FAU continued

Perspective

Philza heard the drawing of metal around him, and the glint of concentration flickered in his eyes briefly. He shot his arm out to the side, letting the shield click softly.

"I don't want to kill anyone."

"There are almost fifty dead men outside that door Lord Philza."

The blonde did a long, joking shrug. "Fine, I don't wanna kill any MORE."

The king stood up from his throne, drawing his sword, "All you're proving is the fact that the decree was valid. I'm assuming along with my life that's what you're here to destroy."

Philza pushed his hair back, before letting his fingers curl around the attached shield on is arm. It snapped, and clattered to the ground.

"Actually, I'm here to bargain."

The king burst into laughter, his sword sheathed shakily. Phil cocked his head to the side curiously.

"If you are here for what I think you need, then you don't have enough troops to take this palace. Tell me how many of your own are the dead at that door?"

"They knew the risks, and trust me I would have rather negotiated this over letters but it seems we are running out of time. If I'm here for your aid, how can you not think of me as an equal?"

"I think of you as a threat Phil. I have eye witnesses from the Shadow's Storm. My dear don't get me wrong I am... grateful for your help. And killing the demon."

A toothy grin spread across the blonde's face, "The fact that there is a carrier of government intel in enemy lines is something you should be concerned about."

"I'm concerned about the winged man here with the intent to kill his king!" He boomed, boots stepping closer, "This is treason."

"That is a matter of perspective my friend. We have danced before, care for another tangle?"

Before more could be said the two scrambled for their weapons, and metal sparks lit the world.

————————————————————————

They crept in the desert night like thieves. Connor ducked under a tent flap with slight pain gritted teeth. He felt strange that the men on the bunks were completely silent.

Bad smiled, and clapped his hands, "Thank you so much for waiting up for us."

(Just realized I can't use my forever planned plug of a6d, because he hasn't been cleared of charges and I dont want trouble. I mean he wasn't gonna be in this part but it just occurred to me)

"I wouldn't call us friends, but you know how I can be."

All the soldiers started to get up, instantly casting their gazes over the intruders. Connor instantly felt his stomach drop.

One of them dressed in white and blue stepped out, his glowing green eyes like a creature of the night. Tanned skin, but almost in a way that wasn't noticeable against the colors. His hair was similar to Bad's, a dark chocolate brown.

"Foolish, you know better than anyone I wouldn't be asking if I didn't have to."

"That's true, but I never said I'll help you. From what I know you are an enemy of the crown."

"That's a matter of perspective, I mean no harm to the crown. I wish to save my friends."

Foolish laughed, "Well I would too, but you fail to tell me who."

Bad went silent, "That comes after."

"No it doesn't. My base my rules."

Connor aggressively cleared his throat, "Hi I'm Connor and looks like I'll be negotiating this shit you guys suck."

Any shot him a look, "Shhh Connor-"

"No let him speak." Foolish gestured for him to step forward. Connor let go of the man he was leaning against, better to prove he could hold his own.

The L'manburgian hobbled in front of the others. His teeth grinded together in pain.

Yes I know it's ground but I think that sounds better.

"You look a little banged up to be here." Foolish observed, looking him up and down.

"Then that should prove how desperately we need your help. I'm not going to lie right now everyone is at risk. The crown has stake here as does the rest of the god damn earth."

"Do explain, I'm in no mood for formalities or riddles."

"I never am," Connor agreed, "L'manburg made a last stand against the Pillagers and they are on the run. One problem replaced another, one problem died, and now we have an even bigger and large scale problem."

"Which is?"

"Which is why we are here with you desert dwellers. It's the mercenary league, and we have lost an carrier of your beloved crown to them."

Ant brushed his arm over Connor's, "We lost contact with the team we sent in. And speaking from people I know to have formally dwelled there it would be impossible to take it with stealth."

Foolish tilted his head back in a grin, "Let's pretend I'll even ignore the decree for you, Bad you are asking for a siege!"

"What we are asking for is a large encounter with a dangerous group, that's true. But if you let them grow any larger there will be trouble for the kingdom."

"When it was L'manburg we had the advantage of knowing terrain. Here we know nothing, and even if we wanted to make an attack we don't know how." Connor stated, "If I knew what the fuck was going on I'd be doing it myself."

Foolish waved over someone, they handed him a slip of paper. "𝙱𝚊𝚍 𝙱𝚘𝚢 𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐."

"I will but we have bigger problems-"

Foolish cut him off with a finger, "And I WILL help you, if that means you surrender yourself to authorities afterwards. I'm a man of honor, and I want the truth."

Ant felt his shoulders drop as he became less tense, "Do we have an accord then?"

Foolish chewed on his lip, before motioning to his warriors to prepare. "One last thing, I can't take your word, so I'm taking collateral."

Ant began to step forward, but Foolish stuck out a palm with a smirk.

"No, the L'manburgian."

"What! You can't -"

Swords drew around the room and stopped Ant from drawing his. Connor put a hand on his shoulder.

"Ant I'm always collateral might as well get use out of it. We accept."

"Connor this is a stupid way to prove your worth!"

The brunette walked over to Foolish, "That's all a matter of perspective."