Chapter 31

An hour later we meet Vlatka with her bloody hands and shirt in her meeting room. It was very uncomfortable with the blood on her. Its very grizzly moment. "He gave me every information we need. That bastard has been giving away resources to the imperials here. Explains how they were so efficient is slowly breaking the pillars of the kingdom. And has been giving away secret trade routes."

"What happen to Eric?"

"He's dead. That doesn't matter right now. I was able to get more information about the imperials. Their is a total of 20 hear most of them are just subordinates thought 6 of them are in command. He has only meet 3 of the 6 here."

"I meet one on the port and another in the sewers." "...As of now me and the thieves will provide anything you need."

"What? But I thought this was not your business?" "That traitor has gotten us involved in this now. He has been giving them resource that aided in this kingdom downfall. I have to fix the mistake he made."

"Their will be a mage under the castle sewers. You know any way into the sewer below the castle?" "I can take you there my self."

"Have any ideas how we counter their attack Alie?" "...Oh sorry. What was that?" "A plan do you have any idea what we should do. I'm not good at planning. Unless you have an idea Ivalyo?" 

"I only do the fighting." "Same here. So Alie."

"...Right...we should use their attack as trap. We know there areas when they attack. One will be in the sewer beneath the castle. Another attacking the elves where Tise will be lured too. I assuming they want Laney outside the castle walls and Terra and Hen will be on the walls so two will be there. We attack them before they do anything. But only allow the mana barrier to activate around the castle."

"Why?"

"To trap the assassins and their captain in the castle. We will move the princess secretly before their plans starts." 

Vlatka mentions how that the mage barrier spell should lass a while. A couple hours. Alie mention we should deal with Kane's people as fast as we can. And do all this while the city is being attacked by Lazare. 

"Laney go and find Tise and explain the plan. Me and Ivalyo will deal with the mage in the sewer when the time comes."

"Well do."

"In the mean time the thieves guild will deal with imperial camp and any other threats. Eric has also mention a bandit army approaching as well. I will have the mercs deal with them before they meet up with the Lazare scum."

"We should go and explain the plan to the others." "Right." "Before you all go. Take these." Vlatka opens a black case with large potions for each of us. "Give one to your elf friend Laney."

"What are these?" 

"Dead armor. Its a potion for turning your flesh dead. Meaning you will be immune to attacks. basically your dead yourself. It was made from drauger bone."

"How long are the effects?" 

"Maybe a few minutes. Its enough time to go wild sense your practically immortal for those few minutes. Only use it if your in situation that your about to die. It will save you. Of course their is a chance after the position wears off that a piece of your body will fall off."

"...Eh?"

"Its nothing to be concerned about. Its one in hundred chance that it will happen." "I think well be fine."

"No you won't especially you Alie. You have no fighting chance to fight them. Use it when you have to flee." "She's right Alie. I don't want to see you get hurt and I won't be able to defend you like last time. These guys are going to be stronger than Servin."

After much consideration she agreed to take the potion. Laney separated to see Tise at the elven quarters and we went back to explain the plan to the princess and general. "You guys been busy and you work fast. I'm really glad your in my circle now. The both of you."

"So what do you think?"

"We like the plan Alie. We need to be discreet. We must not let the enemy know of our sudden movement. They will be alarmed of so much activity going on around the city."

"Do you have a place to stay while were fighting?" I asked. "Normally we leave the castle the same way the general left when we attacked the fort. I will use the same way and make my way to the fort."

"The fort is already up and running?" 

"When the siege comes all citizens will be put there for their safety. What about you?" "I will be heading down to the sewers will Ivalyo. Were expecting an imperial to be there."

"But your not fighter?"

"No but I do understand how to restructure a spell and that is what I plan to do." "What?" The princess attendant steps forward. "Cairo? How are things with the knight captains?" 

"There still grumpy as ever. Besides that. I've been teaching Alie so basic knowledge of a spell. She has a talent for it. And in tactical magic as well."

"Can you do that Alie?"

"Yeah. I've been practice while you were gone. So I think I can do it." Did you learn it or is this another one of her memories coming back to her and she just knows how to do it? 

"Ivalyo correct. I haven't had the time to introduce my self. My name is Cairo. I am an attendant of her highness."

"....Its a pleasure to meet you. Sir Cairo." The two stare intently at each other. I can smell the scent on him. "Princess we should go now. Their is a lot of paper work that needs to be done." "Of course...sign. You two inform my maids if their is any changes we need to make to the plan and they will let me know."

"Of course your highness."

Alie notice that I have not stopped staring at Cairo since they left the door. "What's wrong?" "I can smell it."

"Smell what?"

"I can smell the princess scent all over him. Its weird. Is that their kind of relationship or is this some thing of blackmail?"

"No its exactly what it is. I've notice it some time ago to. Their in love. I always heard the other maids talk about how he never leaves until morning."

"I don't need the details. Lets go." She chuckles at my discomfort. She glances at my blushed face since she won't stop smiling at me. "...Your adorable Ivalyo."

"Hm."

The next day I sat on the walls to watch the landscape. I can see the large firs from here. The wild fires was still going and the air was becoming polluted with ash. "Enjoying the sight?" 

"Laney." 

He sits next to me and watches the view. "How did things go with Tise?" "Well I was told to piss off at the front doors and when I didn't leave they attacked me and tied me to pole. Tise heard of this and told them to free me. I told her the plan and she agreed to do it. Aaand she told me to piss off after that."

Things are following in place. But I'm more worried about the Lazare. If they can't hold out until we defeat them well lose the city." 

"The Slova can handle them until we deal the imperials." "Its kind of surreal."

"What is"

"Its been almost half year since I was marooned on this continent and now in a major war. Its like writing my own story."

"I can't say its exciting one though. We could be killed at any moment. But I get what you mean." "What do you plan to do after this all over?"

Laney took in the view. "I'll probably be here doing my job. The princess saved me when I was at my lowest. She gave me purpose and I plan to help her until she doesn't need my services anymore."

So he doesn't plan to stay here long. "Well me and Alie don't plan to stay here for long either. If you don't have any goals...maybe you can come with us."

"...Hahaha. Well see. But thanks for your consideration." "Your nice guy Laney. I hope we can...be...friends."

"...That was really awkward."

"Shut up...I'm learning how to make friends." "You need more confidence. But also understand. I'm not very good at making friends too."

"Really?"

"I...was shun a lot by my home. I was the least liked person in my kingdom. I had many people that wanted to be apart of life when my parents didn't want to and I pushed them away. Even the women I loved."

I never knew Laney's story even though he was human it seemed he was discriminated for being different. He puts on a mask to hide his sadness. "I get it. You know before I meet Alie I had a family or thought I did. Parish was the father or leader. He believed the weak should be saved and protected while they slaved away to the strong and I was just that with out realizing it."

My whole life I did what they told me to do. All of them were underlings of Parish who brainwashed them with his philosophy. He got ride of those who were too weak to do anything. If he can't read, dead. He's see, dead. He can't move because of starvation dead. 

"But since I meet all of you I feel my mind more open to the world. I understand so much because of you all. Even though we haven't know each other that long. You maybe not know it but your presence fills people. Even Tise though she may not admit it."

"Haha really. Guess the little elf has a soft spot for me....and thanks though it sounds like your in love with me when you say that Ivalyo."

"And like that you ruined it." 

I get up and walk away. "Ah come on I was joking. Haha." 

I was happy though. He's acting like myself. "Whatever you decided Laney. Just remember you have friends here now. Don't forget that."

"...Heh. Your personality is changing. I'm glad." I feel like I'm acting like a normal person these days. Its great feeling. 

Days after that the day of the final battle has come. We watched from one of the towers as the massive Army approaches the city with large smoke from the fires they left behind. That day it was turning point in history for the world. That day me and my friends changed the fate of the southern lands.