"We attack from the north. It makes sense!"
"Are ye' crazy?! That's exactly what they'll be expecting us to do!"
"Exactly, so that's why they think we won't do it! It's so obvious, it's stupid!"
"Exactly, it's stupid!"
"Alright, calm down," Kai intervened between Hanke and Dashel. "Let's start over. We need to plan our battle strategy properly."
Emaia was trying to participate, but she couldn't focus. Things between her and Aide had become somewhat silent after their last talk, and she could barely manage to be around him. Even looking at him hurt. She had said the one word that ended whatever it was they had; She had pushed him away.
It was like admitting defeat—admitting that it was over. She had given up on giving him love, and he knew that, too. Nothing had ever hurt her more than that in her entire life. Knowing it was never going to happen. Because it couldn't. He couldn't.
The tension between them was thick in the air, even if the others had no idea. As always, Aide had morphed back into his calm, collected self the moment she had walked out that door. It was killing her to see how easy he could go back to the way it was. It just showed how little emotion he had left.
"I still can't believe they managed to find us," Hanke growled. "No one bloody knows ye' are up here!"
"Someone obviously did," Dashel snorted. "My money is on the King. I bet he knew they were alive all along, but was too lazy to do anything. I mean, he already got the throne, why care?"
"Actually, I think it's my fault," Aide spoke up. "That night by Lake Monahoe, when we got attacked, I let that one thug run. He saw me. He must've alarmed the King, and Ragnar must have started a search. There's only so many places you can hide up here."
"Bloody fool," Hanke bit out. "Why couldn't ye' just have killed him?!"
"I told you, I don't kill for pleasure," Aide coldly replied. "Which is why I didn't kill the guards that attacked us yesterday."
"That's right, you just scared them off with your little trick," Hanke scowled. It was obvious he was mad about the fact that Aide had kept his magic a secret.
"Guys, focus on the war," Kai cut in again. "Any ideas?"
"How about this," Aide begun and bent over the map of Senwarth Kingdom they had laid out on a wooden table. He was still a little pale from yesterday, but he was slowly regaining strength. He had to be a part of planning their battle strategies, especially now when they knew what he could do. "We got the support from both Daleon and The Western Coast. Both of which are producing armor and weapons as we speak. If the Daleon's attack from the southwestern angle, and The Western Coast comes in from the west, we'll make sure to come from north, right by Lake Monahoe, here," He pointed to the map. "Your men, plus us elves, will block their passage from here while the Southern Elves spread out and close the final gaps. We'll have Senwatross Capitol surrounded."
"With both the cities, plus the Southern Elves and us up here, that puts us on a total of what, one thousand?" Dashel summarized.
"Roughly. Maybe a little more," Kai affirmed. "I think Hero's plan could work. Ragnar won't have a chance to escape."
"That's assuming he'll actually participate on the battlefield," Hanke barked. "That fat old bastard wouldn't fight, even if it was to save his firstborn. Good thing he never had any kids!"
"If that's the case, what do we do?" Dashel asked. "We need to get to him, otherwise we can't stop his men. We need to cut off the head of the snake, but how can we if he's well-protected in his castle?"
Kai turned to Aide and rose a suggestive brow. They exchanged a look wherein Kai simply stared pointedly at Aide. As if he wanted him to say or do something.
Aide finally sighed and clenched his jaw. He slowly pulled a roll of parchment out from his cloak and put it on the table. "This is a map of the King's castle. It won't be a problem getting in if we know the way."
"By Gods!" Hanke exclaimed and opened the scroll. On the parchment was a detailed sketch of every corner of the King's castle. It was the official plans of how the castle was built – the signature of the first recorded King in their history books who built the castle was signed in the bottom right corner. These papers were well-stored and protected, and only accessible if you were the King himself.
"How did you—" Dashel gaped at the papers. "I mean... These are original drawings! Signed by ol' King Argol himself!"
"I acquired them," Aide curtly replied.
Emaia couldn't help but notice the tone in his voice. He refused to meet her eyes and focused on the map in front of them.
"How, exactly?" Dashel continued. "It's impossible! One would have to break into the secret vaults of the castle and steal these plans without getting seen!"
"I know someone who is known for acquiring information," Aide replied in measured words again. It was as if he didn't want to give away his source.
"And you got this person to tell you?" Dashel questioned with a skeptical brow. "How much did it cost you?"
"Let's just say Hero can be very, hmm... How should I put it?" Kai smirked and looked at Aide. "Persuasive."
Emaia noticed a muscle in Aide's jaw tick. "It doesn't matter how I got the information. We need to focus on how to use them best."
"I say we send a large group of men through this tunnel right here," Hanke spoke up. "It leads right to the throne room. It's probably an old escape route. I'll bet you anything that old bastard will be sitting on his throne and enjoying the view of the battlefield from his fat ass! I say we bring the party right to him and cut his head off!"
"Easy, fella," Kai said with a look. "As much as I like taking heads, I think we need to be a little more careful than that. I think a large pack of men strolling up a secret passage will raise suspicion."
Hanke turned a little green. "Do ye' have to say stuff like that?"
"It was right there," Kai dirtily smirked at him. "But seriously. We can't just send a pack of men into the castle. It'll be guarded well. Ragnar probably knows about these tunnels, he won't take any chances in case we find them. They'll be guarded too. He'll put his best men on it."
"So what are you saying?" Dashel intervened. "Do we just fight everyone else until the path is totally cleared and then kill Ragnar?"
"I say we send in Hero," Kai said and turned to Aide. "He has the biggest advantage."
Emaia's eyes flew open and she dropped her jaw. Did he just volunteer his best friend for killing the King single handedly?
"I still can't believe ye' kept something like that from us," Hanke snarled. "We met danger countless of times, why didn't ye' use ye' creepy yellow light there?!"
"It doesn't work that way," Aide replied. "Magic is to be used with responsibility. Not just on any little thing. Dragons could use the magic as they pleased, but I'm not as powerful. The way it usually worked was that the elves channeled the magic through the dragon before they could use it. With the dragons being extinct, I can't do that. My body won't allow that much magic to pass through me, so it almost kills me every time."
That's what nearly happened to him yesterday. Elves might be related to dragons, but their blood wasn't as strong as theirs. Aide could hardly handle the magic he used yesterday to scare those men away. What would happen if he took up the ultimate challenge of killing the King himself?
Emaia jumped up. "You can't be serious. We're not actually going to send Aide in there alone, are we?"
They all turned and looked at her in surprise. She had been quiet right up till now.
Aide was the first to break the silence. "You're underestimating me, Emaia. Magic might tear my strength down, but I can deal with it. It won't be a problem."
"You almost died yesterday," Emaia snapped and clenched and fists in protest. "You were unconscious for two hours. How are you supposed to kill King Ragnar if you're out cold?"
"Like I said, I'll manage," Aide snapped back. "I've used magic before without it bringing me to my knees. I was just a little rusty yesterday, that's all. I'll be ready for the big battle."
"So it's settled, then?" Dashel cut in when Emaia just stared with her mouth open. She couldn't believe it.
"If it'll help, we can help you get through the battlefield," Kai offered and glanced at Aide. "Cover your back, as they say."
Aide smiled a little. "That would be great, thanks."
"Right then," Hanke snapped. "The elf kills the King, who killed the elves. How appropriate. Let's discuss details."
Emaia couldn't listen to it anymore. They were all crazy; they couldn't be serious about letting Aide run inside the castle by himself to kill a parade of guards in hopes he might find the King and kill him too. It was a fool's errand. A suicide mission. She wasn't going to let that happen.
She left them to discuss their details and opted for a walk around the village. Ever since the attack, the city gate had been permanently closed. Nobody was allowed to leave, unless they were accompanied by someone else. That meant Emaia was trapped in the village with all her thoughts and demons haunting her mind. No chance to get a breather.
After a couple of hours, Emaia had pretty much wandered the whole village around four times. She settled down by the docks where she found Dom and a bunch of other elves pulling in the fishnets loaded with fresh fish. They all looked cheerful despite their current complicated situation, being locked in in fear of getting killed. Then again, they were probably used to that.
"They say that the ones who have a lot on their minds stare across the ocean to drown their thoughts," Kai's voice suddenly said behind her.
Emaia turned half around and found Kai coming up to her with a smirk on his lips. He was dressed in black leather breeches, and until now she hadn't noticed that his left ear was pierced with what looked like a tooth from a shark. He wore a simple black vest over his exposed torso, which looked to be as chiseled as Aide's. The grin on his lips topped of his sex appeal.
"Is that an old elf saying?" Emaia meekly smiled as Kai sat down on the docks next to her. She couldn't help but notice those electric green eyes sparkle by the sight of his mate carrying a load of fish over his shoulder.
"Not really. I just needed an icebreaker to get you to tell me what's on your mind," Kai winked at her and leaned back on his hands. "What's up, human?"
Emaia sighed a little. "It's sappy girl stuff, I don't think you'll want to know."
"Hey, don't judge me so quick," Kai said. "I like listening to people's troubles. I'm all ears. You get it? All ears."
"Ha-ha," Emaia humorless smiled when he wiggled his pointy elf ears. She couldn't do that herself. She had always wanted to learn, but never really got the time for it back in Rochess. Her current life was such a contrast to the life she lived back there; Poofy dresses, no male company, always acting proper. Here, she wore breeches, cursed and spoke her mind, as well as threw herself at a man who could never love.
She sighed heavily.
"Come on, spill it," Kai said. "Either that or watch my incredibly sexy mate flex his triceps as he lifts those nets. Fuck my life." He suddenly crossed one of his legs over his other and adjusted his sitting position. She noticed his eyes flash with something dark.
Emaia frowned a little and shook her head. She hated how innocent she was sometimes. She couldn't understand Kai's actions. She could tell he was attracted to Dom, but the whole crossing-his-legs-and-cursing-thing she didn't get. She sighed frustratedly.
"Alright, I'll pop the bag then," Kai said when he got impatient. "You're worried about Hero because you're in love him."
Emaia blinked, shocked. "What?! Who told you that?"
"You're speaking to someone who's personally been in love with him," Kai said with a pointed stare. "I recognize that face from when I used to look in my mirror every morning and wonder what was wrong with me."
"Wrong?"
"Aide told me he didn't love me because he couldn't," Kai smiled. "I'm betting he told you the same thing. I looked at myself in the mirror back then and wondered why he couldn't love me. It wasn't until years later, when I discovered he couldn't love anyone, and that it had nothing to do with me."
"Oh," Emaia mumbled. She folded her hands in her lap and looked down. "I see." At least it hadn't taken her years to find out...
"He's in denial, Emaia," Kai said and sat up. "Hero is capable of love, I just wasn't the right one to show him that. And besides, I found somebody else who I loved more," He said and glanced towards Dom. As if hearing his words, Dom glanced up at him and flashed him a smile. Emaia couldn't help but awkwardly blush as she watched their exchange of pure love. Why couldn't it be like that for her?
"What makes you think he can love?" She quietly begun. "I thought you of all people should know. I mean, you're his best friend, right?"
"Exactly," Kai smiled and winked. "And that's why I know that he can do it. He's just too afraid for love, the damn fool. He was afraid then and he's afraid now. Last time he loved someone, they died. He thinks by keeping himself from loving, he's protecting not only himself, but also the people around him. That way nobody gets hurt. But that's no way to live."
Emaia considered his words deeply. Could that be true? "You said someone he loved died? Do you mean his parents?"
Kai shrugged a little. "I think Hero loved his parents very much, but the memory of them has faded. No, I'm talking about the dragon. He fell in love with that dragon – not in a gross way – but he really truly connected with it. Can you really blame him, though?"
Of course you couldn't blame him, Emaia thought. That dragon warmed his heart after he lost his parents, and it made him feel loved again for just a moment. Then it died. "Does he blame himself for its death?"
Kai gave her a sideways glance. "That dragon didn't just give him its magic. It gave him it's soul. In a way, the dragon gave him its life and is now living within him. Do you know when Hero gets really passionate about something, his eyes turns into—"
"—yellow reptilians?" Emaia interjected. "I've seen it, yeah. It scared the life out of me the first time."
"What where you doing at the time?"
Emaia felt a blush creep up her neck by the memory. Kai noticed.
"Oh, I see," A smirk grew on his lips. "You turned him on."
Emaia felt her cheeks flame up. "I-I what?"
Kai broke out into laughter. "Oh my God, you are precious, Emaia. Tell me something; how much do you know about sex?"
Emaia felt herself redden even more. She felt embarrassed that she knew so little.
"Damn, girl," Kai smirked. "You're as innocent as they come. No problem. I'll teach you everything you need to know."
"Say what now?" Emaia choked.
"Emaia, I knew I didn't stand a chance with Hero back in the days, but I know that you do," Kai smiled sincerely at her. "If anyone can defrost his ice-heart, it's you. But you need to know the way around the dragon, before you can ride it."
Emaia just glared confused at him.
Kai doubled over with laughter and hit his thighs. "Oh my God, you didn't even get that! Have you been locked up in a tower somewhere or what?"
She scoffed mildly. "Yes, actually I have. But it doesn't matter. Me and Aide aren't going to happen, I've let it go. It's over. Especially since he keeps pushing me away and goes around kissing other women."
"Say what?" Kai snapped and glared at her. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Emaia sighed angrily, feeling her old anger begin to boil again. Mostly it was just jealously. "I caught Aide kissing some black-haired elven woman in the woods yesterday, and—"
"—wow, wow, wait; he hasn't told you?" Kai interrupted and looked shocked at her. "That stupid sonofabitch."
"What?" Emaia asked confused. "What hasn't he told me about?"
"Shea," Kai said her name like a curse. "She's the master of getting what she wants. She collects information about everything and everyone. She's the elven equivalent of a snake. She can slip by guards unseen, she can blend in with her surroundings... and she's just as fucking sly and smooth, and she'll sink her fangs in you the first chance she gets," Kai growled.
Emaia frowned. The named sounded familiar. She suddenly remembered the day they had arrived and how Kai had briefly mentioned her name. She hadn't had a chance to think about it because so many other things had suddenly happened. Now that she heard the name again, she feared she would never forget it.
Emaia grimaced, disgusted with Kai's description of her. "So what does Aide want with her?"
"Oh, no. It's what she wants from him," Kai lightly scoffed. "Or from anybody else for that matter, though her target is primarily Hero. She trades information for... favors."
"Favors?" Emaia said, unsure of what that meant. "As in..."
"Sex," Kai harshly stated. "I believe her motto is; 'If you want the fruits of my hard work, you have to give me the fruits of your 'hard work'."
Emaia was still confused. "I still don't get it."
Kai doubled over with laughter again, which made her feel somewhat dumb. Was it obvious, or was she just plain stupid?
"Oh, Emaia, you are such a virgin," Kai grinned. "'Hard work', as in she wants his hard cock. Sorry for being so blunt, but I'm afraid it's the only way you'll get it."
He started laughing again when Emaia blushed crimson. Hard cock.
"Right," She mumbled, but then frowned when the dots started to connect. "Wait... So she was the one who Aide got those castle plans from?"
"Damn right," Kai replied and wiped his smile off. "You probably know what he does by now. He manipulates. He was coaxing her into giving him what he wanted yesterday by making her believe she would get what she wanted. Clever boy, right?"
Emaia felt an empty feeling inside her grow. "So he just made out with her to get what he needed?"
"Play the player," Kai winked and flashed her a smirk. "I taught him everything he knows."
Emaia couldn't listen anymore. He had just been playing that woman Shea like he had told. It hadn't been about sex like she had originally thought. He had been trying to obtain knowledge so they could win the war. She felt so stupid now.
"Shea looks fairly much like a human," Kai continued, unaware of the turmoil that was going on inside Emaia's head. "She dresses up elven style when she's here, but if she's down in Senwatross, she looks exactly like a human. You wouldn't even recognize her if you passed her in the street."
"What about her ears?"
"Packed away behind all that demon hair. The guards love her. She's the female version of Hero; she can manipulate any fool into giving her what she wants or needs. That's how she got those plans."
"So how come she falls for Aide's act?" Emaia questioned. "If she's that smart..."
"She doesn't. That's what makes my skin crawl," Kai grimaced. "She just pushes him around and make him do whatever she want him to do until she finally gives up the information he wants. Hero plays back, but in the end he always end up pleasing her."
"Pleasing her?" Emaia felt her heart tighten in pain. "You mean, they've—"
"No, God no," Kai shuddered. "Hero despises her. They've been close to, but he won't do it with her. He knows what she's about, and he knows the minute he gives her what she want, she'll lose interest in him. So, he does a little catch-and-release to keep her coming back on his hook."
Emaia didn't know whether to feel disgusted or relieved. She didn't want to think of Aide even doing such things, but she felt stupid for slapping him. Thanks to his 'sacrifice', they now had detailed plans of the King's castle. Plans that could help them win the war.
"Speaking of nice catches," Kai stood up and smirked when Dom came walking towards them, carrying a basket of fish on his shoulder. "Hey, handsome."
"Hello, Mahlah," Dom chuckled. He leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on Kai's lips. Emaia couldn't keep herself from looking as Kai slowly kissed him back, placing a hand behind his head. When they finally pulled apart, they both had a dark, lustful look in their eyes.
"What are you up to?" Dom asked and glanced at Emaia. "You're teaching her filthy things, aren't you?"
"Someone has to teach these poor humans how to make the sweet lovin'," Kai grinned. "This particular specimen needs a freaking A-to-Z manual. I'm stepping in, she doesn't know a darn thing, it's borderline human abuse."
Dom chuckled and glanced at Emaia again who was blushing something profusely. "Just tell me if my mate is making you uncomfortable. He doesn't have a filter on his mouth."
"It's fine," Emaia nervously chuckled. Dom was a kind of tall, muscular, strangely grown-up person to be around. It was kind of fun seeing how Kai had fallen in love with someone so adult when he was like a child himself.
"I'll come find you later then," Dom smiled warmly at Kai. "I'll be at home."
"I might be a while," Kai smirked. "But then I'll definitely come."
They both chuckled, and again, Emaia felt certain she had missed a dirty joke, going by the look on Kai's face. It made her feel even more innocent and dumb, which at this point was quite an achievement.
"Alright, have fun," Dom gave Kai another kiss before he went on ahead and walked back towards the village. Kai followed him with his eyes until he disappeared out of sight.
He then finally sighed. "Alright Emaia, let's do this quick and efficiently. There's a very hot, sexy man waiting for me at home, and I'd like to be there when he bathes, so," Kai said and clapped his hands together. "Sit back and open your brain tank, because here comes the kinkiest goddamn life lesson you'll ever get."
- And he really wasn't kidding.