Chapter 153:
Morning rays awoke Anton, a few errant birds tweeting broke up the gentle breathing of the women crowding his bed. Verona and Kal slept in their customary positions, nestled in the crook of his arms while resting the majority of their bodies on his, while Cetina slept beside Kal. Initially Cetina had fallen, after a long and intense night, next to Verona. She quickly remembered that Verona had trouble keeping her hands to herself. Verona had grumbled something but no one was in a state to care.
I wonder if Qaiviel is where I'll first bed everyone? So far Verona's the odd one out...In more ways than one.
Verona, somehow registering his active thoughts, began to awaken from her slumber. As with every morning, she stretched out her arms with no regard for Anton's face, arcing her stomach up to stretch her muscles to the limit. A quick squeak escaped her lips before collapsing back onto the bed and more importantly, onto Anton. It was probably the biggest drawback to sleeping with Verona.
“Morning.” Verona suppressed a sleepy yawn, a smile creeping up her face. “Do you think we're late for any sort of meeting?”
Anton gently kissed Verona. “I think they would come get us. Leo would undoubtedly want us to stand with him, to show Lila's side that he means business. Not that he doesn't already...”
Cetina snorted once, her head rocking back and forth before succumbing to sleep once again. Her eyepatch lay on a small nightstand next to her side of the bed. Verona giggled at the sight as Cetina's head rocked back and forth.
“Your first concubine.” Verona kissed his neck. “First of many, I think. And you were able to completely subdue her on your first night. Kal and I didn't say those things straight away.”
“I think that someone planted them in her head.” Anton ruffled Verona's hair. “But who would do such a thing?”
Verona laughed. “Who indeed?”
Cetina began to rise for the second time. This time she didn't drift back to sleep. Both her eyes shot wide open, her hands patting down the soft sheets while looking around the room. Finally, they fell upon Anton. Her breath stopped for a moment, a smile slowly broke through.
“So that was...That was sex?” Cetina whistled, gripping the sheets tight. “Now I understand why people go out of their way for it.”
“Pretty good, right?” Verona smirked, hauling herself on Anton. “Do you think that you'll be every night, or just some? Don't want you to get hurt or tired.”
Cetina patted the sheets again. “I think...I think maybe every other night. I'm not much use as a bodyguard if my legs always feel like jelly.”
“Why do you all have to be so noisy this early?” Kal grumbled, pushing herself up and her rear out as she began her morning stretching routine. Her long tail pulled out of the sheet before swaying and twirling above her. How she had such fine control over such a thin limb was still beyond him, not that it limited his enjoyment. Or its fluffiness. “Can't we just have one morning where we just sleep in?”
“Like a lazy cat in the morning sun.” Anton pulled Kal down for a kiss, Kal wrapped her tail around his hand. “Once we're done with the Dark Elves we're all going to take a few days off. Getting up late will be great. Especially when it's cold outside.”
Kal held his cheeks tight, gently rubbing his beard with her slightly rough pads. “That it will.”
“All the more reason to get more bodies to warm your bed.” Verona chuckled. “It's not going to be the only one, of course, but already it feels a bit warmer.”
“Speaking of.” Anton reached out and held Cetina's arm. “You're going to move all of your stuff into our house. If you're going to be with me then you're going to live under the same roof. And you'll have your own room as well, to do with what you want. We don’t exactly have much ourselves but you should have your own private room.”
“I actually don’t.” Verona murmured.
Cetina pulled herself up. “Thank you, Anton. So...” Cetina held the sheets to her chest, unwilling to let anyone see her chest now that they had returned to normal. “Do we get ready or...”
“We'd best get up.” Anton sighed, slapping Verona and Kal's thighs moderately hard. “We can have as much time as we want to ourselves over the next few days. We're just going to have to tough it out for now.”
Verona laughed. “I wonder who's actually-”
“You.” Anton and Kal answered simultaneously.
Verona huffed and pouted, folding her arms and turning away. Cetina could only crack a smile, knowing full well she was now a part of this strange growing family.
---[]---
A messenger, one without a crossbow and a murderous plan, arrived soon after they were dressed. The young man was a little surprised to find someone of Cetina's stature as Anton's bodyguard but delivered the message all the same, even if he caught as many glances as he could. Visions of the assassination attempt flashed through his mind as Duchess Belinda requested an audience before the official meeting. At least this time he was sure, hoped, it wasn't a trap. He also had Verona and Kal by his side this time.
Duchess Belinda waited inside a large secluded garden pavilion, drinking tea while enjoying the sounds of a peaceful and immaculately maintained garden. Apparently, it once belonged to a loyalist of Harold and The Church of the Holy Father. It took little imagination to guess their fate. Belinda continued to wear the same style of dress as when she arrived in Atros; simple yet exceedingly fine and expensive. Was this to become her new fashion?
“I know that you have to meet the new King Leo and Queen Lila after the official signing of the division…” Belinda sipped her purple tea, her finger tapped the white porcelain cup. “I don’t know how long that will last, but thank you for seeing me first.”
“It’s only fitting.” Anton smiled, taking a sip of the purple tea himself. “If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t know about any of this before it was far, far too late. Atros would probably be a burning husk, most of Qaiviel too, before winter set in.”
“That won’t be too long now,” Alfred said calmly. He stood to the side of Belinda, ready at a moment’s notice to refill her cup. “Snow should already be falling near the border with the Clansmen. I’m sure that your home will be snowing soon as well.”
“I’d prefer it if you kept that a secret.” Anton smiled. “Not that it takes a genius to make a rough guess where we came from.”
“We shall not speak a word of it.”
Kal, her face hidden by her mask, sighed deeply in relief. She, Verona and Cetina stood behind Anton. Though the table was more than large enough for everyone only one chair had been provided. The girls didn’t mind standing while he spoke on behalf of them and of Atros.
“So what happens to you now?” Anton asked. “Do you return to Maxill or are you staying here?”
Belinda smiled. “I will be staying in the capital. Thanks to my involvement, or should I say your involvement, the war was much easier than anyone expected. I am to receive half of the Church lands in the entire Kingdom-”
“Leo’s Kingdom.” Alfred quietly added.
Belinda nodded. “Leo's kingdom. I can understand why Lila wouldn’t give me any of her confiscated lands. I shall be receiving half of their land, which actually isn’t that much on the eastern side of the Qaiviel Kingdom, there is quite a bit near Clausonne, and a quarter of their wealth. Half of it shall go to the Knight Orders that aided Leo and the rest to rebuild the Kingdom.”
“How much are we talking?” Verona leant a hand on his shoulder.
“More than enough to rebuild.” Belinda chuckled. “Better than before, though the Churches themselves will be torn down. If their religion is to survive it’ll definitely have to change after this. Perhaps not lose itself in greed…Speaking of, it’s probably time that I was wed.”
Belinda’s eyes flicked to the three girls standing behind him. “If you didn’t have a small army clinging to you I’d ask for your hand. But…” Belinda chuckled. “I don’t like to share. I guess I’ll find some handsome lord. Doesn’t need to be smart but I don’t want our children to be ugly.”
“I think there are more requirements for a partner than that,” Anton said flatly.
“Looks seem to be the deciding factor for you.” Belinda smiled devilishly. “I would like to extend a formal invitation to the wedding, whenever that happens. I’m afraid that you won’t be able to bring some of the more…exotic, members of your community.”
“We will definitely attend. But someday the Beast-kin will be walking alongside the humans once again. And this time not in chains.”
“We can hope.” Alfred rubbed his knee. “I still remember their strength and ferocity.”
You certainly left your mark, Marion.
“The other rewards that you were promised will be rewarded by King Leo himself. I merely wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude in person. And extend my own invitation. Having you present at my wedding will only raise my considerable prestige, especially after this war.”
“This may sound odd but are you going to prepare for a second civil war?” Anton asked.
Belinda glumly nodded. “I feel that I have little choice. Lila is no fool, that much is certain. But I will be using my wealth to expand southward. The merchants there make considerable money by trading with the Wood Elves and the Orcs, though we can’t enter either of their territories.”
“Especially the Wood Elves,” Alfred added. “Any human that crosses the border is cut down with a hundred arrows. Unfortunately, they don’t care if it’s a child…One of the more disturbing things I’ve witnessed.”
“Orcs in the Red Spines?”
“Yes?” Belinda frowned lightly.
“We…We met some Orcs travelling from the north to the Red Spines. I’d like to know if they’d made it safely.”
“They were very badly wounded when we met them,” Kal said softly.
Alfred searched through his uniform for a piece of paper. “Now the war is over, for now at least, the White Dog mercenaries are without work. They will return to our employ as bandit suppression but they could easily escort you to the Red Spines if you wish. It would be the least we could do after helping us so much.”
“We still have business with The Shadow Isles.” Anton began. “And that still needs some work. Is it possible they could take a set of portal stones to the Red Spines and alert us when they’re there? Oh, and another set for you. Please make sure that you set this up somewhere safe. I’m sure the Principle Mages would love to poke around with this.”
Alfred nodded, taking a small bag of ten stones. “Thank you. Mercenaries are paid not to question orders. If their job is to escort a bag of stones and then arrange them in a circle at their destination they won’t care, so long as they are well paid.”
“Thank you. That will be a great help to us.”
“Seems like such a small thing compared to what you’ve done for us.” Belinda smiled. “As I said King Leo will award you your gold, a copy of every Principle Magic book we have and recognition of your territory.”
Belinda bowed her head low. “Thank you. All of you. For saving our Kingdom.”
“It was our pleasure,” Anton said. The girls responded with a shallow bow. “Well, not exactly. But we're glad to have helped.”
Anton began to rise, Cetina pulled the chair out for him. “Good luck, Duchess Belinda, Alfred.”
“I’ll order the White Dog to escort you to the castle.” Alfred waved to some mercenaries waiting out of earshot at the very edge of the garden. “We will be following shortly but I believe Leo wishes you to be present from the beginning. We have little...visual impact compared to you. However, though Harold has been defeated there may be supporters still lingering in the city. One stray arrow is enough to kill anyone. I'm sure that you are fully aware of how true that is.”
Anton gave a final bow to Belinda as they left the garden. The White Dog mercenaries formed a loose perimeter as they moved through the busy streets of Clausonne. The people were already working hard, their efforts directed at rebuilding the damage to their city. Anton spied many gangs of shirtless men, and women with shirts, chained together at the ankles tearing down damaged buildings and hauling away chunks of stones.
“If you side with a lunatic like that you get what’s coming to you,” Anton mumbled.
Verona bumped his side. “Speaking of, what happened to those Church soldiers we caught in the castle?”
“Probably dead,” Cetina said softly. “They didn’t ask Anton to use his magic to extract the truth so…”
“They made their choice,” Kal said firmly. “I don't feel bad for them.”
“Neither do I.” Anton kissed Kal's hand. “But something we need to remember when dealing with Leo or Lila.”
---[]---
Anton wished for a chair, at least for something to sit on while the formal proceedings continued to drag on. His tail itched, sometimes it did sporadically but today more so than usual. He wanted nothing more than to let it free and scratch between the sharp spines but that was a clear impossibility. Leo and Lila sat beside one another, where the throne was stood, chatting idly while their Knights argued, politely, about the exact boundaries of the new Kingdoms. Besides the Knights both sides brought only a few of the most important people, at least that’s what Anton suspected they were. Leo’s dressed more like nobles and influential people, Lila’s were commoners, more befitting her army formed of irregular forces. Overall the division of the Qaiviel Kingdom was proceeding quite smoothly, only that it was taking an age. Duchess Belinda arrived nearly an hour after them, she and Alfred stood near the entrance, and yet she had barely missed anything.
If only we could take our reward and leave. Hell, we don't even really need it. We have a decent treasury and Balefire. The Principle Magic books are a great boon but nothing compared to a neighbour that doesn't want you dead because of your very existence. That and a God wanting to kill us.
"How much longer?" Verona grumbled. "They already know what they're getting so why all this...this stuff?"
"See if they can squeeze out an extra village or two." Anton murmured. "Cetina? Any ideas?"
Cetina pursed her lips. "Possibly. There's no real haggling or bartering, so it's probably already been agreed to. But I think that Anton's right; they're just trying to get a little bit more out of it."
"Waste of time if you ask me." Verona huffed, leaning against Anton. "We could have been long gone by now. We have other places to be."
“Perhaps,” Alfred spoke softly from behind. When he and Duchess Belinda had moved through the crowds Anton didn’t know. Even Kal appeared slightly surprised. “But neither side can afford to appear soft or weak…It’ll be the end of them if they did.”
“Indeed…”
Anton took a deep breath and looked around the room once more. Something, something began to niggle at the back of his mind, something he couldn’t put his finger on. The feeling continued to grow as the light bickering continued.
“Does anyone else feel odd?” Anton whispered.
“Maybe.” Verona frowned lightly. “Something’s not right…”
“Where’s the church man?” Cetina nodded towards Lila.
Whereas Leo had Bernard and Marcus by his side, Castor argued with Lila’s Red Salamanders, Lila only had Fabrice by hers. The supposedly loyal and dutiful former Inquisitor was nowhere to be found.
“Interesting…But that’s not it.”
Before Anton could think any further on the strange feeling bubbling in his chest, Leo and Lila rose from their chairs and approached the table of bickering Knights. Each gave a shallow bow and backed away, unwilling to dare continue their discussion in the presence of their respective rulers, reforming ranks on their side of the room.
“I believe this looks more than fair enough.” Lila tapped the two maps. One of Qaiviel itself, another a detailed map of the cities and towns surrounding Clausonne. “More than fair. Wouldn’t you agree, brother?”
“Indeed.” Leo smiled. “It is more than fair.”
Leo’s smiled continued for longer than was natural.
“It…It is just a little strange, is all.” Leo shook his head, frowning lightly. “Just the other day we were fighting Harold and storming Clausonne.”
Lila smiled and began to sign the document. Leo watched her intently, never moving and barely speaking as her hand moved with a skill expected of royalty.
Lila finished signing the large document, smiling as she gently pushed it towards Leo and stepped back. Leo, however, didn’t step forward. His eyes remained transfixed on the paper, his hands flexing in nervousness.
“Leo?” Lila’s voice wavered.
Leo refused to look up.
“Something’s about to happen,” Anton spoke through the ring. “Don’t do anything but just be ready.”
Leo finally looked at Lila, but his eyes were faintly red, like he was on the verge of crying.
“There’s movement behind us!” Kal gripped Anton’s arm tight. “Behind the walls!”
Cetina’s attention remained forward, something that required considerable effort, while they glanced back. The wooden walls looked normal but Anton did not doubt Kal’s senses. His eyes focused on a slight horizontal line running along the entire section of the wood. Anton’s heart jumped when the line began to move, moving back to reveal a hidden recess. And no one was pushing on it from this side.
“Back up. All of you.” Anton lightly held Verona and Kal’s shirts. “To the stone columns. Right now.”
Lila didn’t notice, nor Cetina’s loud armoured body stepping back, instead continuing to stare at her brother.
“Leo?” Lila stepped forward. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry.” Leo winced.
Colour and life drained from Lila’s face. “Le-”
Something flashed before Anton’s eyes, Kal’s body tensed for just an instant. Blood sprayed out of Lila’s neck, smothering the table and paper in a thin red liquid. Leo recoiled, scrunching his eyes and hands tight, even as Lila struggled to stem the bleeding. Such a thing was impossible, a crossbow bolt had penetrated her neck, a bolt tipped with Chelium.
“Lila!” Fabrice, in his resplendent red armour, raced to Lila’s side.
However, it was not to be.
Fabrice took but a single step before he began to stumble, another bolt jutting out of his leg. As he stumbled down a flash of steel caught Anton’s eye. Bernard had drawn his sword and advanced on the Red Salamander, his face cold yet somehow tinged with a hint of regret.
“Now!” Someone cried, Anton had no idea who.
Both walls collapsed forward, revealing a swath of crossbowmen, all aiming their weapons at Lila’s entourage.
“Wh-” Verona’s words were stopped by Anton’s hand, clamping her mouth tight as he dragged them all into a corner and away from the battle.
Anton kept his attention firmly placed on the wall, now bursting with Leo’s soldiers firing volleys at Lila’s people. None were focused on them. Anton tapped Verona’s shoulder, she created a shield from blood and held it in front, Cetina her shield high and ready to block but they remained completely untouched.
Lila’s infantry, former bandits and hunters repurposed into a guerrilla styled army, fell like wheat to a scythe. Only a handful remained standing after the initial volley, none after the second. The Red Salamanders were a different story. Their armour granted them some protection, but the bolts were fired from extremely close range and in great numbers; when a row of crossbowmen loosed their bolts they retreated behind another row which stepped forward, ready with a loaded bolt. The sheer volume of bolts proved too great, smashing through armoured sections and penetrating deep in the small vulnerable joints.
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Leo stood still amongst the growing carnage, completely unmoving. Tears began to run down his face, mixing with the blood but never did he let out a single cry. A Blue Firestorm Knight ran towards him, Castor, and extracted him from the centre of the room, using his much larger body to shield him from a stray bolt, not that he was even once targeted by the volleys of bolts. Lila raised a bloodied hand towards Leo but it quickly dropped, both returning to her destroyed throat in an attempt to stem the flow, an impossible task as blood continued leaking through her fingers in ever-weakening bursts.
“Bastards!” Fabrice roared. Though on his back the red Knight was not ready to submit.
Bernard brought his great sword down with every ounce of strength his frame would allow. Fabrice kicked at the floor with his wounded leg, a bolt harmlessly struck his shoulder and another deep into his leg near the first. He grunted and kicked again but was unable to move far enough. Bernard’s sword struck his red armoured leg, denting the armour and snapping the bones beneath. Fabrice yelled again and thrust his sword at Bernard. Bernard was far faster than his size hinted at and dodged away, not that a thrust from a sword square into his plate armoured chest would actually do much.
“I thought you were better than Harold!” Fabrice yelled again, continuing to try and retreat to his Knights.
“I am,” Bernard growled. “But…I have my orders.”
“You’re no better than what he became.”
Fabrice looked back towards his Knights, perhaps wondering why they weren’t coming to his rescue. His face dropped, his sword clattering loosely by his side. Every Red Salamander was already dead, killed by a hailstorm of crossbow bolts or by Black Rider Knights moving through the weakened ranks, what little of their faces were exposed held a look of grim determination.
“You…” Fabrice stopped moving, staring up at Bernard as the giant readied his sword again.
“I take no pleasure in this, Fabrice.” Bernard’s shoulders dropped slightly. “But-”
“Go fuck yourself.” Fabrice spat at his boots. “You inbred cuckold little rat! You only exist to murder people, completely incapable of any other kind of joy. Curse you pathetic murderous lapdog-”
Bernard swung his sword down, cleaving Fabrice’s head in two. The Red Salamanders gurgled blood before slumping to his side, the great sword clanging loudly on the stone ground. Bernard sighed and retrieved the blade, wiping away the blood and brain matter staining the metal.
“Forgive me.” Bernard shook his head once and turned away.
“Anton!” Verona shouted through the ring. “What? What is happening?”
“Leo just gained an entire kingdom.” Anton thought dryly.
Verona kept her blood hardened as the clanging of metal and cries began to whimper and fade. Finally the last of Lila’s force fell, a great silence fell upon the throne room.
“Don’t say anything!” Anton said. “Not a word, don’t even move. We’re still alive…But that could change at any moment.”
All three nodded but he could still feel their incredible fear and dread. As crossbowmen worked their way through the dead and dying, delivering a swift execution to any still breathing, it would only take a single order for a volley to come their way. And Anton would have to destroy the entire room in order to have a chance at survival.
“She’s still alive.” A Crossbowman stopped before Lila, barely moving as the blood seeped weakly through her fingers. “What do you want me to do?”
Bernard and Castor, still shielding Leo from potential harm, stepped away. Leo kept his face cast down, the tears had long since faded but his eyes remained red, two deep red circles in an otherwise empty stark white face. When he looked up, finally deigning to look upon his murdered sister, Anton saw nothing.
Leo stepped across the silent throne room, his Knights and crossbowmen stepped away to not impede his movement, and stopped before his sister. Lila’s eyes snapped into focus, not a look of hatred or anger, but one of disappointment and pity. Her lips moved, stained with blood, but no words came out. Leo knelt by her and stared silently at her face. Lila struggled once more before life left her body; her fingers relaxed around her neck and her chest sank one last time.
“I’m sorry,” Leo whispered, barely audible over those breathing nearby. “But…There was no other choice.”
Verona made a sound, the start of a protest, but Anton clamped it shut. Cetina looked back in great concern, her lip quivering, while he couldn’t see Kal’s expression but he knew she was even more worried.
Leo didn’t raise his head. “But…But Qaiviel cannot have two rulers. Division…It is simply not possible to have a strong Kingdom. Not with the threats we must face.”
Leo suppressed a sniffle and gently picked up her hands, ignoring the blood, and folded them over her chest. He closed her eyes and stood upright. For some time he said nothing, staring at his dead sister, before grunting something as he looked up to Bernard.
“It is tragic, but my sister has been slain by Harold’s supporters.” Leo pointed to the Chelium tipped bolt jutting from Lila’s neck. “The same weapon that was to try and assassinate our men is here.”
“Indeed.” Bernard nodded once.
Utter…
Leo’s lips quivered for just a moment. “Tell her forces that she and Fabrice fell against the assailants.”
“With Fabrice dead,” Alfred stepped forward. He and Belinda had been incredibly quiet for the entire proceedings, both good and bad, remaining in a corner of the room, away from scrutiny and potential attacks. “The Knight Orders that Lila managed to muster will simply not believe this.”
Alfred pointed to Fabrice, specifically his cleaved skull. “I doubt they’re going to believe that was made by a simple Church assassin.”
Well, you were Leo’s advisor. I wonder if this is your plan? Did Belinda have a part in this?… We need to get out of here.
“There’s only one person they’d think could do such a thing.” Marcus sighed lightly. “And that puts us right back where we started.”
Fuck the money and the books. We need to leave without drawing too much attention to ourselves…Can we even do that? Leo knows, at least roughly, where Atros lies. Now with an entire Kingdom behind him it wouldn’t be too hard to muster a force to destroy Atros, if he thinks we’re a threat to his rule. And I don’t think the nobles will look too kindly upon Qaiviel being ruled by a family of murderers…Even if there is only one left.
“Perhaps.” Leo stepped away, stopping and sparing a final glance to his dead sister. “But…But we have a way to fix that.”
Leo’s eyes fell upon Anton. Just as before they were still faintly red but nothing lay beneath.
Anton flexed his hands, thankfully hidden by Cetina’s armoured body.
Nothing else for it.
“I could restore the wounds, not the armour, but his head could be fixed.”
Leo nodded. “Restore his head. I care not for his armour.”
Verona and Cetina shot him worried looks, Kal was ready to grab them all and run, but Anton, deep down, knew he had to do this.
I don’t have much of a choice. I refuse and I’ll just gain his ire. And after killing his sister I doubt four mercenaries will weigh heavily on his mind after today.
As Anton stepped forward he glanced back to Belinda, still hiding in the corner of the throne room. She wasn’t worried, or even surprised by the events, but she wasn’t the one about to walk into the centre of a room of loaded crossbows.
The walk to Fabrice’s body, while only a few dozen meters, was one of the longest he had ever taken. He knew that every step might be his last, that a slight groan of wood or metal was the last thing he might hear before a bolt struck his head. And he couldn’t use magic if he was dead.
Much to his overwhelming relief nothing happened as he reached Fabrice’s body. Blood and shredded brain matter continued to leak from his cleaved and battered skull but Anton forced himself to ignore it. He laid his hand upon Fabrice’s shoulder and quietly chanted a healing prayer. The wound began to close, much to the surprise of nearly everyone present, until it was impossible to know that Fabrice had just been brutally murdered.
“Is he alive?” Bernard took a step forward, Anton kept the man’s boots, and the associated reach of his blade, in his sights.
“No.” Anton stood up. “I cannot bring someone back.”
“Thank you.” Leo glumly nodded.
Anton glanced at Lila.
“That won’t be necessary.” Leo raised his hand. “She…She needs to remain like that.”
Makes the story a lot more believable.
Anton nodded once and returned to his previous position. He saw the relief wash over their faces.
“This division.” Leo held the bloodied paper aloft. “No longer applies, since only one remains.”
A smile dared to creep up his face, followed closely by an overwhelming wave of guilt. Leo focused himself and tore the paper into pieces.
“There is much to do, now.” Leo looked to the window, overlooking Clausonne. “Now more than ever, with so many threats baring down on Qaiviel. But first I must reward those that have served me so well.”
Anton tensed at his phrasing, however it appeared to be unwarranted. At least in this situation.
Slowly the few nobles and commanders Leo had brought with him, to bear witness to such a momentous occasion, at least before the bloodshed, were awarded small chests of gold and pieces of paper, writs, designating new lands and sources of wealth. As they accepted the rewards, passed over by Marcus, they each received a short whisper. Everyone’s face hardened, some lost colour, but everyone returned a stern nod. Anton could only guess what threats were levied against them or their families should they ever speak a word of what happened. Such thoughts only worsened Anton’s own troubled heart; those receiving their rewards were subjects of Qaiviel and still had to live in the kingdom regardless of what happened. Anton had no such compulsions or loyalties. It was unlikely that he would be believed but why should Leo take that risk? Apart from being burned alive alongside his entire court, something he knew that Anton was more than capable of.
Belinda received a particularly large number of writs. She held no emotion as she politely received a massive amount of land and wealth.
You got what you wanted…Did you actually change? I think you did, but if Alfred put this to you, or Leo ordered such an action, I know it would be in your best interests, beyond just staying alive, to go along with it.
Belinda spared them a quick glance as she returned to her position, not speaking a word or making a sound. Finally, Anton was called forth.
“You have done so much for Qaiviel,” Leo spoke with a forced emotion, forcefully keeping his eyes away from his dead sister. “So much. If it weren’t you for, and your friends, Qaiviel could have fallen to Harold and his ilk.”
Anton bowed his head. He kept his mouth shut, lest any smart remark end his life prematurely.
“And without you, I wouldn’t be King.” Leo glanced to the Chelium tipped bolt.
Again Anton kept his mouth shut.
“Your reward, mercenary, has to be…reduced. Slightly.”
Anton’s muscles tensed. He prepared dozens of lightning and firebombs, not bringing them into reality but keep them just below the surface.
“Your majesty. May I ask how?”
Leo took a deep breath. “Though we can pay you in gold, for you monumental services to me, and to Qaiviel, access to the Royal Academy is not possible at this time.”
“Was it destroyed in the siege?”
Anton presumed Leo would be suspicious if he just let half of the reward simply go without at least questioning it.
Leo glumly nodded. “The Royal Academy has been gutted by the war. Many are dead, pressed into Harold’s service and neutralised before the siege, will many more are missing. And yes…The buildings were raided. We still don’t know where they have taken it, especially considering our libraries are somewhat inferior to the Holy Kingsland or even Mycea.”
We’ll just go to Graterious. At least we can just buy them there. If that doesn’t work we can just go to Bebbezzar.
“I understand that it will take some time to rebuild.” Anton began, keeping his voice soft and level. “We…Is it possible to gain access to the Academy at a later date? At a time when Qaiviel has fully recovered from this savage war?"
Leo nodded. “That is agreeable. Now, your reward.”
Two small chests were placed before Anton, each required a burly Knight on each end.
“These are filled with gold and jewels, confiscated from The Church’s cronies. I hope they will be adequate compensation for your efforts. We never did agree on a fixed amount, but I believe this is more than generous.”
Leo motioned for a Knight to open the chest. It was indeed bursting with gold and jewels, almost as much as they had in Atros. And that wouldn’t last forever.
“Thank you, your majesty.”
Anton noted that, in order to carry the chests, they would each need to carry one side, leaving them vulnerable to potential attacks.
“Verona?” Anton kept his sight towards Leo. “Could you please carry the chests? It would be too difficult for us alone.”
Verona slowly nodded. Blood seeped from her clothes, fully controlled and not staining her skin or clothes, eliciting several gasps from the audience. The blood shards floated and lifted the chests into the air, the faintest hint of strain on her face but she kept it well hidden. Leo and the Knights watched the shards intently, some Knights gripped their pommels tight, but none moved. Leo remained perfectly still, almost uncaring they were using magic before him. He knew Anton could use magic near instantaneously, and he hadn’t used it to intervene to help Lila, Anton hoped that he would be a little trusting, at the very least. Verona pulled the chests back and waited for Anton’s next action.
“Thank you again, your majesty.” Anton bowed lightly. “Should you need our aid do not hesitate to contact us again. I recall hearing brewing troubles with the Centaurs.”
“Indeed. Those creatures do not care who sits on the throne of Qaiviel. We may need your help again sooner rather than later.”
A silence filled the air, one Anton hated.
“If everything has been concluded, King Leo, we must depart Qaiviel.” Anton’s body tensed. “We cannot help with the reconstruction, after all.”
Leo nodded. “I…I would like to retain your services. So that you don’t aid my enemies and you remain quiet about…”
I shouldn’t ask for much, make it seem like I’m more interested in money, that I can be swayed by lumps of gold, rather than upholding some sense of justice.
“Of course. After this reward, a modest retainer will be more than sufficient.” Anton smiled. “I would ask that you send the retainer to Duchess Belinda, as she knows how to contact us, should you require us in a hurry.”
Belinda and Alfred remained silent and still. This wasn’t news to Leo, thankfully.
Leo barred his teeth for a second, the brief flicker of emotion subsided, replaced by his cold indifference. “Good luck with your journey, Anton.”
“Thank you, King Leo.” Anton motioned for the girls to approach. “May your reign be long and prosperous.”
Anton turned to leave, his heart still racing as his eyes fell upon the crossbowmen, still watching him, waiting for an order to strike him down. They didn’t appear worried about potentially attacking a mage that could kill Harold’s mutated form and a small army besides.
“Just walk calmly,” Anton spoke very softly. “Don’t go fast or slow. We just need to leave without attracting more attention.”
As they passed the door Anton paid Leo one last final look at Leo. He wasn’t looking at them, rather the cold corpse of his sister. During the entire proceedings she had simply laid there, the blood seeping into the small cracks in the stone. Anton felt bad for Lila but he could do little to help her, now most of all. Now he was simply relieved to be leaving.
---[]---
Anton quickly moved through the castle, always looking over his shoulder should they be followed by an uninvited guest. None had spoken a word since leaving the throne room, though all kept an extremely keen watch on their surroundings. As they returned to the light and fresh air, reaching the small camp nestled inside the castle walls, his heart did not steady. A fluttering of red coloured knights, Lila’s Red Salamanders, only brought him concern and confliction in equal measure. While they were not outwardly hostile he could tell they were greatly disturbed. Most of their attention was focused on a small group of Black Riders and Blue Firestorm Knights near the edge of their camp, their helmets nestled underneath their arms and the heads cast low. Anton didn’t recognise them, they weren’t in the throne room but it wouldn’t be too difficult to guess what had transpired.
“How did Fabrice die?” One Red Salamander yelled, his fury barely constrained.
“Is everyone dead?” Another asked.
Anton got the girls attention, motioning them to keep their eyes away and keep as inconspicuous as possible. Easier said than done when one was glowing bright red and carrying two small chests with floating solidified blood.
“How could they kill everyone…” Something rippled through the Red Salamanders, and the irregular soldiers travelling with their army. “How many people did you lose?”
“Many.” A Black Rider Knight spoke gruffly. “Many, but we caught all of the assassins.”
“So where’s Lila?” A hunter asked, forcing his way through the Red Salamanders. “She promised us that we’d… You!”
The hunter pointed to Anton, seemingly uncaring about Verona’s glowing body.
“You!” The hunter pushed forward, a small group of hunters close behind while the Knights remained stationary. “You were there. What happened?”
Verona clicked her tongue. “If only we’d managed to get away. My powers really do stand out, doesn’t it?”
Anton waited until the group of hunters had reached them. The Black Riders and Blue Firestorm looked on worried.
“I’m sorry.” Anton bowed his head. “But we were not present during the attack. We only arrived after. I’m sorry.”
The hunters quickly grew despondent, each grieving in their own way. Anton had no idea how Lila had managed to gather these people, many looked like they would be bandits or hunting rabbits or deers, but whatever she did it left a great mark on them.
Losing an influential leader…Lila’s army will probably fall apart in just a few days. I wonder what she promised, just beyond money. A new way of life. Hope? Maybe it was just something as simple as money.
“Forgive me, but we must be going.”
Anton bowed his head again, so too did Cetina, as they pushed their way past before they could ask anything more. The hunters began to disperse and returned to their camp, casting troubled glances at them. Anton was glad they didn’t ask about Verona’s blood power. They must have thought she was just a Principle Mage, a rare and strange one at that, rather than a heretical Glyph Mage.
More Knights and infantry stared as they passed. None were willing to approach or ask further questions, not that Anton was going to answer.
Cetina glanced over her shoulder once they passed through the ruined gate. “Where do we put up the…thing? To go back home?”
“I don’t know.” Anton ground his teeth. “I honestly don’t know.”
Anton looked up the castle walls. Leo’s soldiers idly patrolled the top, each held a loaded crossbow but they only regarded them with mild interest.
“I bet they were a back-up.”
“What?” Verona frowned, slightly strange as her eyes glowed bright red.
“If the…” Anton checked no one was within earshot. “Second attempt had failed Lila’s forces would be instantly hostile."
“Oh…” Verona shook her head. “That’s really sad.”
Kal gripped her hands tight. “All the more reason we should get out of here. The less we have to do with Qaiviel, now, the better. I…”
Kal sighed despondently. “I don’t think we can count on Leo as an ally. For now at least.”
“At least he doesn’t hate Beast-kin,” Anton whispered. “That’s going to be enough for me. But…But I think you’re right. We’ll need to keep a watchful eye on the border, especially to the south. If we find they’ve built cities in our lands then there will be serious trouble.”
“How do we get the portal stones away?” Cetina asked. “We can’t put them through since…What do we do? Are we stuck here with one of the sets? We’ll have to bring it back to…Home. Duchess Belinda has another set but…”
Verona scoffed. “I’m sure some of those Principle Mages Leo has will be able to find them. Then it’s just a quick jump to home.”
“There is someone that we might be able to trust with it.”
“Terrill?” Verona barely held back a smile. “Where did he get to anyway?”
Kal shrugged. “Maybe he knew something like this was coming.”
Cetina nodded. “You should have seen how Leo changed after Anton mentioned his sister. Cold, like ice. He wasn’t so concerned about asking if Verona was single-”
“Really?” Verona smirked at Anton. “You didn’t tell us about that.”
“We met him right after he’d finished bedding some random Black Rider Squire.” Anton almost smiled, quickly remembering the situation they were in. “But we need to focus on-”
“Wait!” A familiar voice called out from behind. “Please wait!”
Verona’s body flashed as some of her blood reformed itself into a shield. Alfred and Belinda approached, quite quickly given their age and attire respectively, with a small cadre of White Dog mercenaries close behind.
“I think our business in Qaiviel is done,” Verona said loudly. “Surely? After everything we’ve been through, I don’t think we want to come back here anytime soon.”
“I…I can appreciate that sentiment.” Alfred’s breath was short and ragged, he must have run the entire way. They hadn’t exactly been moving slowly.
“How much of it did you plan?” Anton asked. “Neither you, nor Belinda, seemed particularly worried.”
“Perhaps we should move somewhere a little more discreet.” Alfred looked around. “There are still many eyes and ears on us all. Especially with Verona’s obvious type of magic.”
“I doubt they’d understand where it comes from,” Verona spoke without emotion. “But I still have a lot more blood, if you understand what I’m saying.”
Anton knew that it was mostly a bluff. She only had one large vial's worth of fresh blood, and it was currently being used to hold two small chests aloft.
“I do.” Alfred nodded. “But, can we go somewhere else?”
Anton waited until Belinda reached Alfred’s side.
“Did you know?” Anton asked.
“I did.” Belinda kept her face flat. “I was aware. But…Even I thought it wouldn’t be so…Bloody.”
“I’m sure it always does.” Anton held his chin. “I would have liked to have been made aware, so we wouldn’t have panicked and possibly lashed out, thinking that we might be the next target.”
“I thought Anton would be killed when Leo called him forward,” Kal grumbled.
Anton nodded. “I did too. But…I have a way to see if you, both of you, can actually be trusted.”
---[]---
Anton removed his hand from Alfred’s shoulder. “So it seems both of you can be trusted. Even after all that happened.”
Alfred looked at his shoulder, rubbing the spot where Anton had just held. “Such a strange ability.”
“He could make you spill your darkest secrets,” Verona said softly. “If he really wanted to.”
Cetina shifted awkwardly, tapping a boot on the wooden floor.
Currently they stood inside of the Inn, with the White Dog Mercenaries forming a perimeter. Anton had worried constantly that it was some sort of plot or trap, but he knew Belinda knew that he wasn’t that easy to kill. Someone had tried and come quite close, but that was without Verona present. Of course, they could try the same trick, using a Ghlyirl helmet to disrupt magic, but Verona’s magic could move as fast as her thoughts, just a single needle of hardened blood would be more than enough to kill a man. And then it would simply be a bloodbath.
“It wasn’t my idea.” Belinda held her hands clasped in front. “But I understand its necessity.”
Anton sighed. “It doesn’t matter now. Don’t get me wrong, I understand Leo’s reasoning. Doesn’t mean that I agree with it.”
Lila could have kept Leo’s attention away from us. No chance of that now.
“I’m sorry that we had to use the Chelium bolt that was used in your assassination attempt,” Alfred spoke softly and calmly. “Without it, we would immediately be accused of murdering Lila and her entourage.”
“I think they’ll do that anyway,” Anton grumbled, the girls agreed with him.
“Perhaps. But Fabrice’s body, without a broken skull, will do something to assuage some concerns.”
“Some?” Verona raised a brow. She kept her blood power active, the blood swirling around her ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
“Some.” Alfred nodded. “Some. But…”
“What is your plan now?” Anton folded his arms. “Do you plan to stay in the capital or return to Maxill?”
“I shall be returning to Maxill.” Belinda relaxed slightly. “The eastern regions of Qaiviel have always been underdeveloped. Massive spending, from The Church’s captured wealth, will only aide us both.”
“True…” Anton sighed once again. “Just a shame how it all happened.”
“And you?” Belinda stepped forward. “Do you still intend to travel to the Red Spines.”
“I do…But there are other concerns right now.” Anton nodded to the north, at least where he felt the north should lie. “Beyond the sea.”
“Yes…I was wondering about that.”
Anton felt his face hardening. “If you want access to the Dark Elves and their wares I’ll have you carry our set of portal stones to the Red Spines.”
“That was the original plan,” Belinda spoke calmly.
Verona scoffed. “But that was before that.”
“I understand.” Belinda smiled. “Goods from The Shadow Isles will sell extremely well, especially amongst the nobility.”
“Very well. I’ll have someone stay with them, just in case.” Anton glanced at his hand. “Not that you’ll try something. I already know that. When they arrive at the Red Spines message us, then we’ll come through.”
The set in Atros will be broken so no one can come through. Can’t take any unnecessary chances now.
“Dwarves?” Verona asked.
“Are they accepted in the lands of Qaiviel?” Anton chuckled once. “Of course they are, they came through here to get to our home anyway.”
“They will not be a problem,” Belinda spoke calmly.
“I know they won’t. Because I really don’t want to find a Qaiviel army pouring into the heart of my city. That would make me very angry. Atros may fall but I’ll make sure that Qaiviel is only cinders and ash when I’m done.”
Belinda nodded once. She had undoubtedly heard of what Anton did to the assassins.
“And what do we do with these?” Verona kicked the small chests. “Are we actually going to take their gold?”
“Are you worried it’s tainted?” Kal tilted her masked face. “It is just a metal, after all.”
Anton shook his head. “Not in that way. In a literal sense. Perhaps some sort of explosion or another kind of nasty trap for whoever opens this. Or something at the bottom might burst into flames when someone touches it. I think it’s best we just dump it into the sea.”
Anton received several concerned looks. “It’s not like we’re short on money.”
Verona sighed. “Shame. But I don’t want to die either.”
“Cetina. Could you lay out the portal please?”
Cetina hastily laid out the stones, the shimmering white portal illuminated the entire warehouse.
“I hope you do well out of this,” Anton said softly. “I know that I will. But…Not the way I first thought when I agreed to help you.”
“Neither did I.” Belinda smiled. “But I know things will work out in the end. We will meet again soon, Anton. Threats continue to beset our lands; the Centaurs press on from the west, the Clansmen continue to loom over us from the mountains and Bebbezzar’s civil war has begun to spill over to our lands, opportunistic lords trying to gather supplies for their petty squabbles and wars. And we will need your help to see them defeated.”
My magic, let’s be honest. But then again-
Anton cut off his meandering thoughts. “I was supposed to be discussing some of that with Lila. Especially the Centaurs. Obviously not anymore. Perhaps I will be seeing Leo before too long. But I will still help Qaiviel in whatever way I can.”
Belinda gave another nod as Anton waited for the girls to step through first, then himself. As his mind swirled, disorientated by the transportation, he didn’t understand how he actually felt about Leo’s ascension. He knew he was glad to be done with Qaiviel, for now at least, but also the knowledge of his part in the murder of Lila, however impartial, sat at the back of his mind.
And not every one of Lila’s confidants was dead…