Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 21

King Lotharius was becoming a freakishly paranoid man.

He was getting as many soldiers, trained or not, to be part of Raiden's squad. He didn't even take the time to partner them up, he just assigned them to their squad, and most of them went to Raiden. Raiden finally had a new squad, but none were prepared.

"Sir, giving me an untrained, and unpartnered squad is probably the worst way to go about this," Raiden explained. "If I can't build my squad my way, then you will never be safe."

"Raiden, an assassin was smart enough to draw you away, and took an opportunity that was too good to pass up. All because I put my family in danger," he said, frantically. "I won't let that happen again."

"But sir, I stopped the assassin."

"No, you chased him away," the king corrected. It took everything Raiden had not to correct him. He knew the assassin at a personal level now, but he made a promise to her, and he was going to stick to it.

"The assassin's plan was brilliant, but I was still able to make it back in time. I did not apprehend the assassin, but I did my job. I protected Queen Jivete."

"But you used some enhanced powers that no one else has even seen before," the king argued. "Just imagine what would happen if you were taken out of the picture. No one else can do what you can do. If I double the guard on all my family members, they will be protected at all times. Even if the assassin has some dark magic, he won't be able to withstand several guards at once."

"The assassin wouldn't be able to withstand several trained guards," Raiden corrected. "If they don't know how to do their jobs, they might as well be small pebbles that the assassin will simply kick away. Just let me do my job, and I will make sure your family is safe."

"Train the men I give you," King Lotharius commanded.

"Partner them first," Raiden shot back. "I can't train them properly if they are not partnered accordingly."

Lotharius scratched his beard. He liked Raiden. That much was clear, but he was still unsure of his proposal. Raiden knew that the king wanted to make sure he, and his family, are protected. Raiden wasn't concerned, but the king was, and there was no point in disobeying his orders. Although, even if Cytra won't attack the family, who's to say that Moldark won't send another assassin?

If Raiden trained a new squad, quickly, he could have them ready for a novice assassin. Cytra's powers gave her an unfair advantage, but if his men were trained against normal assassins, then they might stand a chance against Moldark.

"Okay," the king said. "Have your men go through the tests immediately. I will partner them as soon as the tests are finished. But as soon as they are partnered, train them. Train them until they are perfect."

"With all due respect, no one is perfect, sir," Raiden said.

The king shrugged. "Well, if there is anyone who get them close to perfect, it's you. Makes me wonder if you were meant for this position."

"Well, I am more prepared for this position than the one you offered last week," Raiden replied.

He smiled. "You're a good man, Raiden. Normally I wouldn't doubt you, but it's difficult for me to stay calm when one of the most dangerous men in all of Aleudia is trying to kill me and my family."

"Completely understandable sir," Raiden said.

Suddenly, Direl and the rest of the Elite Guard burst through the door, and into the throne room. They looked exhausted. They looked as though they ran as fast as they could. The fear in their eyes made Raiden wonder if they were in serious trouble.

"We're in serious trouble," Direl said, panting.

Called it.

"What is it?" King Lotharius asked.

"The Kresallis army has arranged a meeting," Direl answered.

"What's wrong about that?" Raiden asked.

"Moldark is with them," Direl replied. "And they will only speak with you personally, sire."

The king was full of fear.

"What do you think they want?" Raiden asked, unsure whether he wanted to hear the answer or not.

"I don't know," the king replied. "But whatever it is, it can't be good."