The entire Reuthar royal court was drowning in shock, fear or wariness. Isolde's message of Callista ending Roderic's life so casually was still a shock most hadn't believed. "She's definitely a hazard, it would be best that we get rid of her." A noble seethed with rage.
Atherion merely sighed, blankly hearing the suggestions brought up. Most just wishing to curb or kill Callista out of fear. "A kingdom without a kin will surely crumble, though this would be an opportune time to take over Redfall, the beasts at the borders would be a headache. Best we wait till they deal with it before making a move."
Alongside Callista's potential death, some began discussing about taking over Redfall. Sure it wasn't a process that happened overnight, resistance was certain and vast amount of resources would be needed for such an event. "Maybe we don't have to take over but monitor it akin to a vassal state. With Callista, we could use her to instill fear making the residences submit."
Another added raising a storm. Atherion glanced at James, his gaze curious on what he thought. It was disheartening for him to hear how quick these people were to throw her under the bus. "Let's think rationally here. A full scale take over would consume too much resources and with the integration of technology still in the bud, it would halt our development."
"It would be best to let Redfall be for now and let the other kingdoms claim it. The main way is blocked with jagged terrain , forces would take way too long before they could arrive and by then, they would have formed a plan already." Another chimed in making the entire hall fall silent.
"However you're forgetting about the rumored Hollow Saint present, it would be difficult to deal with such an individual." However a waterfall of discussions followed. "Isn't she Guinevere? Princess of Othare. Maybe she wants to take over Redfall after the fall of her own kingdom."
Another posed. With the back and forth banter, Atherion covered his face with resignation ignoring the words that flew by. "What if we pit Callista to face her? She's proven strong enough to deal with Roderic." James grit his teeth with how these people saw Callista, not as a valuable asset but a pawn they could sacrifice without a thought.
"Firstly, it would be lunacy if we let her fall in Redfall, after all her glyph is of great importance to us and with the death of Jarren, it makes her all the more valuable to safeguard. However her malicious nature makes it hard to control her. Secondly, if she was to somehow take down the hollow saint, then what would stop her from taking over Reuthar, if not killing all of us?"
Toren interjected, his words drawing attention from the nobles and high class individuals. "As much as it would be great to have her on our side, let's not forget that we have technology. Marvelous feats could be accomplished with them. The worst case scenario being Callista and Guinevere allying to which they would have the entire world to face."
Atherion recalled Callista's temperament, sure that if he were to come across her once more than she could end his life. 'She didn't have a perceivable rank that I could sense? Does that mean that she's stronger than me?' Recalling her words about dominance and strength, he knew that she would carve her way to the top with bloodshed and death.
The more he thought about it, the more he saw it fit to end her life but not yet. "What does the king about this?" The voice jolted him back to the room though he quickly regained his composure. "Killing Callista is necessary however not yet. It would be best that she deals with the threats at the border before we finish her off. Not to mention with the resentment the siblings harbor for her, it should be easier."
"As for the Hollow Saint, other kingdoms will perceive her as a threat that needs to be dealt with. Calledra has already requested for an alliance as well as other neighbouring kingdoms to deal with Guinevere. As for the threats beyond, we've detected that the cause may be originating from the demonic wastelands."
The entire chamber fell silent, dreading the implications of his last statement. Most at first had thought that it was due to some plague or curse from the fractures that had seeped in however if it was intentional and the demons had control over the anomalous beasts then it would be more than just problematic, it would be catastrophic.
"Why not send her to investigate the wastelands? After all she does have the power to do so!" A noble lazily mused making the others wonder. "Chances are that she won't be able to survive given how easily Jarren met his end." Another added before the topic of conversation shifted once more.
This time focusing on the illicit acts going on within the demonic wastelands. "Why not wipe it clean?" One mused. "From the findings that we have, radiation seems to enhance their mutations. It would be aiding them if we do." Toren lazily posed.
Seris Gale however interjected. "It's not just nukes that we can use, there's chemical warfare on the table as well." His smug however didn't last long. "Chemical warfare on what? The wastelands are barrens of lands, those mutants feast on other beasts including other mutated. Your approach wouldn't achieve much."
Toren quickly corrected Seris making him give an indignant sigh. "So far we've been working on android military personnel. Expendable instead of sacrificing the lives of our men." Seris posed wishing to come out on top with Toren. The latter realized this however he didn't have the time for such childish games.
"Well such equipment would be great, to make one would require a lot of resources alone. Not to mention the personnel to man one would is lacking. And the choice of automation is even more expensive." Seris finally gave in, glancing to the side in defeat.
"However what we can do at the moment is upgrade our arsenal, so far out men have been given high grade military rifles and other weapons. Their firepower and prowess should increase greatly." Toren finally came to a close with his words making the rest wonder the new level he had managed to achieve.
"We could send a couple of scouts, some undercover men of our own and check what is going on." Another raised which was supported by the majority. Atherion's mind however was still focused on Callista and the new saint.
The demons to the west would be too much of a stretch to deal with at the moment. He looked back at James only to realize that he had quietly slipped out of the court. He didn't bother making a scene, aware of the situation he was going through making him recall his own daughter. He had been putting on a facade of stoicism while underneath he had been bleeding.
James hadn't reported anything, the trail was growing cold with each passing day and it would seem that he would have to come to the grim reality that he would never see his daughter ever again. With he death if his wife still fresh in his mind, it was adding fuel to the fire.
The conversation kept on dragging before coming to a close, he didn't bother with the specifics as he made his way to his chambers. The lavish and luxurious room had grown far too familiar to him, almost lacking in a sense. His figure made over to his desk and wrote a letter before sealing it.
Just as he was about to collapse on his bed, he cane across a letter. From it's design, it lacked a royal stamp, clearly the work of an inside worker. And yet the danger of someone leaving the letter in his chambers didn't faze him as he tore it open.
His eyes dreary skimmed through the contents before coming to the end. No signature or trace he could use to trace the origin but the words made his body shudder. He had thought that it would be a letter detailing Diana's whereabouts or her kidnappers but it was something far grimmer.
'If the kingdom were to know about this then it would descend into chaos and anarchy.' It wasn't peaceful and he knew that if he were to make the wrong decision that regret would be the least of his worries.
***
Diana's vision was nothing but darkness, her mouth filled with a cloth preventing her from screaming. "Gah!" The cloth was removed and without delay she screamed at the top of her lungs.
*Slap*
Her cheek flared red making her fall silent. "Do you think that you can just scream like some deranged bitch. Be civil." Her blindfold was removed flooding her vision with light. At first blinding but over time her eyes adjusted making her wonder where she was.
Her surroundings were lavish, clearly at the house of a noble before she realized the state she was in. Not tied to a chair but cuffed to the ceiling. It was now that she got a closer look at her abductor. Her lush purple hair drooping on her back, her jade eyes playfully resting on her figure with a dangerous smirk to her lips.
"Who are you and what do you want?!" Diana's words hoarse however her mouth was stuffed with a biscuit making her gag. "I won't eat that!" She spat the biscuit out of her mouth making Clomere sigh. She took a bite of it, frowning at Diana's contempt. "If I knew that you would spit it out then maybe you should stay hungry."
As if on cue, her stomach grumbled. She hadn't eaten for two days and the hunger was slowly getting to her. Still she didn't yield as Clomere brought another biscuit to her lips twisting her head to avoid it. "Then suit yourself, but don't think that you'll get the chance of starving yourself to death." Clomere chuckled before the door opened.
"Miss Clomere, master's back." The servant blankly mused, her eyes distant clearly under her control. "He's here! He'll definitely reward me for this!" Her squeals of excitement spat on by Diana. "You're nothing more than a slave and a whore, huh?" Her words cold followed with a mocking laugh.
Still Clomere didn't lose her composure as she laughed at what was to come. "We'll see whether you'll be laughing at the end of this. I'll relish every scream that escapes your lips." Her words cold before the door clicked. The two stared at the door and the so called master made his entrance. "Jarren!" Clomere didn't bother with restraint as she leapt on his figure, stealing a kiss.
Diana's face darkened as she saw Jarren. "You! I should have known to have you killed the moment I knew something was off with you! Do you really think that you'll get away with this?! You of all people should know the vast connections my father has." Jarren with his hand wrapping around Clomere's waist and the other in his pocket let out a light laugh.
"Your father darling has bigger things to deal with than you. Reuthar could be hanging at the balance as we speak." His words making Diana's smug smile waver. "Don't underestimate my father! He'll make sure that you pay for this!" Jarren didn't bother with her rants as he turned to Clomere.
"Have you arranged the five star treatment for our guest?" Clomere merely chuckled. "But of course darling. However I find that she talks too much. How about we fix that. " Diana's figure shivered as the door opened behind the two. All kinds of trinkets could be seen hauled in. Most of which were torture devices, some mundane equipment and others she was completely unfamiliar with.
"Diana Emberborne, you're hereby sentenced to death for the multiple assassination attempts that you have enacted on me. Luckily I managed to escape by the skin of my teeth on both occasions. However before you die, you'll have the greatest honor of experiencing my personal hands on work. Don't worry, I'll make sure that it hurts."
His gaze playful as it landed on Diana's wriggling body.