A Test of Faith
"Lady Anatares, would you do me the ultimate honour of becoming my beloved wife?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Wait!"
Anatares ran towards the departing airship, wading through the crowds of nobles and adventurers alike, nearly tripping over a well-dressed Tarutaru. After mumbling hurried apologies, she continued her sprint and emerged from the crowd. Struggling to breathe, she fell to her knees in exasperation.
"Looking for someone?"
She looked up at a pair of green eyes belonging to a Hume woman staring down at her. Judging from her clothes she was in the service of the Republic.
"Yes. My fiancee was supposed to... come off of that airship, but I'm late. I can't find him." The Elvaan woman rose to her feet, still catching her breath. "He must already be home."
The woman looked concerned. "My my. His name wouldn't be Xervis, would it?"
Ana snapped to attention. "You know of him?"
"I'm afraid so. Actually... I was the one who talked him into getting back on the airship. I warped here to give him new orders, from President Karst himself.." Despite her part in all this, the woman still seemed sympathetic.
"Thank you, for the news," Anatares managed, and turned away. She almost didn't notice the roses crunching under her duckbills.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Knight forced the door open, causing it to slam against the adjacent wall and wobble unsteadily on its hinges. He heaved his greatsword from his back and planted it in the center of the President's desk, effectively splitting it in half. President Karst stood facing the wall, letting out a quiet sigh at the loss of his new furnishing.
"You're sending me back?" Xervis asked incredulously.
"Quadavs have attacked our outpost in Pashhow. They're not known to take prisoners, but we haven't heard back from our people out there and are hoping the best all the same."
"So, you're sending me on a twice-damned rescue mission. Stop treating these beastmen like animals, Karst. They'll expect this."
"Yes, I have read your reports. You do make them sound... Organized. Which is why we're sending our best man on the job. You know the area, how they work..."
"And I take it I'll be paying for all of my own supplies with little promised in return. After all, why waste Bastok's able-bodied soldiers when you can send out an adventurer instead? Keeps your pockets lined with gil and your hands clean."
Karst turned to face him for the first time. "You'll watch your tongue if you know what's good for you..."
Xervis walked up to him until they were nose to nose. "Or you'll do what? You just said I'm your best." A sadistic glean made itself known in his dark eyes, and he began to smile. "The best, in fact. There isn't a single soldier in all of Bastok that could stop me if I were to kill you."
Karst began to sweat. "You couldn't..."
"I can feel my sword sing for your blood, dear 'President'. Don't think I'm not waiting for the day you piss me off enough to justify-"
A flash of light seemed to cross his eyes. His smile dissapeared. He scoffed and turned away, pulling his sword from the remains of the desk with incredible ease. On his way out he paused. "Perhaps you should watch your tongue, 'President', or maybe next time we meet I'll be wearing the Kingdom's colours instead." With that, the door slammed closed behind him.