Abyss

CHAPTER 19

Darius sat in the middle of the administry, feeling a bit intimidated by the gazes of the people in the room with him.

It was a simple interrogation, nothing more, Arsen told him.

But with how serious they looked, silent defeaning, Darius almost felt like he was treated as an enemy. Quiet judgments passing around.

"Bridgeven Tides." The words of a man rang and echoed as the others soon followed with deep silence, letting him speak with a stern tone and intimidate Darius even more.

Most of the men in the room were older, possibly old captains that had already retired.

Darius took a second before finally opening up what they needed to know. "My crew and I managed to land on it and meet Solstice, one of your lead researchers or so I heard."

"Yes, I know her," Arsen shortly replied, earning a few nods from the elders. "I gave her an assignment to gather data on that island."

"How did you escape. Sirens guard those waters." Another man's voice, his tone deep and with curiosity, his hand stroking his beard as if deeply pondering. "No man could ever evade their songs."

"We were lucky. My crew almost got dragged," Darius answered. "Solstice helped us."

The other men chatters filled the room before one of the men once again, this time a bit younger than the others, asked him. "What is your relationship with Everfrost?"

Darius met the younger man's gaze and answered firmly, "Just business purposes. Nothing more."

Curious eyes stared back at Darius, the young man pressed the subject even further, "Why comes to us when trying to escape Bridgeven. Surely you could've sailed back to Everfrost."

"Your researcher, Solstice, told us this was the nearest one," Darius further tried to convince them that they mean no trouble. And considering she was nice enough to point us in this direction, we assumed that it could be our resting point before we sail once more."

"Heard you were planning to head to Gryndale." All attention suddenly went to Arsen as she included herself once more in the conversation. She then took the cup that was on her side and took a sip of her tea as Darius nodded at her statement.

"Yes, it was our actual point of interest before we got lost in the storm and landed on Bridgeven."

"Why were you planning to go to Gryndale, might I ask?"

"To check the Angelus' wreck."

This time, Arsen's eyebrows raised. "One of your ships, I assume."

"That ship along with its crew was one of our best expedition team. We plan to know why it suddenly never came back." The men only fell silent. Darius noticed the somber looks on their faces. Considering that most of them were captains, surely they know the feeling of losing someone.

Arsen put a finger under her chin, pondering, before snapping her fingers. "I have a preposition for you."

Darius' gaze lay still as Arsen stood up from her chair. "We shall allow you to stay how long as you like in this nation, security provided. Though, not for free."

"How much would we have to pay?" It was hard knowing that Everfrost was still not in good terms with them. They wouldn't need another nation to be another worry.

Arsen approached one of the researchers in her office and took one of the scrolls on the shelves. "Sadly, we're already in no need for riches. We need knowledge. Specific detail and commentary about your trek."

"Arkenheilm believes that the most powerful weapon is the mind and knowledge stored in them," Arsen added before Darius nods.

"What do you want us to do?"

"Gather information. Something we haven't recorded yet. We'll provide you what we know so far."

"So, a researcher."

Arsen shrugs, chuckling a bit as he heard him say that. "Call it what you may."

Before they even come to an agreement, Arsen suddenly heard the young man once again interrupting. "Miss Arsen, how much do you trust this man? What if he is a traitor? We do not need a scum who would—"

"Silence! Be then what he may. Trust is a long process and should never be rushed," Arsen called out, her arms crossed as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"You were all captains that had served our king, my father." The men didn't utter a word once they heard this.

"And it took a long time before I trusted you, correct? Under my ruling." Arsen couldn't help but put down the scroll on the table. It rang loudly and echoed as the researchers stopped what they were doing to glance at them.

"I gave you all a chance therefore Darius Thorren shall have the same treatment,"  Arsen argues as she then faced Darius. She then took the scroll back and handed it to him.

"And if betrayal does come forth, then there shall I make a move. Do I make my point clear?" All the men in the room nods and agreed, their voices in sync as they answered.

"Yes, Miss Winterglade."

With a decisive tone, Arsen finally nods. "Then it is settled. I'll leave you to Miss Hunter. If she isn't too preoccupied, she can give you a tour of the city.

"Thank you for your honesty and cooperation."

Arsen finally sat back and down and smiles. Though it wasn't as welcoming and almost looked forced, Darius accepted it nonetheless. "Welcome to Arkenheilm, Darius Thorren, along with your crew whom I shall meet next time. I'll let one of my researchers lead you back."

In a single snap of her fingers, she called one of the researchers and escorted Darius out of the administry. As Darius followed the researcher and got out of the building, he was surprised to see Elysaria outside, her gun on the stone seat as she fixes her ponytail.

Once Elysaria noticed Darius, she then straps back the gun on her back and stood up. "I take it you saw her strict side. How'd it go?"

"It's alright," Darius shortly replied before noticing that the crew wasn't with her. "Where are the others?"

Elysaria shrugged. "Possibly wandering off. Lucius is leading them—"

"Aloysius," Darius corrected before coughing.

Elysaria nods before waving him off. "Whatever that lad's name is. They were too many when they were introducing themselves. But anyway, I can accompany you back and give you a tour. Wouldn't want you being lost in the big city."

"Welcome to Arkenheilm!"