Chapter-35

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Ephraim spotted Palleas standing beside Klark outside the healing tents. Picking up his pace, he and his two guards cut through the war camp. As he approached, he saw both of them look up at him. Both were in formal wear. He grinned at the sight of Klark in her decorated and formal coat with its truly alarming amount of pauna remains, and daggers strapped to every inch of herself. She even had war paint slathered on thickly. Palleas was in the soft greens and blues of his nation, also wearing formal clothing, although his clothing was more robe like than Klark's ever practical gear. Palleas was the oldest of the three of them, his face clean shaven though his dark black locks shone almost blue when the light hit it just right. "Generals," Ephriam greeted the other two.

"Ephraim," Palleas stepped forward and offered his arm to him. "It's good to see you again so soon."

He smiled while taking the offered arm and gripping it firmly. "And you. I see you arrived before me."

Klark laughed, "I believe he, unlike you, makes a habit of waking early."

Ephraim grinned. "Only because you northerners drink far too much. No one can keep up with you."

"Oh, I don't know, maybe you southerners are just weak when it comes to proper alcohol?" She said while taking his arm in greeting.

Palleas scoffed, "Your vodka is foul, how you drink it I will never know."

Ephraim let himself fall more serious, they didn't have much time before they would need to move inside for the meeting. "So, your last message was vague."

Klark sighed and nodded. "As it must be while we are in such close quarters with allies that are barely better than enemies. You received the message then?"

"Of course," Palleas looked smug.

Ephraim nodded, "You were surprisingly brief." He enjoyed the rather brilliant idea of using ink that only showed when held near a flame. The standard messages the pigeons had brought him were spaced in a specific manner indicating the true message underneath. The orders to bring his army to a defensive position around TonDC had hidden the note that he should treat the Trikru as a part of them. The message detailing the fall of the mountain had hidden the message that their position was secure. It was not much information, but enough to prepare him for where the lines were going to fall in the upcoming meeting.

"There is only so much weight the pigeons can carry. Ordering the rest of the army to gather

here took up quite a bit of their time and energy." Klark said with a shrug.

He noted that there were several people who could hear them besides their guards, who were grouped loosely talking amongst themselves. "Why do you have a captain with your guard?" He said, having noted the blond with the large ledger and dark circles under his eyes standing to the side, his jacket had a stiff collar and decorative trims that indicated he was a captain.

"Oh, Leo has been in charge of the itemizing all that can be taken from the mountain. He'll need to speak at the meeting." She spoke, sounding truly proud of this fact.

Palleas narrowed his eyes slightly. "What has happened with the commander? First we are working together, then she is entrapping your assassin, and now she is victorious and we are supporting her again. Can she truly be trusted?"

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