Zara glances at Teyla briefly, a conflicted look in her eyes, then back at me. Her voice is hesitant.
"We...discussed one potential arrangement, but..." (Zara)
I raise my eyebrows.
"But what?" (Mizuki)
Zara hesitates for another moment. Then, her jaw sets, and she looks me straight in the eye, her tone becoming firm. Without warning, she cups her fist in her hand, and bows at a near ninety degree angle in front of me.
"I am sorry, Mizuki...I need your help, even after all you've already done for me and the wolf-kin. Will you...please assist me in meeting the terms of an arrangement with the fox-kin?" (Zara)
My expression softens, my voice carrying a mildly exasperated tone.
"Zara...of course I will. At least, I will as soon as you quit bowing at me like we're not friends. Now, tell me what you need." (Mizuki)
Zara straightens, looking me in the eye, exuding a strange mix of frustration, guilt, and intense gratitude. She glances at Teyla, her voice forcibly neutral.
"He is the party leader...you should ask him directly." (Zara)
I raise my eyebrows. What does this have to do with our adventuring party?
Teyla studies me, her expression rather serious, but probing.
"Our intelligence network says your party rescued a group of recently enslaved elves and wolf-kin from deep within Empire territory, including Zara here. We'd like you to do the same for some fox-kin." (Teyla)
I study her carefully in silence for a moment. Ultimately, I decide that I don't have nearly enough information.
"Okay...elaborate. How many? Where? What's the timeline? I need to know all the context you have on this request." (Mizuki)
Teyla's expression becomes hesitant.
"We...don't know. We have almost no clue where they are, and we don't even know exactly how many – our best guess is a few dozen. Timeline...I can't say. Obviously, the sooner the better, but we won't ask the impossible." (Teyla)
I stare at her like she's grown a second head. What the hell kind of request is that supposed to be?
"Okay, maybe start with how you know that there are fox-kin to be rescued? And why you haven't tried to rescue them, or at least managed to get better information?" (Mizuki)
Teyla sighs regretfully, her expression uncharacteristically somber.
"The fox-kin in question are...generational slaves..." (Teyla)
She goes on to explain that it's been a good two centuries since the fox-kin have been vulnerable enough for humans to kidnap and enslave any of them. However, her intelligence network has heard rumors of there still being fox-kin slaves scattered around the Empire. An 'exotic' slave for the elite, mostly.
Naturally, the fact that they still exist, three lifetimes and almost ten generations after the last one could have been kidnapped, suggests they've been subjected to an especially dark kind of servitude. Probably forced to reproduce like livestock and keep the Empire's dwindling pool of 'rare pets' alive, and to bear slave seals from birth.
Of course, Teyla and the few others that know about it are furious, and they desperately want to save them, but there's not much they can do...
"From what we can tell, they tend to be associated with the wealthy and influential...prized and well-guarded. That's why we've never gotten solid locations on any of them. And we don't have the power to raid fortified sites deep within Empire territory, then escape safely. That's not even considering the complications of getting their slave seals removed." (Teyla)
Yeah...the slave seals – haven't missed being reminded of that sinister piece of work. Once placed on a victim, they're robbed of a portion of their free will, subject to their master's (i.e., the caster's) will. The spell makes it so that if they try and commit violence against anyone, even in self defense, the seal causes them excruciating pain. It can even kill them in severe cases. In addition, their master can dictate physical, geographic boundaries for them, and if they cross them – pain.
So, while the seal doesn't alter their thoughts, or technically force them to obey commands, it makes it extremely easy for them to be tortured into 'compliance'. As far as Azura is concerned, the only way to remove the seal is with the master's help or death.
However, back when I rescued Alto and the others, I found that completely draining an area of magic, with the slave inside it, functionally erased the seal. My best guess is that the spell's like some kind of self-sustaining magic-based program, parasite, brand...whatever. As opposed to being a fundamental alteration to the victim's mind or body.
I didn't have magic domain back then, so I couldn't really study the nature of the spell.
I purse my lips thoughtfully, considering Teyla's information...and the request. I glance at her incredulously.
"So, just to be clear – you're asking our party to rescue and remove the slave seals of as many as dozens of lifelong fox-kin slaves, at who knows how many fortified sites, scattered across the Empire in who knows which locations. Basically, to forcibly end fox-kin enslavement in the Empire, presumably without them declaring war on you." (Mizuki)
I raise my eyebrows at her expectantly as I finish my rant, like 'that right?'. Even Xian pitches in a dumbfounded look at Teyla.
"I know you like to haggle, Teyla, but at least start with a reasonable ask. Powerful as I am, there's a reason I've never gone off attacking Empire strongholds. My body's strong and my magic is exceptional, but I'm no Elder Dragon – a large squad of well-trained physical enhancers can kill me. Even if I knew the exact locations of all these fox-kin, I couldn't do what you're asking." (Xian)
I consider Xian's assessment, finding it agreeable. He's not too far behind the typical Elder Dragon in magic, sitting at more than half of Nina's old power level, and he has the edge in elemental diversity. However, even someone like Ilina, using a physically enhanced body and weapons, couldn't pierce an Elder Dragon's scales. Maybe if Xian put all he had into a powerful, piercing elemental attack, he might draw blood. They're just that strong.
Meanwhile, by Xian's own admission, a single Otherworlder with less power than Ilina could reliably make him bleed with only his punches.
Teyla ignores Xian's comment, though, and she looks at me. Her gaze is probing, maybe even a bit...pleading? Challenging? It's confusing is what it is. Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper
"Are you going to pretend you can't help us?" (Teyla)
Nearby, Xian raises his eyebrows, glancing between us. I purse my lips, considering my options.
I'm not actually surprised that she assumes I can help, if for no other reason than the fact that she saw Zara ask me. I'm sure that speaks volumes. And truthfully, not only can I help...I want to. But, I need to consider how best to go about it.
For one, I have negotiations with the Empire coming up, already aiming to end slavery. Forcibly freeing all these fox-kin prematurely could undermine that. Plus, if I just mass teleport them here – the safest option – one of them is likely to be noticed vanishing into thin air. The fox-kin finding out about some of my power is inevitable, but that could potentially tip the Empire off as well.
On the other hand, I'm not an idiot. Even in the best case scenario with the Empire, where they decree slavery illegal, tell everyone to release their slaves from the country, and even try to enforce it...these fox-kin will probably be exceptions. If they're really in the hands of the wealthy and influential, those people are unlikely to just relinquish their 'prized toys'. I'd end up having to do this to free them anyway.
So, really, I'm asking myself – when should I do it, and how should I best avoid problematic fallout from doing it?
More importantly, more pressingly, and perhaps more scummily – how can I leverage this good deed to help Zara?
I look back at Teyla, meeting her gaze with an unflinching expression.
"It might be possible, but there are...considerations. Before we discuss any of that, though, I want to know what you promised Zara in return for this very big ask." (Mizuki)
Teyla's expression falters. Why, I'm not sure, but Zara answers calmly in her place.
"She offered to help us finish modernizing and fortifying our first city, including providing resources for the job. She also agreed to help us meet our food and raw materials needs for the next year, so we have time to establish ourselves." (Zara)
I purse my lips thoughtfully, studying the quiet Teyla. It actually sounds like a very generous offer, and it is. However, I can't help but notice that it subtly lacks one thing – lasting commitment or forfeited future bargaining chips.
Teyla isn't offering an alliance, she's offering some startup funds, essentially. I'm willing to bet that all of this city development and food and materials procurement won't involve training the wolf-kin, so that they'll be self-sufficient when the aid ends. If anything, it will make them more reliant on the fox-kin in the future, after spending a year with their support. Yet, they'll once again be in a poorly leveraged position for negotiations.
Helpful, debatably generously so, but not a highway to the wolf-kin becoming self-sufficient. Of course, Zara may recognize this to some degree, and assume that me or her 'elder sister' Alara can help with teaching the wolf-kin these skills in this one-year grace period. And that is a reasonable expectation.
However, I'm more concerned about what this suggests about the fox-kin's amenability towards allying the demi-human lands into a true superpower capable of defending itself. Because, as it stands, the fox-kin could not thwart an all-out conquest by any of the human countries, especially the Empire. I worry that, as they continue to advance and wield things the humans may covet, it's only a matter of time before that happens.
I glance at Zara.
"Interesting. And what about a formal alliance or trade agreements? Steps towards unifying the demi-human lands into a superpower that can protect itself against actual wars? Has Teyla shown any desire for long-term partnership with the wolf-kin?" (Mizuki)
I see Teyla stiffen, just slightly, which tells me I'm right. Zara shakes her head, her voice disappointed but resigned.
"No, but that is understandable. They have their own people to worry about, and it's not their job to be charitable to us. We have to be worthy of such a partnership first. In a year, when we are stronger, such things can be reconsidered." (Zara)
I frown, faintly.
Zara's right, of course, but I feel like that's also the fox-kin shooting themselves in the foot, holding onto isolationist habits. They have to know the risk of invasion by the Empire, as well as the fact they lack the manpower to thwart it. Shouldn't they be investing in the other demi-humans as aggressively as possible, leaving them strengthened and indebted, establishing a foundation for a cohesive superpower?
I want to say that, but I also recognize that it's not my right to force it. Similarly, I'm aware I'm not a leader, not a ruler, and I'm probably looking at the situation too naively. But...that doesn't mean I can't incentivize them, right? Make the people who know more than I do about this want to work towards that eventuality?
I glance between Zara and Teyla.
"Can I offer some additions to your agreement...as a suggestion?" (Mizuki)
Zara nods immediately, while Teyla is more hesitant. Her voice is measured.
"What kinds of...additions?" (Teyla)