Keldall stood. "You take care of your wife. I'm going home to meet my father."
Deridiv also stood. "Why don't you stay for a few days. We haven't met each other for a while since you started your expedition against the Grimm empire."
Keldall frowned. "My spies told me that they are going to use the Blitz Cannon. If it's true then I cannot fight them by myself. I need reinforcement. And I need a lot of them."
Shaking his head, Deridiv took a breath and sighed. "Maybe we shouldn't have broken the peace treaty."
"They're the ones who attacked first."
"Don't tell me you believe that," Deridiv said. "Since the new emperor rose to the throne, he had been taking lands on all fronts. It might be because he wanted to surpass his ancestor. but I doubt that. He's onto something, Keldall. He has isolated almost every small town and village within the kingdom. For what? Why would he do such a thing."
Keldall looked at him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Deridiv, don't put your thought where it doesn't belong. We are a soldier. Our only job is to defeat the enemy." Keldall sighed. "I think too much battle has led your mind into this. Use these three months to take a rest with your wife. I don't want to say this, but father expects a few grandchildren from you."
Even if Keldall didn't say so, Deridiv already had the thought of having a few children. "I'll talk about it with Stedrin."
Keldall tapped his shoulder a few times. "Good. I'll take my leave. You sort your head in these three months, okay?"
"I'll do what I can. Tell father I treat his daughter like a queen."
Keldall smiled. "Sure do." He opened the door. "No need to escort me. Stay here and wait for your wife."
"Alright," Deridiv said, watching Keldall exiting the room and then closing the door.
Deridiv fell on the sofa and sighed. His eyes were on the ceiling, looking at all the complex patterns that created myriads of mythical creatures. They depicted dragons soaring through the clouds, a white tiger towering over a mountain, and all the other fantastic creatures that were destined to be stars among others. On the other hand, below the clouds, and under the mountains, tiny humans kneeled to these godlike creatures.
With a sweep of a paw or a breath of a nose, these insignificant humans could be torn to shreds. But what was interesting was that these creatures helped the humans instead. Filling the dry land with sea and animals with the flick of their fingers.
Such an interesting story, but it did nothing to relieve his restless heart. He felt hot and cold, like a storm brewing inside his mind. The armor that protected him from countless spears and blades could not stop the pain, reluctance, and doubt that his soul endured.
Knock! Knock!
Finally, the food had come. He stood again although somewhat reluctant to leave his comfortable sofa. But the delicacy will help to ease his burden. Probably. Approaching the door, he tried to inhale any scent so he knew what to expect. He had quite a sharp nose. Especially for food even if he had bathed in the blood of his enemies. It didn't weaken his favorite sense in any way. Yet, despite that, he did not get any smell from the other side. Though something caught his nose, it was something he was the most familiar with—metallic and rust.
It must be one of his men, but why were they here?
He opened the door and saw the armored man snap to attention.
"Reporting, sir."
"Nallil." Deridiv nodded. He was quite proud of this young man. Fifteen years of age yet he had already shown great skills in combat and leadership, so much so that Deridiv couldn't help but promote him to a sergeant. "What do you have for me, young man."
"Sorry to disturb you, sir. But information from the black scouts forces me to inform you."
Deridiv frowned. From the look and tone of this young man, the news he brought would not be good.
"What did they bring?"
The young man's eyes wavered, his expression showed hesitation and doubt. What was it that could make this young man falter before him?
"Sir... the rebel forces have taken three cities and twenty-four villages."
Deridiv was shocked by the news, but he didn't show it on his face. "What about the rebel civilians that flee from the fort?"
"They are not civilians, sir. They're well-trained men and women that act as bait for their ambush. Luckily, you didn't command us to chase them, sir."
"They're getting smarter," Deridiv said. "The three cities that they capture. What cities are they?"
"They're unnamed, sir. They are three of the many cities that the emperor has isolated."
"And the villages?"
"They are also part of the isolated group, sir."
So they were taking the small ones first. It seemed that he had underestimated them. Taking a city needs a thousand soldiers at a minimum to keep the civilians calm. This meant that the rebel forces had several to spare. Or they could have something worse in their arsenal—the heart of the people. If this was true, then not only they could refill their resources, but they could also replenish their army.
"Thank you, Nallil. You are dismissed."
The man snapped to attention before leaving.
He had to act. He needed to bring his army to attack. If he didn't, only the Eye of Fate knew what would come. But his promise...
"What's wrong, dear?" Stedrin walked along the hall with an oversize loose-fitting robe and a pair of cotton bunny slippers. Even though her clothes were loose, it still showed her curves which were gorgeous.
She tied her long wet hair as she looked at him with big round eyes. "Why are you ignoring me?"
"Just wondering why you took so fast. Last time I remember it took you from eel rise to eel bright just to take a shower."
"That's because you told me to hurry. Anyway, is the food ready?"
Suddenly a waiter appeared from the side of the hall, pulling a silver cart with a dome on top. As much as Deridiv wanted to know what was under that dome, he couldn't help but notice the man that pulled the cart. This was because the man had some muscles and build that no waiter usually had. Moreover, his clothes were a loose fit which made it hard to see, but Deridiv knew what was behind that fabric.
It was probably Stedrin's secret guard. Her father could be a little protective at times.
"It seems fate is on our side. Look, the food is coming."
"Perfect! Let's go inside and eat." Stedrin pushed him to the side and sat on the sofa. "Where's Keldall?
Deridiv sat next to her as he gestured to let the waiter in. "He left to report something to your father."
"I see." Stedrin turned her gaze to the plate that the waiter put on the table. She didn't care much about military affairs. In fact, she didn't care much about any affair. But Deridiv preferred it so. He wanted her to be free of such troubles, though the effect was that she didn't understand why he needed to be away from home for such a long time. In her words: Why can't everyone just stay at home and eat cookies, chocolate, and milk. What's the fun with taking cities and stuff.
Deridiv chuckled when Stedrin popped a chocolate ball in her mouth.
"What?" She said with a muffled voice as she chewed.
He had to tell her.
"Love," he said. The next word didn't come as he expected. His lips trembled and heat rushed through his head. No. He couldn't say it. He promised her. It had been a while since they met. He must not break the promise he just made. But what should he do? He couldn't let the rebel forces have their way. His father's teaching flashed in his mind: there are some things that need to be unsaid, son.
"What is it, dear?" Her voice pulled him out of his thought.
His heart stirred but he managed to let out a speech. "Why don't we take a walk." That was a mistake. Walking around in this forsaken land would burn the skin, scorch the throat, and dry the eyes. His recommendation to walk around was like inviting her to die.
"Walk around? In this lifeless land?"
As expected. Now he needed to say something to divert the topic.
"Of course not. I mean to walk around in the mansion." He laughed. Though his laugh seemed so fake and dry that made the desert look wet.
She looked at him with a questioning expression. His effort to divert the topic seemed to be futile.
"Dear," she said, her gaze turned to worry. "Why don't we go home and get some rest. I'm afraid the heat in this place has affected you."
"We have a pool," Deridiv said. He did a better job this time.
"That's good. We should play in the pool later," She replied.
"Alright." He took a bunch of food from the plate.
Stedrin cheered and merrily ate her food. He then started to talk about her life at home. It began with her talking about how fun it was playing with children. Good, at least she didn't hate children. Then she talked about how annoying parents are at limiting their children's playtime. It continued to how much chocolate she fed them and how she secretly took one of them at eel spark when the parents were sleeping. It seemed she had so much fun back home. Though, he needed to send a few letters of apology to the parents.
"So do you like children?" He asked.
"Of course! They're the most adorable thing! How can I not like them?"
Grace to the Eye of Fate! it seemed his father-in-law's wish would come true.
"Would you like to have a few?"
Stedrin dropped her food on the plate while her eyes widened with sparkles. That was one of the traits of having an affinity for the element of light. "I can have children?!"
"Of course. We can have one, two, or even three children."
"Let's make three!" She said.
"Okay," Deridiv smiled. This way she won't be all alone at home, and his father-in-law would be happy.
Sighing inside, he thought of his father. If he was still here, he would have been so proud. He shook the thought away. His father was a soldier, so lamenting his death was a disgrace. Instead, he should continue his legacy and lead the black legion to glory. And after that, he should give this position to his son before retiring to a small village with his wife. What a good life that would be.
She giggled. "Let's make one now."