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Elaria

Elaria couldn't help but think she was in a fantasy again when witnessing the duel, being completely enraptured by the display of magic. For the first time, Elaria got to see what Leo could do in a fight, and she was speechless, that was until Fel used her dragon's breath.

Horror washed over Elaria as the beam engulfed Leo, and she felt like she was physically being torn apart with how hard her emotions slammed into her. Fortunately the anguish didn't last long, because when the beam of light gave out, Leo was floating in it's previous path without a single trace of damage.

Elaria felt a wash of relief when she saw Leo, and was once again awed when he restrained Fel effortlessly. Even though Leo displayed complete control of the situation, Elaria was unable to shake her trembling from the near loss. So when Leo started walking back toward her at the gate, she began to cry once again, her body moving on its own to sprint toward him. Tackling him to the ground, she let loose all of the emotions she felt, gripping tightly to him while sobbing heavily into his chest.

After Leo calmed her down, they walked over to the rest of the party by the gate. Elaria couldn't be angry with Fel, because she could not help but see a part of Leo in her. But when she commented on how similar they were, they seemed to go at each other's throats, even though they acted friendly right after the fight.

Elaria had no clue as to why they didn't like it when it came to describing each other, and she was even more confused when Glia irritably told them to fuck. The comment stopped their argument in its tracks, and they both stared at Glia in shock as they lightened a shade.

Elaria cocked her head while in thought. ‘Maybe it's some strange feeling that I don't understand yet, and sex will help them with it?’

Elaria noticed Leo having that uncomfortable look that she irritably associated with him wanting a confirmation, again. ‘Alright, this needs to stop…’ She thought before she started to pull Leo away from the rest of the group.

Leo nearly tripped when Elaria began yanking him by the arm. “Elaria?” He asked in surprise.

Elaria continued to pull Leo away, determined to put an end to the bothersome behavior. “Shut up and follow me. Everyone else, I need to talk to Leo alone!” She called out while they continued to walk along the wall until they were out of earshot from the rest.

When Elaria finally let go of Leo, he became a bit concerned. “Um, is something wrong?”

Elaria crossed her arms while wearing a stern expression. “You need to stop wanting my permission to sleep with other women. It has turned from ‘annoying’, to being an actual problem with you.” She told him irritably.

Leo became sheepish and broke eye contact. “I know, but I don't want to hurt your feelings, especially since you're just starting to experience deeper emotions. I'd feel like shit if I did.” He explained while nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

Elaria frowned, not at all swayed by the excuse. “Leo, If I learned anything from that whole situation, it's that sex without real feelings doesn't mean anything. It's actually why I've held off on the excessively physical with you, because I want to understand my emotions more.”

It took a moment for Leo to speak, as he seemed to consider her words. “Elaria, It's just that most of human society really takes commitment to a single partner seriously, combine that with the fact that I've never been in a long term relationship, and I can't help but want to confirm it with you.”

Elaria sighed exhaustedly, rubbing her temple as she went on to clarify. “Well just to be as clear as I can be, ‘you don't need to ask’. So go ahead and fuck the brains out of as many women as you want, and when you want to have another genuine relationship, just talk to me about it. I don't mind sharing, because as ingrained as your social ethics seem to be, just imagine how I feel. To be honest, I've been a little pissed off about you wanting permission for a while now.”

Leo looked conflicted again before he spoke. “Alright, I understand… And I'm sorry that it had to come to a small intervention for you to get the message through….” He told her while she nodded with a small smile.

‘Hopefully it did this time, because I really don't want to have this conversation again.’

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Leo

After Elaria’s intervention, she and Leo rejoined the group and started for the guard base, which was now becoming the headquarters for the rebels.

Glia paced up to talk to Leo with a slightly nervous expression. “Hey Leo, could I have your room at the inn? You know, seeing as how you're now leader of a rebellion, and I have no where to stay.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “Sure, but you could still stay at the base. Like you said, I am the leader now.” He pointed out as they turned another corner, but was completely fine with letting her have the room anyway.

Glia winced. “No offence Leo, but I kinda want to stay out of whatever initial hell the academy is going to rain down on Telnar. So sleeping in the heart of where they are going to be shooting for, doesn't do well for my beauty sleep.” She explained with a half hearted chuckle.

Leo scratched the back of his head, realizing that she had a very valid point. “Fair. So yeah you can have it, I’ll just need to talk to… Oh, right, Kesl… Wait, the guild!” He paused worriedly while he turned to Fel. “What did you do with the merchants guild?”

Fel stared at Leo like he asked something ‘very’ stupid. “Absolutely nothing. Do you really think that we would screw with a continent wide economic power? We're nowhere close to even giving them a paper cut without getting our shit kicked in.”

Leo cocked his head with a little confusion, noticing the back door they left open. “Won't they contact the rest of the kingdom about this though? I feel like delaying that information for as long as possible would be in our best interests.”

Fel shrugged. “Obviously they will, but the guild itself won't get directly involved in any conflicts. Maybe support a side financially, but that's it. And it doesn't matter if they do, because we plan to be ready within the week, and it'll take the inquisitors at least twice that long to get here.” She explained casually.

Confusion spread across Leo’s face, because the guild said that the architect would be here in a few days, and that was coming from another kingdom. “Two weeks? Why would it take them that long if it's in the same kingdom?”

“It's not like they are always on standby for an uprising, and it's partially voluntary. Plus nobles are quite lazy when it comes to travel, preferring comfort over efficiency, so we have plenty of time before they get here. And before you ask, I think we should get to the base before discussing anything further. I still don't know who could be watching.” Fel clarified as she eyed a few alleyways suspiciously.

Leo became a little skeptical of the need for secrecy, now that she had taken the town. ‘The cloak I get, but I wonder what would warrant that level of paranoia.’ He thought with a touch of concern.

When they all reached their destination, Glia said her farewells as she went to get her stuff that she snuck into the base, before she left for the inn. So the remaining four walked further into the building, until they arrived in what looked like a war room the size of a small gymnasium. Dozens of makeshift tables were scattered around the room, with groups of selarins huddled around each of them.

A dark gray scaled female selarin, as large and bulky as Kesl, was towering over the largest table in the room. She was a bit over seven feet, peppered in scars, and looked fairly aged with squared facial features and amber eyes. They were directing selarins that went back and forth between their table and the smaller groups.

The sight of so many busy and determined people began to overwhelm Leo’s confidence just a bit, as the weight of what he stepped into started to hit him.

‘This is not where I thought I’d be when I woke up today…’

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Fel

Fel guided the trio to the main table in the room to inform the former army major of the recent change of leadership, one of the many conversations that Fel was dreading to have.

Fel gave Vesta a mock-salute. “Major, how is the securing of the town going?”

Vesta looked up from the table and quickly gave each member of the group a once over before addressing Fel. “‘Ve-sta’, I haven't been a major for years now. As for how it's ‘going’, it's still a chaotic mess, but it's not like we didn't expect this given how hard we had to push up the deadline.” She paused to quickly address two other selarins before turning back to the group.

Vesta gave Leo the stink eye. “Speaking of deadlines… I take it this is the thorn in all of our collective ass’s.” She remarked irritably.

Fel sighed heavily. “Yes, as well as our new leader.”

Vesta arched a brow in surprise, but three more selarins appeared around the table before she could ask about it. “Okay, you need to check in with Yez. I’m way too busy for whatever new crap he's put on my plate. Your new room is just two doors down that hall, all of your stuff is in there.”

Fel led everyone to her room and locked the door. “Leo, would you be so kind?” She asked with a gesture to the door.

Leo nodded in understanding and cast a sound barrier on the door, while Fel walked over to her pile of stuff on the bed to get her communication orb.

Fel wore an expression of dread as she looked at the orb in her hand, really not wanting to contact Yez, but the situation demanded it. “Best get this over with… Yez, are you there?”

The orb lit up after a few moments. “Hey Fel, how did it go? Hopefully you didn't kill him.”

Fel frowned slightly. “No he's here, say hi Leo.”

A slightly fascinated look crossed over Leo's face as he stared at the orb. “Um, hello Yez.”

A faint scoff could be heard from the other end. “It's a displeasure to finally make your acquaintance. We had everything lined up perfectly with the other kingdoms and you just had to fuck it up, but at least Fel managed to finally get you under control.” She remarked bitterly, and Leo's face dropped into visible irritation.

Fel let out an awkward cough. “Yeah, uh, about that….” She trailed nervously.

“Fel…” Yez warned.

Fel explained the whole situation to Yez over the communication orb while the others passively watched. When she was finished the orb was silent for a few minutes.

The orb was dim. “Fel, I don't like when you joke about the plan like this.” Yez scolded.

Fel was unable to look directly at the orb. “It's...not a joke Yez… I'm bound to follow his orders.” She confirmed hesitantly.

The orb started to grow brighter with each question. “He tricked you, right? He didn't actually win against you? RIGHT!?” Yez desperately asked.

Leo cut into the conversation with an irritated tone. “Uh, ‘he’ is still here, and yes I did.”

The orb was dim and silent for a few moments before Yez spoke. “Fel, give the orb to him and take everyone out. I want to speak alone with him for a moment…”

Leo smirked as he was handed the orb. “No need to do that, I'll just cast another sound spell.”

After Leo was secure in the spell, the orb grew insanely bright and Leo nearly dropped it trying to cover his eyes.

‘Sorry Leo, but at least it’s not me…’

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