Arthur's Point of View

The Drunken Cloud

"Moving on, why're you two here?" I asked Lucia and Alwin. "It makes no sense for either of you to be on this mission. I thought for sure I was going to be escorting some manner of useless Elf on this mission."

"Why do you assume it would be an Elf?" Captain Adam inquired.

Turning to him, I answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Cause Elincia and Arceana love their magic slingers. Pretty sure the pointy-eared fucks are their favorite."

Lucia looked at me, surprised, while Alwin frowned. "That is a bold accusation and somewhat racist. As a General, you should conduct yourself more appropriately." He warned me before the General of the Elves lowered his tone. "Or is it that you just think Humans are better than Elves?" Ziah came up to hear his question and sighed.

"Not really." I said with a shrug before pointing at Ziah.

Ziah frowned and sighed again as she spoke on command. "Sir Arthur hates Humans too. Just as he hates Zugal, Elves, and anything else. The General hates everyone equally."

Naturally, this made the group look at me in shock. "Really?" Adam asked in surprise.

Then I gestured to him. "Not you though! You're great!" Was my overly dramatic response with some flare. "Although," I started as I turned to Ziah. "We should really add High Elves to that list. Both are kind of a dick too."

I moved to gesture to Lucia, but she cut me off. "Not me though, right? 'I'm great.'" Lucia quoted back to me.

Tapping my nose twice, I pointed at her. "Let's keep this nice lady off the list, Ziah."

"Sir, I've warned you countless times to not insult the Priestesses." My Sergeant told me before pointing to Alwin, who was openly glaring at me.

"Sup, General Alwin? Got an issue?" I asked him with a small smirk.

"Why would you insult the Priestesses?" The Elf practically demanded.

"I mean, not sure if you've met them, but they've been acting like a bunch of bitches to me." Shrugging again, I shook my head. "All we do is argue, and I'm almost always in the right." Then I held out my hands to stop him from saying something else. "Moving on. Seriously, why're you two here?"

Lucia stepped toward me and looked up at me. "Priestess Arceana and Priestess Elincia decided they needed a more delicate hand to speak to our allies and investigate what is currently happening."

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That got me to pause, and I crossed my arms. "Investigate what precisely?" I asked before I continued. "From what I heard, this was a simple meeting with our allies in the East."

Shaking her head, Lucia replied. "Things are not so simple. I know the Priestesses informed you that they would try to send word to our allies, but we never heard anything back."

"What do you mean?" I pressed further.

"Another airship was sent ahead of ours and never returned. Did you really think they were just now sending word? Both Priestesses wanted to get in touch with our allies in Vithari ever since the first Ghouls showed up." Lucia informed me.

An uneasy feeling started to wash over me, and I turned to Adam. "Did you know about this?"

He shook his head. "I did not." The Captain replied.

Steepling my fingers together, I closed my eyes in annoyance. "Of course, they didn't. How those two are still alive is a mystery to me." Looking up as I opened my eyes, the group just listened. "At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me those two got lost in a cupboard once upon a time."

"You are very bold to speak of them in such a way. Especially in my presence." Lucia informed me.

"And what're you going to do about it? Your holier than thou Priestesses are borderline retarded. Example!" I began as I pointed to Alwin. "General Alwin, if you had to prepare for a mission in a certain amount of time, but arrived only to find out need to know information upon arrival, do you think that would change your preparations?"

"Yes." Alwin replied in distaste as he hated agreeing with me.

"There you have it. Straight from the Elf General's own mouth." Turning back to Lucia, I pointed at myself. "Then let me make this simple for going forward. Our journey now holds an unknown element. If Demons are involved, which they might be, that makes this far more difficult." I told those present.

"You have dealt with the Demons before. What do they matter?" Lucia asked me with a small smirk.

"Because Ghouls are nothing compared to some of the Demons I've met." I replied in a firm tone. "If it's another kingdom, they'll be easy to deal with, but I am in charge moving forward." Then I gestured to Ziah. "Ziah will be my second in command. If I tell her to tell any of you to do anything, you do it."

The Zugal quickly latched onto my arm and gave me a look of disbelief. "You are asking me to order around two superior officers and a High Elf!?"

Poking her in the head to get her off my arm, I replied. "Alwin is here as a personal bodyguard and nothing more. His words, not mine. Lady Lucia will be in charge if and when we reach Vithari, but until then," My attention turned back to the High Elf, I continued. "If I tell her to sit, I expect her to sit."

"Sir-" Ziah began, but I cut her off as I looked at Adam.

"I don't know much about Airships, so I will not be interfering with flying in any way. It's outside of my range of expertise, but I do expect my orders to be followed if there is an emergency. If that means withdrawing, or anything along those lines, I expect you to make it happen." I told the Captain of The Drunken Cloud.

He smirked slightly at that and saluted me. "Yes, Sir." Adam replied earnestly. "It's good to be appreciated in one's own field."

I nodded at him and turned back to Alwin. "Since you're here, I will be expecting you to act as our defensive measure. I saw the barrier you created in the alley in The Slums. Make sure you're ready to go at any time."

Alwin quirked a brow at that. "While I have issues with you presuming to order Lady Lucia around, I will follow your orders. If you have need of me, I am here."

Lucia gently hugged her own arms. "Do you really think something might happen?"

"Lestrania has become a clear target to a few individuals." I explained. "If recent attacks are anything to go by, they're likely all from the same faction. With the news of a previous airship not returning, I am going to assume that they were targeted specifically." My tone was becoming irritated, and they all realized it. "Which means we're likely to be targeted as well."

"What can I do to help?" Lucia inquired.

"I'd like nothing more than for you to get off this ship and go back to Helmsforth with Alwin." I told her, and she quickly opened her mouth to respond, so I continued as I rested my back on the railing. "However, I doubt you will do so, so we're stuck with each other. As long as you follow my orders to the letter, I will do the same when we arrive in the Desert Kingdom."

Lucia nodded. "Very well. You have yourself a deal, Sir Arthur. I will refer to you during our journey."

"Thank you." Was my reply.

Captain Adam clapped his hands together with a big smile. "Now that that is settled, how about we all get to know each other over Lunch?" He then gestured to Lucia. "I was unaware that there was a third High Elf in Lestrania. I'd love to hear that story."

Lucia frowned. "It is not one I'm allowed to share." She replied immediately, which made the Captain frown. "However, Lunch sounds amazing, and there are a few things I would like to ask myself to our newest Knight."

I rolled my eyes at that as Ziah giggled. "Nothing ever changes, huh Sir?" She asked me amused.