkish, and the final guy sat in the only remaining seat.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off Mash since entering the room, but Mash didn’t give him the same attention. The man was low-level, not even a hundred, so Mash was more focused on Irkish who he was sure was the strongest among them. Although, the king arrested attention by speaking first.

“Hello, Mash. I heard you caused another ruckus.”

Mash waved away the comment.

“It wasn’t anything important, your Majesty?”

Mash ended up phrasing that more like a question. How should he address the king? Even though Mash was no longer one of the king’s subjects, it felt weird to treat him in any other way. The king chuckled slightly.

“Yes, of course. Sending the elven kingdom into panic is not very important. And you may call me Lex. The other rulers refer to me that way, and you are at least their equal.”

That idea made Mash a little uncomfortable. It was just so unusual to treat the king, his king, so casually. Although, with their past few interactions in mind, he was probably right. There was no point in showing him fake respect considering the antagonistic nature of their relationship. Mash was a king killer; his aspects practically promised him that. Mash did the only thing he could and agreed.

“Sure. Um, who is that though?”

The king smiled, a completely self-satisfied expression on his face, as he introduced the man.

“This is our new mediator. His name is Walter, and he will discuss a few things with you.” The king nodded to Walter. “Go ahead, Walt.”

The man bowed his head slightly, before sucking in a sharp breath and standing.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak here, your Highness. I will strive to meet your expectations.”

Walt gave another bow before turning toward Mash and then Red. He didn’t say anything and just kept glancing between the two of them. Annoyed, Mash was about to tell him to get on with it, but he spoke before Mash could get a word out. It was intentional! That realization frustrated Mash, but he had enough emotional control to relax. Walter was picked for this by the king, so he was probably not just trying to be annoying.

“Well, we have a few things we must get through today, so let us start with the simplest—the matter of your nationality and familial ties. Elinia Venfir, your father’s household has officially disowned you. Although, your mother’s house has offered you their name. The king, though, is willing to grant you your name and title if you would agree to represent the kingdom in future engagements.”

Walter spoke as if those words were common. He said it with little emotion, and yet he was talking about a father abandoning their child. Mash had little desire to be with his parents, but Red still interacted with her family. Although, he wasn’t sure if this was a bad thing. Red’s father was vile. When he thought of it that way, he kind of expected Red to feel some kind of relief or freedom. Her face and aura didn’t portray that emotion though. Mash could see, and more importantly, feel the pain in her aura. It leaked out of her more profoundly than he had ever seen before. Even Walter had stopped talking to watch. The space around Red was somehow dimmer than everywhere else in the room.

“Red?”

Mash called out to her and said nothing else. What should he even say? Even if he told her that her family didn’t matter, it wasn’t the kind of decision he could make for her. She had to decide for herself what kind of relationship she wanted with her father. However, he did manage to shake her from her stupor. The aura around her winked out, and she spoke calmly. Though, after seeing that aura, her normal tone felt eerie.

“That is fine. I will take my mother’s name, though that is not a discussion for now.”

Walter was smart enough to not press the matter and just moved on.

“I will the matter in your hands. Now, onto a similar problem for Mash. You are no longer a member of the Stellumbra household. Regardless of what your brother here might insinuate, that name is something tied to the kingdom. You are no longer a citizen and are very much and the king cannot have anything connecting you to the kingdom.”

Walter stopped talking and just looked at him carefully. He was obviously waiting for Mash to react or say something. But Mash didn’t care. He had known something like this was likely and even supported the decision. Plus, his family would be safer if he didn’t share their last name. That was the logic he used to push any other thought from his mind.

“It’s just a name.”

Mash shrugged and ended the subject just like that. Arthur’s grimace turned into a frown, and he cut in before Walter could move on.

“That’s the same thing Luna said. Mash, no matter what the king says, neither Luna nor I will hide who you are. We are not ashamed of you.”

Arthur met Mash’s gaze, and the honesty in his eyes was clear. It was reassuring, silencing those intrusive thoughts that told him otherwise. Mash smiled at his brother, knowing that he must have fought the king about it. However, Arthur wouldn’t abandon his duties or his home.

“I know. You don’t need to tell me.”

Mash meant that. He trusted Arthur, and that was enough for him. They were family even if their names changed. Walter cut in by clearing his throat loudly.

“Since we are all in agreement here, let us move on to the next matter. That of your role in this encounter and future ones.”