Chapter 141 Pt.2:

“This isn’t so bad.” Anton lightly kicked the Slihal Inn door open. “Two beds and a large table. More than enough for us.”

“And they gave it to us for free,” Cetina added, hauling both of their large packs over her shoulder. “But it’s only for one night so it shouldn’t be too bad.”

Anton had offered to take the pack but Cetina refused. He sat on the bed, the wood creaked lightly underneath his weight, not that he was that heavy, and took a deep breath.

The jubilant townspeople of Slihal were delighted to hear the entire bandit force was utterly destroyed, doubly so when they were presented with the remaining bandit. He lasted but a few seconds before being torn from the Dark Elves hands and beaten to a pulp. His battered corpse was thrown over the wall before Anton even found Conrad or Duchess Belinda. The Dark Elves left almost immediately after, not wanting to stay in such a foreign land and away from their people. Anton was annoyed to find that only a few of the townspeople were sad to see such fine warriors depart.

“Something wrong?” Cetina asked.

“No. Not really.” Anton sighed again. “I’m just a little annoyed…Overall, I think.”

All four young children were beyond distraught. They held no emotion and simply followed any instruction given. Anton didn’t know if it was even possible for them to mentally recover, or if it was even right to force them to endure. He tried to use Tethra's power to remove the painful memories but it appeared beyond her scope, of course he could ask Ferula for a favor. Something to decide on in the morning.

“How much are we paying for this place?” Cetina placed the packs on her bed with a loud thud and exhale. “Can’t wait to be back in my normal armour.”

“Belinda’s paying for it, actually,” Anton said. “And I’m sure they’re getting a good deal. Well, they don’t have three hundred odd bandits to worry about. Mayor seems a bit tight-fisted even though…Never did find the bodies of those caravan guards either. Wolves must have cleaned that up.”

Cetina gave a curt nod and moved to close the door. She leant forward, turning her ear to the open door. Her eyebrows shot up as she bounced back and closed the door.

“Something wrong?”

“Um…” Cetina smiled nervously. “Looks like some of the local women are trying to make some extra money.”

“Oh, really?” Anton laughed. “Well, can’t exactly blame either side. For our soldiers today could be their last night, and this might be the only time those women see so much money in one place. They could have just chosen a different location.”

“Indeed…” Cetina ensured the door was locked and returned to her bed. An awkward silence filled the air, but Anton was all but certain they both understood.

“Cetina? What, what did Verona and Kal say to you?”

Cetina’s face reddened slightly. “Right. We haven’t exactly talked about that since then. Well, she told me basically…What I told you. That if you needed help I was to give it to you.”

Anton rubbed his face, Cetina looked on in worry. “I really need to reign that girl in.”

“She can be a little intense.” Cetina smiled faintly. “I really wasn’t able to get much of a word in.”

“So what did Kal say?”

“Not that much.” Cetina held her chin. She appeared to be forcing herself to think very analytically. “Mainly just reinforcing what Verona said.”

“Verona’s corrupted her a little. Being around her can do that.” Anton flopped onto the bed. “This damn bed…Because of that, it’s been a little awkward to talk with you.”

“I’ve noticed,” Cetina mumbled.

Anton slapped his knees and stood upright. “I’m trying not to but with everything that’s been happening...”

Cetina slowly nodded. “It’s been a while for me too.” Cetina began to rummage through her pack. “Though a lot longer than you.”

Anton turned to Cetina. She stopped and stared back at him.

“What?”

“I…I didn’t think that you had done it.”

“Why?” Cetina appeared a little offended. “Do you think I’m incapable?”

“No. I just didn’t think you would have had much chance during your travels.” Anton looked to the small wooden slat window, allowing the faint noises from outside in. “You didn’t exactly look like you were having fun.”

Cetina glumly nodded. She retrieved a piece of dried meat and passed one to Anton. “Not since I arrived in Graterious. Mostly in Bebbezzar.”

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want,” Anton said, idly gnawing on the dried meat. “I won’t force it out of you.”

Cetina shrugged. “It’s alright. I haven’t told anyone so…It wasn’t that many times but sometimes one of the workers, the few that actually helped me unload and load stuff on the caravans while everyone else…Didn’t help.”

Cetina sighed. “They’d say nice things to me, that they’d take me away from all of that, I didn’t know what it was like to be flirted with, and then I’d follow them home. It was…alright, I suppose? I don’t understand why people would pay for it but I enjoyed not remembering my life for a little while.”

“Did you punch them when you found out the truth?” Anton asked.

Cetina laughed. “The second time I did.” She shook her head, a slight smile crept up her face. “I can’t believe I fell for it twice.”

“I hope he lost a few teeth.”

“I busted an eye.” Cetina’s smile faded. A hand idly reached for her eyepatch. “Do you think you can try to heal mine again? I know that you still can’t fix it but it’s getting a little irritated.”

“Are you letting it dry out at night?” Anton asked, placing the food on the bed.

“I am. But it’s still gets irritated and sore. Sometimes it feels wet too.”

Anton moved next to Cetina. “Let’s have a look at it.”

Cetina gently removed the eyepatch. Her eye was still just as damaged as before; the vibrant colour long destroyed and now nothing but a white ball, what remained of her eyelid remained badly damaged and refused to cover her eye when she blinked. She could still move it, which was a good sign.

Anton held her shoulder and chanted a healing prayer. He felt the magic desperately trying to work, fighting the Ghlyirl infesting her skin but to no avail.

“Maybe a tiny bit has come back.” Anton leant close, Cetina kept her body perfectly still. “Damn shame too.”

“No word on the Strega Witches?” Cetina asked. Though her eye was destroyed he felt the anger emanating just from their mere mention.

“Not yet.” Anton removed his gloves. “There’s a bit of build-up of something in your eyes. Doesn’t look good.”

“Is it infected?” Cetina’s grey eye snapped to his.

“No. But I don’t like it. Just give me a moment and it’ll be over with.”

Anton picked at a small amount of a grey substance building in the corner of her eye. The heaviness in his body, the feeling of his mana, dimmed upon touching it, even when he removed it from her.

“It’s Ghlyirl.” Anton looked closely at the small silvery lines within the small bead of grey. “Looks like your body’s expelling it. Slowly.”

“Really?” Cetina smiled. “I might be able to see with both eyes again? It’s kind of strange to not be able to see your hand. Like it’s just disappearing into the void…Thanks for making this eyepatch, by the way.”

“Not a problem.” Anton removed the last piece. “We’ll get some masks or something when we fight those Demons again. Don’t want anyone else to go through this.”

“I wonder what happened to the Graterious soldiers that were hit by that blood.” Cetina mused. “Do you think they’ll be taken care of?”

“I…I don’t know. Maybe.” Anton shook his head. “But they might just use them as a lab rat to find out what happened.”

Cetina put her eyepatch back on, her smile returning. “Ah. That’s better. I don’t want to have to bounce around again so I can tell how far things are away.”

"It was a little strange." Anton smiled. "I know it would confuse me."

Anton rested his hands on his lap. “I’m not really sure how to say this but, in the future, don’t just do what Verona says just because…”

Cetina leant forward slightly and tilted her head. “Because of what?”

“Because…Because of how we all met.”

Cetina blinked, waiting for him to continue.

“You don’t have to do what she says just because you’re travelling with us.”

Anton sighed, Cetina didn’t quite understand.

“Forgive me if this comes across as blunt, but I believe that she’s taking advantage of what happened to…you, before you started travelling with us. You didn’t exactly have much direction and things weren't looking good so...”

Cetina slowly nodded. “I understand. Verona can be very…” Cetina coughed lightly. “I’m not going to say that I’m better, but I am better. I’m no longer drinking and I’m not worried about horrible nightmares. At least as much. I’m doing okay.”

“But-”

Cetina raised her hand. “I am an adult. I’ve spent a lot of my life following what people tell me to do, even if it’s not directly. I can make decisions for myself, about what I want to do and with whom. So there.”

“I’m still not going to release you as my bodyguard. No matter what happens. But I would like to have things a bit more normal between us. Where Verona’s meddling isn’t weighing over our thoughts and actions. Mainly mine.”

Cetina chuckled. “She can be rather intense at times. But…” Cetina played with the blue patch of hair resting over her ear. “I think that, despite everything, she only has good intentions for all of us.”

Anton smiled. “I’d like to think so. She has helped to bridge a few gaps. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t…”

A creaking of wood interrupted Anton. Cetina gripped her sword and looked to the walls. Immediately her face reddened as she realised what was transpiring just beyond the thin wood.

“Really?” Cetina murmured.

“They really need to reinforce the beds.” Anton chuckled. “And the walls. I know we’re not going to get much sleep while they’re having their fun.”

“How long are they going to go at it?” Cetina stood up, shaking her head in an attempt to drive away the redness. “They were already doing it before…”

“It really depends. I thought you said that you knew about this stuff.”

Cetina shrugged. “I’ve only done it a few times.”

An awkward silence filled the air, every few seconds the creaking of distant beds echoed through the walls.

“Do you want to head outside?” Anton asked. “I think they’re going to be a bit longer yet.”

Cetina gave a furious nod as the creaking only grew in intensity, with no indication that it would stop anytime soon. Outside of their room the sounds were slightly dampened, connecting walls were thinner than those along the corridor, or the beds were simply pressed against the wall, but it was still far too loud. Now they were truly focusing they could hear the grunts and sickly sweet moans.

“Let’s not interrupt.” Anton ushered Cetina out as a shrill moan of ecstasy echoed through the air.

They stepped out of the small Inn and into the fresh air. Outside the soldiers and mercenaries milled around, chatting heartily with the few prostitutes that hadn’t been chosen for that night. The dregs, most were missing teeth or had some kind of facial or bodily deformity.

They don’t need to be pretty I suppose.

“They’re everywhere,” Cetina mumbled.

“It makes sense for them to follow an army,” Anton said. “Keeps the men more focused and, hopefully, they won’t take it out on any city we conquer. Don't fancy traveling with an army of rapists. Especially for you.”

“That wouldn’t be good for Leo, would it?” Cetina asked softly. “A usurper king would need all of the support he can get.”

“Not if the other side is even worse. Those Stitch Soldiers for one.”

Cetina nodded glumly.

“Did you see any battles like that?” Anton asked. “The sacking of a city?”

“Have you?”

“No. But I know that we will one day.” Anton sighed. “I think-”

Anton jumped as a hand wrapped around his shoulder. Cetina shouted angrily as a scantily clad woman attempted to worm a hand, seductively as she could, over his shoulder.

“Hello there, handsome.” The woman, slightly better in appearance than the dregs, apoke softly. Her loose clothes disheviled, her skin lightly flushed and she clearly hadn't rinsed her mouth yet. “Are you…Looking for someone? Perhaps to fill an empty bed? I can-”

“Back off!” Cetina yelled again, pushing her hard in the chest. The woman stumbled back, not anticipating Cetina’s strike or strength, tripped over herself and crashed onto the dusty ground.

“What was that for?” The woman asked as she stumbled to her feet. Nearby mercenaries spared a glance, none willing to relinquish their hold on their bought women, but quickly lost interest. So too did the women.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Cetina growled at the women. Her face quickly softened, one of slight embarrassment. “If you’d been an enemy…”

“If you’re going to hit me you can at least pay me.” The woman said angrily.

Anton shook his head. “I didn’t want to engage with you, you came up to me. You’re going to have better luck somewhere else.”

The woman glanced at Cetina, frowning deeply. She turned and spat on the ground. “Fucking whore.”

Cetina resisted the urge to draw her sword and took a deep, calming breath. Eluria and Sancha tarnished her with that name, even the brief time Anton spent with them they had not shied away from using it within earshot. Who knew how many times Cetina had heard that word directed to her.

Anton turned his ear towards the still open Inn door, the creaking still leaked through, along with some terrible grunts and groans.

“No point in standing around here…” Anton’s eyes were drawn to the sound of Cetina’s sword grinding underneath her anger filled hands. “Do you want to go find Duchess Belinda?”

Cetina said nothing, continuing to hold her sword tight while muttering something underneath her breath.

"Are you okay?"

"I fucked up again." Cetina shook her head, wiping away a tear with the back of her gloved hand. "First I almost get killed by a Goblin. And now I let some stranger, who could of killed you, just walk up and grab you. I'm...I'm a terrible bodyguard, aren't I?"

Anton knew the look Cetina held. She didn't want to told everything was alright, Cetina wasn't that sort of person to begin with. If anything she appeared to be wanting to be scolded.

"Not completely." Anton said. "But I need you to pay more attention, if you are to be my bodyguard. Even if we are in difficult circumstances."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Cetina nodded firmly, a determination washed over her face. "I will, Anton. I won't let you-"

A colossal groan of ecstacy cut Cetina short. She backed away from the Inn as the mercenaries began to laugh with a roarcous energy.

"Think he just had the time of his life." Anton mused.

A nearby mercenary appeared to agree. He grabbed his prostitute hard on the rear, thrust his waist against her rear and tilted his head back, contorting his face in a mocking ecstacy. The prostitute laughed and gently patted the mans face as he let go.

“When they find out who that was they’re not going to let it go.”

“This is all…” Cetina closed her eye.

“Did you want to go and find Duchess Belinda?” Anton asked again.

“If it gets us away from here,” Cetina mumbled. “I’ve…Wait a moment.” Cetina rolled her eye. “I have to go back in there.”

Cetina returned a few seconds later with the portal stone bag over her shoulder. If they lost those, things would turn very, very bad.

I’m sure they’d be able to see things through. We still have the rings, but we’d be physically separated for a long time…

“I wonder if Duchess Belinda’s still awake,” Anton said. “At least the conversation will be better than anything we’ll find here. Unless you plan to be hit on by some slightly drunken soldiers. Maybe some drunken prostitutes. Money is money, after all.”

“Is she…Involved,” Cetina shrugged lightly. “With anyone?”

“Not that I know of.” Anton rubbed his chin. “Doesn’t really concern me if she has or hasn’t, since our alliance is based primarily on material goods. But honestly, I don’t know.”

Anton chuckled. “Maybe she’s with Alfred. He’s not a bad looker for his age.”

---[]---

Duchess Belinda established herself in the largest building in Slihal, a lumber warehouse hurriedly refurbished into a makeshift command post. Twenty tired mercenaries stood guard, Belinda’s carriage rested inside. The horses remained inside, casually eating some hay as they lay down to sleep. All things considered, the carriage was probably the most comfortable bedding in Slihal. Certainly better than their beds.

“And definitely quieter,” Anton muttered aloud.

“What?” Cetina leant forward, her free hand resting on her sword’s pommel.

“It’s a lot quieter here.” Anton smiled at her. “No prostitutes will be soliciting their services around here.”

Cetina found herself cracking a smile. “Maybe some dingy alleyway.”

The guards allowed them passage with barely a second glance. Belinda sat in front of a small fire in a fancy but slim portable wooden chair, a thin trail of smoke leading and pooling in the high roof of the warehouse, with the mayor of Slihal sitting opposite. Anton hadn’t much to do with the man, like nearly all mayors he was an old man, probably the oldest in Slihal. His age didn’t automatically make him wise but he didn’t come across as a fool.

“We can’t give you many of our guards.” The mayor gently rubbed his hands. “Many are still injured from the bandits.”

“You have many men of fighting age.” Belinda leant back into her chair, turning and smiling as Anton and Cetina approached. “And they are used to working in the lumber mills and the forests, all hauling logs and timber all day. It’s trivial for them to wield a spear and shield effectively, given a few days training.”

“Depends how old they are.” Anton stopped a few meters to the side. “How old is the minimum requirement in Qaiviel anyway?”

Belinda shrugged. “Old enough to swing a sword and thrust a spear. So…”

“Probably something like twelve winters,” Cetina said softly to Anton. “In Thessos that was the age when they started training properly.”

“It’ll be a lot longer after that before they can actually fight against a man,” Anton said, casting an eye to the indifferent mayor. “But they can certainly help.”

“We still need as many people in Slihal as possible.” The mayor said softly.

“All those that have been wounded will make a full recovery.” Belinda looked at Anton for reassurance. “I’ve been assured they will be even better than they were before. All aches, pains and old wounds will also disappear. Magic is such a wonderful thing.”

The Mayor turned, his eyes squinting at Anton. “And how did you find a Life Mage of such power? Given the war, I thought all would have been forced into service…There are herbal healers in some of the remote towns but all magical teaching is handled by the Royal Academy in Clousonne. Unless…”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” Anton smiled. “Just know that everyone will survive. Before we leave in the morning I ask that you bring those with old wounds or even missing limbs, those that weren’t involved in the fighting. And we’ll do it free of charge too.”

For a moment Belinda looked ready to object but she quickly realised it cost her nothing and only had respect to gain. Her face softened and she nodded once to the mayor.

“There are many in Slihal that can no longer work.” The mayor rubbed his chin. “We will take all the help that we can get. Even if we aren’t entirely sure that it’s not heretical in nature.”

“Speaking of.” Belinda coughed lightly. “And the initial reason for our discussion was how many men you can provide me.”

The mayor’s frown returned as he folded his arms.

“If you think that The Church will allow Slihal to go free,” Anton began. “After we found them working with the bandits to allow safe passage for their soldiers, you are severely mistaken.”

“Surely that means we should keep everyone we have.” The mayor quickly retorted. “I heard from your mercenaries that there are supposedly a large number of enemies approaching very soon. So why should we send our few fighting capable men with you?”

“Because we will destroy that force before it sacks Slihal,” Belinda said adamantly.

We will?

“Anton, our mercenary mage, has not only devastating magic but also the aid of the Dark Elves. They simply won’t know its coming.”

“How did the Dark Elves make it so far into Qaiviel?”

“Again, not something you should worry about.” Anton waved him down. “But a small army, one that could slink through the countryside, isn’t much of a threat for me. I understand that’s poor reassurance for you.”

“And if we were to destroy them.” Anton looked at Belinda. “How many could you spare? I doubt they would send another force if their first was utterly destroyed.”

The Mayor rubbed his temples. “We could spare only a few hundred men. And they don’t have much armour or weapons, compared to your mercenaries. I’d like to keep at least some of our guards. Despite our best efforts, the bandits in this area are still a threat.”

“Archers?” Belinda raised a red brow. “Huntsman? Even poachers will help.”

“Without them we will be without food…The grains and fruit that grow here are relatively poor, most of the nearby land is used for timber and storage.”

“Half,” Belinda said calmly. “I think that is adequate. I will pass onto King Leo that you gave us aid. I’m sure there are things that you’d like to do, but only lack money and manpower.”

The mayor slowly nodded. “So long as Leo actually becomes the King of Qaiviel. And you and he remember everyone that’s helped him retake his throne.”

Belinda smiled. “I have an excellent memory. And I have a written list of everyone that’s helped us and to what degree.”

The Mayor stood up, his joints clicked and groaned. “So long as the men return home I’ll be happy. Will…Will there be plunder from this campaign?”

While Anton knew comparatively little about the style and type of war for a common soldier he knew that the prospect of loot; gold, food and whatever valuables they could get their hands on, was a major driving force. It also devastated the towns and lands captured by the army and certainly wasn’t ideal in a civil war.

“Nothing directly,” Belinda said firmly. “But they will be paid handsomely for their contribution at the end of the campaign. To stop desertion, as you can appreciate.”

The mayor nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. Now…I presume that you have some business with these two.”

He nodded and began to leave, a noticeable limp to his stride. Anton stopped him and quietly chanted a healing prayer. The man looked on in shock but said nothing, finally giving a small nod before walking off with his back straighter and more proud, the clicking noises from his knees were silent.

“I’m sure that he’ll be far more disposed to help us after that.” Belinda smiled, leaning forward while resting her chin on her interlocked gloved fingers. “Though you could have asked for some sort of compensation.”

“A few pieces of copper that they could barely afford?” Anton took the mayor’s seat, Cetina standing to his side after placing the portal stone bag at her feet. “Or some food, again they can ill afford to lose? This makes a far better impression.”

“Perhaps.”

“Or one of the prostitutes they have running around here.” Anton glanced out the door.

“I have no opinion on the matter.” Belinda quietly shrugged and leant back into her chair. Compared to hers, his was quite poor. Perhaps Duchess Belinda only ever had one? “They are not being forced or coerced so why should I stop them?”

“Venereal disease for one.” Anton received an odd look from both women. “Diseases and infections that are transmitted during sex. Is…Is that not a thing here?”

“There are some,” Belinda said softly. “But I believe those are mostly relegated to the poorest of slums. Still, I would advise caution. Just in case.”

I wonder if I can just heal it away. Maybe that's why some of the people I've healed have been truly grateful. No more sores or itches in sensitive places. Let's just hope there isn't a magical resistant strain out there.

"This line of inquiry wasn't exactly what we had in mind when we came looking for you," Anton said. “Kind of wanted to get away from it, actually.”

Belinda raised a brow. "So what was? Were the accommodations not up to your standard? I remember you saying that you travelled rough but that Inn should be better than sleeping on the hard ground. If you'd like we could easily have someone removed from their home for the night. Or perhaps stay with you, I hear the mayor's granddaughter is very pretty." Belinda rolled her hand. "Pretty in a provincial sort of way."

"I was actually offered someone's daughter once, so we would stay in their village." Cetina looked at Anton with a worried expression. "Obviously I didn't take it. Obviously. But I wonder how they're doing. How every place we’ve passed, actually. Getting swarmed by mole rats isn't exactly something that would want to make me stay."

"Most peasants don't have the luxury of moving to a different town," Belinda said softly. "No one is going to support them when they arrive, the land might already be claimed or the lord or nobles far worse. I imagine the town was quite poor."

"It was." Anton smiled. "But the people still went about their days."

"They don't have much of a choice," Cetina added. "Not if they don't want to become bandits."

Belinda clapped her white-gloved hands. "While it is interesting to converse with the both of you I'm certain there was something else you wished to discuss."

"We just really needed to leave." Cetina's body tensed slightly as Belinda really hadn't directed the question to her. "It was a little noisy."

Anton nodded. "It was. But there are a few things that I want to know, and I really can't ask anyone else."

Belinda smirked, a rare expression. "I'm sure you make your women feel just as important as I do now."

"Perhaps...That was the wrong choice of words. But there is no one else that I can ask freely. Knowing what you do about our home."

Belinda nodded. "And what would that be? I'm sure you have good governance during your absence. Good taxation too..."

Belinda bit onto her lower lip in frustration. No one wanted to be reminded of their greatest failings, doubly so when it comes from one's own mouth unintentionally.

"I do. But I'm concerned how to...How would I put it?...I’m just wondering how the other Kingdoms and Empires will deal with Atros. I have a pretty good idea-”

Belinda laughed, a slight redness crept over her cheeks. "I don't think you need me to tell you how that's going to go. Quite poorly, if you actually need an answer. Especially Seocuria. I'm sure they'd declare war on you almost immediately. Your only advantage is the sheer distance to be crossed. And Graterious isn’t going to like thousands of soldiers crossing their lands."

"True." Anton chuckled. "I guessed as much already."

"So..."

"I understand that it's going to be quite a shock to most but I’m wondering if they’ll treat us like a revived Kar Kingdom. Since we occupy the same lands and it woulnd’t be too difficult to get some of their heraldry-”

"Doubtful." Belinda dismissively waved a hand. "Especially when you have a Beastkin envoy. If you decide to be that bold. Being you I’m sure you might actually do that, except for the Seocurian’s."

Belinda chuckled, craning her neck back to look at the smoke pooling in the rafters above. "I wonder what they were thinking just a day before you rescued them. Certainly nothing like what you have now."

"Perhaps a few less beatings." Anton murmured. He slapped his thighs to focus himself. "I suppose we’ll just have to be so powerful, possibly enigmatic, that they have no choice but to take us seriously. And that’ll take time and people, all of which we are short on. But, as we're sort of on the topic, what was the Kar Kingdom like? The few that remember it...I've asked but they're more interested in the future."

Belinda took a slow and deep breath. “By the time I came into adulthood, they were already gone. But I remember my father saying they had great archers and rangers, they would strike from the shadow’s and slaughter their enemies before they knew what was happening.”

“That sounds awfully similar to what we’ll be doing.”

“The Qaiviel Kingdom and the Graterious Empire both tried to invade, at one point in history, and both failed terribly. Their armoured soldiers and our Knights were slaughtered during the night but during the day…” Belinda smiled. “I was told the Kar Kingdom’s main forces couldn’t withstand ours on the open fields.”

“I doubt anyone could hold their nerve against several thousand heavy Knights charging at them.” Anton smiled. “Goes to show how seriously they treated the threat of the Goblins and monsters that destroyed the Kar Kingdom.”

“Indeed.”

“But otherwise it was relatively unremarkable?”

“If you removed the Knights and armoured soldiers from Qaiviel and Graterious they would be remarkably similar. Not that rich but not overly poor, nothing really strange or that interesting about how they carried themselves. Really, the Kar Kingdom was a little plain. Nothing apart from the usual scandals, but that really doesn't matter to them now, does it?”

“Graterious appeared to be a little bit more wealthy than Qaiviel,” Anton said softly. “I don't know if we even found a tiny portion of the old Kingdom's wealth. Those creatures don't have much use for gold. Most of it's probably still in Surdon. That's going to be a huge task to clean out. Maybe it'll be easier just to burn it to the ground. But…After all of this, I don’t want to lose our land. Even if we don’t control it directly. Recognizing the old kingdom's land as ours would be a good start. But it would need to remain quiet, of course. I don’t want anyone to realise the lands can be colonised, even if it is difficult."

"King Leo could easily do that." Belinda nodded. Her eyes glanced to Cetina. "You...A Bebbezarian with you shouldn't cause too many problems. Probably a good thing, actually. Make them think you came from the north, not from the east. That you simply wandered near my territory when we first met."

"I'm glad I can be of service to you, Anton," Cetina spoke dryly and without emotion. "So I can be a lure..."

"Don't be like that." Anton bumped her leg. "It's definitely not the reason why you're with me now. But it will help us in the long run."

Cetina smiled, she really wasn't concerned. At least too much.

"Anything else you think they might take offense to?" Anton smiled. "I know it'll just get thrown into the heap with the Beastkin but the less they have to complain about the better."

"Each place has their own customs and procedures but they're not foolish enough to try and force theirs upon others. A very quick way to find yourself hated."

"Seocuria will be a problem." Anton chuckled. "When they can't just order around the Beastkin like servants."

"They will have to bend, unless they want a war. As will you." Belinda shuffled back into her chair. "Do you know about the Graterious trimurivate?"

"We are slowly becoming more and more aware of it." Anton spoke dryly.

"Did you know that each of the three noble families have to give a woman to the Emperor as a concubine? Each treated with slightly less respect than the Empress?"

"I did not."

Cassius didn't bring it up. Maybe that part of the family isn't doing so badly, it's the son that's supposedly inbred. Do they just not keep those kids? To keep it 'in the family?'

"And any Seocurian leader you meet will bring his harem with him." Belinda smirked. "A dozen beauties adorned with gold and jewels. They think it's a display of strength and virility, but everyone knows most are bought. At least that's what Alfred has told me. None of the ones following you have that look."

Movement outside of the warehouse caught Anton's eye, cutting his response short . A small gathering of prostitutes, more visually appealing than the one during Cetina's altercation, approached the guarding mercenaries. Anton tapped Cetina's leg, the metal guard on her upper thigh. She didn't draw her sword but readied for a fight.

Assassins? Or Strega Witches?

Neither were true. The women attempted to solicit their services but found no one willing to bite, Anton knew Conrad would have stern words, a polite way of putting it, with anyone that left their post to enjoy a few moments of carnal bliss. With poor pickings, the women left as quickly as they came.

“Perhaps I’m becoming overly paranoid.” Anton sighed, rubbing and gently massaging his legs. “After…”

Anton quickly searched within himself for the green wisps of Strega magic. He found nothing and his heart rate relaxed. Belinda raised a brow after Anton searched Cetina, again nothing.

“But there are things out there that deeply trouble me. That they might attack us from plain sight.”

Belinda smiled. “I’m far more worried about the less magical threats. Like an arrow or a blade through my throat.”

“Indeed…Perhaps we need to…” Anton smiled. “I was about to say relax but that’s what brought us here in the first place.”

“Perhaps another way to relax.” Cetina leant forward, a strange smile on her face. “When I was stressed I would practice with my sword. Not that I had anyone to practice with but it always helped.”

Belinda clapped her hands above her head as she rose up. “Excellent decision. Some of the makeshift training fields are now free, I’m sure that’s not being used by some of our mercenaries who seek to relieve themselves. In the non-traditional sense. As for me, I intend to get as much sleep as possible. Perhaps those enemy soldiers will be here in the morning. That way we can continue moving to Castle Etoile.”

“We can only hope,” Anton said. “Otherwise this town will not hold for long. Not that taking a few hundred will do much when defending against several thousand.”

“True.” Belinda gave both a single nod and moved to her carriage. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”

Without a further word Belinda entered the carriage, pulled the curtains tight and the warehouse fell silent. A small collapsing log on the fire, sending out a plume of sparks, broke them out of their stupor.

“She hasn’t changed.” Cetina smiled, tapping Anton’s shoulder and urging him up. “Let’s see what we can scrounge up. I don’t think you want to be practising against my actual sword.”

---[]---

Cetina held the wooden sword loosely in her hand, idly swinging it back and forth. “Looks like it’s been well used. Thousands of breaks and cracks, probably one of the few this village has.”

“And they were kind enough to let us borrow them.” Anton glanced at the wooden sword in his own hands. He retained his gloves, this time, but already he was receiving flashbacks to their previous spar.

Where she had cracked him on the back.

Hard.

“Have you been practising with your sword technique ever since Atros?”

“Not really.” Anton twirled the sword in his fingers, almost losing it. He glanced up to see Cetina staring at him, her face blank yet someone annoyed.

“Well, now that you have that Marble Spear thing you should really know how to use it. It’s a pretty good weapon up close, doesn’t break and cuts through flesh with ease, not so much metal but makes it extremely hot. So,” Cetina planted a hand on her hip. “You need to know how to use it properly. Just in case you’re on your own. Who knows, you might lose your ability to use magic…The other types of magic.”

“If I do we’re in a lot of trouble.” Anton murmured. “But alright. Let’s see if I can actually land a hit.”

“Without throwing dirt?” Cetina chuckled as she resumed her stance. “That was cheating. But…Let’s see if you’ve learnt anything.”

As soon as Anton raised his sword Cetina was upon him, striking him repeatedly. He instinctively knew she wasn’t put in anywhere near her full strength, this was just a spar after all and she didn’t want to harm him, but she was still very strong. Anton tried his best to read her attacks before she swung, it was the only way he could hope to block anything. Quickly Cetina began to lessen the intensity of the strikes.

“It was a bit much to go that hard at the start.” Anton smiled. Already a layer of sweat covered his face, the many strikes on his body hurt, not enough for bruising but he could feel every soft wound.

“You never know how strong your opponent is.” Cetina took a step back. “You always need to be ready.”

“And without my magic.” Anton smiled.

“Or sand.” Cetina chuckled. “Cheater.”

“Who taught you this?” Anton asked, softening his stance. Cetina didn’t hesitate and struck him hard. The wooden sword slid along the shaft and struck his hand, it hurt enough that Anton had to back away, shaking his hand to work away the pain.

“Did I hurt…Oh no!” Cetina covered her mouth. “Was that the one with the crystal?”

“No.” Anton gave his hand a final shake. “No. It’s fine…But it did dim after touching that stone, didn’t it?”

“Did…”

“I’m fine Cetina.” Anton resumed his stance. “But, could you tell me who taught you how to fight? You said it was a trainer hired to teach you.”

Cetina nodded. “Yeah. A trainer from Mycea. He was…related to my mother. Somehow. Some distant relation. But after Eluria showed up he disappeared. I hope that he just left and wasn’t killed.”

Cetina lowered her sword.

“Do you think she’s alive?”

“I hope so. I really do.” Cetina smiled, shaking her head. “But enough of that. I was asked, no, ordered to spar with you today. And I shouldn’t disobey the order of the person I’m supposed to protect, right?”

“I wouldn’t call it that, but alright.” Anton chuckled. “We’ll keep practising.”

Cetina nodded appreciatively as they resumed their stances. As they practised Anton noticed something change. As they exchanged blows, Anton slowly improving, Cetina began to smile. An honest smile. One that was free of the distant pain and memories. Anton found himself smiling too as he and Cetina continued to exchange blows, finally both began to laugh even as they pummelled one another with strikes. It was strange to say but it was the happiest he had ever seen Cetina. It would be but a fleeting moment but he didn’t want it to end.