Vera and the girls had left the mansion as soon as they received information about when Sida Yaya, the daughter of the Sultan of Jubai, was leaving. Ankit had done an excellent job monitoring Sida. Once she snuck out of her room, she was immediately followed. With Vera accompanying them, they were able to conceal their presence completely from any prying eyes. Vera's curse allowed her to absorb or suppress different forms of energy and will, making them feel unseen, weak, or tired. The sin of sloth cast a gloomy shadow over her targets, rendering their presence barely perceptible.
With Vera's influence, they followed Sida to her meeting with Jo.
When they spotted him, both girls immediately recognized him.
"He's the man who saved us from the man with the eye patch," Thia explained.
"That man is Jo Kindel, son of Bale Kindel," Vera revealed.
Both girls were surprised at the revelation. They had encountered Gor, another of Bale's sons, during their mission in Omi. They both admitted he was incredibly strong—too strong. Neither of them felt confident enough to defeat Gor in battle, especially after their failed attempt a few months prior.
Now, they were staring at his older brother. There was no doubt Jo was even stronger than Gor. And there was also the man with the eye patch to worry about.
Once the girls explained everything to Vera, she decided to take extra precautions to avoid being detected. She spread the influence of her curse wider, and sure enough, she felt Mickey's energy hovering around Jo and Sida. It was as if Mickey was ensuring they weren't being followed.
"It's a good thing I came with you girls," Vera said. "Otherwise, you two would be in trouble."
Taking into account Mickey's presence, they managed to follow Sida and Jo undetected and finally arrived at the meeting location. Vera, however, didn't want to bring them too close. Her curse had limits, and though she could influence people's energy, many seasoned warriors could detect even the slightest changes in their surroundings, if it lingered around them for too long. She decided to keep a safe distance that allowed them to observe Sida and Jo's meeting without risking detection.
They took a position in an empty, abandoned high house with a clear view of the shack where Sida and Jo met someone.
All three of them watched from their vantage point, and that was when they saw him—the man Sida was meeting: General Farouk, the Commander of the First Sands.
Vera immediately shrunk her influence even further when she realized who they were dealing with.
"Are you certain we can't get closer?" Thena asked.
"It's a bad idea to bite off more than we can chew," Vera replied. "I've done my best to ensure we weren't detected on our way here. There are too many powerful people around, and I doubt I can fool them all. Keeping our distance is the smartest move."
"That man is General Farouk," she explained. "The strongest General among the Twelve Sands. It's said he's stronger than even the god Swords. I can't risk spreading my influence in his direction—he will surely detect us."
"But we can't hear anything," Thia complained.
"We don't need to," Vera said. "General Farouk is with the prince you seek. Once those two are gone, we'll meet him. I could take us now, but I doubt you want Jo Kindel to see you two."
"Absolutely not," Thena replied firmly.
"Then we wait. When the General is alone, we'll approach him."
They waited quietly, hidden in the shadows, until Jo and Sida finally left. Once they were gone, General Farouk began walking toward their high house.
When he arrived, his voice boomed. "I believe whoever you are, you can show yourself now."
Vera and the girls were stunned. Despite her efforts to suppress their auras, General Farouk had still detected them.
"Should we go out?" Thia asked nervously.
"There's no sense hiding anymore," Vera replied as she stepped out of the high house.
One of the General's guards immediately drew his weapon when all three women revealed themselves.
Vera spread her curse, causing the guards to feel weak and unwilling to fight.
General Farouk smiled as he sensed the change in the atmosphere. "Who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Vera Eryndril," she replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you, General Farouk."
Thia and Thena stood silently beside her, observing the man they had heard so much about.
So this is the man who is said to be stronger than those two, Thena thought.
She recalled her brief encounter with Hazel and Bale. She had never felt so insignificant before. Standing before them was like standing in front of immovable mountains. Those two were far stronger than she could imagine, and now, here she was, standing in front of a man said to be stronger than either of them.
"So, you know who I am," the General said. "Unfortunately, I don't know who you are. So I'll have to treat you like a threat."
"We've not come to fight, General," Thia said, stepping forward. "I'm here on behalf of the Queen of Eru. I need to speak to the prince."
"Oh, the Phoenix Queen?" Farouk raised an eyebrow. "Is this some kind of joke?" Farouk asked "Why would she send someone like you? Why not one of her pillars or another high-ranking member of Eru? Why send children to meet the monarch of a country?"
"You mean a runaway prince," Thena muttered.
"Shut up, Thena!" Thia hissed.
"My apologies for my assistant's rudeness," Thia said quickly. "Allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm Thia Artemisia, daughter of Queen Artemisia."
She displayed the insignia of the Eru royal family—a mark glowing faintly on her chest, bearing the symbol of the Phoenix Queen.
Farouk stared in surprise. He hadn't known the Phoenix Queen had a daughter, much less one this young.
"How are you the Queen's daughter?" he asked.
"I don't wish to explain now," Thia replied. "This is neither the time nor place for such details."
Farouk turned to his men. "Stand down," he ordered.
"Why do you seek the prince?"
"The Queen has asked me to negotiate the terms of an alliance with the Prince of Wize," Thia explained. "The late Queen was a citizen of our country before her marriage to the late King. The prince isn't just an important ally to Eru; he's also an important member of our nation. We want to help him reclaim his throne."
"You're playing your role quite well, Princess," Thena muttered.
"Shut up, Thena," Thia snapped.
Both girls were about to start another one of their fights when something drew everyone's attention. Every one of them felt, two powerful presence approaching, and in that instant, their gaze fell upon them, right above them.