Luciara of Salamandera and Ser Mavros of Havenfalls—under the new identity of Ser Marlon of Amberfalls—were guided by General Chatel Chatel and his son Gabran. The four of them exited together through the gates of the Ahmal station.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcohmdwLUp
Immediately, the wandering knight was overwhelmed by the grandeur of Netzach's architecture, palpable at every corner. Countless monumental towers could be seen from their location, ascending with ambition. Even from there, its Royal Palace stood out, dwarfing all others.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQb0ZC5Emc
‘The city that touches the skies,’ he recited inwardly, enchanted with each new work he observed during the journey amidst crowds of perpetually moving pedestrians. That nickname is not just a metaphor...241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7SaGRZUlt
Chatel Chatel looked down at him with smiling lips. He identified with his reaction—it was the same one he had in his youth when visiting the city for the first time.
“Indescribable, isn't it?” he said, not stopping his stride. “Everyone feels small the first time they visit Netzach. Not even the capitals of the great realms of Elvira can match its splendor.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo8IGwVPT5
“It's a unique gem in the world” Gabran added, with the pride of someone who was raised there. “An untouched testament to the legendary times of the Holy Rebellion.”
Mavros nodded in approval, quickly becoming absorbed again in the surrounding engineering. His designs and geometries, simple yet with a pervasive harmony, were a feast for his eyes.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqP0Y9Ya5Z
‘An untouched testament to the Holy Rebellion’... Yes, it sure is. Mavros reflected solemnly. The general's words sparked the strongest reason behind his interest in the city. It's the only Tarburian city in this world that survived its war. Despite being rebuilt as a surrender gift to humanity, it supposedly still bears marks of the fierce battle Maskirio fought within its walls...
The knight turned to the side, noticing the Ayarian merchants, the men who had been his companions until then, waving their goodbyes as they departed to take separate paths. Mavros returned the gesture with equal enthusiasm. Although he had bid them farewell shortly after accepting the General's invitation, he was already beginning to miss them, especially Sheida, the boy who made his brief stay behind bars more bearable. He was aware that fate would hardly be as generous as to bring them together again.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSQrqcmzwA
Meanwhile, Luciara remained attentive to the journey. She knew the city well, so she could envision the itinerary her uncle had planned, but she couldn't quite recall the direction of their final destination.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDk8m2OPPq
“Ser Chatel Chatel, where was your home?” she inquired.
“In the Minye Mesho district. We'll take Yatuv's hashlit to get there.” He replied calmly. “And you can call me uncle, or Charlen if you prefer.”
Uncle Charlen?! Gabran opened his mouth in bewilderment. For a moment, he thought he had misheard. “What happened to the golden rule of ‘only address me by my titles or last name in public’?” he teased his father irreverently. “Aren’t you going to impose it on Luciara like you do on me and Olivrin, ‘Daddy Charlen’?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9zoRsN2wS
“Urmpf.” General Charlen Chatel Chatel grunted weakly, pretending to be annoyed. “As a family guest, your cousin is a special exception.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD3zehypOQ
Just because she's a 'family guest'... Yeah, right. Not convinced at all, the young man shook his head amid playful gestures.
As serious as his father might be, it was undeniable that, like many men, he had a more indulgent side for fair ladies like his cousin. Gabran exchanged smiles with her before fixing his always cheerful face ahead.
He's still the same Gabran I knew, Luciara judged, continuing to regard him with sympathy. And he's become even more handsome than he already was.
However, her delight was fleeting. She lowered her head, lips forming a slight curve of insecurity.
I wonder if Aunt Dana will be equally happy to see me..., she pondered. As much as they both assured me it won't be a problem, I can't fully trust it. There must be a reason why both families have been isolated for so many years. What happened between her and my mother that they can't even meet? To this day, I haven't been able to uncover it; she has always avoided the topic.
Returning to the present, she realized they were approaching the "hashlit" stop her uncle had mentioned, the next vehicle they would use for their short journey. It was quite simple, consisting of a rectangular platform in the middle of the street, with a roof and a transparent glass wall that had open-air seating.
The group joined the other people waiting peacefully. The presence of the General and the knight left few indifferent, although most maintained a prudent distance.
“The next ‘hashlit’ will arrive soon,” informed the general, glancing at a board with a dark screen clock and clock hands shaped like bluish halos, with the destination name: Royal Palace, beneath it.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fnDMudF1f
“Forgive mine unknowing, but what is a hashlit?” Mavros asked, disoriented since he heard that word for the first time. Although he considered himself well-versed in such contraptions, unusual in his place of origin, he didn't recall ever reading about this particular one. He noticed straight and parallel grooves carved into the ground beside the platform, which gave him the impression of rails. “Is it some kind of ‘sobbah’?” he inquired.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrGnis4v3d
“Exactly,” the general confirmed.
“It's essentially a ‘sobbah’, but much smaller”, Gabran affirmed. “You'll see it soon.”
"¿Hm?" 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzTRffp1ei
The knight's attention shifted to a pair of soldiers busy a few meters away, fixing what appeared to be a couple of posters on wall panels. The knight approached them, curiosity ablaze. Just as he reached their position, the soldiers left after finishing their task, allowing him to see the posters.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZJbXVir2R
INAN?! He nearly fell backward. They were wanted posters in the Common Tongue and Grianzan about a knight with sinister black armor, like a moonless night; his prominent bull-like horns on the helmet and his long narrow-bladed saber being his most distinctive features.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fIGq1p1hN
The knight read silently the text around the portrait:
"WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySufBTFZBy
“Malcoros Shaolyalls — 100 gold coin reward.
“Spotted on Friday, April 26, 1099, in the capital city of Cirencre in the Niespalian Viceroyalty of Najta. Author of an attack on a Niespalian garrison and its captain, Ser Janpelan de Salamandera. Despite being defeated and arrested by them, he managed to escape their dungeons shortly after. Suspected to be the perpetrator behind the Ashaim outbreak in the city of Hezaran the following day. His actions may be part of a new Tarburian conspiracy to invade Najta, so there is a high probability he remains in these lands. If seen or if you know his whereabouts, report immediately to the nearest authorities and receive a reward of 100 gold coins for his successful capture. For your safety, avoid any direct contact with him at all costs.
“...
"Extremely dangerous. If seen or if you know his whereabouts, avoid any direct contact for your safety. Report it to the nearest authorities with the utmost urgency, and you will be rewarded with 100 gold coins.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0JzTt8tb3
The final paragraph was written with larger letters highlighted with darker ink: a summary for lazy readers without the incentive to read the full case of the fugitive.
That sword and armor don't resemble mine at all. Even my knight's name isn't correct. This is a mess... How can this profile be so inaccurate? The wandering knight criticized, more disgusted by that than the fact that his story was now known there, officially making him an enemy of justice.
He felt someone standing beside him and, turning his head, found Luciara. Just like him, the announcement left her stunned.
“The Abiyr of Cirencre.” They heard the General's voice behind them, prompting them to turn around. He and Gabran joined the two. “We thought it was the invention of some troubadour desperate for attention, but just yesterday your father came to confirm everything in person, ” Chatel Chatel explained, looking at Luciara. “Before you arrived this morning, His Majesty Renardin publicly ordered his search and capture.”
I knew it. Only he could have invented these inaccuracies to help you blend in even more, Luciara thought, giving the knight a brief and sharp glance. Then, she returned her eyes forward, suppressing her urge to smile. Her relief turned into unease as she delved into the implications of those actions. I hope you know what you're doing, Father. If they find out you've lied, you'll get into big trouble. Because of that, you could be charged with treason.
“Were you in Cirencre when it happened, Luciara?”
Gabran's question snapped her out of her small reverie.
“When the Abiyr appeared? Yes... Yes, I was there,” she replied, momentarily silenced by nerves as she pondered her next responses. “I didn't see anything, but the word spread quickly. She lowered her gaze after that lie, wearing a face of mild distress, a feeling wavering between falseness and genuineness. “Then those corsairs attacked us. It was a terrifying day…”
The General and his son remained silent, wearing an understanding expression.
“It had to be,” Chatel Chatel finally replied, “Your father was very brave. Even the greatest generals of the Holy Houses would think twice before challenging an Abiyr in single combat. He not only dared to do it, but defeated him.” He looked away for a moment, tilting his head in a gesture of disappointment. “It's a shame the Abiyr took advantage of the corsairs' looting to escape arrest, but that misfortune was beyond Ser Janpelan’s control, and in any case, he exemplarily fulfilled his duty to repel the sackers.” He paused briefly. “You should be very proud of him. I'm sure he'll be rewarded with a promotion.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgFRNDKrFK
Luciara nodded in silence, forcing a smile of approval. She admired her father despite their family disagreements, but deep down, she wished she could correct her uncle and boast the truth: she was the one who truly "defeated" the fake "Abiyr." Also, she couldn't deny that the true hero of the battle against the corsairs had been him: her false bodyguard.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8sAPqzP27
“By the way…” Gabran addressed Mavros. “How come..?”
A constant sound interrupted his question. Turning in its direction, they saw a machine approaching, crawling along the adjacent rails.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjPVBafsaz
The hashlit. Mavros recognized it. He understood the reason for the vague description he received from his hosts. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1HBMPHHHw
Indeed, it was a cylindrical, streamlined surface train like the sobbah, but much shorter and narrower; it would barely have the capacity for around 100 people at best during a peak hour.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Fb8VkeyO
The hashlit honked a couple of times before smoothly stopping next to the platform at the stop. Its doors opened, letting several passengers disembark.
“Let's go.” The General signaled to his companions, joining the crowd that proceeded to board the vehicle.
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***
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“Not only did the two of them fight against you at the same time, and you defeated them, but you also did it barehanded...”
Gabran recapped the brawl story at the Ahmal station, which the knight shared after the actor insisted on hearing it from him and his father. They and the others were seated together, occupying a row of side seats on the moving train. It had been about ten minutes since they boarded at the stop.
“What a shame I arrived too late to see it,” the young man said, genuinely admiring the warrior he had just met. “I never thought someone would give those three idiots what they deserved. You must be quite skilled, Ser Marlon!”
“Ah?” Mavros looked intrigued. “Art thou acquainted with them?”
“Of course,” Gabran affirmed. “Those identical twins are the sons of General Maxilan Cotores from the Holy House of Lis, and the girl with them is the daughter of Jan Batrand, the Interior Minister of the kingdom of Grianz.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8KkZBZNUD
Is that prick the daughter of the Minister of the Interior? Luciara, who until then hadn't paid much attention to the conversation, turned abruptly towards them, just as interested as the knight in hearing more.
“All three are more or less "popular" around here. I saw them several times when they were studying at the University of Netzach. Last year, one of the twins made it to the semifinals of the Eh Nam tournament... Cyprain, if I'm not mistaken,” Gabran continued narrating. “As you noticed, what they have in talent for Nefeshic martial arts, they lack in decency, just like their parents. They've always boasted of their dubiously earned status to do as they please, of course, trampling over anyone they fancy.”
Mavros frowned.
“Dubiously earned?” He inquired. What he witnessed at the station was enough to give him an infamous image of the three, but the claims of Chatel Chatel’s son convinced him that the way he dealt with them was right.
“Their parents have gotten where they are due to an... ‘overflowing devotion’ to His Majesty, more than anything else…” Gabran explained ironically, inspecting his surroundings before turning to the knight with the same seriousness. “They're corrupt to the core. I won't lie to you. I'm a little worried about what they might do when they find out their children have been arrested.”
Though he refrained from participating, his father hadn't missed a second of the conversation since it began.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa5rrTvfMs
Gabran has good reasons to be concerned. Dealing with those rats, especially that witch, is going to be a headache, but I couldn't let this go unpunished, he thought, contemplating the floor, reflecting on it with crossed arms. He raised his gaze, shifting it towards the knight and Luciara. That's why it's crucial that they stay with me; that way, I can protect them better. Fortunately, he has given me a trump card in case I have to save him from their reprisals.
The train began to decelerate gently, indicating its arrival at a new stop that was beginning to come into view. The general proceeded to stand up; Gabran followed shortly after.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjpvgIiDCg
“This is our stop,” Chatel Chatel informed his guests, still seated. It wasn't the first stop they passed during the journey. “We get off here.”
Luciara and Mavros proceeded to leave their seats to accompany them. As soon as the hashlit stopped, its doors opened, letting them out without further delay. Like a gallery of oil paintings, beautiful buildings of various styles and lush gardens spread around them as they walked through the streets of Minye Mensho, the residential sector where the general's home was located. They entered a commercial street, with open shops for groceries, clothing, and other common items.
Suddenly, they heard what seemed to be an argument among the crowd nearby.
"Hm?"
Chatel Chatel stopped and turned his neck towards its origin, catching a familiar sight that Gabran had already noticed: a trio of men armed with axes and sheathed short swords, surrounding a merchant in his open-air shop. All three wore blue bandanas on their foreheads and a ribbon of the same color on their right arms, with an emblem of a regal white helmet surrounded by laurel leaves: the profile of Eh Nam, the city's greatest hero. Although their rough and casual clothing ruled out any affiliation with a security force, they stood authoritatively in front of the man they were addressing.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfihOUTZRTR
‘Rings.’ Chatel Chatel frowned. He knew what they were and the stories of incidents they often caused.
Mavros and Luciara turned in the same direction their hosts were watching, understanding their sudden tension. The General and the knight remained alert, hands near the hilts of their weapons, waiting for the slightest sign of a false move from the men to stand up and act.
“You better not get smart next time,” one of the Rings said to the merchant in a haughty attitude as the latter handed them some coins.
“If you skip the protection tax and disrespect the ‘fair prices’ again, you know what will happen to you. Puny snake,” threatened another.
The merchant had no choice but to nod submissively as he also handed them bags of food. Satisfied with their intimidation, the three armed individuals took their loot and left the premises. They disappeared around the corner of a nearby street.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0godLQgAe
Seeing that the danger had dissipated, Chatel Chatel withdrew his hand from his sword. Mavros followed suit shortly after.
“Let's go.” The General said, signaling to his companions that they could continue.
The group remained in an uncomfortable silence.
“Who were those men adorned with azure bandanas?” asked Mavros as they moved, breaking the ice. “They appeared of dubious intent.”
“Not only do they appear, they are,” Gabran replied, visibly upset by what they had witnessed. “You've just met the fearless ‘Rings of Eh-Nam,’ one of His Majesty Renardin's brilliant ideas. ‘Guardians of the people for the people,’ if they can be called that and not petty thugs licensed by the Grianzan state,” he explained. "’Sons of Eh-Nam for a fairer and safer Netzach,’" he pronounced, mocking the voice and gestures of his king.
Once he made sure the men were no longer nearby, Chatel Chatel joined the conversation.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ1jYlVr1M
“They are the ‘brilliant idea’ of Minister Batrand. His Majesty only approved it,” he corrected his son. He knew the story of their origin better than anyone. “They answer directly to her and her collaborators. Those three were busy harassing that merchant, so I doubt they were following us. In fact, I don't even think they saw us, but we must be very careful from now on,” he assured, addressing his guests. “She might use them to spy on you.”
Both visitors shuddered at this new signal that something was definitely not right; not only with that city, but with the kingdom to which it belonged.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoY5ztyXA4
Is that Minister so immoral as to employ thugs?
This could be more serious than I thought...241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BC7djw0ua
The faces of the young aspiring Holy Warrior and the wandering knight turned grave, unable to be enchanted by the surrounding beauty. They found it hard to recognize it, but Gabran and the General's revelations were filling them with uncertainty. Especially Luciara. She had heard rumors in the past about the questionable authorities of the city, but never imagined that she would ever confirm them and, moreover, run the risk of being harmed by their misdeeds.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJFSqhKJHl
“By thy pardon, Ser Chatel Chatel, if those 'Rings' be deemed disgraceful, why didst thou not halt their course?” Mavros inquired.
“Because I couldn't this time,” he replied, shaking his head in contained frustration. “As I told you, the Rings are recognized by His Majesty, and those three were just enforcing his ‘fair pricing’ law; a law of dubious effectiveness and foundations, but a law nonetheless. They weren't doing anything illegal.”
Chatel Chatel struggled to improvise a false sense of security. The discomfort of his guests was becoming increasingly evident. He didn't want to keep burdening them with the murky political affairs of his kingdom. He had to do something about it.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjnt6fHPOD
“Please, don't be distressed. While you are under our roof, no one in this city will lay a finger on you,” he reassured them both. He looked at Mavros. “The Batrands and Cotores are the ones who should be worried about their crimes, not you for having the courage to thwart them, Ser Marlon. I will make sure they face the consequences.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEGb0N4q2M
Shortly after saying that, he stopped at the gate of a particular house, with ornamental spikes shaped like the fleur-de-lis. Behind it was a small but well-kept garden: the green carpet crossed by a path leading to two stories of neat cream-colored bricks, arched ochre windows, and a gable roof of the same shade. A simple but charming example of traditional Elvirean architecture.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AvoPeaPSW
“We have arrived,” Chatel Chatel announced. He took a key from the jacket of his uniform and inserted it into a lock on the gate, which he turned to open and push its door, allowing him and the others to enter the path of the courtyard.
They stopped in the middle, drawn by someone else who was there, so absorbed in what he was doing that he had not been disturbed by their arrival.
It was his second son: Olivrin. Standing still with his feet on the grass, he pointed his wand at a rock, calculating with absolute concentration the sequence of a spell he was about to practice.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegRN1v4LJd
Eolic Art: Invisible Ha...
“Olivrin!”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1E6EbNQdG
Hearing his older brother call him made his progress vanish in an instant.
"Gabran?" Taken by surprise, Olivrin turned quickly, finding Gabran immediately.
“You've been practicing away from the windows as I told you,” added his father. He smiled with closed lips. “Very well. You didn't forget this time.”
The boy quickly went to them.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdDs1DU0d5
“Dad? Gabran?” he said, disoriented, alternating his gaze between the two. He had not expected to see them again so soon. “Why did you come back so early? It must barely…” His questions changed completely when he noticed his companions behind them.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOkVIjcx2u
Luciara attracted more of his attention, even more than the wandering knight. Like his father and brother, her face was familiar from the first moment, but it was hard for him to recognize her.
“Cousin...?” he said, locking eyes with her, reflecting as much curiosity as his. “Is it... Is it you?”
She nodded warmly. Without hesitation, the boy gave her a tight hug, which she reciprocated with equal enthusiasm.
“How have you been, Olivrin?” She asked when they let go.
“Great! And you, Luciara?” Olivrin answered. Immediately, he made a clumsy bow, as if correcting a serious mistake. “Sorry. I meant, and you, Lady Luciara.”
Luciara chuckled at his forced but innocent gesture of chivalry, a product of his nerves. “Relax. Many years have passed, but we are still family. We don't have to worry about following those formalities to the letter,” she clarified kindly.
The two men smiled, pleased with the young woman's attitude.
Olivrin remained still, head down. He was paralyzed by the emotion of having one of his greatest childhood inspirations before him again.
“And... why have you come to visit us, cousin?” he asked shyly, raising his gaze after a short silence. “I thought... that we would never see you and my uncles again...”
The illusion of having overcome the reluctance for that visit collapsed in her after those words.
“Honestly, I doubted it too…” she murmured, avoiding Olivrin's eyes.
After all those years, she could tell that he hadn't forgotten the last meeting both families had had, with an outcome that was far from pleasant. The boy touched his neck, regretting having asked the question. Not knowing what to say to move past this uncomfortable moment, he became distracted by someone he had overlooked until then: Mavros. With cautious steps, he approached the wandering knight, examining him carefully from head to toe.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIHWQDVdM5
The knight extended his right hand in a gesture of friendship.
“Olivrin, this is Ser Marlon of Amberfalls, Luciara’s escort.” His father introduced him.
A bit hesitant, Olivrin accepted his handshake.
“Greetings to thee, Olivrin,” the knight said as their palms touched.
“His escort?” Olivrin asked his family, unable to take his amazed eyes off him.
“That's right, and he's not your average bodyguard,” Gabran said, enthusiastic to share his story, which he found more fascinating than the knight's appearance itself. He shifted his gaze towards their home. “We'll tell you now. We need to let our mother know we have visitors.”
The General led the way, moving towards the door of the house. He stopped a few steps from it, drawn by wisps of smoke coming out of one of its open windows.
Four Colors. Its delightful fragrance was soon caught by his nose, which perfectly identified its origin: the spices from one of the local dishes of the region. His wife's best culinary specialty.
“What are you standing there for?” he said to the group, looking at them over his shoulder with a radiant face. If anything was certain, it was that they would enjoy a lunch that touched the skies, just like that city. “Let's go in.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvw5gqGSNp
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***
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A trio of letters were held by hands, their complexion smoked like the strongest coffee. Seated on his sandstone throne, the owner flipped through them one by one with great readiness.
He read in silence each one of them:
“The third fleet from Moruk is already in Likitia, ready to converge with the first. We will set sail from the port at sunrise.
“The tenth and seventh infantry divisions of Basiyah, the Bunta Legion, and all units of the Rerpia Beast Legion have answered your call without fail. We will march at dawn under my command.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA1CNx4AJm
“Our assets will finish reporting today. As soon as you execute the operation, they will be at your disposal. For now, we haven't received any more signs from the Abiyr, but the few clues we have suggest it headed to Netzach, which would be ideal for us. We will continue investigating.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pF5vle0IH
After finishing his review, he set them aside without letting go.
"Baharen and Rayishar will mobilize between today and tomorrow. Our 'partners' are dressing Netzach up to welcome us. Everything is going as I have planned," he announced to his viewers in the room, with an arrogant smile that betrayed his full confidence. Those guests were Ramilah, Ruk, and Babol, three of his five Sahirons, his best warriors and generals, standing firm before his throne awaiting his next words. The next words of Mugnatir, the Khalsuf of the Sulfnats, the supreme leader of the confederation of realms in the vast Ayaria desert.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMWO3wIU1k
Ramilah took a step forward.
"The plan is promising, but I have to say, I have doubts about some of your decisions, Mugnatir," the woman expressed, "Ibad has proven to be a competent marine captain, but he lacks the experience to lead an entire fleet, let alone two. And Rayishar, as much as he is the most veteran among us, is not someone you can trust to hand those divisions to. You still have time to replace them today with more suitable officers."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbeb20l9Jy
Mugnatir stretched his smile a bit, not letting himself be disturbed by these questions, which nevertheless were reasonable.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP3jY4s2o2
"Exactly, Ramilah, I did it on purpose. I want to test them, see what each of the two is capable of," he explained. He placed the letters on one of the armrests. "Anyway, their roles are the most secondary. Their performance will have minimal impact on the rest of the operation. Mine, ours, is what really matters." He made a small pause. He frowned. "I understand your concern with Rayishar, but I am keeping a close eye on him, that's why I sent the Bunta Legion with him. If he tries any foolishness that could compromise us, they will take care of putting him in his place... with their spears stirring his entrails."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ISinzvGls
As powerful as his already formidable voice was, it was not enough to satisfy everyone.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QmOYDlMZN
Babol was the next to step forward.
"And what about our 'partners'?" he lashed out. "Can we be sure they won't betray us? This 'help' could be more of a perfect trap."
Mugnatir rose from his throne, confronting him with authority.
"All of them want to see Renardin and his allies bite the dust as much as we do. If anything, they have proven since they contacted us that their actions back up their words."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oJwdBg02f
Ruk joined his comrades.
"But do you really believe you can also count on your old ‘masters’?" he challenged. "What if they change their minds and decide to save Renardin's ass once again? Just like that whore Or did when you were about to kill him in the Nefeshic Wars... and when the infidels themselves tried to overthrow him later... Why don't we just eliminate them now to make sure they won't give us any trouble?"
Accursed fool!
The red dot of Mugnatir's artificial eye flashed intensely. It wasn't just the sly comments of his subordinate that angered him, but the distant memories and concerns they unearthed.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJbU00TwlQ
Ruk would regret using that tone. Like a lamb caught with an invisible lasso, Mugnatir pulled him towards him without any physical contact with astonishing ease, making only a sharp gesture with his right hand.
"They will cooperate; they will have to, or they will regret it. But Or will be the only exception. I will kill her myself, whether she surrenders or not." Mugnatir assured Ruk, inches from his face.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqEi1pefkh
The subordinate struggled not to look intimidated by this small display of his master's powers, which he moderated to contain his desire to lift him by the neck and thus drain his anger more quickly.
After calming down a bit, Mugnatir stepped away from him to address the others.
"I didn't summon you just to waste time with trivialities you should have anticipated. You are here to train," he informed. "I no longer have anything to fear from our enemies with my new 'mitelos' and 'witashlas,' but I still cannot be everywhere like Senshan. Baharen and Rayishar may enjoy that luxury, but neither you nor I can afford a margin of error."241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDVmvVF3l0
The three nodded in unison. They might disagree with Mugnatir's eccentricities, but they took equally seriously the great challenge they would have to overcome together; their shared dream: the takeover of Netzach.
Mugnatir took the lead. Before leading them to their training grounds, he stopped at the table in the room, admiring the clear sky on the horizon through its large windows. His determination ascended to them like another ray of light.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbwqCAnOFU
Renardin, this time nothing will stop me. Not even the Order of Lebias.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
