Chapter 499: Briefing (1/2)

“I trust them with my life,” Ryse said after he pulled her aside.

Felicia looked at the group behind him, occupying the table and discussing over the spread out maps.

“You’ve proven loyal to both me and the Empire,” he said. “But I won’t appoint you to lead a strike team. Not yet.”

Felicia nodded, unperturbed by the news. She had expected as much, with her short military history and quick rise to the rank of Major.

He had few reasons to fully trust her.

“I knew your father,” he said suddenly, surprising her with the topic. He was usually focused entirely on the war.

“He was a horrible man,” Felicia said honestly.

The General smiled ever so slightly. “A horrible father perhaps,” he said.

“Your question from earlier. As to whom would accompany me. He might have been one of them, though admittedly, he rarely showed up personally. Especially in the last ten years,” he said.

His secret organization? The one Ilea mentioned. If he’s also part of it, this might be a problem. Or an opportunity.

She was already feeling the headache coming. Deciding between her own rise in power and the legitimacy the General would lead to her cause, or helping out an old friend. One that had saved her more than once.

The answer proved easier than she had expected. Her House could wait. It was centuries old. It would mean a small set back but if she couldn’t stay loyal to a friend, how could she lead a House?

“I’m listening,” she said.

The General nodded. “This operation won’t be easy but you have managed the best against the blast of the ritual in Odiah. The Majors speak highly of your combat ability. I will be blunt. I cannot risk them, but I can risk you. Of course I won’t forget your willingness to take part in this strike team,” he said.

“What if I say no?” Felicia asked. She would take part in the war one way or the other. If her capabilities could be brought to a more efficient place, led directly by Ryse, she would prefer that anyway.

“Then you will be assigned to one of the other teams. That would be the end of it,” he said.

Sure, and you wouldn’t forget my refusal. I’m sure, she thought. The man knew she claimed House Redleaf and its assets. She knew that from his perspective, Felicia could hardly refuse this deal.

She wasn’t sure if he understood that this was very much in her best interests. Or it’s just a test and he honestly wants to see if I’m in it for more than just my House’s name? If he works directly with me he can gauge the risks I take, how far I’m willing to go.

There were many other possibilities she entertained, including a marriage between them. It would shut up the suitors he surely was tired of meeting and it would make sure his wife wasn’t someone to be protected only.

The status of their Houses was like day and night but the Redleafs weren’t always as minor as they were now. Are you really thinking that highly of me?

There were other options, some of them more sinister but somehow Felicia didn’t think him even capable of such.

She knew her father had dealt with some criminal organizations but what noble hasn’t? Maria and Edwin were both criminals and the only reason they weren’t imprisoned was the influence she had already exerted. The lack of proof helped too but to an imperial investigator, it wouldn’t remain a secret for long who had murdered those nobles. Not that they had a realistic chance of catching Maria.

“I accept,” she said, deeming the potential gains far higher than the risks. Felicia hated her father with all of her heart but that didn’t mean she hated his connections and wealth. If anything it filled her with a morbid joy to use this to her advantage. Plus, she could perhaps find information for Ilea.

“Good. We leave in half an hour,” the General said and walked past her, the conversation done.

_______________

Ilea sat with closed eyes and a hot chocolate in hands, enjoying the warmth of their little fire.

Admittedly it was a large fire.

Massive perhaps by some people’s standards.

Their third bout had taken a few dozen trees down. A part of that was cut apart by her and added to their fire.

“A Basilisk, hmm? That’s quite impressive. Lightning is a little annoying with my element,” the Destroyer said.

“And they fly. Not exactly your forte,” she pointed out.

The two of them were a little removed from the ruins by now. A compromise with the Dawn Company.

Michael didn’t seem to care and remained near the ruin.

“True. I can deal with it but the high skies make me shiver, I tell you. Fucking scary up there,” he said.

Ilea laughed. “I feel the same way about the deep oceans.”

They looked at each other. “Fear Resistance training?” he said first.

She nodded. “Though I’m not sure how beneficial it is. What does the second tier do?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m not afraid of anything.”

“You literally just admitted that you’re afraid of the sky,” she said.

“Fear and respect are quite different things, Lilith,” he said and looked towards the ruins.

“More coming?” Ilea asked.

He nodded and sipped on his drink. “Can’t wait for his face.”

“The fire?” she asked.

“The fire,” the pirate confirmed.

The General didn’t take long to appear at their side, a massive lighting strike forming in front of his outstretched palm before the entirety of their fireplace was blasted away.

“Not like that will inform anybody that we’re here,” the Destroyer said, still sitting in his chair. “It’s been a while boy.”

Boy?

The General had blue eyes and long black wavy hair. He wore an armored robe with two lines of red going down from his shoulders. A short beard added to his features, the man looking to be around thirty. His demeanor and the way he looked at them didn’t quite support that estimate.

Ilea wondered if he had lost his left arm recently or if it was a permanent thing. She assumed the latter after she inspected the robe. It didn’t look cut or damaged.

“I didn’t expect anything less from you,” the man said, looking at the pirate before glancing at Ilea. “And you must be Lilith.”

“I am,” she said and lifted her hot chocolate towards him. “Nice to meet you.”

“War is not a nice occasion,” the man said bluntly. “You were sent here by Helena I presume? To help in the endeavors concerning blood rituals by the Order of Truth and Baralia?”

“I was asked to help, yes. I wasn’t sent by anybody but myself,” Ilea said.

He looked at her for a moment but didn’t say anything. “Good. I’m glad you two have chosen to come. I will be giving a short briefing. With information on the most dangerous cursed areas and targets in Baralia. I’m sure you’re interested in that part at least.”

The man knew who he was dealing with and he knew how to get them.

“That’s our cue,” the pirate stood up and stretched.

Ilea did the same, dissolving her ashen chair before she put out the lingering flames and embers with her ash.

When they reached the ruins, Ilea spotted someone she hadn’t expected.

Felicia glanced at her, her eyes opening slightly before she looked away.

Ilea assumed the girl was just as surprised to see her here.

“Who’s that? She looks nice,” the Destroyer said.

Ilea glared at him. “You want to go again?”

“Don’t act so superior. I won the last one,” he said and rolled his eyes.

“Won? Just because I drowned a little. I hardly died,” Ilea shot back.

“She’s a Major of the Imperial army and you will treat her with the respect that position entails,” the General said before he summoned a table, spreading out a few maps.

The next twenty minutes were spent discussing the various cities, cursed areas and other targets. There were entirely too many for the small group.