"I heard the Thelvonas are already making their move", Talia said.
The vassals gathered in an underground base, as they exchanged information they gathered over time.
"Not only them, the Grindines also", Rai added.
"Well, there is a shift in the balance of power now that Camilla has a complete set of vassals", Verner said.
"It's only normal to expect such response and disturbances", he added.
"What I'm scared of is this silence."
"There have been movements, but not enough to cause an alarm; it's almost like a calm before the storm", he said, with a pensive look.
Silence engulfed the atmosphere, as everybody wore a worried expression on their faces.
"Ahem..let's not ruin this moment of celebration with issues like this", Verner said, lightening up the mood.
"We can worry about this after the celebrations", he added.
"Right now, let's make our newest member feel welcomed", he said with a smile.
...
SOME OBSCURE LOCATION
"What do you mean she escaped", a voice screamed out.
"She was protected by vassals, your Grace", another voice replied, kneeling on a knee with head bowed.
"And are you not a vassal yourself?", the voice pointed out.
"Or do you deem yourself weaker than them?", the voice questioned further, as silence pervaded the arena.
"We have graced you with our powers..", the voice said, as a figure stood up, accompanied by a shuffling sound.
"And it's no small power we have graced you with, yet you dare bring failure to us?", the voice roared, as a low rumbling could be heard.
"You deserve DEATH!!!"
Crackle!!
Lightning struck the arena at such utterance, illuminating the premises for a moment; giving a show of power of the figure who spoke.
"Perhaps, he could redeem himself..", a different voice interjected softly, giving off a female essence; joining the ongoing event.
"There is no redemption for failure", the first voice overruled, as the rumbling grew louder.
"My Lord, I believe he can still be of use to you..", she countered, standing up.
"As the saying goes, a living dog is better than a dead lion; let him be a dog, as he has fallen from the pedestal and rank of a lion", she added.
"So my Lord and my Love, redemption is still valid in his case", she said, looking down at the figure judgement was being passed to.
"Hmm..", the first heaved, taking in deep breaths as he pondered deeply.
"For the wishes of my Lady, mercy has found you..", he said after several minutes.
"As she said, you've lost your respect and ranks; but for the reason of past records, you shall live, but only live as a dog.."
"Now get out of my sight!", he ordered, as the figure left his presence.
"You!!..", he said, referring to a group at the side.
"Yes my Lord..", they responded, kneeling before his presence.
"No one angers a dragon, and goes unscathed."
"Meet Gruid for your mission briefing, and don't disappoint me", he said.
"You're all dismissed", he added, as the group left his presence.
"Doltana...", he mumbled to himself.
...
SEAN'S HOUSE
"I'm gonna get those bastards that did this to Leo", Tarry said to himself, as he settled down the bed, in the room Sean readied for them.
"You could save that anger and put it to good use tomorrow", Gunther's voice spoke with neutrality, as he laid backwards on his bed.
"But now, you rest..", he continued.
"We had a tough day today, and a tougher one ahead", he added.
"Hmph..", Tarry angrily grunted in response.
"Moreover, I really think we should check on that other kid we found with Leo.."
"He had less injuries than Leo, he shouldn't be in coma for this long", Gunther stated logically, as Tarry's thoughts tried to organize the information being fed to it.
"Infact, we should actually check on him today", Gunther said in conclusion.
"Hmm..", Tarry sounded, as he sat at the edge of his bed; pondering over Gunther's words.
"You're right", he said, agreeing with Gunther.
"Yeah, but we really have to sleep now.."
"We have just a few hours left, till we hit the road", he said, referring to the fast approaching day.
"Alright, let's go to sleep", he replied.
"In a few hours champ", he added, and not before long slept off.
"Stubborn wolf..", Gunther said, shaking his head, before going to bed.
...
CHRISTINE'S ROOM
Knock..
"You're expected at the table in 10 minutes", a voice rang from outside the room, jerking Christine from her nap.
"I'll be back to take you there in 7 minutes", the voice added.
"Seriously, 7 minutes to get ready?", she said quietly to herself
"Am I in soldier boot camp or what?", she added, hurriedly taking her toothbrush and paste, as she dashed for the toilet basin.
A minute later, scrambling through her new wardrobe, which was stocked with clothes of various designs and brands.
"What is she...a fashion designer?!", Christine said aloud, racking her brain on what to wear.
"Oh well, this would have to do..", she said, as she struggled into tight blue jeans, beneath a turquoise blue crop top, and a grey jacket to go with it.
"Just a touch of these..", she said, adding touches of powder on her face, and a few touches of red lipstick on her lips.
Knock..
"It's time to move", a voice said from the other side of the door.
"Yeah..a minute please", she pleaded, as jumped into a pair of white Nike canvas.
Carrying a long strap white handbag, she made way for the door.
Thud!
The slammed shut, as she came in contact with the source of the voice.
"Flint?!", she exclaimed, looking at the male in front of her.
"What happened to Dennis?", she inquired, folding her hands in front of her chest.
"He's been assigned to other duties", he answered.
"Camilla's doing..", he added with a smirk, avoiding the impending accusation.
"Alright, enough chit chat, let's go..", he said, cutting short any arising conversation, as he led the way.
...
DINING HALL
"Christine!..it's so good to finally have you join us..", Camilla said, at the sight of Christine.
Sitting at a very large table, sectioned away in an impressively large dining hall, was Camilla herself; as delicacies decorated the table.
Other tables hosted workers of different caliber, ranks, and sections of the mansion.
"Your Grace", Flint said with a bow, bringing Christine before her presence.
"Have a seat", she said, gesturing to Christine, before returning to take a bite out of her meal.
"Uhmm..."
"Oh, nevermind him", Camilla said referring to Flint, as Christine watched him leave.
"He'd join the others at their table", she added.
"It seems you've grown attached to him..", Camilla said with a sly smile.
"No..", Christine tried to protest, but her voice just seemed to die down.
"You should be careful though, he has a lot of fan girls..", she continued smiling.
"And I heard, they don't respond friendly to competition", she added.
"So, what would you like to eat?", she asked, raising her head from her food.
"Cheese omelette would be fine..", Christine replied.
"Rita!!!", Camilla hollered, as a maid walked briskly towards their table.
"Your Grace.."
"She would love to have a cheese omelette, with some cakes, and milk; add some wings, and bring me a Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte..", she ordered.
"We're celebrating", she said, smiling at Christine, whose mouth was wide open in surprise.
"Isn't that too much..", Christine said, almost in a whisper.
"Too much?"
"Oh please..", Camilla replied laughing, as the maid brought in their orders.
...
"They seem to be getting along fine", Palmer said, as she chunked down a nice slice of potato, from her fork.
"Surprisingly, yeah..", Falcone replied, sipping the contents of tea from his mug.
"At least she didn't cause trouble on her first day, like a certain someone..", Flint said, taking a huge bite into a turkey drumstick; his eyes trailing towards Falcone.
"And I heard that a certain someone was getting cozy with the package..", Talia said, chewing some salad, as all attention drifted towards Flint.
"Cough..spurt..need a glass of water..", Flint struggled to say, stretching his hand towards a glass; as he survived a food hazard, caused by Talia's words.
"I think it's time to put our table manners to use", a mature voice said, as an elderly man took a sip out of a glass of milk.
"And don't forget to be vigilant", he added.
"And put to stop our jealousy..", Flint added, after gulping down a glass of water.
"It's alright Talia, ignore him", Verner said, stopping Talia's attack, leaving her with a pout.
"Are we going to be responsible for her training?", Rai asked, referring to Christine.
"That's up to Camilla, but otherwise yes", Verner replied.
...
"How's the meal?", Camilla asked Christine, who quietly munched her meal.
"It's nice, very nice..", she answered, nodding her head to show emphasis.
"I'm glad you love it", she replied with a bright smile.
"I know you have a shit ton of questions to ask, so, I would love to hear them", Camilla said, with a straight face.
"Uhmm..if there is one", Christine began.
"It would be..."
"What exactly are Vassals?.."