“Oh? Planning to stay the night, Amaro?” Deka asked with a devious look in his eye.
“What are you doing here, Deka?” Arik asked bitterly.
“I’m here to give my well wishes to a subordinate, and a family member. As distant as we may be.”
“Funnily enough I believe that. You’re only here to make sure one of your big hitters can still participate in your war, right?”
“Rather astute for a Tibur,” Deka said, “How is she?”
“She’ll be fine. You can go now.”
“What. Time. Will. She. Recover?” Deka said through his teeth.
“Lay off a little bit, Arik. The Prince is not used to being disrespected by anyone.” Amaro said with a smirk, “She will recover faster if she is around friends. In time for the ceremony, so you needn’t worry about the deal we made.”
Deka nodded, “And what of the nature of her injury?”
Amaro shrugged, “Seems like she tried to cast a spell beyond her capabilities and nearly broke her soul because of it.”
“Rather surprising considering how vast her limit is already.” Deka said, cupping his chin, “What would drive her to do such a thing?”
“What indeed,” Amaro said, seeing his chance, “There were some rather potent potions bought from a human alchemist recently. When I inquired, he said it was a figure covered head to toe in rags. I hear Kaara scream and I come running only to find someone matching that very same description assailing her.”
“You cannot be accusing me of such a thing, can you? You’re not that stupid. What would I have to gain from something that would damage the lead I’ve built during these war games?”
“Not you, perhaps, but what if it was someone under you? I recall they had hidden their identities in a similar fashion when you strong armed those scrolls out of our possession.”
Deka paused, letting out a sigh, “Well you might have a point there. I’ve no doubt traitors may be in our midst. There are plenty of noble heirs who want to see the prince of Itaro fail. Ones who cannot stand out unless they act as leeches and traitors in the most crucial moments of the war games.”
Arik punched her fist, “Whoever did this to her, I’m not gonna rest until they’ve paid everything back.”
“But how are you so certain the one who assailed Kaara was one of my ilk?” Deka asked.
“Who else would have the funds to purchase such potions?”
“There are plenty of independent noble factions who could have similar resources to myself. Do you have a description of the assailant?”
Amaro thought for a moment, “I was in the heat of things, so I wasn’t focusing on how they looked. I remember a green and brown cloak, and a red scarf.”
“It could have also been someone on the opposing team, but if that were the case I have to wonder why Kaara’s horns were not cut.”
“I likely stepped in before they could.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“They must have been rather powerful if they could escape your wrath.”
Amaro shook his head, “No, just clever and nefarious. They used Kaara’s critical state to distract me and weasel away.”
“Sounds like a real scumbag,” Arik growled, “Hiding their face, and nearly killing her over a stupid game.”
“The only ones who have been doing that lately are Tadios and his group of Noxa.” Deka mentioned, “Acting more like bandits with their guerilla tactics. One of them can even fly away according to reports from my other subordinates. Perhaps they are behind this recent attack?”
“Or maybe that’s just your way of motivating us to take out people who might not even be involved.” Arik said, arms crossed.
Deka held his hands up, “The six of you have been granted a degree of independence beyond what most enjoy in my party. I will not make you attack anyone, but if it sounds like a good lead, then is it not beneficial for us both to investigate it?”
“Only problem I’ve got with that is the Noxa seem to be rather nice. At least the couple that I’ve met.”
“Some, but not all. I’m sure they are nice to those they do not ambush or dishonor. You yourself know the Tibur have a habit of taking in all who might need help, even if they may inevitably do harm.”
“Whatever, I’m out either way. I don’t care about those scrolls or any of that. I just want Kaara to be okay.”
Amaro looked over to her, “I’ll take it upon myself to get my hands dirty with these things. Noxa are known to be rather deceptive creatures, so I would not be surprised if they hid some sort of deep malice beneath a mask of kindness. Since I saw the assailant, it’s only right that I go to look for them and bring them back. If I manage to find them, I’ll be sure to save a few punches for you, Arik.”
Arik laughed dryly, “Sure, thanks.”
“Well I will not stick around any longer than I need to. Notify me through Vilka if she wakes up.” Deka said as he exited the tent.
“Jeeze, that guy,” Arika said, “After Tadios he’s next on my list.”
“Where might I be on that list?” Amaro asked.
“You wanna be on my list?”
“Not particularly, no.”
“Then don’t ask.”
Silence fell over the three of them. Amaro realized that he did not have much to talk about with the two of them. Not unless he wanted to bring up his brother’s affections. He decided to leave that sort of gossip to an expert like Tulos, though.
“Didn’t you say you had something you needed to get?”
“Hm? Oh, yes I did. It was just her present is all. I spent the whole morning into the afternoon to get it for her, and I left it in the snow somewhere. It’s probably not good anymore, so I’ll just get a new one.”
“What did you get her?”
Amaro held his finger up to his lip and winked, “I can’t run the risk our resident prankster might be pretending to sleep, can I?” He stood up, “Regardless, I think I’ll go now so that I have something to give her when she wakes up. Even if it’s earlier than I planned, I think the circumstances make an early gift permissible. I shouldn’t take too long. Assuming the caravans are still open, that is.”
Amaro swept out of the tent. Even if Kaara woke up, and some sort of love potion took affect over her, he did not doubt it wouldn’t change much if it was one of those two she saw first. Regardless, Amaro sprinted with as much speed as he could muster to ensure the window of time was as small as possible.
It had served two purposes as well, since the merchant was just about to lock up for the night. He purchased another box of Lokum and launched himself back. He looked over the box, wondering if it would be enough of a gift to give in the end.
By the time he looked up to see the stone wall in his way, it was too late. Amaro Hugged the box and turned, smashing through the wall. Debris scattered on top of him.
“Where do you think you’re going to so fast, Xirxus?” A voice called out.
Amaro looked up, spitting out a pebble that had flung into his mouth. It was the noble children from before, and they had brought some company. He looked over the box to make sure it was still in tact. Lucky for the noble children ambushing him, it was.
He coughed, staggering up to his feet, “I wouldn’t think a group of noble children would be so bold as to assault a member of Deka’s army.”
“We don’t care for Deka, much less a Xirxus. The both of you were humiliated by a Tibur in the end. The purge of the old rotted bloodlines begins today, and it starts with you.”
Amaro let out a deep sigh, “If that’s how it is…” He said, finding a nice rock to rest the box of Lokum as he unhooked his cloak and dropped it to the ground.
Electricity arced off his body as he turned to glare at them, “I’ll get serious, just this once.”