The Quarass marched up to Orthenon. "I need to speak with his Majesty, King Reimarch." She hated looking up at people this much. Her current body had yet to even go through puberty. It did have its advantages in that she wasn't as easily distracted by numerous things - though she'd learned to ignore such impulses many, many lives ago.
Flos' [Steward] bowed to her the precise right amount that a fellow servant bows to one who ranks so much higher than them. For, while she also served the King of Destruction now that Germina had fallen, she was still its [Quarass].
She mentally chided herself. Germina had not fallen, it had surrendered to escape exactly such a fate. It was an important distinction with the news she bore.
"His Majesty is currently breaking his fast with Teressa, Gazi, and Mars, I will inquire as to if he wishes to receive additional company." Orthenon's voice was smooth and calm.
"It is urgent." She replied back before looking over her shoulder. "And private. Words for only the two of us."
Vaitsha Zectiou bowed her head and stepped back. She was pale, but was handling the poison well. A longer process would've been more kind to her, but Germina needed to replenish those it had lost in the war. Even at this rate, it would be weeks or even months before Vaitsha acquired her new Class.
Orthenon nodded. "Of course. I shall convey your urgency, Quarass."
She took a deep breath as he walked deeper into the palace - towards Flos' private quarters. She needed to calm herself. That was another flaw of her current physical age, it was a chore to stifle her emotions. At least they were normal ones like anxiety, instead of the maladies her previous body had suffered.
But still, if the news wasn't false, then she had every right to be so on-edge.
She tapped her foot once before she caught herself.
It was a matter of minutes before the doors opened again. Orthenon was exceedingly good at his role. The distance he'd covered was not small, so doing it so quickly was a sign that he had not dulled with age. A good many people were already considering him part of Flos' new Seven - not that his inclusion would raise their numbers that high.
Three were now dead. Three were at his side. Amerys' fate was still unknown. Something must have occurred in Wistram that prevented her return. They all were exceedingly loyal to a fault.
"Flos will see you." Orthenon held the door open for her.
She gave a nod to her attendants, and followed after him by herself. The castle was still in a state of poverty. Despite the treasures the King of Destruction had looted from his conquered countries - including Germina - the riches had been used to outfit his armies and not to decorate his throne room.
They passed through it as they made their way to his quarters. The door was open and he waved them in as they came to the opening to his room.
"Enter!" Flos smiled brightly. "You bring news? Is it of Pixel?" He turned to wink at Teressa. He'd been positively giddy since the news from Tiqr.
Whether it was due to the country successfully repelling its invaders without him breaking his word, or because there was, apparently, a powerful figure from Earth that had caught his interest, she couldn't say. She would bet that it was both, but more heavily influenced by the later than the former.
"No." She curtseyed as was appropriate. "It is news much more dire."
The smile fell from Flos' face and he put his cup down and leaned forward. "Speak, Quarass. Tell me what has occurred."
"One of the Shield Kingdoms has fallen."
Flos nodded grimly. Mars shrugged. Gazi remained expressionless. Teressa raised a questioning eyebrow.
It was... not the reaction she had been expecting from most of them. She should have predicted it though. They did not possess her perspective. Nor the perspective of a Shield Kingdom. The secret she'd hid from her people to prevent a panic was nothing to those who only knew of Reim, the Empire of Sands, or Nerrhavia's Fallen as mighty countries of Chandrar.
"What's a 'Shield Kingdom'?" Teressa asked politely while tentatively raising her hand.
"That is a question that needs a lengthy answer. I shall endeavor to give you a succinct one instead." The Quarass took a breath. "Long in the past, before ANY of the present day countries existed on Chandrar, it was ruled by Dragons. The first Quarass overthrew their tyranny with the help of a great many others. Several of them formed kingdoms such as I did, but in their own way."
"We were the Shield Kingdoms, sworn not to war with each other so we might survive until we were needed again. Such promises, of course, were broken within ten years. A new one was made, that above all else, a Shield Kingdom must persist. That some might remain when the Dragons returned."
"As of now, there are only three left. A'ctelios Salash is no more!"
"Oh." Flos leaned back in his chair. "I thought you brought ill tidings, Quarass."
She frowned. "They are tidings most unwelcome. While I share your... disdain of A'ctelios Salash, it was a mighty kingdom and has aided Chandrar in the past when the Dragons did return. The Shield Kingdoms have also rallied against times nearly as dark that have occurred more recently. Threats such as the Crelers." She met Flos' gaze. "Even at the height of your power you dared not challenge A'ctelios Salash."
"Of course not." Flos grimaced as he took a drink. "There is nothing there but twisted madness. I will not celebrate its passing, but neither shall I mourn it. I suspect much of Chandrar will share my opinion."
A torrent of emotions bombarded her, but the Quarass was beyond such things. She mastered them as soon as they arose and politely nodded her head. "Chandrar's opinion may change when a new threat arises, but I will admit that the Carven City was far more effective on defense than on widespread offense. Despite that, they did offer services not easily found elsewhere."
Flos grunted, but didn't even glance at Gazi and her closed central eye. For as loud and boisterous as the boy was, he could be surprisingly subtle. She knew that firsthand from the Quarass that had surrendered to him during his initial conquest.
The plan to have Gazi healed in A'ctelios Salash during the meeting of the Shield Kingdoms had failed before it had even started.
"Teressa, Gazi, Mars, I would speak with the Quarass alone now."
"Yes, my King." "Yes, my King." "Okay."
The three stood up and exited, leaving Flos alone with her. Not really, as the Half-Gazer was doubtlessly still watching their every move. That was both to be expected, and convenient, as the conversation involved her.
"So..." Flos leaned back. "How 'destroyed' is A'ctelios Salash? What really happened?"
"Utterly, as I've heard from my [Spy]." She eyed one of the vacated chairs, but chose to remain standing. It was difficult enough to maintain her pose without sitting in something designed for a grown body. "It apparently started as a fire deep in the depths. A conflagration so intense that the smoke from it filled the entire city cavern."
"My source didn't see the flames themselves, but the smoke was visible for miles around as it started pouring out of the exits. Then, it is said, A'ctelios Salash melted."
"Melted?!"
"Yes." She kept her face stoic. "That the Tomehold fell in on itself. As if it was collapsing from within. As its tentacles got pulled down into the depths, they turned into a green liquid which dissolved the sand around the crater that was left behind."
"And how accurate is that account?"
"Very." She trusted her [Spy], but there was proof. "The whole thing was recorded in those scrying orbs that have become popular since Wistram started its world-wide broadcasts. Pallass will assuredly broadcast a copy of the recording in short order."
Flos swore under his breath. "And none of the other Shield Kingdoms would have a [Healer] high enough level for our purposes." He shook his head. "Then we shall have to seek aid further afield. The Last Light of Baleros was it?"
"I regret to say that I don't think I can be of much help that far from Chandrar's borders." She'd had experience on the jungle continent, as she'd spent many lives there in the past, but it was nothing like the favors one Shield Kingdom did for the others.
"The Titan will be a problem." Flos drummed his fingers on the table. "He'll expect Gazi to get help from the Eyes of Baleros, but he'll also notice her visiting anywhere else close to his territory." He looked directly at her. "Do you think that any of the [Fleshshapers] survived?"
"I do not know. Perhaps. Or all of A'ctelios Salash's children may have died within its walls. I wish to go see for myself."
"Take Gazi and Trey with you." Flos made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I assume that you and the other leaders of the remaining Shield Kingdoms will want to confirm exactly what happened. Even if the true purpose of your visit is no longer possible, we won't know for sure unless you go now. Have the preparations been made?"
"No, but my double can be ready shortly. We can leave the day after tomorrow."
"Good." Flos' frown turned into a smile. "And I might have a detour for you to make on the way. My Messages have failed, and the Couriers have also had no luck. Gazi, however, might succeed in bringing my invitation to Pixel."