Inferno breathed softly as he was seen carrying a sleeping Kenta towards the castle, some guards smiling, others looking like they had some things to say about it, but a single look from the dragon wolf shut them up quickly. Inferno decided not to wake the sleeping wolf and would take him to a bedroom himself. Nomad was walking down a corridor as Inferno walked in, and she made a glance over, a peaceful, gentle look on her face as she saw Kenta asleep in Infernos arms. “He sure looks peaceful, and given by the way you are looking at this one, it seems you feel the same as when you first got with Ornstein and Scathatch? Am I wrong?” She asked with a sly smile as Inferno blushed but chuckled as he couldn’t argue with her, and just nodded. “I know it might look unsuiting of a prince to have so many romantic relations, given how you and father are together and alone, but I just can’t keep myself from leaning more towards how former kings were with many spouses.” Inferno said as he had some shame to it but he felt that he could be fine in his ways, Nomad smiling gently as she nodded and walked with him, rubbing his back softly.
“Dear, you do what you feel is right. Your father only has me because he’s afraid of me.” Nomad said bluntly, getting a nervous look from Inferno as the woman chuckled gently. “It isn’t a marriage based on force and fear, do not worry, I just don’t always play well with others. And besides, no one caught his eye outside of me he always tells me. I feel if your father had found people like you have found Ornstein, Scath and Kenta, he would be like you, and his father Amadeus Sr. That old king had four wives, but only had kids with one surprisingly. He actually did what you are doing now, each of his wives were generals, or high ranking members of his council. But to give him a fair fight, this was at the founding of this kingdom, so his options weren’t as open.” Nomad gave Inferno a quick and impromptu history lesson. “But do not feel worried about what others may think of you for loving multiple people. What you feel is more important than the looks of some nobles. You do what makes you happy.” She said as they arrived at Infernos room, and she smiled softly, excusing herself as Inferno walked in, Ornstein in the room looking at the trio of eggs that were his children, a soft smile on his face as he glanced over. “You’ve roped another one, didn’t you?” Ornstein joked silently as Inferno giggled with a blush, and gently placed Kenta in the bed, the wolf curling up slightly as Inferno stretched, and went to sit beside his husband.
“How are they.” He asked as he put an arm around Ornstein, who gently rested his head on the man’s shoulder with a gentle gaze as he chuckled gently. “One of them kept falling over, and I think we will have an energetic bundle on our hands when he hatches. But they are all doing fine. I just worry leaving them alone in here because this is the first time I am having a child with anyone, namely a royal, so my heart is racing like it has no choice.” Ornstein spoke, expressing his worries as Inferno gently placed his head on top of Ornstein’s and lightly kissed the top of his head. “I know you are afraid, love, but you don’t have to. This castle is guarded by some of the best, and I know Bael, Draco and everyone on patrol would stop anything that could even get this far.” He assured his husband softly, Ornstein’s worries remained but his expression did soften as he tried trusting Inferno's words. “And besides, one of my best friends is a ninja, Lynx would protect these kids from any harm from the shadows. He is good at what his father taught him.”
“Great, my children are in the hands of a child.” He joked as he liked the tease Lynx occasionally due to being younger than the rest, but he never did doubt the boys strength, as Lynx was much stronger than half of what they had on patrol. “Joking aside, I trust you. I know John, Ian and Jason will be born into peace and be able to grow peacefully. I just worry as a father.” Ornstein smiled and looked as Inferno nodded in understanding, the gator knight listening as he leaned closer and laid his head on Infernos chest, listening to his heartbeat, his tail wrapping around Inferno softly, Inferno smiling the whole time. “Let’s stay like this for a little. The knights can wait a little.” Ornstein said softly as he lied there peacefully against his husband, forgetting all his worries and cares, and just relaxing.
-
The sounds of fighting and straining were heard behind one of the castle doors as the knights were heard training. Specifically Lyle, Draco, Scath and Marz. The trio were facing off against Drax, who had offered to train them for the day to give them a little push. The four panted a bit as they stood and stared at the man, who seemed barely affected by the fight, his breathing calm and he looked like he hadn’t even broken a sweat, as his tail swayed a little, the man was skilled and they were seeing just how skilled. Lyle looked at the three and gave two gestures. Signalling their next attack, they all charged at him, weapons at the ready as Marz swung for his fathers feet, while Draco and Scath went for an overhead strike with their ability to fly, Lyle taking his gun and using the back end to strike Drax in the stomach, thinking it would give him an opening. Drax smiled and watched as he quickly moved, his foot pressed down against Marz’s polearm, and dislodged it from his hands, sending Marz sliding and the weapon the other direction. He then proceeded to wing his tail around and it snapped against Lyle’s gun, flinging him back. Drax then proceeded to swing with his hands and blocked Scath’s sword with his own and caught Draco’s sword with his bare claw, Draco gasping in shock seeing that as Drax gripped it and threw him, and forced Scathatch back towards Lyle. The four looked in awe as Marz rushed to check his dad's wound. “Dad! Are you hurt!?” He asked in a panic as he had seen his father grab a sharpened blade. Drax gave a loud laugh as he rubbed his son's head and showed his almost unscarred hand, there was a slight dent from the blade on a scale, but no damage. “Son, I should be asking you after a slide like that!” He smiled and looked at the other three. “Good job guys, that attack would work if Lyle can learn to keep it more secretive. As soon as I saw his hands move I knew I was getting rushed. Good leadership though Lyle!” Drax praised him as he set his sword in its sheath and tied it to his waist and walked to them to instruct them.
Aside from being King, Drax spent a lot of his time teaching the knights techniques and skills they can use. “Lyle, try making your hand signs either less direct, or improve timing, if you can get the message when the enemy is distracted, that would also work. I may suggest maybe eye and mouth movements, as from a distance, reading your lips ain't easy. But still, your leadership and direction was good, and has a lot of potential. I trust my son's judgement of you, so if you can improve on that, I will one hundred percent trust my son's life in your hands. Good job, take a break.” He said as Lyle smiled and nodded as he bowed and headed to get cleaned up. Drax smiled as he went off, and went to Draco. “Good form, good speed, but swinging at my from above gives me too much potential, especially since I have horns. And if this was a battlefield, my helmet has spikes for my horns, and they are metal, so one screw up would have had you impaled. Watch for that, and try to close that chance. You have excellent strength, given you were able to dent a dragon's scale, which is really impressive in its own right, especially given my heritage and who my mother was. Work on your openings, and you will be set. Dismissed.” He said and pat the dragon on the shoulder, Draco bowing and leaving. Next was Scath. “I don’t have much judgement. Same thing as him, that overhead strike was risky and has a very high risk, low reward outcome. You have strength to match Bael and Draco, and you have a directive, as even without hand signs you constantly made an opening for Marz, Lyle and Draco. Keep that up, that is what I want to see. You are one of my best students and I want to keep you like that. So watch your enemies better and focus, and you'll be godly, or goddessly I guess in your case.” He chuckled playfully as the woman silently giggled and bowed, leaving.
“What about me father?” Marz asked as Drax looked and smiled softly, patting his son's head. “You have a lot to work on, but in a good way. You have every basic understanding of a situation like that, and followed orders perfectly, but you should learn from Scath and learn to work without needing Lyle or Ornstein to tell you. It is good to follow orders, but the leader won’t always have eyes everywhere, so you need to make a snap judgement in case something goes wrong. I trust Lyle, and Ornstein, but even I screwed up royally in a battle once, and cost someone their life for it.” Drax explained, Marz a bit uneasy hearing that but nodding. “Maybe I will ask Mar to work on it with me, because he seems to be a skilled solo fighter.” He said, Drax smiling and nodding as he liked that idea, walking alongside his son out of the room, being greeted by Verius and Nomad. “Ah, good timing, we were just coming to see you Drax. We have something to discuss, Marianne says something is off with Raigh and we’d like your audience.”
“Heh, alright. Marz, I will come by after to spend time with you like I promised, just gotta deal with this real fast. Go get cleaned up and I will see you in your room.” Drax smiled and kissed the boy's head, sending him off with a pat on the back as he went the opposite way with his wife and friend. “What is it Marianne says seems off?” Drax asked as they walked towards the throne room together, looking ahead. “Well, she mentioned how during the assault that Leblanc was leading, Raigh was nowhere to be found, and even during it she couldn’t sense him anywhere in town. Finally she said he showed up after Inferno and Melody defeated Leblanc. That is quite suspicious, and I don’t want to doubt our friends, but Marianne believes her husband might be a spy, or might be replaced all together. Those scholars from the school Nelvona ransacked are definitely capable of such a feat after all.” She stated as Drax sighed, since he and Raigh had been friends since their time in school. He didn’t want to believe that the man he trained with for years was a traitor. He took a deep breath as they approached the room, and he adjusted himself, clearing his throat, and walking in.
Raigh and Marianne heard and looked over, the pair having a heated conversation but were trying to keep it quiet and civil. Marianne smiled and bowed as her king approached, Raigh standing straight and doing a servant styled bow, different from Marianne’s very formal and noble bow. “Hello your majesty. I was told you wished to see me.” Raigh said, as Drax motioned for everyone else to leave them. Nomad was a bit skeptical of his choice but sighed and nodded, not wanting to misplace trust on her husband also as she left with her court mage and Verius. Drax sighed as he looked at Raigh. “Let's take a walk, down to our old spot.” He said, motioning Raigh to follow, the hound curious as he followed him, the duo leaving the castle and heading to the gate. As per rule and laws, two guards followed from a distance but had to remain out of ear shot due to secrecy of the matter. The two made their way to a waterfall, where they went and hid away behind it in a cave. The guards posted themselves outside on the narrow path leading behind.
“I wanted to drag you here because I felt it would be easier for us if you are in a familiar, comfortable place.” Drax said, speaking over the crash of the water as Raigh sat cross leg across from Drax, listening to what his king was saying. Drax took a deep breath as he looked forward at Raigh. “Where were you during the attack on the kingdom. When Leblanc’s resistance made their way in, Marianne said you were nowhere to be found.” Drax got right to the point, Raigh wincing at the question as he was hoping he wouldn’t have to get this far, his mind flooding suddenly with all his betrayal, and how he aided Alucard. Drax looked and didn’t rush the matter, but he was waiting for an answer and Raigh wasn’t going to be dismissed until he gave one, and hopefully a good one. “Well, I was trying not to worry anyone, but I was taken hostage. After our little disagreement about how to handle them, I went to clear my head in the forest, and I had unfortunately been too hot headed at the time to notice I had been followed. Leblanc’s little pests managed to capture me and bring me to their base. I unfortunately had to help them, they would spare me had I let them know what they wanted. Thankfully I didn’t give anything too big, but I was kept until the attack ended. Once Melody and the prince defeated her, the others retrieved me and freed me, letting me go free. I am unsure how Marianne was unable to track me though. That worries me, my wife is usually on top of things.” Raigh said, as he was being somewhat honest, but did leave out key details, and Drax had a feeling.
Drax nodded and sighed in relief, putting on a smile. “Thank goodness they didn’t do too much to you.” He said, but inside, he was tearing apart as he spoke every word. He knew Raigh wasn’t being totally honest, he knew that he had done something more. But he also knew that right now, without proof he would just look unreasonable if he challenged what he was given. The smile was fake, the relief was fake, Drax knew he was face to face with a traitor, his best friend no less. “I am glad you were honest with me, but in the future, please don’t wait.” He said as Raigh nodded, as Drax extended a claw to help him up, which Raigh politely declined. “I am sorry, I am to decline right now. If it is alright with his majesty, I would like to be alone.” Raigh said, Drax sighing as he heard that, but nodded gently and walked out without another word, telling the guards to leave Raigh and follow him back to the kingdom.
Raigh listened intently and waited. Waiting patiently until his king was out of range, before he growled and slammed his bare fist into the ground in anger. “She knew!?” He grunted as he stood up in anger and started pacing. “How did Marianne find out!?” He asked in a seething rage, as he wanted to keep all of that under wraps. “I can’t keep hiding it if she knows, that is just going to be suicide at this point. But if I don’t do something, Alucard might harm her. God damnit!” He said in anger as he slowly collected himself, glancing over his shoulder as a portal opened behind him. Alucard smirked and chuckled maliciously as he made his way out, followed by Logan. “Your anger really will lead to your downfall Raigh, do not forget that. The moment you snap in front of your king will lead to yur reveal.” Alucard said, a condescending smirk on his face as he watched the hound. Raigh sneered at him but composed himself and looked at the wolf standing beside Alucard.
“This is Logan, he is a bounty hunter who was hired to take out a select few in Elderitch. I thought it would be beneficial for you and for our goal to take him along and lead him to the kingdom. One of the king's advisors would never be properly questioned for bringing a visitor after all.” Alucard stated as Logan listened to the duo, the wolf clearly not that interested, but seemed to want something out of this. Raigh examined the wolf with a grunt as he thought, knowing how after everything that happened, it might be risky to let a hunter into the kingdom, but at this point he felt it was necessary to follow along with Alucards plan, just for now. “Alright. I can’t guarantee anything, but I know that I can let him into the kingdom. The castle might be a stretch but if he can work from the kingdom, then I can at least get that far.” Raigh stated as he looked towards the entrance to the waterfall. Alucard smirked and looked to Logan, as if seeing what he thought, as the wolf pushed his paw through his hair and pushed it out of his face, thinking. “I can adjust, I just need to kill them, no one said I had to interact with them. Just get me into Elderitch and I will make quick work of them. Just don’t expect me to work with you after the job is done. I give you what you want, and then I get my promised, so called, future you claimed. Those are your terms correct?” Logan asked Alucard, who nodded slightly as he did agree just to have Logan do his killing and a little more and he would be free. “Fine then, Let us get going. We should get this done fast so people don’t start catching on.” Logan said, as he wasn’t the patient type, and didn’t like to stay in one place for too long. He made his way out of the waterfall as Alucard smirked and handed Raigh a rolled up piece of paper. “These are his targets, you do not need to set them up for him or anything, just mark them off as they are killed off and return to me once it is done.” Alucard said, and without another word, opened another portal and walked through it, into darkness. Raigh watched and turned, not another word to be said from him either.
Logan was waiting for Raigh by the path, looking around a bit as he clasped his paws behind his head and waited, his body slightly swaying as he tried to remain patient. “Alright, Elderitch. Seems like that place just can’t catch a break. And he said you are an advisor or something like that? Why would you want to betray your people like that? Seems kind of screwed.” Logan pestered on as he and Raigh started walking, the doberman grunting at the question, making a sideways glance away from him as he thought of how to answer that. Logan smirked a little seeing the unease from Raigh from the question, a bit of cockiness in his personality, Raigh was realizing Logan was playing mind games, and it wasn’t going to make this cooperation easy. “Why do I wish to betray them?” Raigh asked, a dark look on his face as he glanced forward once again, having a slight idea of what he should say, just to not give away everything immediately.
“Simple, I am tired of being treated oddly for my ideas and ideals. My king is far too trusting for his position, if he had just let me stomp out that rebellion early, we wouldn’t have had to fight them off in town square. So as a way to prove my point, I gave them a way into the kingdom. Let them have their way. But it seems even that doesn’t make him want to change. He still accepted that traitor that led the rebellion and let that brat Inferno let her into his ranks. You tell me how that is supposed to be accepted, when she tried to kill all of us.” Raigh told him as they walked, the wolf smirking as he unclasped his hands and set them to his side as he listened. “And so you trusted Alucard? Your own anger blinded you so much that your own allegiance was damaged and you decided the best choice of action was betrayal.” Logan smirked and let out a pity of a chuckle, as if talking down to Raigh. “You’re pathetic if that is your only reason. But then again, you wouldn’t join someone like Alucard unless you were either a pathetic excuse of a living being or had ulterior motives. That’s just my thoughts though. I am only aiding him because he offered up something great, something someone like me can get behind, because my entire clan was wiped out.” Logan smirked, Raigh growling a little in response as he was called pathetic, his fist clenching but he carefully unclenched it to avoid attacking Logan. Logan noticed and chuckled again, this time a bit darker as he walked, but leaned a bit closer to Raigh. “Don’t even think about it. Attack me, I will beat you down and reveal your true intentions to the kingdom.” Logan said and walked ahead, seeing the kingdom in the distance. Raigh grunted in surprise, his heart jumping hearing that as Logan seemed deathly serious on the matter, was he really going to risk such a thing? Raigh could only wonder.
-
Thanatos silently thought to himself as he walked tiredly back to where Sahïr was waiting, finally finishing reading the journal he was given. “About time you make it back. What happened to you?” he asked him curiously as Thanatos groaned and shook his head. “Some wolf archer attacked me, and tried to leave me for dead. Thankfully I was able to stop it before I was killed off.” He said, a bit strained as he was still in pain from the fight. “Besides that, did you find what you were looking for in that journal?” He asked curiously, as he still had some key pages hidden away from Sahïr, which the Chit’Vani elder seemed to be oblivious to. He just chuckled a bit as he motioned him to follow. “To give the simple answer, I got some answers, but in the long term there is still much I need to prepare before I can get my plans fully in motion, but I know the best way to do so. I have sent out a message, in hopes of finding that demon queen Nelvona, and asking her to meet me here. I know what happened between you and her, so I have set up a place for you to stay hidden away while you recover in our sub par medical ward. It isn’t much, but it would be better than having you in her sights still.” He said showing Thanatos to a hut, where a nurse in training was waiting patiently. “Just remain here, recover and I will tell you what I want you to do once you’re able to.” He said, it tone was oddly changed to some degree, Thanatos couldn’t tell if he was actually being caring and helpful or if he had some other ideas, but he nodded and went and lied on the bed, the nurse examining him and his wounds as Sahïr excused himself and headed back to his hut.
As he entered, he felt a slight chill as he shuddered slightly but knew what that could mean as he glanced behind his shoulder and saw Nelvona appear behind him, walking out with what appeared to be a demon in a butlers attire. She looked at the man curiously as she approached. “You, mortal, who has summoned my audience. What say you, that you would have the nerve to send such a simple and informal letter to me.” She spoke with her typical authority, Sahïr taking a seat and motioning her to do the same across from him. “I know you might not like what I sent, but I assure you, you won’t want to avoid this, I have a proposition I wish to ask of you, one that can work in both of our favors.” Sahïr spoke respectfully, as he wanted to try and get onto her good side, since she had something he needed.
“Do not waste my time mortal, speak now.” She said as she took a seat, her poise was graceful, and her demeanor was stern. If it wasn’t for her demonic appearance and wicked disposition, she could be fitting of a queen of a place like Elderitch, and Sahïr noticed that. “Well, to start I will say, I have a goal, and a dream of sorts. I want control, but I want control in more ways than one might think. I am trying to bring back something ancient, something you might remember. A feral beast from when you were once wandering this world, before being sealed away by those wretched fools. I do not recall what their proper name was, but I thought I would ask you what you knew.” He spoke carefully, not to let on what he knew. Sahïr knew the name and knew what things of her time were, but he wanted to get her going, get her mind on the mindset that he was worth helping. The demon queen looked with intrigue, her hands folded gently on her lap as she was quite different from how she was when she fought Thanatos. Like Drax, she had a very different personality on and off the battlefield. “You must be referring to the feral dragons that were once rulers of most of the land, ones under my family, the ones that were used to control this place once before you were even alive. They have since been either killed or tamed, and their blood passed on and infused into normal beings. This is what led to the creation and birth of ones like that orange dragon who tried to defy me, or the current King of Elderitch. They are created from treachery and betrayal, making so a pure blooded feral dragon god can no longer exist. Why do you wish to know this?” She asked curiously, her gaze locked onto the leopard.
“I may have a way to revive such beasts, but it would take some work, and access to documents I have no knowledge of, the lost text of your people, which, if my research is correct, was lost and sealed away in an underground monument, lost to time, and lost to history. If I can have access to such a place, I can resurrect your ancient pets, and let you gain your place as rightful queen of Elderitch, and eventually this whole land. I think that would be enough to earn your trust and cooperation?” He said simply as he watched her, but didn’t dare extend his hand to seal the deal, knowing one touch from her could kill a man. She smirked a little hearing that as she watched his mannerisms. “You speak a lot, and know much for someone as simple as yourself, mortal. What you wish is very outlandish, but I can see it working, if one were crazy enough to try and pull it off. If you can prove you have the means of bringing back those dragons from my rule centuries ago, I will believe your words.” She said as Sahïr stood up from his chair, and made his way to the bookshelf, where he showed his many books on the topic of rituals, and resurrection. She watched and looked at each book and their bindings, seeing what they were all for, which got a pleased chuckle from her as she stood up and walked over, looking down at the man, towering him due to her demonic appearance giving her height. “Very well then, I shall give you access to the ancient monument of the demonic council that once ruled this land. I shall not speak their name, as you are not fit to know such a name, but I will allow you access, do not disappoint me.” She spoke and opened up a glowing red portal, the butler following her in, as they waited for him. Sahïr noticed them standing idle in there as he nodded and followed them in.
Nelvona made her way through the portal, and on the other end was an exit that led into a very dark chamber, one unfamiliar to Sahïr. The Chit’Vani elder smirked a little as he walked behind her, looking forward at the portal with a longing look, he was ready to finally execute his plan. She led him out and grabbed what looked like a torch off the light, and formed a small fireball on her palm, placing it on the torch and shaking her hand to disperse the remainder that was on her hand. Sahïr watched as the darkness slowly faded and the room filled with a faint light, the butler going and lighting the rest of the lights, showing massive shelves full of books that lined the walls. The elder leopard looked in awe at all that was present before him, his heart raced slightly as he watched, this was a bit overwhelming but he was steeling himself for this. Nelvona finally spoke to break the stunned silence. “These are all the records of my family, from the founding of our people, to when we were banished so rudely by those bastards in Elderitch. Use them how you like.” She spoke with her firm authoritative voice once more as she pulled out a small key and handed it back to Sahïr. “This will grant you access to and from this place without the need for my help, but do not use it on a normal door, as it can cause a dangerous link in the world. Just clutch it tightly, and hold it out in an open area, and the portal should open for you. I shall make my leave, and speak to you again in a few days.” She said simply, and before Sahïr could say anything, she left through a portal with her servant, leaving Sahïr to his own devices and studies, he didn’t even know where to begin.
-
The sound of marching was heard in a farther land from Elderitch, a kingdom that could rival its own power. The Kingdom of Sanctuary, ruled by King Ashford. He was in the process of finishing a patrol with some new recruits, and he looked as they were all stopped at attention in front of the kingdom gates. After the battle with Drazernon, where he aided his ally Maxwell in defeating the demon king, Ashford had made it a goal of his to train up as many troops as he could in case another incident like that were to happen again. He didn’t want to have anyone suffer when the royals can do what they must. “Good work today soldiers. At ease. Take the rest of the day to relax and to prepare for tomorrow’s training. A few more days and I feel you will all be ready to face the frontlines with your fellow troops, those higher ranked than you. Dismissed.” He ordered as the troops all disbanded and headed into the kingdom, as Ashford’s father, an older gruff man, walked out. The former king of Sanctuary seemed to want to speak with his son. “Oh, father, good timing, I was just getting ready to come back to the castle to speak with you.” He smiled as he saw the taller, stronger human, but his gray hairs showed he was a bit too old to be fighting anymore, it was no wonder he gave the throne to his son after the battle with Drazernon.
“Father's intuition told me you would be out here by now. I came to tell you that you have something to address as one of your kingly duties. If you haven’t noticed, there was a sudden surge in power near Elderitch. I know you trust them, but I feel you should send an emissary or something of the sort to check what is going on there. Not out of a state of distrust, but just to make sure nothing is going on and they aren’t working on anything sinister is all.” His father spoke very bluntly, and was always right to the point, something Ashford had still not grown used to, especially since he became king and his father started advising him. “Yes, I understand. I was waiting to see if Maxwell would send something in regards to that situation, but nothing has arrived yet, I fear for the worst unfortunately, as we all know. Inferno was still the son of Drazernon, and I wonder if his powers have spiralled out of control.” Ashford said, letting out his concerns to his father as he walked with the older human back towards the castle, the former king shaking his head softly as he listened. “I doubt that, if that were the case it would be a continuous surge. But it was very sporadic, and only felt once a day ago, and once again an hour ago. I don’t think we should be suspicious of them, just to check in and make sure they don’t need our help is all, since we have a treaty with them.” His father said before stopping and gently grabbing his son's arm, to speak to him directly, face to face. “Son, do not give into your fears. Trust in your allies. If the worst comes down to it, I trust you will find a way to avoid conflict, if Inferno really is showing signs of unleashing a dark power inherited from his father, I trust you to figure out an alternative to cutting him down.” He said, before letting his son go, and walking towards the castle, leaving his son there in shock.
Ashford sighed a little as he watched his father leave, and stood there in silent thought, his world kind of spinning for a second as he sat on a bench and glanced around slowly. “It can’t be that he is evil, Maxwell wouldn’t have saved him had that been the case. That power surge couldn’t be ignored though, can it?” He asked as he made his way towards the barracks to see his troops, where a woman was walking out of as he approached. The woman was taller than he was, but not by much, she was a demon similar to Nelvona, but she had an affinity to light magic and was one of his most trusted allies. She was tall, he skin a faint red, and had a slight demon appearance, but she wasn’t deformed like the likes of Nelvona, Ashford would call her beautiful, a good way to describe it, she had long white hair that went down to her shoulder blades, she wore a white lab coat, and a pair of black pants, that went down to a pair of black boots she always wore, she was a scholar of sorts, but she was also a capable fighter. As for her facial appearance, her eyes were soft, a light blue, and she wore glasses that were hard to notice unless you were staring her face to face, and she had a single earring on her right ear, while some of her hair covered her left. “Judas! Hello.” Ashford smiled as he approached her, the demon scholar looking over before her face lit up slightly seeing the man. Ashford and Judas were close friends, and she was always ready to aid him in whatever means he needed. And she had a feeling this would be one of those times as she noticed his troubled aura to him, as she sighed.
“Whatever seems to be the issue your majesty?” He asked gently as she stood before him, blocking the way between him and the barracks. Ashford took a deep breath and motioned her to follow him, heading towards a small park area. “I have to send someone to Elderitch, because I have some worries I want to have addressed, and hopefully have them alleviated at the same time. My father told me it would be best to send someone to have an audience with them, just to make sure nothing is going south with Inferno, or anything like that.” Ashford said as he walked with her, Judas realizing what he meant, stopping for a second before making a fist with her right hand and hitting it on her left palm, as if having a revelation of something. “Oh! Is that it? I can tell you it wasn’t from Inferno. As soon as I felt the surge, like your father, I started doing some research with the limited knowledge I have. It is a shot in the dark but my research shows me that it isn’t technically related to Elderitch, it just happened to happen there. I think it was some mysterious power from those dark art uses at the academy in Elderitch. But if it does ease your mind, I will go in your place to have an audience with the king and make sure my theory is right.” Judas explained, but knew she should still leave the idea of going to see for themselves on the table, knowing that it was still possible, her research was never absolute.
“You want to do it?” Ashford asked in surprise. “You usually hate leaving Sanctuary, let alone dealing with noble life and nobility as a whole. Did something happen?” Ashford asked, knowing why Judas disliked most nobles, not counting his own family. Judas smiled a bit at the concern on his face, it was amusing to her. She composed herself however and nodded. “While I do hate the interactions usually, in some cases I believe I can swallow my pride and deal with it. Besides, they are clearly trustworthy, considering how quick they were to take your offer to aid them against the damned monster Drazernon, as well as sparing all of his kids.” She said, showing she knew even Maxwell and Saria were also Drazernon’s children, which caught Ashford by surprise. “I think I can put aside any resentments I feel to the idea of nobility, for your sake and the sake of the kingdom. You believe me right?” Judas asked, her demeanor turning serious, Ashford sighing gently as he looked down a little, his head moving to the left as he stared into the grass. “I do. It’s just…” He said softly before he looked her in the eyes. “You hate nobility because they killed your people. I trust you can put that aside, but I just worry what you will do if you are mistreated.” Ashford said, as if speaking on something touchy, something dangerous.
“If you think I will unleash what I once controlled, I can promise you, that power is far from my control anymore. I rid that power from my body, destroyed it. I hated what I was capable of when my emotions went crazy. I understand the fear and worry you feel, but you never have to worry about it.” She said softly, her hand gently placing itself on his shoulder as she watched her best friend closely. Ashford looked at her, and saw it in her eyes, she was honest about removing it, but he knew she never destroyed it, it was sealed away somewhere, but he wasn’t sure where. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath before nodding gently as he motioned her to follow him to the castle. “I trust you Judas, you are my closest friend, and I have no reason to doubt you. Let us go and make you a letter to take as proof of your emissary work, or whatever it is my father calls it. I will hopefully give sufficient proof to let you into Elderitch.” Ashford said, making his way up to the castle, Judas right behind him. The duo were met with gentle, happy smiles, people at peace, Sanctuary was named for the sole purpose that it was just that, a sanctuary for anyone, no matter what they were. People who never saw someone for appearance or for what they were capable of, people who saw you for being a good individual. Sanctuary accepted people like Judas, and it was one of the rare places that would accept a demon, no matter their affinity and allegiance. It made Judas happy, she was accepted.
Ashford arrived at the throne room, seeing his father had just finished preparations himself, a note and a small bag ready and waiting for Judas, which relieved Ashford as he was still new to this king status, so he was happy when his father did some of the harder parts. “So you are going to send Judas?” His father asked, not in disapproval, just wishing to know for certain who they would send in their place. Ashford nodded as he handed Judas everything. “I trust her, she can do it.” Ashford stated as he handed Judas a dagger, it was a nice fighting tool for close ranged combat, the handle was made of tough wood lined with silver, to hold it from breaking, and it had a nice guard that would cover the fingers and parts of the hand that held the knife. The blade itself was an oddity though as it was a weird copper color, which was different from the normal color of weaponry crafted in Sanctuary. “My knife should be enough to work alongside your spells to defend yourself. I know the blade looks weird but don’t worry, it is just the color, it is one of the strongest blades in the kingdom, it isn’t mere copper. Use it as you see fit, if you need to. Be safe Judas. I await your return.” Ashford said, as Judas nodded, as she knew she would be sent off immediately upon accepting it. “Thank you your majesty. I will return soon with news.” She informed and made her way out, Ashford’s father walking over and looking at his son. “You trust her with your own life, don’t you son?” He asked, Ashford sighing as he nodded gently, worry overflowing inside him.
“She has been my friend since I was a child. She cared about me, and I care for her. The world is too cruel to people like her, she is a good person yet she is treated unfairly. But I believe that if she can succeed and aid Elderitch in fighting whatever may come, than the world may change their ideas of someone like her.” Ashford said, showing his intent was to keep Judas there until the surge of power was figured out and stopped, one task his father made sure to put in the note. Despite the silence, they both knew what the other was thinking. “Well when she returns at the end of her mission, I am sure that will be the case. She is a smart, powerful, and caring woman. The world will learn to accept her.” His father said, and walked out of the room, leaving Ashford in the empty, silent throne room, the only sound he hears being the echo of the door closing. He walked to his throne and took a seat, looking at his hands. “Judas… Be safe.”
Inferno_the_dragon_wolf
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