What's that symbol?? Is that who's responsible for all this!! Chainik wondered to herself.

Nalnick took the lead, circling around and lighting the lamps. Before folding up the scrolls and sitting down in his giant throne.

Klossi and Chainik stood still, awaiting his command.

From Chainik's point, she was completely left isolated. Unable to defer the mumblings and commands in another tongue. All she could do was follow Klossi's head swivel and hope for the best. She squeezed his hand, trying to console herself. He held her firmly, smiling at her.

Tannol entered the tent last, turning and making his way into the corner. Dismissing the soldiers taking their slot. He leaned on the wooden pole, catching the two holding hands. He angrily scoffed at the sight.

Lieutenant Nalnick lifted his arm, allowing his men to sit. Tannol and Frinist bowed respectfully, bitterly looking at the couple centered between them.

"Klossi what's going on!?"

The lieutenant spoke out finally "You'll both be commissioned, under the watch of the my guard unit. You Caciccaci man, Klossi was it!"

"Yes, sir"

"Your name speaks and is uttered around these days, after your little stunt in the town square. Those street rodents won't be hearing of you while you work for me. I can assure you if that happens again, or you try any con. You will be killed but first this girl you seek to save. Will be beaten, enslaved, tortured and then killed in front of your eyes. You understand!" he said scornfully.

Klossi nodded his head.

Staring at the round table, he saw a giant map of Eein. With a script insignia stamp at the end of it. He was puzzled, thinking how a map of the whole province had been mapped out. From every town to the small villages. Who had betrayed them?

He tried to get a better look at the insignia but couldn't. It had a large signatory edict by the Morenn Family. But the map was audited and signed in a Black and Red script. With a stamped seal on it. Recognizing the language but unable to read since it was on the other side of the table. Now covered up by the lieutenant's sleeve.

Maps of Eein fell out of circulation nearly a hundred years ago, so it was impossible to get hands-on this! There's a traitor in this valley, no the insignia is of a family crest. So it's made from the outside, or the map would be torn at the least. But it's intact.

Nalnick raised his gauntlet trying to take a sip. Seeing as there was no wine, Frinist shot up to serve and pour him a drink.

"Now as for the two of you!" he uttered while wine dripped down his jaw. He whipped his mouth with his handkerchief.

Klossi looked attentively at it, in the moment.

That damn crest again! This time with a smaller crest. I was confused seeing the maps and documents with that same seal. Were the siege and conquest orchestrated by that accursed family?

Tal Morenn, how exactly did they slip past the outer worlds. How?? To bypass all that land without war is madness…. Is this whole war or campaign audited by the state? Where's the king?

Why has the royal emissary not arrived? His mind questioned.

Nalnick saw his intuitive eyes.

"If you're wondering about this. I'll tell you when the time's ready. Not that it will help your cause, since you can't prove anything.

Anyway, you'll both be stationed on two sides of the town. You the east, her the west. To find or give us a lead to the lake. If in a month or so you don't have it.

One of you shall pass away!

You have until the grand translator arrives, then your services will be null to us. In any way, if we don't have what we have we will move to Rhein, then the capital. Then the neighbor state if needs be" he expounded, twirling his gauntlet of wine.

"Tannol will ensure, your little girlfriend works appropriately. He'll discipline her if need be!" he announced after taking a deep breath out.

"That wasn't part of the deal!" Klossi fired back.

"The torture has to stop! He nearly killed her, his a rapist!!! You expect me to leave her in your hands with no insurability!"

"Deals change! Life is tough!" he replied mockingly, playing with the wooden soldier pieces on the round table.

"I need the girl; we need to be together…" he refuted.

Nalnick smashed his fist on the table, jolting the army pieces to the floor.

Klossi watched as one of the pieces sat down, its sword piercing the Nation of Caciccaci on the world map.

"You're not in the position to negotiate!!" shouted out Nalnick frustrated. His face tensed and angered by his words.

Tannol and Frinist chuckled, raising their eyebrows at the couple.

Chainik responded sharply eyeing them back.

Nalnick, cleaned the spilled wine off his garments. Removing his long royal cape and putting his sword on the display stand. Next to the giant wooden chest and carpet.

Then he turned swiftly with a menacing smirk on his face and walked straight to Klossi. Glaring him down.

"You know what I mean right!"

Klossi gulped down as sweat rolled down his forehead. He kept silent, keeping his resolve.

"We'll destroy Caciccaci next if needs be! HAHAHAHA" the arrogant man scuffled. Dusting off the bruised man's shoulders mockingly.

Then he turned around and took two steps away before pausing, peeking back.

"You do best to find it! Boy!" he insulted in a provoking manner.

Chainik couldn't understand a word but felt the tense mood, she clenched her fist ready to assault the man if need be.

"You look terrible, those scars on your head. Will your people even accept you looking like that?

Surprised you survived, the winter, the seasons, let alone the seas of Morenn.

Most slaves die from the terrain shift.

Fucking desert hugger, desert cockroach barbarian!".

Klossi felt anger and insult in those harsh words.

He gargled his spit, twirling it in his mouth, and spat at the floor.

Showing his distaste for him.

Nalnick laughed at the remark, unoffended by it.

"Am done, here!" He announced, clapping his hands.

"Get rid of them, separate them!" he commanded, before taking a seat in a flamboyant manner.

Smirking at Klossi, who had a look of revere and hate.

The two distasteful men shot up. Leaning in they grabbed the two of them.

Tannol grabbing Chainik who fought back.

Scuffling and wailing as she cried out to Klossi.

Frinist who tried to manhandle was hurled away by Klossi monstrous strength. Collapsing into the weapons stand. Tannol tried to react but was met with a colossal fist to the face, sending him back bleeding.

Klossi hugged Chainik tightly to himself.

Switching tongues, he tried explaining in the little time they had.

Chainik rubbed her hands over him, shaking worriedly.

"Klossi, Klossi…what's going on!?" she asked, panicking, and shaking.

"Do, what we discussed? Never stop looking for an opening just in case!"

"An opening for what!?"

"To escape!!!" hollered out, shaking her frivolously.

Chainik nodded her head.

"He may try to kill us beforehand, don't trust anyone okay!!"

She then turned over the Nalnick and insulted him, spitting at his table.

"Desert leech!" Nalnick fired back in his language.

Tannol raced back, grabbing her and holding her tightly.

"Keep your promise Nalnick!!!"

"Her security is sacred for me to do the task you command!".

Nalnick examined the audacious bold man once again.

"I'll do what I want! Do what I've instructed and maybe you both survive!".

Klossi was met back again by Frinist who punched and hit him in the ribs with the hilt of his sword.

"GET THEM OUT OF HERE!"

Chainik looked concerned, confused on why they were fighting.

"Klossi what is he saying!????"

"He wants to separate us and leave you with that brute!!".

Chainik gasped, falling to her knees.

Tears fell down her eyes again.

Klossi grabbed a pot and smashed it on Frinist's head.

Then the two entered a clash punching each other.

While he kicked Frinist away and grabbed Chainik.

"I won't leave without her, not without your promise! NALNICK!!!!" he yelled out at the top of his lungs.