Two days have passed. The citizens have gotten back into their day-to-day life completely. Johan's legion has decided to leave one day sooner. Harold and Blick walked the halls as they spoke.
"We will be leaving tomorrow." Harold said.
"Leaving earlier?" Blick asked.
"I have sent scouts out, and they saw no armies or other legions." Harold explained.
"Oh good." Blick said.
"I do have to warn you about the man you pulled from the street." Harold said.
"Daniel?" Blick asked.
"Yes, something felt off about him." Harold said.
"I understand how you feel, but I gave him a full interview. He is brilliant and conveys himself well. He also comes from a family from the North, near the mountains." Blick said.
"What was his last name?" Harold asked.
"Volts." Blick answered.
"Hmm... Never heard of them." Harold said.
"I, personally, have never been North." Blick said.
"I have been all over. But I also don't remember every lord and lady I meet." Harold said.
"You would have to be a genius to remember all those people." Blick said.
"That is true. And I am not." Harold said with a chuckle.
"When you depart, I send a letter to King Johan, telling him it is safe for my siblings to come home." Blick said.
"This place is a lot better than I thought. I hope you can keep it this way." Harold said.
"Me too." Blick said.
"Would you like to get a drink?" Blick asked.
"Sure, I would like that." Harold said, "We can walk to the tavern."
The men walked to the bustling street, where people were selling all kinds of things. The soldiers were laughing and drinking in the tavern. The two men sat down at a table and ordered their drinks. The bar was packed and rowdy. The sun only just set, but the night had already begun. The two men got along quite well and spoke about many different topics. Blick admired Harold's intelligence and his battle tactics. He had been through many battles and always came out victorious. They spent hours talking and drinking, forgetting the time. The knights at the next table were all drunk and having a blast. With the feeling of security, the knights on watch got lazy. The knights were in a drunken stupor and were celebrating their last night in Wetherden.
[Author's note: Opius is a lord of a city/region under the empire and rule of King Johan. Like Kael, he thinks he is a king.]
Lord Opius ruled over a small city in the South, near Wetherden. It was known for its lush vineyards and orchards. It was a peaceful and prosperous place. One day, Lord Opius was out riding in the countryside with his son, Sage. Sage was a handsome young man, with rich black hair and emerald green eyes. He had a muscular build and was tall. The father and son were riding their horses on the outskirts of the city.
"Father, can we talk?" Sage asked.
"Yes, son?" Opius said.
"Why have you gathered all of the military?" Sage asked.
"We are going to war soon, son." Opius vaguely stated.
"Will I be joining our forces?" Sage asked.
"Hmm... I think about it." Opius said.
"Imagine the glory, Father. Sage Opius, prince of Ivorius, victorious in battle." Sage said.
"I see you're excited." Opius said.
"Excited is an understatement." Sage said with a smile.
The father and son continued on their ride and looked at the beautiful landscape around them. Sage thought about joining the military, and it seemed exciting. He had been training with his father's army since he was young, but he had never been on a real battlefield. His father was a respectable and well-known lord, but he had no real power or influence over the kingdom. Ivorius was one of the most prosperous regions in all of Elysian. They rode to an old temple and tied their horses to a pole outside. The stone walls creaked, and dust scattered as they opened it. Sage walked up to the statue while Opius looked around. The statue was of a man with open arms. In his left hand he held a vine with grapes, and in the other a dagger. Sage inspected the statue and was amazed to see such a beautifully crafted marble statue.
"What is this place?" Sage asked.
"A long time ago, before Ivorius was a city, it was a temple. The people used to worship here." Opius said.
"I see." Sage said, continuing to inspect the statue.
"His name is Dragnos, a god of fertility and war." Opius said, pointing to the statue.
"Interesting." Sage said, walking around the altar.
"Not of the Old Faith, but a newer god." Opius said, kneeling down in front of it.
Sage mimicked his father. They knelt in silence before leaving the temple. Sage stopped to look back at the temple. He noticed a small grin on the face of the statue that wasn't there before. He opened his mouth to speak, but the grin faded and Opius closed the door. The two rode back to their castle, and Sage went to bed. Opius called for his advisor, and they all gathered in his study.
"My Lord, we are ready to march to Wetherden, but there is something I need to tell you." Carl Timoon said.
"Oh?" Opius asked.
"Kael Yeal has been killed... by his son, Blick Yeal. My spy has told me that he... um..." Carl struggled to find the words.
"What is it?" Opius asked.
"He has powers. Unlike any they have ever seen." Carl finally said.
"Explain." Opius said.
"It was not Energy, but something else. King Johan was there but he should be leaving soon, and we won't see him." Carl said.
The door opened widely, and the smell of alcohol flooded the room. A bald man in a brown coat stumbled around until he fell into a seat.
"Kyle! What are you doing here?" Opius asked, completely surprised to see him.
"My Lord, I have an idea." Kyle said with a drunken slur.
"What is it?" Opius asked, slightly irritated.
"I heard *burp* that he has something that we do not. What if we target his family?" Kyle said.
"How? They will be inside the hall." Opius said.
"They aren't." Carl and Kyle said.
"What? Where are they?" Opius asked.
"In the capital." Carl said.
"WRONG!" Kyle shouted.
"What do you mean?" Carl asked sternly.
"They never made it to the capital." Kyle said with a drunken smile.
"You... have them?" Carl hesitantly asked.
"May*burp*haps..." Kyle said.
"Where are they now?" Opius asked.
"Oh my King, do not fret. Leave the rest to me." Kyle said.
"What do you need?" Opius asked.
"Twenty knights and mead." Kyle said.
"Okay. But we will still march to Wetherden tomorrow." Opius said.
"I'll leave tonight then. Or...*laughing* I got it! After the fall! HAHAHA!" Kyle said, slowly walking out of the room.
Carl and Opius stared at each other.
"Where in the world did you find that man?" Carl asked.
"It's a long story." Opius said with a sigh.