Mana Wells

Ishtar had left soon after her meal. But had given Kurt a lot to think about.

"So the delay from whatever," said Betsy, "seems to be minimal. Having come back soon after.."

They were having one of their morning training sessions. Kurt was still practicing his swing though many of the forms turned into combos.

"About that," said Kurt, making another blast. This was noticeably more powerful. He had started trying to circulate the red power like he felt before but it was so slow and hard to push. But it certainly had an effect. "What if we had a more public footprint."

"Public?"

"It is clear to me that the separation of our worlds is only going to grow smaller."

"And you want to get ahead of it."

"Yes."

"That would be very difficult," said Betsy.

"It will be worse if we do nothing."

"That's true. But we are not completely unprepared for the event with the gas wells on both continents now. And on the other continent they have a train system so we wouldn't necessarily have to travel. It could make things easier."

"You are all the worst," said Kurt.

"It's not like it wasn't already happening."

"So what do you suggest?"

"It sounds like you need some land," said Betsy

"Land?"

"Yes sir," said Betsy, "specifically land like this land. One you have control over."

"Can you be ready?"

"We will need more help."

Kurt took a few more swings during his session before responding, "and we keep having problems with that."

They continued to talk about the day's business and numbers. They had a bit of a routine of what and when to talk about. Betsy taking it as a part of her job to keep Kurt informed of the big picture.

"So the border next?"

"Yes," said Betsy, "and the changing of the guard."

"That good," said Kurt. "You should consult with Layla about proper invitations. Before they leave."

"Invitations?"

"For her coronation. And of course my wedding eventually."

"You intend to invite the royals?"

"Is that not proper?"

"I guess so," said Betsy.

"Make sure the Valentine Clan gets the same treatment, I don't want it to seem like favoritism."

"What about the other continent?"

"I'll talk to Talia about getting someone for one," said Kurt.

"Yes, sir. May I make a suggestion sir."

"Please, I have no idea how to do this."

"If we are to be more public, maybe it would best to travel with goblin guards. And make sure they are the most pleasant sort of them."

"What do you mean?"

"If there are already some stories about some helpful goblins. Rumors tend to spread really quickly. Some of them have already started. We can start with one or two of course."

After the meeting Talia had come by, she had made a habit of showing up a bit later after their meeting especially recently.

"So what are you saying?" said Kurt

"That they basically already taken two keeps, there were betrayals. They are staying quiet, they have managed to make some of them seems normal."

"So the war will break out soon?"

"Yes."

Kurt thought for a moment. Then spoke, "Then we should get married quickly."

"Wait what? Really?," then she shut up. Like she didn't want to say a word to ruin it. Giving him some puppy dog eyes.

They had a map of the continent before them. The other comment was basically called that because the place didn't agree on anything, not even the name of it.

Unlike Midas and Hamlet, which thought of themselves as their own continents. The land didn't have two great powers that had eventually created a balance and trade.

Instead the continent was ruled by much smaller lords and castles. Even the alliances made and maps about them could be wrong if some of the nobles had been swayed.

"So what do you think will happen?"

"Eventually one of these keeps will be attacked, and it will create a shit storm." She circled an area on the map.

"So they will come from this direction," said Kurt pulling a line across.

"Yes the shadow's gate is somewhere around here," said Talia, "but for all we know they have been moving it the entire time."

Kurt looked down at the map and he knew what he had to do. But he was uneasy about it. He was fighting the idea the entire time he was here. There was a few options but the idea was all the same.

"You know you don't have to get involved," said Talia, "we just don't want to under the shadow."

"No we do," said Kurt.

"But it's more complicated, it's not going to have two sides but three or four."

"It's just the shadow versus everyone else in the end."

"What are you even thinking Kurt."

Kurt pointed at a place on the map away from where they were talking about. "What about here?"

"What about it?"

"This port is near it? Is it big?"

"Not really."

"What if I took it?"

"Took it?"

"Made it a goblin base."

"A what?"

"Just think about it," said Kurt.

"Well you could interrupt their supply lines," place a finger from the place drawing across. "Since the mountain blocks most surrounding attacks. If their forces are already here, taking this part gives us a station and access to the port."

"This isn't like you Kurt," said Talia, "I don't know if it's a good idea."

"No but it is," said Kurt.

"I'm not sure the Valentine clan would help this idea."

"I wouldn't want them too."

"What are you saying?"

"I take this keep," slamming his finger at the point. "And my forces stops the war, but taking two advances here and here."

"Kurt, that's aggressive."

"But it would work, if we decide to stop aggression at the line, and wait for them to etablish it." Putting his finger back where the action would be happening.

"And what give back the keeps?"

"No."

"What do you mean no."

"I'm saying I'll take the keep."

"You mean opening up the gate, and letting your armies out."

"Yes. And so we should get married before that all happens."

"So we are just political," she said. Turning away.

"No never," said Kurt, "but you once told me 'maybe I shouldn't ignore it', didn't you?"

"So Layla convinced you?"

"Layla?"

"Obviously."

"No," said Kurt, "it was a goddess."

"And what did she say?"

"To guide the enviable, " said Kurt, "pointing at the placement of his well, "We are already here."

"You are trying to use this war."

"Isn't that what war really is?"

"And just take the keep?"

"I'll bring Harvey," said Kurt. Harvey was his four headed hydra pet. "So how long is this train ride? Because I would have to get started before it breaks out at least cross."