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1803
Simon buried his face in his hands. The meeting with the King and Queen did not go as anyone could have expected. To his surprise, not only had King George III been present, but so had King Eldon of Moonspire, Princess Lorilla of the Elves, and Viceroy Nordash of Dragonspire, a renowned and easily angered sorcerer.
Simon had realized that there were unexplained things in the world. After all, magic had brought him the love of his life. He could not imagine being without Hwa Young. What he hadn't really considered, and the enormity of it still amazed him, was that there were worlds beyond the world. How does one begin to comprehend such a thing?
"We have summoned you, Simon Hodge, to confer upon you the title of Marquis of Moonspire," King George had said.
"Your Majesty, I am honored..." Simon had answered, glancing at his wife and his son who stood quietly beside him.
"Simon Hodge is not one of us," Viceroy Nordash hissed. "He cannot be the Marquis. The peoples of Dragonspire will not accept him."
"Enough, Viceroy," King Eldon interjected. "It has already been agreed upon."
"Simon Hodge, you are the one that released the gumiho?" Princess Lorilla asked, coming to stand in front of him for a moment, before stopping in front of Hwa Young.
"If you mean did I find an enchanted painting and free a woman who I have come to love dearly, then yes," Simon answered flexing his hand to keep it from balling into a fist.
Hwa Young seemed to sense his tension and she reached and grabbed his hand, holding it in hers. Simon felt himself relax.
"I can speak for the elves, we have no objection to the appointment of Simon Hodge and Hwa Young the Gumiho to be the Marquis and Marchioness of Moonspire."
"The people of Dragonspire will not accept a non-mage, and a human at that," Nordash said. "I request that we consider Prince Valkoor."
"No, Nordash," King Eldon insisted. "I've spoken at length with the Council of the Kings. The guardian must have no interest in power, yet hold of value all worlds – mortal and magic."
"And you think this Simon Hodge holds the best interest of the Spires and his own world?" Nordash asked.
"We do indeed," King Eldon said. "Simon Hodge has reason to care not only for his world, but for the world of his wife, and his son, who hails from both."
"We of Dragonspire will not accept a non-magical mere human," Nordash hissed.
"Then we of England, shall not accept a magical non-human, most especially a goblin," King George responded in kind. "We wish no ill will, but we can be as stubborn as you, Nordash."
"Come now, Viceroy, let us be civil. We are here for a peace treaty, and to ally ourselves with England over her grievances with Napoleon," Eldon said. "We cannot risk a man such as Bonaparte to cross the ways."
Nordash grimaced but said nothing.
"We stand behind the choice of Simon Hodge, and grant him the title of Marquis of Moonspire," King George told the group.
"We accept," King Eldon answered.
"As do the Elves," Princess Lorilla answered. "Until the time that the son who is of both worlds comes of age and inherits the title."
"Titles pass upon death in this world," King Eldon spoke softly to Lorilla, who only tilted her head to acknowledge that anything had been said.
All eyes turned to the Viceroy, who was silent for a long moment. "This is madness," he finally hissed. "Your solution in a half-breed, and a human at that? Prince Valkoor should be the Guardian, and hear me well. One King shall be cursed to madness for choosing a human, the other to silence for not speaking against this outrage against his own peoples of the Spires! And you, Lorilla, are cursed to deafness for turning a deaf ear!" With that proclamation, he exited in a puff of smoke and thunder.
"Oh dear," King Eldon said, "That was quite unexpected. Is there anything to be done?"
"I will go to the goblins and see if I can ease the curse," Princess Lorilla answered. "Perhaps I can convince Prince Valkoor and Viceroy Nordash to recant the curse."
"What if we can't?" King George asked.
"Excuse me, but I might be able to help ease the curse," Hwa Young spoke up. "I'll make each of you a talisman. It will slow the curse, until a way to undo it is found."
"See to it then, Marchioness Moonspire," King Eldon nodded.
"Your Majesties, I'd like to make a request," Simon spoke up after talking quietly with Hwa Young.
"What is your request?"
"I will accept the title and rank, but I wish to not have our names known. I wish to keep some anonymity to raise my family, and to protect my wife and son." Simon answered.
"Why is that Simon Hodge, Marquis of Moonspire?" King Eldon asked. Simon suddenly felt nervous and his throat went dry.
"This is why," Hwa Young answered as she revealed her tails. She then went and stood in front of George and spoke softly. "Sweetheart, please take off your coat for a moment. You can let these fine people know."
George looked from his mother to his father, and removed his coat, revealing his nine tails.
"Ah," Princess Lorilla said softly first. "He has the tails of the gumiho."
"It is done; you will be known only as the Marquis of Moonspire. The names of Simon Hodge, Hwa Young Hodge, and even George Hodge will be kept from the official records."
"Thank you," Simon said.