Early morning light cast its warm glow through their window curtains and Cesia's long eyelashes flutter briefly before she stretches languidly and rolls over in the absurdly large and luxurious bed she shares with her husband. Her husband. She peaks up through the mess of curls framing her face to watch as he continues to sleep.
Rath's dark hair is tousled and messy and he has an arm flung out in front of him, reaching towards her, and the other is curling around the corner of his pillow. His face is peaceful in sleep, no longer plagued by nightmares and darkness. She likes to think that it's because he has her now, but it's a selfish thought. Still, she prides herself on being one of the few he will let his guard down with, and knows she is the only one he has ever been intimate with. She smiles and lets her fingers ghost along his hairline, around the shell of his pointed ear and across his jaw. He stirs in his sleep but leans into her touch instead of turning away. She grins, but then decides it's time to wake up.
She pulls the covers back, gently. It takes longer for her to get ready than it does for him and he could use a few more moments of rest; there would be time enough for duties and busywork later that day. So she pulls her long legs out and reaches for the floor, her nightgown almost a hindrance around her long limbs. There is a vanity set at the other end of the room and she sits herself in front of it, reaching for her hairbrush to tame the nighttime tangles that always knotted themselves in her hair. It was a long process, but she had done it nearly everyday for her whole life, so she was used to it. Some days she took the extra time to sweep it up with pins or add various ornaments. Today, she decided on a simple braid.
She also had to decide what to wear. She found herself standing in her brassiere and undergarments, looking through her closet for something suitable. Today she wanted to go out into the city and she needed something plain, something that wouldn't stand out. Most of her dresses were too formal; they made a great impression if she was trying to look like royalty, however they wouldn't do for trying to blend in with the common people. It used to be so easy, something she didn't even need to think about when most of her outfits were old and travel-worn anyway. Nowadays she often found the need to ask a maid or two to assist her in dressing, doing up fancy laces or just holding up her voluminous skirts so she didn't get lost in them.
She briefly considered asking to borrow an outfit from someone. She didn't have many options, though. She might have asked Tintlet if she were there, but as it were, she was currently back in the Faerie Forest. It wouldn't be worth asking Delte, as the fortune-teller had lovely dresses, but they simply wouldn't fit. The girl was too petite, Cesia thought with a sigh as she glanced down at her own ample chest. Kitchel's clothes would fit, but while Cesia hadn't always worn the most modest outfits, Kitchel left almost nothing to the imagination. Cesia was left with few choices.
A pair of warm arms snaked their way around her waist and Cesia felt a familiar mouth press against the nape of her neck. She hadn't even heard him approach her.
"G'morning," Rath said softly, he speech still slurred by the last dregs of sleep. Cesia felt his lips form the words as he spoke them. He buried his face in her shoulder and breathed deeply. She placed her hands on his and smiled in amusement. Despite how regally he tried to act most of the time, he still had a childish side that enjoyed cuddling, especially when he was still sleepy.
"Good morning sleepy-head," she replied fondly.
"What're you doing?" he asked.
"Trying to decide on something to wear for today. None of my dresses really seem suitable…"
Rath blinked. "What's today?"
"Don't tell me you forgot!" she turned to look at him accusatorily. He backed up a bit with a confused and slightly guilty look on his face that said he had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. She sighed in exasperation. "Honestly, I expect you'll probably forget our anniversary too—"
"Will not!"
"Will too!"
"It's two weeks after the spring equinox, I remember!"
She harrumphed and turned around to look at her selection of dresses once more. "You still forgot about today."
"Today is…" he trailed off.
"The day you promised we could go into town," she supplied for him.
"Oh. Oh, that's right! I didn't forget, I just, um…"
"You forgot," she contradicted him. "But I'll forgive you if you help me pick an outfit that I can wear into town without looking like a pompous aristocrat."
"Who, you? Nah," he teased. "Pompous, maybe. But an aristocrat? Never."
She glared playfully. "Three words, Rath. Pot, kettle, black."
Ignoring her, he pulled an amber-colored dress from the rack and held the fabric out. "How about this one, then? If you take off the overcoat that's supposed to go with it, it's pretty simple, yeah? Kind of… peasant-y?"
"But it doesn't have any sleeves," she frowned.
"Just pair it with a different jacket, then. Or wear a blouse under it. Here!" Unexpectedly, he grabbed one of his own fitted shirts, an off-white cotton shirt that he often wore when he trained, but it was neutral enough that a woman could wear it without looking odd. He held it next to the dress and oddly enough, it seemed like quite a fetching combination.
She quirked an eyebrow. "Honestly, Rath. Your fashion sense…."
He grinned. "You love my fashion sense. And I love seeing you wear my clothes."
A faint blush spread over her cheeks. "You! Go away and let me get dressed!"
He pouted, but complied, heading to their private washroom to perform his own morning ritual. When he was gone, she held his shirt up to herself in the mirror, enjoying the smooth comfort of the fabric beneath her hands and the faint scent of Rath that permeated it. She would inevitably smell like him all day. She began slipping her arms into the sleeves eagerly.
Rath yawned and stretched his arms over his head, still a bit tired. This morning he wore a simple, dark red tunic over black trousers, belted at the waist. He may have been the master of the Light Dragon, but he still looked best in dark colors. The outfit was also very light and comfortable and he had half a thought to go and spar with the dragon fighters for a bit, before he went into town with Cesia.
But before that. There was a serious matter that needed attending to.
He opened the door to his private study and glanced around. Even though it was his room, it still made him feel a bit small. Thatz was not there yet, despite the fact that Rath had sent for him nearly half an hour ago. He sighed. No matter, there was always paperwork to keep him busy. It had become an unfortunate constant in his life, and gave him a great appreciation for Rune, who had even more paperwork to deal with than he did.
He was just reading over some of the latest expense reports when there was a knock at the door. Without waiting for a reply, it opened and Thatz poked his head in past the frame. "You called for me, my Lord?" he asked with mock seriousness, bowing into the room and then standing up to his full height with a grin.
Rath grinned back. While Rune often went out of his way to try to treat Rath like he was supposed to (even though he often failed and fell back on his old habit of yelling at Rath like he was an insubordinate child), Thatz never made any pretense of treating Rath like he was anything less than one of his best friends, royalty or not. Rath was quietly relieved by it. If Thatz, of all people, had suddenly decided to become deferential and subservient towards him after he took up the throne, he might possibly have hurled his crown off the balcony and been done with it.
"Yeah, come in. You're just in time to help me procrastinate on the list of expenses for the dragon fighters. While it's good to know that stuff still gets destroyed when I'm not the one doing the destroying, it makes me nostalgic for old times, and I don't think Rune would be too happy if I added to the amount of practice equipment that needs replacing."
"Too true."
Rath nodded. "Well, close the door and have a seat. I actually do have something serious to discuss with you. It needs to remain between us. For now, at least." He made sure his features conveyed the importance of what he was about to say and knew that Thatz would catch on. Of all the members of the Dragon Tribe, Rath knew that Thatz had the ability to be the most discreet and was not only unexpectantly observant and knowledgeable, but he never abused his knowledge. This made him one of the most trustworthy as well.
Thatz looked at him curiously, eyeing the expression on his friend's face, and closing the door, as asked. He said nothing, waiting for Rath to continue.
"I am asking you to do this, not as your king, but as your friend." Rath looked down at his hands pensively. His brow furrowed as he debated with himself internally. He was searching for just the right words. "You have every right to refuse, I won't force you. But if you're willing…"
"Just get on with it, Rath!" Thatz rolled his eyes at his friend, who was obviously just putting off saying whatever it was he was really trying to say. "Sometimes you are too melodramatic."
Rath glared, but there was no real heat to it. "Fine. What I want to ask you is if you would be willing to return to Arinas."
Thatz blinked. "Arinas? Why?"
"There is… a demon there. Kharl, the Renkin Wizard. He's a demon alchemist and also the One-Winged Angel Rune was searching for. He lives in Arinas."
"And you want me to… what? To kill him?"
Again, Rath seemed to hesitate. "If you can. But he is very dangerous, and it won't be easy. You have good judgement. If you think it isn't possible, just gather whatever information you can—you're one of the most observant people I know, so if you can't get rid of him, I know you'll be able to pull reconnaissance off better than anyone."
Thatz ignored the compliment and looked at Rath, picking apart his expression. It was more serious than he'd seen it in a long time. There was something he wasn't telling him. Again.
"Okay. So why send me alone, if he's so dangerous?"
"Because I trust you."
That caught Thatz off-guard. It was true that he was one of the few in Rath's inner circle, and it had certainly taken him a lot of time and a lot of hard work to get there. But for Rath to admit it himself was rare. It wasn't something he said to just anyone. Actually, he might not have ever said it ever. It also only cemented the idea in Thatz's head that there was much more to this demon alchemist that Rath wasn't revealing.
Thatz leaned forward. "Alright Rath. Now you've really got my attention. What is it that you aren't telling me?"
Rath glared, and for a moment, he looked like the old Rath, the one with all the secrets, the one who wouldn't let anyone get close. And for that moment, Thatz was terrified that Rath would begin putting up new walls, walls that he would have to break down all over again. But then it passed, and his face softened.
"I…" His voice caught and the dragon lord cleared his throat. "Besides Kharl, only one other person knows this secret. I revealed it to Cesia shortly after we defeated Nadil; I couldn't not tell her, after everything we had been through. But other than that… I assume Nadil never told anyone." He shrugged. "I'm getting off-topic. Just remember, what I am about to tell you must not, can not leave this room." He lowered his voice and looked at Thatz beseechingly. "Promise me, Thatz."
Thatz leaned forward, making sure to meet Rath's gaze unwaveringly. "Whatever it is, you know you can trust me. I'll always be on your side, Rath."
Rath nodded gratefully, shot a glance towards the window, as though expecting someone to be there, before focusing on Thatz again. "Kharl has appeared to me several times. Before, I didn't understand why. Now I do. Nadil revealed it to me in his castle, before it was destroyed."
"And you believed him?" Thatz interrupted.
"What he said was true. Everything adds up. I have no doubt in my mind." He took a deep breath. "Before I was brought into the Dragon Clan, and even before I was the demon that rampaged over Dusis, I had another life. I don't remember that time, but I realize that what Kharl had tried to do once when he appeared to me was to bring those memories to the surface. And even though I can't recall them, it's like I can… feel them inside me. A truth that's locked away, deep inside, but it's still a part of me. If that makes sense?"
Thatz nodded, encouraging him to go on.
"So I know that Nadil was telling me the truth. Once upon a time, I was the Demon King of Arinas. I was created by Kharl and together we ruled over the demons of the Eastern continent. And I was killed by the King of Arinas." He laughed ironically. "And now I somehow have become the Dragon Lord of Dusis. Strange how things happen." Rath forced a chuckle, but the topic was too serious for humor. He waited to see how Thatz would respond.
The former thief was watching him very carefully as well. Thatz was trying to decide on the best words to use. Finally, he decided on, "Okay."
Rath stared. "That's it? 'Okay?' Just like that?"
"Just like that," Thatz nodded. "I've passed the point where you can surprise me any longer. The only thing to do is accept it, and move on. You are the former Demon King of Arinas, but now you're the Dragon Lord of Dusis. Your old partner wants you back, but obviously you have other responsibilities and so the best course of action is to kill him before he causes any more damage. I understand. Did you think I was going to out you in front of the whole court and demand to have you removed from the throne?" he asked with a grin.
Rath shrugged nervously. "I didn't know what to expect."
Thatz stood and moved to where Rath was sitting. He plopped himself down on the arm of Rath's chair so he could lean over and ruffle the king's hair.
"Owww, Thatz! Stop!"
When Thatz released him, he leaned back to see the normally very presentable and handsome lord with a messy bird's nest on his head and an annoyed glare directed at him.
Thatz laughed. "You should know by now, Rath. You can always count on your friends to support you, guide you, and make sure you don't get too used to being treated like royalty."
"Apparently I can also count on them to make me look undignified."
Thatz smirked at him as if to say, well what did you expect? He got up and strolled over to the door. "So I'll set off this afternoon, yeah? Sooner rather than later."
"Sorry to send you away so soon. I know you just got back," Rath apologized.
"It's my job, yeah?" Thatz replied in a forgiving tone. He opened the door to let himself out, but before he left, he turned back. "Oh, and Rath?"
Rath looked at him expectantly.
"You should tell Rune, too," Thatz said seriously. "Don't let this be like the last time you kept secrets from people."
A small sigh. "When he returns," he agreed reluctantly.
With one more parting grin and a lazy salute, Thatz stepped out and closed the door again behind him.
Bierrez checked his reflection in the tall, gilded mirror for the umpteenth time. His blond hair was perfectly spiked in the back and his orange fringe framed his face nicely. As always. He frowned and his mirror self frowned back. Then he purposely ran his hands through his hair to mess it up. The former demon sighed. He didn't look any worse, just more roguish. The castle maids loved to tell him such. He shook his head despairingly and then sat in a chair in the large sitting room, tapping a foot rhythmically, the solid boot creating a muffled thump on the carpeted floor. He was waiting for the royal couple to appear, as he had volunteered to be their escort as they visited the capital city. Sometimes he wondered if he was a masochist.
"Ah, there you are Bierrez!"
The Red Officer turned at the voice, automatically standing and sweeping into a low bow. "My queen. You look lovely this morning."
He noticed her pink cheeks with some satisfaction as she glared. "What have I told you about being so formal? Being so polite doesn't suit you, Bierrez."
He shrugged. "I mean it though. Not a single word of lie."
"I think we both know what a way with words you have."
In his mind, he recalled all of the pathetic half-confessions he had made to her in the past. "Yes. My eloquence is unmatched," he deadpanned.
"A perfect politician," she agreed seriously. She looked in the mirror that Bierrez himself had just been using moments ago. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she said, "Rath will be coming shortly; I just saw Thatz heading to his room to pack a few things. Apparently, he is to be sent off again, though I can't think of any place that needs our attention at the moment."
That caught Bierrez's attention. As the leader of the officers, there was very little he didn't know about, and he had not heard anything about giving Thatz another mission. "Thatz's leaving again? So soon?"
Cesia grinned at him. "Sad to see him go?"
He scoffed. "Thatz? The less he's around, the better. He gets on my nerves." That was only half-true. Thatz was keen. He noticed things that no one else did, things Bierrez would rather others didn't see. And so the Blue Officer tended to get under his skin more often than not. Despite that, most of their banter was just that: banter. Bierrez was reluctant to admit it, but he enjoyed the other man's company. Aside from Gil, he was the closest thing to a friend Bierrez had within the Dragon Tribe. He would never admit that out loud, though.
Cesia looked at him knowingly. "If you want to say good-bye, Rath and I will wait for you," she offered.
"No, thanks."
"Fine. I get it. You don't want to admit how you really feel."
He looked at her oddly. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing!" she sing-songed.
He decided to ignore whatever she was implying and went to stand by the window, looking out at the palace grounds. He heard her make an indignant noise and then the sound of the ruffling fabric of her skirt as she sat down on one of the chairs available.
It would seem, however, that they wouldn't need to go looking for Thatz to wish him well; he appeared on his own only minutes later. Bierrez turned his head at the approaching footsteps to observe the Officer of Foreign Affairs. He strode into the room wearing a traveler's cloak, the length of it hiding his missing arm. His boots were well-worn and none of his outfit held the flair that would make one associate him with the Dragon Clan. Wherever he was going, apparently it was necessary for him to travel incognito.
When he entered, he gave a bow. "My lady," he offered with a grin. "And Bierrez," he added like an afterthought, with a nod to his colleague.
"Thatz," she curtsied in reply. "Come to say farewell?"
"I just wanted to wish you a pleasant trip into town. And if you see the bar master, tell him I'm sorry I won't be coming by for a while. I can't do it myself, I'm afraid. He'd be sure to ply me with food and drink until I spill all of my secrets, and I really don't have time for that. Places to be, demons to kill, all that good stuff." He winked.
Bierrez raised an eyebrow. "And just where is it you're off to?"
"It's confidential, my friend."
A second eyebrow joined the first and Bierrez crossed his arms. He had hoped to look intimidating, but it didn't work on Thatz (it never did), since he only offered an amused grin in reply. While outwardly it seemed light-hearted and teasing, in reality Bierrez was a bit worried. Whether he liked it or not, part of Bierrez's job was to be aware of pretty much everything the other officers were doing. The fact that not only was Bierrez unaware of something, but he was blatantly being denied information, made him suspicious.
Another set of footsteps alerted them all to Rath's presence as he strode into the room. He stopped when he noticed all three of them looking at him.
"What?" he asked.
Cesia went to him and took his arm. "You're late, we've been waiting."
"I had stuff to do! Important stuff."
"Of course you did," she agreed indulgently. He glared at her, but she just led him out towards the castle doorway with an air of nonchalance.
Bierrez waited until they were out of sight before turning his attention to Thatz and pinning him with a glare. "What's going on?"
The other man shook his head. "I'm sorry, Bierrez. But I really can't tell you, at least not yet. However…" He cast a meaningful glance in the direction the royal couple had just left. "Keep an extra eye on Rath while I'm gone, will you?"
Bierrez wanted to grab Thatz by the shoulders and ask—no, demand—what Thatz was talking about, but the former knight had already swept through the doorway ahead of him, his cloak billowing in his wake. He put a hand to his head, rubbing his eyes. He hated secrets. He was going to have a headache by the end of the day, he could already tell.
Delte was shifting nervously, playing with the folds of her dress as she waited in the corridor.
"I should have known word would reach you. The castle grapevine is really something else!"
She spun around and saw Thatz, already dressed in his traveling clothes, smiling at her. She smiled back.
"You didn't think you'd be able to sneak out without saying good-bye to me, did you?" she teased.
"Never," he grinned. He stepped forward to place a kiss on her forehead. She couldn't see the expression on his face, but his voice was serious and reassuring. "Don't worry about me while I'm gone. I'll be back before you know it."
"That's what you always say," she muttered, stepping close so that she could take his hand in hers. "But I still miss you."
"I miss you too," he murmured into her curls. He allowed himself to inhale her perfume once more before stepping back to a more appropriate distance. Even though he was pretty sure half the castle knew about their relationship already, they tried to be discreet. He looked at her, strawberry-blond curls framing her petite face while her large, doe eyes looked up at him trustingly. Sometimes he wondered what a pretty faerie like her saw in a guy like him. Her hands were still around his and he shifted them so that he was holding hers, then leaned down to place another kiss on her knuckles. "I promise I will return to you soon. I always do."
Then he rose and turned away with a lingering glance, so that the image of her, soft and lovely in the warm sunlight, was burned into his mind to take with him on his journey.
The town was a bustle of activity, just like Rath remembered it. People hurried about, traders hauling wooden carts that wobbled along the cobblestone streets, women doing their shopping at various kiosks and stands, children rushing about between the legs of pedestrians as parents and older siblings called after them, and laborers worked away under the heat of the midday sun, while elderly folk sat around smoking and chatting with each other under the shade of canopies. There was much to see, much to buy, and tons of people willing to stop and chat, even though they did not recognize them as the Dragon Lord and Lady. It was just how they wanted it.
Rath watched fondly as Cesia chatted with a woman selling fabrics in various shades and patterns. She wouldn't be able to spend too much money, since they weren't supposed to be seen as a wealthy couple, but he already knew he would probably end up indulging his wife in some new clothes and jewelry, and inevitably he knew that Bierrez would glare at him as he did so.
Well, Bierrez would probably glare at him no matter what he did. That was simply how their relationship worked. Theirs had become a complicated relationship, more out of necessity than anything else. They didn't like each other, but they had each developed a grudging respect for the other, born of common goals and battles hard won. But what Rath had come to realize was that Bierrez didn't trust Rath and so Rath trusted Bierrez to be mistrustful. He should probably resent it, but instead he was relieved that, while he had the loyalty and friendship of most, that didn't mean he could be careless or act out of line. Bierrez would always be watching to make sure he was a good king. And a good husband.
"Darling, come here!" Cesia called, purposefully avoiding using his name. Rath winced at the epithet. They had never used pet names with each other. Insults, yes. But never any sort of term of endearment unless it was dripping with sarcasm.
Nonetheless, he obligingly went to her. She was holding up a fabric in a yellow-cream color with thin, white stripes running across it.
"Don't you think this would make a lovely dress for summer? The color is quite lovely, and it's so nice and simple…"
He agreed, though in his mind he was imagining how nice it would look with her warm brown hair, perhaps pulled into a loose braid like it was now. Or left to flow freely down her back, maybe.
"Your wife has good taste, sir," said the seller. She held up the fabric next to Cesia. "See how well it goes with her complexion? And her eyes! Such a lovely bright color."
Rath shrugged in a show of submission. "How much then?"
The woman beamed. "Two pieces a yard or fifteen for the whole ream." As Rath fumbled for the coins, she whispered in mock conspiracy to Cesia. "He looks like a keeper, this one here."
She grinned in response. "He is."
Rath blushed scarlet and handed the woman her money, quick to shuffle away to the next stall. Cesia picked up the fabric and followed after happily.
"May I carry that for you?"
She turns to look at Bierrez who appeared at her side. He offered a hand out to take the fabric from her and she smiled. "Why Bierrez, I didn't realize you were such a gentleman." She plopped it into his waiting arms.
"More than Rath is, in any case."
She sighed. Sometimes she really got tired of the rivalry between the two. But it wasn't so much their bickering that she minded; on the contrary, she would probably find it cute if it wasn't for one obvious little detail. Bierrez had feelings for her. She didn't know how she had never realized it when they were still both a part of Nadil's army, but now it was apparent that Bierrez's dislike of Rath stemmed mostly from jealousy rather than actual dislike. And she wasn't sure what to do about it. She'd made her choice long ago, and he knew that.
So instead, she said nothing. Bierrez would not want her pity.
"No defense for him?" the red officer taunted, not picking up on the meaning of her silence.
"He doesn't need me to defend him, Bierrez." She sent him a warning look. This was meant to be a fun and relaxing outing, and she would not hesitate to use her authority over him to make him return to the castle if he was just going to be spiteful the whole time.
He got the message, expression changing to one of contrition in an instant. He knew his behavior was poor, though he refused to outright apologize.
She wandered away and over to another stall of jewelry, beaded bracelets and necklaces gleaming in the sunlight. Rath returned from where he'd been examining a table of knives. He stood by Bierrez, not saying a word as they both waited for Cesia to either beckon for him for his opinion on whatever bit of jewelry caught her eye or move on to the next seller's wares.
Bierrez figured that would be as good a time as any to ask the question that had been on his mind since they left the castle.
"So. Where is Thatz off to?"
Rath shot him a sideways glance, but did not betray anything by his expression.
"I believe Thatz told you that was confidential information, didn't he?"
"He did, and I'm not satisfied with that. I want to know what's going on. It's my job to know, in fact. Even if you don't like it, that's a fact."
"It has nothing to do with you personally, Bierrez," Rath replied, almost amused. "And you will find out, in time. But not now. For now, please just pretend to respect my wishes and don't push this. I will tell all the officers eventually."
Bierrez gave a small noise that could be interpreted loosely as reluctant consent, and so Rath decided the matter was put to rest and walked forward to pay for the string of beads his wife had looped around her wrist. She laughed at something Rath said to the craftsman, and the former demon admired the way her whole face lit up, a wide smile reaching across her face and crinkling the skin around her eyes.
Sometimes Bierrez hated the Dragon Clan. Even though he hadn't been a loyal member of Nadil's Army, he had never been sympathetic to the Dragon Tribe either. They fought against him and killed many demons he knew. He hated how they had killed hundreds of demons simply because they were demons. He hated how superior they could act, how pitying and self-important they often were. But the one thing he could not deny was that Cesia had never looked like that before coming to them. And maybe it was that which made him both love and hate them most of all.
Simply killing the one who killed his king would never be enough to soothe Kharl's rage. After defeating him, he used his power and knowledge of alchemy to bind the man's soul. The King of Arinas, forever trapped and tortured within Kharl's grasp. Because he was never able to be free and move on, so was the land of Arinas cursed to be frozen in time, unable to give birth to new life. That was, until Nohiro stumbled along and set the king free.
Rune now stood in the entrance hall of the Dragon Palace, ready to relay this information, with Saabel, Nohiro, and Miyabi following close behind.
"Rune," Rath said as he approached. He had only returned from his outing with Cesia a few minutes ago and he'd been immediately informed of the officer's early return. "I thought you were going to be away for much longer. What brings you back so soon?" he asked, casting a glance at his companions behind him, lingering on the new faces before moving back to Rune.
"I had thought so too, my Lord. But urgent business brings me back early, I'm afraid," he said with a frown.
Ruwalk came up from behind Rath. "I'll see to it that Bierrez and Tetheus are summoned to the conference room, shall I?"
"Thatz is not here?"
Rath shook his head. "I had to send him away just this morning on other business. That aside, it's not like you to forget your manners, Rune," he said with a gleam of amusement. It was rare that Rath got to chide Rune for anything.
"What? Oh! Of course," he blushed. Gesturing to the group behind him, he said, "Allow me to introduce to you Nohiro and Miyabi. Nohiro helped me years ago when I was searching for a way into the Water Realm, and he is a dear friend to the Faeries." He turned to the group. "This is the Dragon Lord, his Majesty Rath Illuser."
"Just Rath is fine," he grinned. He turned to lead them down a corridor. "I'm not too busy today, thank the gods, so let's take this to the conference room, like Ruwalk suggested."
It took a bit of time, waiting for the other officers to arrive, and Rune talked briefly with Rath about his short reunion with the faeries, while simultaneously reprimanding Saabel every few minutes for a rude remark or comment. Finally, everyone was seated comfortably and Rath was waiting to find out what new problem he was to be plagued with.
Nohiro, surprisingly, was the one who spoke first. "It's about the Demon Alchemist Kharl, the one known as the One-Winged Angel…"
Idk why, it's not even intentional, but I just keep writing about Thatz. XD I love him, okay?
11/2/2014 Edit: I combined part of a later chapter with this one, so hopefully the story flows a bit better? Maybe? But, like I said earlier, Ringa, Naatasu, and Silk have been replaced by Nohiro and Miyabi.
Also, some music that I listened to while writing this chapter: "Tri Martolod" and "La Jument de Michao" by Nolwenn Leroy, as well as "Mechty Dreams" by Varvara. I dunno, I was in a mood.
