853 Babysteps

Mathias "I'm sorry, but I have to refuse this... I cannot take children into lethal combat." he says, feeling as if Reima was pulling his leg.

Reima shakes his head, "No, you don't have a choice. You will take my daughters to fight Diablo, or I'll imprison you here and send them alone."

...

Barnock "Why would you do this? Surely you don't despise your children enough to wish them death?" he asks, seriously considering beating the shit out of this demented King.

Reima "My daughters are definitely strong enough to handle such a menial task, if you have ethical concerns, why don't you ask them yourselves?"

The group looks at Selina and Quennie to see what they thought of the situation...

Selina holds a neutral expression and bows, "I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to fight for my country and fellow men."

Reima shakes his head with a smirk, "And your real thoughts?"

Selina throws her fist into the air with a huge smile, "I wanna fight so bad! Dad never lets us do anything dangerous! I wanna fight, I wanna fight!" he exclaims excitedly, bouncing on her heels.

...

Quennie "I... I want to prove myself, I want to show my parents the efforts of my training... That everything I've been taught hasn't been forgotten." she says with a pleading look.

Tyrael looks at Mathias, "Perhaps they are stronger than they look... I can sense that King Reima isn't an evil person, I doubt he'd send his daughters to their deaths without an incredibly important reason, or if their strength was exceptional."

Mathias nods, "We don't really have a choice, do we?... Very well... We accept your daughters into our party, but should anything happen to them, I ask that our deaths be swift." he says.

Reima nods, "Don't worry, even if they are in grave danger, I have means of protecting them even when I'm thousands of miles away."

Upon hearing their acceptance Selina jumps at Quennie and envelopes her into a hug, picking her up and throwing her high in the air with strength not befitting a young girl.

Tyrael "We already know where Diablo is likely to be, your Arch-Mage has given us an artifact that can direct us towards the vague direction of Leah and Adria... But before we venture out of the city and into the Dragon Mountains, there is something important we need to retrieve..."

Reima "You're not going to say Diablo has a phylactery of something are you? Cuz I've dealt with enough of those to fill a treasury." he asks with a sigh.

Tyrael shakes his head, "No... An Angelic artifact that belonged to me called El'druin has gone missing. It's able to cut anything in this world or the next, it's an extremely powerful sword that could be incredibly harmful in the wrong hands."

Reima raises a brow, "Hm? Does it have a gold handle and hilt with a glowing core?" he asks, confusing Tyrael.

Tyrael "Yes... It does... How do you know of this?"

Reima materialises El'druin and displays it to him, "Well, Solaire said he felt something pulling him and upon following the sensation he found this sword. I'm guessing it's yours then?" he asks while nodding at Solaire who's standing at the back with crossed arms.

Tyrael nods and walks up to Reima, "It is, it's the only thing remaining of my divinity, it being inextricably linked to justice and righteousness." he explains, taking the handle that's presented to him.

Reima "I hope you won't lose it again, otherwise I'll keep it the next time."

Tyrael nods, "Indeed, I'll not let it go again, even if my life depends on it." he says, placing it at his hip where a sheath materialises itself before clipping onto his belt.

Reima "It's an interesting weapon, I'll give you that... Maybe you'll let me blacksmiths study it after you've dealt with Diablo?"

Tyrael "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement, I'll have to find another cause if I'm unable to return to my world..."

Reima shrugs, "I don't think you'll have difficulties doing that... No matter the world, there's always a need for justice." he says wisely.

Selina "Mum, Dad's acting like Grandpa Vesemir again..."

Ciri laughs, "Let him have his moment, you can make fun of him later."

Reima ignores them and stands, "You will set off on your journey tomorrow, I'll have someone provide you with information about the Dragon Mountains, its terrain, inhabitants, and safe areas. If you need anything simply call for Hinky and they'll appear next to you." he looks to his daughters, "Come on you two, we'll explain what's happening to Quelagg and get you ready... I'll not have any complaints, okay?"

"Okay!"/"Yes Dad" the two parrot, walking to his sides.

Ciri "I'm sure the only complaints you'll be getting are from Quelaag... You know how overprotective she is."

Reima chuckles, "Yeah, she'll demand I put you two in magically reinforced titanate boxes before she'll let you go anywhere near actual combat."

Quennie "Mum just worries about us, if you tell her gently she might not overeact." she says, not finding her words all that believable... She and Selina had just begun taking their first steps when Solaire came to babysit them... He'd be trying to teach them swordsmanship footwork when Quelaag had come in, Quennie fell over and started crying which caused Quelaag to literally explode...

The molten rubble of Solaire's house remains a testament for everyone not to piss her off... Solaire himself didn't seem to mind, finding it funny and frequently offering to babysit them again. He'd only been allowed when the duo turned two years old...