"Overlord, please wear your robes and armor. This is a dangerous gathering." Dark Tail advises as he and Sky walk among the large festive crowd gathered in Alastine, at the entrance of the Northern Tribes territories, past the Fireheart mountains. "Who knows who can strike at any moment." Dark Tail says looking around for anything.

"It's quite alright. I can handle myself. To be among citizens again, it makes such a strange feeling as I used to be a mercenary for hire. Now I'm a leader, but I want to experience that feeling of being free once again." Sky says as he wears his old mercenary clothing before he met the tribes and goes to a booth and looks over the food. "And the status on the arena is?" Sky asks buying some food as no one had recognized him yet.

"Still being worked on. It should be done by tonight, though." Dark Tail said looking to the large octagonal arena being built a bit away from the buildings.

"What is the first thing? A race, a play for the gods?" Sky asks walking along.

"Sir?" Dark asks confused.

"I am asking what will be the first thing the arena is used for?" Sky says before reaching down and catching a foal who had tripped and nearly fell on his face while playing before letting the foal go on his way.

"A simple race. After that, a play is scheduled to take place an hour after that." Dark says looking at the parchments laid around the festival.

"Ah good. So how are you?" Sky asks Dark who was wearing a festive outfit for this celebration.

"I am fine." He said simply.

"Having a good time eating all that food?" Sky asks.

"I am fine." He said again as he kept looking around.

"Then what of your sister Dusk?" Sky asks.

"She is quite. Holding up well…as you made her out to be." Dark said looking Sky poking a trinket in a booth.

"Do you resent me for it?" Sky asks before paying for the necklace.

Dark was quiet at that moment as he kept staring at Sky.

"You still feel your sibling dishonored your house don't you?" Sky asks.

"Yes. Yes, I do." Dark said grimly.

"He has paid for his crimes and your house's honor is without question. You and Moonlight have only brought honor to it." Sky says.

Dark bows his head. "Thank you, sir."

"Now come on. If you insist on accompanying me, you best keep up." Sky instructs.

"Yes, sir." Dark said hurrying up to him.

"Next, we need to find you a good mare." Sky says.

Dark just blushes and frowns at that point.

"Same for Moonlight. We need to find you both good mares." Sky adds.

"Sir." Dark said frowning heavily.

"That will give Tear and Dusk much to do." Sky says smiling.

"Oh sir, please don't." Dark pleads.

"Dark, isn't the first offering of the festival to the gods happening soon?" Sky asks.

"Yes, an animal must be sacrificed with some of the blood of the one doing the cutting." Dark informs.

"Have the priests informed everyone what it will be that is sacrificed?" Sky asks.

"Yes and watched by guards too." Dark said.

"What is it?" Sky asks looking up and noticing a lot of ravens about.

"A Kalia. A large snake-like creature. It is very dangerous and a team of mercenaries was able to take it down and have it delivered to us." Dark said.

"Ah. One of those things. I remember them from when we had to deal with a few when we launched our attack that conquered the Serpent Spear tribe." Sky says.

"I don't remember that battle as I wasn't there at the time." Dark said interested.

"This was the first war that we introduced the salamander riders and our catapults." Sky says.

"Ah. I see. Must have been glorious for you." Dark said trying to imagine Sky on a mount leading a charge.

"No, it was mostly bloody work. A half a dozen Kalia snuck into our camp on the night before we began besieging the first of their three fortified towns. They caused major havoc. They killed several of our warriors and destroyed two of the catapults that were being made." Sky says.

"How did you kill them?" Dark asks.

"It wasn't easy. We were taken by surprise and most had gone to sleep before this so we were also under-equipped and we were not organized. Then someone had the bright idea of letting the salamanders out." Sky says.

"And they ate them?" Dark asks raising an eyebrow.

"Tore them to shreds and you know what happened to the one who let them out?" Sky asks.

"Killed or promoted?" Dark asks.

"You see that store there?" Sky asks pointing to a general store that sign now said they were selling silk.

"Yes. What about it?" Dark asks confused.

"He used half his reward to open it when this city was being built. He now owns a manor overseeing his lands." Sky informs.

"Amazing." Dark said quietly.

"Don't look now general, but you are catching the eyes of many mares." Sky says smirking.

Dark stops and looks to the side and sees a group of mares watching him a bit away as they giggle. "Sir, this is not a good time."

"Go on general. I can handle myself. I am heading there now. Nothing will happen to me." Sky says walking off.

Dark frowns as the mares move closer carefully as he is now hitting his head on a stone wall. "I…hate…that…stallion…" Dark repeats each time he hit his head, not noticing the group of mares approaching him.

Later, Sky was at the back of a stage where no one could see him as a crowd gathered around the stage where a large furred, snake-like monster was secured and unable to move.

"We are gathered here today to pay homage to the gods." A priest says before the other priests pulled off the ceremonial sheets of the twelve polished stone statues. "Tandol, the goddess of the wind and moon. In'll, the goddess of the underworld, destruction, and autumn. Tran, the goddess of will and science. Erynd, the god of time. Paetan, the god of holidays. Sons, the goddess of fertility, sacrifice, and psychology. Inizarn, the Goddess of hunting and the sun. Isikli, the Goddess of knowledge. Ran, the God of dance and winter. Isoandi, the god of love, youth and opposites. Fumel, the goddess of sleep, war, darkness, and night. And Adoll, the goddess of inspiration, valor, and wrath." The priest introduces before going on a speech that was either from holy texts or prepared, Sky didn't know as he tuned it out as he watched carefully at all the ravens watching from everywhere.

"It's strange. They are usually like carrion." A female's voice said behind Sky's ear.

"You're with the ravens, I presume?" Sky asks.

"What gave it away?" The voice asks as Sky felt somepony leaning against him.

"Gods are not the most subtle are they?" Sky asks.

"Never." She said shrugging.

"Can I help you miss…?" Sky asks turning around.

"Raven." Raven says as he sees a white unicorn pony in a purple robe. "And it is not me that needs help."

"Judging from the symbol you wear, you are a follower of Fumel." Sky says.

"No surprise. And she gives you her help." Raven says watching him.

"Really, now?" Sky asks.

"No. More like a warning. You plan to invade the Libya province to the south. It won't work." Raven says shaking her head.

Sky holds up a hoof. "Not here. Let me finish this and we will speak in the castle." Sky whispers to her. Raven nods and Sky turns back to the ceremony. "And another thing…" Sky stops as he turns and sees her gone. "I hate that."

"Now today, our Overlord has volunteered to make the first sacrifice to all the gods." The priest finishes signaling Sky to walk out.

Sky emerged from backstage in his clothing and was lead by a priest to the kalia where there was an ornate weapon waiting for him.

"So…stag and gut out?" Sky jokes to one of them, smiling a little.

The crowd stared in shock as many recognized him from earlier as he takes the weapon and preceded to lop off the head of the kalia. The now headless body of the kalia bled as the priests collected it's blood in an ornate bowl before handing it to Sky once it was mostly full and leads him to a brazier with a roaring fire in it. "In honor of the gods." Sky says holding up the bowl of blood above his head and waits for the crowd to reply.

"In honor of the gods!" The crowd cheers out.

Hearing this, Sky dips the bowl before starting to pour it contents into the fire, making it burn light blue. "The gods are pleased with this offering!" The head priest proclaims after watching the fire for a bit for signs.

Sky hums. "So that's how." He said to himself as he excused himself to go get cleaned up from the blood splatter. As Sky walked, he noticed half the ravens had taken flight for some reason.

"I am fine. You can leave now." Sky insists after his maids had undressed him of his blood coated outfit. The maids all nod and leave as they close the door behind them as Sky stretches himself. "Come out."

"How did you know?" Raven asks appearing from the darkness.

"I could barely sense you. I may be a good user of shadow magic, but I can't compare to you." Sky admits.

"So now the goddess offers you a proposal." Raven says looking around.

"Let's hear it." Sky says.

"First, she can help you provide her followers to help with conquering the providence. I'm sure you would like magic users." Raven said lightly touching the shield on the wall.

"And what does the goddess wish in return?" Sky asks.

"A devout follower that is one of your heirs." Raven said starting to blush.

"Come again?" Sky asks.

"She wants a follower that is one of your heirs." Raven repeats making sure he doesn't see her face.

"So she just wants me to raise one of my children to worship her?" Sky asks.

"Pretty much." Raven said shrugging.

"What's the catch?" Sky asks.

"The heir has to come from me." Raven said bringing her head down.

"Say that again?" Sky asks.

"The heir has to come from me." Raven repeats frowning.

"Explain." Sky instructs.

"I am to be your wife." Raven said groaning in distress.

Sky facehooves and soon walks out the door. When he returned, it was with all his wives.

"That's her?" Snow asks raising an eyebrow.

"Yes." Sky says going and taking a seat on his bed.

"Do you believe her?" Snow asks.

"I do after seeing all of Fumel's ravens." Sky says.

"Then what is your choice?" Tear asks watching her.

"To accept and gain the aid of Fumel for the upcoming war or reject and try and go it alone, making her a potential enemy." Sky says.

"And neither of us intend to do that." Raven adds.

"But I also want to remain true to my wives so what do you all think?" Sky says.

"As long as you add her and don't really leave us for her." Snow said frowning to him.

"Any of you have anything else to say?" Sky asks.

"Nope." They said watching Raven stare at the sword on the wall.

"Then Raven, welcome to the family. Tell us about yourself." Sky says.

"Nothing much to tell." Raven said.

"Here we go again." Snow said remembering what Daring said when she was first here.

Sky smiles a bit at that. "Okay then. We'll give it time. For now…let me sleep." He said before immediately falling back onto his bed and snores loudly.

"Don't you have a race and play to go to?" Snow reminds.

"Crap." Sky groans.

"Come on." Snow says rubbing her hoof against his back.

"Fine…someone carry me…until we get to the outside doors." Sky adds to not seem weak.

"Come on, you got four legs." Snow says.

"Ahgggg." Sky groans as he crawls out of bed and starts to walk.

"Move on you." Snow says walking beside him and is soon followed by Raven.

Sky sits in his box watching the play unfold as he every so often looks around at the arena, analyzing it all from the marble walls to the obsidian floor. He had to admit, though, that it looked very impressive and made a statement to show their power of wealth.

"Like it?" Flitter asks as they all say in the box while the maids and slaves serve them and watch themselves as the play showed the gods creations.

"I hope it was worth all the money we poured into making it." Sky says.

"It will. Everyone is already loving it." Tear said looking to the crowd and sees them smiling.

"The arena is open to all. No price to enter and the income is in it's betting." Flitter adds.

"Well, betting is rampant at taverns." Snow said.

"We have an official betting here that will open when the battles and hunts start." Flitter says.

"What should we hunt?" Sky asks out loud.

"We will capture all sorts of beasts like what you sacrificed to the gods today." Flitter says.

"Not you, but the guards, yes." Sky warns as he looks to her growing stomach.

"Or mercenaries." Flitter says.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me. Are there any leaders or their diplomats here? I would imagine won't miss a party." Sky says and swears he hears an explosion in the distance followed by cheering and a high pitched voice.

"By the way, where is Applejack?" Tear asks.

"Talking with the other Knights." Snow said tapping her hoof on the chair.

"Soon, she will also be officially your wife." Snow says.

"I wonder how much gold would be paid for all the weddings we had if it was all officially done here." Sky wonders.

"Don't think of that." Snow says as Raven seemed uncomfortable.

"If you want to stay in the dark, be my guest. I can get more curtains for you." Sky suggested.

"I am not used to being served." Raven says.

"Then take it like usual. I usually try and beat others to the thing I need when I feel like it. Keeps them happy too." Sky says chuckling.

"My lord, representatives of the four neutral knight orders would like to make an announcement in the arena." A servant says after walking up.

Sky nods. "Then let them."

The servant looks to the stage and waves and stagehoof whistles and they all start to lead the actors away as some knights come onto the stage.

"Now what do you have to say?" Sky asks curiously.

"We the representatives of the order of the Star of Anjouan, the order of Black Star, the order of Porcupine, and the order of Hubert. We hereby proclaim that we shall ally and serve Overlord Sky, the king of the north! This we swear in the sight of our patron goddess, Adoll!" One of the knights proclaimed.

The crowd was stunned silent for a moment before cheering widely and stomps their hooves as applause.

"Well well." Sky says smiling.

"Hope you're happy." Applejack says taking off her helmet and pats down her mane.

"Gaul is now basically mine and all are starting to accept it. So did you hear about the four remaining knighthoods of Gaul?" Sky asks.

"How could I not? Everypony is talking about it." Applejack said trying to take off her armor.

"And your thoughts madam Applejack?" Sky asks.

"I'm fine with it." Applejack said checking her tunic as she places the armor on the table.

"Oh, that reminds me. I want to give you something." Sky says.

"What is it?" Applejack asks without looking at him.

Sky walks over to his desk and grabs the coliseum and walks back to Applejack, waiting for her to turn around.

Applejack ruffles her mane and sighs as she turns back to him and stops at the sight of what he is holding. "Sky…"

"This is yours now." Sky says.

"Sky…I…" Applejack tries to say a bit worried and looks back to him.

"I want my wife to have the best protection I can provide." Sky says.

Applejack still watches him and pushes his hoof to the side.

"That was me proposing." Sky says leaning his head onto her.

Applejack suddenly kisses him and hugs him.

Sky smiles as he rubs her flank.

Applejack keeps kissing him as she starts to take off her tunic and leads him to the bed. "Overlord sir?" A guard asks suddenly walking in before ducking his head as a sword flies by from an angry Applejack as she still held onto Sky. "I'll come back later." The guard says walking out.

Applejack sighs and lowers her hoof before looking back to Sky. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Now show me some love." Sky instructs.

"Your majesty! Your majesty!" An official calls running up to the king of the house of gems.

"Yes? What is it?" The king asks raising an eyebrow.

The messenger stays still before he was struck with an arrow from somewhere. "Message for you sir." He said dropping to the ground.

Everyone goes wide-eyed as they look for where the arrow came from as a guard goes up to the body and takes the rolled up message off the arrow. "It says, 'The rest of the knighthoods have sworn themselves to Overlord Sky and proclaimed him king of the north.'"

"Great. Now I also have a dead body." The king said grumbling.

"Actually, I'm fine." The messenger said suddenly getting back up and making almost everyone scream in fright.

"'P.S. The messenger will be fine.'" The guard reads as the messengers take out the arrow and look it over.

"I will have a few words for them, though." The King said frowning.

"'P.P.S. If you come to exchange harsh words, you shall receive mortal wounds.'" The guards read as he flips the scroll over.

"This is my spy ring." The king says bringing his head down.

"'P.P.P.S. Everyone in the spy ring will be fine. Just stay out otherwise there will be trouble and real arrows, however, it would be flesh wounds.'" The guard reads at the bottom of the scroll.

"Now they have defected to him…wait! All four?!" The king says in realization.

"Looks like." The guard says rereading the scroll for any hint of sarcasm.

"Rarity!" The king yells behind him.

"Yes…?" Rarity asks leaning around the door.

"Did you know about this?" He asks raising an eyebrow.

"What are you talking about father?" Rarity asks.

"The four other knight orders that have never taken a side have proclaimed they are for Overlord Sky and proclaimed him even king of the north." The king says starting to pace.

Rarity was startled at that. "Oh, my. I had no idea."

"What can we do? His gaze will eventually turn to us." The king says.

"What can we do?" Rarity asks her father who slowly turns his head to her looking like he had an idea. "Why does it feel like it involves me?" She asks a bit afraid.

"Rarity, my daughter, you still do not have a husband, right?" The king asks.

Rarity goes wide-eyed before fainting as she pulls a nearby couch to her to faint on.

"Overlord, we have received a letter." A messenger says.

Sky raises an eyebrow as he puts down a book. "And what is it?"

"It is from the king of the house of gems. Our allies." The messenger says.

"Read it." Sky instructs.

"Oh honorable king of the north, for the last few years our alliance has only brought prosperity to both of our kingdoms." The messenger starts.

Sky raises an eyebrow at that. 'Seriously? Honorable king?' Sky thinks before saying, "Skip the flattery."

"Yes, overlord." The messenger says before skimming down the letter. "Therefore, I propose we strengthen our ties more and unite by blood." The messenger says.

Sky blinks and looks to him. "Oh dear."

"So basically he wants to marry his daughter to the Overlord so that they will never be attacked by us." Snow says.

"Great. Just great." Sky mumbles as he shakes his head.

"Accept it. It will basically bring all of those three fiefs under our control." Snow advises.

"Fine. Get it done." Sky says rubbing his head.

"Does that mean we should stop making plans on what to do if the house of gems betray us?" Sprout asks.

"Keep making them. The plans for all of the fiefs under our control. No telling when they might turn." Sky says shocking some of them.

"He is right. Many times in war the allegiances of allies switch." Moonlight says.

"And no telling if the enemy uses our allies and its own citizens against us." Dark said thinking who can turn first.

"For now, your highest priority is Charolais and Chalons fiefs." Sky informs his military ponies.

"Yes, sir." They said bowing their heads slightly.

"Tell me, how close are we on launching the invasion of those two fiefs that remain outside my control?" Sky asks.

"A week away Overlord." Bloom said looking over a map.

"I shall personally lead the troops." Sky informs.

"Sir!" Bloom calls frowning.

"I am Overlord and that is my decision." Sky says before a servant comes up.

"Overlord, lady Raven wishes to speak to you." The servant informs.

Sky sighs. "Fine then. Snow, finish up any other business. When gods and spirits are concerned, don't leave them waiting." Sky says getting off the throne and walks out, stopping only to say one last order, "Instruct the knight orders their first order of business till war comes about is to rout out all bandits." Sky informs.

Snow nods. "I'll get it done."

Sky walked through his castle, looking around seeing it being cleaned by servants, guards standing at attention, or ponies of wealth discussing something. After a while, he reaches the top of one of the castle's towers.

"Okay then." Sky says before pushing open the door. "Raven? I have come as you asked." He calls looking around the dark wallpapered room and looks to the tomes on bookcases near the walls and even some on the desk as he sees Raven over a circle of something as she floated slowly above it. Raven didn't answer him and Sky silently walks over to the desk and has a seat.

Raven kept floating as if she was in a meditative form before she opens her eyes at him. "Good. You have arrived." Raven said stretching a bit.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos?" Sky asks repeating the words she muttered.

"It helps me concentrate." Raven said shrugging.

"Sassy, aren't you?" Sky asks.

"No. Loving my life." Raven said rolling her eyes.

"Oh, but I like sassy Raven." Sky teases.

"Shut up." Raven said sighing.

"You wanted to see me." Sky says turning serious.

"Yes. I hear you going to war soon." Raven says going to some books.

"It's not with Libya. It is just with those last few fiefs in Gaul that I do not rule." Sky says.

"Well, then you should be weary of vampires." Raven says casually.

"The creatures from fantasy books?" Sky asks.

"Then what is magic?" Raven asks him.

"...they're real…aren't they?" Sky asks fearfully, causing some of the books to fly about from shadow magic energy fluctuations.

Raven raises an eyebrow at him. "You are afraid."

"The undead are very…unnatural." Sky says trying to wrangle his emotions as Raven used her magic to send the books back in place.

"Well control yourself. They are not dead…mostly." Raven said shrugging.

"Mostly she says." Sky mumbles.

"Is this how husbands should act?" Raven asks confused.

"This is how mortals act." Sky says his head down in his hooves, trying to think before feeling somepony pat his head.

"It's…okay…?" Raven said unsure of what to say.

"Not good with emotions, are you?" Sky asks.

"Never." Raven said shaking her head.

"I guess that is why I am not your equal in the field of magic." Sky says.

"No…but maybe you will be." Raven said thinking about it.

"I highly doubt it. You have devoted your entire life to it." Sky says looking up to her.

"I needed to control my magic. Why can you do the same?" Raven asks tilting her head.

"I can't because I run a kingdom. I have to watch over it and can't devote myself to studying magic like you do." Sky says reaching up, going for a hug.

"Guess so." Raven said holding his hoof.

"Can I at least hug you?" Sky asks.

Raven sighs and brings him into a hug. "Does this make you feel better?"

"Yes…do you feel anything?" Sky asks.

"Not by much." Raven said shrugging.

"Is that why you don't want to share a bed with me like married ponies do?" Sky asks.

"Yes…" Raven said looking away.

"Give it time." Sky says holding her.

"I hope it does happen." Raven says nuzzling him lightly. "Am I doing it right?"

"Yes, but no need to force it. Just let me hold you, alright?" Sky asks.

"Okay." Raven said sighing.

"Now tell me about the vampires." Sky says.

"They live in the Albrayon mountains separating Libya and Celtica. However…some are good against the light while others need to stay in darkness." Raven said looking to him.

"And if I want to move into Libya, I will need to reach an accord with them?" Sky asks.

"Yes. They will help you immensely." Raven said nodding.

"And if I don't, they get territorial?" Sky asks.

"Yes. They will see you as a threat." Raven advises.

"So Raven…where do you even sleep?" Sky asks.

"A bed." Raven said slightly confused.

"Where is it?" Sky asks.

"I summon it in here when I need it." Raven says.

Sky shakes his head. "I'll get you a bed in here."

"There is no need." Raven says.

"Raven, it is a part of a husband's duty to take care of his wife." Sky says trying to move to start petting her.

Raven stops his hoof. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to show affection?" Sky asks sheepishly.

Raven just gives him a blank stare.

"Come on. At least let me love you a bit." Sky requests.

Raven still stares at him.

Sky leans in and kisses her nose.

Raven blinks and rubs her nose.

"You can relax. There will not be an invasion of Libya for a few years. We need to consolidate our gains or we will risk overextending ourselves and being destroyed." Sky informs.

Raven sighs in relief and shakes her head.

"Do you even know how a mare comes to bare a foal?" Sky asks.

Raven blinks confused.

"You don't do you?" Sky asks sweat dropping.

Raven shakes her head.

"Oh boy…this is going to be awkward, but…" Sky says before starting to give her the talk.

Raven was left blushing bright red as Sky walks out of her room. "Sorry!" Sky calls.

Sky then smiles as he chuckles. "At least she now knows. But will she be ready?" He asks himself and then sees Fluttershy walking his way and smiles as he continues on before grabbing her and pushes her against the wall. "Hello, sexy flank."

"Oh, Sky…who was that?" Fluttershy asks.

Sky hums as he runs a hoof over her sides. "That would be Raven. My newest wife. Don't blame me. Blame the god."

"Huh?" Fluttershy asks.

"I had to give her the talk." Sky says and goes quiet to let that sink in.

"Oh." Fluttershy said in realization before shivering.

"Yeah. So now she was informed what she has to do now." Sky says before hugging her.

Fluttershy sighs in relief as she hugs him back. "I need you."

"Come to the room tonight. So how are the wildebeest mounts?" Sky asks.

"They are fine. And the riders are learning." She said before moaning as Sky runs a hoof along her flank.

"The riders don't need to learn how to ride them. I will have newly mounted troops trained that will learn how to ride the Wildebeests and use them." Sky says.

Fluttershy nods shyly and blushes as she hides behind her mane. "Okay."

"Don't worry. You have done this before." Sky reminds.