Doctrine of War

Disconnecting from Ezra to soothe my throbbing nerves, I released a heavy groan. " I need a bath, wine, a cigar, and a nice woman. Where is Lilith when you need her? Things couldn't be worse."

Shit… Freya is down there too. Hmmm. If things get bad, I'll have to forcefully summon her.

"Winterfell is on my heel. Hell is a bust. Then there are those Eternal Flame worshippers, Mephisto, Lucifer, and all that may lie in between. Man, I've got a lot of enemies. Holy shit. I should stop making enemies."

Soaring up into the skies to gaze upon the Dead Laws surrounding my palace within the Eben Forest, I Shadowed Step inside, finding Sharla staring at my throne. Seemingly lost in thought, she didn't even seem to notice my presence.

"SHARLA!!!!" I yelled so loud my throat became horsed.

Jumping, an elegant dagger of gold and black whipped out of the shadow of her being and flashed to my neck. But with two fingers, I caught her blade.

"L-Lord Snow?!" She froze with widening eyes, backing away, dismissing her blade along the way. She bowed. " Forgive my—"

"Relax. Just wanted to see how you'd react. But you should be more observant. I could have been an enemy. Dead Laws aren't impregnable. I'm sure hundreds are dying every day trying to find a way to break into my castle."

"But, of course, my king." Sharla bowed yet again, lifting her sharp eye to me, waiting for her command. But there was a questioning glint in her eye.

"What is it?" I asked, taking a seat on my throne.

"I'm curious… Why did you stop the transition from Shades into Shadowfell?" She replied rather straightforwardly.

"My second wife asked that I don't. I'm sure you know her. You call her the night mother."

The look on Sharla's sublime features morphed into disbelief in but an instant. Even her back straightened out like a spear as her jaw dropped.

"What can I say? Yo boy got some game."

"Wasn't she the one to pick you up?" Lily suddenly broadcasted. ' She picked you up like a whore and paid you with a kingdom."

"Shut it. I'm trying to look cool."

"Nope"

Feeling my throbbing headache grow worse, Sharla broke my inner conflict. " You've met the Night Mother… you've defiled—"

"Is that how you talk to your king? What is this defile you speak of? Woman, I'm a saint if there ever was one."

Looking up suddenly looking for something, I frowned at Sharla's strange action. " What are you doing?"

"Looking for lightning?"

Chuckling at her sense of humor, I rested my palm on to my cheek as I slumped over my throne." Well? What are you doing here? You were staring."

"Thinking of our game plan with Winterfell. There amassing an army. And it seems your brother is amongst them."

'Richter?"

"Yeah. Many of my spies have heard whispers of his name. Seems he holds a major position. But none that I can place."

"Not surprising, he's Forsaken, A paragon, and a Chaos Lord," I replied grimly, wishing for nothing more than a glass of whiskey. "Is he leading the charge against me?"

"No… the opposite. Richter is against the opposition that stands against you. Too many unnecessary deaths, he claims."

Hissing in response to that, I snorted. " Leave that bastard be for now. Killing him is practically impossible. Contact Aether for a treaty."

"And if they refuse?"

"Then purge Ilutahth. The only land they'll hold is from their Realm. Iluthath will be mine. We are either allies or enemies."

"We'll need manpower. Manpower that Noctem doesn't—"

"Contact the Pale Lord or Melinoe. I'm not sure who controls the day-to-day. But request some soldiers. Do the same with the Astral Sea. I'm sure that bastard Ren has wet his dick enough with the Ruler's daughter."

"And you, my lord? What is it you'll be doing." She questioned, her eyes focused upon me.

"I'll be breaking into Paragon on the battlefield. Send word to Seraphina to join me. I've got a few questions regarding seraphic might and Angels. I need to know more about angels."

"Just saying I can do that." Lily suddenly added.

"No, you can't. I need perspective. I need to understand what an angel feels. And you can't give me that perspective. Not to mention, it's a way of downing Sera."

"There it is. Could've led with that."

"Thought it was obvious. You know the golden rule. Booty is more important than—"

"A man of my dreams. Crowe learned a lot from you." Sniffling a little, Lily giggled. "Don't worry, Arsene. I'll teach them your ways. I'll indoctrinate them into the dark side. When you see them again, your son will be pulling bitches left and right. His dick is gonna be so wet he'll need to create a new form of protection. My gift to you."

"I'd say yeah, but it seems your trying to do the same for my daughter," I mention, not forgetting how Lily thought it was a good idea to toss my daughter to Michael.

"I'm a pimp. That's what I do." Lily said in a cool voice. "Too bad the bitch is too crazy to think of booty. Although, there was that—"

Perking up my ears as bloodlust rained over heaven and earth, I stormed to my feet, drawing Pride from out of the Abyss. " Keep going!"

"My lord! Who're you talking to?" Sharla shouted on one knee as a horrendous pressure bellowed like the siren call of death.

"Keep going, Lily!"

There was an audible gulp as Lily grew silent. " Why don't you forget what I said, huh? I swear you men are so odd regarding your daughters. Is the idea of them having sex so appalling to you?"

"First off, men and women see sex differently. Very differently, that is all but proven. I know how guys think. I know how they'll feel. I know it all."

"But… how do you know how a woman will—"

"Piss off. Who cares."

"LOL!!!!! You are wilding Arsene." Lily cried in laughter. "You're going to have to get over it. Because her love interest is quite something."

Grumbling where I stood, I dismissed Pride back into the void and folded my arms. " Give me his name."

"Hehe. Where'd the fun in that? Suffer~!" she said fiendishly as though this were a game.