Marcy Ann Portia Alexander Tarrish

  2510.06.30

  Sola 0

  Portanica, Portasia, Estancia

  The Tarrish Palatial Skytower

  Marcy woke up in a very flustered mood t this day. Today was the day she would rendezvous with her brother. It had been months since she had last seen him and her nephew. That was a very shocking interaction she had had. And it had taken her several weeks to come back into her normal sense of mind. She sat in her luxurious room that sat at the most tallest spire in her entire castle. Around her the shimmering water reflected the sunlight and she based in it. This was hers. Her's more now than it had been only months before. While she had become the wife of Lord Richard typhus, she did not innately inherit his power. Her name was only attached to his. She did not command his armies, she did not own his land, and she did not merit his strength. She was but a member of his family. While the servants would listen to her, and the citizens and the commoners would have to follow her whims. Those of court did not put up with her well.

  And their point of view she was someone cast down from the capital of society. She was a voice who did not need to be listened to because what power did she actually have. She was not an Alexander anymore. She did not have the protection of being in the second family. And while she was in the third family. It was a family that did not have as much prestige as being related to the king. Factually she was the king's great niece. And while normally if she was an Alexander that would have weight. She was no longer that family. At least months ago she was not that family.

  By getting the western wing of the palace of Alexander in the capital. She was given a part of her name back. Marcy Anne Porsche Alexander torresch, would now actually be all of that. Before as Marcy tarrish she could only throw her name as far as her family. To any fourth or fifth level family, that was nothing. Their clouts combined could equal hers. And social circles within the capital she had no weight. Her voice could not move rooms like it used to. She could not sway the voices of the courts. She was but a humble member. But now as a second and third family member, something that is hard to acquire these days.

  Being in a joint family is nearly impossible. It takes a grand active will by the leader of a family in order to vouch for their siblings to be even given a shred of their original name. It would take a great favor or a lot of money to be able to have that attribution. So it was very very rarely if not ever seen. However Marcy had just acquired it. Now the women of court flock to her. They listen to her every whim. She set the precedence of walking in the room, she was the guest of honor. She had almost enough clout to match her cousin the princess of the kingdom. She had enough sway to request an audience with the king directly. She could go to any minor town and she would be treated as if she were royalty.

  It was a quest a lifelong dream to take back the tarish name. She had been raised in a different manner than how she had lived these past 18 years if not longer. She no longer had to bow to anyone. She no longer had to beg and plead for her husband to follow her suggestions. And in the past several months her city had blossened. Has she looked out she could see the fruits of her labor. Beyond the city as far as the horizon could see were farms and orchards of various fruits and vegetables. In one quadrant golden wheat grew from the Earth and 10 ft tall sections. And another quadrant corn and other vegetables for cattle and animals grew in equal measure. There had been a boon to this city one that had not been seen in generations.

  Her husband Richard, had lived up to his nickname. You know the one. While he did love her very much and he loved their children and their extended families. He was nice to her, he never hit her, he never even yelled at her. But he was a stubborn man. And sometimes he was very contrite and rude. It was something she had to suffer through for these 18 long years since she had married him. Well he loved her and he cherished her thought and opinion and he listened to her, he never really respected her. In his eyes she was but another woman. She was not the eldest child of a family. She had not established her own family. And had she did she would only be in the 3 or 400 rank. And he knew that.

  Wow he would take some of her suggestions to heart her improvements to the city her observations he had take with her from the capital, from what she had heard as she wondered the city and explored the local region. He was biased. He had grew up in the city, with a very conservative family. He did not want to fund improvements for the commoners. He did not want to help out those who did not have noble birth. He believed that it was the commoners place to be the supporting pillars the foundation of their society. He believed that it was each commoners duty to take a cost for their benevolence.

  He was not a harsh man, he was just a frugal man. He believed that only those who were born into the right families are circles should have say. And only those who are the firstborn. Anyone else we're not equal in measure. And so no matter what she had said to him no matter how much she had bagged and pleaded he would not do as she said. She knew that if he just supported his people that it would come back to him in troves. He could be wealthier than he could have been in the beginning. His people were him and he were his people.

  And so having the Alexander name me and something in her title, changed her status in his eyes. Not by choice. As much as he had tried to ignore her machinations and her desires. He had final say. Him and his court that is. While he as the leading member of the third highest family in all of the lands, had direct presiding rulership over the city of dorna and it's surrounding regions that went on for hundreds of miles, he was not the sole voice of reason. He had a court of 5200 members. Various noble families in the 50th to 100th ranking, well not as high as most of those in the capital. They still were prestigious and noble as one could be.

  Together with these families he decided what direction their region of the kingdom would make. So she had went around him. Instead of talking to him directly and expecting him to make her actions possible. She went with him to court. Before she would have been cast out as court was only for those in leadership of the family. But now she stood beside him as her own. She represented a combined Alexander tarsh named. She did not just represent the tarrish she represented elements of the Alexander as well. Being of a joint family. Meant that you represented both at once. What you said did not speak for one or the other, but some combined assets of their subsidiaries.

  Other members of Court were shocked when she first showed up months ago, but they could not do anything. Not even her husband could prevent her appearance. And so she began to speak her ideals not to her husband but to the members of court. They had to listen. And a minute majority agreed with her. Whether it was because she had good ideas or because of her name and title, Marcy did not know. But she also did not care.

  There was one thing she loved most in this world it was people. She loved culture, she loved art and food. She loved theater and music. She loved stories and reading. She loved what people created and what they could be. But it was also one of the things she hated most in the world. She of all people knew that dichotomy that is humanity. For every good thing there is a bad thing. For every good person there is a bad person. For every good action there is a bad action that can be taken and is often taken. For every person in high society there are many more being oppressed.

  Wow on a superficial level she cared, she truly did not. Of course she hated things to slavery and forced labor. However she did not believe that things should come free. She did not believe that a commoners were equal to that of nobility. She did not believe that one person outweighed the many. She did believe that as long as you worked hard you deserved respect and you deserved proper treatment.

  And so that is what she asked. She asked the nobles of the court. Hundreds of people. To spend their money. To go to the commoners to go amongst and leave the noble sections of town, to relocate yourselves and improve the areas you move to. Within the main capital city she dismantled the noble district. Instead they opted for minor city-state regions within the greater city. In each region a single family would preside an essentially located larger mansion. Surrounding these mansions would be normal housing. The buffer zones between the zones would be where the poor lift. People who cannot afford places could not work because of disability, would be provided with meager slum like shelter in conditions. And so this United City crumbled. At first her husband was angry.

  Single-handedly almost overnight his wife had uprooted his city. His kingdom within the kingdom was in Jeopardy. She told him to brave the storm and he did. Although he was very loud about it. Every single day he would plead with her and bag with her to change her ideals. To stop throwing away a joint family name and listen to him. That he had been doing well for so many years. It almost drove a wedge between the relationship. If it were not for the publicity and their many children. He would have left her.

  He would have discarded her and sent her back to the Capitol where she came. I move that would have brought her clout even lower than it had been before. However each day she told him to wait. She told him that if he truly loved her that if he she truly cared about their city and their region, that he would remain patient.

  It wasn't until 2 or 3 months later that results started to appear. These smaller city-state regions of tens of thousands of people seem to flourish more than they had before. Each area had localized and started to produce resources that were unique to their area. The The 56th family, the artesians, specialized in glass and bottle making. They produced art full glass that was something the kingdom had never seen before. Works of art that sold for tens of thousands within the kingdom. The 98th family, the Orleans, specialized in a type of coal that would burn 20 times longer than traditional coal. Somehow through research and study they had found a way to magically improve the nature of the material. That was not their only breakthrough, but they're first. The 109th family, the Darwin's. Bioengineered through some sheer force of magical will, a type of wheat that could grow 10 ft tall. It could provide 4:00 to 5 times as much wheat as a normal crop.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The people became happier they became loyal to their city zones. This promoted a competition within the city who could make the most improvement the fastest. Who could make the most money. New wealth seemed to grow throughout their entire region. However there was some thing Marcy had never taken into account.

  While she had thought that there would be some factionalization due to this change she underestimated the degree to which people would factionalize. A city that had had three or four major noble factions. Now had almost 30 to 40. The competition almost grew deadly in some instances. Has she bit off more than she could chew?

  Still her husband who had changed his mind, had reassured her.

  "Marcy, my dear this is definitely going to work out. He said.

  I know Richard, but it's still it worries me she said. I did not expect to this degree people would get behind these noble houses. I knew there would be some form of competition. And I knew that it would promote some kind of gross. But for it to be this extreme. It makes no sense. It has only been two or three months.

  Nevertheless my dear. We are wealthier beyond belief. We are almost as wealthy as the Alexanders. And you know their family may not grow their wealth for years now. We could surpass them. We could become the second family. He said.

  Now you know that would never happen. Marcy said. Even though my brother will be away for years. I am a joint Alexander Taurus family member now. I represent them in matters of business. I will be having to journey to the capital three or four times a year to make sure everything is in order.

  Three or four times a year? He he asked. He was shocked he had no idea she would have to leave. I don't know if I could handle all of this if you left.

  Do not wear a deer. Marcy said. I will only be gone for a week at a time. Most of the work I can conduct through communication stones. Thankfully the capital is within range.

  I know but you know how tense things are getting. He said. I don't think they're going to be getting any better.

  We are the wealthiest family in the kingdom aside from the royal family right now. Or it's least we might as well be. Marcy replied. No one will make a move while you are still here. I do not matter as much as you do. Besides I will not have to leave for 3 or 4 months now. My brother should be in town within a week. And from there that's what I will start my duties.

  Okay my dear I really do not think things will improve. Richard replied. I am worried but I know that we have managed more tough crisis.

  I am happy at the growth we've experienced. Marcy said. I can see into the souls of the people. And while there is violence there is reason for it. It is not grown out of hand. No one has killed anyone. And for the most part it is not as petty as it seems.

  It is only a matter of time before a great feud starts up. Richard replied. And then we will have a small scale war on our hands I f fear. He walked over to the South facing windows.

  Look over there. Marcy replied. Do you see that large castle the one that is three or four stories tall and has the bright green roof. It has the little turret right there you see it.

  Yes. Richard said. I see it.

  That is home to the 150th family. Inside is the most powerful wizard in the kingdom. The family of... h m m h m... What was their name again... Oh yes Morlana. They they are sitting out of this. I think their region has specified and magics and other sorcery. They should keep the peace.

  And you expect them to? Richard said. I mean look over there at the large cathedral The Church of mobium has grown in power too. I do not think they would stand for the wizard to step in.

  Do you not to wear a deer. Marcy said. It is a school now. The family of malana has grown. I believe he has 15 children now. And all 15 errors are old enough. They will start their own families and should locate within his region. That's enough to bolster some sort of protection. If the Church of mobia makes a move, which they should not. I know they outlaw magics and they forbid the use of sorcery. But there is little they can do. This is a big Kingdom spaceand a larger continent. While the king puts up with their presence he is not a member. He will not stand for them taking militaristic action within his kingdom.

  Yes I understand that but it is still attention situation. Richard replied. Still I understand. But this mess I do miss the old court. But I am glad that we have seen prosperity that is not been reached for decades. I think before the war. Only the capital as seen such growth is that for you got the idea.

  No my dear. I got the idea because in the capital there is not one family that rules all. While the king and the Portia, preside over the country and a region of the capital. It is my family the Alexanders, that's run the city. We do hold two-thirds of the capital. As the king does not wish to micromanage too much when he has to look at the entire kingdom with his eye. However that competition does force a lot of people to be a little more productive. Or else our family falls into inadequacy. That competition has promoted insane growth within the capital. There is a reason why a large portion of the dispersed populace live there. Out of three or 400 million people, 15 million live in the capital alone. And in the surrounding regions still controlled by Alexander another four to five million persist.

  Look at it, the city around us used to be a city of only a million. And now it boasts nearly five. And the surrounding region has grown to hold a million. All in 4 months time. That is a lot. The families have found another way to rise and rank just as we.

  Like I said. We will soon be the second family. Richard persistent.

  No. What makes us the second family, I mean what makes the Alexanders the second family. Is the fact that we are directly related within two generations of the king. My grand uncle is the king. My grandfather was the last Kings brother. That is why we are the second family and all the kingdom. I know the Taurus used to be the second family and the Alexander's with a fourth. However when my grandfather was moved out of his family because he is of direct royalty. He was made the second family. We are grateful that there was only one child born of the king. And one child of the current king. The princess if she were to have another child besides the main air. It would push both our families down one rank. As the new kid could potentially become the second family. Now it is in our best interest if we can get on the good graces of the princess.

  We could marry off on one of her children to her son or daughter. Making us the second family. Heck it could even combine the Alexander and harsh name permanently and we could become the second family that could never be removed. As we would have not only the wealth of the Alexander's but the wealth of the tarish. It only comes down to the success of my brother. Either way I win. My son or daughter whoever is the second eldest will inherit this joint family if they so choose. Or I could pass it on to one of our grandchildren when they turn of age.

  It does not matter if we are the second family. We are still powerful. We still control the destiny of this kingdom. We are in the Kings ear. What we need are the people. We need their ear. For their prosperity and their voice will make us the second family. I'll be it us or our grandchildren.

  When you put it that way. Richard replied. I guess it makes sense. At the end of the day I do not care if we are second or third. I do not care a family rank. I just do not wish to lose the city of my family. And to keep it we have to be more proactive within the courts. We have to make our presents known. We cannot afford to.

  Do you not understand husband. We are trying to make this city rival the capital. We want more people than they have. We want more prosperity than they have. It doesn't matter what the courts do. We must make this city something so that we can make it worthy of being the second family. So you do not have to move. And I do not lose my rose watered city. This is a jewel upon this continent. A shining piece of ornamental jewelry that makes this country look beautiful. Without this I feel this country will be uglier. And so we must do everything in our power to make this city grow and blossom. So that when my brother does return regardless of what happens. We do not have to leave. And we can outshine them either way. Marcy said.

  I love how ambitious you are my dear. Richard said.

  Eye Care for our future. I do not care for me or my own. I care for the future generations to come. Those who are alive now mean less than those who will come after us. That is all I care about. I have seen things there are great troubles to shake this world. To shake the mobium. The giant serpent is twisting throughout space. As it circles the sun. And it's about to spit out its tail. And before it does we need to make sure that we are in a position to survive. Because I do not believe it's going to be an easy ride. Marcy said.

  Besides my dear. She continued. They're already here.

  And she pointed directly at the large caravan that was entering the North Western road from the capital. A long caravan a mile in length was entering the city. She could see the grouds gawking at the scale. It was never seen unless it was the king himself moving across the country. Well officially moving that is. He often flew or traveled through other unknown means. It was unprecedented. A caravan of this caliber of the scale was seen in a lifetime. And it had to come through the city. It was drawing a large crowd.

  Marcus! Marcy ordered. Mark is where are you come out here.

  Yes ma'am I am here. He replied. I am at your back and call.

  Order the Western Wing to be prepared. I need at least two rooms. It does not matter what the second room looks like. But I want my nephew up on this floor. I want him to see this city. And give them an escort into the city I want an avenue for them to travel. I do not want all these people in their way. They can look they can wave they can gawk. But they do not interrupt my brother on his journey is that clear?

  Yes ma'am. I will work on that right away. He replied reluctantly. He was confused in her mind's eye. She could sense from his spirit a slight hesitation. Since when could she detect such emotion from a glance. This was new. Something she hadn't experience before. She could kind of get a good sense of his emotional state beyond what you would got from a detailed reading. How odd.

  And Marcus. The room is from my nephew he is a vegetable only in appearance. While he cannot interact with us he is in there and he does know everything you do. Beyond your utmost cautiousness. And do not let him see anything below the castle. I want you to bring them up from the Eastern entrance directly to this floor do not take any detours. And be careful what you say around him. I have read his mind myself. And he is in there.