Chapter 583

Elincia's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"How are you, Sister?" I greeted.

Arceana and Floyd were at the training grounds once more. He'd revealed his ability to wield magic to Arthur and his friends. The only human ever recorded to be able to do so to such a degree. Given that Arthur had essentially threatened the two, they'd been here, and he'd been gone for two to three days now.

"Elincia." She did not turn to face me.

Floyd continued to focus on his instructions as he meditated with magic encompassing him. "You have been training for quite some time now. Would you care to join me for lunch?" It was an offer of desperation at this point. I'd watched them from the second floor for a few days now as they stayed on the grassy field.

Aerowyn had reported many were beginning to grow suspicious of the Priestesses' inactivity, the rumors surrounding them, and Arthur's sudden departure back to the Vithari. Hopefully, I would be able to convince her this wasn't the worst thing in the world. Despite how hopeless it seemed, my failures to find anything to restore her mind, optimism remained.

"I have a duty to my student, Elincia. Maybe another time." Was her cold response.

"Please." I pleaded. That got a reaction as she turned to me slightly. "Just one meal."

Arceana eyed me for only a moment before sighing. "Floyd," She called, "Take a break. We shall return to this later on this evening."

"Yes, Priestess." Our student stood and I waved at him as I usually would.

"Just let me borrow her for a little bit, okay?"

"…" Floyd didn't reply as he walked by me.

My lips thinned at that. Kine was dead. Ayda and Cassidy no longer attended practice or even visited the Temple. Now Floyd had refused to even greet me. Our forces seemed to be picking sides rather blatantly, even if it wasn't what I wanted, I doubt Arceana would believe me. Helmsforth was more fractured than ever. Arthur had caused a divide since his arrival, or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that he just revealed how bad it truly was in the first place.

"Shall we?" I gestured toward a nearby hallway.

"What do you want, Elincia?" My sister all but demanded.

"To eat with you." Was my reply. "Just to have a moment. You know… As sisters."

A sneer came to her lips as she crossed her arms. "You should have considered that before you supported Arthur in removing me from my position. You've all but usurped any power or authority I once had."

Narrowing my eyes into slits, I glared at her. "That's not what happened."

"No?" Arceana called back challenging. "Then how would you describe you doing nothing while he threatened me?"

Spreading my arms in disbelief, I answered. "What did you want me to do? In case you don't realize this yet, Arthur could remove both of us whenever he wanted! How do you expect me to do anything against him?" Holding my hands up, my voice grew silent for a moment as I took a deep breath. "Cea, the only reason either of us are alive is because of him. He saved my life, more than once, I might add."

Stepping towards me, the other Priestess glared at me coldly. So coldly, that I was completely surprised by the sheer disgust in her eyes. "Is that why you spread your legs for him?" My jaw went limp as it hung open in disbelief. "Oh, yes. I've heard all about the rumors of your time in Vithari. Tell me, is it truly because he saved your life that you sided with him against me, or it because he won your heart?" Arceana sneered as she glanced down at my lower region. "Perhaps he was just that good. Funny. I never took you for a whore."

Sister, or not, my reaction would've been the same for anyone as my palm cracked her across her cheek with enough force to cause her to stagger. "You go to far." Turning back towards me, her glare met my own. "Arthur Pendragon is a great man. If only you could see him as I see him."

"I have no desire to do so."

"That much is becoming abundantly clear." I hissed.

"You trust him far too much."

"And you, too little."

Magic healed her cheek as she hummed dismissively. "Trusting that man is a mistake. Arthur is…" Her lips thinned as she stepped away from me without any retaliation from the slap I gave her. "There's something off about him, Elincia. Maybe you just don't see it as I do."

No doubt the work of Rudnurth's magic. Influencing her. Deceiving her. My research had found nothing in terms of freeing her from his hold on her. Arceana has been charmed into hating Arthur almost instinctively.

A sigh left her lips. "You have not begun to ask the right questions yet, my dear sister."

One of my eyebrows rose slowly. "And what questions would those be?"

"Why have the Demons started to return around the same time as Arthur Pendragon's appearance in Lestrania? Why do these monsters seek him? They even respect him along with fear of him. Why?" She pondered idly. "Everything about him just feels wrong, and now he's left for Vithari again. He tells us nothing."

"He defends our people!" Frustration had continued to build until it overflowed. "He's protected them and us. Arthur has used his own finances to strengthen Helmsforth and Lestrania as a whole, sister! You're chasing shadows!"

"You do care for him."

"Of course, I care for him! The only reason I'm alive is because of him! Lestrania only exists because of him! Why can't you see him for what he's done?"

Arceana turned from me entirely. "We are talking in circles, and it is becoming clear to me that we will not agree on this topic."

Both hands covered my eyes in frustration. "Very well. It was good to speak with you, Arceana. If you ever wish to join me for a meal, I would be delighted."

"Have Arthur join you when he returns." Was her spiteful response.

My lips thinned at that. "I shall make the offer."

As I turned to leave, Arceana called out to me. "Did Lucia really go with Arthur to Vithari?"

I paused at the sudden question. "She did. Why do you ask?"

"Her place is here. With us." She stated firmly.

"And it is exactly that train of thought that pushed Lucia away." I told her coolly.

Moving back into the hallways, Aerowyn was waiting for me. "How'd it go?" I rolled my eyes at the question. "That well, huh?"

We strolled through the halls as we talked. "My sister has decided to turn her aggression towards me, it seems. No doubt from her inability to have another outlet."

"A different one, you mean." Aerowyn, the Zugal captain, stated. "You know as well as I do that she would continue to antagonize Arthur every chance she got. I'm honestly surprised she hasn't gone to his estate at this point."

A scoff left my lips. "I am not. Arceana, despite how much she may complain about him and my actions in not defending her, knows very well how powerful he is. Neither her, nor I, would stand any chance against him." Rubbing my temples in frustration, I huffed. "She didn't see him destroy an entire Demon Army, but she knows. She knows."

"We all know." The Zugal replied. "He's still not back yet?"

"Greigh has yet to inform me of such. Not that I feel like he reports to me anymore."

"Or me."

"Do you blame him?" I asked her, and she merely shook her head. "We haven't exactly been inspiring confidence among our forces lately. Some even know about Arceana's condition. Can you truly fault them for aiding someone who has shown nothing more than concern for Helmsforth and Lestrania as a whole? Even more so than their own Priestesses."

Aerowyn hummed. "No, but I know they don't think of it as choosing sides."

"Neither do I." My eyes slowly closed as I came to a stop. "Unfortunately, Arceana doesn't seem to hold our same point of view."

A hand softly touched my shoulder. "We'll help your sister, Priestess. No one is abandoning her."

"I can only hope she knows that deep down."

Arceana's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

"Floyd." I called out to my student.

He appeared in the training grounds once more. "Yes, Priestess?"

"I have a job for you. It involves separating Lucia and Arthur if you are able."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Anything as long as you can sow some manner of distrust between them." I told him as I glared off the side of the grounds. "I spent decades raising that girl. All my hard work will not be for naught."

Marina's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

"Hello, Cass." I greeted her as she entered the home. "Hello, Austin." My attention turned to the two Zugal with them. "Greigh. Ziah. If you're looking for my father, he's not back yet."

"Hello to you too, Marina." Ziah rolled her eyes.

Greigh chuckled with Austin and Cassidy. "We figured. Ziah and I were wondering if you've heard anything from Breeze. He went to the Dragonlands, right?"

I nodded. "He did. Although Breeze is also absent, I'm afraid. Did you wish to speak with him?"

"No. We were more hoping for an update."

I shrugged loosely. "Nothing to keep you up to date on, as of the moment. No one has returned, so there is no news. Apologies."

Greigh returned my shrug as he held his arms up and said, "What can you do?"

"Wait mostly." I answered.

"That was rhetorical." He shot back.

"I'm aware."

Cass cut in with a snort. "Good ta see ya'll are gettin along just dandy. We were also hoping ta check in on Arthur."

A sigh left my lips. "Father did say he was going to be gone for a few days, but I do feel unease with how he acts at times."

Austin looked around. "Is Typhon here?"

I waved toward a sigh door. "He's training, but you're welcome to join him. Just please make him aware of your presence so you don't get hurt. Alwin is with him, so it should be safe, but just be careful."

"Kay!" The boy quickly rushed off.

"In all seriousness, have ya heard anything at all?" Cass asked once her brother was gone. "Even from that orb thingy? Ayda left with her mother and Rennal without much of an explanation."

"As I said previously, there has been no word." I answered once more. "Even if Breeze had sent an SOS, I would not have been the one to receive it. However, since Lucia, Rock, and Camoa haven't returned, I think it's safe to say there has been no such emergency for the moment."

Ziah sighed. "That's better than another Demon Army, so I'll take it. Is it weird that I feel uncomfortable without Arthur here."

Cass crossed her arms. "You're not the only ones. The tone in town is gloomy at best. Most everyone knows somethin happened between Arthur and the Priestesses, but nothing has been officially announced. It doesn't help that the rumor mill is churnin somethin fierce."

"We know." Greigh cut in. "Priestess Elincia has given orders to keep everything hush hush, but you know how these things are. Rumors are called that for a reason. When Arthur gets back, he'll need to show his face in town a bit. Just to help quell some of the rumors with his presence alone."

"Do you really think that'll help?" I inquired.

"It can't hurt." He shot back.

"I think you are greatly underestimating how much my father would care about these rumors…" I warned him.

Cass snorted at that. "No kiddin. Arthur probably go around shouting 'fuck the Priestesses' and look at ya ta compliment him for ending the rumors right then and there."

Ziah giggled. "No one ever said he was subtle."

That made me chuckle as well. "While he certainly can be, I doubt this would be one of those situations for him." One of the children ran by at that moment with some cleaning supplies.

"How're the kids doing?" Greigh asked as he watched with his arms crossed. "They settling in okay?"

"As well as they can be. Aydalia and I have been looking after them along with Freya. Though, she still seems nervous, not that I blame her." I answered with a small shrug. "She knows how lucky they are to be alive, and she knows that revenge would be suicidal. Freya has been doing her best regardless. Honestly, I hold great respect for her. Most would've broken under such circumstances."

"It doesn't help that even Arthur didn't want them here." Ziah commented. "Lady Lucia really is an incredible person."

"Ah know Arthur seems ta think so."

Before anyone else could reply, the front door opened, and in walked Breeze. The smell of sulfur hit my nose first as I saw soot covering his fur. "Sister." He greeted tiredly. "Can you wash me?"

"Of course." With a wave of my hand, a large sphere of water came from my indoor creak. It quickly coated him, cleaned his fur, and then returned. "You look like you had a rough couple of days…"

He groaned as he moved forward and shook his antlers where Father's orb was strapped. "I think this mission is something that Father will have to look into himself."

"That bad?" Greigh asked as we moved into the living room for him to rest.

He curled up on one of the couches. "Two words. Lava Demon."

My eyes widened slightly at that. "The Demons are in the Dragonlands?"

All of us were alarmed at that, but Breeze just scoffed. "One was."

I raised a brow. "Was?"

"Giant Dragon ate it." Breeze informed us.

"It ate a Lava Demon?" Cass asked in disbelief.

To be fair, I also shared in her shock. "Yep. Now, I'm going to bed. Wake me if Father comes home."

Ziah felt the need to snort. "Wow. I'm so glad we followed you in here to talk."

My brother glanced at her with a flat expression. "Oh, did you have to fly through volcanic ash for the last few days and be on high alert in a foreign land with creatures large enough to swallow you whole? No? Then good night."

I chuckled. "Let him rest. We can learn more later."

"Someone's sensitive." Cass playfully mocked.

"Tired, more like." Greigh replied to the joke. "I've been there. Let him rest. We only came by for a short chat ourselves. Ziah and I need to return to the Temple. Please send someone to tell us if Arthur returns. Elincia is also worried about what we should do going forward."

"Just in general, or because of Arceana?" Cass asked back as they walked back to the front door, and I floated on some water.

"Arceana has holed herself up inside the Temple. I don't think that bodes well for anyone." I stated.

Greigh nodded. "Agreed. We're keeping an eye on her, but with her memories under Rudnurth's influence, those of us that know are on edge about how much he can influence her. Personally, I kind of wish Arthur just killed him when he had the chance."

Ziah shook her head. "There's no guarantee that would've freed the Priestess from his control. Without him, she may grow worse and worse."

"That in itself is concerning. Please feel free to come by whenever you wish. You two are welcome here. You know that." I told them.

They have a respectful nod. "Thank you. We'll keep our ears open for any trouble as well." Greigh replied. "Part of me was a little concerned about a mob trying to break their way into the estate to get to the Succubae. Thankfully, it's not been an issue."

Cass snorted at that. "As if any of them would be able to get past Marina."

"With just myself, I'd be hard pressed to stop a horde of people from hurting anyone. Breeze's return is most welcome."

"You have the town guard as well if you need them. I've already given orders for the barracks near the outskirts." Greigh informed me.

"Thank you."

"It's the least we can do. Until next time."

The two Zugal left and Cass turned to me. "Do ya mind if I check on Ty?"

"You know where he usually trains." I told her simply.

"Thanks."

"Of course." Left by myself in the entryway, where I have resided since Father had left with Lucia and the others, I found myself a little lonely. "I hope you're all safe." Surely, they must be close to done by now, right?

Lucia's Point of View

Druid Forest

"And then," Vome continued loudly as he gestured to Arthur, "He puts the elephant down before kidnapping a dwarven child!" I turned to him with a raised brow. "For a bath!" The brow raised higher.

Vitar ran a hand down his face as several others seemed exasperated. "Master Vome," The young Dwarven King began, "We already know all this. Our question was about the Rock Golem that you are currently riding atop of."

"I was getting to that!" Vome called back. "Where was I?"

Arthur, who looked more amused than anything, answered with, "Kidnapping children for a bath."

"Yes! The hot springs and Arthur wanted a bath!"

Rock bobbed up and down as Ventari eventually just sighed as she watched the scene. "Can you please restrain him? He's clearly quite drunk."

"I am not!" Vome sounded scandalized. "Drunk on life, maybe, but I assure you, I've never been more levelheaded! I'd have to be to be riding a giant golem, would I not?"

Vitar turned to me this time. "Can you please remove him with your magic?"

"Rock." I called and the giant golem quickly moved to me as he picked up Vitar to remove him as he set the Dwarf down beside me.

"Ah!"

"Thank you." I patted his arm. "Apologies for this. We'll be leaving now."

"Of course." Vitar nodded respectfully in return. "Thank you for this visit and we'll see you again soon. Be safe, Lady Lucia."

"And you, King Vitar." My attention turned back to Arthur. "Shall we?"

He merely smirked. "We shall."

"One moment!" Vitar called out and moved next to Arthur as we were about to leave. "Sir Arthur, about what we discussed…"

I watched the man's eyes soften slightly. "There is no pressure. I've discussed the pros and cons for each. Should you choose to accept, good. If not, then I will take my request elsewhere."

The King's lips thinned before he sighed. "I'll have an answer for you by the time this Summit of yours takes place."

"Any help is welcome. This burden isn't entirely yours to bear, nor did I intend for it to be. You need to take care of your people first." Arthur's eyes looked over the nearby Dwarves, and Druids, that were there to see us off. "Both of them."

"Thank you." Vitar replied.

To my surprise, Arthur held out his hand to the young King, which drew a smile from him. "Thank you for your consideration." The two men shook hands and Arthur then turned to me. "Let's go."

None of us were in the meeting between the two men. Only they know what was discussed. I'm sure we'd hear about it sooner or later. For now, portal opened as Camoa stepped in first followed by the rest of us. It would be nice to be home.