Marius's Point of View910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKgN4DyX2v
The sun was beginning to peak over the western horizon by the time we made it off the Isthmus. Veran was still passed out on the back of the horse.
I found us a suitable place along the road to set up camp. By then, I was about to collapse from sheer exhaustion. I shook Veran awake.
"Huh?" Veran groaned, straightening himself on the horse.
"Can you hold yourself awake for a watch? I'm going to collapse."
"Yeah." He slid off the back of the horse, leading the beast off to graze. I went and sat down beneath a nearby pine tree, putting my back against the trunk. I barely closed my eyes before I fell right to sleep.
~
I awoke to the smell of roasting rabbit. It was much later in the day now. Veran was roasting a couple rabbits over a fire. I groaned as I leaned forward. There was a kink in my back, probably from sleeping against a tree.
Veran looked up at me. "So," he began. "Last night was wild."
"Probably the wildest celebration we've ever attended," I replied. Veran slowly turned the rabbits over the fire. They looked almost done.
"I feel like shite," the archer grumbled.
"I do too. And I wasn't even wasted." We both chuckled at that. "How much do you remember?"
"Well. I recall that girl getting turned into a half fish, much to my dismay. Then there was green lightning? A tidal wave, and I was about ninety percent certain we were going to die. And then suddenly you were off fighting a naga in a dome of light. Didn't I shoot it?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqpx7JidlV
"You did."
"Hah! I definitely won that fight for you." Veran pulled the roasted rabbits from the fire, offering one of them to me. I rolled my eyes as I accepted it, holding onto it for a moment to let the steaming rabbit cool off.
"I'm just glad you didn't miss and hit me instead."
"There wouldn't have even been a fight if I had been sober."
"But you weren't. You should've stayed sober," I said, pointing the stick of roasted rabbit at him accusingly. "Good thing that naga was already half dead. Breaking through that barrier really did a number on him." I then picked a piece of meat from the rabbits thigh, eating it. It wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't the worst.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu67hayiUb
"Speaking of that, did you do that?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqcpQSRsTW
"No. Eion did. I suppose he really didn't want us to die."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGnKqpn1mn
"Huh. Guess not. Suppose we'll have to leave an offering at his temple in Alderas."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Qa1d33OI
"Indeed. I planned on it."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrbvOfTv4Z
~910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf9BG5x7ST
Soon enough, the sprawling city of Alderas came into view. It was a bitter sort of homecoming, though. Who knows when the naga will come to wash us away.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn6lgV9ObY
"Have you decided on what you're going to tell the emperor?" Veran said as we neared the city gates.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpAG8lzEOT
"Well, I'll be telling him the truth about what we saw in Moorehelm. How can I not?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNCGtYocNR
"What about why we even left in the first place? And more importantly, where the princess of the Northerlands disappeared to?" 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AoWZvn8lT
"I have a vague idea of what I'll tell him. Don't worry about it. I'm sure your mother would love to see you again." I clapped him on the back. "Go visit her." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmS24NV8VO
"Alright." Veran slapped the back of his hand against my shoulder. "Don't go getting yourself shanked," he said as we passed under the gate.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOT6Zy2bXe
"I'll try," I said, and then we parted ways. Out of the corner of my eye on the road up to the palace I could see eyes darting my way. I looked like hell, certainly. I figured it would be best I cleaned up before I met with my father. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EYnaZrE6f
So after I did just that, I made my way through the palace in search of my father. I rested my hand on the pommel of my blade as I glanced over the familiar busts and statues of generals, emperors, and other important figures that adorned the hall leading to the throne room. Pillars of soft gold marble stood on either side of the hall, holding the ceiling up. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD77HRV4krO
I made eye contact with each of the guards that stood guard at the door into the throne room. As I went to move past, they crossed halberds across the door, blocking my entry.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1jYYkABk1
"Pardon me?" I asked, my tone dangerous quiet. I took a step back, putting on my poker face. I looked between them.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKo8PYZM6b
"His Grace has requested nobody enter the throne room at this moment." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZEasQmzYX
"I am his son and heir. You will let me pass." I kept my tone dangerously low. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzvE1OS0As
"Apologies, but we can not."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhfaNWYurP
"You can, and you will. I have information that could spell out doom for us all, and it is vital he knows. Now." I raised my voice a bit towards the end of my statement. They two guards looked at each other for a moment.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngdjHzKQpJ
"If it is that important... Please don't let him have our heads." They uncrossed their halberds.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqezIh9wn7
"What are your names?" I asked. Impatient as I was, I'd make sure they didn't face the emperor's wrath for my sake.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBbwgKksQV
"Caerilus," one said.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMRN6dvRVA
"Lorthemas," said the other. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu44sNMZdb0
"You have my word that you won't come to any harm for this," I assured them, before pushing open the doors to the throne room. Draped over the throne was Nautilus himself, a naked girl on his lap. An iron collar rested around the base of her neck. They both jumped at the doors slammed open, the girl squeaking in fear.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj3LCwgga4
Both pairs of eyes fell on me. Nautilus narrowed his eyes at me. With a grunt, he threw the girl off his lap, where she landed on her hands and knees off to the side, while he straightened, and marched down the stairs. I could tell by his demeanor alone that he was angry with me. Suppose he had a right to be. I did disappear without warning, after all.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrZ0nDTY5A
I held my head high, clasping my hands together at the base of my back.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOaLQSuKjb
"Where have you been!?" Nautilus yelled out, his face turning red. Finally he stopped some feet in front of me, pointing an accusing finger at me. "How could you just disappear like that!? You are a general and my heir!"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRId1dhNfcz
"I went north with a small party," I began. Nautilus's eyes narrowed. He had that look in his eye. I knew it as the look that said I'd better get to explaining and quick. "To investigate talk of a naga superweapon. I watched with my own eyes as they summoned a giant wave and washed away everything on the Bloody Isthmus."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAjSuQ3yxd
Nautilus narrowed his eyes, skeptical. "A small party? How many?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX50GolDLn
"I brought three. And the princess. We were attacked by bandits on the way there, resulting in the death of two and the princess." I tried hard to keep my voice even as I spoke the lie. Nautilus may have been a monster, but he was more perceptive than what many gave him credit for.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthb1EZWEZk
"Why would you take the wretch with you on a mission like that?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprlRQeTMkA
"Because frankly, I didn't trust anyone in this palace with my new possession." 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOaKlcMdcW
"Well, look where that got you, hmm? Too bad, too. She had a wonderful body." Nautilus seemed to calm down somewhat, his beady eyes glinting in the natural light that filtered in through the glass panels in the ceiling. "You mentioned a naga superweapon? Is Moorehelm truly no more?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYibRqaIIRN
"Indeed. Completely gone. I have reason to suspect that Alderas will be one of the next targets."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zPEJXcvyl
"Well, we'd best call upon the Order of Whispers. The only hope we'll have against a tidal wave is our own mages. Set up defenses as you see fit, and then I want you on a horse and leaving this city alongside me."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleVHVLL3OW
My jaw dropped momentarily. Then I remembered who I was talking to. He only cared for himself and his legacy.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc5Ql2nHIC
"With all due respect, father," I began, a hint of venom in my tone. "I will not leave this city. I will live with Alderas, or die with it."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aOXMK5wWy
Nautilus scowled. "You are stupid, boy. Very stupid." He came closer, jabbing a finger in my chest. I winced, as he'd jabbed a finger right where that naga had managed a couple shallow gashes. My wince wasn't lost on Nautilus I was sure. "Without me, there is no Alderas. Without you, there is no future for Alderas. Cities can be rebuilt after they are destroyed. Dynasties cannot."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSBVKPpzgA
"And what about the million people living her?"910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zs4TweU1E
"Commonfolk. They are but rats that can be easily replaced."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KQabZv7k8
"And what about the soldiers? The craftsmen who make your fine robes and provide your treasured Galerian Red? You have it twisted. We are nothing without those who serve us. What is power, what is ruling if there is nothing to rule? Nobody to have power over?" The rage and disgust built up, threatening to explode.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6BhosyIK1
"Things that can easily be imported from Gerahk! Listen to yourself, boy! You sound like a damned sniveling fool! You're going to do what you must, and then you're going to get on a horse, and leave the city with me. We are going to go south to my estate near River's Heart, and we're going to wait until all this blows over." Nautilus's tone grew angrier and angrier as he pointed a finger at me. It reminded me of when I was much younger, and he'd loom over me, chastising me. "Do. You. Understand. Me?" He punctuated each word with a jab of his finger into my chest. Right on the gash.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarLatNqkny
As he went to pull his hand away, my own snapped up to grab his wrist. His face reddened with pure rage. "I am not leaving this city. Not until I am assured of its safety," I replied, my voice dangerously low. I was not going to play this game with him. Not now with a million lives at stake.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeawKgiFnf
Nautilus didn't immediately reply. Instead, he raised his hand, the one that had a glittering ring on each meaty finger, and backhanded me. Pain blossomed in my cheek, and I could feel the beak of his eagle head slice into my cheek. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to retaliate. My time would come. His was soon to end. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqEa2EOLp9
I turned my head to look back at him, refusing to feel at my stinging cheek, nostrils flaring, and fists clenched. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1qCMVNFSb
"You will respect me, boy. I am still your emperor!" He shouted. 910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt4fL3lzOK
I closed my eyes, clenching my teeth. Patience. I had to remember patience. I took a deep breath, and opened my eyes again.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErBtV2N7sf
"I will not leave. You may be content to abandon our people, our home, but I am not." Nautilus flung his arms up in the air, clearly exasperated.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJkZRrAz3N
"Fine! You stupid boy. You'd better not let this city fall to those damn snake-men then!" He pivoted, and marched back up to his throne.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEGJqK4aaU
"Are you still going to leave?" I already knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v7UbeXwWi
"Of course I am," he huffed, plopping down on his throne. His face was still beat red. "Only an idiot wouldn't."910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UgQM12qlZ
"I suppose you're somewhat right then, Father. As I work to set up defenses, I'll also issue evacuation orders to the citizens. They deserve a chance at survival." Then I pivoted on my heel. Without waiting for his response, I strode out of the throne room. I had work to do, and I refused to waste any more of my time arguing with a cunt.910Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPeyMQAY3V
