8 The Triad

He continued to walk forward until he reached his destination. He stopped in front of a door and knocked but nobody answered. He held the door's knob and turned it to open the door.

"Aries are you in here?" Reious called out as he entered an office full of scrolls and books scattered or piled up on the floor and on the tables.

"Yes, yes I'm here!" A cheery voice called out behind the stacks of books piled on the large wooden table at the center of the room.

"You never change Aries, your office is still as chaotic as before," a smile broke out from the general's face. A short, lean woman with messy brown hair and lively green eyes came out behind the towers of books.

"Books are my life, well aside from weapons," Aries exclaimed and smiled at Reious. "So what brought you in my sanctuary?" she asked.

If someone would see this woman and learn that she is a general, many would find it unbelievable but her might is not lesser than that of the other generals of the kingdom. She is a woman of intelligence, short as she is but her mind is sharper than any other.

"The king has given us an order, you are to lead the squad that was appointed to track the intruder who attempted to kill the prince. He wants the job to be done immediately, and he has given you the authority to use any resource you need." Aries's features turned serious at the given order.

"I will start my work right away," Aries answered and within a minute she was gone. He could only shook his head at Aries's enthusiasm. With a soft smile, Reious walked towards his own office and started to devise a plan to control the problem arising from the south.

The general was known for his swordsmanship and is already at the level of a Saint together with the other two people who make up the so-called Triad. He is also a tactician who was able to outwit many of their enemies during the wars that followed after the fall of the stars eighteen years ago.

It was a disastrous event that left the kingdom of Archellia half alive, this was an opportunity exploited by many of the kingdom's enemies to conquer the land. With the remaining force of the kingdom and with the help of the three generals, the kingdom was able to avoid any invasion.

Not long after, the kingdom was once again built brick by brick and they will continue to rise in power and be once again known as a top power in the Prism Continent. Eventually, they had experienced peace once again. Although the falling of the stars was a traumatic event to most, they chose to forget and move forward. This is one of the reasons why Archellia was able to continue standing.

"Reious!" Aries barged in the general's office and effectively startled the man. He sighed and looked at the woman whom he was just talking to a while ago. 'What was she doing in his office' He wanted to ask but never had the chance to.

"I'll be deploying my intelligence squad for the mission together with the appointed squad. Can you lend me some of your castors?" Aries smiled at the man in front of her and gave him thumbs up. She was fast indeed. It was just an hour ago after they talked with each other but Aries already had her men prepare and assemble. The intelligence squad was worthy of praise.

Reious stood up and gestured for one of the castors hiding somewhere in the room to come out. "Go to Captain Sun, tell him to prepare five Sky-level castors to go with General Aries's intelligence squad." The man disappeared on the spot after hearing his master's command.

"Whoa, they really are useful in times like this, I envy their talent." Aries sat down on one of the chairs in the office and casually looked around. "Hmmm, it's really been too long since I last visited your office but nothing has changed. It is still as boring as ever."

"I prefer my office than yours though. I can't stand all the scrolls and books you have in there. It's actually quite suffocating." The general teased as he also sat down on a chair opposite the ones that was currently occupied by Aries. He poured tea for his guest and both of them had a sip silently.

"By the way, where is Rohan?" Aries asked she was curious to know where that stiff man was. Much like Apollo, General Rohan is also known to be silent in many aspects and avoids talking as much as he can. He prefers to stay on the battlefield than staying in the palace and dealing with politics.

Aside from being stiff most of the time, he is also known for his compassion for the people, especially to children. Whenever he is in the palace, he would spend his time looking after the prince even though the prince was surrounded by so many guards form day until the night. He would always take the time to visit the prince whenever he comes back from the frontlines.

It was not a secret to everyone that General Rohan's son, unfortunately, died during the chaos that happened eighteen years ago. He was like his father. He died helping the people of Archellia during the bloody event but he was caught in the midst of the destruction. General Rohan's son was given the title of a hero together with other people who risked their lives during that event.

The general was happy but at the same time heartbroken, he was proud of what his son has done but the pain in his heart was still there. It was the reason why he deeply cared for Orion. He treated the prince as his own son.

"He will be returning from the northern borders tomorrow since we have an important meeting with the king and he can't afford to miss it," General Reious answered.

"Tsk, he really loves his work. Tell him I said that he should take a break once in a while, because I'm sure that he would be overly worried about Orion once he learns of what had happen," Aries stood up, ready to leave the room.

"Why don't you say it to him personally when he comes," Reious smiled.

"He would just glare at me. You know that the only people in this palace that he listens to are the king and the prince, especially the prince since he adores that child too much." Aries left the room and Reious can't hide the smile from appearing on his face.

Yes, all of them needed a break. He reminded himself to invite Aries and Rohan on a drink once the issue regarding the intruder and the southern border are settled.

Aries met with her intelligence squad and the castor squad lent by Reious to brief them on the operation. She would make sure that each one of them is thoroughly informed of how the plan would work. Aries would not tolerate any mistakes regarding this mission because the life of their heir was at stake and possibly the safety of their kingdom,

After instructing all the squad and warriors involved, she returned to her study to make her own preparation. She got down to storing all the necessary documents inside her brain by reading the books and scrolls that she thought might be of help to make their job a little bit easier.

At midnight, a noised sounded at the palace grounds and several neighs echoed through the empty ground. A tall man alighted from his horse and stood straight as he looked at the looming enormous palace in front of him. It has been a year since he left for the northern border and now he was back. He was hoping that he would not stay in this place for a long time. He hated the palace and would very much prefer to continuously live in the borders and protect the kingdom from there. But with his title as a general, Rohan is bound to fulfill his duty and return to the capital city to report to the king personally.

"Aren't you glad to return home?" A smiling Reious came out from the open gates of the palace and stood before Rohan.

Rohan frowned, "I'm glad but not to the point where I should celebrate."

Reious laughed and gestured for the man follow him inside. "I thought you'll be reaching the capital tomorrow?"

"Yes, but I'd rather finish our business earlier," Rohan answered blandly answered as usual.

Reious chose not to answer since he already knew the other's personality. They walked towards the main hall of the palace before Reious talked once again. "Your room has been cleaned. Rest for the night and you have the whole day tomorrow for yourself. We will have our audience with the king at night. I will send someone to come and get you for the meeting."

Rohan nodded and left for his room. Reious watched until the man's back disappeared on the corridor, he climbed the stairs and went to the king's room to report since he knew that the king was still awake.

"General Rohan had already retired to his room and I have already instructed him of his schedule for tomorrow," he reported to which the king only nodded. After not hearing anything from the king, he quietly left the room and retired for the night.