"Why? There are many reasons why Eredar wants to dip its toes in our country, Ayla. Wealth, land, resources, you name it." Acrisios finished eating and took a gulp of his mead. "Although Blackwater is distant enough to shield us from any unexpected attacks, mere distance isn't too big a problem if Eredar finds something interesting in our country."
Ayla thought for a moment before asking uncertainly. "Is this something to do with Mastaba?"
The king shook his head. "No. Their empire alone must have at least half a dozen ruins themselves. Wailmastaba can't be why they are showing interest."
The princess was at a total loss. "Then why would they even bother?"
A sigh left the man's mouth, but it was Sevaran who responded. "Because of the Northern Empire."
"Those brutes? How?"
"I've fought against those men myself." Severan started, quickly gobbling down his food. He showed no princely manners whatsoever. "Each of them has powerful bodies, and although not nearly as powerful as a Recen's body, they still are vicious foes to face in battle. What's more..."
Taking a deep breath, the prince continued. Although he seemed shaken by something, his voice remained unwavering. "Their magic is something to fear. Their ecclesiastical magic razes armies off the face of the earth."
"Is it something this fearsome?" Ayla asked half-heartedly, already knowing the answer to her question.
Acrisios nodded in the prince's stead. "Yes, those barbarians focused their magic solely toward large-scale battles. On an individual level, a ten-year-old of ours can wipe the floor with them, but when they link their spells..."
"...it becomes a force to be reckoned with," Acrisios finished, his voice laced with concern. "Their ability to harness the collective power of their magic is a formidable advantage. It's a strength that Eredar fears."
Ayla nodded gravely, a spark lighting up deep inside her gaze. "So, Eredar wishes to use us to defeat the empire."
"That seems to be the case," Acrisios answered, rubbing his chin.
It makes perfect sense, Ayla thought as she leaned back into her chair. 'If fear drives Eredar, then, of course, they would resort to any length to dispatch the Northern Empire.'
As he finished eating, Acrisios got up from his seat. "I'm glad we could share this meal, my children." He said with a fake smile before continuing. "Alas, there is much to do, so I will be the first to take my leave..."
Ayla already filtered out the useless words spewing out of her father's mouth. 'Why are you talking so much?'
"...Ayla, and you too, Severan. An envoy from Eredar is supposed to arrive sometime in the next few days. Don't do anything to disgrace our family."
Shooting a last glance at his muscle-head son, the king left the dining chamber leaving behind his children and a few servants.
"I do wonder how strong you've gotten, sister. It's been six years since we've last sparred."
It seemed like Acrisios' words entered Severan's ear and out through the other as the prince locked gazes with Ayla.
"Find someone else to fight, brother. I'm not interested in fighting you." The princess' curt response deflated her brother's excitement.
"What? Why not?"
Ayla sighed and asked as she rose from her seat, preparing to return to her chambers, to the library, or even the academy. "Is fighting against your younger sister something a prince would do?"
Sevaran raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you care about stuff like this?"
"Hmm, ever since I grew up?"
Sevaran sighed, reminiscing about the times when this sister of his was young enough to accept mock fights. In the end, the prince could only sigh and nod. "Maybe I'll follow your advice, sister. If you wander into the training grounds, make sure to watch me. Maybe you'll even see something that you like."
***
Alex stepped into Violet's office, the door swinging shut behind him. The room exuded an aura of temptation while, at the same time, exuding a conservative feel, the room's bright violets and blues and elegant furnishings creating an atmosphere perfect for contemplation and "fun times" every now and then.
Alex ignored all this and approached Violet's desk, her presence conservative for the owner of such a tempting locale.
Reia entered the office, too, clearly called in by Violet, but Alex didn't mind it. If he was honest, he never understood why Violet had someone attend their conversation besides them. 'Maybe she is afraid?' Alex had a passing thought but soon discarded it. If Violet was indeed afraid of him, she would bring in guards, not whores.
"I'm assuming you learned something?"
Violet looked up from her work, her eyes crinkling with a coquettish smile as she acknowledged Alex's arrival. Her desk was adorned with stacks of papers neatly organized, which was a surprise to Alex. He didn't know why he was surprised, but he never thought the owner of a brothel could have ordinary qualities like this.
She gestured for Alex to take a seat in the plush chair placed opposite her.
Violet's gaze lingered on Alex as he sat down, her keen eyes taking in his demeanor.
"That bunch of ragtag motherfuckers are holed up in some abandoned mineshaft east of here, deep into the woods."
Violet straightened out when hearing these words and shook any playful expression off her face. "Mineshaft? The Moonmares are controlling every mining operation around here."
Alex shrugged and shook his head, trying to forget a particular disgusting image from his mind. "Maybe they didn't know about this particular mineshaft?"
"Possibly," Violet agreed and continued after noticing Alex's disgust when addressing these thugs. "What happened for you to hate these bastards?"
"Besides being a bunch of fuckers and full-time annoyances? I don't know, killing a twelve-year-old girl?" Alex spat with disgust. "They probably did more to that girl, and I don't want to think about it."
Reia suddenly gasped from his back. "Oh no. Elise?"
Violet's expression crumpled upon hearing Alex's words. "Rei, did you know this child?"
Reia nodded sadly. "A few days ago, an acquaintance said her daughter went missing... Poor child."
Violet sighed and turned to Alex. "Could you have done something to stop them from murdering that child?"
Alex shook his head. "When I arrived near their hideout, those bastards were already disposing of the corpse. Threw the kid into one of the open mineshafts."
"Bastards." Violet cursed as the office went silent for a few long seconds before the owner spoke again. "I don't care anymore about what you have to share, Alex. Tell me can you take care of them, or should we take this matter to the guards?"
"It shouldn't be a problem for me. I'll do it." Alex nodded and stood up.
The sun was already close to setting, which was the perfect time for cleaning up the trash. Without even talking about his final pay, the Recen left the office.
The moon cast a pale glow through the dense canopy of trees as Alex cloaked in shadows, approached the location of the abandoned mineshaft.
He hadn't meticulously planned his assault, nor did he spend too much time finding the thugs' numbers. He saw what those bastards did to that poor child and almost lost his shit. He only held onto his wits until he reached their hideout after following two thugs back.
His plan was simple. Get in, kill them all, and then earn his money.
The number of thugs didn't matter anymore. The moment he learned he would be fighting inside a mineshaft, he stopped caring. So what if 100 bastards are hiding inside? 200? He would only be fighting 5 at a time either way.
With each step, the Recen's emotions began churning. He never thought seeing the sight of a kid, who was completely unrelated to him, could affect him this much. Then again, maybe it was the bandit's nonchalance and disregard for their actions that truly angered Alex.
These fuckers knew that that young girl could do nothing to protect herself and still proceeded with their depraved actions. If Alex believed in anything, it would be evil should be met with an even greater evil.
He would not let these fuckers die a painless death.