Arthur's Point of View

Dwardew

Sitting on my couch like I had the last few days, my memories of the recent events came to mind. If what the prisoners said is correct, I just slaughtered little more than slaves who had no hope of freedom. How many more did Thana have? If she was willing to send Tor just to silence a few prisoners, clearly, there are things that she doesn’t want known.

The worst part was, if she was forcefully breeding the slaves, and has been for the last several thousands of years… I knew how quickly a population could grow over that time span. There had to be a limit, though. Food and other resources shouldn’t’ve been plentiful enough to support millions in The Crimson Wasteland. There was a reason it was called a wasteland.

My mind was torn as I could barely focus on any one topic at a time. My energy was getting lower. On top of my wounds, which were taking a consistent output, my body was still poisoned. That kept my energy from returning at its normal pace. A soreness was beginning to set in as my energy continued to creep away.

There was a knock on the door, and I merely eyed it for a moment. “What?” I snapped after a moment.

My student’s voice picked up. “I brought some more water and a little food.” He opened the door and brought a tray in as I watched him. “How are you feeling? Any better?”

Ignoring his question, I asked one of my own. “How much time has passed since your visit with Kheri?”

“It’s been two days.”

“Two days?” I repeated as I felt my nose curl in frustration before my eyes settled on the tray. “Do they really have the resources to spare this?”

It appeared they sent me an entire pitcher with some soup, bread, and likely an elephant steak. Taking the pitcher, I immediately began to drink the water. I wasn’t in any danger of dying of thirst, but I did know that it would help. My body was seriously damaged, and that poison was really fucking me up.

“Many are wanting to give more to their savior.”

I scoffed at that. “Not much is left of their once grand capital. Thousands are dead. A hero who ended the war.” Typhon frowned at that. “I’ve heard the guards talking. Hero…” I repeated once more in a lower tone. “Who ended the war… Savior of Dwarves and Druids alike.” My eyes flickered to my student. “Never seek such titles, Ty.” I told him.

“Why not?” He inquired earnestly. “Isn’t it a good thing?”

Not if you knew what that title means to me after finding out about those prisoners. “Titles are a burden. Should something ever happen again, expectations and responsibility fall upon your shoulders naturally.” My eyes met his. “Keep their expectations low, and they’ll never be disappointed when you meet them.”

“Is that really something you should be saying to a child?” Elincia asked from the doorway.

“It is the truth I’ve come to know. Heroes and villains are both forgotten over time. What’s the point of dying earlier for some cause no one will remember?”

She looked to Typhon. “Leave us.” Elincia ordered.

Raising my hand, I stopped him with a glare. “Stay.” I said quickly before I pointed at him. “You stay right where you are. I don’t want any misunderstandings used against me.”

Typhon looked between the two of us while Elincia sighed. “You need to rest, Arthur.”

“I’d love to, but I can’t fucking sleep, Elincia!” My mocking tone made her frown. “There are a great many things I need, and I can’t get a single one of them right now!”

“Typhon.” She said again, but more gently.

“Is going nowhere.” I quickly added. “You attack me, and he’ll be here as a witness.”

Elincia looked offended at that. “Do you really think that’s what I want?”

“I don’t know what you want, and I don’t care at the moment.”

“Arthur, please just trust me. The last thing I want is to hurt you.” She informed me as she stepped closer.

Grabbing Typhon, who stood next to the tray, I pulled him closer to me. “Despite how I may act around you when I’m uninjured, I don’t trust you or your sister. Both of you lost that.” Giving her a small glare seemed to hurt her. “You pull anything-“

She cut me off. “I have no desire to pull anything. I only want to help.”

“You want to help, stay away from me.”

“Arthur, the Priestess is just-“

“I respect that you hold them in high regard. Respect that I don’t.” I told him firmly before I shifted my gaze back to Elincia. “Why are you here?”