Stupid dungeon erected? Good thing, that issue had been absolved. Rebellions? Extinguished a long time ago. The Royal Kehinan Guards? Still under my supervision but it’s difficult to root out corruption (as per Lord Guan’s claims) while my hands are full and my task is focused solely on the stratagem planning of the anti-Inglovian invasion. The Verlassene? Those elite women are in good hands but the leader, Maison, herself is still babysitting Lord Guan in Lüadenstadt; I ain’t entirely so certain about the confidence of the military. I am 100% sure that she dislikes me in every way possible. Speaking of the Kehinan Army, The corps is just full of levies and exiled soldiers. To add salt to the wound, we are still recuperating our total strength.

  So, what’s next? Luckily, we have the dragons and the orc champion on our side - for now… There’s no way we can keep those Inglovians away from our beaches - let alone put up a fight with them! Kehina is doomed, if the Caliph-Emperor’s armies were to encroach in an instant. Luckily, as I am staring to the south enjoying the mint breeze of dusky sunset. The belligerent forces are still not coming. Those worries still haunt up until this point. When will they land?

  “Marshal, good evening.” approaches Clyden.

  “Likewise, leftenant.”

  “What is so pertaining to that you are staring at the oceans with the concerned eyes, Lord Aisla? Why the long look?” he offers me a cup of something, asking. By the smell of the beverage, it is tea.

  “I might be stressed out or something. I don’t know, lieutenant.” I take his offer of a cup of tea, as we both settle at the nearby table, placing my cup in an elbow-length distance.

  “Henceforth, that tea helps relieve such ailments, Marshal! You’re overthinking so much, General… your body is need of rest, your mind screams sleep. Why won’t you listen to your limits first, eh?”

  I scoff, “And for what? And for like a second, then Llewellyn and his Inglovians are the gates of Kehina… and now what? We ask Lady Wellicia for salvation?” blend the tea to my own choosing then stir. As the sweetener dilutes to the liquid, but the olfactory essence lingers on to my nose.

  “Those are just hypothetical scenarios, General. It’s been trimester? A year? Where in the Kigal are they, General? Tell me. I think they’re not coming. Perhaps, postponement for another year, or dealing with their insurgency problem, or logistics and supplies probably are the challenge of a ten thousand step trek across the sea.” he challenges.

  I shrug, as I can’t give General Clyden a definite and concrete answer. Sipping the tea, pouring down to my mouth, as I taste the liquid that is well-mixed and smooth. I place the cup on the tea saucer and it makes me contemplate. He might be true, as I pray to myself and hopefully that I am erroneously complicating things. Please, tell me that it’s a full two-over-two. Despite the cold gust; my face still feels hot, my chest, my stomach, and both of my thighs - all concurrently. My hands are sweating. Though, my muscles are calm and relaxed.

  He begins once again, initiating: “The Odreths, Durgat, Captain Pierre and his Arancian pirates, some deserted Inglovians who have talents in magical arts… I view this as very unlikely for them to set a voyage, Marshal.” while he savors the scent of his own beverage around his face.

  “Hmmm, what do you mean?” I hum in response, with a deadpan expression, looking at him in a straight face.

  “With the Odreth clan on our end, we have air superiority. Same case with the Arancians, they might be on the questionable side of justice but their skills are always helpful for us.” he then replies concisely, as he chugs for another sip of his tea afterwards.

  “Wishful thinking, yes.” I sigh, without spilling my thoughts, “Clyden will always be Clyden for his optimism.” albeit, I am the superior officer here. I choose not to offend him. However, he is not wrong in that assumption.

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  “Oh yeah? Those dragons might fickle, they had must be chased out of Inglovia, but who knows that their loyalty will stay to our cause - Kehina’s cause.”

  “Marshal, we know-...”

  I cut him off, “No, we don’t know, leftenant. To sum it up, also the Arancy; can they give their ships and sailors to us when we needed them the most? Look at this, lieutenant. Lord Ameniah brokered peace between these entities and now that he is gone, would these two parties uphold their exchanged obligations? If you ask me, I doubt it.” after sipping to the last drop of my tea, I declare right at his face, adding: “We are playing a dangerous game, Clyden. Appeasing both sides is as gambling when the Inglovians will come.” as I then upend the cup.

  As the first light of evening emerges, the birds chirping dissipate. Soon a choir of trills by the chickens bursts from the west. The wind howling grows stronger that eventually whistles. Meanwhile, at the table - General Clyden stares at me with a distinct look. Blinking once. Twice. Thrice. Stirring his own cup with the teaspoon, as I feel that he’s going to respond back regarding my previous anecdote. I might be assuming but it’s better to be safe than sorry. We’re dealing with a bunch of strangers - on one side, a squad of flying fire breathing reptiles and on the other hand, a set of criminals.

  “You might be right about that assumption, Lord Aisla.” finally, he agrees with me, “However, if the worst comes to worst, who should we ask for help - children, lame, blind, disabled?” he asks me, as there’s a candidness behind his voice.

  “Let me ask you something theoretical, Clyden. Which is more important: Lady Anda or Kehina?”

  He shakes his head, shrugging: “For me? Well, as the right hand of the Marshal, maybe, your safety is my responsibility - first and foremost…” he pauses, gasping for air, “First and foremost, you’re my priority after all.” reiterate then continues, “I would think for you, Marshal, the Queen’s life is far more vital than any land she administers…” he deflects my question.

  “So, acting all chummy with Durgat earlier, eh? Was it all for the show? I know how you spite that orc champion.”

  “Time mellows, wounds heal. Trust builds, foes are just bygones. So they say.” as he finishes up his drink, he chuckles.

  “Where did you learn that? Military Academy? At the University of Inglovian Occidental in Lüadenstadt?” I tilt my head sideways, trying to play along with his game after my subtle agitation, as if he does neither mind at all.

  “Yeah, good school, by the way, Marshal. Swordplay, magic, alchemy, and stuff. But mind you, General, I was a footman of a maniple at first. Got my accolade for saving a tribe of elves. Sixon elves. And concurrently, my commander had been slain and his lieutenant as well. Shame. Selected by my battle brothers as a replacement. Led my own maniple, the same men. My boyos whom I bled to and refuged with on my first day as their phalanx commander. Then after, I was offered a scholarship. Therefore I took it and hence here I am as of right now. And yeah, maybe, I had some interactions after all due to that.”

  “In the end, all friends - all trust, no second thoughts, no cautions. So trusting of you, Clyden. What if he stabs us, eh? Not that I’m doubting him, he is one of my best pieces, besides you, after all. I love that guy.”

  “Get out of here, Marshal… hahaha.”

  “Haha. Well, assume if that will occur.”

  “He ain’t gonna turn on us, Marshal. The promise that we entail him is too big. There’s no way. Never.”

  “You know, what Clyden? To answer your question. The Queen is the kingdom. Anda of the Carylle. Without her, Kehina will fall. Down to Kigal. So, yes. Not only just being one of her consorts.” as we lean back into our seats, staring to the south, I sigh.

  “No shite, milord. No shite. I’m all and well aware, Marshal. I really do.”

  He muses once again, asking: “So, General? You stated that the protection of the Queen lies into your hands - attachments, if you sync my uptake. And now, she is dealing with her second trimester. Is it political or a duty, huh?” exhaling deep, he looks far away to the west and watches the setting of the sun.

  “General, general, general. Oh, general.” I sigh, rephrasing, “You already know the answer to that. It’s a given. And I also know you, lieutenant. If it’s either me or the queen. Is that a loyalty or an allegiance to you, Clyden?”

  “Right… so, what about the Odreths?” as he chuckles, he then pounces at me with an unusual feedback.

  “The dragons? Well, if you say so.”