Aaron waited inside the grand hall of the mercenaries' manor while clicking his thumb against his four other fingers out of nervousness.
The clicking sound of his thumb snapping against each of his fingers in succession was the only slight noise that could be heard from within this hall.
The hall had a ceiling that was raised much higher compared to normal buildings with thick wooden joists and beams supporting it. There were chairs lining the walls with a long table in the center for meetings or dining.
The manor consisted of multiple halls, all structured together, with a few other accommodating rooms designed for sleeping or living requirements.
Currently, the long table in front of him was filled with rolls of paper, maps, and other forms of intelligence that was related to the Zephyr kingdom.
'I see she still is obsessed with that habit of hers.' Noticed Aaron.
Amira was someone who had a single fear that he was aware of. This fear was mostly held instinctively by every human that exists to this day, that being the unknown.
She was a person Aaron cared for but her obsession with gathering information and knowing everything about a situation or enemy was excessive in Aaron's eyes.
Even the most miniscule detail would have to be looked over multiple times for her to be satisfied.
He knew this all too well after discovering this side of her during their usual discussions about the fate of this kingdom. Although, in this predicament, her habit may be extremely crucial.
Right as he finished this thought, the person in question entered the room.
"Why are you here?" Asked the stubborn woman who entered at the other end of the hall.
"Don't you already know that by now." Clicked Aaron in annoyance.
Instead of responding, Amira sighed while brushing her fingers through the strands of dark black hair that had slumped over her right ear. She glanced from the shifting man to the mountain of papers she had collected on the long table in front of them.
"Are you still hell bent on that idea." Murmured Aaron in an out of character caring tone.
"You should understand better than others." Replied Amira while rummaging through the papers.
"My people are scattered and afraid." He solemnly noted.
"When were any of them not afraid. Well, I take that back... Your brute, Marcus, was such an idiot if I recall." She chuckled.
"He's a good man and one of the only people I can trust anymore." Refuted Aaron while pulling the rag away that covered his face to reveal a frown.
"And I am not anymore?" Asked Amira in a dejected tone as she paused her search through the papers.
Aaron did not respond. His cold blue eyes only sharpened their gaze as if piercing completely through the dark veil that Amira wore.
Amira's bright violet eyes matched this gaze and did not falter. If one could see the unseen, then a silent war between the two would be heating the tense atmosphere around them.
However, unlike the past, Aaron was the first to retract his glare.
The man was currently conflicted with his other doubts still clouding his mind, which shook his usual unwavering resolve.
"I guess some things have changed." Disappointedly commented Amira as she waved her tan hand over the table.
"So did you just come here to glare at me or what?" She asked in frustration at the complex man in front of her.
"I'm not sure..." Replied Aaron with his doubts now clearly painted on his face.
Before, he was required to stow away his emotions while in front of his people or the kids, but now they were not here. He had once done the same in front of Amira, but at this point, he felt as if he no longer could continue this game.
He hated to admit it but the return of his brother was weighing more on him than he had initially realized. And it was of course even more so now that his rebellion was on the verge of fizzling out.
"Aaron... You know it's the only way now. We don't have enough people to completely control the aftermath. If we-"
"I'll do it." Decidedly responded Aaron in the midst of her persuasion.
He was unsure who he could trust apart from his orphan family and Marcus, but deep down, he hoped that he could truly find what he sought the most in Amira right now. They were only engaged for political purposes like the nobles he despised, but he wavered at that moment.
"Then the time to strike is now." Firmly stated Amira in content as she slammed her tan fist down on top of the papers.
"Let in your men. We'll discuss the details in full immediately." Amira announced.
At the alleyway Strom was beginning to worry. It had been a while since his brother had entered the mercenaries' manor and he had been itching to follow after him right from the very start.
If it wasn't for the kids and the warrior next to him, he would have already done exactly that.
However, the suspense was ended as he saw his brother returning back from the manor's gates.
"So?" Questioned Strom as he pushed past the warrior that was still trying his best at restraining the roman soldier.
"Let's go. We are gonna discuss our next step." Instructed Aaron with a cloudiness still apparent in his usually piercing blue eyes.
Strom noticed the change in his brother but decided to mention nothing of it.
'When he is ready, he'll come to me.' He decided.
The group followed Aaron into the hall where they met Amira.
Although now, the hall was bustling with mercenaries following the orders and directions of their captain at the other end of a long table.
"Hey, what's happening right now?" Murmured Strom over to Marcus who was beside him.
"Looks like they're getting ready for war." Answered back Marcus.
"Yeah... But with who?" Muttered Strom in confusion.
'Which side are they really on? Who are they really trying to face? The empire? The slums? Or is it the kingdom?' He wondered.
"Trust Aaron. He knows what he's doing." Faithfully stated Marcus.
Strom glanced back towards the figure of his brother in front of them. The slum king had removed his hood and rags that had hidden his face and walked over to Amira across from them.
Amira finished ordering around her mercenaries and finally turned towards the group.
"This is all you could manage? Seriously Aaron?" She whined to the man next to her.
Aaron could only offer a slight smile from the edge of his lips while scratching the back of his blonde head.
Massaging her temple, Amira gestured towards the group of misfits.
"I see some familiar faces... One I do not actually know yet. Although I'm sure we've met at least once before."
Strom stepped forward from the group while resting his hand on the sword attached to his waist.
"That's correct. We met only briefly in the prison at that time. I am Strom." He introduced.
"Strom?" Questioned Amira with slight surprise as she stole a quick glance towards Aaron who clearly fidgeted slightly at the introduction of his "lost" brother.
"That uniform is pretty familiar... What's a Roman doing in here with his head still on his shoulders?" She questioned but without any malice.
"You could say that it's personal." Strom summed up without the intention of revealing any hidden agenda.
Amira's eyes narrowed as she studied the roman before her differently from before.
"I can vouch for him." Stated Marcus as he stepped forward as well.
Aaron's eye twitched slightly after seeing his most trusted friend, who could have even been seen as his brother's replacement, step forth.
"That's alright. As long as he supports the cause then that's all that matters I suppose..." She finished the topic quickly after noticing Aaron's apparent agitation.
"So these are the kids you had mentioned about."
Amira's gaze drifted from the two men that had stepped forward and rested on the three kids behind them.
"I'm not a kid! Uh ma'am... Respectfully..." Trailed off Sigexe as he felt a chill run down his spine after catching a piercing cold gaze from beside Amira.
"Look Jin! I told you! Isn't she gorgeous!" Excitedly chattered Seri to the other child who had his face buried in a book as always.
Amira waved her hand and a mercenary quickly arrived next to her.
"Don't worry, you'll be safe here in this manor. Follow Maris, she'll show you to your room." Motioned Amira to the female mercenary beside her that wore the similar black robe like uniform.
Once the children exited the hall, business unfolded.
A map of the palace and its close surroundings covered over the papers on top of the table.
"Here we will need a distraction. My mercenaries can buy us enough time so that our group can slip past and into the council room. While we do that, another group including Strom, Marcus, and some of my men, will infiltrate the throne room and gain us some key hostages. Does everyone understand their roles?" Amira finished her plot.
Marcus grunted at the other end of the table with apparent displeasure.
"Marcus what is it?" Asked Aaron.
"Why do I have to go to the throne room? Can't I go with you sir?" Questioned Marcus with anxiousness at the thought of parting from his friend and king.
Aaron sighed at the warrior's display of stubborn loyalty.
"Because, we need-"
"Actually, I was thinking around similar lines as Marcus." Interrupted Strom.
"From what Amira has gathered, most of the guards will be surrounding the council room... You'll need the extra muscle there." Inferred Strom.
Aaron clicked his tongue at his brother's interference but Amira handled it instead.
"What did you have in mind?" She suspiciously questioned the roman.
"I understand that we are operating with a fairly undesirable amount of people here... But it can still be accomplished. However, the most important thing when operating with a small group is the chemistry. Without that it will inevitably fail." Explained Strom.
"This is true... And your suggestion?" Nodded Amira reluctantly.
"My brother and I clearly have some issues that need to be sorted out... That is between him and I. But we can't allow such things to get in the way of such a plan. We can talk about it later Aaron." Stated Strom while glancing toward his brother with a serious look.
"But until then... I think it is wiser that Marcus and I trade spots. He will go with you and Aaron. I can handle the hostages even on my own. You can leave one of your mercenaries or two with me if trust is the problem. But right now, manpower is the main issue. You guys will need everyone you can get if you're gonna face the whole council." Finished Strom.
"That does make sense." Agreed Amira as she turned towards Aaron.
Aaron lifted his gaze from the map before them and met Amira's eyes.
"It's fine." Was all Aaron could mutter when pestered by his violet eyed companion.
"It's settled then. Everyone go and get some rest. Tonight we will commence the operation." She announced while raising her fist up into the air.
Strom and Marcus followed some mercenaries who guided them to their quarters. Of course, this was against Marcus's protest upon his separation from Aaron.
Amira had ushered the warrior to calm down stating that, "Who could Aaron be safer with around here other than with myself."
As the noise inside of the mercenaries' manor quieted down, Strom rolled out from his bed silently and approached the open window across the room.
Marcus's loud snoring in the bed behind him confirmed the warrior's sound sleep.
Continuing over to the windowsill, Strom rested his arms and peered out towards the palace.
'It'll all be decided after tonight.'
He was still concerned about the broken bond his brother and him needed to repair but he knew that it was possible to resolve. Trust and suspicion were born of similar nature after all.
But what will they do after this war is over? Strom was now a part of the roman military. His life was decided not completely by his own hands, and Aaron was clearly still tied to this kingdom.
Strom sighed while slicking his hair back with his hands.
'We're both adults now... It was inevitable that our paths would eventually diverge. But is this really for the best?' He wondered.
Either way, as long as Aaron was still his brother, Strom was willing to support him no matter his choice. Whether that was to remain here with Amira or follow Strom back to the empire. Although he didn't trust this Amira but if that was what his brother decided...
He could only hope that by the time that decision came, his brother would have forgiven him.
The near silent rustle of wings sounded out next to the window.
Strom looked out above the manor and caught the glimmering object dropped towards him.
The insignia of his commander's legion was carved into the glazed wooden capsule that he found in his hands.
Cracking open its seal, Strom removed the small slip of parchment and read its contents.
"The day of that decision is coming a lot sooner than I anticipated..." He murmured quietly as he lit the small slip into flames with a jolt of electricity from his fingertips after confirming its message.