MOVING PIECES.

In the royal garden, Morrie stood alone—at least to any spectator, it would seem that way.

Her lips moved in quiet conversation, though no one was around. To someone else she would seem like a madwoman talking to herself. But to her the presence was vivid— someone was listening.

"A wrench has been tossed into our plans." She murmured as if waiting for a reply.

"I see so that's what we'll do next."

A leaf falling towards her fell prey to her grasp as he absentmindedly crumbled it.

Meanwhile, in King Melzar's quarters—

A gust of wind blew through his window, rustling the papers on his desk, revealing the undisturbed peace of the Empire at the time.

King Melzar sat in a composed manner flipping through an old document he had recently found, beside him was Mullock, the prison warden, pacing the length of the round table.

"Would you calm down already Mullock. The clicking and clacking of your boots are annoying."

"Pardon me sire, but the news I have is an urgent one."

"Couldn't you allow me to finish my reading first? Whatever, just tell me already."

"Sire, the two captives Pelas brought in... they've escaped."

King Melzar, his eyes still glued to what he was reading, replied "And?"

At that moment, Mullock felt dumb. "But Sire the bars weren't broken. They just—weren't there."

King Melzar finally looked up with an unreadable expression. "Not there?"

Mullock nodded as he stroked his chin. "Vanished. No trace of forced entry or exist, just gone. Even the mages we had analyse it, couldn't come up with a concrete explanation."

King Melzar leaned forward, resting his arms on the table in front. "Do you think they received help? Or are they themselves a threat?"

Mullock stroked his chin as he said "Well... I wouldn't say they aren't a threat, seeing as they almost crippled Pelas. And also as to whether they received help in escaping, it is likely."

"So what's your take? Hunt them down or wait for them to make a move?"

"They won't stay quiet for long that's for sure." Mullock replied.

"So we wait then." King Melzar slightly smirked.

Mullock gave a small nod and left, closing the doors behind him as King Melzar stood up and moved closer to the window.

As he looked out the window, his eyes narrowed.

"Interesting."

Noon had finally come, Eldwyn and Sullivan sat in a dimly lit room designated by the cloaked lady.

Three days had passed since thier arrival.

A wooden square table stood in the middle, casting long shadows under the weak glow of a lantern.

A few minutes later, she walked in with a blue orb. Without a word, she placed it on the table and a flickering image projected onto the wall in front of them. Eldwyn and Sulivan exchanged glances, clearly intrigued.

"I haven't told you my name yet, have I?"

Eldwyn and Sulivan nodded.

"It's Aizzy... Aizzy B. Dawton."

"Nice name." Eldwyn said. "What does the B stand for?"

"I don't know but I guess I'll find out someday."

Eldwyn leaned back as she continued.

"I brought you both here to give you some context— you need to know about if you're going to work with me."

"You mean for you," Sulivan corrected.

" You could say that." Aizzy replied.

Sulivan shot Eldwyn a smug look. Liam ignored him and focused on Aizzy.

***

Our continent, Doridea, has five Kingdoms. The Kingdoms— Qwelqia, Celtic, Juwali, Rosias and Perudin. Their rulers: Melzar Flintlock, Zubara Lafiti, Velonier Sawinch, Budelra Hiroca and Rerodia Yerafin respectively.

Qwelqia, the largest kigndom has 8 towns whereas Juwali has 7.

Celtic has 5 and Rosias 4.

Perudin, the smallest kigndom, has 3.

Atzim, one of the towns under Perudin, where we currently are. It's mostly trees so it's a good spot for a hideout.

***

She paused, glancing at them. "Still with me?"

While Liam gave a half-hearted nod, Sulivan let out an exaggerated yawn.

"Y'know what?" Aizzy sighed. "You'll figure the rest out as we go."

"Finally," Eldwyn muttered, pushing back his chair.

"Wait. Not so fast," Aizzy said. "I still need to tell you about your sister."

Eldwyn stopped mid-step and returned to his seat immediately.

"You know she should've died upon infection right?"

"Yeah... "

"But for some reason she didn't."

Eldwyn narrowed his eyes. " You're telling me something I already know."

Aizzy folded her arms. "Then listen to what I'm actually saying."

Eldwyn leaned back into his chair, and placed his elbow on the armrest.

"The reason why she didn't die was because she is a pure blood."

Eldwyn's breathe hitched. The words 'pure blood' echoing in his head. He knew he had heard somewhere before... but where?

He looked up, before he could ask what she meant by that, the door swung open. One of Aizzy's colleagues gestured for her to come.

"We'll talk later," she said, as she packed and left.

Eldwyn remained seated, his mind racing.

Sulivan stepped up and nudged him. "C'mon. Training."

Eldwyn hesitated for a moment before following.

After witnessing the battle between Pelas and Sulivan, he admired Sulivan's strength— while looking down on himself for being weak. So, the moment they arrived here, he asked Sulivan to train him.

While walking, he turned to Sulivan. "Hey, you know what she meant by pure blood?"

"Nope." Sulivan shrugged.

*I do but I think Aizzy needs to tell you herself so... sorry, man.*

"Don't think about it much I'm sure it's something good." He smiled—but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I guess."

They finally reached the basement.

As they trained, Aizzy prepared for a mission.