Kheri's Point of View

My Office

Greigh and Ziah smiled at him in approval. Something had definitely happened, but it didn’t appear to be all bad. Both seemed to trust Arthur a great deal. Perhaps they truly were just worried for him. My eyes scanned his arm that had returned as recent memories of his death lingered.

Tapping my desk with my fingers in a rhythmic pattern, I replied. “I don’t know what debt you owe the Farro’s, and I don’t know what’s transpired in the last week or so,” I began. “But what I do know is that you have continually shown sincerity towards the people of Lestrania. You may not be a Lestranian,” My eyes met his. “But you protect it like it’s your own.”

Greigh stepped beside Arthur and put a hand on his back. “You know that the General has a history with the Demons. With him at our side, they’ve become emboldened, but they are also wary.” The captain said before gesturing to me. “However, this incident with the Dwarves is likely a trap.”

Arthur nodded in agreement. “Most likely.”

“First, the Leviathan to drag him out. It failed.” Ziah commented.

“While the Island was suspicious, it wasn’t something the Demons could’ve prepared for. They were reacting to Priestess Elincia’s double and the General fighting.” Greigh said as he moved back to the front of my desk and put his finger on it. “The last Demons that arrived just so happened to mention what’s happening in the east?”

“It doesn’t add up.” I agreed.

Ziah nodded. “This is a trap.”

Arthur looked surprised at his two officers. “That’s why we’d like you to go.” Greigh said before his fist clenched. “You’re better than me.” He admitted, and I cocked my head in surprise as I listened. “I can help here, but you’ll be more helpful at his side.” My lifelong friend then turned to Arthur. “General Kheri Naset is special!” His voice shook as he kept his gaze on him, but a finger gestured to me. “She might not be Ayda Farro or even Cassidy Reed, but she is the best of us!”

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Arthur's Point of View

Kheri’s Office

Greigh was rather serious. One of the few times I had seen him so. Kheri was sitting behind her desk, rather stunned and slack-jawed, while Ziah smiled at the two. While I hadn’t interacted a lot with the Zugal General, I had come to know Ziah and Greigh. Both had earned my trust, and both were here vouching for Kheri.

Stepping around Greigh, I looked at the chestnut-winged Zugal as her blue eyes met mine. “I don’t know what it is that Greigh and Ziah are expecting from me here,” I began as her attention seemed to flicker between Greigh and I. “But they trust you.” My head bobbed up and down a bit. “And I trust them. While I know we haven’t worked together too much till now, perhaps we can change that moving forward.”

Kheri eyed me for a moment before her head turned to her friends and then back to me. “I’d like that.” She said as she stood and placed her palms on the table. “In honor of moving forward, you should be aware of a few things.”

“More things to be aware of?” I questioned.

“Always.” Kheri responded. “You can never have enough information. Whatever projects Greigh and Ziah are working for you must be important.”

“They are.” I confirmed. “I’m hoping to unite the entirety of Lestrania with these projects. Think of them as test runs. People already know my name, which has spread far better than I thought it would, but I’m not complaining.”

“Then you should know that everyone has their eyes on you. Orders have been issued down by the Priestesses to Alwin and I that we pick our most loyal to keep an eye on you.” Kheri stated. “Of course, from what the rumors say, you’ve already had a run-in with the Priestesses private guard.”

Smirking, I replied. “Not so sneaky guards armed with Demon Stone weapons?”

A smirk that matched my own came to her lips. “So, the rumors were true.” Chuckling, she continued. “I suppose it doesn’t matter too much for you. Regardless, be careful. It’s not just the Priestesses who have their eyes on you.”

She walked out from behind her desk. “The nobles?” I offered.

Nodding, Kheri continued. “Yes, but that’s old news. Most won’t act against you now. Whatever you did, the Duke and Duchess have made sure that none are to interfere with you.”

“Leiflan?”

Another nod. “Yeah, but like I said, old news. Most of the nobles who would, have already been cowed and were just keeping an eye on you to see what scraps they could get.” She explained before waving them out of the topic. “No. More out of towners have been appearing in Helmsforth. They look Lestranian-“

“But they’re agents for other kingdoms…” I finished for her.

“Many left this representative’s summit rather upset. They weren’t catered to, and on top of that, the Demon’s attack rattled them.” Then she slapped my stomach with the back of her hand as she looked up at me. “However, the ambassadors were more concerned with how much power you showed off and the fact that you repelled the very Demons that you were trying to warn them about.” Waving a finger at me, she continued. “Mark my word, this is just the begging. Be thankful that the Dragons already seem to know you, or this could’ve gone a lot worse.”

Giving her a grateful nod, I thanked her. “I appreciate you looking out for me.”

She shrugged. “It’s mostly my job. I don’t play favorites.” Then her smirk took a hit. “Now, about Ayda Farro…”

My eyes glanced over at Ziah, who was the one who gasped when she heard the news. “I’ve read all the laws of Lestrania, and I’ve never seen anything on a twenty-four-seven observation. Although, from Ziah’s reaction, I imagine it’s not a good thing.”

“It’s not. Rumor is that Ayda was caught trying to kill herself.” Kheri told me grimly.