Hello everyone, here is another chapter. This one was hard to write in terms of checking grammar and all as I got sick for a week with really bad sinus and congestion. So if my grammar suddenly declined, then that is why. Let me know what you thought about the chapter in a review if you think it deserves one, comments always inspire me to write more.
Earth Time: July 6th, 1941
Sumeru City, Sumeru, Teyvat
Wearing Pyjamas, Pug woke up to the sound of birds as he got out of bed, where he recognized the pale stone ceiling of the diplomatic guestroom of the House of Daena. A mixture of stone pillars and book shelves filled with literature on topics that Pug had no idea what any of it meant. As his mind finally came to reality, then it hit him.
"Good God," he muttered
Yesterday morning he had awakened in Maryland, but this morning he was farther than any American naval officer had ever traveled and separated from the United States by whatever unmeasurable gulf existed between two worlds. He remembers how he stepped out of the arch from the Washington Navy Yard and into Sumeru, where meet face to….well…top head of the tiny child size Dendro Archon. Needless to say, Pug was almost out of both belief and words as Paimon and Aether both confirmed it to him. Hopkins, when he stepped through, immediately went into diplomacy with Nahida after about ten seconds to process the fact. Within minutes, both Hopkins and Nahida were walking, discussing the aperture, diplomatic contact, secrecy, and the possibility of regular communications between Washington and Sumeru.
Nahida had led them up to the House of Daena, where it houses the great library for the Akademiya and great knowledge that its scholars have collected for hundreds of years. Despite being in the Diplomatic guest wing of the House of Daena, he could see it on the bookshelves.
Then a knock came at the door of his room.
"Come in," Pug announced.
Then the door opened as woman in one of the scholarly attires that he noticed throughout the House of Daena, she carried a set of male scholarly attire with her.
"Mr. Alhaitham, asked me to bring you a spare set of clothing for your stay," she said, "He also wished to know whether you would join him and Mr. Hopkins for coffee at the Puspa Café?" She asked.
Pug looked at the folded set of Akedemiya clothing. It had a long white robe, a teal-green outer coat edged in gold, a high-collared undershirt, and the small green cap that Pug distinctly noticed on several of the Scholars.
Then he looked back at her, "Mr. Alhaitham sent that for me?"
She nodded as she spoke, "Yes, sir. He thought that it might be more comfortable during your stay than your raincoat and suit, especially since you requested before the Dendro Archon that you wished to see more Sumeru."
Pug glanced toward the chair where his clothes from Yesterday had been and understood his outfit might as well have had AMERICAN painted across the back if the Fatui knew where to look.
"Very well," Pug said, "When I get dressed, how do I get to the Puspa Café from up here?"
The scholar hesitated for a moment as she answered, "it would be easier if I showed you."
Pug glanced toward the doorway and the unfamiliar corridors beyond it as he nodded in understanding .
"Thank you," he said.
"I will wait outside," she said with a polite nod as she walked away and closed the door behind her.
Pug turned back toward the Akademiya clothing laid across his bed, where he stood up and picked up the teal out coat.
"When in Rome," he muttered.
A few minutes later, he stood before the mirror with the long white robe reaching nearly to ankles beneath the teal-green coat. Gold trim followed the edges and cuffs, while the high collar sat more stiffly around his neck than he preferred. He adjusted the little green scholar's cap and frowned at his reflection.
Pug tilted his head as he muttered, "Rhoda would never let me hear the end of this."
He tugged once at the front of the unfamiliar robe and examined himself from another angle. Perhaps Lawrence of Arabia had gotten the better end of the bargain when he traded his British uniform for Arab robes. At Lawerence's clothes looked appropriately heroic in the photographs. Pug, on the other hand, thought he looked like a visiting professor who had somehow wandered into the wrong university.
He adjusted the little green cap once more and it did not improve matters at all.
"Well," he muttered, "Roosevelt wanted Marco Polo."
He reached for his notebook and tucked beneath the teal coat.
"I guess, this is apparently part of the job," he said as he walked to the door and opened it to follow the woman.
A couple of hours Later
Puspa Café
To say the taste of the coffee offered at Puspa Café surprised Pug would have been an understatement. He had expected something passable at best, but the dark brew had a strong and richer flavor that almost seemed nutty. This taste was different from any coffee that he had endured aboard Navy ships for years.
"Well," he said as he sat down at a table with Alhaitham and Hopkins at the northern wing of the Café, "you people certainly know how to make coffee."
Across the table, Hopkins smiled over his own cup as he spoke, "I was wondering how long it would take for you to say something."
"Well, I had Navy coffee that could strip paint," Pug replied.
Althaitham sat beside Hopkins with a book resting on the dark wood table, "I would hate to imagine the taste, but it sounds like something that Kaveh would insist is drinkable."
Pug raised an eyebrow, "Your friend from yesterday?"
"Roommate," Alhaitham corrected.
"I assume there's a story?" Hopkins asked.
"Several," Alhaitham replied as he took a sip of his coffee, "None that are relevant to your visit. But I would like to start by asking you a question, if may?."
Hopkins gestured toward him, "Go ahead."
Alhaitham set his cup down, "How did Germany and Britain actually come to be at war?"
Hopkins raised an eyebrow slightly, "That's a rather large question."
"Then let me narrow it down," Alhaitham said as he leaned back slightly in his chair, "Most of what Sumeru knows about your war has come through Snezhnaya. First, we were told that Snezhnaya had declared war upon Britain after claims that Britain viewed Teyvat as a place to be divided among for its empire."
Hopkins and Pug glanced at each other as Alhaitham continued, "Now we are being told as well that Snezhnaya and Germany were forced to attack the Soviet Union to protect both worlds from Bolshevism."
"Did Snezhnaya mention that Britain declared war first after a Fatui submarine sank a British Cruiser?" Pug asked.
Alhaitham raised an eyebrow, "Not in any statement that reached the public. The Steambird has printed that Snezhnaya recently declared war on Britain, in defense of Teyvat. That is the version Sumeru City has read."
Pug studied him, " But it's not the version you might hold."
Alhaitham said nothing for a moment, "I hold several versions. But I would like to see whether yours matches the one I received privately."
Pug put his cup down for a second, "The HMS Suffolk…a heavy cruiser that was shadowing the Bismarck and sank after a Fatui Submarine put two elemental torpedoes into her."
"How many lives were lost on her?"
"Well, she sank under half an hour, about three hundred and fifty men went down with her," Pug answered.
"And this Bismarck?"
"Well, after being wounded badly, the Royal Navy almost had her until she disappeared and went through a massive aperture to what we assume is your world," Pug replied honestly.
"When was this?"
"About a month ago."
Alhaitham rubbed a hand to his chin in thought, "That aligns with the rumor that reached the Steambird about a massive German Battleship low in the water being towed into Nod-Krai. She was even trailing oil as she was towed."
"I would bet it is the Bismarck," Pug answered.
"I will see if I can get a copy of the Steambird of that day and let you determine from the sketch provided," Alhaitham answered, "But back to my original thought. Why did Britain declare war on Germany?"
"Well, the first answer is Poland. Britain and France had a guarantee of military assistance to Poland, Hitler knew that and still invaded it," Pug answered.
Alhaitham tilted his head slightly as he asked, "And why would he do that knowing someone would be willing to defend this Poland and go to war for it?"
Pug continued as he explained how the longer answer begins in 1933, when Hitler came to power and began to rebuild the German military against the Versailles peace treaty. Then he went to remilitarize the Rhineland against the treaty, where Britain and France did nothing about it. Then in 1938, Hitler then absorbed Austria, against the provisions of the treaty, but still Britain, not wanting to fight another war, did nothing. Then came Czechoslovakia, where Nevile Chamberlin, Prime Minister of Britain, did not want to see another war happen and thought that he could contain Hitler by giving Germany the Sudetenland. Hitler accepted it, but six months later took the rest of Czechoslovakia and started to threaten Poland. By that point, Nevile Chamberlain had no choice but to accept that no amount of appeasement could satisfy Hitler and promise Poland assistance.
"So Hitler had made plenty of risks before and gotten away with it. Then by September, 1939, he felt that he could get away with taking Poland?" Alhaitham said.
"Not without a pact with Stalin dividing Poland up between them," Pug answered.
"I sense we are going to need more coffee for this discussion," Alhaitham retorted.
The group continued as Pug explained more about the war and Hitler's pact with Stalin. After a half an hour, Alhaitham decided that it would be best for them to depart the Cafe.
"The Traveller and Paimon went ahead to visit friends in Gandharva Ville," Alhaitham said as he left a tip of Mora on the table, "If you like, Mr. Henry, I can see if I can have Matra safely escort you there. I know that you intend to visit several nations of Teyvat for your President."
Pug stood as he followed Alhaitham out the front entrance with Hopkins not far behind.
"Eventually, the President wants me to see as much as I reasonably can," Pug answered truthfully, "But what about my pass to meet the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing. When I talked to Nahida about going to Liyue, she said that the Tianquan doesn't just see anyone and the Sumeru government would have to provide me papers for my travels."
"They are being prepared," Althaitham replied, "Once you arrive at Port Ormos, the customs officer will have your letter of introduction bearing Lord Kusanali's seal, documentation identifying you as an official guest of Sumeru, and travel papers explaining that you are proceeding to Liyue on diplomatic business."
Pug glanced toward him as they stood out on the stone path outside, "And that still depends on whether or not she is willing to see me."
"Correct," Althaitham nodded, "But hopefully with the Traveller vouching for you, it gives you more credibility. I can't tell you much, but lately Lady Ningguang has been paying close attention to Liyue's security and the relationship with Snezhnaya. I think once she hears about you, she will very much want to talk to you."
Pug caught the wording immediately, "Recently?"
Althaitham looked toward him, "That falls into the category of things I cannot tell you much about. But it is something that I know that you need to see her about as soon as possible."
"You walked into that one, Pug," Hopkins commented to him with a smile behind them.
"I had to try," Pug answered, "On more thing, Mr. Alhaitham, what's the situation in Natlan? On our side, there has been some smoke here and there about something called the Night Kingdom. But not the severity at all."
Althaitham's expression changed almost imperceptibly as they walked around a shop selling jewels and precious materials.
"Who told you about the Night Kingdom?" he asked.
"Tartaglia," Hopkins answered.
"I see."
Hopkins stepped closer behind them , "He made it sound serious. Serious enough that Snezhnaya was supposedly concerned the problem could spread beyond Natlan."
"That part, at least, was not an exaggeration as our reports don't paint a better picture," Althaitham answered, "The official news here is that the Tsaritsa is sending an Intervention force within the coming months led by one of the highest ranking Harbingers."
Pug stopped walking, "How high-ranking?"
"Their One Number outside of the Jester, Captano"
"Then whatever is happening is serious that the Tsaritsa considers it essential," Pug considered, "Snezhnaya is already fighting Britain and committing substantial forces against Russia. If the Tsaritsa is still willing to detach troops and her highest ranking Harbinger for an operation in Natlan, then she considers whatever is happening in Natlan important enough with the war on Earth for Manpower and leadership."
"That is also our assessment," Alhaitham replied.
Hopkins' expression became more serious as he asked, "Do you know how large the intervention force will be?"
"No reliable figures yet," was the answer that Alhaitham, "Before we departed, I was wondering if you would be interested to see the Grand Bazaar, Mr. Henry? And the Corps of Thirty Headquarters that you passed coming down?"
"The Corps of Thirty? Is it your military?" Pug asked.
"Partly," Alhaitham answered, "They are Eremite mercenaries employed by the Akademiya to provide security for Sumeru City."
Pug's brow furrowed, "Mercenaries?"
"Yes."
"Your capital is defended by hired soldiers?"
"Yes, but there is also the Matra. Sumeru really doesn't have a standing army unlike some of the other nations," Alhaitham answered.
Pug looked at him for a moment, "None?"
"Not in the sense that you mean," Alhaitham answered.
The Henry Residence, Annapolis, Maryland
July 7th, 1941
The telephone rang shortly after four in the afternoon. Rhoda had been sitting alone in the living room with one leg tucked beneath her as she attempted to read the Monday paper. The house had become irritatingly quiet since Victor had left with the two house guests. Ordinarily she complained that he had buried himself in newspapers, reports, and Navy business whenever he was home. Now his empty chair seemed to occupy more of the room than he ever had. She lowered the newspaper and looked toward the telephone.
For a moment, she thought that maybe it was Victor and remembered that it was probably not in the conveniences available to him.
She crossed the room and piqued the receiver, "Hello, Henry Residence."
"Rhoda?" said a familiar and charming voice that she had not expected to hear for sometime.
"Palmer?" she said with a smile.
"Hello, Rho. How are you?" the voice of Palmer Kirby said.
The lights upon Rhoda's face gleamed in her face as her mood brightened, "Good heavens. Where are you?"
"Washington."
Rhoda blinked for a second as she continued, "Washington?"
"Yes, I was originally called by the War Department on some defense discussions, but my visit suddenly included a tour with some strange diplomatic guests," Palmer answered.
"Strange diplomatic guests," Rhoda asked with a different expression.
"I'll tell you about it later, but after yesterday I think taking them to a dinner in DC or anywhere south the Mason-Dixon might not be a good idea anymore," Palmer said, "But listen, I am just a few hours away and wonder if you would like for me to come by for dinner."
Rhoda paused, "Come here?"
"Unless that's inconvenient for you."
She looke around the empty living room, where the newspaper remained folded across the arm of the sofa and Victor's chair sat untouched beside the lamp.
"No," Rhoda answered with joy, "Not inconvenient at all."
"That's good," Palmer answered right back, "I should be there in a few hours. Is that fine with you? Will Pug be joining you?"
"That's fine, And Victor is away for awhile on some grand tour for the Navy," Rhoda answered.
"I see. Well, I had hoped that I would see him soon to talk about some things we discussed back in Berlin, but I guess that's fine," Palmer answered, "Goodbye Rhoda."
"Goodbye, Palmer."
Rhoda slowly placed the receiver back onto its cradle as for several moments, she remained beside the telephone with a smile still on her had not expected to hear his voice again so soon, much less discover that he was only a few hours away in Washington. The thought immediately made the empty house seem less oppressive than it had five minutes earlier.
She immediately started to find a beautiful dress to wear for when he arrived. By six-thirty, the table was set as she made dinner and set the dishes on the headlights swept briefly across the front windows as she smiled. Rhoda straightened her dress before walking to the door as the doorbell rang.
When she opened the door, there stood Palmer Kirby on the porch wearing a dark suit and holding a bottle of wine in one hand. His hair seemed slightly grayer than when she had last seen him, but he looked as much as he had in Berlin.
Palmer's expression changed the moment that he saw her, where his eyes lingered briefly on the dark blue dress that she chose and then returned to her face.
"You look wonderful, Rho," he said.
Rhoda smiled as warmth touched her cheeks , "Well, you haven't changed very much either, Palmer."
Palmer smiled back and held up the bottle in his hand, "I brought wine. I wasn't sure what you were serving so I took a chance."
Rhoda took the bottle to examine the label, "French?"
"Pre-war," Palmer answered, "And the man who sold it to me said that it was good."
She stepped aside and allowed him into the house, while Palmer removed his hat as he entered the living room.
"So Pug is really away?" he asked.
"Very much so," Rhoda answered as she closed the door.
"For how long?"
"Not sure yet, it's expected to be a month at least for sure," Rhoda answered
"For some grand tour of the Navy, you said?"
"Yes," Rhoda replied as she walked toward the dining room with the bottle, "and it very far away."
"Still keeping secrets?" Palmer followed her with an amused expression.
"You're the one who telephoned me talking about mysterious diplomatic guests and then refused to explain yourself," she answered with a laugh.
"Fair enough," Palmer replied.
"Sit down. Dinner is almost ready."
Palmer pulled out a chair but remained standing while Rhoda disappeared briefly into the kitchen. He could hear plates being moved and then metallic clatter of serving utensils. The smells drifting from the kitchen were considerably better than he had expected from Rhoda's earlier modesty over the telephone. After a moment, she arrived carrying a dish and Palmer Palmer stood up to help her carry it to the table as she brought out the rest. Within a few minutes, the two were seated opposite one another with roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables between them. Palmer popped the cork on the wine bottle and poured it into the glasses. The two each had a glass filled with wine as they sat down and lifted their glasses. They clinked their glasses as they ate and talked.
They talked about many subjects, but most of it focused on Palmer in Washington. He had been in endless meetings with the Navy coming up with electronic ways to counter the Snezhnayan Submarines that were patrolling the Atlantic and sinking any British ship that they could find. Then they returned to the topic of guests as Palmer eventually placed his fork down.
"You mentioned guests."
Rhoda immediately knew where the conversation was going.
"Yes," she admitted.
"Who were they?"
"Oh, just some friends of Victor that he met in London lately," she replied with a wave of her hand.
Palmer raised an eyebrow at her answer, "Friends of Victor?"
"Yes, but don't act like you haven't had some friends recently," Rhoda laughed, "You disappear into Washington for a few days and suddenly you're showing some mysterious foreigners around the capital. I think I'm entitled to wonder what sort of company you have been keeping."
Palmer smiled as he reached for his wine to take a sip, "Well, apparently….and this is all hush hush at the moment. The United States received some guests from Teyvat. I had been asked to act like a tour guide for them on some of the city and basics of country as one of them is an architect in Teyvat."
"Oh, what is his name?" Rhoda asked as she kept her smile.
"Well, one of them is named Kaveh, apparently," Palmer answered.
Rhoda nearly dropped her fork in shock.
"Ah, so you know this one," Palmer chuckled.
"It's a long story," Rhoda answered with a slight shake of her head, "One that requires another bottle of wine after this."
"Now, I'm even more interested," Palmer said.
"Let's just say for now, me and that man had a rather unexpected introduction," Rhoda answered.
"I see, well, he didn't mention knowing you. But anyways, the other man is a man called Cyno ...came dressed like something out of an Egyptian tomb, jackal headdress and all. But we managed to find him a decent suit to have him not stand out," Palmer continued, "He apparently paid me back in their currency called Mora which is like big gold coins. Which I can't keep anyway."
"He paid you?"
"For the suit…well…and the hat. Afterwards, the government told me that I would be reimbursed for it, but Cyno still felt that he had to pay me back. He was confused as I explained that I can't have a lot of gold on me in this country," Palmer went on.
"Do you still have that gold?" Rhoda asked.
"No, I had to turn it into the State Department so they could ask the Treasury to examine the gold on its value and purity as it was more shiny than any gold dollar I have ever seen."
"And he handed them to you?"
"As casually as you might hand somebody a dollar."
"And afterwards, how did you take him?" Rhoda asked curiously.
"Very intelligent ... .Although he is a general, apparently he is not really in charge of any military, more of security, law enforcement, and oversight over their scholars. Not any equivalent that I can think of on our side of the universe," Palmer replied.
"Now you talked on the phone about not taking them to dinner south of the Mason-Dixon," Rhoda recalled.
"Oh, yes, I am afraid that is where America now has its first diplomatic incident with the other world," Palmer answered, "I figured that as we toured the Mall, I thought that maybe we should get a bite to eat somewhere. So I took them to a nearby diner, but we had to stop when I forgot that segregation is a thing in DC and on the dinner door was the sign saying 'Whites Only'."
Rhoda stopped cutting her chicken, "Oh…no. Is he…?"
"Not exactly black….but he's more tanned….I was afraid that it would be enough. It didn't help that the manager came out to confirm that by trying to tell Cyno to leave," Palmer admitted, sounding embarrassed.
"He actually told him to leave?" Rhoda said as her expression tightened.
Palmer nodded with embarrassment still visible on his face, "Man hadn't even made it through the door. The manager just came outside, looked at him, and said that the establishment did not serve people like him."
Rhoda slowly put her fork down, "What did Cyno do?"
"That was the worst part, I think," Palmer replied, "He didn't get angry. Eventually, though, he asked what the manager meant. So I had to explain what Segregation is in this country and how colored Americans were often excluded from places. But needless to say it didn't make things better as that was when the State Department official finally returned and realized what happened when he went nervous about his job as America's relationship with Teyvat might be in trouble about that one thing."
"Oh dear," Rhoda said.
"Yea, but enough about that. When are you going to tell Pug?" Palmer asked.
"Well, there never was any time, what with Janice and the Baby, me in Berlin, and our houseguests especially," Rhoda said.
"Rhoda, there is always something," Palmer said.
"I know, but this time there really wasn't much of an opportunity. I was going to tell when we got back, but then he brought his guests," she said as she reached for his hand affectionately.
Palmer looked down at her hand. For the first time since arriving, the easy amusement disappeared. Then he turned his hand beneath her and gently closed his fingers around it.
"Rho, there is always going to be something," he said.
" I know. And now Victor has become Roosevelt's favorite wandering naval officer as his Marco Polo," Rhoda commented, "And he will not be back for a month at least and impossible to reach."
Palmer's expression shifted to the name, "Marco Polo?"
Rhoda immediately realized that she had said more than she intended, "Oh don't look at me that way. But when he comes back, I will tell him. I promise."
Gandharva Ville, Sumeru, Teyvat
July 8th, 1941
By the time Pug first saw Gandharva Ville and its big tree, he was lost of words on his expression. They had been on the southern road for many hours since leaving Sumeru City and leaving Hopkins behind, but the sight that he was seeing seemed to be worth it. Great trees rose in every direction around them with trunks wider than a house. Vines and enormous leaves crowded the spaces around, while moisture clung to everything, Pug could feel it beneath the collar of the Sumerian clothing he had been given. He still carried his two briefcases as he walked the path, while the two Matra walking with him followed with one in front of him and another behind him.
The Matra in front slowed as the path curved around a massive boulder until they came to a wooden plank bridge with roots used for supports and Pug saw civilization where he could see houses that reminded him of beehives hanging from the massive tree. As he was lead to a big round platform, he was greeted by short wavy green haired young woman with purple eyes. She wore a green shawl with gold tassels worn over a brown dress.
The young woman looked at Pug with her expression brightened as she recognized the Matra escorting him, "You must be Commander Henry?"
Pug shifted one of the briefcases into his other hand, "That depends. I I owe someone money, you have the wrong man."
The woman nervously smiled, " Traveller said that you might be coming."
"Then I suppose, I'm Henry," He answered.
She stepped forward and offered her hand somewhat uncertainly as if she was still not sure about his identify..
"My name is Collei. I'm a trainee Forest Ranger here."
Pug shook her hand, "Commander Victor Henry. United States Navy."
"Yes, Master Tighnari told us that you were travelling with the Traveller and Paimon to see Teyvat for your government," Collie said as she led them forward on the broad platform
Pug attention wandered continuously from one side of Gandharva Ville to the other as the settlement did not resemble anything that he had expected from the word 'village'. He knew the place was referred to as the 'City Above the Forrest', but he was still impressed and taken off guard. The way that the house clung to the trees and wooden plank bridges connected to the different cliffs around them. Although, some of the cliffs had their own wooden houses built on them.
"Where are Aether and Paimon?" Pug asked curiously as they were led inside a wooden tent-like structure on one of the cliffs.
Collie glanced toward one of the Matra before looking back at Pug, "They were here earlier this morning, but they left for Vimara Village. Please, Mr. Henry, make yourself comfortable here, this will be your accommodations for your stay."
"Vimara Village?" Pug repeated as he put down one of his briefcases beside a wooden chair.
"Yes, it's further south from here, along the river." Collie answered with a nod, "The Traveller received a missing persons commission from the Adventurer's Guild and thought to check it out."
Pug chuckled a little, "I left them alone for one day."
"They said that they would be back after they finished," Collie continued, "is there anything that I can get you? Master Tighnari will be here soon to continue your tour."
"A glass of water would be appreciated," Pug answered as he placed the second briefcase beside the first, "and perhaps somewhere I can wash up. I haven't been anything this humid since my time in Panama with the Navy."
Collie nodded and left, while Pug grabbed his camera and started to take some photos of the area. He had already started since his journey began in Sumeru City as he took a photo of the area of Gandharva Ville with the big tree being first as it filled most of the frame and then the houses in how they hanged from it. After a few minutes, Collie came back with the water and washbin for him to clean up a bit. Pug thanked her as she left to help an arriving merchant on a rash that he had.
After drinking half of the glass of water without stopping, he grabbed a cloth soaked in the washbin's water and rubbed it on his face. The cool feeling of the water on his face felt like heaven on earth as he closed his eyes.
Then a knock on came at the entrance of the tent, where the two Matra had stood guard at. Pug turned around from the washbin as he noticed a tall man wearing a intricate variety of clothing with colors that ranged from white to green. However, the thing that had Pug's full attention was the large pointy black ears on the man's head.
After a second, Pug realized that he had been staring and the man noticed as his ears twitched. This reaction made Pug blinked as he had to accept that the ears actually moved.
"You must be Commander Henry," the stranger said with a mildly amused look, "I'm Tighnari, Forest Watcher."
"Yes, Paimon and Aether told me about you," Pug answered, "They assured me that if anything can show me a good part of your forest that it was you."
"Well, I'm flattered," Tighnari answered, "I understand through Paimon and Aether that you were especially interested to see a Withering Zone in Sumeru?"
Pug dried his hands with the cloth and looked at him, "Very much. Aether explained it to me in Sumeru City, but I still don't grasp much of what he said."
"That is understandable," Tignhnari continued, "If you would like, the Forest Rangers need to observe one several miles south between here and Devantaka Mountain. It's also not far from Vimara Village, if we have time, we can go there to see how Paimon and Aether are doing on their commission."
"Several miles south?" Pug asked as his interest sharpened immediately.
"Yes," Tighnari answered, "The Rangers have been watching it for several days. It's not large, but we merely need to make sure that it hasn't expanded. Carry to follow me, Commander?"
Pug raised an eyebrow at the invitation as he nodded and followed Tighnari to the Withering Zone. The two matra fell in behind them as they left Gandharva Ville and followed a narrower trail south through the forest. Pug carried his camera around his neck, his small notebook in one hand, and his pistol in one of his pockets as he left the two briefcases behind in his quarters.
As they moved, Pug took photos of the local wildlife and flora as they continued. Along the way, Tighnari gave Pug the run down on a set of warning signs to follow as they approached, where Pug stays near him at all times and if he tells Pug to leave quickly then he follows. Pug accepted the warnings without any hesitation as he did not want to chance it at all.
Hours passed as they walked up a mountain where Pug had a great view of Sumeru City's tree and Gandharva Ville. He could see the Adravi River curved through the green landscape where he could make small little boats travel to and from Sumeru City.
Taking a quick photo, Pug turned around and followed as they walked higher and came upon a ledge with some trees around. Immediately, Pug could notice how it changed compared to what he would normally see. On the ledge, there were no birds or insects as the green disappeared with the yellow and brown on the ledge. The tree trunks became twisted and blackened, while strange reddish growths had protruded from the earth.
Tighnari raised a hand, "From this point, we stop here and go no further. Much too dangerous"
Pug nodded as he took some more photographs. He had never seen the Argonne, but he had seen photographs of it as well as told some tales and the Zone seemed nothing like it. In the Argonne Forest in the last war, there were polluted trees and trees that were shattered by artillery where they were reduced to jaded splintered stumps. However, this Withering Zone seemed to be deeply containment than the Argonne with its distorted coloring.
"How far was it when you were last here?" Pug asked.
Tighnari did not answer at once as he crouched at the edge of the last living ferns and his ears flattened a degree.
"Further back than this," the Forest Watcher answered, "About ten paces five days ago."
"Is that concerning?"
"Not at the moment, but removing it will be nice. When Aether's finishes with his commission, I was going to ask him to cleanse the area if he could.
Pug raised an eyebrow, "He can cleanse it? Meaning remove it."
"Yes, but it is not easy for just anyone to do. But Aether has lots of experience with these. This zone is something to be alarmed yet as the severity of the Zone has died down," Tighnari answered as they continued to examine it from a safe distance.
Hours later on the road to Vimara Village
The sun began to sink behind the rainforest by the time that Pug, Tighnari, and the two Matra descended from the higher ground and returned to a road that took them to Vimara Village. Pug had not taken as many notes as he had intended for the Withering Zone. As they walked down to the village, they talked about their worlds. Tighnari was especially interested in learning more about Earth, while Pug asked him as many questions in exchange for the shared knowledge between them.
After a while, they reached the decently sized town of Vimara Village with the Adravi River running right in the middle of the town where it reminded Pug akin to a finishing village or someone of those small finish towns in Louisiana but instead it the town ran parallel to the river between it with cliffs not far from the shore on each side of the river. Small wooden hours stood along the banks and against the lower cliffs. There were fishing boats resting along the shore and tied on elongated docks of the village.
Tighnari led Pug along the docks as they continued walking, where suddenly his ears turned toward voices farther down the village. This immediately caught Pug's attention.
Several villagers had gathered outside one of the houses near the river, while two men were speaking to one another. To Pug, this didn't look like a fishing dispute.
"I will be right back," Tighnari said as he walked to see what's wrong.
As he walked away, Pug heard a voice behind that was one of the Matra.
"You must, Victor Henry? Paimon and Traveller told me about you today."
Pug turned around, expecting one of the Matra to be speaking, but instead found a strange standing a few steps beyond them. The man was tall and blond while dressed in dark clothing ornamented with different shades of blue. His eyes were distinct with star shaped irises that almost made Pug think of Arlecchino's Red X's. However, the biggest thing that had Pug's attention was the mask-like eyepatch that covered the right side of his face, but he was still able to see the right eye.
"And you are sir?" Pug asked.
"Dainsleif," the man answered, holding out a gloved hand as Pug immediately noticed that the man seemed to be injured, "Paimon and Aether are fine, they are resting. I was hoping we could have a private discussion just the two of us before I have to depart. It will be brief, I assure you."
The two Matra were very hesitant on the matter as they explained that they were to follow Pug for his safety. Pug decided to take a risk and said that it will be quickly as he agreed to Dainsleif's request. The tall blue man led Pug down the river where nobody could hear them.
"How much has Aether or Paimon told you about me?" Dainsleif asked.
Pug took a moment before he answered then said, "Enough to know that you and Aether have a history for some time. You come Khaenri'ah, that whatever happened five hundred years ago left you with an unusual lifespan and you are pursuing something called the Abyss Order."
"Correct," Dainsleif acknowledged.
"I know that Aether's Sister is with them," Pug continued.
"Also true, then let's get to why I wanted to talk to you. But let me give a short description in that I was the Knight Captain of the Royal Guard to protect the Vinister King from threats. I have witnessed people cause the destruction of Khaenri'ah trying to unlock a power that could destroy the world and share it amongst themselves leaving their comrades to an unimaginable fate," Dainsleif answered as looked at his right arm covered as Pug noticed blue patterns that stretched along it.
Pug's eyes settled on the strange blue markings beneath Dainsleif's sleeve, where they did not look like scars and seemed into the skin with a glow in the failing daylight.
"How many people?" Pug asked.
"Five…they became known as the Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah. Some of them I knew personally, including my older brother," Dainsleif admitted.
Pug's expression changed as he was surprised, "Your brother?"
Dainsleif gave a small pained but raged nod, "Vedrfolnir. He became known as the Visionary."
"What kind of power we are talking about?" Pug asked.
"The Abyss from beyond this world…more beyond than your world even…a world that I understand is at war and has a more puffed up version of the Vinister King in Germany."
Pug smiled a little, "That's a new way to describe Hitler…but probably not wrong."
Dainsleif's expression remained hard as he went on, "From what aether described, Hitler possesses many of the same weaknesses. An obsession with destiny and that history has personally chosen him. The idea that greater power justifies increasingly desperate risks."
"But?" Pug asked as he sensed that coming from the man.
"But the main difference is that your Hitler has not yet found what King Irmin's court ultimately reached for," Dainsleif said as he looked down at his marked arm again.
"The Abyss," Pug connected.
"Yes," Dainsleif answered and depending on the circumstances, "Maybe others in your world and this is why I wanted to talk to you as you report everything that happens to your leaders. Although your country is neutral, Aether tells me that the mood is that its only a matter of time before your country must make a stand."
Pug nodded as he answered, "The President believes that eventually Hitler, Japan, or Snezhnaya will make the decision for us."
"Yes, even though you are neutral. War makes people look to unforeseen powers, maybe a power that could change the balance of order in your world or both. I am sure that your world is looking into such ideas isn't it?"
"I can't tell you," Pug answered as he thought about the time he met Palmer Kirby in Berlin where they talked about Heavy Water and Uranium as well Germans boasting the idea of an Atom Bomb, "So much of the stuff we imagine is all Jules Verne talk to us"
Dainsleif gave Pug a questioning look on Jules Verne before continuing, "The point is, Mr. Henry, your world is being watched with very interested eyes more than just the nations of Teyvat. Even the Abyss Order is interesting to know what you research and study there. For all I know, even the Shades of the Heavenly Principles might be watching your nation somehow."
"Shades?" Pug questioned.
"Unfortantely, we do not have much time, but just know that if they have their eyes on you that it might not be good for you depending on what your nation develops or is developing at this moment," Dainsleif said, "Or what Hitler becomes interested in researching from Teyvat as it could bring what happened to Khaenri'ah closer to your world than you would like."
Dainsleif started to walk away before he turned around back to Pug, "We will most likely see each other again, Mr. Henry. If I learn anything then I will tell you. Goodbye."
The man walked away along the riverbank until he disappeared among the trees and houses of Vimara Village as Pug remained where he was. He thought of everything that he had learned thus far and was concerned as now in his first three days of travel in Teyvat, he had received a warning that these Heavenly Principles might be watching his world. He thought about everything that the war was producing and wondered if anything that they did might be enough to draw the wrath of these Shades upon their world. Would the Principles be willing to punish a world that was outside of Teyvat or even individual nations for the research of something that can change the balance of power?
He stopped thinking about it as he walked back to the two Matra, where Tighnari was waiting for him and told him that Paimon and Aether were found recently. Apparently, they were found asleep and unable to wake up when they were brought to a house in the village. Pug wanted to go and see them as soon as possible to find out what happened. So, he followed Tighnari to the house with the two Matra right behind him.
July 9th, 1941
Kure Naval Arsenal, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
Isoruko Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, stood on the dock with his hands collapsed behind his back as he waited on the Snezhnayan Naval vessel that sailed into harbor under tug. He watched as the Snezhnaya vessel made its low approach toward Kure Naval Arsenal. Two harbor tugs guided the vessel toward its assigned berth, while Japanese sailors waited beside the mooring bollards.A small gathering of naval officers stood nearby and were accompanied by several engineers of the arsenal along with other representatives of different departments of the Navy.
The vessel gave him the impression of a cruiser that he had seen from Sweden. However, the superstructure was more compact and its freeboard was more solid with no promenade's on the stern. Something that he had seen in a few European cruisers.
He pulled out his binoculars as he used them to examine the vessel and its weapons. The cruiser had two three barrelled turrets at the front, while the stern was arranged differently. At the stern, aviation facilities seemed to be its priority as it had a long catapult near the stern and surrounded with equipment meant to handle reconnaissance aircraft. Very unique for a warship that sacrificed firepower for aircraft operations.
He then noticed several convention-looking anti-aircraft weapons that occupied positions around the superstructure. Among them were two looking installations that caught his attention with interest. On each side having some tube-like structure pointed outwards at an upward angle. The tubes were the strangest out of all of the weapons as they looked nothing like ordinary naval weapons.
He then turned his attention to the bow of the ship that had its name painted in a luminous blue paint.
Severnaya Zvezda
An interesting Russian like name as it sailed into the harbor and Fatui Opirnick soldiers stood on the deck of the cruiser as they threw mooring lines to the Japanese sailors waiting. After a minute, the cruiser was tied to the dock as the gangway was brought into position, while several Snezhnayan naval officers and a small detachment of Oprichniki soldiers stood out at attention.
At the shout of an order, they snapped with a stomp of their foot to where they raised their clenched fists. The salute was unusual and different from any form he saw in the Imperial Japanese Navy and other navies at that time.
An older Snezhnayan naval officer descended to greet the Japanese reception party. The woman wore a blue and white uniform decorated with a silver insignia and a peaked cap that bore a snowflake emblem. Her skin, though, was different with an extremely pale complexion and icy blue eyes. She presented herself to Admiral Yamamoto as Captain Orlova and the Severnaya Zvezda's captain. Before she saluted with her fist which Yamamoto returned with the traditional Japanese Imperial navy salute.
Until the sound of a whistle could be heard as Yamamoto watched as an additional woman walked down the gangway dressed in what he would have assumed as an English maid, but thankfully he knew better as he was provided photos beforehand by the Foreign Ministry.
There was no doubt who she was. Sandrone, the Seventh of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers.
As Sandrone walked up to Yamamoto, she kept her attention on the admiral.
"Admiral Yamamoto," she greeted with a slight bow, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
Yamamoto returned the bow, "The pleasure is mine, Lady Sandrone. On behalf of the Imperial Japanese Navy, welcome to the Kure Naval Arsenal. I trust your visit in Tokyo went well and your voyage to Kure as well."
"Tokyo was very informative, especially your army generals as well," Sandrone answered, "And the voyage was uneventful, I wanted it as a trial run on the new conversion that we made to the Northern Star as our biggest ship and it will stay that way."
Yamamoto raised his eyebrows slightly at the last remark, "Your largest ship, Lady Sandrone?"
"Yes, unlike some Admirals going for a massive ego for brains competition, the steel can be used for better things," Sandrone answered with a roll of eyes.
Yamamoto merely looked at her before allowing himself a small laugh, while another Admiral behind him almost seemed offended.
"May I lead you on the tour, my Lady?" Yamamoto asked, "I understand you wished to see one of our special projects."
"Yes, please do Admiral," Sandrone replied as she followed him.
They entered waiting automobiles as Sandrone followed, accompanied by the other Japanese Admiral and a few Japanese naval officers. Captain Orlova remained near the gangway to oversee the Severnaya Zvezda's stay in Kure. The staff car continued to the naval arsenal where they passed several workshops and then after a bit, they were led to a guarded entrance. Large screening structures managed to conceal much of the waterfront beyond them as the car came to a stop.
"So this is the limited inspection that your Naval Ministry approved about one of your newest projects," Sandrone said as they stepped out of the vehicle.
"Yes, please follow me and I will show you. But please be aware that this is an extremely limited and exceptional tour of a very restricted part of the Arsenal" Yamamoto acknowledged as he walked up to the entrance as the sailors saluted as he handed them the paper work.
After the guards examined them and let them through, it was not long before they walked through to a fitting-out berth and rounded a corner. Sandrone nearly stopped in surprise as standing before her was the enormous hull that stretched along the waterfront that dwarfed the nearby smaller vessels beside it and out in the distance. She was seeing the stern of it with its giant turret straight and one of the three barrels pointing up. On the stern were structures of workshops and platforms decorating it.
"Allow me to introduce you to Battleship Number One, my Lady," Yamato said.
Sandrone slowly turned to him, "Battleship Number One?"
"Her name for construction, she will be called Yamato."
"Well, congratulations, your navy has a bigger useless ego than the Germans and I didn't think that was possible. But low and behold, you did it by leaps and bounds," Sandrone said without hesitation.
Yamamoto did not answer immediately, but the Admiral behind him that had been offended earlier stepped forward.
"Lady Sandrone," the Admiral said, "I must protest. The Yamato represents the finest achievement of Japanese naval engineering. She is the most powerful battleship ever conceived. To dismiss her as an ego…."
"Not a dismissal, but an assessment," Sandrone interrupted, "The age of battleships is ending. I already have a battleship in repair that proves that assessment. Air power is now becoming the dominating force in warfare, that's why the Northern Star exists for operations in Teyvat."
"And you are referring to Bismarck?" Yamamoto asked, referring to the Battleship in repairs.
"Correct, I am already looking forward to getting it off my hands," Sandrone said, "It's already taking up space in Nod-Krai that could be used for other things. For this war, Snezhnaya prefers a smaller vessel navy with submarines and patrol vessels as we don't have to worry much about big ships in Teyvat's waters."
"And unless, of course, somehow the Americans enter the picture," Yamamoto added cautiously.
Sandrone turned Yamamoto with a raised eyebrow.
"Then, Admiral, I imagine we have a rather different problem. But unlike your nation, if America discovers this and give it time, they can produce ten of these in same time it you to build one or two even."
"Four, we plan for four," the offended Admiral admitted.
"Then your ego is even more bigger than brain than I thought was possible," Sandrone commented as she stared at him with a look that questioned his intelligence.
The other Admiral's face reddened considerably, but before he could offer another protest, Yamamoto raised his hand.
"Lady Sandrone, I believe you have made your opinion quite abundantly clear on our battleship program," Yamamoto answered.
"Good, because if you intend to build these then you will lose any war with America for sure with it," Sandrone said, "I have read your history, Admiral Yamamoto. You studied at Harvard and was a naval attache in America. Tsaritsa has sent me because she is very concerned about how Japan has not been forthcoming on improving their capabilities with her like Germany is. When I inform her of Yamato and the other ships, her concerns will seem justified. Considering Snezhnaya's current agreement with Japan on buying American oil for us that is transported through the gate in Tokyo, this is an issue."
The mention of American oil brought a silence considerably more uncomfortable than Sandrone's earlier insults.
"My point, Admiral, is that Snezhnaya is concerned Japan is not truly ready for a possible war with America. She doesn't want it, but if you start a war with them then until Russia settles itself, Snezhnaya won't have oil it needs for its population needs," Sandrone continued, "I have talked with your foreign ministry and the Army, they are have always been more willing to adapt using our tech but the Navy is holding back on sharing."
Yamamoto considered her words carefully. He had expected the Harbinger to criticize Japanese shipbuilding, but the mention of the Tsaritsa's concerns made the matter considerably more serious.
"Then what does Her Majesty expect from the Imperial Japanese Navy?" he asked.
"Cooperation, Admiral. You have interesting torpedo capabilities, I have been told. Share with us on it and we can not only use it better but maybe ensure it does more damage to the Americans before they overwhelm you and Snezhnaya," she continued.
"It would require permission from the Naval Ministry, but if we were given it then maybe it can be arranged with other things approved," Yamamoto said, "But I find it interesting that you speak of preventing a war with the United States while simultaneously discussing how to inflict greater damage upon its navy."
"Preparing for a war does not mean I wish to start one, Admiral," Sandrone said, "Her Majesty would prefer to avoid one and prefers Japan to do the same. But if your government decides overwise, then Snezhnaya must prepare for the consequences."
I hope this chapter was alright for you and that you enjoyed it. Please feel free to tell me what you thought. In case you were wondering, yes, we just hit the Archon Quest of Bedtime Story.
Now here are some historical facts that I referenced:
1. Yamato: This was a new Japanese battleship constructed in 1937 and was launched in August, 1940. By this point in the story, she is still being fitted out and I reference somewhat what she looked like in vague from a photograph that actually exists. She was a class of what was going to be four battleships weighing over 50,000 tons with nine 18.1 inch guns that could throw shells at 25 miles. During construction and fitting, the specifications of her were so secret that not many blueprints of the ship can be found today as they were destroyed. Also, they tried to keep the secrecy as the Yamato and her sisters (mainly Musashi especially) were designed to be battleships that could eliminate American Battleships.
2. Segregation in DC: The incident that Palmer described is based on the actual way that it was handled in DC and was not sure if Cyno would really fall into that bracket of discrimination and had to (painfully) think in the time period. Officially, during Reconstruction, Segregation was there were laws that were passed against Segregation in the Capital, but they were largely ignored. It would not be until 1953, when the Supreme Court in the case of District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co. affirmed the continuing laws that banned discrimination.
3. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto: If you know about Pearl Harbor, you probably know Yamamoto for it. Before the war, he actually did attend Havard University and served as Japan's Naval Attache in DC. He recognized the dangers of a prolonged war with America and understood that the US can outproduce everything against Japan. He was quoted in saying that he could he imagine he would run wild for six months, but after that he would not promise anything.
Now here are my Questions:
1. I am starting to write ahead on the Natlan Chapters as it might be about a set of four chapters maybe (still debating as I write as I thought that I increase it from two to four), when Pug goes to Natlan, how do you think it should be done? Like what I mean is I have an outline for it, but I am rewriting that part of it while writing the chapters as I am worried that I just essentially made it a copy and paste by just putting Pug in the mix. Should I do it like I did for Bedtime Story Archon Quest and focused on Pug's perspective? I am looking for ideas on that.
2.I am looking some opinions on the scaling that I am applying to Teyvat on both size and population. I did some measurements in game on Genshin by using distances on quests, Mondstadt City is about 450 meters long and 200 meters wide, these are estimates though. That's about if my math is right around 9 squared kilometers in area. I did say I was going to apply scaling, but wasn't sure how much. But I need think that doing it by about 100 times scaling? That would make Mondstadt about 900 squared kilometers in area, is that too much and kills the mood or is that about what you think it should be?