บท 252: Commander Tarric
"So who is this Commander Tarric?" I whispered to Paul.
"One of the larger cities in Arcadia, also a long time supporter of Atlantis, so I have no idea why he would be plotting against us," Paul answered clearly looking very unsure how to deal with the situation.
"Could the Voz'zuk be lying to us?" I questioned since I didn't even trust Vos'zuk to begin with.
"That could be a possibility....." Paul began to ponder, he slyly pulled out a small metal bead from his pocket and with a flick shot it directly at the imp.
We watched eagerly as the bead flew towards the imp, with a silenced yelp the imp flinched in pain which also, in turn, caused Commander Tarric to flinch a little shooting the imp a very quick glance. "That's something," I whispered to Paul as they both began to scan the environment.
Paul quickly turned and grabbed two drinks handing me one and pretended to clink glasses, "Okay so we know the imp is real and that it is invisible and not an illusion." Paul explained his actions to me. "What do you see?" He questioned as his back was now faced towards Commander Tarric.
"Commander Tarric is still engaged in conversation but the imp is still scanning around him," I answered acting as his eyes.
"How do you think I should approach the situation? Pretend to be oblivious and act normal, or take him away for questioning?" Paul asked.
"Hmm, who are the others he Is currently conversing with?" I questioned trying to assess the situation more.
"The two women are nobles most likely using the opportunity to network, maybe potential suitors. The older man is an Elder of Rivenskies one of the wealthier families there's, most likely here for a good time. Finally, the two younger ones dressed in armour I assume are his guards or lieutenants." Paul answered.
"And the people they are talking to?" I questioned.
"Hmm, I think he's the mayor of a small town, I'm not certain though." He answered still relying on my eyes to assess the situation.
"Hmm, what about them two?" I asked looking to the side pointing out with a nod of my head a couple whose red threads seemed to be unconnected to each other.
"That is Mr and Miss Hillwallow of the Hillwollow initiative, a nice family who spends a lot of time helping homeless children. They help Atlantis home children that have lost their parents," Paul answered, "There's no way they would get involved with Demons." Paul added.
"Ahhh it's just I saw the imp look at them for a little longer than usual." I lied to him trying to work out what these red threads meant.
"How about those two?" I questioned pointing Paul's attention to another two individuals that have their red threads connected together.
"That would be Lady Elia and someone I don't recognise, maybe he hasn't made a name of himself or I can't remember if I've met him before," Paul answered, "why do you ask?" He questioned.
"I dunno some reason I see red threads leading off from people's ankles, most of them lead off out the room into the world and there are very few that are connected, but I can't quite work out what they mean," I answered.
"Hmmm, how about my ankle?" Paul questioned curiously.
"Well umm, that one is connected to mine." I hesitantly answered.
"Hmmm well, that doesn't rule anything out then, could be a number of possible things." Paul sighed.
"Anyways forget about that, I believe we should talk to Commander Tarric maybe we can get some insight on why he has an imp over his shoulder," I suggest.
"I think you're right." Paul smiled.
"Yeah, maybe we can help him one way or another, like you said they prey on their weakness." I smiled in return.
"Alright let's go," He smiled with joy and began walking ahead.
As he walked forward leading the way, those feelings that I shut out for so long and eventually forgotten hit me like a tidal wave, suddenly all that time without him felt a little hollow like I was living a life of black and white and now he's back colour has now returned, suddenly everything felt right like the stars were aligned.
"You okay there Emilia?" Paul questioned noticing I wasn't quite following him as closely.
"Yeah yeah, just this whole thing is so trippy, I can see sparkling lights everywhere and strange floaty creatures," I explained to him catching up.
"Interesting the spell affected me differently to you, well I believe what you are seeing are things in another plane, or in our language another dimension, if they pass through us it means you only see them." Paul smiled gripping my hand to pull me along.
As soon as the imp saw us heading towards Commander Tarric it instantly looked panicked and disappeared in a puff of smoke with a weird inscribed rune that lasted a mere millisecond.
"Well I guess the imp knows who I am," Paul whispered to me as Commander Tarric noticed his imp disappear and then saw us walking towards him.
"Paul the Black Dragon Slayer, long time no see." Commander Tarric smiled and quickly dismissed the group of individuals and his personal guard despite what seemed to be a little objection giving Paul a coy wave before being escorted away, and welcoming Paul with an outstretched hand.
"Commander Tarric long time no see, how fares Rivenskies?" Paul questioned faking a smile that looked so genuine even I would believe it.
"Ah you know same old same old, how about you? How fares Atlantis?" He questioned equally faking a smile or what I believe was a faked smile.
"Ah Atlantis is doing well, you know same old same old putting out fires all over Arcadia." Paul smiled.
"Oh, I heard you dealt with the Dark Elf incursion recently and single-handedly arranged the rebuilding of the city as well." He smiled giving Paul a raised glass of respect. "They said you annihilated a small army on your own." He asked looking extremely curious.
"Well not all by myself perse, I did require a lot of help and support from everyone." Paul smiled, "Oh if you don't mind, may I ask what might be a very confidential question?" Paul requested Commander Tarric politely.
"It depends on the topic at hand." He replied his expression quickly turned to nervousness.
"Is it true that Arcadia is gathering soldiers from all the cities to combat the amassing orc and Goblin threat?" Paul questioned quietly so only those within direct earshot could hear.
"Ahhhh yes, that is true, sadly we have to send a lot of our young men and women." He replied with his expression and his posture became more relaxed.
"Oh, how many soldiers did Rivenskies have to commit?" Paul asked curiously.
"Close to five hundred." He answered Paul's question making Paul give him a look of shock.
"Isn't that a huge portion of your troop supply?" Paul questioned curiously.
"Yup and now I'm at ends with trying to keep the city protected from both inside and outside threats." He sighed.
"And what of your nephew? was he conscripted to join Arcadia?" Paul carried on grilling trying to get as much information out of him as he could.
"Yes, unfortunately, Arcadia requested the youngest and most abled soldiers." He answered.
"My best wishes, I really wish Atalantis could help alleviate the problem." Paul apologised to him despite it not even being his fault.
"I understand, unfortunately, I also do understand the situation the Royal Family is facing, the over-reliance in Atlantis has made the public believe the Royal Family are unfit to rule. In addition, as more and more gifted individuals are born it only gives Atlantis and the other institutes more and more power." He began to explain.
"You and I both know Atlantis will never do that," Paul answered unable to give him a proper answer to counter his argument.
"See even you can't give us a proper case against it, look at it this way, you alone destroyed a Dark Elf incursion even if Arcadia united they wouldn't be even able to stop you let alone every student here." He answered.
"Okay okay I get your point, but everyone knows I'm here for the people not to lead some stupid coup," Paul answered finding his caution and fear absurd.
"Look I don't speak for everyone, but each battle or news of you coming to save the day makes the public believe the Monarchy is useless." He repeated himself.
"Yeah but I'm not gonna suddenly take control of a kingdom or region, I don't even know the first thing on running a kingdom." Paul objected.
"Look, I don't hate you but that's just how it is, even the other institutes the Council of Nine, The Titans and The Demon and his family, you and Scarlet alone makes them leave Arcadia alone, and they are the one's who are meant to keep you in check. Can you really blame us for fearing what you can do? If the most talented and gifted magic users even fear the both of you, what can us normal people do?" He carried on explaining.
"I see your point and everything, but I'm here just trying to do the good things." Paul tried to argue his point but it looked like he understands them a little.
"Look there's a reason Princess Calista went out her way to get into Atlantis, despite her parents forbidding her and probably got disowned or exiled in the process." He explained which shocked me a little, but it still didn't make me forgive her any less for her up stuck silver-spooned brattiness.
"God I detest politics so much." Paul sighed.
"Sorry friend, but that's just how it is," He sighed placing a hand on Paul's shoulders.
"So how do you think Atlantis should approach this? should we perhaps withdraw from Arcadia?" Paul questioned.
"Certainly not, without Arcadia's protection, it'd be a fight for control by the other institutes which Arcadia would most certainly lose." He answered Paul immediately.
"Great, so they don't want us helping but they don't want us to withdraw either. What on earth do we do then? just sit here twiddling our thumbs while innocent people lose their lives and homes?" Paul questioned.
"Well if Atlantis joins Arcadia allowing the royal family to assume control of Atlantis then that will most likely alleviate the problem." He suggested.
"No way are we gonna let Atlantis be under the control of the Royal family and bureaucracy." Paul rejected the idea instantly.
"Well then we're at an impasse, look the problem is Atlantis is its own entity, so long as Atlantis is independent to the Royal Family they will need to reinforce the image that they are in control and needed." He explained.
"Do you wish Atlantis wasn't as strong?" Paul questioned.
"A little, or maybe the Arcadian Mages were as strong as Atlantis." He answered.
"Well even if gifted individuals don't make it into any of the institutes they are taught by Ex Atlantis students so they should still be very strong, even Lumine amazingly talented," Paul replied.
"She is, but compared to sheer numbers, come on if Atlantis was to throw a coup, then you guys will take over Arcadia within a day." He answered.
"That's true, but believe me we have no reason to threaten Arcadia and the Royal Family, we are in a perfect status quo." Paul tried to persuade him.
"That's the problem with leadership, they will never want to be in a status quo, they will most certainly want to be on top." He answered. "Let's leave the topic, for now, we aren't getting anywhere. Who's this young friend you have with you?" He questioned curiously, "Commander Tarric of Rivenskies," He smiled giving me a bow.
"This is Emilia, my current mentee," Paul smiled.
"Mentee? you say?" He looked at me inquisitively, "That is quite the privilege, you might not know it but anyone and everyone would wish to be in the same position as you." He smiled.
"Nice to meet you Commander Tarric. Yes, I am very well aware of how lucky of a position I am in." I smiled.
"So tell me about yourself." He smiled which made me instantly begin to question his intentions.
Suddenly a female voice spoke out behind us in a language I completely didn't understand.
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Vanilla_Crown
Vanilla_Crown Sorry for publishing late, have a newborn child that needs looking after so I'm trying to balance everything, anyways thanks for taking time out of your lives to read my story. =)
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