Obi: "Now wait just a second here! Ira's going to be doing his last trial while me, and Cherise are gone?! And what's this about a dragon?!" The man seemed irritated, but he responded quickly when he spoke.
The Elder: "Nothing can be done about you having overlapping tasks! Besides, it wasn’t exactly planned! We only just got word this morning of the dragon’s attack, so there’s no point grumbling about it… Either way, I’m sure you’ve already noticed, it’s not like Keller was going to delay Iranagi’s trial forever. I would’ve wagered that he was going to be undergoing his final test within the next few days anyway.” The man shrugged before continuing.
The Elder: “Recent events just sped things up a bit. But whatever the case, this last trial will even prove difficult in a group. A dragon is not a foe to be taken lightly. Iranagi, once you gather the necessary supplies, we're going to be departing immediately." And unable to contain his excitement, Ira exclaimed.
Ira: "Finally, a dragon! I was hoping I'd have the chance to fight one! And here I was beginning to get worried, thinking I was going to be bored." But before he could continue, Cherise anxiously grabbed his arm to speak to him under a hushed breath.
Cherise: "I need to tell you something, privately." There was an unusual seriousness in her eyes, which immediately earned his full attention.
Briefly looking back to the ten, Ira held out his hand to request a moment before exclaiming to them.
Ira: "Just give me a minute! I need to speak with Cherise!" He said before walking her aside, making sure he was out of earshot distance from the others.
By the look on his face, Ira’s curiosity was killing him. He hadn’t the faintest clue as to what was troubling her, and he was overly concerned when he finally asked about it.
Ira: “You look worried. What's the matter?" She didn’t leave him in suspense for long.
Cherise: “Something's not right.-" She said while glancing at the ten men for Ira to take notice, and continuing to say with worry, "-Something's very wrong! I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I don’t trust them. I think they’re lying!"
Still out of their hearing distance, as soon Cherise gave this warning, all of the ten shadowed fiends instantly, and violently jerked their heads in her direction, as they began staring her down with vile hatred. It had not been until this very moment that Cherise has ever seen the shadowy figures acknowledge another person’s presence before. But the timing was far too perfect to have simply been a mere coincidence. Cherise had seen their kind more than enough to know this wasn’t in their nature.
They’re looking at me!… They heard what I said… I was right! Something terrible is going to happen!
Caught in a motionless fright, Cherise anxiously gazed on at the fiends.
Still genuinely confused at what troubled her, Ira looked back at the others for answers. But looking at the ten offered him none. After a few seconds he gave up on finding anything, and turning his gaze back to her, he spoke reassuringly.
Ira: "Look Cherise, I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I don’t see any reason why they’d come all the way here and lie. If Keller really wanted to get rid of me by now, he could’ve just kicked me out of the Order himself. And if you're worried about the dragon, remember that it's me we're talking about here. You know I can handle myself. I'll be fine!" His reassurance had little effect, as she looked back at him to exclaim louder.
Cherise: "It's not that! There's something wrong here, don't you see that? I don’t know what it is, but they’re up to no good. As soon as your next trials begin, they want Obi and me gone. And their excuse is a dragon’s attack? Don’t you see, Ira? There’s just too many coincidences. It doesn't add up."
The seriousness in her eyes made Ira acknowledge the importance of her concerns. Still confounded by her worry, he changed his demeanor to that of a more sympathetic one before he spoke further.
Ira: "I don't understand what you're trying to say. Tell me, what do you think is going to happen?"
What do I say?... What can I say?!... Should I finally tell Ira, I’ve been able to see dark fiends since I was a child? That they’re attached to people in their darkest moments? And that I’m the only one who can see them?!...
…It’s no surprise I’ve kept this to myself. Even now when just thinking about it, it still comes out sounding crazy!
But even with her gift, Cherise was still uncertain on the situation herself, and she didn’t know how quite to answer Ira’s question. Nevertheless, she needed to say something. And looking back to him with concern, she spoke with the utmost seriousness.
Cherise: "I can’t say for certain what will happen, but can't you tell something is wrong? That something's not right here… Ira, I fear for your safety, and I'm not so sure it's the dragon you have to worry about." She said while gesturing her eyes to the ten, making her point all too clear.
Even though it was a more direct warning, it was nevertheless a repeated one. But in the moment, it was the best she could think of. And not fully convinced, to ease her worries, Ira grabbed Cherise by the shoulders, and leaned towards her to say further.
Ira: "You worry too much. Keller's the one who's sending me on this trial… Keller! He's by far the grumpiest old fart I've ever known, but he's always been sympathetic to us… So how’s this sound? Before I leave, I’ll make sure to verify this trial was really by his order, okay?-” The plan notably helped ease Cherise’s worry a little, as Ira continued saying, "-Besides, with this being the last trial, the others would know better than to pick a fight with me now." He said with the utmost sincerity.
As they were talking, the ten were increasingly growing impatient, with Oland yelling out in particular among them.
Oland: "How long do you intend to make us wait?!" He said to Ira's annoyance, who bit his tongue, but didn’t bother showing his irritation to the others.
He turned slightly to walk towards the impatient group, but before leaving Cherise, he wanted to offer some parting words to reassure and comfort her.
Ira: "You always worry too much, Cherise! By this time next week, you'll be coming back home to see me as a full-fledged member of the Order." He said with a comforting smile, and just about ready to leave, Cherise grabbed ahold of his arm.
Leaning forward on him, Cherise held onto him longingly.
Don’t go… Don’t leave…
As a show of his returned love for her, Ira grabbed Cherise by her waist, pulling her slightly closer to him. With Cherise in his arms, Ira kissed her forehead, which she returned his loving gesture by holding onto him more dearly. Pleasantly surprised how well his feelings were accepted, he abruptly spoke with an accomplished smile.
Ira: "I can get used to this.” He said with a playful smile, before noticing Cherise still carried a worried expression.
After seeing she was still concerned, Ira reached around her, firmly hugging her more tightly as he started leaning over her shoulder to whisper into her ear. And he spoke softly to her.
Ira: "I'll be all right… I’ll come back to you, I promise. Believe in me." As Ira let go of her, Cherise responded back with a forced yet hopeful smile.
Cherise: "I will..." She said with adoring eyes to hide her lingering concern.
Before taking his leave, with a loving smile, Ira gave her one last comforting touch to the shoulder before leaving, and following shortly after the ten.
CHAPTER 40 – RESILLIENCE
Back at the camp of the Free Peoples of the West, Theo decided to pay Raddington a visit in his war tent. Once inside, he couldn’t help but notice that the general was sitting alone in distress, panning over a map laid out before him atop of his table. And as he was approaching Raddington, it was clear that something was terribly wrong. And whether for better or for worse, Theo decided to help lighten the mood, as he asked in a teasing manner.
Theo: "What are you worrying about this time?" But Raddington was slow to answer, his mind still somewhat distracted before he responded in frustration.
Raddington: "I haven't heard news from our southern flank. They were due to deliver a report over a week ago… What is the matter with them?!"
Theo: "Do you have any idea why the reports would stop?" In response to his question Raddington slammed the table with his hands, as he yelled out.
Raddington: "I have no idea! Their forces are led by several generals of the alliance of the West, including the head of our armies! Among the ranks of the southern forces, include some entire nation’s standing armies! Altogether, they’re two hundred thousand soldiers’ strong! The southern flank make up the bulk of the entire alliance’s military might! There shouldn’t be any reason for the delayed communications, simply based on their numbers and strength alone. And that’s not even mentioning the fact our scouts would be delivering the reports between our forces by only passing through friendly territory. There shouldn't be any reason at all why they would've ceased making contact!" And having temporarily had his fill of venting, the general turned to face his army’s champion.
Raddington: "After they were two days late on the report, I sent out some scouts of my own to assess the situation. Based on when they left, I expect one of my men should be returning anytime now." Just after he had finished saying this, both Almahiel and Aidelin invited themselves inside his tent.
After seeing the condition of the human general, Almahiel was the first of the elves to speak up, and she was rather brash when she spoke to the general.
Almahiel: "For what reason are you getting so flustered about this time?" It was quite a short-sighted comment, especially from an elf who acted so all knowing.
With enough issues to stress him enough already, Raddington was clearly not going to have any of her condescending lectures right now. Standing up in a fit, he replied sharply in return to the elf’s question.
Raddington: "Perhaps the great elves would like to share some their unending wisdom on the present situation?! Can you perhaps enlighten me as to why we've lost communications with our southern flank?!"
After hearing his challenging grievance, Almahiel surprisingly didn't get upset with the general’s tone. She took a moment before she answered Raddington, in a sincere yet consolingly tone.
Almahiel: "Auric, you ask me knowing as well as I do…-“ She gave an unsettling pause before continuing, “-There can be but one reason they've ceased contact."
Her words seemed to be taken as well as a punch in the gut, as the general’s expression sunk after hearing her repeat his innermost worries. Only a second had passed before Raddington slammed the table with full force. As if trying to convince himself, he defiantly yelled out.
Raddington: "Spare me your speculations without knowledge! There's no way! Their armies make up over two thirds of the entire forces of the nations of the West! They can’t have simply been eradicated without so much as word spreading! It's impossible!" Almahiel still seemed genuinely sympathetic, but her attention seemed drawn to something else.
Peculiarly, the elf’s eyes were fixated passed Raddington, as if she were staring at something beyond the linen tarp before she answered the general. It wasn’t as if the thread itself was partially see through. Unsurprisingly, it was made with the quality suitable for a general’s use. One might have just as much in attempting to see through a rock, or in other words, it wasn’t possible by sight alone.
Almahiel: "A man wearing your seal is approaching your camp now. It appears he brings news from the south along with him. If you will not believe my word, than maybe you'll believe his instead."
Theo was somewhat awestruck by the elves display, after seeing she would say something like that with such certainty. But curious on the matter, Theo started walking outside to inspect her claims for himself. He thought that maybe Almahiel had somehow seen a scout approach before entering the tent, but once he was in the relative open outside the tent, he couldn't see anyone in sight approaching. And there was simply no way Almahiel was within hearing distance of the supposed stranger she spoke of. At that moment it all seemed like nonsense to Theo, as he made his way back inside the tent.
As the general and Almahiel continued to argue over the matter, only an hour had passed until a scout on horseback finally came into the alliance’s camp.
Upon his approach just outside their tent, the four inside heard the scout yell out, saying, "General!! I bring news from the south!"
The words immediately had Raddington’s full attention. But as the general stood to meet his man, the scout had already started hastily dismounting from his horse before running inside to issue his report. He didn’t need to say it, but the general’s anxiousness got the best of him, as he exclaimed an order to his subordinate.
Raddington: "Out with it man! What news do you bring?!"
The scout knelt down, and spoke to Raddington in a troubled yet lowered voice, saying, "Grave news, General. I would not have believed it unless I’d seen it with my own eyes. The southern forces…-“ He paused in near disbelief before continuing, “-they’ve been annihilated. I could find no survivors.”
Still as the heavy news was sinking in, the scout had more to say on the matter, “The Aelaans forces the southern armies held at bay, are no longer pressing their advance further westward. I can confirm with my own eyes, they're instead heading north. They’re making their way here, General!... They still number roughly three hundred thousand men, and they're likely to arrive here in three days’ time."
Distraught, the news hit Raddington like a ton of bricks, as he fell backward onto his chair, nearly hitting it so forcefully he almost made it fall over. After hearing the report, his face turned bleak as the general spoke bitterly.
Raddington: "This is the end... Outnumbered three to one, and soon to be surrounded. And that’s the hand we’ve been dealt? Is this some kind of sick joke?!"
The news was heavy, and no one spoke up immediately after the general had his word. But trying to find the bright side of the situation, Theo offered another perspective.
Theo: "I'm surprised they're not heading west. We wouldn't have been able to defend the people in time if they did. At least now we still have a fighting chance to-." His words were cut off, as the general snapped back.
Raddington: "Don't be an idiot! The way the Empire sees it, they can do as well as they damn well please once our last standing army is destroyed! If our forces here are destroyed, there'll be nothing left to stop them! That's why they're not holding back. They know we're not strong enough to face them head one. There's no other human army left in their path, there'd be no one willing to stop their advance if our forces here are defeated." He said with a piercing glare to the elves, basically daring them to challenge his claim.
Even with the rather blatant albeit true accusation hurled towards their kind, Almahiel and Aidelin seemed unoffended. The two of them appeared to be the only ones who weren’t surprised in the slightest by the situation, almost as if they expected everything would eventually play out as it has. The princess perceived there was more the scout knew when she said.
Almahiel: "Isn't there anymore information you have to report?"
The scout diligently responded, saying, "…Yes! I only caught a brief glimpse them from a distance, but there’s no mistaking it. Leading their southern armies themselves, was none other than the Aelaans Chosen and their Emperor.” The general laughed bitterly at the news before responding.
Raddington: "They're so confident of their success, are they? That they'd personally come themselves to lead their campaign of conquest." He said before taking a deep breathe.
And once he regained some composure, the general pointed at his scout, speaking sharply.
Raddington: "You will tell no one of this!" Acknowledging his orders, the scout promptly saluted the general before leaving.
As Raddington was still weighing the heavy news, he looked down before speaking up again.
Raddington: “The Aelaans still have three hundred thousand men… Do you know what that means?" He asked every
one nearby, with Theo being the only one uncertain among the four.
Raddington: "…It means their southern forces managed to completely wipe out our own of two hundred thousand, and only lost fifty thousand soldiers doing so!” Weighing the situation further in his mind, he spoke further.
Raddington: “How could this have happened?! It must've been a massacre!-" And as the general considered the words he’d just spoken, he despaired as he continued saying, "-And those same forces, which so easily annihilated our main army, are coming here. The Aelaans northern flank already have a hundred thousand men. When their forces unite, it will be our forces of a hundred and thirty thousand men against four hundred thousand."
The general didn’t allow himself to sulk on the matter any further, as he considered the entire situation. It didn’t take him very long before he spoke again in noticeably calmer demeanor.
Raddington: "I now find myself believing the earlier reports… The majority of the magic wielders in the Aelaan army must be in their southern forces. It's the only explanation for achieving such a decisive victory." As Raddington was speaking, the princess’s temperament was visually souring.
Almahiel: "Only we elves can use magic! It is nothing more than human arrogance to think otherwise. No other race is capable of mastering the magic arts." And amazed that this would even be up for debate, Theo nearly scoffed when he exclaimed back.
Theo: "You must be joking! I first saw the Aelaans magic over ten years ago. Ten years ago! And if that wasn't enough, I personally fought off against more than a hundred of their magic wielders myself! And I have scars to prove it! How is this even in question?!"
Theo’s words at first meant nothing to the elf, who looked at him with contempt, but as she gazed further at the young man, she saw the sincerity in his face. Looking beyond Theo’s physical appearance, Almahiel’s expression slowly changed from that of contempt to uncertainty before she spoke.
Almahiel: "I've seen enough humans to know when they're lying to me, and yet it seems that you believe you are speaking the truth.-" Maybe to convince herself, the elf continued to say aloud, “-Perhaps there is some hint of truth to what you’ve said after all.”
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