Infiltrator?

The country of Lycaonia is a mountainous region filled with rocky areas and small batches of forested areas in the flat points, it is a place known for harsh winters and hardly existing summers where it only gets warm enough to grow some more temperature resistant vegetables. Mostly eating asparagus, Brussel sprouts, onions, beats, and some carrots that are easier to grow and provide decent nutrients although their main food source is the Catoblepas, a bull like creature that's breath is a paralytic toxin and can breath fire they are known to eat poison mushrooms and herbs that are abundant in this area.

It is said the meat and blood makes one feel warm so the cold will not affect you but it needs to be detoxified in order to be edible without being paralyzed by the toxin in the things body, it is innately gentle creature that doesn't attack and due to it's massive size often doesn't move to much due to the amount of energy it needs to move. 

We arrive at a border city called Louve Ama with a massive river running through the center of it as the city is the place that provides the farmers in the area with a place to trade their goods and buy things, it is a mostly farming and fishing area. It doesn't have walls surrounding it but is completely open and has many merchant trails all over the area, the town is brightly colored with many bright reds, oranges, and greens all through it with hints of yellow and purple for the countries flag flying in the air.

 The (Siberian) fawn lilies is a flower that even with their long winters can survive and blossom even in the spring even after being buried under heavy snow making their bright purple flowers with yellow stamens stand out in bland landscape.

It is a loud town with many people bustling and hassling all over the city children are running around laughing and there is beastman and women all over most being wolf or dog beastman but a mix of a few others like cats and bears also are interspersed. It is clear that it is a thriving town with no problems at all, we have seen some kids wearing high grade clothes playing with those in worn down torn clothes clearly class means little in these parts.

I can see a few people both men and women peaking at me but none where rude or cat called like a few had back in the capital, I follow Lucien closely as we approach a decent sized building with bright red walls and yellow and purple accents flying the flag by the door.

Entering the room is near empty with only about five people here and the space is quite open, we approach the counter and Lucien speaks, "I have returned from an embassy trip in the country of Neelan and need to make a report, my adopted son and spouse are both with me and I would like to have them put into a separate room to wait out my report."

The pretty brown haired dog woman bows in greeting before heading back into the building coming out after only a few seconds followed by a taller wolfman with auburn hair.

"Betty here will take your mate and pup while you and I will talk of the situation there as a few of our current people over there have disappeared, we have seen a few worrying reports but can't be sure how bad things are without inside information." The wolfman says, waving his hand to Lucien to follow while the pretty brown haired dog beastwoman named betty leads us to a separate place.

We enter a smaller room with a fire place and a few crackers with jam along with slices of meet and cheese on a platter, a cup of tea, milk, or water was offered by Betty for our wait, I took the milk while Nilan took a black tea.

We waited for nearly an hour before Lucien returned from him meeting and the look on his face was blank meaning something worrying had occurred but he simply shook his head at the worried look I gave him and said, "Lets go they have offered a place to stay for the time along with a free ride to the capital, sir Lupus Apache."

That wasn't a good sign as most places expect the ambassador to be rich enough and powerful enough to make any trips on their own so to send someone means something has gone very wrong.

We head to a nice snow lodge with a nice indoor warm water pool and a heating bathtub, 2 bedrooms one with a double bed and the other a single bed, along with a living room like area and a small kitchenette that can be used to eat at. Sir Apache was in the room next to us and we will head out to the capital two days from now , although the government has already been made aware of our return and will be waiting for our visit.

It will take a day to make it to the capital and we will report in the day after we arrive, meaning in four days from now we will be meeting with other delegates and high standing officials.

We spend the second day in the pool swimming around and relaxing from the stress of our leaving of Neelan as it is clear if we had chosen to remain much longer things could have gone much worse for us.

We don't bother unpacking so when the second day comes we are packed up and out of the room by 5 O'clock in the morning to be on the train by six, we have a separate compartment along with sir Apache and we are told not to leave it without informing him or open the door unless he is the one at it.

We spend that day and night trip in tenseness as it is clear that they think we are in some danger for one reason or another, we arrive early 3 O'clock in the morning in the capital and are given a high standing hotel room at the top floor.

We sleep most the early morning and don't leave the room at all that day as we wait for the meeting of what is happening in the Neelan empire,

Come four O'clock tomorrow morning Lucien is up and me and Nilan can't go back to sleep after he leaves so we remain awake and play black jack to pass the time as well as get our minds off the events that are to come, if the situation gets too bad it could mean a war both inside and outside the country.

By mid day Lucien is not back and a guard from the government has come to our place to watch over us as it is clear whatever they spoke of has made the situation even more worrying, we aren't able to play anymore after that and put up the cards.

Lucien gets back at 10 O'clock that night and shakes his head while pursing his lips, it is very bad.

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P.O.V Lucien (before leaving Neelan) 

When Aadi gets back from the tower after completing the twenty first floor the situation from the disease has worsened rapidly and a few military people have been knocking on doors the past week looking for healers and priest to help with the disease.

Nilan is still gone with the other medic personal to deal with those sick but the increase in high standing people are making it clear that things are not just about the disease,

We are eating dinner when the Door bell rings I get up to check and Aadi remains behind to continue eating which is for the best, I open the door to two military personnel one is a Sergeant and the other is a Junior Sergeant both are armed with military swords.

The higher standing one speaks, "We are here to ask if you currently have anyone with healer abilities at home as we have entered country wide shut down due to disease out break and all those able to help are being requested to report to the government." I sigh and and respond with, "My son is a healer but he is only 22 years old and is not a member of any group whether it be a guild or faction and by law you have no right to come asking for his aide. I am very aware of the laws of this empire and I know what my son is required and not required to do."

I here Aadi get up and fight my urge to close the door as he approaches, I can see the moment the higher standing one sees him as the look he give is nothing but perversion.

"Sir aiding ones country is only proper I can help your son sign up with the Hansen faction I am a member myself after all, I am sure anyone would be willing to take a healer like him." The higher standing pervert says, it is clear he is no longer interested in what he was originally here for.

I feel Aadi walk up beside me and he says quite sarcastically, "If you didn't look at me like you would drug me in a bar and take me home maybe I would have agreed but from the look on your face I wouldn't make it to the infected. Also I am not born in this country and neither is my father so although we live here neither of us are actually citizens of this country but are from the beastman nation."

I can see the look of distaste and humiliation on the other soldiers face at what his higher standing officer was doing nut their is nothing h could do, I hear Aadi leave after giving his two sense and I politely ask them to leave, "Apologize for my son he just returned from the tower, we are currently eating family breakfast and he doesn't like people when he is hungry."

I return to the table and reprimand Aadi for his actions, "You should be more polite, he could go make trouble to the person supporting him and they may try and charge you with a random crime so he can get you. With a mass infection breakout like this corruption will drastically increase and he has the backing of a Dukes faction, although we are supported by both be embassies and friends of the king the man may use his influence to kidnap you and cover it up. I am thinking of moving away until things blow over, the Lycaonia country is currently in peace and will welcome us without prejudice."

It is clear we are on the same page for how bad it is if the soldiers are already acting like this before things really hit the fan by what Aadi says, "I will pack my bags so you get everything ready to leave so we can head out before things really head fully south."

Aadi heads upstairs most likely to pack and I head to the post area to get Nilan to return as you are unable to bring a communication orb to a medical emergency sight as it can mess with officials communication. After that I head to the train station to book the train that we are all most likely to make which is the one two weeks from now as they informed me Nilan would be back in a week and a half.

I return to Aadi in the work out room working through his worries and fears although he would deny it, I tell him "We leave two weeks from now, Nilan will be back in a week and a half and it will be another two week journey to Lycaonia, the country is a beastman one filled with wolf and dog beastman so they are mostly friendly if a little territorial. So no need to worry over any discrimination though they will definitely flirt more then you are used to they are also very good at understanding the word no, no need to worry over being badgered all the time."

I see Aadi nod and the wait to leave comes, I forbid Aadi from leaving the house when he soldiers begin to patrol the area and only leave for basic essentials as well as to get items for the trip to Lycaonia. 

It is clear I made the right call when I hear a screams in alleyways and see no one go to help from the so called soldiers, I walk on eggshells inside and outside the house as I do not wish for Aadi to need to experience any of this for himself. When Nilan returns I see him immediately head to pack his things and slight shaking in has hands, he understands much better then Aadi how bad things have truly gotten. 

It is clear their is a civil war on the way as the high standing families are starting to take over many stores and businesses and I have seen many half bloods and creatures other then humans being mistreated and harmed by the soldiers.

It is clear this will be a land where we my kind are no longer welcomed before to long and I have personally been stopped twice by the so called guards but my ambassador status made them hesitate to touch me or enter my home to search making it so Aadi is safe at home for now. After the two weeks of keeping Aadi at home however we need to head to the train station to leave and their is soldiers everywhere and they are becoming less respectful of my status.

Aadi is catcalled and a few try and reach out to him but I make sure to send them warnings before Aadi can notice, it is best he remains as ignorant of just how bad it is for now.

We come up to the station and wait in line for the train to came and for us to be allowed on, fortunately I got first class and we will be among the first on so we don't have to wait to long but before we can get up to check spot a soldier grabs Aadi from behind and I failed to notice due to the crowding of the area.

"Where are you heading, I never seen someone like you before around here I need to ask some questions to make sure of no problems." The soldier says and I feel my disgust and hatred for them reach a new high, never touch a beastman's child biological or not.

"Where are you heading, I never seen someone like you before around here I need to ask some questions to make sure of no problems." The man backs off but with a disappointed look clear on his face as he continues to stare at Aadi. The man checking passes and tickets at the door of the train looks at Aadi far more than needed and clearly is tempted to try something but refrains due to the situation and status of us.

We finally board and immediately I close and lock the door while getting in contact with the team who headed for the Lycaonia capital at the start of the month when signs of trouble appeared in the country with the soldiers taxing far more then last year, some even as high as 50%.

I hear a knock and get up making sure Aadi is out of sight when I open the door and give him our three tickets he checks them with a blank look when it usually a smile from train people, and I close and relock the door as soon as he is done, best to prevent any trouble were we can I make sure Aadi remains in the car.

When we arrive at the country border in two days the inspector makes everyone get out to check and the look he gives Aadi is enough to make me nearly snap but I hold on and barely we make it through the check, and only cause I am an ambassador that they can't keep without dragging in the beastman council. After we get out of the border we all relax some but I can't relax completely as it is clear that their are signs of problems in a few other countries we pass through, not as bad as Neelan but noticeable for those who have visited.

Neelan wasn't the only country that was showing discrimination to other species and it was spreading fast and far from the looks of things.

After the two week journey by train we arrive in the border town of Louve Ama a merchant and agriculture based city, the river running through is a beautiful crystal clear and the city is in a peaceful and bountiful state with no one in true poverty.

I immediately head for the government building a decent but humble building in red wit yellow and purple accents to represent it as the one for the government with flag by the door like most buildings around, we are proud to have such kind an dedicated leaders and we show it in our respect to the country.

Entering I go to the counter where a dog beastwoman stands and tell her, "I have returned from an embassy trip in the country of Neelan and need to make a report, my adopted son and spouse are both with me and I would like to have them put into a separate room to wait out my report."

I see the worry look on her face at that but she quickly bows and heads to the back of the building to get a higher standing person to talk to.

A auburn haired wolfman clearly of the Apache family by the hair color and the bright tourmaline colored eyes, he says "Betty here will take your mate and pup while you and I will talk of the situation there as a few of our current people over there have disappeared, we have seen a few worrying reports but can't be sure how bad things are without inside information."

He waves me to follow and I wait for Aadi and Nilan to go before following him to a meeting room with a communication crystal in the middle of the large mahogany table with about 12 chairs around it made of rosewood.

"Sit we need to know all that has happened as we have been told by a few people a week ago that they were returning but have yet to hear back form them despite them having military grade communication crystals." I feel my hands tighten as I had only just barely made it to safety, even a little hesitation and we may be one of those that disappeared.

I tell him of the massive spike in taxes this past month, followed by taking over of private businesses, with soldiers walking all parts of the city and the signs of mass corruption due to ignoring crime happening right by, the part that clearly highly upsets the man is the part of the clear act of discrimination and even signs of potential beginning of enslavement from the looks of things for all non human species. But the worst was the signs of it mass spreading to other human major countries.

This could mean a mass war between humans and creatures again after nearly 5,000 years of peace with them it may be another mass war, and there is no doubt the daemons will join in with such thing. although we are innately more powerful we have less numbers and are harder to repopulate so humans easily out number us ten to one.

We discuss the next step and he calls his direct superior and his directions are to come to the capital with sir Apache as our guard, they will be booking and paying to get us there as soon as possible.

We head to the others and head to the moon lodges a high standing lodge in this part, we stay two nights to calm down from the train ride before heading to the capital.

We take a day long train and rest after arriving before early the next morning on the third day in the country I am taken to a council meeting, I can see my grandfather seated in one of the seats there. Clearly this is a meeting for the beastman council not just this country, after telling them in every detail what I saw a few more people came forward to speak of the events that have taken place.

Arguments start on whether war is needed or not and why the humans would suddenly break out like this, when a elder from the elves comes forward. "We have seen signs like this before and it has always gone horridly why you question and second guess what must be done shows how much you lot have forgotten in your peace, tell me have you made sure those testifying here family's are safe from potential threats. Although rare humans have attacked those who came to do this as an example to what they called 'Traitors.' Peace has almost made you blind and we the elves will not sit back and watch our people be harmed."

Others begin to agree and soon a decision is made that if our people are not returned in the next two weeks unscathed it will be war.

I wait for the end of the meeting that lasted until 8 O'clock and my grandfather approached me to speak for a bit, "I hear you have claimed both a hatchling and a partner in the time you have been gone from the tribe, although your name is not on the family tree it does not mean we do not wish for such news to be told to us."

"I adopted the child after rescuing him from a less then desirable situation and the partner I have chosen is the same person I brought too the family meeting 20 years ago." I replied.

"How bad of a situation must the child have been in for you to decide it is best for you to be the one to raise him, the rest you would give to other to protect and raise so what has changed." He ask me, and that is accurate as Aadi is the only one that I have kept.

But his situation is too unique and dangerous to risk to another, I contemplate telling him what I have some to learn but I need him to swear on his energy to allow him to know.

"I will tell you only if you swear upon your energy not to tell anyone of this." I can see the shock on his face as I have never asked this of him for any of the others but this was simply to different of a situation to allow any wiggle room or chance of betrayal even if the man is blood related to me.

"I agree to the oath, I Adam Null swear on my mind, energy, and life that I will not allow this information to spill willingly from me, So Hence It Be." My grandfather says with no hesitation.

And so I speak of how we found the boy, were he came from, his cultivation, the difference in our worlds. By the end the worry, fear, and relief that goes through my grandfather makes it clear he knows both what this represents and how bad things could be if not for it being a much weaker and new to energy word.

"The child is both healthy and able to fit in our world making him proof of how it is possible for someone from elsewhere to interfere in our world if they are prepared." He says and I nod in agreement.

"Do you not find it interesting he appeared just when these events are about to take place, I am not saying he is the caused but maybe someone like him could be. Similar to that tower climber you spoke of but one that could survive the integration to a new world" It would make a much grimmer picture on the previous wars if so, and make this no longer a war against only our planet but rather preventing sabotage from another planet altogether.

"You are right to not let this spread, I request to allow to speak of the tower climber so to make such threat known without mentioning the status of your son." I agree, we will have another meeting tomorrow on it with just council members.

I return to the hotel to Nilan and Aadi awake and we eat together before me and Nilan cuddle together for sleep, I grip him as I know things are going to get much worst.