Chapter 8: A New Road

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Four figures sat in a back corner booth in a popular tavern not far from the palace of Alyd called "The Angel's Respite." Siegfried, Boris, Olympias, and their new acquaintance Blake Amida sat far from other customers in a corner booth as they spoke of what had transpired within the palace. Having agreed to the king's plan, Siegfried now had to decide where they would go from there. They had information on the closest of Father's bases but would be stuck in Alyd for a few more days, much to Siegfried's dismay.

"I know I agreed to play along, but why must they make us wait before going in to attack? We have their location, we can attack and be back in a week or so, so if they have more info, they can tell us then." An agitated Siegfried slouched on the table as he complained.

"It is so we know all our information is correct, as well as getting us our specialized cellular crystals," Boris reassured Siegfried over a mug of beer, still elated in just having met the king.

"And again, with those 'cellular crystals'; what exactly are they? I've heard of them before, but I don't know what they actually are. Are they like crystal tones?" Sitting up, Siegfried questioned his companions at the table.

"Now that's surprising, Sieg; cell crystals are the most advanced method of communication. They are more powerful than crystal tones and portable. I'd have thought you'd have them in Burkhart; it's a small town, yes, but it's also only half a day's drive to the capital and a major trade hub at that. You should at least hear of modern innovations." A calm Olympias sat across from Siegfried, drinking a glass of wine while explaining what she believed to be basic information.

"So it's just like a portable crystal tone? And they are readily available for anyone to buy? Then why make us wait for a set; just give us some coin, point us to a store, then let us go after Father." An increasingly antsy Siegfried found it hard to sit still.

Looking up from a pie he had been devouring since arriving, Blake Amida quietly joined in the attempt to settle Siegfried down. "Mr Bähr, you must be calm and keep your voice down. His majesty has been making these plans with Raaksha for years now, and we don't need any of Father's infiltrators hearing about us. Now, they are making us wait because they want to make sure they have everything covered; you did arrive five years sooner than expected, after all. And while cellular crystals aren't too relatively new, Father's forces have shown, time and again, to be at the forefront of technology and magic. The cellular crystals that we will be given will have been specially made to help prevent anyone from intercepting communications made from them. They will be specifically made for one to one communication with his majesty and the Raaksha council. Until they are ready, we just need to be patient." After explaining the situation matter-of-factly, Blake quietly returned to his pie.

After glaring at Blake for a moment, Siegfried fell back into his seat, unable to find a reason to continue arguing. A heavy sigh admitted his defeat. "Fine, okay, I get it. We'll just have to wait a few days before we make our first move. So what now, the king said that it would take at least three days to get those specialized cells; we have time on our hands, what do we do with it?"

Boris looked up, confused, "cells? You mean cellular crystals, yes?"

"What else would I be talking about; it's better than having to say cellular crystals all the time, though I guess calling them cell crystals would work too. Anyway, what now; go shopping, rest, or maybe go looking for other warriors to join up with us to kill Father."

"Hush!" Blake's eyes darted up in shock as he looked around, trying to see if anyone had heard Siegfried. With a quiet ferocity, Blake scolded Siegfried. "I just said you have to keep quiet! We need to watch our backs from now on. You never know who could be an infiltrator for Father. We don't know who to trust; the only ones we know we can trust are ourselves. We three, Sir Hext, you, and I, are the only ones who can currently be trusted with this mission and the information that is connected to it, outside of the leaders of An-ox and Raaksha." Blake held his head low as he spoke, afraid of gaining unwanted attention.

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