Mikaela. E. Pennsworth. Deftly worked through mountains of paperwork, but all the same he couldn't help but smile all the way through it. It was unbecoming of him, it really was. But he just couldn't help it. That insufferable Emillius looked about ready to explode after her knight had lost the duel! Even a week later Pennsworth was still riding that high.
Putting up with that bird had been worth it, dealing with the foxes sass had been worth it, all of it had been worth it for that single moment, and he'd be willing to put up with similar circumstances for the rest of his life if it meant he could see a similar sight even just a few more times before old age finally claimed him. He shook his head and cleared the smile from his face, then signed a paper and moved it aside.
~Emillius
"...Oh."
That didn't bode well.
With a light amount of hesitation, Pennsworth began to read over the paper he had been sent.
"Representing the crown itself-" That boded even worse. "-the Emillius Viscountcy has sent out a routine recruitment of a small group of elite forces for the ongoing war effort against the nation of Efiramus."
Pennsworth began to pale the more he read of the document. Had... Had the Viscountcy's cooperated? The Baron's fist began to tighten as he read further and further.
"This is absurd...!"
It wasn't as if any of the nobles could feign that they lacked the forces to send. Just the week prior they had all been oh so happy to show off their subordinates prowess, Pennsworth himself included. There was no way that any of them would be able to find their way out of this situation...!
Pennsworth's grip relaxed as he breathed in slowly. It should be fine, the war against the lizards should be nearing its end soon enough. The bird may give him hell, but there wasn't much he could do about this. Certainly not anything that would be justifiable. Perhaps if it was sacrificing the fox entirely, he may consider more drastic measures... But no, it should only be for a few months...
Reluctantly, he began to read the rest of the paper.
...
"Chapter three, page twenty eight, basics of wind magic."
"Now what did he say?"
"C-h-a-p-t-e-r t-h-r-e-e p-a-g-e t-w-e-n-t-y- e-i-g-h-t b-a-s-i-c-s o-f w-i-n-d m-a-g-i-c. Letter for letter, I am correct aren't I?"
"Yup! Great job Arras, you learn so fast it's honestly a little bit intimidating."
"I'd like to think it's inspiring, if you know it can be done what's stopping you from doing it yourself?"
"Very cute."
"...What?"
"...Nevermind."
"Well, what do you think you're gonna do next then? You know, given you're caught on on learning common now..."
"I really need to work on my force magic. I still haven't learned how to effectively recycle it at long distances. Plus, that'd be helpful for other forms of magic too. I also got a bit of a grasp on wind while I was watching the duels, so I want to start on that as well."
"...Got any time for dinner in that schedule of your's?" Illia couldn't help but stare incredulously.
"Don't see why not, I've got all the time in the w-"
"What's that?" Thomas turned his attention to another guard whom had just opened the door, which subsequentially got both Arras's and Illia's attention.
"Sir Arras is being summoned by the Baron. Apparently it's somewhat urgent, so you're to wrap up whatever it is you're doing immediately." They casually told Thomas.
"I see, you caught that?" He turned slightly and addressed Arras.
"Yes, I did." He nodded. Being able to understand people sure was nice...
...
Arras adjusted his bow a bit as he waited. For the moment, he assumed his transformed state. The Baron had insisted on him doing as such during meetings with him now that Arras could actually do it. Besides that, despite now understanding common, Arras did have one other issue with the language... His vocal cords.
They weren't built for speaking the language, even while transformed. He hadn't worked on the spell with that in mind... So at best, he could only really produce garbled strangled noises... His excuse actually held true now, he really was mute in this form. That had also prompted him to do a bit more work with mind magic, but as of the moment he was still much more focused on force.
"Arras, how kind of you to show!"
"What else am I supposed to do, ignore you?"
"Hm, it wouldn't be surprising."
"I think it would, I haven't ignored you once yet." He frowned, for real now. Cause he could make proper expressions while transformed.
"Fair enough I suppose. Come along, by yourself."
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Arras hesitated for a moment, before holding his arm out. "You heard him Illia."
"...Fine."
She fluttered off onto a piece of furniture.
"It should only take a few minutes. Worry not."
Arras ascended the stairs, as intended for once. He had to admit, even if he didn't much like this form, it was convenient for dealing with all these things which would normally be quite the annoyance.
A moment later, Arras stepped through an all too familiar door, it was all familiar, and he expected yet another familiar matter, some trivial situation that he would have to deal with for a day or two, maybe a new assignment like preparing for an event...
"You'll be leaving for a few months."
"...What?"
"It's almost entirely out of my hands. The local nobility was played for fools during the most recent gathering. You'll be leaving by tomorrow's end. Are you familiar with the concept of war, Arras?"
"...No. Would you mind explaining?"
"I figured you wouldn't. War... it's a rather upsetting thing if you ask me. The world would be better off if the elves would simply keep a tighter leash on other nations, but I suppose it's a bit much to ask of them. War... It would be simplest to call it a conflict of interests between two large groups. You can expect to be fighting. You'll learn more when you arrive. I'm sure your companion will be more than capable of informing you. I can't quite use an order to ensure your cooperation, but for what it's worth, I'm fairly certain deserting would quite clearly conflict with your first contract. So here's an official order, after the end of this war, you are to remain in contact with this estate, no matter, what. Am I clear?"
"...I suppose. So, I'll just be... Leaving for a long time?"
"Effectively. It's just as upsetting for me as it is for you, I assure you fox."
"And... A lot of fighting?"
"On a scale you've never seen before."
"...If you say so."
Pennsworth scoffed, was he employing a lunatic? A twinge of excitement at the prospect of going to war. Such optimism would either be beaten out of the fox, or it would flourish. Either way, he supposed it would work out for him. He doubted that Arras would be slain in combat, especially given that Arbre had already been winning the war. This elite squad being sent as reinforcements was simply overkill. Likely a play to diminish the power of rival nobles.
Or more likely, it had been entirely petty. Pennsworth couldn't help but scowl.
"You are dismissed. Inform your companion as you see fit."
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Bestiary
Lizaka
A relatively peaceful people who love to socialize with others. Lizaka are the second longest lived colonial races behind elves, and often find a passion in blacksmithing. Despite having long lives, their birth rate is relatively low so they are not a large people.
They innately can live for up to two hundred or so years, and do gain a fairly large amount of extra time through growing stronger, though not anywhere near the level of the elves. The problem being that they don't usually have much of a drive to grow stronger.
They are exceptionally skilled with earth and flame magic, while also possessing a natural aptitude for healing magic. Though, they are worse off with every other form of elemental magic.
Lizaka are naturally sociable creatures, and do not enjoy conflict. They are perfectly willing to work under others. In cases of large conflict such as wars, they often allow other races to do the fighting for them, while merely acting as support in other faucets.
LIzaka's only possess one notable settlement, and that would be the desert nation of Efiramus. A rather quiet and out of the way city in the desert. They also do not live in many other settlements, instead preferring the dry heat of the desert, which they find rather pleasant.
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Dictionary
Efiramus
A desert nation comprised of mostly Lizaka and Beastkin. It is a relatively new nation, and exists solely through the skilled blacksmiths within it's bounds as well as it's providing of mercenaries, trumped only by the mercenary kingdom itself. It is relatively off the map, but years back it was besieged by the nation of Arbre.
This was due to a material which, at the time, was exclusive to the deserts near Efiramus. They overstepped their bounds during negotiations, and suffered harshly for it.