On our return to Cathopia, I had ordered everyone to have a few days off, especially Lin and Kiba, she had continued to feel quite guilty for hitting Kiba, would have been a different story if she had hit her brother; she would have told him off for getting in the way.

As soon as I was back, I heard rumours around the city. Dumah was trying the whole I am betrothed to Tigra again. Tigra even had a massive argument over it with her dad, King Alton, unfortunately the specifics were hardly any and Tigra refused to talk about it, to be honest I thought this problem was over with, obviously not.

I had planned to head to the caverns for a few days, to gather the rare material they had wanted from when I did the summit, each of the leaders had put in an order for a certain amount. I did warn them I could not have too much sent at once, not wanting to be discovered by Dumah’s lot.

Instead, I had been summoned by both Queen Daz and King Alton. I understood Queen Daz as she was the one who issued all missions, but King Alton too, seemed a bit suspicious or perhaps something big was happening.

I entered the throne room; they were both muttering between themselves as the doors closed behind me. I caught a few words before they fell silent.

“Are you sure about this?” questioned Queen Daz, uncertain of whatever this was.

“It is risky but is the only way to get him out,” replied King Alton.

I came to stand meters from the thrones and bowed. “How is it I can help you?”

“Ah, straight to the point,” grinned King Alton. “Then I will make this quick.”

“Alex, there is a village that has been put under surveillance,” began Queen Daz. “An unauthorised barricade placed around it.”

“Unauthorised?” And you want me to investigate?” I asked confused, what did unauthorised mean, nothing was done unless it went through them.

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“We want you to go inside,” said King Alton. “I have tried to send others inside, but none have been given access even with my seal.” I remembered the knight who failed his mission.

“What makes you think they’ll let me in?” I asked.

“I am not one hundred percent sure, but I believe the knights who set this up have been corrupted,” responded Queen Daz.

“Do you want me to take them out?” I wanted verification.

“Listen,” snarled King Alton. “You must sort this issue from the inside as they claim they are preventing an aggressive army of talisman wielding wilds from leaving.”

“Knights who we have sent, reported the area is constantly surrounded by a thunderstorm and the perimeter is attacked regularly by an onslaught of bow users, every Animalia is on increased guard and very nervous.”

“If they wouldn’t let others in, then how do you know they’ll let me in?” I questioned again.

“We don’t.” Queen Daz shook her head. “But someone needs to find out what is happening there.”

“You have my permission to use force, if necessary,” added King Alton.

I glanced between the two of them, they both seemed quite concerned about this problem, if dad were here, he would not have hesitated in taking on this mission.

“Alright. I’ll see what I can do,” I nodded.

“Remember you are there to deal with the wilds,” said King Alton, those were the fake mission information. “To give the knights back up.”

“Understood,” I agreed.

“Only trust those within your unit.” Queen Daz stood up bringing over a map. “This may be your most dangerous mission to date, be careful.”

“I will your highness,” I acknowledged her concerns but couldn’t imagine anything worse than the great vulture my team and I had just fought against.

“General information is in the report here, just in case anyone has questions,” said King Alton, throwing over a scroll. “Good luck Fang.”

“Thank you, your majesty,” I nodded in his direction, then glanced at the scroll. To be honest I didn’t really like the thought of heading to the mission location blind, not knowing what I would find within the walls, especially since neither of them knew either.

“Make sure you bring back everyone safe,” added King Alton.

“I will.” Finding what we had just said to be a bit strange. My unit could take care of themselves, so why the extra concern. “I’ll head out immediately.” I bowed before taking my leave. I would not let them down where others had failed, I would succeed.