Join me

Anticipating his reply, a heavy atmosphere filled Lord Blackwaters tent. Caught in a deep struggle, a slight tug of a small girl's hand-pulled on Earl's Kest robes.

"Grandpa, can I please!" Ella asked with expectation, "He is strong, stronger than all of those before."

"I can't, Ella," Earl Kest reluctantly muttered, "You are but a five-year-old child. And we know Nothing regarding Duke Blackwater. While I wish you the best, I cannot simply hand you away to a stranger, no matter the benefit."

"But grandfather!"

"Be silent!" Kest sternly said, "You shall not speak once more."

"NO!" Ella screamed, running towards Zireael, hiding her body that was a little bigger than his behind him. "Ella will stay!"

Slapping Zireaels shoulder Cor's thumb shot up, "My man! Gathering a harem, aren't you!" He said with proud tears, "They grow up so fast!"

"COR!" Both Talia and Kest bellowed in anger!

Gently coughing, Cor waved his hand, "I'm just fooling! You guys are way too serious. Although I feel like that is one of your biggest concerns regarding Ella's traveling with Zireael."

"It is, but unlike Kest, I do not see the problem." Countess Flaye Welche uttered with a vibrant smile. Her age expression appearing a little ashen from the recent journey. "Would the young Lord mind if we added a tutor? To watch and attend our Granddaughter? Her only purpose would be to teach Ella our family's customs."

Slouching lazily within his chair Zireael did not respond. He was not a fan of gathering more people than was necessary. "No," He said.

"No?" Countess Flaye repeated in shock!

"Indeed, the only reason I wanted Ella was due to her talent. She is young, meaning she will comprehend things faster. Simply based on Kest calling me a Godless, I would assume you would have some fanatic follow me."

"Just because of that?" Earl Kest replied, baffled. "Something so irrelevant!"

"Correct, this is not a negotiation, Kest; I am giving the opportunity. I will accept another child with talent but not someone else. My time cannot be spent bickering about stupid gods. They are, as you said, irrelevant."

"Can we have time?"

"No, I need an answer now!" Zireael adamantly said, "Because, after one year, Talia and Innis with be leaving my service to head back to the capital."

"What!" Talia shouted, in shock, "What do you mean, my lord."

"I am afraid he is correct!" Cor solemnly told, "I am to remain and watch over you for a year and then bring you back home per the order of Cyrus. Both the King and Vincent are growing restless, and they believe you need to return to reclaim your birthright."

"What of my younger brother? Did I not abandon my title to follow Duke Blackwater?" Talia weakly said, her gaze slowly being clouded by a mist.

"If that is the case, I will kill you here and now!" said Cor without care, shocking everyone. "You may have abandoned your title Talia, but your parents have not abandoned you. They still regard you and cannot allow you to be kidnapped. Even with someone like Duke Blackwater by your side, they want you in the capital upon the last moon of this year."

"Aunty?" Aurelia whispered, ready to comfort her when an arm gripped her shoulder.

"Talia, you need not be sad. I am truly quite happy this has happened. It will save me much trouble." Zireael voiced with a cunning smile. "I want you to head to the capital."

"You... you do?" Innis added, confused by her lords' wishes.

"Yes, both of you must go. The Knights have recently overstepped. Even now, as we speak, whispers of my name are being echoed. For some reason, the Order of Knights are targeting Aurelia, and I am truly interested why they crave death so much."

"Duke Blackwater, what are you saying?" Earl Kest coldly voiced.

"Just as it sounds, Talia, I wish for you to enter the capital and summon my estate," Zireael said, tossing her a small pyramid shimmering with colorful circuits. "Place it upon the ground, and Anima will take over. Although be warned anything my Estate touches will be assimilated during the summoning process."

"Master," Talia whispered, tears slowly beginning to fall from her cheeks

"Why are you crying?" Zireael awkwardly asked, " Are you hungry?"

Glaring at the young boy, Aurelia shook her head, "You really are a dumb-dumb. Aunty is just happy!"

"Well, I don't care. Talia, Innis, you two leave. I will come to find you later. I have a special mission for each of you."

Taking a bow, Innis and Talia excused themselves. Rising, Zireael gazed towards the elderly couple, "have you decided?"

"We... Will you protect our Granddaughter?"

"Protect?" Zireael scuffed. "Fuck no, their jobs are to protect me! Why do you think I am naming them knights?" He said, a little offended by the thought.

Sending each other a glance Kest and Flaye both nodded about to speak when Cor intervened, "Allow me to speak on the Duke's behalf. What I am sure he meant is that he will not protect them from random bandits that they are capable of defeating, but supernatural beings normal knights and Mages cannot handle. Am I wrong, Duke Blackwater?"

"I just said that... Whatever, yes." Zireael begrudgingly confirmed.

"How long is your journey going to last?"

"Ten years, by then, the girls should be more than capable of surviving alone within the Kingdom of Ferrum." Zireael aloofly stated, looking around for a drink. "Ella should be fifteen by then, while Aurelia and I will be fourteen."

"Lord Zireael, we understand the risk, but we want to know that she will live." Earl Kest solemnly said, "Other nobles would jump at this opportunity, but we care about Ella, and we cannot afford to lose her."

Finding a bottle of scotch, Zireael poured himself a glass watching the amber liquid fill his chalice. He turned to the couple, "Nothing I saw can subjugate those feelings of fear. I am not going to say I understand your plight mainly because I don't. To me, you two are acting like fools, blinded by feelings, but I will say this. This Kingdom is going through a change, and right now, your daughter and that little girl by her side may be your only chance of overcoming it. I don't give two shits about this Kingdom, but they might."

Lowering his head, Cor clenched his fist. He chanted, "Sleep."

Capturing the entire area in an invisible sphere, Aurelia and Ella fainted with the sounds of light snores echoing from their mouths. Growing cold like ice, an expression not seen by Zireael appeared upon Cor.

"He is correct, Kest. And your son can confirm. Things are not looking good upon the border. Honestly, I am tempted to kill the prince!"

"Cor, what nonsense are you spouting!" Kest roared, clenching his collar. "Not even as a joke! If he dies within our boards, any chance of peace will be destroyed."

Listening to his words, a menacing glint passed through Zireael's cold eyes. Chuckling to himself, he waved his hands, silencing everyone, "Enough! Discuss this another time. Now have you two decided?"

Looking at one another, they nodded, "We will allow it as long as you communicate with us regarding her status."

"Deal!"