AUTHOR'S POV
"A fact that you should be aware of, and perhaps consider. We are at the borders between two kingdoms. This particular location is nearer to the oasis of Alhambra. It is only practical, and wise to send the injured royal princess of Nether there to ensure her survival from her multiple injuries. That is, if you value her life more than your egos", Mago explained, breaking protocols and ignoring its consequences.
"How bad is it?", Atrius asked. He didn't liked the frown on Mago's face, while the archmage takes his time to choose his words. "Don't give me that look, Mago. How bad is it", he asked again.
"Her manna is dangerously low. She lost a lot of blood. And her head…", Mago counted the several conditions threatening Stellan's life.
"Thanks to some idiot, Helena is at death's door", Jac placed his hands on his waist. Now that Mago have suffice their current need, the archmage do not have further purpose anymore. "Actually, what are you even doing here?! This is not the sands!", he yelled with great distinction.
"We are here by the order of our King! He sent us to avenge the lost life his dearest son. Who, apparently, is alive after all.", Mago met Jac's towering height despite being a bit shorter.
"You thought I was dead?", Atrius gaped at the reason why the sand soldiers intruded Nether. He didn't had the chance to ask Mago at first, given the circumstance at hand. Nevertheless, hearing the purpose of their intrusion caught him by surprise.
"Yes, Prince", Mago turned to Atrius. "Your death reached the sands. And as you know, your father went ballistic sending his best soldiers to Nether to vanquished the king and the paladins. A war that we all anticipated, but never in the right mind insisted".
Deep in the corner of Atrius' heart, he couldn't deny a certain delight knowing that his father sought revenge for him. The man whose world he doesn't belong to.
"Best soldiers, you say? Ha!", Jac scoffed, and mumbled unintelligible words that could've offended Mago. "Well, since Atrius is alive, I guess your invasion and murder intentions no long works. We'll pretend we didn't see you here. You may all go".
"We shall abide by the orders of the Prince, and the prince only", Mago met Jac's eyes with death stares. "What say you, Prince Atrius?", he asked.
"How about you abide by my fist?", Jacomus raised his fist, slowly lighting its fiery glow at Mago.
"You know well that I can take you down with one rune", Mago pulled out one rune on an aquamarine gem. In a blink, he flicked it at Jac's fist, extinguishing its light. Jac was stupefied how fast things happened. "You are such waste of rune.. Do you think I personally prefer to take a mysterious princess to our kingdom?".
"I'll accept that as if we're on the same page. Helena is from Nether. She will be treated in Nether. End of discussion. Right Atrius?", Jac couldn't gauge Atrius, who kept on zoning out. His silence was disturbing. "Right?", pushing him with his elbow.
"Though it may seem strange, I am not forcing it… Fairly, this person will not make it halfway to your journey back", Mago hinted the fate of the wounded and dying princess if Jac insists what he wants.
Naturally and consistently, Jac strongly opposed. It confuses him why Mago, who pretends not to care, subtly extends his generosity to put Helena in his care. This is beyond the concern of Vierme. So for Jac, it is a needless debate.
The argument between the two became more heated. Jac raised his stakes, while Mago built a shield. Unceasingly without pause, they had a sharp exchange, challenging each other with whose voice is louder.
"STOP! Both of you!! Neither of you is helping right now", Atrius erupted glaring at the two, and not taking sides. Yet. A decision has to be made, and it has to be done now. "Jac, we'll take her to Vierme. Our mages does know exactly what to do".
Jac protested with eyes wide open. It is not something he'd hear from Atrius. "Do you know what a princess in a foreign kingdom means? We're putting her life in more danger. And if you still don't get it, I don't trust this guy", he furiously said.
Mago grinned from gaining the trust of Atrius. It's more than enough to win the clash of disagreement with Jac. "I shall take my leave for a while", he walked away, leaving the two. While Mago is on his way out, he stopped right beside Atrius and placed his hand on his shoulder. Jac's molten anger rolled through him. Somehow, the archmage did look like a puppet master pulling Atrius' strings.
Jac waited for Mago to leave the watchtower. And behind the closed door, he calmed the trivial matters storming inside him. With such man around, his temper is all over the place. Something he couldn't stir well. "Vierme isn't your home. They are not your family. Months ago you were a son of a farmer and baker. And all of a sudden, you are son of a King? Spare me with those kind of antics!".
Atrius thought hard about it. Jac had his point well made. As a matter of fact, he would have thought of the same thing. On the other hand, Mago's proposal is more practical and sensible. Grasping the dangers of the reality, Helena needs the best option… the quickest way possible.
"This is not about me Jac. We are talking about Helena", Atrius convinces Jac, trying to radiate his sense of calm in the midst of their turmoil. He gave a slight nod, along with the sincerity in his eyes. "Mago is right. It might be too late for her if we bring her to Hesam. Stellan is still in the palace, and who knows where to find Freya".
"But, Atrius..", Jac clenched his jaw, shaking his head pressing his lips in a fine line. "The sand soliders breaking in our kingdom in witching hour. And all of a sudden, we give the princess of Nether? I know I'm a bit shallow, but I'm not that stupid".
"They are here for me, not her. Besides, you and I will be with her anyway. What are you s afraid of? Jac, I intend to do everything as what Helena would do for us. Just trust me on this", Atrius stood firm on his choice for Helena's survival.
"I don't know man", Jac deeply sighed, without ever admitting Atrius is right. He knew that none of them will concede. The longer they argue, the harder Helena hangs on for her dear life. He returned to Stellan, and hoped she'd wake up now so they won't have to cross the borders. "Tell your mage, I'll shove my paladin fist up in his ass if he fail to keep his word".
Atrius lowered his head, as Jac finally yield to his decision. He couldn't weigh his friend's heavy heart and bag of frustration, but in the look of his drop shoulders and back turned away from him… Jac is morose to look at him in the eyes, and very much disappointed to stand close with him. Atrius went to the door, held the handle and took a deep breath. Swinging them open, he saw the sand soldiers sharpening their scimitars with their whetsones. "We'll take the princess to Vierme", he announced.