When Zander returned back to the place where his alkarite stood with the grim reaper, she was pleased. Because to Aurora they was something unsettling about that grim reaper - perhaps it was because reapers are associated with the dead.
"Be very careful, human girl. Because next time you might not be so lucky." Lucas said, before he disappeared.
"Never mind him, he's grumpier sometimes." Zander told his alkarite. Aurora nodded at his words before she asked, "How did you two know each other?"
Zander exhaled, "It's a long story." he said removing his black long jacket.
"Is it to long to be told?" Aurora asked again.
Zander smiled, "No. But it's a tad perplexing for your understanding." He wore the jacket around her. The night air was just too chilly, and he wouldn't want his alkarite to freeze to death.
"Alright." Aurora said, glad of the comfort that Zander's jacket has brought. She hugged it closer to her body.
"What were you doing here by this time, Aurora." Zander asked.
Aurora pouted adorably, before she looked down.
"My papa, he...he said that he had lost something on this cliff. And, I wanted to search for it."
"What did he lose?"
"I don't know." she admitted innocently.
"So, you don't know what you are looking for?" Zander asked studying her closely.
"I know it sounds crazy, but my papa he's not sane and if I didn't go look for whatever he lost, he threatened to kill himself and I couldn't, I... I just wanted to --"
"It's alright." Zander said with a reassuring smile, as he brought her closer. He just couldn't believe how small and fragile she was. It makes him want to protect her at all time and at all cost.
"But, it was very reckless of you." Zander said still staring at her, even though her face was cast down.
"I know." she said barely in a whisper.
"Hey..." With his hand under her chin, he brought her face up.
"You are my alkarite. And I have to protect you, no matter how reckless your actions are."
The word 'alkarite' confused her, but the protection that she has heard, made her quite glad.
"What is...alkarite?" she asked.
"I'll explain on the way" Zander said, before he carried her up in his arms.
"What are you doing?" Aurora blushed hard.
"Do you want your legs to give out on you?" Zander teased.
Aurora shook her head, of course her leg has already started to ache. But she had no idea that Zander would have already noticed. Well...he did say that he will be protecting her.
*****************************
VALCROV
Micheal walked into his master's chamber, he bowed and said, "You sent for me, my lord?"
Asterd - the lord of Valcrov nodded, "I did. How are our armies building up?" he asked, staring at the laid out map of the whole six realms, that was on top of a certain table.
Micheal cleared his throat, "To be honest, my lord. Our armies, they don't measure up to the Third Battalion...we need more men," he admitted, "or you can reconsider what I'd said earlier on."
"Which is?" Asterd asked his eyes still glued on the map.
"Belay your intention of this war. It will not end well for us. The Great Impaler controls the most powerful army in the whole realm, we can't defeat him and you are aware of that." Micheal stated.
Asterd chucked, "This is what I like the most about you, you have enough intelligence for every situation. But in this situation, my boy...you are lacking."
"I don't understand."
"They are truths about the king's bastard that are yet to be learned of"
"What truths?"
"He is so much more than a feared war god, Micheal." Asterd said.
"My lord, you can be a little more specific" Micheal said.
Asterd looked at him and smiled, "Easy there, Micheal. Curiosity kills." then he added, "Prepare our men, we leave by dawn."
Micheal bowed, "Yes, my lord." and with that he left the chamber.
Asterd turned his eyes back at the map, "Your time is up, Thorne." he whispered.