Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Sadness

Lianza stood on the edge of the training square, the setting sun at his back as he watched Luan gently, patiently, walk the small human girl through a series of basic sword drills, the older man looking in his element as he corrected grip, posture, movement and form, slowing down the impatience of a teenage girl, disciplining it, though there was plenty of frustration on Treasa's face.

Still, she listened to the old General, her eyes on him, nodding earnestly though she was exhausted and dripping with sweat. Lianza took the last few moments of the lesson to bolster himself, allowing her the last few moments of enjoyment before he had to tell her about her friend.

He felt a hard grip on the back of his neck and held himself back from attacking only when he smelled his King, holding him tightly, not painfully, though the possibility was there, in that grip.

"Regency." He murmured, standing stock still, his wings folded tightly around his shoulders.

He had given Drakos his report when he arrived with the Queen.

Lianza had seen the anger in the man's eyes, kept under leash with the Queen standing there watching, and knew that there would be more of a conversation later.

"Part of me wants to kill you, Lianza." Drakos growled to him before the grip loosened and moved to squeeze his shoulder, his king's voice softening. "But a stronger, wiser part of me is grateful. That you were there with her, that you responded in the way you did. I think it's punishment enough for exposing your queen to that, that you were forced to return home before the man could be brought in."

"My mission was to stay with the Queen." Lianza shrugged, finally glancing to Drakos, who was now watching the lesson. "And I had something more important than vengeance to do."

Drakos sighed softly, nodding. "I know. But understand, Davanos has gone to Clairval. He will bring that man back, and I'm inclined to allow you to mete out justice." Drakos paused, quirking a brow. "But you would have to be a general to do that."

It was the first time in a long time that he barely hesitated, but he did pause and shake his head slowly. "The only opening is with the Taurean. I will only take that if she refuses me as her guardian."

"I'll take that into advisement." Drakos chuckled before shaking his head. "Though my intentions are to transfer Nero there, and have you take over the Royals. You'll let Eikos take over the Reysana camp as a commander, and you will remain here most of the time. Besides. The men seem to like her."

"She's a smart mouthed, fast talking, stubborn trouble maker lacking half the fear she should have to keep her alive." Lianza said drily. "I can't imagine what about any of that charms the Royals."

The lesson they were watching came to an end, and they saw Luan nod towards the two of them before walking over beside Treasa. It was then that Lianza realised the old general was walking without his leg brace, though still with a slight limp.

He frowned for a moment, pausing as Treasa stopped in front of them, faltering only slightly as she gave Drakos a half-attempt at a bow. Someone was trying to teach her etiquette, and it took all his fierce and powerful king's effort to not crack into a smile.

Treasa glanced between the three of them, frowning ever so slightly, as if she caught something, some look, some emotion that Lianza was sure they were all hiding perfectly well. "What is it? You have bad news. I can tell."

"Regency." Lianza bowed to Drakos, before motioning for the young girl to follow him, cutting his stride, but pacing to a quieter, empty part of the training field. "This can probably wait until we're somewhere more private."

"Its alright." Treasa shook her head, looking up at him and sighing softly. "This is probably as private as any place here. When did you get back?"

Lianza side glanced to her, offering a shrug. "Earlier this afternoon. I figured I'd leave you to your lessons."