Kingdom of Hallos, City of Beswind, Present day.
Xeto stood as he eyed every other members of the meeting.
One by one they were introduced by a minister. First was the owner of the Sovereign Tower, King Alvion. The gratuitous man had a belly full of food bought by tainted coin no doubt. He remained in his seat, standing with a gut like his was sure to stagger him if not aided. Second was Ara'koh's prince, Lanace Kainyst. Like many people of Ara'koh, he was dark-skinned and had a long face painted with arrogance. His smile perpetuated the thought of landing a good knuckle to his jaw. Third, was the king of Loradel himself. King Ered. The man was aged, his eyes sagged as if he was deprived of sleep. It must have been the cause of years of leading. Though there was still an ember in his eyes, almost like conviction. It was admirable.
Xeto smiled inwardly, never had he thought he'd share a room with the king himself.
"At his side, acting as temporary King's Shield, Rebecca Orvein, Knightess of Loradel's Demon-Hunt; Direwolf, rank Captain." The minister extended his frail arm to Rebecca.
Xeto nodded in approval as she stood upright by Ered, ever focused. She deserved nothing better, she was the best partner he could ask for. And the best…friend. The word felt distant at times. His own burden from pushing away her friendly advancements anytime her felt she was too close. These events would soon be behind them, he promised to himself that he would do something for her afterwards. Perhaps buy her a supply of meat tarts.
The minister jumped from Taloz then Kyone, giving them their respected introductions.
Xeto's palms felt damp as the royal-robed man flanked him.
He licked his wrinkled lips. "Lastly, I present Commander Xeto Alcazar, leader of the Demon-Hunt unit; Direwolf."
Xeto felt a small ember of pride ignite the applause grew. "I appreciate you all having me," he kept his voice firm. His morale quickly simmered down when he met eyes with the last member. Zuland.
The girl had shoulder-length golden hair tucked under the large fur collar of her coat. Underneath, she wore a skin-tight leather outfit with tidbits of armor on her gut and shoulders. She hadn't joined in on the applauds as she glared directly as him.
Xeto gulped hard, whatever beauty she may have had was drowned out by the fact that she was a whore of Zuland.
The tiny minster waddled over to her side. "Apologies, lady, my age betrays me." He gave a distressed bow. "Now truly the last member to grace us. I present Princess Sara, Heiress to the Zuland throne. At her side is her Queen's Shield, Myngelion." He quickly stepped away from the massive kasaber that displayed his teeth.
Sara's eyes ran across everyone in the room. "I extend my gratitude to you all for being present. More so to King Alvion for allowing us to congregate in his tower."
Xeto fought the urge to roll his eyes. He knew a rehearsed speech when he heard one. It was already apparent that she held some sort of distaste for him. Was she aware that he was one that killed Raikal and the other mutts of Blaika Keep? A savory nectar of delight flooded his mind, coming from the thought of her knowing it was him to put them down. Knowing she had to bite her tongue for the time being. Glare at me further, it was me that ended your useless men's lives.
"I second that," said King Ered. "Now then. Shall we begin?" He sat, palms up.
The prince Lanace seated himself. "Of course. Speak, lord."
The rest of the members nodded in approval as the sat.
King Ered clasped his hand in front of him. "I've trust you've all read my letter composed before our meeting? As you all know, there seems to be sparks between Zuland and my very own kingdom's Demon-Hunt. I'm here to bring the situation to the light and extend my arm in saying I have no interest in conflict. The Allied Kingdoms have remained as united power over a hundred years because of our unions. This continent of Eredia has known only prosperity since our pact of peace, and I would wish it would remain this way for generations to come."
An impossibility as long as Zuland remains. The Allied Kingdoms could move forward without those inbred cowards.
Ered cleared his throat yet his voice remained raspy. "I would also like to speak of an attempt on my life that occurred while on my trek to this very meet. I'd be a corpse if not for the bravery and skill of Captain Orvein here." He motioned towards Rebecca.
Sara raised a hand. "Were you attacked by the dead? Or rather, people that seem to puppeteer the dead?" Elbows on the table, she leaned into her interlocked fingers.
"Yes, lady. I was. I'm aware that rumors spread like embers on straw though how is it you were aware of that detail? I've yet to share it publicly."
Xeto grimaced as he looked into her cold emerald eyes. It was her. How else would she have known?
Sara remained silent for a moment. "On the day of my recoronation…an attempt was also made on my life. After the assassin was killed it took mere minutes for him to stand again. His features were far from what I would describe as human. Eyes bright like burning coal and fangs honed to the tip."
Xeto leaned forward in his chair, though did so slowly so he wouldn't show his rise of interest on the subject. It seemed that the dead returning to life was happening all over the continent, perhaps even the world. Shame that Sara wasn't taken by the dead's embrace.
"Quite interesting," said Ered as he rubbed at his chin. His glance shot over to Taloz and the rest of the Demon-Hunt. "General. What more do you know of this?"
Taloz sat upright. "Lord King. The Demon-Hunt has met with this unknown calamity multiple times." He narrowed his gaze. "But lord, how is it you've only heard of this? I myself sent letters of these events for the past month to your advisors which in turn should have informed you."
The words seemed lost to Ered as he nodded 'no'. "I've no letters or reports. You must understand, my advisors only forward events of upmost importance to me. If word has failed to reach me, it is because it's merits are not of dire importance."
Taloz turned a shade pink. "Sir? Refugees arrive by countless numbers to our outposts. Word of more demon sightings by the day."
Ered tapped a finger on the table. "I do believe one such letter did arrive; I also remember that half of its contents were overruled by stain and stench of ale. The claims sounded like that of a drunkard, furthermore I do believe that letter had no seal."
"I—must have…" Taloz shrunk into his chair as he bit his fingernail. "Apologies, my king. I must have—"
Sara stood from her chair with a glare aimed at Taloz. "May I urge that we speak of the matter that ignited this meet?" She turned to Ered, her frown lightening. "King Ered, I mean no offense, but your matters are yours to resolve outside of this meeting. I wish to speak on what we will do to so that my dead receive justice."
Justice!? Xeto fought the urge to voice his thoughts, biting the inner part of his lip. Her men received what they deserved. Death. A much-deserved justice after what they did. The image of Petra found itself poisoning his mind again.
Taloz too grew a deeper red yet remined with his lips locked.
Ered put up a hand. "You've been heard, Lady Sara. Please, take a seat. Forgive me, I will speak of your matter now."
Forgive!? How could the King, the leader of all Loradel allow this tyrant to raise her voice in his presence? Xeto shook the foul thoughts away. The man was wiser than himself, and it seemed he also had a grasp on his emotions. That must have been it, the man was simply calm and grounded, nothing more. Xeto slowed his breathing as he tried pushing down the magma of growing anger. A feat made more difficult wish Sara's newfound satisfied grin. Calm down. It'll be resolved. He won't allow her to get her wish. He can't.
Sara pulled her chair in as she sat.
Ered folded his hand in front of himself once more. "I bring into the light the matter of Zuland's losses. Specifically, the death of Zuland soldiers."
"Murder," altered Sara.
Ered sighed. "Yes. Murder. Xeto Alcazar," he called without turning, his eyes locked on the table. "My intelligence tells me that a battalion of Zuland men were stationed in a village not far from your outpost. Regrettably, the reports I've read also state that the men were killed by a Demon-Hunt commander. Killed by you. Is this true?"
Xeto swallowed but if felt like he had just gulped sand. All eyes were now on him. "It is," he confirmed in a low voice. A curtain of shame draped over him. But why did he feel this way? He did nothing wrong. That's right, all he had to do was explain. "Lord, if I may explain the event—"
"You may not," interrupted the king. His hung low, like that of a disappointed father.
Rebecca's worried eyes jumped from himself and Ered.
Taloz raised a hand. "I urge that you listen to his claims, my king. I remind everyone that this is not a trial, it is a meeting where we all share a voice."
Xeto felt a warmth from his General's words. A newfound morale slowed the pace of his heart.
Ered nodded. "Proceed."
Xeto smiled inwardly as he noticed Sara's discomfort of his approval. "Lord, I traveled to Hansel in response to the threat of demons, as is my duty. I was met with both demons and undead upon arrival. The men of Zuland were killed by those demons. After the threat was extinguished, a group of Zuland soldiers arrived and accused my Hunt of murdering the men." His words were now laced with confidence. "In his rage, the Zuland commander killed one of the villagers in cold blood. I did what had to be done to protect the people of the village."
Sara's chest rose and fell rapidly. "You lie! My men would not kill unprovoked." She pointed an accusing finger at him.
Prince Lanace nodded in agreement. "I can vouch for the men of Zuland, King Ered. They are honor-bound men with healthy ambitions."
Alvion put up a sausage-sized finger. "I will add that I've allowed for Zuland troops to remain within my city's walls and have not had a single claim of unruly behavior.
Xeto's ears grew warm. You gods damned bootlickers. He remembered what Diala and Kis had mentioned. That of Hallos' trade with Zuland. The fat piece of lard was simply looking out for his profits, nothing more.
Ered put up a hand. "Xeto. You say you did as your duty commanded. Remind me, when is it the place for a Demon-Hunt knight to take the role of executioner? More so, you were operating within the borders of Zuland. Jurisdiction falls to them."
Xeto's mind was a pool questions and uncertainty as the familiar curtain of shame returned. "King Ered—"
Taloz jumped to his feet as he slammed his fists into the table. "Enough of this!" Sweat rolled down his crimson-colored face, veins protruding below his headband. "This whore sent an armor-clad demon that nearly killed my son! Where's my justice!?"
Ered raised his hand. "Taloz—you will calm yourself or be removed."
"King, I cannot! My son lays in a bed back in Lunodio—I've no idea if he still lives with the injuries he sustained. Injuries from a an armored knight bearing Zuland's insignia!"
"Taloz! Seat yourself now, I will not ask again."
Sara sat up from her chair. "Is this the best hold you have on your men, King Ered? I tire of seeing you truss yourself into arguments with men that know nothing of loyalty. My word now comes as a warning. Zuland will take the murders of its soldiers as an act of war. I assure you there will be retaliation."
Ered now wore a mask of irritation. He first looked to Sara. "You will not belittle me." His voice was lined with steel. "And you." He turned to Taloz. "You will find your seat."
Rebecca took a step forward. "Ered. I can second what both the Commander and General have said."
Ered gritted his teeth. "Everyone will be silent. What occurred in Hansel was out of my borders and as such was not for any to interfere with."
Sara motioned towards Lanace and Alvion. "We've all heard the stories of the Demon-Hunt's failures. I speak of course of the rogue unit that murdered an entire village and even went on to kill some of the Hunt's own men."
The other two leaders nodded pompously in agreement.
Sara's focus remained on Ered. "I assure you that I speak for my companions here when I say this alliance will not stand for a king and kingdom that cannot hold the reigns of its subjects."
Xeto joined the others, standing and leaning against the large table. He could feel heat coming from his ears and temples. "I protected innocents! I'm not the monster you paint me as. All Zuland has ever done is stomp over whomever it pleased in the name of order or justice. No more!"
"Silence!" Ered's frail frame trembled with fury. "I will show that I am not a man whose decisions are dictated by my peons, rather the opposite. I assure you, I wish for peace, not war. Now then, Lady Sara, what is it you desire to avoid further conflict? To prove that rumors of weakness are just that, rumors."
Xeto's mind was light, his body stiffened. It was the same feeling one felt right before waking from a nightmare. Why's wasn't waking from it? How could this be reality? It couldn't be. There was so much more that needed to be addressed. Crimes that Zuland needed to answer for.
Sara snickered. "You still ask? I believe the solution is apparent." She pointed to Xeto. "I demand that Xeto Alcazar be executed."
Ered nodded without hesitation. "Your demand will be granted."
Xeto blinked rapidly to no avail, there was no waking from this terror.