They never should have trusted Alvis, that much was clear as Egil looked down at Alcamoth from the gilded cage they had been placed in. Tossed around, arrested, treated like trash while he got away… Oh, it just filled him to the brim with anger and annoyance.
Not helping matters was Oka. The poor thing was a Nopon housewife, not an enemy of the Bionis. But here she was, crying and trying to figure out what she had done wrong. Egil had no clue what to say to her, though, and that was why he was thankful for Vanea.
"There, there, Oka… You did nothing wrong." Vanea pat the Nopon on the head. "We will explain that you are simply a victim of circumstance and get you on your way home."
"But Oka cannot leave friends! Oka is now heropon and must protect them!" Oka puffed out her chest, doing her best to look strong despite the tears. "Leave it to Oka!"
"Oh, Oka…"
"At least one of our group is loyal." Egil grit his teeth.
"Egil… I am sure there's good reason for what Alvis did. Why lead us here and teach you how to use that weapon if he just wanted to betray us?" Linada put a hand on his shoulder and he tensed.
"I've not a clue, but there's no reason to trust him." He pulled away, crossing his arms against his chest. "But we cannot rely on him. We need to find a way out of here."
"I suppose you are correct. There's only so much he could do, even if not taken into custody." She glanced towards the door. "They have guards stationed right outside, and even if we make it past them, we'll be in their city."
"It would be dangerous trying to get out, seeing how… interesting we look." He sighed, shaking his head. "I would rather not have to fight our way out. I'm not sure Oka could handle that mental duress. Besides, there may be children and elderly about…"
"Hurting innocents in our escape would just make things worse for us, true." Linada sighed. "I'm truly out of ideas. They don't seem that interested in talking right now."
He touched the chest piece with a frown. Lady Meyneth… if she could give them guidance or a sign of some sort, it would be useful. But he knew she was silently watching, simply calming his soul a bit as he stared out across the city. They would have to find a way to solve this themselves.
"I'll try speaking to them once more." He stepped away from the windows. "You all wait here, I'll be back soon."
"Egil!" Vanea stopped him in his tracks, grabbing him by the arm. "Are you sure? I don't want them roughing you up anymore than they have."
"I'm larger than them and quite sturdy." He patted her head. "I should be fine."
"Oka go with Egil!" Oka ran to his side. "Oka is Nopon, so bird people might be nicer to Oka than to Egil."
"Oka, you should stay here." He knelt down, patting her head. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
"Oka no get hurt!" She frowned at him. "Oka very much speedy! Bird people not even able to touch me!"
"You seem quite confident." Egil sighed, standing up once again. "Please, stay here and protect the others."
"But Egil need protection as much as others." Oka's voice softened, like that of a chiding mother. "Let Oka come with."
"Oka-"
The door opened and their conversation was cut short at the appearance of a man, guards following after. He had large wings on his head and stood with the air of royalty. Add in his clothes, and Egil assumed he was either the Emperor or his child.
"So you are the Machina and the Nopon Seer Alvis spoke of?" He looked them all over, eyes scanning. "Quite the group you have here."
"Quite. That Seer of yours was even part of it before stabbing us in the back." Egil crossed his arms over his chest once again.
"Stabbed you in the back?" He frowned, brow furrowed. "Whatever do you mean? He explained your reasons to myself and His Highness. He said you mean no harm."
"I told you he didn't betray us!" Linada was quick to speak. "You should have listened to me."
"Do not treat me like a child, Linada!" He huffed at her. "You're not that much older than me, you have no right to!"
"That doesn't change that she was right, Egil." Vanea spoke up, scratching her cheek.
"Ah, so now you betray me, Vanea?" He let out a sigh. "I should have expected this to come… But from my own sister?"
Oka laughed a bit, shaking her head. "Egil as dramatic as Riki sometimes…"
The man blinked a few times as he watched the group's banter, but cleared his throat to regain attention again. "Yes, well… I can see he was not lying about you all being harmless. Though he also mentioned you being quite proficient in battle…"
"Oh? Someone interested in our abilities, then?" Vanea tilted her head to the side. "Are you afraid we'll attack you?"
"No, nothing like that." He gave a small bow. "First, allow me to introduce myself. I am Kallian Antiqua, son of Emperor Sorean Antiqua and First Consort Yumea… I have recently learned my mother is… plotting."
"Plotting?" Egil tilted his head this time. "Against your father or yourself?"
"No, against my… younger sister, the daughter of the Second Consort." He closed his eyes, letting out a shaky sigh. "She wishes to kill her, before she can be declared heir-apparent."
"I see." Linada seemed to already be putting two-and-two together. "So you want this rag-tag group to do something about it? Keep your hands clean of the dirty politics that come with taking out your own mother."
"Nothing of the sort! I want Mother to pay, but not with her life!" Kallian frowned. "I simply wish to protect Melia, but I cannot do it alone."
"So you wish for us to act as bodyguards until you can do something, then?" Vanea looked at Egil for a moment. "I suppose I can understand that, but… Why ask us?"
"Alvis said you could be trusted with this." Kallian nodded. "I do not order you to assist me, but… I do ask you to help."
Egil though for a moment, trying to imagine himself in this position. The idea of Vanea being in danger… if a trusted Machina confidant told him a group from the Bionis could help, he would ask without a second thought. He could understand where Kallian was coming from, and maybe that was why he was already ready to answer.
"Alright, then. We will do what we can to assist. Might as well earn more good favor with all of you." He didn't make eye contact when he knew Vanea was giving him a look. "Just tell us what you need us to do."
Kallian smiled, his wings flapping a bit. "I thank you! For now, I ask you follow me."
