Arthur's Point of View

Dwarven Deserts

“Rudnurth did something to Arceana and Elincia. Arceana to a far more dangerous degree, but Elincia still has smaller moments from what you’ve told me.” I explained. “He’s their older brother and was king before them. Not a very good one, though. So, I imagine he altered their memories as a failsafe of sorts to keep me away.”

Kheri frowned. “That is… Disturbing, to say the least.”

I shrugged. “They were made to forget me, and Elincia knows, which is why we got into that fight. I imagine hearing some of those names touched on her locked memories. Thus, her headache.” With a sigh, I closed my eyes. “Arceana is more extreme. Say one wrong thing that triggers her to remember, and she starts bleeding from her nose before blacking out.”

“So, you’ve been protecting them?”

“In my own way.”

“Is that why you’re so short with them?”

Opening my eyes, I shook my head. “Not entirely. There are a lot of things I disagree with them on. Especially Arceana. My disappointment is vast, but I do try to be understanding, and I hope it’s not truly their fault. Although, I’ve learned better than to hope. Regardless of who is responsible, both Priestesses have turned themselves into things of worship, which absolutely disgusts me.”

Kheri was quiet for another moment. “What of Rudnurth? What if he was the one behind all this?”

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“I already tried to kill him, but they interfered. I should’ve just killed him anyway. That’ll probably come back to bite me in the ass. However, if I ever get the opportunity again…” Trailing off, Kheri knew what I meant. “The man is a monster and is responsible for more than they likely know. If they had an idea of what had truly transpired, they probably would’ve tried to kill him long ago.”

“Do you have any idea how disturbing all of this is to hear?”

“Oh, this is all pretty tame to the full truth. I’m just being nice.” Then I shrugged. “To be honest, I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. For all I know, one wrong word could kill both the Priestesses.”

“Then why are you?”

“Probably because of the poison, or maybe because my energy is low. Although, it’s probably a combination of both.” I shrugged. “Don’t care enough right now to do anything about it.”

The General sighed. “Then who is Elias? Because that is the name that truly made her freeze.”

I eyed her for a moment. “It was her second oldest brother. Surprised she remembers him to be honest. I’m pretty sure I mentioned him in the past, but I’m tired so I can’t remember correctly. Regardless, Rudnurth erased a few people from their memories. Part of me assumed Elias would be erased too. I knew all of them when they were younger. In fact, they were all children when I first met them for the most part.”

“Then why were you erased, and who else was?”

I went to answer, but my throat was drying up rather quickly. Drinking more water, I coughed to try and clear my throat. Being asleep for four days left me feeling hollow. Although I was doing better, that poison was still there, and my body still felt heavy. Kheri moved beside me and patted my back for a moment.

Clearing my throat, I held up my hand to show her I was alright. “I’m not entirely certain about why some of us were erased.” I told her as she moved back to her seated position. “However, I was erased because I was a threat to Rudnurth, and that is all I will say about it.” I gestured to her lazily. “Others were likely erased to either help with them forgetting my existence, or for them to not realize how corrupt he was.”

Sitting in thought, she crossed her legs as she grabbed one of her wings in thought. “How do you know he was corrupt?”

I quirked a brow at that. “Aside from the fact that he’s imprisoned in the middle of Helmsforth Mountain?” I asked back.

“But that doesn’t make sense.” Kheri replied. “If the Priestesses knew he was corrupt, why imprison him and let him live? Considering how he was able to alter their memories, how is it possible for him to be imprisoned right now? Shouldn’t they still think he’s innocent.”

“I’ve thought about that quite a bit myself, Kheri. To be honest, I don’t know how that came to be. Rudnurth is far craftier than I gave him credit for, so part of me thinks this is all part of some grand scheme of his. Given his magic, he should’ve been able to escape his cell a long time ago.” My tone then darkened. “That should tell you enough about Rudnurth, and why he is still in his cell.”

“You think he’s there on purpose.”

“I think it was like that originally. Now, I’m not so sure.” Rubbing my throat for a moment, I continued. “Who knows what he might be thinking. Rudnurth has his own goals, but I no longer no what they are.”

Kheri hummed out in thought. “Hmm.”