Kingdom of Hallos, City of Beswind, Present day.
Anaria lost herself in the stars of the ballroom. She took a seat on the pristine tile, hugging her legs.
"You look delighted," said Roy as he rubbed her head. "So, what did the great Commander Xeto and you speak about?" He exhaled and took a seat beside her. "Nothing too private, I hope." He winked.
Anaria felt her cheeks warm as she nudged him. "Roy!"
"What?" he put his hands ups innocently as he chuckled aloud. "You're the one flushing crimson, little sylph."
She returned him a smile. "You never change."
"Implying the need?" He leaned further back as he stretched.
A pair of royal guards walked into the large room and paid them no attention as they took positions on each side of the door that led to where the meeting was being held.
"If you really want to know, he told me about some of his time as a soldier." Her chest fluttered when she thought of him. The memory of his smile etched into her mind.
Roy looked to her; his eye wide. "Oh? I didn't think he'd mention that to you. It was much to deal with, I know I wouldn't be able to pull off such a feat. At least not yet."
Anaria nodded in agreement as she smiled. "Yes. It must have been hard for him."
"I don't doubt it." He continued as he kept his voice low. "I mean…to bed three women at once? That man is a beast!"
Anaria's carriage of thought came to a complete halt. "What?"
"That's what were speaking about, no?" He put up a hand and mimicked the motions of a painter as he pretended to paint an image. "Three women. One human, one kasaber girl, and one elven girl. They all waited in his tent, warming his linens and furs with their bare bodies. They wanted to show their gratitude for him protecting their village."
Anaria rolled her eyes. The tale was far from the truth, proven further by the impractical details. Though she simply remained quiet. Seeing what kind of farfetched ideas Roy could sew together was entertaining. "What then?" she asked, trying to sound perplexed?
Stoked by her false curiosity, he grinned. "Glad you asked. See it turns out that one of the women was actually married…"
Anaira lost herself in another of her brother's tall tales, picturing every detail to the grain. The world seemed to spin slower as she thought of how long they were all in the meeting. But there was no sense in worrying. Rebecca had assured that Xeto was free of any crime. She smiled. Once this is all over, maybe we can all spend a day in the city. No worries of dead coming to life. No Zuland soldiers. Just us four experiencing a day in one of the most extravagant cities I've ever seen.
"You selfish bastard!" Rebecca's voice boomed through the other end of the nearby door.
A second later the door slammed open as Xeto fell face first into the tile. His hands were shackled.
Anaria's skin felt uneasy as a horripilation of dread ran down her body. Her heart raced as she saw Rebecca red-faced with a river of tears running down her face.
"Get this—this coward out of my sight! Ered's orders. He's a traitor!"
Anaria and shared a glance, Roy's mouth agape. They quickly got to their feet as the royal guards from before lifted Xeto from his arms, a bleeding wound on his head.
"By your orders, Shield." They said as they yanked her friend away.
Roy ran up to the men. "Aye! What's going on here, lads!?"
"Stay back," they commanded as one out put his hand on his hilt.
Xeto turned back to them.
Anaria felt the pit in her chest grow as she saw that he wore the same mask of agony as he did before. "Xeto?"
"Don't fight. Let this happen," his voice lacked any soul as blood dripped into his flickering eye.
"You heard him," said the guard. "Stay your ground." He returned to Xeto and continued to pull him violently.
Anaria turned to the sound of Rebecca's muffled sobs.
Roy stomped on the ground. "What the blazes is happening?" He ran over to Rebecca who was now on the floor with her back to the wall.
Rebecca sniffled as she rubbed away her stream of tears only to reveal her bloodshot eyes. "They're going kill him—they're going to kill the commander."
A flood of fear overcame Anaria as Rebecca's fragile voice pulled on her heartstrings. This isn't happening. I couldn't be….
~~~
The trio found a spot in the outer courtyard away from any guards or servants. The grounds looked like more than a garden than anything. Trees spread about with leaves fluttering to the ground. Large flowerbeds surrounded by a stone perimeter. And a series of white fountains with glass-clear water. Birds chirped happily within the canopy despite the dour situation they found themselves in.
Rebecca paced circles around the tree. "We need to find a way to free the commander." Her eyes were free of tears and her cold voice erased any evidence that she had been weeping.
Roy was leaned against the trunk. "That we know, lass. But we don't have the numbers." He rubbed his brow. "Gods. Why must these things always happen?" he said aloud with an exasperated breath.
Anaria continuously twirled her finger around a single strand of hair. "What did Xeto say again?" she asked, as if hearing the answer would somehow change the outcome they were given.
Rebecaa landed a blow on the trunk of the tree, causing a downfall of leaves. "I can't believe I trusted King Ered. This is all my fault." Her eyes blinked rapidly, as if waking from a trance. She frowned as she met Anaria's eyes. "I'm sorry, Anaria. Xeto wants us to let him die so we could live. That was the only option those swine-humping nobles gave him. Don't they see that there's something more happening here?"
Anaria shrunk as she rested on her knees. The aroma of the nearby flowers would normally have been a blessing to the senses. But the situation seemed to have numbed everything in her body. "Is there anyone that can help us?"
"No," answered Roy, defused of his usual buoyant charm.
Rebecca ran her fingers through her hair, scratching her scalp. "Aiding us would mean death. No one would help us willingly if it meant they too would be turned into criminals."
"Then why not ask someone who's already a criminal?" the sudden croaky voice came from their flank.
The trio turned in unison to find a man with sun-kissed hair and beard. He walked with the help of an old wooden crutch.
Rebecca stepped forward. "Commander Cerlaus," she said rigidly.
"You know him?" asked Roy, his eye leaping from the man and back.
"He's King Ered's Shield."
Anaria felt a stone in her throat. No. He's going to inform—
"How much did you hear, Cerlaus?" continued Rebecca, the venom in her voice increasing.
"Every word. Every syllable." His face was calm. Too calm for the situation he was found in.
Rebecca pointed a finger at the man. "Your king made a mistake. I've given everything for Loradel. I won't see my Commander hang." She reached for her revolver.
"Don't," ordered Cerlaus.
To Anaria's surprise, she did, though her scowl remained.
"Is this commander the same one you spoke of before?" He tilted his head.
Rebecca remained silent, tongue in cheek.
"I have no interest in fighting you, Captain Orvein. My life, and Ered's, are owed to you. If you plot to free your commander, leave out any intent of harm towards the king. That is the first instruction I urge you to follow, otherwise you and I will be enemies."
"That'd be your choice," she finally said.
Anaria walked up and wrapped her sweat-dampened hands around Roy's arm who' focus was on the Cerlaus. "Would you really let us free Xeto?"
The injured commander shot her a glance. "A life for a life. A debt is owed. I won't aid you, nor will I attempt to stop you."
Rebecca took a step closer to the man. "Why are you doing this?"
Cerlaus lowered his head as he ran a hand across his chest. "These injures weren't caused by man or animal. You know this." He brought his head up. "I saw my men wake from death, an impossible feat. I know that Loradel has enemies that lurk in the shadows. Ones that have yet to fully reveal themselves. I was unable to stop the attack on the water." He pointed at Rebecca with a raise in his stature. "But you…you were able to fend off waves of undead without struggle. I have hope that what Loradel needs more than anything right now is the Demon-Hunt. It needs Direwolf."