This world has produced great leaders, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses, producing an extensive list of candidates for the title of “greatest of all time”.
Still, it is a well-known fact that it is possible to formulate solid arguments and argue that the crown should be hand over to Njalmar and his reign over Fiandel. Not because of his strength in battle or his knowledge of strategy, but because he is a complete leader. His strength overflows in the physical, military and political fields. Without a tenth of the wars caused by others in his position, he increased the territory of the kingdom, consolidated his position and created a successor aligned with his ideals without any real threat to his objectives or position.
This world has produced great leaders, but, in a thousand years, few will be able to compare to the great Njalmar of Fiandel.
Excerpt from a letter addressed to Fiandel’s court
*
-Straighten your posture. – Said Guinevere, with her blue hair waving in the strong wind coming from the East. – Knowing how to use magic is not a reason to stop paying attention to your spine.
The warrior walks with her helmet in hand, next to the boy and the wolf.
-Yes ma'am.
-Stay here. And call me Guinevere. Save formalities for kings and queens. Take that staff.
-Guinevere?
-Yes, Arthur?
-Why do I need a weapon? So far, I have used my hands.
-And how well have you been doing?
-Not great. But I didn’t know there was any option. My magic does not work with instruments made for other people.
-Who said that?
-Rinlia.
-Look… Rinlia is one excellent commander and I love her as if she were my sister. – Guinevere takes a few steps away. In the glade where they are, it is possible to see the buildings made of stone in the distance. – But there is a lot that she does not know as a mage. Especially in relation to something as unknown as your magic.
-What does that mean? – Galaaz, instead of staying at Arthur’s side, decided to place himself next to the warrior.
-It means that she underestimates how volatile the magic of the incorporeal is. – Calmly, she approaches a barrel full of weapons, previously positioned. She grabs a Morningstar and analyzes the weight and balance of the weapon. – For example: Rinlia is an elf who uses the innate power of all things in this world, such as water, air and earth. With some effort, she can learn how to use even the most complex forces, such as lightnings and the force of gravity. I believe she has been teaching magic to you with those principles in mind. Am I right?
-Yes.
Guinevere seems anxious, swinging the Morningstar.
-That means that she did not teach you how the incorporeal magic is different. You have been forced to use magic as a corporeal and that is holding you back.
-You have a better method?
-Yes, and you already used it. Incorporeals use magic from the inside out. It is a magic that passes through the magic nucleus inside the body of an incorporeal and transform that energy into something different. It is much more volatile and no one knows the limits of such magic. The only disadvantage seems to be the volume of power, which corresponds to the vital force, which can only be absorbed from another living being. The exception is you. You are not bond by the same rules.
-I don’t have the same limit, right?
She smiles with all her teeth.
-You interact with corporeal magic and transform it into incorporeal magic. I believe that you can absorb the magic of this world, as an intermediary between the two. Armenvald agrees with me.
-Armenvald?
-You already met him. The magician who is the right hand of the king.
-And how can this staff help me?
-If you learn how to use the staff, you will manipulate the energy of this world like any other magician. Typically, wizards use the staff to manipulate the magic of the world with an object that can cast a spell. It is not mandatory, but it makes the job easier for those who do not carry other weapons. It is an accessory to help in the learning process.
-Can I do the same?
She shakes her head and raises her index finger.
-You need to make one extra move: Instead of using the staff to manipulate the energy, you need to personally collect the energy from the world and, then, you can pass it on to the staff. The extra step will turn the world’s magic into the intermediate type of magic that you produce. After that, you can use it on… Well, we’re here to find out what you can do with it.
-Is there any trick to learn?
The warrior looks down and then steps forward.
Her eyes take on a yellowish glow.
-Yes, it does. Instinct.
The boy takes a step back.
-Which one?
She swings the Morningstar.
-Isn’t obvious? Survival. Enough talk. Your training starts now.
*
In the capital of Vivre there are a vast number of commercial establishments. Among them, several businesses provide accommodations and drinks to the most diverse types of interested parties: Travelers, military, nobles and others.
The number of existing establishments exceeds the ideal, turning competition for customers into hostility among merchants. Techniques to catch the attention of potential customers range from beautiful signs and flawless façades to low and vile techniques, such as creating rumors against the most prominent competitors and sabotage.
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Because of that, owners get really upset when they need to close the doors of their establishment, no matter for how long.
At that moment, however, it is not sadness that is displayed on the face of Paolo, owner of “The Craw that does not Caw”. His face shows only concern. Such concern extends to the most diverse aspects about the place: From the organization of the tables and the quality of the beer to the absolute absence of employees close to the private room and the guests who are there.
Only one waitress is allowed to enter that place: Celine, his most trusted employee and the only one able to handle the guests who have booked the entire establishment for a meeting.
Not even Paolo, the owner, is allowed to enter the room. Orders came from the contractors, who paid an obscene amount of gold to “rent” the place and to use their mercenaries as guards, all that for a meeting.
Still, Celine was allowed to knock on the door when the sound of the bell was heard and she was always diligent enough to return with requests – without any hint about what was going on in the room.
Later, she returned with drinks, food and whatever else they requested. She knocked on the door and smiled suggestively at the guests, who waved without any change in their expressions.
Careful not to make a mistake that would cost her dearly, Celine arranged her straw-colored hair behind her ears and shook her dress, then placing the glass cups – the most expensive cups Paolo had – on the table and placing pieces of ice inside them. Finally, she removes the cork from a bottle and slowly pours the drink into the five glasses placed on the round table, so that each glass indicates one of the five men sitting on benches organized in a circle.
None of the men spoke, except for one who, placed in the center, was clearly the leader.
The other four, who answered the questions and gestured in different ways, dressed in hunting clothes and carried weapons that now rested beside their seats.
The leader, however, did not carry a weapon and did not wear hunting clothes. His clothing consisted of a white button-down shirt and cotton pants, supported by suspenders. His well-polished shoes were made of alligator leather and, on his right hand, was placed a ring with an ostentatious red stone.
-My dear, please tell Paolo that our guests will arrive soon. – He says in a calm voice. – Let them in, but don’t ask them to remove the veils. Bring them directly to me.
The waitress asks no questions or gives any confirmation other than a discreet nod. She places the cork on the bottle and leaves it on the table before exiting.
The room remains in perfect silence, broken only by the sound of the drinks ingested by the five individuals, who soon hear the sound of a knock on the door. They allow Celine to enter and she brings two guests with her. Everyone (except for the leader) gets up to greet the guests, and wait while both sit in front of the table. Celine waits a moment before placing two glasses in front of them, pouring ice and the liquid into their glasses.
-Thank you. – The man placed to the right of the leader says, with a friendly smile. – Tell Paolo that we should not be disturbed until the end of this meeting.
-Yes, Mr. Floyd.
“Floyd” waits for the door to close behind the waitress and then sit down again, a movement that is imitated by the others who were still standing.
-I hope this place is safe, Adam. – Says one of the guests, still with the veil over her head.
It is possible to notice that one of the figures is masculine and, the other, feminine – even with the veil over their heads. The one who spoke first is the female. The male remains silent, analyzing the other individuals.
The man in the center of the warriors fixed his gaze on the veiled female. His gaze is intense, as if he could see beyond the veil and stare into the eyes hidden by the fabric.
-Paolo is the only merchant in this capital that I trust. I owe my life to him and he owes his life to me. If there is a safe place to talk, then we are in it.
-All right. – The woman replies, lifting her veil and revealing her face. Aetna does not display a smile, as she is no longer able to do so as she did before. Instead, her austere countenance coldly analyzes the figure of the man in suspenders and leathers shoes. – We came here because you are a warrior who has shown some ability in the past. Your group fulfilled tasks for me that others thought to be impossible.
-We are honored to receive such recognition. But that is not the reason why you called us, is it? – Adam smiles slightly. – After all, our business is no longer so prosperous. We were about to leave when our employers suddenly gave up on the mission. Later, I discovered that our jobs were being systematically canceled due to someone’s intervention.
-Be careful with your words, boy. – Orlov removes his veil and picks up his glass. – I forgave your lack of manners when you did not get up, but I will not be so forgiving if you disrespect the queen.
-You should be careful too, Orlov. – Adam shows his teeth and, although the volume of his voice decreases, the hostility seems to increase. – Or I may think that your actions were an attempt to manipulate me. And you will not like the way I deal with those who try to manipulate me.
-I don’t have enough time or energy to deal with useless discussions. – Aetna intervenes. – Honey, you don’t need to care about Adam’s manners. We will do something if it seems to me that he forgot his place. And… Adam, we both know that I am trying to make you do a job for me. I needed to prevent you from leaving the capital before I arranged other details. That is why I interfered.
-You know I lost money because of that, right?
-Don’t worry about small losses. After all, I will not hire your subordinates. The job I have for you have a reward large enough to justify the hiring of the entire core group.
Floyd holds his breath when he hears those words. Adam clenches his fist, trying to contain his surprise.
-You know that the five of us don’t leave the capital anymore, right?
-That is not entirely true. In the past, you told me the price.
-And, if I’m not mistaken, I received an answer-
-I need this mission to be successful, Adam. If you deliver that, I will put you among the most powerful in my kingdom. A failure, however, will cost you more than what money can pay.
For a moment, silence reigns over the room. The man in the button-down shirt and suspenders leans over and picks up the glass with ice and drink. After a sip, the heat of the alcohol warms the throat and relaxes his expression. He takes a deep breath and places the glass on the table.
-When do we leave?
-In the near future, a wedding will be held in Fiandel. The five of you will be among my guards. Several details will have to be arranged and you will stay in Fiandel for some time. The details of the plan will be known only to you, Adam.
-Won’t you tell me now?
-I will summon you when the time is right. – The queen gets up. She is imitated by everyone. – Only you. The others will know what they need to do their job and nothing more. Don’t worry: The reward will be generous.
-You are serious.
-The titles will be delivered. – The queen and the king cover their heads with veils. – Adam?
-Yes, your majesty?
-Disrespect me or my husband, or threaten one of us again and I will kill you, your subordinates and anyone to whom you ever showed some affection. I will execute one by one outside our borders after torturing them in ways you can’t even imagine.
The words are said by a veiled face and a mouth that cannot be seen, but, from where he is, Adam could have sworn he saw the gleam of eyes that should be hidden by the fabric.
*
Arthur arrived at the door to Rinlia’s house with his mind and body in tatters. His bones felt like they were made of sand and his muscles felt like they were about to tear with each new movement.
-Art! – The childish voice of Valkyrie, who flees from the servants to receive him, instills some strength in the boy’s exhausted mind. – What happened to you?
-Guinevere happened. - He grumbles, accepting the child's embrace and carrying her back into the house. - Where is your mother?
-She is working. I am responsible for the security! - She points up.
-And that is why I can finally sleep without fear. – Galaaz, who had returned earlier, approach the door. - How was the training?
-I spent all the magic I was able to absorb, trained hand-to-hand battle until I couldn't get up and then meditated to absorb energy before starting all over again. No lunch break because my level is too mediocre to deserve a break. Or so she said. That... Shrew.
-Guinevere shrew!
-No. For all that is sacred, do not repeat that.
-Guinevere shrew!
-Okay, but just because your mother was the one who invented that phrase, understand?
-Mommy?
-That's right. She says that all the time. Now let’s go. I can smell the stew and I’m starving.
-Are you in a hurry? - Galaaz asks, unpretentiously.
-Yes, a little. - The boy admits. - I want to start that search today.
The lupine does not ask any more questions.
-Let's get inside, then. Rinlia will be back soon.
*
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