Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"Should I take that as you care very little about receiving your home in the lowest rung?" Arceana shot back.

I shrugged. "I could just continue to stay with Cassidy or pop over to a few of the nearby cities as well." Then I brought my hand up to my chin. "Or I could pretend to act as an ambassador in another kingdom." Turning to Kheri, I asked her a rhetorical question. "I've heard the Zugal Clans to the North respect power. You think I'd do well there?"

Kheri replied in a reporting manner. "They do respect power, but I am unsure if they accept those too childish to wield it properly."

"With enough power, they'd get over it." My response made her frown. "Hey, can't be all that different than here. They'd probably attack me all the time too." Scratching my neck in a bored manner, I looked back to Arceana since I wanted to avoid Elincia's gaze. "So, you got something to tell me, or am I good to back?"

"What is that?" Elincia inquired.

"A smoothie."

Almost everyone seemed exasperated at this point. "It looks to me to be some manner of portal." Elincia's tone was starting to become annoyed.

Crossing my arms, I shook my head. "If you knew what it was, why did you ask?" Then I gestured back to her. "Now, about my house? Is it done?"

Arceana merely smirked. "Why should we answer any of your questions if you refuse to answer-"

Not letting her finish, I went through the portal and went into the Reed's house. "You're back earlier than Ah expected!" Grandpa Reed said from the kitchen. "How'd it go?"

"Swimmingly."

"Really?" I was quiet, and the old man sighed as I sat down. "Why do ya do this? Can't ya just act more accepting for once? Ya've been real cordial with me and mine. What's the difference with doin the same with others?"

He set a glass of tea in front of me. "There are people in this world who deserve more than what they are given, Reed." I told him. "I'm not one of those people."

Augustus sat down and stared at me for a moment. "Ah'll admit yer eyes are a little off puting and yer hard ta get along with, but Ah still think yer a good person." He took a sip and smiled. "Ya just have trouble showing it."

"We're all entitled to our opinions, Reed." Frowning as I looked at the drink, I continued. "But I don't want acceptance for the things I've done or the people I've let down."

"Ya saved the Priestesses even after all yer disagreements. Ya saved my family as well and all of Helmsforth. Who exactly have you let down?"

"Everyone."

Cassidy's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

My eyes drifted up toward the priestesses. Priestess Arceana looked livid for a moment before her smile returned to her. Even the Generals were frowning as well as the others present. Priestess Elincia patted her sisters' arm in a caring manner before she looked at me.

"Cassidy." She spoke, and I bowed.

"Yes, Priestess?"

"Sir Arthur has been recovering in your home. Have you seen anything that has given you pause?" I opened my mouth to reply before I shut it tight. "Cassidy?"

"Ah'm sorry, Priestess."

Priestess Arceana looked at me more closely. "Sorry because you have not seen anything or sorry because you refuse to answer?"

Lowering my head, I merely bowed lower. "Ah'm sorry."

"Has he threatened you?" General Alwin inquired.

"No!" I answered more forcefully than I intended.

"Then why do you refuse to answer the Priestesses' questions?" He pushed further.

"He saved my family. While he stays at my home, Ah will treat him fairly. Because despite all Ah've done, he has forgiven me and my friends." I answered honestly. "Arthur may have his quirks, but all he has done since he arrived is help. Ah respect that, and Ah'll respect his privacy in turn."

Priestess Elincia stood, and I heard her approach me. "Your honesty never fails to surprise me. As such, I will press no further on this matter. However, I would ask that you inform us should you believe him to be doing anything dangerous."

Nodding, I looked up at her as she stood in front of me. "Ah will."

Then she turned to the others. "Do not spy on Arthur. He is clearly a man who wants his privacy. After following him around and the incidents that followed, I think it is safe to say we should give him that."

"Agreed." Priestess Arceana stated as she stood and moved toward Greigh. "Captain."

He kneeled. "Priestess."

"Inform Sir Arthur that his house will be done within the week. It will also be near the Reed Farmstead, so he might have already seen it. It need not be done immediately but do make sure he hears the news before the house is finished." She ordered him.

"Of course."

"Please inform him that there will likely be another meeting pertaining to his pay and other formalities that still have not been addressed." Greigh nodded once more. "Then there will be nothing else. Please feel free to go about your business."

Sighing in relief, I stood to leave. "However," Priestess Elincia started. "Ayda, Kine, and Floyd are to stay behind. Whether or not Sir Arthur has forgiven you matters little. You three are still to undergo punishments for your role in attacking him." I looked to my three fellow students, who all frowned. "Perhaps you will earn his forgiveness in time, but Sir Arthur does not seem to be one to forgive and forget. Remember that."

My gaze drifted to Priestess Arceana, who was watching me closely, and I felt nervous as she studied me. However, after a moment, she closed her eyes and moved from the room. Sighing in relief, Greigh and Ziah made their way to me.

Ziah smiled at me. "Need a lift down the mountain?"

"If ya wouldn't mind."