Suddenly your door flies open.
Startled, you jump to your feet, reaching for a blade that has been gone for weeks. Elya pushes her way through, a grin plastered on her face. Clearly excited, she frantically motions for you to follow her.
"Arthur Hornraven! Arthur Hornraven! You're gonna like this! C'mon!" she exclaims excitedly.
You follow closely behind her as she darts back out of her room.
"What the hell's this about?" you ask, falling into line with her as she walks down the hallway, toward the entrance of the manor.
Elya says, "Okay. So I did some reading, and I also inquired with Moren's steward. I got a lot of shit to tell you about. First, about Moren. Did you know he's half Kantonian?"
"What? Why…" You narrow your eyes. And then you groan. "I'm not here to talk politics."
She shakes her head. "No… just… just pay attention. We finalized our deal. He said he'll provide half of his forces to our cause, of our choosing. The rest will remain in Krorid for defense. He also will recognize me as the legitimate ruler of Kanton and condemn Rade."
"And in return?" you ask as the two of you push through the doors of the manor, being met by a wave of heat from outside. Two Kroridian guards snap to attention as you pass. They're unarmored because of the heat.
Elya continues, saying, "In return, I'll recognize Kroridian independence. However… there's a caveat. Moren's related to us."
"What?"
"Dad's uncle—so I guess our great-uncle—is Moren's father. So we're technically… cousins. Or… second cousins. Something like that."
"Oh, lovely. So glad that we're related to him," you reply dryly.
Elya continues leading you through the courtyard, toward where the armory is located. The stone complex is to the direct left of the manor.
Your sister says, "He said that, once freed, our two nations will join as allies for as long as he stays on the throne."
The two of you enter the armory.
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