I smile at Atesh and open a gate to the palace of the southern empire, then wait for her to go through. I give Lin a wave and then I follow behind Atesh and let the gate close once I am through. With Atesh leading the way the guards don’t give us any problems and she quickly leads me to the emperor’s study.

  Emperor Amn stands and says “Ash, thank you for coming on such short notice.”

  “No problem. Now, can you tell me what is so important as to send your wife to fetch me?”

  Empress Atesh says “I also would like to know!”

  Emperor Amn says “The Magic Kingdom has put out a call for the rulers of all nations to gather to deal with a threat. It should be a threat that is great enough to threaten the existence of all nations.”

  “Did the message state what the threat is? Why is the Magic Kingdom the one to issue the call to gather?”

  Emperor Amn says “They did not give any details, but they wouldn’t risk sending out a call like this for something they weren’t sure of. They would never risk the loss of face. As to why they are the ones putting out the call, it is because they are neutral and trade with everyone.”

  “So, I’m guessing that you think I should also answer this call?”

  Emperor Amn says “Yes, I do. Your empire isn’t going to remain a secret for long, if it even still is. Better to start getting the other nations of the continent to acknowledge you now.”

  “That will involve politics, I would rather not. I have an alliance with you and if necessary I can deal with the northern empire, but other than that I don’t really care about the other nations.”

  Emperor Amn says “That is rather short-sighted of you. Unless you plan to annihilate the land bridge and turn your peninsula into an island?”

  “Actually, that is one of the plans, but it is fairly far down the list.”

  Empress Atesh says “It’s on your list? So you are saying that you are capable of doing that?!”

  “Yes, but I have been told not to unless absolutely necessary. So it is at the bottom of the list and will only happen if all else fails.”

  Emperor Amn says “That is only slightly terrifying, but back to my point. Your peninsula is fairly isolated, mainly due to the activity of the demons. If we manage to defeat the demons, that will end. In the future, your empire will need to be a part of the continent.”

  “Maybe, but I will worry about that after the war. Besides, I have a history with the Magic Kingdom and would prefer not to deal with them again.”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Emperor Amn says “What history?”

  I tell the two of them about my first visit to the Magic Kingdom for the auction. Then I tell them about how I met Lin and then stole her from the son of the leader of the council. I finish up by explaining how people from the Magic Kingdom then chased the both of us across the continent.

  Emperor Amn says “You were in human form at the time, surely they wouldn’t recognize you now?”

  “Unfortunately, I doubt their intelligence gathering is that bad. My activities in both your empire and the northern empire have probably been reported to them. While I look different now, it wouldn’t take much to identify me.”

  Emperor Amn says “That’s probably true. You are never all that subtle when you are doing things.”

  “However, I do need to know what the issue is. In fact, I am afraid that it might be my fault, if it is what I think it is.”

  Empress Atesh says “What do you think it is? And why would it be your fault?”

  I don’t really want to, but I go ahead and tell them about the Queen of the Undead. I explain how I freed her and let her take over the island just off the eastern coast. My fear is that she found a way to get onto the continent and that is what the Magic Kingdom is calling the gathering for.

  Emperor Amn says “I hope you are wrong! Undead are bad enough to deal with, let alone undead backed by a goddess.”

  “I hope I am as well, but even if I am, I should probably go back and deal with her sooner rather than later.”

  Emperor Amn says “Yes, please. A plague of undead loose on the continent is certainly something we don’t want. So, does that mean you are coming to the gathering with me?”

  “I guess I should, but I really don’t want to.”

  Empress Atesh says “Being a ruler often means doing things you don’t want to do. You could send one of your wives in your place?”

  “No, my wives have enough to do. Besides, the best choice would be Lin and I would never ask her to return to that place. I will be the one to go, if it is what I think it is, it is my mistake to fix. When do you plan to leave?”

  Emperor Amn says “It is a long trip, we would need to leave immediately.”

  “I could have us to the Magic Kingdom in a day or two.”

  Emperor Amn says “I didn’t think that you would be able to gate that far.

  “I left some platforms on the northern side of the continent when I was on my way home. Those will get me close enough to open a gate to the Magic Kingdom.”

  Emperor Amn says “In that case, we don’t need to be in a hurry to leave. I was expecting it to take us at least a month to travel there.”

  Empress Atesh says “Are you forgetting that you are responsible for gathering our allies before you arrive?”

  “What’s this?”

  Empress Atesh says “Amn needs to travel from kingdom to kingdom gathering the kings who are our allies. This is to prevent any of them from being targeted by their enemies while they are traveling. If he gates straight to the Magic Kingdom, then all of our allies will be on their own.”

  Emperor Amn says “Damn, I did forget. The idea of skipping all that long, boring travel got me excited. Ash, thank you, but I am afraid I must decline. I can’t leave my allies to fend for themselves.”

  “I understand, but I still want to go with you. I actually need to add gate platforms along the southern half of the continent. Then I will be able to travel just about anywhere when I need to. However, I have a few things to do before I can leave for that length of time. I am guessing that you will be traveling with an escort and it will take some time for you to be ready?”

  Emperor Amn says “Yes, I will be taking an escort. Atesh will remain here to run the empire in my absence, but I will be taking Shiro with me. The experience will be good for her. I should be ready to leave the morning after tomorrow, I have already started the preparations.”