"Reporting, sir, it happened when an Orinthalian arrived in the camp." An Alliance soldier knight reported. He looked up and glanced at the group of people who were sitting around a table which curved, forming a U and he was at the center of that said crescent table. But he didn't dare to maintain his head up and looked back down.
"Ooh, an Orinthalian? That's new."
He heard an enchanting voice, filled with allure, that gave him a shiver; he felt like it was coming just from next to his ears, someone whispering into it, seducing him, but he knew better and didn't dare to even look at the owner of the voice, he was not immune enough to handle that.
"What do you say, Tirlis?" The enchanting voice sounded once more, making the knight shiver, but he didn't raise his head, lest he didn't want his life anymore.
"Be careful with your words, Nenath." A gruff voice, laced with coldness, sounded. The knight felt an overwhelming pressure alongside that voice, like he was carrying a giant boulder on his back. His knees bent as he kneeled, his breathing, turning rough. Why him? Was the only question that he wanted to ask. 'Duke it out amongst yourself. Don't drag me in.'
"My, my, no need to be this rough. You spoilsport." The alluring voice sounded once more and with it, the pressure disappeared. The soldier knight used his hand to grab onto the earth, like it was running away somewhere, while he took deep, long breaths.
"See, you almost destroyed the pretty boy."
The knight wanted to run away, but couldn't. Their captain was sent away on some reconnaissance or something and he, an intermediate knight, was stuck with these monsters, trying to explain what went down. He wanted to cry but had no tears.
As he was almost done with his report, he heard some footsteps. Making him shiver, was it his time? He was on the verge of losing it but got saved when he heard the owner of those footsteps say, "Sir!"
"You are here, captain Phonol. It means that everything is going smoothly."
"Reporting, sir. Everything is going according to plan."
Hearing the voice of his captain, the soldier knight wanted to jump up and hug him, but now was really not the time. His savior was finally here.
"I have some news regarding the incident as well, sir," captain Phonol said.
"Oh, we would very much like to hear that." One of the people sitting around the table said. The knight soldier still didn't dare to look at them. The Alliance was not as free as people say it was.
Captain Phonol then turned to the knight soldier and said, "Go, and send Kolfel in."
Like a prisoner pardoned for his crime, the knight soldier felt a relief wash over him, he was given a new lease to life, still he maintained his decorum, which earned him a giggle from the enchanting lady as she said, "How cute."
He didn't dare to stay and hurriedly ran away. Others looked at the enchanting figure. Her presence gave the room a whole distinct feeling. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded in luxurious waves down her back, molding a face that was dangerously beautiful and seductively wicked. She had smooth and flawless skin, with a pale, porcelain-like quality and the deep crimson of her lips curled into a knowing smile, like nothing could hide from her and she knows one's every secret.
Her deep violet eyes held a thousand secrets, each one more exciting than the last. They glinted with a wicked intelligence, drawing whoever looked into it like a moth to a flame. Dark, arched brows highlighted the sharpness of her gaze, giving her a bewitching appearance.
She was dressed in a form-fitting gown of the midnight black. The fabric shimmered subtly as it clung to her every curve, a figure that was voluptuous and athletic, a package. The neckline plunged daringly, revealing just enough to hint at the allure beneath. She was a seductress, and a very successful one, as many in the council were looking at her with a very concealed look in their eyes. But she was just as dangerous as she was seductive. So no one dared to even act on their desires.
Captain Phonol didn't dare to look at her either. He, like the soldier knight, very much liked his life and would like to keep in.
Nenath clicked her tongue and turned toward the person entering the chamber. She was about to tease him, but then stopped as her eyebrows furrowed a little and her eyes narrowed. She was not the only one, as everyone else, those with a realm high enough to know about some of the world's peculiarities, were also looking at Kolfel with the same or similar expression.
There was silence in the chamber for a while. It made the captain very uncomfortable. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a person, wearing gray robes, gray hair, pointy nose and a curled mustache, wrinkly face like it has seen many generations, ask, "Was he poisoned?"
The captain stood still for a moment before replying, "No, your excellency, Sir Hidragges. He is one of the survivors."
"Survivors? someone died." Another one added, his appearance was uniquer than others. He had this really striking purple hair that fell to his shoulders in soft, messy waves. It caught the light in a way that made it shimmer with hints of amethyst. His eyes were bright, electric purple, almond-shaped, with thick, dark lashes that stood out against their pale, almost porcelain skin. A small scar cut diagonally through his left eyebrow, giving him a bit of a rugged edge to what was otherwise a pretty ethereal look.
He was wearing a fitted, high-collared jacket in a deep midnight blue, with silver thread running through it, which showed off his lean, athletic build. A pair of thin, silver hoop earrings caught the light against his sharp jawline, rounding out the look of someone who was both mysterious and undeniably unique.
"Yes, your excellency, sir Arjen. 4 people have died since then."
Arjen Hel Baknuv, the ruler of the Baknuv nation and one of the three decision makers of the Alliance, nodded as he kept his eyes on Kolfel. He was just as curious as others and wanted to know why he was feeling like that.
"What do you want to tell us?" The gruff voice, Tirlis Kusk, silver hair flowed in sleek strands, perfectly matching his smooth, silver eyebrows and silver eyes. His face was completely free of any other facial hair, giving him a baby face, but his age made sure no one thought about that. He was middle-aged, had a strong, muscular build. He wore a flowing silver dress that shimmered with every movement. The total effect was one of quiet authority and mystery, making it hard not to be drawn to him. He was the current ruler of Orinthal and the person who frowned the most.
Just like everyone else, he could sense something was strange about Kolfel, but with his history, he had a lot of knowledge about strange things, yet he was clueless about this, too. He wanted to cut open Kolfel and see what was going on inside. Kolfel wasn't even an intermediate realm practitioner. How was he even making him feel a little creeped out?
There were many more people over, and many more stood out, like the women who were hiding her complete features with her veil, the same for a man who was using a mask, and many more enigmatic figures. Alliance was, after all, an Alliance.
Just as they were discussing amongst themselves, Kolfel opened his mouth and spoke, with difficulty, "South…. people…."
He was having difficulty speaking, but many understood he was providing them with some intel. Tirlis turned to the captain, who was looking at Kolfel with raised eyebrows, and understood that he knew nothing about that. He then turned to Kolfel and asked, "People from where and how do you know that?"
Everyone waited for him to answer, and the answer he did, "Senva… sen…t as a … scout."
This made many's face turn serious. They didn't know about that. How did they not know about that? People talked amongst themselves and the chatter grew louder before. Did their intelligence network fail? That was borderline impossible.
Boom*
The chamber trembled from the sound but it was made from special material which absorbed most of the attack. Still, it was enough to bring everyone's attention back to the person who was responsible for that, and they shut up.
Nenath was not in the mood to comment on this as she took out a round-shaped item, which glowed. It looked like she was talking to someone telepathically.
Kolfel and the captain were protected by Tirlis, who also looked at Arjen, and found him leaning back, relaxed like he didn't do anything, but he said nothing and kept his eyes on Kolfel. He intrigued him more.
Slowly and steadily, albeit difficultly, Kolfel continued, "We bea…t Sen…va, he con…fess..ed the…y kn…ow."
"Know what?"
"Didn't …say."
"…"
Now there was solemness in the room, what was Senva saying, what did the Dominion know, they really wanted to find Senva and ask him but they didn't know the way to the afterlife and no one planned on dying just for sating their curiosity.
There was silence. A long time passed before someone asked a question, "Where in the south?"
....
Erik opened his eyes, and a gleam flashed in them. He stood up and opened the window. The morning sunlight fell onto his face, brightening it. He looked down and saw the servants who were gossiping about something, maids running around, busy with their work. Just then…
Knock* Knock*
Someone knocked on his door. Erik walked to it and opened the door. Alyssa greeted Erik and pushed the cart in. Erik looked at her, checking if she was okay or not. He wanted to check on her at the infirmary, but Valcroy's mysterious women healed her before he even could.
While Alyssa was setting up the table, Erik freshened up and then had breakfast. After which, he left the mansion. Collum was waiting for him outside and they arrived in the city centre. There used to be a fountain here, but it was missing now. A crater has claimed its position.
Murmur*
.
.
Today, the center was full of life as a sea of people had gathered here, murmuring amongst themselves. Their leaders stood at the front, talking amongst themselves about something.
"Are you sure about this?" One of the "leaders" said as he looked at the others, who were looking at a squinty eye, receding hairline, and misaligned teeth like someone punched him in the face.
"Trust me, we'll be able to leave if we do this together. I have inside information, and they told me that the nobles will be leaving today."
The other "leaders," although skeptical, could only nod. They also wanted to get out of this dead zone. They didn't want to live under the constant threat of life, and this was their only chance to redeem freedom.
Just as they were ironing out the plan, soldiers suddenly arrived and filled the area, creating a safe space as someone walked through the sea of people. There was silence as Erik passed through them.
Everyone was looking at him with different expressions, some with intrigue, some with hatred, while some had hope? Erik remained indifferent as he walked to the front, before the crater where a stage was made, especially for this occasion.
Just as he took a step, a leader stepped forward, the almost bald guy who had just opened his mouth to say, "Greeting young master..."
"Say what you want."
Erik interrupted him, he didn't need the flowery words and already knew what they wanted, but there was something in him telling him to at least give them a chance. And here he was, giving them that very chance.
What he planned for the "nobles" was life ending. He didn't want his people to get tangled in it and lose their lives.