"I'm sorry," Ten apologized.
He had taken the opportunity while Veroth and Mithra were out hunting and gathering their lunch to talk to Sunniva without prying eyes.
Sunniva was visibly taken aback. "Sorry for?"
"I was perhaps a bit of an asshole to you the past couple of days."
"Oh no, don't apologize. I realized my life was better off without a hypocrite in it. How could you tell me that if I have a question, I should ask, then get mad when I ask!?"
Ten felt exasperated. "Niva..."
"Sunniva," she corrected him.
"Clearly, Veroth's knack for sarcasm has rubbed off on you," he muttered.
"Are you genuinely apologizing right now? Because if you are, make it more believable." Sunniva crossed her arms over chest and frowned.
Ten never thought that he'd find a five-foot two girl formidable, but he found himself to be wrong. Boy, had he been wrong about a lot lately.
He sighed. "You're right. I had told you that you could ask me anything. The reason—the real reason for finding the Keeper in the South was because who ever is killing or kidnapping all the Keepers in the South seem intent on starting a war."
For a moment, Sunniva's blood seemed to run cold as she froze. Even her breathing hitched.
"As you know the Southern and Northern Kingdom have been at peace for thousands of years now. We've been at an equilibrium, often having nothing to do with each other. Whoever is targeting the Knowledge Keepers seem to have a bigger plan in mind. Something along the lines of rewriting history as we know it.
"Keepers are often in isolated places and, honestly, forgotten about. It took the Southern and Northern Councils too long to realize what was happening. I was ordered to bring y—the Keeper at your temple back in order to protect them."
Sunniva avoided looking at Ten. "So…you're saying that Northern Council does not have any malicious intentions towards the Keeper?"
"Everything I've told you is true. These are things I haven't even discussed with Veroth. Sunniva, look at me." He held her shoulders so she would face him, "I know what you are."
If this shocked her, she didn't show it. He wondered how she always kept her composure when it came to the most crucial moments.
Ten continued, "Will you tell me the truth when you're ready? I will wait until then."
Sunniva shrugged his hands off of her shoulders. "If this is your version of an apology. Then, I guess…I will accept it."
&
Mithra had come to like Veroth since they spent so much quality time together. However, Veroth's ability to always look perfect did slightly pinch a nerve. Never a strand of silver hair out of place.
"Roth—"
"Again, with the nicknames, Mithra," Veroth warned.
Mithra had found it easier, given his Southern accent, to call him Roth instead. Veroth had never been close enough with anyone for them to assign him a nickname and he had yet to determine whether or not he liked it.
Mithra ignored him, "What's your captain's issue? Does he always walk with a stick up his ass."
Veroth sighed. "I've already spoken to him." He shrugged, "But yeah, he's usually like that, with a stick up the ass. He's never one to be so moody, though."
Veroth hacked at a tall plant with his machete, "I guess, that's not so true. I've seen him have to make some tough decisions. In the end, I found out he does have a heart and he's not a puppet that simply carries orders. That came with a price, however."
Mithra pouted, "What do you mean?"
"Ten climbed the ranks fast at his young age, not just because he's great at combat, but because he's a beast. A madman. And he was infamous for it." Veroth explained, "He acted like a man with nothing to lose. Don't get it twisted, though. After becoming Captain, his demeanor changed. He stepped up into the role of a leader and took his job very seriously.
"Earlier this year, when we, the Windward Army, was sent to quell a rebellion in Taii, Ten had to make a decision that ended up costing us. The rebels were fighting against corrupt local officials and heavy tax levies. They were wildly successful before we were sent in to deal with them, having already defeated other units before us. We were in a bad position during the deciding battle and Ten chose his men's lives over suppressing the rebels, which we could've done successfully if we were willing to sacrifice our numbers.
"Ten made the right decision, though. After rebels won, local officials were appointed instead of elected and Taii now lives in relative peace. The Northern Council was quite unhappy, however, and cut all of our men's pay. We can't even find other jobs to make a living since everyone was told not to hire anyone from the Windward Army. Even his own men, the men who would've died, are upset with our Captain."
Mithra listened intently, trying to get a good picture of exactly what type of man Ten Wonzigan was. It seemed that even if he wanted to find fault there was none to be found.
"An army captain with morals instead of blind loyalty. Who would've thought?" Mithra remarked.
Veroth added, "I initially felt animosity towards Ten because he could've chosen a life as anything but a soldier while I didn't have any other options. But I've come to accept my fate. Getting to choose would've been nice, too."
Mithra sensed a hint of sadness in Veroth's voice and felt for him. He resonated with that sentiment as well but couldn't tell Veroth. If he couldn't be honest about the whole truth, there was no point in saying anything at all.
"Well, at least you get to choose your weapon of choice. And you choose…a machete?"
"Oh, no. Well, I didn't think this mission would require all that much weaponry. I left my short swords at home." Veroth looked at Mithra suspiciously, "And I thought you were a scribe, but your skills in combat are not bad either."
Mithra huffed indignantly. "Scribes can have other hobbies, too. I happen to be quite a talented archer. My bow…"
He thought about his bow that had been lost to the fire. It was silly how attached one could get to certain items, especially ones you've had for as long as you can remember.
Veroth gave Mithra's shoulder a tight squeeze and smiled gently. "We'll get you a new one," he promised.