Chapter 665: Ritenoot (2/2)
”Thank you pops,” she smiled through the reddened nose, ”-I'm glad,” head to his chest, ”-wake me, fo-”
'A lovely girl,' he caressed her head and shuffled to the window. Plenty o' curious and nervous stares turned; an electrifying grudge sparked the air. Tis blatant enough.
”Good afternoon, aunt Elvira.”
”It's you,” a fatigued side-glance returned to the outside, ”-are you well?”
”Aunt,” he shuffled closer, ”-thank you for everything,” a sudden embrace shook her core, ”-we've been at each other's throat since the death of Leko and Alicia. I know I was wrong and harsh; my intentions were pure and so were yours. Similar to big sister Eira, I want to clear the misunderstanding,” Vanesa unknowingly ended in a group hug, ”-Lady mother and you are my only remaining families, I'm sorry.”
”Stupid boy,” she held the back of his head, ”-always make me worry, do you know how much I've been stressed over the Alphia situation. I nearly fainted when Éclair relayed the news about the shooting, anti-magic bullets, I thought we'd have lost you,” her closed heart opened to welcome a loved one, ”-we fight and it's fine,” she gave a quick peck, ”-tis because we care for one another.”
”Aunt Elvira,” the embrace distanced, ”-you're awesome,” a sincere smile begot a warm inhale, her heart and nose heated in bliss.
”My troublesome little nephew,” she held his chin, ”-go and make me proud.”
”Will do, auntie.”
Clan leaders shuffled closer, ”-Elvira, care to explain what happened?”
”The exchanged seemed more of a lovers quarrel.”
”Alaric,” gritted Julia, ”-don't spout such disgusting nonsense.”
”Not a lovers quarrel,” she laughed, ”-a normal family disagreement. I guess his time spent in Alphia was worth the stress.” Haggard's new generation hurled shoulder to shoulder and laughed, Igna smiled in the middle with Vanesa on piggyback.
Orders to standby were issued to the nightwalkers. The capture of the already empty capital would take a few days to accomplish.
'Kreston might be out of Arda, the corrupt nobles aren't. There's a scheme of divide and rule in order. I have a strong inclination towards Ritenoot – the noble, wherever they hide, are part of the Church. I hope my hunch is wrong. To drag another town into the mud… whatever.'
”My lord,” a familiar face called, ”-long time no see.”
”We met an hour ago.”
”No, no,” the windy castle walls took effort to traverse, ”-I meant to say it earlier, circumstances said otherwise.” They joined and stared the interior, ”-sure has a lot of people.”
”Indeed. Master, how are Kion, Inesa, and Ulia.”
”They're fine. Aren't you worried about princess Eira?”
”Not really, if the master brought the princess, she must have had a change of heart. Forgive my familiarity, there's great chemistry between thee three.”
”Worry not about tact, we're comrades first, lord and stewardess second.” He spun to the new addition; ”-the buildings were completed hastily.”
”We used magic and preset build-spells to firm the foundations.”
”Build spell?”
”Similar to the Ardanian wall, the church as a lesser potent version, we call it Build-Arts. Anyone with mana can utilize the arts with the correct teachings.”
”Any limitations?”
”None, only a person's mana reserves and have the materials in close proximity.”
”Very useful.” Masses excitedly crossed the bridge for the marketplace. Sweaty, fatigued, and disgruntled adventurers arrived with chipped weapons and loot -a shared comradery encapsulated the moment. ”Something on your mind?”
”Ritenoot.”
”My lord?”
”Any idea on their leadership?”
”I knew it,” she mumbled.
”Excuse you?”
”I said, I knew it,” she firmed her steps, ”-the town is in peril from what I've heard. Our distance doesn't allow for much communication. What I know is rumors; traders from the west are anxious and deeply in need of money. They sell at high prices and buy and the cheapest they can, some use brute force to get their wants.”
”What about the noble side of things?”
”No idea, the ruler is pretty anonymous. Like you, tis the steward that runs said town.”
”Alta,” he whispered, ”-we might need to lit a fire, a reason to justify a peaceful takeover.”
”I understand,” she stepped back, ”-you wish to take over?”
”Correct. Use the simplest tactic,” the eyes narrowed, ”-we have spies, right?”
”Yes.”
”Then, the next time a merchant heads to the town, have it be ambushed. Steal the loot and don't kill. Afterward, sell it to Ritenoot. Would be wise to target famous traders and steal their items.”
”I see, the scheme's rather convoluted…”
”Not yet, attack Ritenoot's guards as well. We'll control the narrative. Let the fear sprout amongst our people until an official called to investigate. There should be evidence of Krestonian activities in our dungeon; have it sprinkled on the site, what say you, art thine intrigue ability worthy?”
”Consider the matter done,” she smirked, ”-I request men power first.”
”Deal,” a party of six richly dressed traders materialized.
”Lord Igna,” they bowed.
”Pay heed to Alta's command, I won't tolerate failure.”
”YES, SIRE!”