"It would seem that the eastern border has been breached and a swarm of abominations are making their way to the neighboring cities." The report was what Toren wasn't ready to hear. "Damn it!" His teeth gritting as he weighed the situation. "Not only did we manage to lose the eastern border but a swarm of abominations are making their way into Reuthar."
He glanced at the screen where the tide were ravaging the remains of what was left of the border. He gave a defeated sigh sinking into his chair. "Redfall, just what deal did you make to have the demons ally with you so? And how are you able to control these hordes of mindless abominations?!"
The questions in his head went unanswered as he prepared himself for a meeting with the other ministers. With the rate at which things went, it was only a matter of time before Reuthar went to the brink of extinction if not assimilation.
The military jeep parked outside picked him up and drove him to Seris's grounds where he was warmly welcomed before meeting the other ministers. This time the counselor of external ministers was present whole James was absent.
Ignoring the polished halls of the manor, the four quickly got to the reason of their meeting. "They've managed to break through the eastern border, from now it's hard to tell whether the food will be contaminated without a proper assessment."
The process of detecting Hine was anything but easy as it took hours. And the rest of the kingdom didn't have such equipment making it all the more hard for it to gauge what was tainted and what wasn't. "At this point it would be best to have any form of up-rises be shot down." Seris posed, his tone lacking his usual playful edge.
"Shot down? We're not animals Seris!" Dren, minister of Finance interjected with his token filled with contempt. "If you don't propose so then what is it that you have as a better alternative Dren? Or are you bothered that with the current state of things that you'll fall into irrelevancy?" Toren for defense and him for technology, Dren for finance at the actual heat of things would be forced to take a step back.
"I'm not thinking about myself Seris but rather the people infected. They may state they ally with Redfall and Guinevere but that doesn't mean that they weren't people of our own." Seris let out a comical sigh. "We might as well pet Redfall come in and assimilate us with your suggestion Dren. What do you think of this Toren?"
The attention of the scene shifted to Toren who was lost in thought. His mind recalling the boy who had been recently attacked by Jarren, Vhorren. "It would seem hay Jarren is as of currently targeting people he as much as knew before. It would be best to increase the vigilance around Brose." His words meant to be a mumble to himself was heard by the rest.
"...Of course but what do you think about the current situation at hand? What is your thoughts on people infected with the plague?" Toren who by now was jolted back to the conversation fell silent. After the two recapped what they proposed, he sided with Dren. "It would be too inhumane to kill them however having them wouldn't only increase the rate of transmission and infection."
His pause intentional as he went on. "It would be best to have them sent out to Redfall. Should they meet their end at the abominations or assimilated by Guinevere then let it be." His words carrying a hint of mercy and cruelty the two prior suggested. Since the three were at an impasse of what to do, they simultaneously looked at the counselor for external affairs.
"Both suggestions from Dren and Seris have their own reason behind them. Both with good intent however I will have to side with Toren here. Once contaminated they are no longer our people and should be taken out of our hands." His tone calm and poised in accordance with the man. His face smooth with freckles of age here and there.
His name was Lord Seamus Pencal, the counselor of external affairs within the. kingdom of Reuthar, his status equal to James. A man who had grown familiar with his status to a questionable extent however his means of execution was satisfactory thus Atherion didn't see any proper problem to have him gone from his position.
"Very well, thank you Seamus for giving your insight." Toren posed before he went on with his words. "A platoon was sent to investigate the scene to find Callista only to report her missing at the scene. However now looking at it now it was clear that she was there. There is no expert that can use obsidian crystals like her in the other kingdoms."
Flashing the obsidian crystal flower in full bloom, the other ministers were both intrigued and horrified with what they saw. 'It would seem the more we see of her, the more terrified we grow of her.' Seris cursed as he felt obligated to staying at the sidelines. 'As much as we are trying to find her, it all feels for naught.'
A sense of helplessness overwhelmed him. He poured more effort and time into his work and it would seem that the gap between him and Callista kept on growing with each passing day. "I'm sure that if I could incorporate Jarren's glyph into my work then it won't be as difficult to find these two jokers." His tone filled with resentment, it's target clearly Toren.
"What use would you have managed to gain from it given that Timothy has already claimed his life. However before he came to pass he talked about the death of Arcania." The air between them all grew somber, some already seeing it happen in the world that they lived in. "If we were able to figure out what type of plague she uses then it would help out immensely." Seamus posed clearly taking a jab at Seris.
"I'm working my absolute hardest however this problem proves to be more than just a plague meant to be cured in the span of a week. We haven't been able to make any progress with it whatsoever." Toren let out a heavy sigh as he switched the topic. "As for the film photographer, we've managed to get a handful of his clients before the evidence was destroyed."
A figure squirmed uncomfortably but no one managed to notice. "It's quite clear that one of the client is in this room." His words drawing faces of shock and bewilderment. "What makes you say that Toren?" Dren was the first to ask, his tone filled with playful curiosity. The matter though peculiar in his eyes wasn't worth much of his time.
"When it was announced that some form of progress was being made with the phone, the evidence was quickly taken care off. People with such ears in this kingdom are seating right in front of me making me sure to believe that it was one of you." The air shifted, glances shared between one another.
"Well I'm sure that you'll get to the bottom of it." Seamus posed with apathy. "It course he will, this is Toren we're talking about." Seris added with a chuckle making Toren wonder the morality of those around him. 'Are these people monsters to be so indifferent or callous to the news? However my intuition tells me that it is one of them and they are trying to play it off.'
His eyes shifted from one to the other. 'It couldn't have been Seamus as the report came before his arrival but I can't be too sure. Dren and Seris on the other hand are more likely to commit it however with Dren's reserved nature, it's more likely to be Seris given his carefree attitude.'
However what he had in his mind was nothing more than speculations with no factual evidence. "So what about James? Should we keep on pretending that he isn't here?" Seris joked as he took a sip of his wine. His manner not rushed or too relaxed but measured like his usual self.
"With wind about Callista and Jarren lurking about, I'm sure you-" Seris cut Toren off. "I know that but what about his position, will Seamus take over is what I'm asking." Seamus let out a chuckle, his gaze unreadable. "What do you think Seris?" His tone shrouded in mystery.
"I'm sure that you'll be fitting for the role." Seris's tone flat as he went on. "However who's to say that you might not fit in as easily as your old one. They are after all two completely different ball games." Seamus's gaze tightened on Seris's figure, not with rage or contempt but intrigue. "Don't underestimate me Seris, I've been doing this for far longer than you think."
Feeling the conversation was taking a turn from what had brought them there, Toren steered it back on course. "I'm sure that you'll do swell in James's position however let's no forget what brought us here gentlemen." A chuckle escaped Seris's lips as his gaze drifted back to Toren.
"From now on it would be imperative that we have a large scale assessment of the food shipped to the men on the battlefield. You'll have to start with the shipping as soon as possible Seris." The man addressed nodded in agreement. "As for you Seamus-" Toren didn't get what was off his chest before he was cut off. "I can do my task as expected Toren, don't stress yourself too much. Isn't that right Dren?"
Dren who had been watching it all unfold with barely a say was skeptical of what game Seamus was playing. "Toren, I'm aware of what I'm supposed to do." His tone neither humble nor ignorant. "See, so you don't have to bore us with the speech of what we should and shouldn't do." Seamus posed with an enigmatic smile as he rose to his feet.
"If you'll excuse me I have to get back to my new work." Tipping his hat, Seamus took his leave drawing the attention of the rest. Seris merely chuckled at the fiasco that occurred before rising to his feet as well. "Toren, Seamus has a point, we're not five year olds." Toren merely cast a glare at Seris&s departing figure before he was let with Dren.
His hands remained folded, his gaze calm as he too rose his feet. "We'll talk some other time." Now left alone in the room, Toren finally understood what Atherion had met with Seamus being a pickle to deal with. 'If it wasn't for the lack of personnel to take the position I would have that crone gone.'
He cursed as he straightened his uniform. 'These people are so dismissive of how much of a threat we're facing. As if it wasn't bad enough to deal with Seris now I have to deal with Seamus as well.' He spat as he made his way to the exit. 'As for Vhorren, though his state was grim he managed to make through it but is still unconscious.'
Hopping back on his military jeep, he felt as if he was the only one who bothered to make an effort and help Reuthar to be the kingdom that it was before. 'The lack of uniformity could be the death of us.' Deep in his thoughts, he recalled how the three reacted to his words.
'Seamus fully let out his personality, Dren remained passive while Seris was the only who changed. Following in Seamus's steps of taunts. Maybe he's a client of the photographer.' As much as he wished for it to be false, the possibility of him being right was still on the table.
"Let's see how you play Seris, will you crack under the pressure or will you endure and prove me wrong?" He couldn't help but wonder as the world beyond his window flashes behind him. The beautiful fountains and well kept hedges reeked of wealth he had grown apathetic off. 'As for you Seamus, provided you do your task I'm sure that we won't be crossing each other's paths.' He sighed inwardly with an edge of acceptance to Seamus's antics.