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The following day the group found themselves seated at the same table. Cressela listened as Ivo explained the ultimatum he had received the previous day from Jerial to the newcomers. She never thought her hatred towards Jerial would get stronger. She had already hated him from the stories Ivo told her. The man spoke as if he had no consideration towards life. The man threatened to kill her family. The man uses his child for his gain. A truly despicable man. Ivo's speech broke her out of her thoughts.
"I will say this simply, we cannot hope to beat Jerial in a fight. He is the strongest Ilium caster to walk the land. He is a master swordsman and from what you have told me, he has obtained The Blade of Heinzidal."
"Why are we considering fighting? We just need to extract him from Alaric's body." Florian said.
Cressela watched how the two siblings had been much more relaxed and cooperative this morning as compared to the previous night. The other woman however, she could not get a read on.
"And how do you intend to do that?" Cressela asked.
Florian hadn't been able to answer.
"There is a method, however, it will require us to have a scuffle with him. Therefore we all should understand what he is capable of." Ivo waited for the rest to accept his words before he continued. "Amongst all of his casts, there are two specific obstacles we will have to overcome." Ivo lifted one finger. "Jerial specialises in incitatio. It is a special cast. He is the only one that was capable of performing it. He never taught it to anyone else as well."
"What does the cast do?" Ashe asked.
"It gives him the ability to accelerate or decelerate himself or the things around him. A frightening advantage for the ill-prepared. It has its disadvantages. He cannot affect anything that he cannot see." Ivo explained.
She thought back to the castle where she had barely blocked Jerial from Ivo. His speed was terrifying.
"Why not keep him occupied, he would not have time to cast," Florian said.
"Runic armour, ya goof," Drustan said.
She saw the confused looks on the siblings’ faces.
The commanders showed their palms, while Cressela showcased her forearm. The runes that were placed there were grey. They only shine once a cast has been made.
She was not surprised by the lack of knowledge the youngsters showcased towards the armour. They had been sheltered their whole life on an island, with no awareness of the outside world.
"Brilliant inventions from the phen artisans in Arstutia. A piece of equipment that allows the ability to cast on a whim via runes. Each armour is specifically made for the wearer of said armour. It takes quite a long amount of time to manufacture therefore not everyone has access to such armour. Usually only reserved for Great Lords and their commanders." Commander Orvyn explained.
"That is correct. Occupying Jerial is not the worst idea, in a sense, we will be doing that." Ivo held up two fingers." The second issue is the blade he wields. Getting hit by that sword once will mean death. Jerial has two sources of stria which will make it easier for him to control. But that may be his weakness as well."
Ashe's face lit up as she realised what Ivo meant. "He does not have the same stamina that he would've had if he had been in his own body. Alaric has improved over the last six months however he is still not the most athletic at least compared to the rest of us," She said.
Ivo smiled. "That was something that I could not have been certain about. Thanks for clarifying Lady Ashe."
The young woman beamed at the Great Lord. Her enthusiasm rubbed off on Cressela who couldn't help but smile as well.
"That does not solve the problem of the blade being dangerous," Florian said.
"That is where I enter the fray," Cressela announced. "I am the only one at the table who can withstand a strike from that blade."
Ivo nodded. "But I would rather you not put yourself in unnecessary danger."
"This has been a snoozefest, can we just get to the plan already?" Drustan asked.
Cressela glared at the man.
Ivo chuckled. "Yes, let's get to the plan. The day following tomorrow, my commanders and I shall meet with Jerial at the entrance to the castle. Commander Orvyn and Commander Drucker will ensure they separate Commander Gregory and Commander Hughes from Great Lord Jerial. I, alongside Commander Beckett, shall face Jerial and try to hold him off."
"And the rest of us?" Florian asked.
"You three have the most important part. You will sneak into the castle and steal 'The Seal of Habbeo' from within the treasury." Ivo did not wait for questions to proceed with his explanation. "An artefact created by a previous king of the Zidal Empire known as King Habbeo. It is said to be able to seal catastrophe-level nixum. Whether it will work on Jerial is a gamble I am willing to take. He doesn't know that we have this artefact due to the recency of our discovery."
"It doesn't have to take all three of us to steal one artefact. I can stay and fight alongside you." Florian stated.
"I cannot have you die. How will I be able to look Alaric in the eyes ever again?" Ivo asked.
Florian did not look Ivo in the eyes.
"The castle will be filled with soldiers, therefore you three will have to be careful. I will explain the layout of the castle." Ivo went on to explain the intricate design of the castle and the best method to ensure the plan was foolproof.
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Everard sat in a dark alley. He had been cold, wet and his stomach was in pain. He ignored the pain as he read the letter he wrote. He turned to Yago who had been sitting at his side.
"I will find a way to destroy the barrier. Once I have, deliver this letter to my father."
Everard placed the slightly damp parchment in the ocelot's mouth. Yago ran out of the alley, leaving Everard on his own. How did this happen to me? All I had asked for was to follow my dreams. Why couldn't you just give it to me?
"Hey, kid? What are you doing?" A voice called to his side.
Everard got to his feet to take a look at the soldier. "Take me to the walls."
"You must be the insane kid that was rumoured to walk the streets. Get some help before I report you to one of the commanders." The soldier said.
Everard walked closer to the soldier. "Take me to the walls." A whip wrapped itself around the soldier's neck. The soldier tried to yank the whip off to no avail.
"Take me to the walls!" Everard instructed a final time.
The soldier gave a weak nod. The whip around his neck loosened and curled around Everards left hand.
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Jerial knew Ivo had a plan. It had come as no surprise to him when a letter arrived from Ivo. Ivo wants to make his decision in front of the castle, at first light. Jerial smiled. He would allow Ivo to perform whatever show he had planned. He was excited by the potential of something happening that he could not predict. He called Commander Gregory to the throne room.
"Lord Jerial? You have asked for me." Col said.
"Commander Gregory, send out a message to all soldiers within the city. There shall be no soldiers in active duty on the day we meet Ivo. They are ordered to not do anything regardless of what happens within the city. They are to stay away from the castle as well," Jerial ordered.
"May I ask why?" Col asked.
"No, you may not. Commander Gregory, you are dismissed."
Col reluctantly took his leave.
You better not disappoint me, Ivo.
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