A few days had passed since Anda reported the Iana situation to Yna. He and Tasha were working tirelessly in monitoring the actions of ministers Leiv and Vemon.

However, another problem had sprung up and its source, surprisingly, was lower Eimval.

“What are they called again?” Anda asked with a pained expression.

“The Anti Katsíki Coalition or AKC. Apparently, some people are dissatisfied with the fact that the Ia are being led by a goat and a golden knight and they are gathering in secret to discuss various things.” Tasha said while gently running her hands through Anda’s long hair.

He had taken a liking to using Tasha’s lap as a pillow and so he gently pressed his face into her belly before thinking about what Tasha’s news meant.

“Who is their leader?” Anda asked with a muffled voice.

“A man named Olen.” Tasha said with a giggle.

“Dammit.”

“Yes. If I’m correct, he was previously an elder and he led a plot to try and assassinate lady Yna and lord Katsíki.”

“Yep.”

“He really is a determined man. Why do you think he’s willing to sacrifice so much? I mean, he’s previous attempt failed. You’d think he’d just give up or something.” Tasha said but Anda didn’t respond frankly because he didn’t know.

“Anyway, making this scary situation even worse is the fact that some AKC members have been talking to some of the dissatisfied guards down here. This isn’t a huge problem since lady Yna is going to take care of everything once Leiv and Anda initiate their plan but still… all those men surely have families, no? Why are they so willing to throw it all away? It can’t be pride. We Ia have never been closely associated with the word. What do you think?”

“I can’t say. I’ve always been something of a realist. I only know what’s in front of me. What I think doesn’t matter. If someone ever told me to rise up against lord Katsíki I would shake my head and walk away. Although… I do wonder what the meetings of these AKC members is like. How are they luring in as many people as they have? They’re not using fear as a tool because nothing is scarier than a golden knight.”

“What do you propose we do?” Tasha asked.

“You know exactly what I’m thinking…” Anda said before moving his head away from Tasha’s belly.

“Send a few of your guards into the meetings so that we can get first hand information on what they’re like.”

Tasha’s eyes widened.

“How daring! Alright! I’ll have my men find out when the next meeting is happening and we’ll see for ourselves just what is happening. Hopefully after then we’ll be able to dissuade and save as many people as possible.” Tasha said as Anda returned his face into Tasha’s belly.

“Yeah. Because even now, we don’t know what exactly lady Yna is going to do with the people she captures, but knowing her, I don’t think death will be the end of it.”

“Yeah…”

A moment of silence then passed as the two sat.

“Anyway, let’s shift our discussion to something less depressing. I have to thank you and the people in New Eimval for all the Stone slabs their sending. It isn’t easy to admit, but the buildings down here are really old although they are pretty to look at, they are beyond worn. Also, our architecture is several centuries out if date. It’ll be a lot of work, but this will prevent the issue of collapses and whatnot. I’ve also sent the darkness magicians to you office. Umm… tell me, if you don’t mind, where are they going?” Tasha asked.

“Coh.”

“Oh… what’s it like there.”

“Paradise.”

“Huh?” Tasha sounded prompting Anda to move his head away from her belly.

“It is a perfect city. No crime, everyone is fed and it is ruled by a kind, but watchful leader. I’ve spent a few days there and every time I leave, I feel… unsafe. The Expanse is still a harsh and dry desert. Ugh… even just thinking about that place makes me wanna go back.” Anda said before burying his face once more.

“I see… could you… could you take me there?”

“Umm… we have things to take care off here. We could always go afterwards-“

“I know, but think about it. I’ve never been outside of Eimval. In order to do my job as a member of this new alliance, I’ll need to see the capital of the new Expanse and gauge the scale of things for myself.” Tasha said with a raised nose.

“Ah-Ha! We could just send one of your two loyal ministers-“

Anda stopped upon seeing Tasha making what she must have thought was a sad face.

“Fine. But we won’t spend the night there. We should be back here before the day ends.” Anda sighed.

“Yey!” Tasha yelled as she and Anda stood up.

“You know, for someone who was vehemently against the very notion of coexistence, you’re pretty excited about thus.” Anda commented as he followed Tasha to the stone platform.

“I know, but things have obviously changed. Also, Coh may have some tools or techniques I could bring back to improve the lives of my citizens.” Tasha said as they were teleported back into the hub.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“Spoken like a true diplomat.” Anda droned before accompanying Tasha to the high office in New Eimval where several darkness magicians were waiting.

Anda spoke with the Custodian who was leading the group of magicians to Coh and told them that he and Tasha would be joining them on the journey north.

The Custodian nodded before leading the group of nervous magicians out of New Eimval with Anda and Tasha in tow.

Anda enjoyed the many faces Tasha made as they walked about, but he noticed that sometimes she stared at the sun.

It was funny watching her wince in pain at first, but Anda quickly stopped her and reminded her about the dangers of staring at bright things.

.

..

“Wow!”

One of the magician’s gasped as they approached Coh’s secondary southern wall.

A tall black structure that protected what was essentially the capital of the Expanse, as Tasha put it.

Anda bid the Custodian farewell at the gate before personally leading a wide eyed and surprisingly frightened Tasha.

The many guards who stood outside Coh’s gates were tall and wore dark armor that made them seem more like dark golems.

Almost every building in the city was also made of darkness, adding to the already dark aesthetic.

Anda led her towards a small bench next to what appeared to be a large lamp.

The two sat and Anda watched with pleasure as Tasha stared at the countess people that moved across Coh’s dark streets.

“Well? What would you like to see first?” Anda asked with a smile.

“The guards… they are all kitted in full body armor. I’d like some for my men as well. This might also help keep them safe from any attacks the AKC might be planning.” Tasha said with a surprising level of clarity.

“Alright, but we’ll have to consult Mr. Han first-“

“Why don’t any of the guards in Eimval have any armor as well?” Tasha asked with her eyes still darting from sight to sight.

“Ah, we ordered some, but ours are a specialized variant of lord Katsíki MSDA, so we’ve been told that it’ll take some time before they are ready for use.”

“MS..A?” Tasha asked with a tilted head.

“Multi Stage Dark Armor or MSDA. It is quite the sight to behold. Actually, let’s go Mr. Han right away and order some.” Anda said while offering Tasha his hand.

She accepted it and followed Anda down the single central street and they eventually arrived at the enormous stone wall which was the plateau.

Anda led her to another large dark wall which was also heavily guarded.

The two entered it via an equally dark gate and they ascended a dark staircase which led to another dark gate.

“Ah, what brings you to Coh, elder Anda?”

One of the guards asked and Tasha shrunk behind Anda in response.

“Good afternoon. I’m actually looking for Mr. Han. Is he in his office?”

“Yep.”

“OK, thanks!”

“No worries!”

Anda waved the guard goodbye before leading Tasha into what he thought was the reap Coh and the difference could be felt almost instantly.

It was quieter, the streets were noticeable empty and everything was covered in the shade of countless trees.

They provided the city with a serene ambiance.

One of rustling leaves and blowing wind.

However, every now and then, the laughter of children could be heard and it made Anda’s heart wanna jump with joy.

The two eventually arrived at a certain dark building which was guarded, yes, but by people who wore simple black uniforms.

“Hello, Elder Anda.”

One of the guards greeted.

“Hello.” Anda greeted before leading Tasha into the busy, but quite building. Many Rendaro could be seen writing various things or reading various documents and they all worked in silence, save for the few who held hushed discussions.

Anda and Tasha arrived at a certain door which Anda gently knocked.

“Come on.”

A certain voice said, prompting Anda to open the door.

He and Tasha entered the office to find a rather handsome Rendaro sitting behind a desk while writing something into a little leather book.

The man raised his tired looking eyes and looked at Anda and Tasha briefly.

“Please, sit.”

The two did as instructed.

“What brings you all the way to my office, sir?” Han asked.

“Please, just call me Anda. Also, It’s not me who has business with you today, it’s her-“

Anda stopped upon realizing that he ha just made a mistake.

Lady Yna had made it clear that their operation in Iana was to be kept secret.

The darkness magicians were even being grouped along with those from Eimval.

“Anda?” Han called.

“Err…” Anda droned.

He had really messed up by bringing Tasha to Coh, but panicking would only make things worse and so he took a deep breath before leaning forward.

“Mr. Han, I’m actually here in secret. Lord Katsíki should never know I was here.” Anda said with comically narrowed eyes.

“Hoh? Go on. Oh and feel free to call me Han.”

Anda nodded before telling Han the details of Yna’s plan.

“Hoh.” Han sounded before crossing his arms.

“Most intriguing… but worry not. Katsíki will not hear a word from me.”

Anda nodded before deeply leaning backwards.

“That being said. Tasha here would like a set of armor for her guards down I Iana.”

“Oh? How many do you need, ma’am?” Han asked with a raised brow.

“Umm… one hundred?” Tasha said although Anda wasn’t sure if she was confident in that number.

“Alright and what type should we make? The standard issue ones or the ones we’re making for the Eimvals?”

Tasha looked to Anda for answers.

“Yeah, I think grouping our shipments would be for the best.”

Han nodded before noting something in his small book.

“Alright, you’ll be notified when the shipment is on its way.” Han said as he offered Tasha his hand, but she looked at Anda with a bewildered expression.

Anda smiled before shaking Han’s hand.

“Thank you.” He said.

“No problem. Feel free to come back and make whatever changes you see fit. Katsíki may not like spending all day in the factory, but he knows better than anyone that it’s worth it.” Han said with a gentle smile.

Anda nodded before leading Tasha out of the building.

He then noticed that she looked beyond flustered.

“What’s wrong?” Anda asked.

“Could we… could we go somewhere private?” Tasha said with heavy breaths.

Anda nodded before grabbing her hand and leading her to his residence in Coh. It was a dark house opposite a certain cabin and was next to Calëb’s.

Ands allowed Tasha to sit and she took many deep breaths while looking at the cozy looking home.

“He just gave this to you?” She asked a concerned looking Anda.

“Yes. These houses are deigned for when the leaders of the Expanse have to spend an extended period of time in Coh. Umm… do you want some water or something?”

“Yes, please.”

Anda nodded befits rushing into the kitchen where he grabbed a certain dark canister.

He rushed back to Tasha’s side to find that she was even redder than before.

He opened the sealed canister and gave it to Tasha only for her to messily drink its contents.

“Hah…” She sounded as she seemingly deflated.

She must have noticed Anda’ concern because she dismissively waved her hand.

“Don’t worry. I’m just trying to piece everything together. This place… it’s too much information for me to handle. I’m also now properly afraid of lord Katsíki.” Tasha said with a wet smile as water had gotten all over her face.

Anda sat next to her before gently brushing aside some of the hair that had gotten on her face.

“This is one hell of a way to respond to stress.”

“Eh, not much I can do about it. I feel trapped in this place and it’s making my body feel so small… and tight.”

Anda’s eyes widened.

“Why didn’t I see this coming.” He sighed as he began unbuttoning his jacket.

“What are you doing?” Tasha asked.

“I haven’t seen you this riled up since… ever. So-“

“Whoa there, captain scout. We can take care of me after we finish making more arrangements that will help improve the situation back home.” Tasha said.

“Heh?”

“Yep. Now, take me to the next interesting place!”

Anda couldn’t help but laugh at himself as he offered Tasha his hand once more.

“Alright, let’s go meet the rest of Coh’s Cast!"