The barbarian chiefs were waiting in the lesser hall, most of them barely touching the feast prepared for them. It was already the second day in Drakoria and their vastly known hot temper and savage frustrations were already peaking. Maids have been bruised, soldiers rudely talked to and whispers of threats heard.
The new queen walked in, escorted by a handmaiden and two knights. She was the mother of the recently deceased king, and though she is the new leader of the kingdom her head bore no crowns. Maybe it's because no official ceremony have been held yet but then again it was said that her son didn't wear a crown weeks to his death.
"Greetings," she said, but received no warm welcome, only rude and disdain stares. "The king is yet to return and we see no reason to keep you waiting. Go back to your people, when he comes back you will receive word"
Someone scoffed rudely amongst the barbarians.
"You wall-borns and your guts" he spat, his words laced with contempt. "what makes you think we will be back?"
The queen glanced at his direction and met his gaze. "You are taking a risk in assuming that I share my son's view in your worth" she retorted, a menacing edge to her voice. "Watch your tongue"
"Or what, you fucking cunt" he spat, standing up.
Nobody moved and the tension increased as many hands crept to the hilts of their weapons. The man was huge, just like any barbarian. Over 7'4, with a massive barrel chest and forearms like legs of mutton. A huge red beard hung like an oriole's nest from his face and his moustache curled upward in the handlebar style. His hair was red-brown, a shade darker than the beard, and he had a high forehead.
She just stared at him.
"We will get back to this in due time" said the queen, a strained smile on her lips but the barbarian coughed out a spittle and spat on the floor. If the queen was offended she didn't show it. She just turned back to the rest and said, "you are dismissed"
The man was still grumbling ruder words as she turned and left the lesser hall. The witch was waiting by the door.
"So?" she asked, not stopping.
"Still nothing," Helene replied, joining the queen.
"So he is dead?" the queen stopped, looking at Helene.
"Not necessarily," she answered. "He could be unconscious"
Or he doesn't want to be found and wants everybody to think he is dead, but she didn't say it out loud. It's possible the king has learnt the act of erasing presence and wants to remain in the dark creating an opportunity to know who his enemies are. Helene suspects the queen thought of that too which is why the barbarian is not a melting cluster of icicles right now.
"Keep trying," she said and continued walking.
In truth Nerissa thought him dead but the problem was that she didn't know what she felt about it. She had been sad when his father died, she had been sad when he hated her, but why isn't she sad now?
┌─────── ♕ ───────┐
The castle that had belonged to the grand mage was rowdy. It has been like this everyday since the late king gifted it to Vojnka. They were happy, they were contented and that's all she wanted.
Now as the giggling children climbed her like a tree in hopes of reaching the doll she had outstretched she felt a cold stare behind her. She turned and met the cold gaze of the archer. He was alone, which was unexpected but his quiver was full.
Vojnka let the children collect the doll and they ran down the hallway giggling victoriously expecting their aunty to give chase again but Vojnka ignored them.
"Not here," she said in her barbarous accent, and made attempt to move but the archer stood rooted so she faced him again. "Surely you do not want for the innocent to get hurt?" she said to him but he just stared.
"They said you brought me back" he finally said. "Just in time to get healed. Why?"
Erik thinks he knows why but he was not sure. She is new and it would be suspicious for her alone to survive. It was just them both and she needed him alive.
"I won't resist," she said, "Just spare my family"
"I could have saved him," Erik said, "You betrayed the crown. Why?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you" she said.
"Try me." he said
Vojnka looked at him for a few moments then let out a breath of resignation.
"It was out of my control" she said simply.
Erik arched an eyebrow to say 'is that the best you can give me?'
"I don't know how to explain, I don't know what sorcery it was" she said, "But I have...blanks in my memories, been at places I don't recall been to"
Erik recalled the events of the forest. He had known something was odd.
"Same thing happened before the attack, and before I could regain myself it was already too late"
Erik gave it a thought. Barbarians are known for being simple minded but even they are capable of lies and she had tricked them before.
"Even if you are right, why didn't you tell his majesty?" he said, "All these could have been prevented"
"How could I?" she argued, her barbarian accent becoming more indiscernible "I risked the king having the heads of my family on sticks!"
Erik face registered that he was buying it.
"The king was ruthless and unforgiving so you can understand why I didn't want him to survive," she said, "I didn't mean to hurt you"
Erik's face showed embarrassment as he recalled how easily she had knocked him out. Of course he can blame it on being weary and heavily injured but part of him knows there won't be much difference if he was fit. She's very much younger than him which means there's still room for growth and the thought of it terrifies him but it getting wasted was a worser feeling, especially considering the state of affairs.
But she's compromised. If he could get her straight then the kingdom gains an incredible asset and they stand a better chance solving the problem of the spies that threaten the kingdom. If what she says is true then she can't be the only one.
"You took an oath to protect the king yet betrayed him why should I trust your words?"
"I took an oath to family first," she said, "And they come first, no matter what"
It was fast, it was instantaneous and it was aimed straight for her chest but somehow she was able to activate her shield just in time.
"You never planned on giving up your life, did you?" he said and she just stared at him. He put his bow down.
"I didn't plan on killing you either" he lied, "My kingdom is under threat and you are going to help me save it"
┌─────── ♕ ───────┐
Leagues away, in a forest closest to the rainforest of Estonia, Mustapha sat on a fallen tree staring blindly at the flames of his camp fire. He heard a noise behind him, turned to check it out, saw nothing then turn back to see old man khan sitting across him on another dead tree, stoking the camp fire comfortably like he had always been there. Mustapha immediately recognized him for what he was and ignored him.
"You always were a quick one," Old man khan said, "But I've never known you to run away from duty"
Mustapha ignored him and continued staring gloomily at the flames.
"You are mad at me, ain't cha?" he said with a fatherly smile that came naturally to him.
"You wasted humanity last resort for the ambitions of a foolish king" Mustapha replied angrily even though he knew he was talking to an apperation, a figment of his own imagination.
"If the grand mage survived that, how good of a last resort is it against one who makes even the gods tremble?" Old man Khan said, then stoked the fire again, coaxing forth sparks that danced like fireflies in the darkness. "Your kingdom needs you, kid. He is coming and the king is the only hope. Too much have been sacrificed for it already."
Mustapha scoffed. "Well your hope is dead, " he said. For the first time since their conversation started he had doubts Old man khan was a figment of his imagination. He had heard about the king from some travelers earlier today and Old man khan should know it too.
The old man's smile was warm. "Death cannot claim so easily who destiny has set eyes on"
A snap echoed through the stillness, and Mustapha spun, searching for the source of the sound but didn't see anything. He turned back to face Old man khan but he was gone. He heard soft steppings and looked around to see if it was old man khan but no one was in in sight even though the steps were cautious and near. He realized the steps were not here. He suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. His camp fire was almost dead. He had been dreaming.
"Very rude to approach a sleeping stranger" he said, and the steppings grew close and out of the shadows. It was a young man, dressed like a traveler. His sword was sheathed in his belt and both hands were up.
"I mean you no harm," he spoke, his voice warm then flashed a smile. "They call me Arto"