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Jet's eyes shifted away from Cumhaill for a moment and onto his entourage, the six children dressed in queer uniforms that changed color as they moved and wielding halberds. He growled in his own mind at his coadjutor.
"I thought you said this would be a small freehold! This place is huge and there's a ton of them here."
"I said before I'm not an expert. I prefer not dealing with the Raksha at all. Better to kill them on sight. But this is consistent with what I know. This is about as big of a freehold as a single noble can make on its own. It probably broke off from its old court. And ignore the others. He's the only one that's "real". All the others are extras, background characters, part of the scenery. Tools and weapons it uses to write its story. Kill it, and the rest will simply cease to function or exist."
"But if I attack they will join in."
"Most assuredly. They are homunculi. The largest of the wee folk, bigger cousins of the poppet that kicked you. They serve as honor guards and majordomos of the ruling fae. The good thing is that there is usually a limited number of them. These six are probably all it has. But watch out for them. They are dangerous opponents, if a bit fragile."
"Okay. Thanks for the heads-up."
Taking a deep breath and clutching on the iron spoon in his pocket, hard, Jet looked at the Fae standing before him.
"My reasons are my own Laerd Cumhaill. I am Master Saffron and I am appalled by your questions. You address royalty visiting your realm in such manners? Knave? Villain? For that matter, I do not recall giving you the permission to address me at all. You have quite the nerve, taking such liberties all of your own accord!"
The fae started wagging its fingers.
"Dost thou not bear the stench of the House Builders? Doth thine essence not pollute this sanctuary with the vile wickedness of the Shadow of All Things? Face it, Master Saffron, you are the villain here!"
Jet leaned on Markolab once more.
"That name again."
"House Builders. It's what they sometimes call the Yozi. They view Creation as the house they built. And the Shadow of All Things is the title of The Ebon Dragon, his mark is what burns on your forehead."
"Keep your titles for yourself Laerd. Lest you choke on them. I carry the banner of the House Builders. Whilst your people invaded their home, attacked me and violated the ancient oaths by which you are beholden. Being vilified by you means nothing. Now I demand from you Laerd Cumhaill that you leave the occupants of Summer Vale in peace and do not come near the village! Never come near or harm its inhabitants ever again!"
Markolab screamed.
"NO! You stupid idiot! Bad terms! That means they can still enchant the people from afar!"
