Silver Moon: Bk. 02 Ch. 10

Right as Dan and Pam walked into the throne room three portals opened. From one Alysson and her menagerie came through and Maric didn't even blink before he took over and called a number of the local wolves for help. The majority of the Kitsunes were going to be housed in barracks for the moment. He had a number available due to the troops they had discharged. What was going to stink was they were the worst of the batch. There simply hadn't been time to get them renovated with everything else going on.

Dan moved forward and gave Alysson a slight bow. "Welcome Clan Leader though I wish I had more time before you arrived. I am going to apologize up front since we weren't expecting a sudden influx of people and the living spaces are limited at the moment. For the next couple of days a number of your people will need to be housed in barracks. I will have Lady Marissa talk to whoever is needed to get work done on them." He led her off towards Xipil and handed her off to Pam for further introductions.

Her brother followed her and Dan had to wonder why he was looking so irritated. He must have been in the middle of something when the call came for them to come south. While he was mulling that over the next group of Kitsunes came through and they were from his country. He repeated the same speech before leading the senior Kitsunes over to the throne as well.

The last portal felt different than the others but not evil. As he tested it he almost smiled since it had a great deal of Shamanistic magic incorporated. The first person through was the mother of Nara which almost made him growl. When her pig headed mate didn't follow he relaxed some as well. After the same greeting he walked over to her and offered her his elbow. "Once we get everyone settled and introductions over I will have you escorted to your daughter's quarters. If I had known you were coming I would have requested her presence. She is doing well and assuming you received the missive her mate is General Maric who is with my mate."

She gave him a polite smile when he came over and tucked one hand in his elbow. "Thank you Lord Danilo and I have a feeling she is probably sleeping. She should be close to delivery and I know I tended to sleep a great deal towards the end." Since he hadn't mentioned her former mate she didn't either. "I have to admit I am rather concerned as to why we were commanded down here but I have a great deal of patients." Once at the throne she moved over and greeted Pam and started talking to the others gathered there.

Dan had to wonder what it was about the spirit animals and supernatural beings in this world. It honestly seemed that there were more female leaders than male. It didn't bother him since he didn't care what set of reproductive organs you had as long as you could lead. After several minutes of contacting various wolves and Kitsunes things were starting to get organized. Mari had organized the pack working for her to go and clean the barracks from top to bottom.

When the Imperial Mouse squad marched past he almost snickered. Amarish and Kasai were at the front and following them were the pups that they were somewhat in charge of. Behind them were the new Kitsune kits though they were more of a herd than in a mostly neat formation.

As they marched past Dan could sense all the Kitsune currently in the throne room staring at them. The moment the last one vanished all the eyes turned to him and Alysson spoke. "Dan what the heck did you do with Amarish and just who was that four tail spirit Kitsune?"

Pam and Xipil couldn't help but snicker at her expression. Dan settled for an amused grin and his tails were waving around in amusement as well. "Well as you know Amarish took on the role of hunting mices at the pack house right? Well since this place is so much bigger he organized pups from both packs and he is now in charge of the Imperial Mouse Squad. He is doing a very good job of keeping the rodent problem down."

Nobody had noticed Amariah in Xipil's lap till she spoke up. When she did it was obvious she was trying very hard not to stutter. "H, H, He keeps icky s, s, spiders out too." When she said that she shuddered in horror and projected one of the spiders she had seen.

Before anyone could say anything Dan contacted them. *Do not say anything about the stutter. She has been working so very hard on it and for her to speak in front of all of you is wonderful. I am probably as proud of her as her father is.* "Oh and don't mention rats near my mate since she has a well trained anti-rat tail." Of course one had to scurry past.

Pam screamed as she jumped. Her tail snapped out and again there was a small pile of ash. "Damn it!! I am going to have Amarish find out where those damn things are coming from and then I am going to fry them." She gave her body a good shake before turning to the rest of the people. "So as we were saying we do have some rooms for the most senior Kitsunes and Alpha's. For the moment everyone is going to be staying inside the palace grounds. This isn't to say that you can't go out but please ask for an escort. This city was designed by a drunken back street builder with illusions of grandeur. Sorry Xipil but it is true. Things have been allowed to be built wherever someone wanted. If I didn't think it would inconvience the population I would raise it by section and rebuild it."

He laughed. "Dan I am so glad she is your mate and not mine. I have a feeling if I did turn the empire over to her for a year it would end up a very tidy empire. Then again by then she might have grown to like being the ruler and I wouldn't get it back."

Dan narrowed his eyes and yipped at him. "Don't even think about it Xipil. I am having enough trouble knowing that I am one of the two most senior whatever the hell I am on this side of the planet. I have enough problems in my own little slice of the world and don't need any more." His expression softened. "I have to admit I do have a very tidy little kingdom though."

~~~

The first thing Mari did when Dan had contacted her was to snarl. Since she was going to have to deal with 'that' female she decided to have Gettie come along with as well as the senior female wolf. If she ended up ripping that bitch's head off she wanted witnesses. At this point she was so sick of that bitch that she didn't care what Xipil, Dan, or Geoff might think. She was putting the pack and by extension the Empire at risk due to her efforts to undermine Mari's authority. Today Mari was going to break her to her will or the bitch would die.

Gettie didn't even bother saying anything before she pulled out the belt for Mari's sword. To be honest she had wanted to smack the female down as well. It wasn't just that the female wasn't giving Gettie's mistress the respect she was due. It was also because she still considered the 'others' to be subhuman and she had no respect for them. She tended to treat them as lower than the dirt on her shoes. If Mari didn't deal with her today Gettie would and much as Mari felt damn the consequences. With a wry smile she realized just how much Dan had rubbed off on Mari and Mari on her. "Ma'am I think you got more from Dan than two totally beautiful pups. The worst part is you have been rubbing off on me as well. If you would like I can deal with the hag and you won't have to dirty your hands."

That got a bark of amusement from the door to their chambers. The Alpha's mate walked in and she had a cynical expression on her face. "Frankly Missus best thing you be doin' would be to strip the hag of her rank and toss her out. Killin' be too good for the likes of her. Her type don't ever change and taint worth your hasslin'." She stood up tall and spoke with her authority. "I be asking this of you Missus, be done with her. She's caused more problems than fixes." Her eyes met Mari's for a moment before looking away.

Mari sampled both the spirits and scents in the room and the Alpha's mate was showing great concern. She traded looks with Gettie and then nodded. "It will be done now. I hope you are ready for a promotion. I want someone I can trust to do what I order." She had to sigh. "Damn it I am supposed to be a submissive wolf and here I am trying to give orders to the Alpha's mate. That is so wrong blast it." With a shake of her head she finally accepted the fact that she would no longer be able to fit into the image of a submissive wolf anymore.

The wolf gave her a toothy grin. "I'd prefer to take orders from a submissive wolf any day over taking orders from that hag." She walked over to Mari and patted her shoulder. "Yous just be grown Missus. Tis a fault of growin' up, times happens you just hasta accept changes."

Mari frowned at her and then sighed. "Fine let's make this place a better place and eliminate some vermin." She adjusted her sword and after lifting her chin she stalked out of the suite.

It was rather obvious to the other servants and staff that Mari was not in a good mood. They quickly moved out of her way before quietly muttering to each other. Based on the direction she was headed there was only one place she could be going. As a number of the staff and wolves started to follow the three their guards traded looks and for good measure called for some additional guards. They had seen how the old woman had treated not just the supernatural but virtually any servant. To them they were just things to be ordered around. The feelings of anger and resentment had been growing now that they could see a better way of being treated.

Mari didn't even bother asking if the woman was in since she could smell the nauseating floral perfume the woman used. When she approached the door to the office and tried to open it she found it was locked. Mari snarled in rage and kicked the door open. As angry as she was kicking the solid oak door open hardly slowed her down. When the door was open she found the old woman in the office as well as one of the suppliers of goods.

The old woman screeched in shock and tried to fumble a small pile of jewels into a drawer. Now that the door was open Mari could smell traces of a drug called Spiced Dreams. It was both a powerful hallucinogenic and very expensive. On top of that it was proscribed for distribution or use.

"So that is why you wear that nasty ass stench. Arrest both of them, take them to the dungeons and make sure that they are separated and nothing happens to them. All food and drink will be examined by a Kitsune, wolf, and Magister. If anyone other than Dan, Geoff, or Xipil tries to see them arrest them as well." Before she had finished speaking both had been taken down. "Oh, strip search them here and find some ratty old bed sheet for both to wear."

She moved out of the office and watched the two stripped and roughly covered up and dragged out. As they were doing that she was keeping an eye on the rest of the room. When several of the staff started to slowly move away she contacted Gettie. *Stun them and you don't have to be nice. As I said it is time to eliminate the vermin.* The six froze and then fell to the ground.

"As of now all staff in this office is to be detained for questioning. Till they are charged treat them with respect and courtesy." She spoke to the guards and then turned to the room of staff. "I will say this one time and one time only. If you have knowledge of any crimes committed either by others or by yourself speak when asked. You will be questioned with a Kitsune, Wolf, and Magister in the room. If you lie you will not appreciate the outcome."

She turned away as more guards came and escorted the prisoners and detainee's out. *Dan, Xipil, I just had the bitch arrested for dealing in Spiced Dreams. I also had one of the palace suppliers arrested and detained most of the office staff. There are several others who had decided to try and run. Gettie took care of them for me. I am now in charge and Luna help anyone who fucks with me.*

Mari walked back into the office while waiting for Dan or Xipil to respond. Instead Geoff came in with Alysson and he was grinning. "Good job Mari and the palace is now yours. I would say try not to take it over since Xipil indicated he would have to frown on that. I have a feeling it is a bit late for him to do much though. I am here to help you locate any potential spelled locations. Mom wanted to come with since it is going to take a bit of time for the rooms to be cleaned and made ready for them." Geoff walked over and gave her a good hug and kiss before letting out a Kitsune snarl.

"Mother can you sense it as well?" He didn't want to give her any hints or suggestions and wanted her to figure it out herself.

Alysson shifted forms and lifted her nose to scent the air as well as allowing her spirit to expand. When she sensed what he had she didn't bother with swearing or snarling. If she did that every time they came across this stench she would waste too much energy. "I do and since it is centered on the desk I have a feeling it is the Spiced Dreams. Unless you use it at most the traces of evil will make you irritable till you are away from it."

Her eyes traveled around the room as she kept probing and gave a nod. "There are several sections that are spelled but they don't have any of the taint of evil. They appear to be standard locking and warding spells which is to be expected." In her and Jon's offices they had a number of those as well. "Everyone step out and I will disable and dispel the locks and warding."

Geoff nodded and stepped towards the door with Mari in front of him. Once they were out he shifted forms as well to his mid-form and called up his powers. His tails started dancing as they weaved his powers into a protection spell for his mother. As they were doing that he was holding his hands palm forward and he started speaking in High Kitsune. A gentle silver blue glow appeared around his mother. Since he had mated with Mari there were traces of purple as well since that was the color he associated with her.

Just in case Mari pulled the short sword and held it ready. In the room Alysson was doing much the same as Geoff was only with far more power. Geoff had gained a fifth tail after the fight with the scorpion monster but his mother had nine tails and was the center of the clan. As her tails danced and wove their own magic she started chanting as well. When she had everything ready she slowly let her powers out. After one last check for the darkness she tripped the main spell. There was a flash and surge of power which she drained off into the earth.

"Well that was interesting and thank you Geoffrey for your help. I didn't need it since they were normal spells but down here I definitely feel better safe than sorry. Mari you can put your sword away." As Alysson looked around the room there were several changes. What had been a tapestry was now a doorway with a heavy iron bound oak door with a heavy lock. A bookshelf which had to appeared to have cooking books and logs now showed neatly organized log books. The last change was a small section of wall that had sprung open when the spells vanished.

"It is safe to come in now. I would strongly suggest having everything removed before examining what is in the rooms, accounts, and the safe." She moved out of the room and looked around the larger room. "I am going to check in here as well before anything else is done."

Eventually both Alysson and Geoff indicated the room was safe to be inspected. Mari nodded at them. "The office I will leave to the Imperial Investigators and use out here for the time being." By now there were a number of the pack in the hall outside. She had called for them to come so she could hand out some assignments. "Okay we have a number of guests coming and some are already here. I am going to assign some positions for the interim. When I say interim it is because once the rush is over I am going to start interviewing for the actual positions. If you have done a good job then you will probably keep it. If I do replace you it isn't because I don't trust you it is simply we need the most organized team possible. We have a war coming and by Luna I am going to do anything needed for the troops. I am talking about our mates, sons, fathers, and everyone else who is going to be fighting. I am also going to start contacting the other packs to find out what they can do to help. Now what I want is..."

~~~

Dan found Mari in one of the lounges in the Imperial hallway, as they had come to think of it, and she was looking grumpy. For some reason Luna was curled up on the couch with her head in Mari's lap getting her ears stroked. Mari had the Alpha's mate with her as well as several of the other females. "Evening Luna, evening ladies." Dan walked over and settled down on the floor in front of his Mistress and rested his head on the couch.

"The offices are likely to be off limits for several days. Xipil's Imperial Investigators are very carefully inventorying the contents of the room. Geoff and Alysson have detailed several of their most skilled Magisters working with Xipil's. There are several wolves including Maric. I have a feeling that we have hit a jackpot of some of the corruption. I wish we had thought of it sooner but she is the perfect person to get stuff in and out." His voice was quiet as he was talking and though Luna was distant any wolf would bask in her presence. Now that he knew why she was this way he felt a great deal of pain due to what she had been forced to do.

Mari kept stroking Luna's hair as she was listening. "Dan I know of at least three more wolf packs in the city. I am going to politely invite the senior members to the wolves section of the palace. At the very least I can get a feel for the leadership." She nibbled on a finger nail for a moment. "Dan one thing I am concerned about is if we fill the palace with supernatural's it will give the humans the wrong opinion. That is another reason I am inviting the packs in. I want to talk to them to try and identify humans who they do trust and know. I am not talking hiring them for the palace necessarily but I would like to create a network of", she had to twirl a finger around as she was thinking, "a network of mutual respect. That works I guess. I want to also see if we can identify other supernaturals other than wolves and Kitsunes."

Dan looked up at her and smiled at her. She was becoming far more than he had ever expected. He wasn't thinking that in a negative way but in the beginning she had been a Little Wolf in a small pack. If Geoff hadn't ended up as her mate she would have mostly likely have ended up with a junior wolf as a mate. With Dan in charge she would have had a good life but she would have been doing much the same as she had been. Geoff had been so very good for her and he was going to have to do something nice for him. When he focused his powers on her he had to frown slightly since her aura was changing. "Mari I need to do one of those horrible Alpha things." He grinned at her.

She frowned at him and just for good measure curled a lip showing a couple of teeth at him. "I suppose but depending on if you sample certain memories I will bite you." She smirked at him when he suddenly blushed. "I will also make sure that you encounter memories of my labor and delivery. Just for good measure I might even toss in a few memories of nursing."

When all the females in the room snickered other than the Luna Dan sighed and blushed even more. "Mari why would I want to go into memories of you and Geoff having fun? I have more than a few memories of my own to contemplate from over the years." He gave her a sly grin. "Besides I already have a memory of a beautiful little submissive gracing my bed. Why do I need more than that?" Now it was her turn to blush.

"Oh shush you cradle robber. Oh wait, you could date someone in there eighty's and still be a cradle robber." She smirked at him and then relaxed. "Do what you need Dan, I trust you with my life, love, and pups." Mari reached over and stroked his hair. "You saved me and gave me the two best gifts a female could ask for. I have to beautiful pups with the Alpha I love and I have a mate who is the perfect man for me. Do what you need."