207 Headsman (1/2)
”Because-,” said Li. He looked back to where Launcelot and his party were, but he did not look at them his gaze instead settling on Zagan. ”I do not intend to stay in Riviera. I will march West and personally fight the demons, and to do so, I should say having an army as esteemed as a legion of blood will give my words that much more power.”
”Then I shall look forward to witnessing even more of your grand strength,” said Leonid, agreeing to Li's terms. ”Though I do wonder whether you understand the scope of the responsibilities inherent in the title of general.”
”As for title, I wish for none. The titles 'general' or 'captain' seem so unsuited to me, ” said Li. ”You, Leonid, will functionally remain general of your army. After all, you know best how to lead your men. Just remember who your orders come from now.”
”It will be far easier listening to the orders of a man of strength laying his life bare on the battlefield with us than a monarch sitting upon guarded throne,” said Leonid with a fanged smile.
”Good.” Li nodded and then looked to Lanucelot and spoke to him. ”And Launcelot, I have not forgotten that you wished to duel Leonid for forces to defend Riviera. I will be more than willing to split this legion such that half will defend Riviera.”
”No, Li, you have earned all the right to do what you wish with this army,” said Launcelot. ”For you were the one to have fought.”
”Yes, but this is called a gesture of thanks for helping me with the Dark beasts, and I really am not someone who is going to go back and forth offering goodwill gestures out of courtesy. Take this offer now, Launcelot, or lose it.”
Faye elbowed Launcelot at his side, and the noble man nodded. ”I cannot thank you enough,” he said.
”Oh, I'm sure you can. Defend Riviera and my people, and you will have done more than enough.”
”You are coming with us?” said Jeanne as she stepped closer to Li, Azhar and Sylvie following close behind.
”I am, ” said Li. ”I have good reason to think that the demons will have powers that will be difficult for any of you to deal with without my assistance. And besides, do you know torn up the old man would get if any of you got hurt out there? Or how sad Tia would get?”
”No sad, ” said Tia as she held Li's hand. ”Because I go with papa, and then, I protect sister Jeanne. With me and papa protecting, nobody hurt.”
”I like danger,” said Tia, cocking her head.
”She's right,” said Li. ”A warzone is no place for you, Tia. Old Thane will be able to keep you safe. Just listen to him and-,”
”No!” said Tia as she let go of Li's hand and crossed her arms. ”Papa told me, listen Old Thane, promised me he come back, but he doesn't. Don't want to be away from papa now. I go. That way, never away from papa. Can keep him safe.”
”Tia,” said Li as he also knelt down to Tia's height. ”You don't have to worry about me. You know I'll be fine.”
”Papa will be fine, because papa strong. Very strong.” Tia nodded, then cast her eyes downward. ”But maybe, papa gets surprised. He can't come home for long time. Then, I lonely. Sad. Cold. Don't want that, so I go. Make sure always with papa, even if dangerous.”
”I say bring her with you,” said Azhar. ”Hells, she's stronger than anyone in this this whole damn-, I mean, stronger than anyone in this legion, and ain't nothin' marchin' north getting' much stronger than a blood legionnaire.”
”A soldier and a child are entirely different things, Az,” said Sylvie. ”I know Tia thrives in battle, and that it is part of her nature, but hunting and warfare are entirely different.”
”Yer talkin' like you know bout' warfare. Remember, we're adventurers. Ain't our whole lives been huntin'? The hell do we know bout' war?”
Sylvie sighed. ”That misses the point. We, as adventurers, have faced battle. We know of bloodshed. Tia is of no age to be facing that.”
”I dunno'. Sylv, yer real smart, but honestly, I'm gonna' disagree with you on this one, cause' I know more than you do bout' this. Tia might look like a little girl that needs protectin' and concernin' bout', but that ain't it.
She's real tough, real scary. Real strong. If she got into her draconic form, you wouldn't be lookin' at her with the same ol' eyes. It's bound in her blood to want to fight and hunt, and by that, I don't mean we up and go and toss her into warzones. I mean that if she ends up in one, she ain't gonna' be the one to be worryin' bout'