“Honoring one’s parents is paramount,” Karat said.

“Yes. It is our sacred duty.”

They shared a look.

House Meer had managed to achieve the impossible. The Horde and the Holy Anocracy would unite for a chance to kick their asses.

“What would you ask of the Dominion?” Kosandion said.

Bestata unclenched her teeth. “House Meer desires only one thing, one that only the Sovereign can grant us.”

“Here it comes,” Dagorkun murmured.

“3, 2, 1,” Karat whispered.

“A pact of mutual protection between House Meer and the Dominion!” Bestata declared.

Caldenia sighed.

“It is within my power to grant. That is not in question.” Kosandion paused. “However, House Meer lacks the authority to enter into such a pact.”

Bestata opened her mouth, but Kosandion was still talking.

“House Meer is part of a nation. An agreement between that nation and the Dominion already exists. You are pledged to the Holy Anocracy. Make a different request.”

“So the word of the Dominion means nothing?” Bestata snarled.

Dagorkun sucked air in through his teeth.

“Too far,” Karat said in a sing-song voice.

An incoming communication tugged on me. I opened a screen and listened to it. Uh-oh.

An older male vampire stepped forward. “We were promised a boon. You must grant it. Those were the conditions.”

Resven stood. “Incorrect. You were promised an ask. The conditions of the contract which you have signed clearly state that the Dominion will consider all reasonable requests. Your request is not reasonable. Such a pact would be immediately void. Furthermore, it would bring the Holy Anocracy and the Dominion into conflict.”

“That is irrelevant!” Bestata crossed her arms.

“Petulant child,” Caldenia hissed.

“Grant our request!”

Karat rose and bellowed, her voice carrying through the stands. “Enough! You dishonor us all!”

Bestata spun toward her. “If House Krahr has a grievance, let them come down here and seek redress!”

Karat’s hand went to her sword.

Sean chuckled in my ear. “Let them fight.”

Sometimes I wondered if he actually understood this whole innkeeper thing.

The portal activated. Here they are.

“Lady Karat,” I said in what she called my scary-innkeeper voice. “Take your seat.”

She glared at me.

“Another party has a prior claim.”

Nine vampires marched across the bridge to the stage, the leader in front and the rest in pairs behind her. Vampire knights grew larger and more grizzled with age, but these knights were on another level, huge, broad-shouldered in their black armor, their swirling red cloaks making them seem even larger.

Karat’s expression went slack, and she dropped into her seat. Shock slapped Bestata’s face.

The newcomers stopped as one. Their leader, an imposing middle-aged knight with dark gray skin and piercing blue eyes, stared at House Meer and raised her arm, holding a scroll in her fist.

“An order from the Warlord,” she thundered.

House Meer took a knee.