Cassidy's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

“You built this off of the success of others. Not your own.” He told her before leaning in an inch or so from her face as she glared at him. “You stand here because of them. This mountain was used to satiate your inferiority complex. A living remnant has no right to the deeds of the fallen.”

Arthur finally released all of us, and I stepped next to him. “Ya need ta calm down.” I told him as Greigh moved in front of him with Ziah. “Let’s go.” We tried to move him, but it was useless.

Her guards immediately took her and pulled her away from Arthur. The Duke and Duchess were unsure of what to do while Ayda watched on in disbelief. Emotions were high, and something was clearly wrong with Arthur. I knew he liked Lucia, but this was overkill, even for him. He didn’t differentiate between guards or bystanders. Freezing everyone was not something he would normally do.

The Lestranian Knight then proceeded to mock the Priestess. “Young Arceana, the little girl always trying to prove herself. Small, weak, pretentious.” He spoke with such enunciation that his speech pattern seemed to change as he slowed each word spoken. “The princess who was never special, and only ordinary when compared to the rest of her family.” To my surprise, he seemed to wince in pain for a moment, and he grabbed his head.

Hitting Arthur in the chest got his attention, but not in the way I had hoped as his gaze snapped to mine. Whatever pain he was in, it seemed to be forgotten from my brash action. A chirp seemed to come from him that unnerved me. He looked at me for only a moment before he finally stepped back. A portal opened, and he moved toward it while some of us tried to stop him. It was once again a fruitless effort.

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“Remember these words, ‘Priestess,’” Arthur began as he talked over the shouts but held his head for a moment before he continued. “If the worst has happened, and Lucia is dead, I’ll fucking kill you.” The entire throne room went silent. “And I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way.” With that, he went through another portal, and closed it before anyone could follow him.

My head whipped back to the Priestess as she spoke in an angry tone. “That Arthur Pendragon is a traitor to Lestrania, and he is to be stripped of all his titles, land, and property!”

To all our surprise, both the Duke and Duchess stepped forward. “You cannot do that, Priestess.” Lord Drewes stated.

The Priestess glared at him. “Perhaps you are being a little rash.” Greigh spoke softly. “Something is clearly wrong with Sir Arthur. We don’t know what happened-“

“He threatened your Priestess!” My teacher roared angrily. “Does that mean nothing to any of you!?”

Lady Luthi replied. “It does, but our investigation revealed that Sir Arthur is pivotal to our economy. Should you renounce him, our economy will crash, and the fallout will be unimaginable.”

That was news to many of us as we looked at the Nobles who seemed firm in their stance. “What are you talking about?” The Priestess demanded. “Why would that matter!? Lestrania got along just fine before that man dared to walk into The Slums!”

Many went silent at that, and I felt a firm frown come to my lips. Even Greigh, Ziah, Ayda, and the two Noble Elves frowned. It was a disgusting term that many never expected would come from the Priestesses mouth in such a way. Arthur said it all the time, but it was to spite the others who referred to it as such. The Priestess clearly meant it in a negative.

Ayda seemed distraught at the term. Many hated it being called The Slums. Only once Arthur arrived and explained why he was doing it, did many start to accept it. Not many would believe the Priestess would refer to her own Capital in such a way.

Lord Drewes took a breath before he explained. “Sir Arthur, without anyone knowing, has created multiple aliases. It is no exaggeration to say that he essentially owns Helmsforth.” The Duke began. “He is, without a doubt, probably the wealthiest person in Lestrania. Maybe even the world.”