“Heave!”

“Ho!”

“Heave!”

Anda watched keenly as the last of the emergency entrances to Eimval were closed.

He then walked towards the foreman, who loudly celebrated the achievement with his co-workers.

“Outstanding job, really.” Anda said while trying his best not to smile.

He failed.

“Indeed! The boys really broke their backs in the blasted heat of the last few weeks and I must say… I haven’t felt this proud in… ever. Thank you.” The foreman said with a sweaty brow and a cheeky smile.

“For what?”

“Well, it’s no secret that you and the Dark Vessel are close. I can’t image what would have happened if you pissed him off.” The foreman said with a hearty laugh.

“But you didn’t. Instead, you and the elders had him erect a wall that protected us while worked and since we’re not underground, none of my men have died or gotten trapped in a tunnel collapse. If this is what we can achieve with a little bit of help, I wonder life is like on the plateau.” The foreman said with narrowed eyes.

He then realized that Anda was stuck in a daze trying to reply.

“What’s with you standing just standing there? Now’s the time to celebrate, no?”

“Err… yeah.” Anda said with a weak smile.

“Let me head up to the high office for a second.” Anda said while waving the foreman goodbye.

He then walked through the newly paved streets of New Eimval and made his way up to it’s high office where a few Rendaro could be seen documenting various things.

He made his way up to his office where the scouts awaited.

He sat on his chair before dropping his head on the hard table.

“Ouch.” He mumbled.

Sil then walked up to his side before gently patting his shoulder.

“There, there.” She sang.

Anda eventually sighed before sitting up.

“Well?” He asked.

“It’s as you expected. Everyone generally has a positive view of him. No one really bought that he was some sort of spy. Actually, the one everyone has a problem is the knight, but that’s to be expected.” Fìor said.

“Same here. Matter fact, a few people said that even though the past few weeks have been chaotic and tragic, they’ve never seen so much progress in such a short amount of time.” Sil said.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Yeah! All Karish was ever concerned with was maintaining our status as a decoy for Iana. I know he slowly started supporting surface activities, but I felt like that was just a front. He still valued Iana over Eimval.”

“Yiden! How can you say that about the high elder?” Fìor asked with a frown.

“Am I wrong?”

“I… I’m not sure, but you can’t just say things like that. Right, Anda?” Fìor asked.

“Mmm… you’re right. People will associate you with the High Elder and so I suggest you watch what you say and how you say it. I’m not concerned about my image, I just want you to remember that our lives are bound. Stirring up trouble will undoubtedly get us all involved.” Anda said.

Yiden let out a soft groan before nodding.

“Good. Now, onto that other matter. Is everything ready?” Anda asked.

“Yes. The elders are talking to him right now. Are you sure about all this?” Sil asked.

“If I can be honest? No. Lord Katsíki has helped us immensely and look around you. We have built the foundation for a bright future… attacking Yna and possibly angering Lord Katsíki is the worst thing we could do right now.” Anda said while rubbing his temples.

“Mmm… how about we don’t do as the Elders ask.” Yiden said and the room fell eerily silent.

“Yiden… I just said that you should consider what you say before-“

“I know. I’m also not stupid, Anda. I’ve seen the look in your eyes whenever she’s brought up. You fear her far more than Wolva. What confuses me and kinda pisses me off is that you’re willing to place all your faith in the elders even though you know full well that when Yna goes to the designated spot, she’ll not only obliterate that piece of shit, she’ll then turn her gaze to Eimval.” Yiden said.

“and that’s not even considering the fact that we don’t know how powerful Lord Katsíki is. We haven’t even seen his true form yet.” Sil said.

Anda let out a groan as he looked at everyone.

“Why didn’t you guys bring up these concerns earlier?”

“We thought that you would have realized just how risky it all was and make the right decision.” Sil said.

“And that decision is?”

“The decision that results in the least Ia deaths.” Sil said.

Anda’s heart began racing as he thought about everything.

“Hey, calm down. Nothing is set in stone yet and I don’t really care what you do in the end. I’ll stand by your side regardless.” Yiden said with a grin.

Anda nodded before standing.

He then looked out of the window that looked out into New Eimval, but that’s not where Anda’s gaze rested.

Instead, it scanned the northern horizon.

Far north was the seat of darkness and the Elders were daring to challenge the ruler who sat atop it.

“Let’s go.” Anda said before walking towards the exit.

“Hehe, this ought to be interesting.” Yiden said, but Sil smacked him in the back of the head.

“Hey. You don’t have kids. Some of us have something to lose.”

“I have parents and brothers!” Yiden cried as the followed Anda out of the building.

“Do you actually like any of them?” Fìor asked.

“No, but they count, right?” Yiden asked as Anda led them into Eimval.

They then entered the high office where Olen and Tal sat. They were in the middle of lunch, but Anda felt as though his concerns were more urgent and so he sat on the chair next to Olen’s.

“Sir… what we’re about to do… what if-“

“What if it fails?” Olen asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Y- yes.” Anda weakly said.

“Mmm… the answer depends on what point the plan fails. If the Knight kills Wolva instantly, then we simply stand by the fact that we wanted him gone. If the Knight dies and Wolva is left mostly untouched, we fight tooth and nail to kill him.”

“We? I’m pretty sure you won’t be fighting anyone.” Anda said with narrowed eyes.

“True, but what are leaders if not coordinators. Don’t worry, you won’t have to fight Wolva either.”

“And what of my men?”

“Anda, you’re the High Elder. They won’t fight if you don’t want them to.” Olen said as he threw several berries into his mouth.

“But that’s not where the plan ends. What do we do if lord Katsíki proves far too powerful for Aunil?” Anda asked.

“Nothing. We’ll simply feign ignorance and await the next opportune moment.”

“Wait a minute. Just who do you plan on sending to assassinate Lord Katsíki?”

“You keep referring to a goat as Lord… I find that quite irritating.”

“Is he not the vessel for lord Kenos?”

“That he is. A vessel, that is. That’s why when you visit the plateau, you will send the knight to the designated location and when the goat’s guard is lowered, you will strike.”