Chapter 360

Lucia's Point of View

Campsite

We had stopped for the night. We'd been traveling for days now. No news had come from our scouts. The western towns of Lestrania had gone all but silent. It was very unsettling. Alwin was preparing for the worst possible outcome, which is why we were resting so frequently. It gave time for the scouts to return, and if not, it gave the men the rest they would need if we were heading into battle.

My eyes traced along the western border. It was supposed to be the safest part of Lestrania. Nothing has ever come out of The Veil. What goes in never returns either, which meant something else was at work here. Maybe they all fled, and the towns are abandoned… Wishful thinking to be sure.

"My Lady…" A voice called from outside my tent.

"Enter."

Alwin entered in his full armor. "Lucia." He said softly.

Walking over to him, I gave the man a much-needed hug. Sleep seemed to escape him these days. He didn't want to be here or doing this. Not with the state of things back in the capital. Pulling away, my hand found his cheek as I caressed the single scar he had. It wasn't overly large, and it was on the bottom side of his right cheek. Alwin said it was a mistake that cost him the lives of his men. The General never explained much further.

"Has there been any word?" I asked before we moved over to my table.

He sighed as he placed both hands on the table to stare at the map. "No. They should have returned three days ago. I have slowed our pace as much as I can to receive any news, but it seems it is not meant to be." Alwin's head hung. "Lucia, I know you will not want to hear this, but-"

"I am not returning to Helmsforth, General." I cut him off.

He then gestured to the map as his gaze met mine. "We no longer can put this off. Our forces are moving blind, and we might be walking into a trap. If the Demons are behind this, they have likely separated our forces in two to weaken us." Alwin explained as he tapped the edge of the west on the map. "The Veil itself is magical in nature, and nothing has ever come out of there that we know of. That means this is likely a coordinated attack."

I looked at him. "You said there has been no news."

"No news 'is' news. We are either dealing with other flight capable opponents who took out our Zugal or magic users who are skilled enough to deal with our scouts from the ground." Alwin stated. "Either way, our mission is no longer just an investigation."

Nodding, I replied. "I know, Alwin."

"Please, Lucia. Please go home." His face contorted before he looked away from me. "I cannot lose anyone else, and if you are here, my focus will be on protecting you."

"And who will protect you?" I asked back, and he didn't look at me. "I know your sleep is disrupted. Do you even sleep anymore?"

"I rest when I can." Alwin responded dejectedly.

A sigh escaped my nose as I moved next to him and wrapped my arms around him. "Alwin, if I leave now and something happens to you, do you think I would be able to forgive myself?" He didn't reply. "I have been training. My magic is stronger than yours, and I have more of it. I might not be as experienced, but I can be of use."

His hand found mine on his shoulder, and he held it gently. "I-"

He didn't get to finish as a bright light suddenly enveloped everything. Shouts could be heard as many started to rush to the tent. I squinted as I tried to see what was happening while Alwin dragged me to the other soldiers. A pulse could be felt in my body as a ringing sound matched it. The shouts calmed down, and I finally was able to see what was happening as the light slightly dimmed.

It was Arthur's orb. The orb was floating in my tent, emitting a bluish glow as his energy seemed to radiate from it with small bursts of light shooting out. Many of us watched on, confused. Not long after, it began vibrating and picked up in intensity. The vibrations could be heard and were getting louder and louder until everything just stopped, and it fell back to the floor.

"What in the world?" Alwin whispered. "Is that Sir Arthur's-"

I cut him off as I nodded and went to pick it up. "It is. He gave it to me before he left."

He seemed surprised at that. "I see." Was his even response. "Has it done this before? Well, at a lesser intensity?"

Shaking my head, I answered. "No. It has never done this. I do not think it was supposed to."

"Do you know what it means?"

A frown came to my lips. "Nothing good. Should we ask Kine to report this?"

Alwin sighed. "Kine has been pulling double duty since none of the other scouts have returned. I will send him if we need to later, but I cannot lose him now."

I nodded. "I hope Arthur's okay."

Gently grabbing my hand, he caressed it. "If anyone is doing fine, it would be Arthur. The man came back from the dead. What could possibly be an issue for him?"

Kheri's Point of View

Capital of Vithari - Dwardew

I watched as Arthur's armor reformed around his wounds and listened as he raved. "Another fucking High Elf! Why am I not surprised it's another one of those pointy eared winged fucks!"