Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

“You will do no such thing!” Arceana shouted.

“Will you be quiet!” I barked at her before turning to Aydalia and nodding. “Lady Farro, would you-“

The Elf cut me off with a glare. “I’m doing this for Arthur. Not for you.” Her tone startled me, but she grabbed her kids before pointing to the giant bear. “Get us up there.” Both looked at her, surprised. “Now.” She told her children. “Greigh!”

My gaze snapped to Ziah and Greigh, who instantly took off, flying toward the giant creature. To my surprise, they landed on top of it with no issue. To say I was confused would be an understatement.

“Aydalia…” I called out to her. “What are you doing?” Her scarred face turned to me as she gestured for Cassidy to pick up Arthur.

“Protecting us.” Aydalia answered before Ayda teleported them all up to the creature known as Kandma.

Not a moment later, the beast landed back on its front paws. The entire mountain shook horribly as many struggled to keep their balance. It then turned to leave.

“After it!” Arceana began. “Do not let the-“

With my hands already on her, I used a spell to put her to sleep forcefully. “Stand down!” I ordered angrily. “All of you!” My eyes then met General Kheri’s. “Including you.” Looking over the area, I began issuing out orders. “Go calm the citizens of Helmsforth. The last thing we need is them rushing here in a panic. Get my sister to the Medical Wing and get her cared for. Inform me the minute she wakes up.”

Kheri made her way over to me. “Are you sure about this?”

Eyeing the Zugal with Floyd, I answered. “Not one bit. Prepare for his return.” Turning back to the Temple, my eyes narrowed at the ground. “There’s someone I need to urgently speak with. Come with me.”

Cassidy's Point of View

Kandma’s Head

A frustrated growl escaped my lips as I looked over at Arthur. “Ya can’t just go keepin crazy secrets like that…”

Greigh was standing next to Aydalia while Ziah looked over Arthur with Ayda. Most of us were on the creature’s snout. Alwin was over by a Druid, which I had no idea why she was here. They were closer to the creature’s eyes and were quite a distance away. Although, the Elven General seemed to be questioning her. Although, he looked like he was barely standing. A sigh escaped my lips as I moved to Arthur.

“How is he?” I asked.

Ziah looked up at me. “I mean, I’d like to say he’s okay, but it’s Arthur. So, you know… Who knows…”

“Priestess Elincia and General Kheri made some rather outrageous claims about his injuries in the East. If he can heal from those, he should heal from these, but there is no guarantee. However, if he was poisoned, his prior behavior could be explained.” Ayda stated before looking at me. “What are we going to do, Cass? I felt you use the runes.”

I frowned. “There’s nothin we can do now. Ah had no choice. Floyd could use magic.”

That got her eyes to widen. “He what!?” The Elf seemed flustered at that. “I always suspected he might be able to, but it was confirmed he is Human. There is no conduit for him in his hands…”

“That doesn’t seem that important at the moment.” Ziah spoke up as she glanced at me. “While I am curious about those strange markings on your body, we need Arthur to regain his composure.”

Running my hands down my face, I sighed. “Ah don’t even know what ta think right now. Kine and Lucia are both dead…”

Ayda’s head whipped to me at that as tears welled up in her eyes. “What…?” She asked breathlessly.

Ziah nodded when the Elf looked at her. “Arthur came to kill Priestess Arceana because he said Lucia was dead and that it was the Priestess’s fault.”

“He also claimed she was his daughter…” I told the Elf, and Ayda looked at me as tears ran down her eyes. “Ah don’t know whether or not it’s true, but-“ My voice stopped when Ziah looked away from me. “Do ya know somethin, Ziah?” The question made the Zugal flinch.

“No.” Her voice was shaky.

My gaze drifted to Ayda, who still looked lost about the news of Kine and Lucia. We were close to both, so I understood the shocking news. Things haven’t been going our way. Kine was a fellow student and a good friend. Lucia was a friend who was always there. She was a constant for anyone who visited the Temple.

Ziah avoided my gaze. “Ziah, Ah can tell yer hidin somethin.”

The Zugal kept her gaze on Arthur. “After what just happened, you’ll understand when I say I’m not inclined to say anything regarding Arthur.”

“Ah don’t mean ta sound arrogant, but the problem is, Ah can’t imagine Arhur’d tell you somethin he wouldn’t tell me.” I told her, and she finally looked at me. “So, how do ya know what ya shouldn’t?”

Greigh’s voice came in from behind me. “We overheard him talking with the Dragon delegation.” The Captain informed me, and he continued at my curious brow. “He knew we were there and used it as a type of test.” Ziah seemed surprised at that. “I’ve no doubt he was watching us to see what we would do with what we heard.”

“I know more than anyone, but I took it by force.” Aydalia spoke softly.