It wasn't long before word of the Emperor's death had gotten out, him having his soul ripped out as the mages casting the projection spell helplessly watched had everyone in a frenzy... The mages that were present were almost all executed for treason, but when news of what had occurred in Toussaint arrived everyone knew who was to blame...
However, instead of immediately going on the offensive against the North, the death of Emhyr had caused some internal strife within the empire itself. Emhyr not having a valid successor meant that everyone was vying for the throne.
Due to the strange way the Emperor died the populace suspected that the nobles had assassinated him for power, most not believing that someone could kill the Emperor within Vizima from Toussaint without being caught.
The populace began to question the status quo and were looking for leadership elsewhere, eventually raising up a famous knight for the position... However, the nobles had already begun instating Morvran Voorhis as the new Emperor, his blood being the closest to Emhyr.
The conflict soon arrived, the vassals of the empire all taking separate sides, some wishing to put in place a new ruler outside of the inbred noble lines, while others wished to keep the royal lineage going.
And so Nilfgaard split into two separate factions, the east which contained the capital of Nilfgaard, the City of Golden Towers wished for Morvran Voorhis to be Emperor. While the west which wanted the knight Rudild Aep Num to ascend the throne, his great deeds of courage and valour already known far and wide throughout the empire.
The vassals were unsure of which would be more suitable for an emperor, nor which wouldn't lead to their demise... Should the person they side with lose they'll likely lose everything. The choice was difficult and vassals began heavily fortifying their cities while making known their choice for the new Emperor...
Most of the land that belongs to the West were coastal cities, which, due to their failed attack against Skellige left them almost entirely defenceless against Radovid's now huge fleet. Morvran Voorhis faction actually had more support, but the locations of their cities and troops were in entirely the wrong positions...
Cintra with the empires new territories of Aedirn and Temeria wanted an Emperor not related to Emhyr, his brutality against them in the past pushing them towards the peoples pick Rudild Aep Num.
Radovid was eagerly watching all of this from the side, his army prepared but not moving... He expected the new civil war to kick up in intensity relatively soon. The emperor's demise had been a surprise, but not entirely unexpected... He had many allies, and with so much territory and power, it was a certainty that people would try to claim what was his through any means necessary.
His spies were quick at work within Nilfgaard to sow even more discord, planting rumours that Voorhis had personally murdered Emhyr, which of course was impossible since the man was in Velen at the time... But the populous was never the most rational people, nor was accurate information the most readily available during these trying times.
Most in the know knew who was responsible for Emhyr's death, Ichor now looking more intimidating than it ever had before, even despite the stories of Dragons and Immortal warriors on the lips of everything on the continent.
Reima, the person who was the cause of all the chaos on the continent hadn't even bothered to take note of it. Even Asgore who was usually on the ball for these kinds of things had ignored it, it being one of the many things that were, really, inconsequential in the end, the winner of either conflict not affecting the way Ichor would operate in the slightest.
A few days after Reima had gotten back to Ichor with Geralt, Regis, and Ciri, he was stood in-front of a cell looking down at a certain vampire who was now completely healed.
Dettlaff pats himself over, only now having the ability to investigate the state of his body as he'd been paralyzed until a few moments ago. "Regis?" he growls, knowing full well that he shouldn't have healed so quickly with such wounds.
Reima brings the vampires attention to him, "Yeah, he was concerned about you... Despite you trying to claw him to pieces." he shrugs. "I for one am still tempting to try to tear your soul out, you did try to hurt my woman after all." he says.
Dettlaff slouches against the cell wall, not bothered by the winter breeze blowing through and making it incredibly uncomfortable for any normal person. "Women..." he mutters, frowning.
Reima nods, "I get why you're angry, but did you really have to try and kill Geralt and Ciri? Sure Regis would live but you'd undoubtedly ruin your relationship with him."
Dettlaff "A betrayal must no go unpunished." he says with conviction.
Reima grins, "I completely agree, and it seems you're in luck! The only thing preventing me from allowing you to achieve your revenge had betrayed my people... How would you feel returning to Toussaint to see your ex again?" he asks.
Dettlaff looks up in disbelief at Reima, "You would allow me to butcher Rhenawedd?"
Reima nods, "I'd do the same if a bitch played me like that, my only stipulation is that you do not harm the general populous... The Duchess and her men are fair game though."
Dettlaff looks at his hand, "And what would you have in return? I am not so foolish to assume such a favour would come without a cost." he asks with a glare.
Reima shakes his head, "I want nothing from you, only revenge against those that'd betrayed my family." he says, mimicking Dettlaff's own words. "Plus, Regis doesn't want me to kill you... The only options are letting you go and allowing you to rampage in Toussaint, keeping you here to rot... Or possibly brainwashing you?... Regardless, I want those cunts to pay." he says, all the while wondering if it's possible to brainwash a true vampire.
Dettlaff stands, "Then, I will make them pay." he states, a portal opening up and leading to the forest nearby Beauclair.
Reima "Enjoy yourself... And if you've nowhere to go afterwards, there's always a place in Ichor... Just mind your manners or I'll clip your fangs." he says, the vampire ignoring him and walking through the portal.
I feel that releasing Dettlaff on Beauclair is poetic justice for what they tried to do to Ciri and Geralt. It was this or simply having Reima burn the place to the ground... Hopefully you guys enjoyed the chap, if I missed anything please let me know.