RAPIDS OF FATE

Kai, Kenviar and Cyer had been taken captives following the incident with the bandits and the Wyvern, Zasha the crimson blade, it appeared was the one who was in charge. She was shorter than Kai and as far as he could tell possessed a wild temper. Her eyes showed her lack of sleep, the annoyance on her freckled face was obvious. Having seen her kill one of the prisoners mercilessly Kai felt intimidated. Zasha was reading a letter that which arrived to her keep some time ago concerning Kai and his demon. Seated in front of the pair, it seemed whatever the letter contained was getting on her nerves.

The lady known as Iliea walked in through the open entrance. The first thing Kai noticed was that among all the people present in the room, she was wearing the most casual dress, probably because she had been here for a while. While the others were outperforming their duty. She had a calm and collected look on her face, although her upper arm was bandaged.

Casually tucking her short hair behind her ear, she approached Zasha.

"What does the letter say?" She inquired, her manner of speaking to the fierce commander was informal as well, making Kai ponder who exactly she was.

"Tis more work, ain' it." Zasha spat

"What sort of work?" Iliea questioned.

"Tha' old man Philip, he is askin tha' we escort these," Zasha gestured with her chin towards Kai and Ken while still looking at the parchment,

"Wants us ta take em to the academy, don' E," She looked up at Iliea,

As Iliea standing beside her put her hand on Zasha's head, "You know, you could just refuse?" she said in a soft tone.

"I shall then," Zasha looked up at her, with a short smile on her face as Iliea after gingerly spoiling Zasha's hair retracted her hand. Zasha turned to look at Kai and Ken,

"Yea, so ere is how it goes." She said looking at them, "Lauren!" She called aloud, "Resupply em and show them the way, An let Philip know I don' give a fuck," Zasha finished getting up.

"What of our friend?" Kai spoke up,

"Where is tha' rat anyway" Zasha spoke up as well.

"Your friend is an Assassin, as such he will be handed over to the proper authority, count your blessings that you aren't being tried with him and he is in the old dungeon," Iliea answered as Zasha quietly left the room.

Kai at a loss of words was dragged along by Ken who sought to find a peaceful conclusion to the situation. Soon enough they found themselves beyond a draw bridge, with horses and a direction as well as supplies. The blizzard had calmed down momentarily.

Ken looked at Kai, a calculating gaze.

"Sooo, I guess, with that done, we should be on our way." Ken worded carefully, observing the dumbstruck Kai as he did.

"We have got our heading, and we have horses, we should..." He continued but was cut off.

"This isn't right." Kai breathed out quietly.

"What isn't right? Everything is perfect, we are almost there, look those mountains in the distance that is where Azmi..." Ken was quickly trying to change Kai's mind but before he could finish Kai began again.

"You saw how she is, she killed her prisoners without mercy. She is going to kill him." Kai started.

"Well, she is not one to be known for her compassion, but I don't think she would kill him," Ken answered, "He was wanted by the wolf, so I doubt he dies here, she would likely hand him over"

"And then what?" Kai asked

"The wolves might torture him and kill him later on, but that is none of our business." Ken answered airily now expecting Kai's unreasonable demand.

"We have to save him." Kai looked up at ken who rolled up his eyes.

"We don't have to do anything." Ken answered a bit annoyed.

"Ken, he saved my life. I owe him at least this much." Kai answered.

"That was his call, this is ours. Zasha won't show us any mercy,"

"I can't leave him here to die," Kai making his resolve, spoke loudly "Kenviar I order you to help me rescue him."

Ken let out a loud sigh, his own hand on his face, his expression of extreme frustration.

"Fine," answered through clenched teeth as Kai let out a sigh as well.

"For now, we have to move elsewhere, we will have to analyze our scenario and come up with a plan," Kenviar began with a change of heart.

"I will leave that to you then," Kai answered smiling again.

...

After the assassination of her father, the king of Neraya and her elder brother, the crowned prince, Anesia had been ushered by fate to become the head of her family and the queen of her people, having instead appointed her younger brother as king and the leader while he was still busy with his studies she had set out with Kaiser and his men.

At a loss of direction but backed by determination, her first objective had been to visit the neighboring towns and villages, checking up on the subjects of her kingdom upon the suggestion from Kaiser.

Visiting the locations, her party had found out more about the assassins and where they took the abducted Caius as she set her sight on rescuing Caius who was the commander of the military. He had been her elder brother's best friend and knew the matters of governance. Anesia realized the nature of this task, it was of the utmost importance to retrieve him, for he was an asset to Neraya and by all means his advisory was necessary. If her younger brother was to ascend the throne, the loyalty and wisdom of Caius would prove a great tool.

And so with her aim set, Anesia set out to find him, crossing over into territories unknown, making new acquaintances and enemies alike until her search brought her to the armies of the rogue general Sher. Having many brushes with death, losing hope and facing frustration it was due to her guardian, childhood friend and general, Kaiser that she carried on.

And so, on General Sher's trail with forces her own and allied she managed to corner him, but with no options left he escaped into the White wolf territory, with little alternatives left Anesia choose to peruse with a small force. The rest of her army disbanded due to conflicts between the commanders regarding entering the wolf's domain.