Welcome to Your New Home

[Cptdragon9]

(at a location some five leagues from the Huerfang castle)

It had started with an unbalanced generator in the bowels of the castle. Victor von Doom had been working on an incantation to help keep prying eyes and unwanted visitors from invading his homeland. It had seemed there were a lot of them of late, everyone from Dr. Strange to that infernal Reed Richards. At least Strange had some manners about him but Reed’s cohorts, especially Grim; seemed to take delight in trashing the place. So it had behooved the dictator to do something to stem the tide of illegals crossing the boarders. The spell itself was simple; what was proving to be problematic was the power needed to extend the range. While depleted uranium was a sound source, Doom didn’t want to risk the radiation so he had gone with less orthodox sources, mainly from other realms.

The first tests were quite promising. This particular run was to see how sound his theory was. Normally he wouldn’t have risked the palace, but it was the only building big enough to accommodate the parameters needed to scale up the experiment. Fifteen conductors had been grid marked around the building and the strange purple matter he’d gleaned from the alternate realm had been funneled into each receptacle before he retraced the markings and began his chant. It had been working like a charm until one of the towers began to rock, slowly at first, but then more violently. Doom himself hadn’t noticed the problem until he felt the mystical energies begin to warble. By then one of the Doom-bots had begun to report in on the failing tower, which tipped over 12 seconds later.

Followed by what Victor thought was an explosion. He couldn’t’ turn, the spell already dancing in his outstretched fingers, but then it seemed that his vision blurred and then the eldritch energies just abruptly faded away and fizzled. Doom went on a rant at that point, stomping his way through his provincial domain to see to the damages himself…

Only the sight that greeted him was not the cherished lands of Latveria. Oh it was a green valley, but instead of being filled with great works and cobblestoned housing that lines the small winding streets, he saw wide open fields flecked with the occasional thatched-roof marking some poor farmer’s stronghold. In the distance he could make out a lone castle, but it seemed awfully run down and dilapidated compared to his sprawling palace.

It didn’t take Doom that long to figure out what had happened. Clearly the whole area under the configuration had been shifted, transplanting his castle into a new time and space. This probably should have upset the dictator greatly, but in truth he was seeing what promised to be a new opportunity, one without self-righteous superheroes hassling him at every turn. Of course he worried about his people. Without him to protect them they would now be vulnerable to whatever waited for them in the world back there.

Even now some of his subjects had come running to check on Doom himself. They were frightened (as they would be, being simple folk), and Doom had to find it within himself to keep from bellowing at them. “Fear not, you remain safe within the confines of the castle.” He then turned to look over the landscape once more before throwing the thick green woolen cape over his shoulder.

It was time to survey this new land.

(TBC)

[Cptdragon9]

It didn’t take long for company to show up on his doorstep. Repairs were moving along quickly. Along with the castle he had a dozen servants and twice as many maintenance bots that had survived the trip. Once their lord and master had calmed them down, the peasant folk applied themselves to their assigned tasks and soon the damaged corner was beginning to flesh out.

Doom had been overseeing the construction when he spotted the envoy snaking its way through the fields on the rough cut dirt road. It was a pretty large assembly, most riding on prancing mounts, a stand of blue banners rimmed with gold, a white bird of prey emblazoned in front of a yellow sun stood as the standard, leading at least fifty knights in formation. As they drew closer, he could see that underneath the spectacle were the signs of wear and tear. One of the banners had been stitched roughly down the center. Several of the knights showed nicks and dings on unpolished armor. Even the ponies seemed a little mangy as the column slowed their approach. The truth of it all was that they looked to be on the downslide, and nervous to boot. Clearly they were medieval peasants led by a minor lord and had come to see what wizardry was afoot.

Of course he was not about to be cowed by a handful of peasants with their pointy sticks. Doom strode out into the courtyard to greet his “guests”. His presence alone seemed to shake up the ranks a bit, clearly not expecting to see a man such as he. Finally one man stepped forwards, a knight flanking to each side, as he unrolled a scroll and proceeded to read from it. “Good morning, kind sir. Let it be known that you have trespassed upon the holdings of the Huerfang, a mighty and royal family whose name carries power and fame throughout the knowne world. We charge in their name to reveal and name yourself.”

Doom had kept his peace, but now it was time to let them know who they were face. “You... charge me? Command me to reveal myself?” His voice seemed to tremble in fury, enough so to set quite a few of the throng to fidget, a rather impressive feat for one man. But he wasn’t done. “Fair enough. Be it known that I am DOOM!” He lifted his hand and lightning cracked from the gauntlet, ripping into the earth between them. “There are None greater than I, the man that rules with an iron fist! Dare to slight me again, peon; and you shall know my wrath!”

That had undone it for a few of the rank and file as several turned their mounts around and stampeded back to the safety of the Huerfang Castle. Doom’s gaze narrowed on the rest. “I should address the lord of this manor. Where does your master reside? Does he cower in his castle and send lackeys to speak his words?”

The orator just shook, his arms quaking so badly that he finally had to set the scroll aside. “Please, m’lord. I meant no disrespect. The Lady Huerfang is away. We have sent an envoy out to bring her news of your arrival. I only meant to introduce our household and offer succor….”

“And you have done so poorly,” Doom sneered as he looked over the remaining rabble. “Very well. I shall await the arrival of your mistress and address your shortcomings with her. Until then I bide that you depart and not return except to escort your lady to my doorstep. Now depart! Leave me less I become truly cross!”

Another crack of lightning sent the rest of the rabble scurrying, their spokesperson running behind them without his mount, the pony having bolted. Doom was already assessing the meeting. Clearly this was some underling, perhaps a chancellor or vizier looking to make a name for himself. He would not have dared to send such a man and would have investigated any incursion in his country himself; which meant that the lady they referred to was not in residence and in fact was far away. If he wanted to, he could have easily taken the castle with little effort. But he wouldn’t, not just yet. There were still other unknowns out there. Once he had a lay of the land, only then would he make his move.

With a sweep of his green cape, he spun about and headed back inside the castle

(I figure either Drac and company make an appearance… or the Huerfang estate returns with Militants in tow… or both)

[Solem'cleavu]

"Well Well I do not suppose that is any way to treat those upon whose land you have trespassed now is it?" The air behind Doom would shimmer a bit before what looked like a young lady had appeared. One would say that she would pass for human if it weren't for the reptilian look of her amber-colored eyes. In all she may have only stood about 5'8" and seemed rather unimposing especially since she wasn't armed, visibly anyway, however the way she stood indicated that she knew how to handle herself if things got a little hostile. In the end though she simply held her hands out before she just bowed to the newcomer in greeting.

******************************************

((and Karla finally makes another appearance.))

[Cptdragon9]

If Doom was in any way shocked that somebody had breached his defense and dared to dress him down in his own domain, he didn’t show it. Instead he turned slightly to cast his dark gaze upon her. Clearly the castle’s grid defenses hadn’t been raised yet, something he would look into after dealing with this interloper. “No more than it would seem that anyone with a trick or two feels that it fall upon them to address Doom with such impertinence without a proper introduction first.” That seemed to be the perpetual bane of his existence; that would- be superheroes would perpetually trespass, throw out their accusations, then attempt to subdue him for this tribunal or that world court. Of course he would never cow to any such threats, neither then and certainly not now.

Only when the woman offered her hands and bowed did the dictator’s manner change a bit. He likewise bowed, taking her hands into his greaved ones. “Well met,” he finally replied. “I bid you welcome to my home. I am Victor Von Doom, master of this castle.” He then turned, releasing one of her hands and turning so that he could escort her further into his abode. “It seems that there has been a trans-dimensional mishap that has managed to wrap itself around my keep and transport my domain to this lush world. I am assuming that you are aware of this event considering your prompt arrival within my gates?” To Doom it was clear that this woman was not like the entourage that had come before and demanded of him. For one she offered no blade or means in which to challenge (not that any threat shown to Doom would matter as much as a fly buzzing about his cowl), and that she had come alone meant that she had no need for an armed escort. Indeed judging by her stance she was not some pale, mewling peon but a skilled diplomat and a well trained combatant.

Power and intelligence, those were two aspects that he could respect.

[Solem'cleavu]

Well she would be trespassing if she was actually in his castle, however she was standing on the grass just outside of it. The way she figured it the land itself wasn't his even though the castle most certainly was. "Well to be fair to those that greeted you first I would beg to point out that it is actually you and your castle that are trespassing onto their domain rather than the other way around. As for my own actions well I will offer no excuses at this time."

Only after he had introduced himself and effectively offered to escort her did she introduce herself while allowing him to do so. "I am Karl'angel of the red dragon clan Solem'Cleavu, Scout and second princess of the Vashtalian Nation. As for why I'm here I must admit that there was nothing about your arrival that prompted me to come here other than the fact that your castle appeared right in front of me. You see was was making my way through this land to another region, on foot mind you both as a courtesy to the ruling government of this particular region as well as the fact that there are just some things you can't experience by flying overhead, when I noticed your home here just show up. Considering this as a scout I had chosen to hide myself and observe for a while from outside before either making my presence known or just continuing on my way after making a report to my father so he could send an official representative.

After your, discussion, with the locals however I opted to just make myself known. Even if I just ended up pointing out that you were being rather rude to what would actually be considered your hosts. Then again I suppose they were rude as well by making demands and brandishing their weapons when simple requests and questions would have no doubt sufficed."

[Cptdragon9]

Under Doom's mask his face went through several emotions as the royal princess voiced her opinions over what had transpired between himself and the entourage. He took only mild offense, only because she had brought to light a few faults that were indeed attributed to his brusque behavior. Still he would not apologize for his actions.

Instead he focused on her. “And what of you and your household? Will your lord likewise make an appearance on my doorstep and posture and threaten as the Huerfang contingent has done? I should think not. Though your tongue is indeed sharp, you have only voiced opinion. You have means in which to apply your craft, but have stayed your hand.”

They had now reached what would be the concourse and it might well rival the Vashtalian castle's. Vaulted ceiling embossed with relief carvings that hearken to medieval times depicting hunting scenes and coronations and other pagentries. Silk tapestries braced stain-glass windows. Gold was intertwined into much of the décor, large enough to even accommodate a modest sized dragon or two. Doom gestured for Karla to sit on one of the set of Edwardian chairs, a deeps red, gold, and black embroidery set deep in the green velvet, accenting the red oak wood that gleamed with walnut oils.

Victor took the other chair. “I would be remiss not to offer refreshment, especially if you were on the road and traveling. Perhaps something to drink?” Doom was of the old vanguard after all; one offered drink and food as a sign of respect and hospitality.

[Solem'cleavu]

"Well we do have a tendency to call situations as we see them. As for what father would have done? Well we don't threaten and posture, there is no need. You don't have to worry about it anyway at the moment unless you start becoming clearly hostile towards our allies. However by way of example if it was upon our lands that you had suddenly appeared we would have first respectfully inquired as to your business for just showing up on our doorstep as it were unannounced. Now if you tried the same stuff you did with the Huerfang contingent earlier we would have done everything in our power to rid you from our land."

Karla had took a moment then to look around the place as they walked. Continuing after she had taken a seat in one of the offered chairs. "A drink would not be unwelcome. I may not necessarily need one but it would be rude of me not to accept your hospitality after following you this far into your home nonetheless. Anyway where was I? Oh yes, it would be one thing if you had arrived in our lands by pure accident. Arriving by accident and pulling a stunt like you pulled with the soldiers earlier would be an entirely different matter. Let's just say that it wouldn't be smart. However that is if you had appeared on our lands. Since you had not done so then what actually we would have done is irrelevant but there's my answer to that question anyway. That all being said though I'm guessing I'd be pretty safe in assuming that if the Huerfang contingent had shown a bit more tact and respect when inquiring about your identity and your reason for being here then you wouldn't have reacted as you did."

[Cptdragon9]

It was one of Doom’s servants that brought the drinks; a rich sweet spiced mead that he had cultivated on his own lands back in Latveria. The servant himself was dressed quite modestly, clearly in keeping with the dress code of the castle he bore green livery accented in gold trim from his vest to his jerkins, with white stockings and chemise. The boy bowed low to the lady, then to his master as the crystal glasses filled with the brew were accepted and he backed away, still in the supine position, until he reached the door to the kitchens.

Doom himself merely listened to the Lady Karla as she replied with how her kith would have reacted to Doom’s sudden appearance, and how they would have reacted to his threats. The way the dictator understood things, his intrudance into the Vashtalian realm would have probably been met with better manners, but they were just as apt to react in kind to any show of force on his behalf, and she believe that her family would win in any such engagement. That may well be, but Doom still would not brook with any foppish behavior on anyone account.

For now he allowed the subtle threat to slide. As powerful as he was, he knew he was at a disadvantage. It was best not to alienate any potential allies, or at least put any potential enemies on notice. Besides he would probably do the same. If some foreign entity had arrived suddenly in his domain, he would have reacted as well; perhaps not so much to offer succor, but to take in the measure of the trespasser and react accordingly.

Victor sat his half –empty drink on the black-lacquered standing table in front of the opulent seating. “What can you tell me of my new neighbors? Surely their Mistress is not as foolhardy as her representatives seem to be. One cannot rule a domain and be as oblivious as that chaplain appeared to be.”

[Solem'cleavu]

Karla accepted the drink with a slight bow to the servant. Taking a few sips of her mead she had placed the glass down on the table herself. There was some few moments thopugh as she thought about Doom's question, the crystal in one of her earrings flickering with a light that seemed to come from within it, before nodding to herself and returning her attention to Doom as she spoke. "As you were told by those you had the fortune, or misfortune depending on who you ask, of meeting you and your castle are currently on lands owned by the Huerfang Family. Currently they are led by the only daughter of the previous lord.

The Huerfang family has a fairly long history as far as humans are concerned and they are, or at least were, one of the more prominent members of the Rhydinian Alliance Council which comprised of several of the high noble families from across this continent of Rhydin. We have some records of past meetings with those that share the name Huerfang going back as far as nearly 700,000 years ago. However whether or not the current Huerfang family can trace their lineage directly back to those others is unknown even to those of us dragons that were alive during that time and are still alive to this day. Of course our records of that time could be incorrect also as it is highly unlikely for a family bloodline to survive that long."

Karla had then taken another few sips from her mead at that point to give herself a break from speaking for a moment. Afterwards she had continued. "Now onto the subject of the current head of the Huerfang family. Her name is Lady Estelle Huerfang and as I stated earlier she is the only daughter of the previous lord of these lands, the Lord Claudius Huerfang. To be honest there really isn't much I can say about her as I have only met her briefly. While she is foolish in some regards, primarily regarding the world in general as she is both ignorant and naive about how it works what with her being young and sheltered. When in her own domain though she is quite the level-headed ruler and not prone as much to petty boasting and useless posturing. Definitely not as much as her father or those of her subordinates who had served under him at any rate. If I were you I would deal specifically with her instead of anyone else from her household. She is much easier to get along with and is much more deserving of respect in my opinion."

[Cptdragon9]

Doom had let his guest speak as he likewise sipped at the cider. While he still had some supplies stocked in his larder to last a few weeks, if he could not correct the current problem and devise a means of returning home, he would be soon forced to make some sort of barter or deal, either with this Huerfang or with others on the planet. Perhaps even with these Vashtalian folks if need be.

For no though, he kept to the social custom of entertaining his guest. He had offered food and drink and she had accepted the offer, if not in its entirety. Besides she offered quite useful information. A young ruler would be more malleable than some hardened crone. Perhaps it was fortuitous that he had landed in this particular spot. “I should endeavor to entreat with her then.” He paused a moment. “I would ask of you if you are able to convey a message to the Lady Huerfang? I would do so in person but in doing so I fear I might further frighten them; that and I might not find the young lady in residence. I believe a third party is needed to facilitate a meeting between us. I would invite her to sup and discuss terms as I have you . You may vouch for my manner from firsthand experience.”

[Solem'cleavu]

Karla had merely shrugged as part of her response to Doom's request to set up a meeting between himself and Estelle. "I don't see why I couldn't do that. I will get with my sister to see if she can set something up. Lady Huerfang, last time I saw her, was not too happy with me after all and I know that she was on much better terms with my elder sister."

Finishing off her mead in one final gulp then before setting the now empty glass down. "If you need to negotiate with her however so that you can officially own the surrounding land I am not sure how that would go. Her family has already given some land over to another group not too long ago and I am not sure if they will actually be able to grant you this land. If I may suggest an alternative which would be moving this castle to either my homeland of Vashtalia or even to the nation of Lahnia. At least until we can send you back home if that is your wish."

Standing up at that point she did stretch out her legs a bit before she made another respectful bow to her host. "At any rate I suppose that if we are going to get a meeting set up between you and Lady Huerfang then I should get started on that. I thank you for your hospitality and should you wish to do so I extend an invitation to yourself to visit our home as well at your convenience."

[Cptdragon9]

Doom was not keen on the idea of “moving” his home again. For one he wasn’t sure how the Lady Karla and her ilk would accomplish such a feat. He didn’t doubt that they could; he was more concerned as to upsetting any possible tether that might exist between his castle and the world that it had been torn from. Still it would have been rude to handedly dismiss her offer. “I will take your offer under advisement. If my negotiations with the Huerfang contingent does not hold, I might take up the offer.”

He stood up when she did; the servants rushing in to clear the table as he walked with Karla to the front of the castle and into the courtyard out in the open once again. He had bowed respectfully to the Vahstalian royal. “I am indeed honored to have you in my home, and I shall indeed endeavor to return the favor and visit your home, once I have secured my people here and have negotiated with the Lady Huerfang. How shall I contact you when I am ready to make the journey? Or shall I just ‘show up’ on your doorstep while travelling?” He obviously didn’t by the whole “just passing through” explanation from the lady. More likely she had seen the appearance of the castle and had come to investigate, like anyone would, but he wouldn’t call her to task on it. It wasn’t worth the mild disagreement, not when there were more important discussions to be had. Those he would have to wait on, until he had better understanding of this world he’d stumbled across. He would have to investigate himself, see for his own eyes what the populous was like, and where to extend his favor.

He bowed again, taking up her hand and making the gesture to kiss the back of her wrist. Of course the faceplate would not allow any sort of contact, but the gesture was plain enough. He would have offered her a small honor guard, again as would be befitting for any guest, but he knew her measure. She had no need of any sort of protection.

Instead he offered departing words. “Adieu, M’Lady. May we meet again soon.”

[Solem'cleavu]

((Well she wouldn't deny that she saw the castle and came to investigate anyway. Karla did mention that she herself showed up because the saw the castle appear and decided to wait and observe for a bit before making her presence known.))

"hmm" As Karla had walked with the man she thought about his question of how to get a hold of her. "We really have no problem with you just showing up on our doorstep however it really would not be our "doorstep" that you would first appear on. Nearby will be a military installation, owned by the same group I made mention of earlier that had also acquired some land from the Huerfang estate..." at this point she stopped and looked around and, upon finding a suitable table she went to it and pulled several items from a pouch that had appeared at her waist. These items being a small piece of paper, pen, a signet with her nation's crest, another signet with her personal crest, as well as a stick of wax.

Writing out a quick note on the paper she heated the wax and dapped two spots on the paper before using the rings to imprint the crests upon the wax before it cooled. Afterwards she put everything away, made the pouch vanish once again, then returned to Doom and handed him the paper. "This paper will verify that you were indeed invited by myself. Simply show this to the guards at that installation requesting to use the teleport pad that our mage order had installed over there and they should allow you to use it to travel to Vashtalia. I will be sure to give your description over to them so they know to expect you at some point. Since you would be a first time visitor you will exit the teleport at one of our guard stations in the port city of Pharanel. From there you will be required to fill out some documentation, once again showing the guardsmen this paper as proof of your reason for visiting. While you are filling out the entry paperwork the guardsmen will be in contact with either myself or another member of my family to verify but once they get the go ahead you will be authorized to use the teleport pads to reach the castle gates directly."

As they reached the outside and Doom made the gesture of taking her hand and kissing the back of it Karla simply bowed respectfully in response."No doubt we will meet again Lord Doom. Next time I see you will no doubt be within Vashtalian borders but for now I must go about my new-found errands." At which point she backed up then turned around walking a good distance away before her body shimmered and vanished from sight, heading to the Militant Vanguard's outpost to inform them of the new arrival and advise them to treat him with respect as he would be a guest of Vashtalia at some point.

[Cptdragon9]

It wasn’t the paper and crest that impressed him, royalty and dignitaries had use such things for years in his home world; it was the means in which she brought the pouch from seemingly nowhere to her waist, then sub -sequentially made it vanish when she was through with it. Doom was no stranger to magic, his mother and his wife had both been vested in the dark arts while he himself could perform stronger spells that required a steady but forceful presence; so he looked upon the matter as something of professional curiosity. It might well be that his shift in location might have had something to do with an ethereal nature and not a scientific accident. Clearly this would bear closer scrutiny.

The way Karla spoke of the teleportation pad also bespoke volumes. Magic and Science, working in co-existence. If this were true then Doom would have more resources in which to bend to his will. He was now very curious, not only in meeting this militant group that the lady spoke of, but seeing this teleportation pad in action, and indeed seeing the realm in which the lady came from. He pocketed the note, intent on doing some experimentation with the paper later at his leisure. Not that he expected it to be anything more than a written forswearing allowing him to visit her kingdom, but there were still secrets he could pull from its fibers.

Like tell him where and when he might be.

For now he retreated back into his castle to ponder and plot his next moves

(fin)