Chapter 65 New Allies (1/2)
Mina and her Aquarion Assault team were huddled closely together on the deck of the Phoenix.At the last minute, the Souza Accord leader had decided to accompany Nix and Jun Li.
”You're going to fall overboard if you keep trying to get at it like that.”Nix had to grab Jun Li's arm when she nearly slipped over the rail.
Jun Li stared at the Phoenix figurehead in frustration.”Nix!You said you were going to tell us all of your secret upgrades for your ship!”
Nix had upgraded the entire fleet's sails and told them how to upgrade the cannons.The Soaring Phoenix head he would let them find out for themselves, although he had mentioned it in passing to Pon.”Where's the fun in that.”
Phoenix Figurehead
Description: A terror of the
seas.The Phoenix soars above all others.
+10 Fire Damage to cannons
+30 Speed to travel.All effects
are stackable.
Jun Li finally gave up, ”thanks for not letting me fall overboard.”
Nix scratched his chin to hide the guilty look he was wearing.Letting her fall overboard had been very tempting.”No worries Junie.”
Jun Li was wearing one of the armor sets that Moki had made for the guild.With the inclusion of the Kraken leather, it was a legendary set.Moki had turned the leather Kraken armor into a beautifully scaled armor that was vastly superior to any plate armor at the mid-levels. ”It was nice of Fey to donate scales to the cause.”
”She loses them monthly.”Nix had discovered that the pond Fey normally soaks in was saturated with her scales. Drake scales had given them the punch to create a legendary set of Scaled armor.He glanced at Junie, the scaled armor had a reddish tinge, her long black braid and pale skin added together to make her a striking figure.
”I don't see Shae much nowadays.”Jun Li tried not to sound like she was prying, but of course, she was. ”Is everything okay?”
Nix didn't know how much to share, Shae had to constantly monitor Fajii's fire levels.The Aquarion chemist wouldn't have survived without the personal attention of the Salamander Nemesis.”Shae is in an important phase in solidifying her foundation.When she emerges, her strength will be terrifying.”
”Like yours?”Jun Li was too busy during the assault to monitor Nix, but she had heard the account from others.She had also seen the streamed version.He had pulled the head completely off of a Water Lord while killing two Matriarchs.A few days after that, she had received written apologies from the guild leaders of Nottingham and Marauder. The apologies had come with a promise of non-aggression and a large number of credits.Jun Li hadn't been fooled by the gesture, she knew they were scared to death that Inferno was going to swoop in and finish them off.
”You were pretty impressive yourself Junie.I thought you were a DPS when we first met, but now you are tanking alongside Sharl and Banzi.”
”I adjusted a few things so I could be used as an off-tank.Sharl is still the best tank at our level in Colonial.”
************
Rhatia hadn't changed since Jun Li had led an assault team to save the black diamond in the King's crown.The capital of Neptia was a beautiful city with several cultural enhancements.Not the least of these was a university and a museum.The pale white stone streets gave it a heavenly appearance.Without a doubt, Rhatia was the cleanest city in Colonial.
Nix and Jun Li were welcomed into a large stateroom along with several heads of state.Mina and her team had chosen to stay on board the Phoenix.
/Guildchat: Nix: Junie, where are the other Kings?
/Guildchat: Jun Li: They won't be here for a simple signing Nix.Since they've agreed, their representatives will do the signing.
/Guildchat: Nix: Damn... This doesn't feel very historical.
/Guildchat: Jun Li: King Cray will be in attendance, as the host he will reside over the signing.
/Guildchat: Wind: For the record, I would like to inform everyone that the 'Gambler' has just made its first kill.
Nix smiled at the statement.The normally reserved Wind was slowly becoming more sociable.He had been given a Galleon ship as his flagship.
/Guildchat: Nix:Great job Wind.
/Guildchat: Ronnie: I am so glad we aren't in the Terran faction, those bastards are lame.
/Guildchat: Semmi: I agree.
The entire signing only took a few minutes, however, the discussion that took place before then was quite extensive.The other Kingdoms of Broyan had no real grasp of a non-monarchy government system.In the interest of moving things along, Nix had offered them Shae Balefire as the ruler of Glory Island.He had discussed the probability of this happening with her, although she was uninterested in ruling, she had no issues with being the figurehead.
An hour later Nix and Jun Li were boarding the Phoenix when the world-wide announcement was made.
Colonial System Message: A new nation has joined the Broyan Kingdom Coalition. The Independent City-State of Glory Island has been formed.
[New Guild Options are available]
[New Glory Island Options are available]
[New Fire Palace Options are available]
/Guildchat: Ronnie: Can I be a princess?
/Guildchat: Sharl: Are we really sisters?
/Guildchat: Nix: Princess Ronnie?Hmm... I don't hate it.
/Guildchat: Semmi: It does have a certain ring to it.
Jun Li watched while Nix interacted with Mina and her assault team.The Aquarions had accepted the Inferno members as allies, but they treated Nix like family.It was evident in the way they were always touching him.Aquarions often showed their friendship by placing a hand on your shoulder when they spoke.If the relationship was close they would embrace or stroke the person's head.
Nix laughed at something one of the Aquarion males said and then turned his attention toward Jun Li.”What do we know about Resolute?”
Jun Li waited until he approached to answer. ”Not much honestly. They are one of the few upper-tier guilds that don't have a mid-range branch.”
Nix claimed a spot at the rail next to her.”What's their average level?”
”Mid-70s.”Jun Li had to research them on the forums, most of her experience was at the mid-tier.
”Why would they be interested in an alliance with us?”Nix knew that the power difference between the mid and upper-tier was substantial.
”There are several guilds who have approached Resolute over the years.Until now they've shown no interest in alliances.”
”They want something from us.”Nix had given it some thought.”Why else approach a guild that is obviously weaker?”
”What could we give them that they can't get for themselves?”
”Not sure, but if it involves Shae in any way, the answer will be no.” Nix had seen first hand how guilds were willing to double-cross each other if it meant getting their hands on a Salamander.
The Resolute guild was located in Espana.In the interest of speeding things along, the Phoenix returned to Glory island, leaving Nix and Jun Li to continue the mission with the use of portals.
The southern tip of Espana was called the Cattail peninsula, it was here that the guildhall for Resolute was located.The guild had a rather large navy of about forty ships, they also were part of the Sea-Farer faction.
There was no obvious guard but when Nix and Jun Li walked into the Guild's courtyard, several people approached them.