"Ah, I see we have new additions to the Guild. Welcome, you two," he said warmly, making light of the silence he'd just broken. "It's an honor to meet you, sir," the two saluted. "Oh, cut that shit out. I'm not in a position of power anymore. That's Thorsen's prick to chew on now," he said jokingly, getting a stifled chuckle out of Bernar in response.
"Still, I apologize for not returning sooner, old friend," Gorm began dejectedly, turning to face Thorsen. "I don't know if you could tell in the torchlight, but it's not just my face that's gotten thrown to the butcher's blades. Those damned glicks did a real fucking number on me and everyone else up there almost two years ago now. Haven't been the same since," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I can't even imagine what your recovery was like, but I was glad to hear you were still alive," Leona chimed in. "It wasn't fun, I'll tell you that, Your Majesty," he replied. "I wanted to come back, I did. But when I didn't hear a reply from the raven I'd sent out, it made me look at things a little more objectively," he said, looking at each person in front of him.
"How so?" Bernar asked. "Well, I realized that I'd done enough in this lifetime and that perhaps settling down might finally be a viable option for me, especially in a quiet little town like this one," Gorm replied with a shrug. "I can pay for my stay as long as I help Ahkmed with the traders who pass through here. It's not as grandiose as serving Her Majesty, but it's honest work," he continued.
"When he first arrived, he was covered in blood and open wounds to the point of being almost unrecognizable," Ahkmed began. "He had a deep distrust of my people and they of him. Over time, however, we began to share stories with one another, and he told us of the bravery shown by General Ari and King Bashir in the face of the horde. I believe reminiscing on that experience helped solidify his choice to stay here," he continued, receiving a swift elbow to the side as the last few words left his mouth.
"I told you that in confidence," Gorm spat. "You did, but I believe they have a right to know. Don't you think so?" Ahkmed replied, receiving only a muffled grunt as a response. "Well, if that's what makes you happy, I don't think anyone can oppose it," Thorsen said. "You just like training people. No wonder you're so damn large," Gorm said with a chuckle.
"Well, it's a lot funner when I get to teach them how to manipulate mana, in addition to running them through combat drills," Thorsen said smugly. Gorm's jaw nearly sunk through the floor. "You're doing what? Oh, that's just fuckin' rich. Of course you'd pull out that trick after I'm gone. Selfish prick, now I have to go back," Gorm nearly shouted, throwing his hands up in disbelief and turning to face Marte and Neko.
"I take it these two know how to use it?" he asked, eyeing them carefully. "Commander Thorsen has taught us well," Neko replied. Gorm raised a curious eyebrow in response. "He said that we might even be able to surpass you in a few years," Marte chimed in, not letting Neko have all the fun. "He taught you how to shit through your teeth, that's for sure," Gorm said with a wry grin.
"I didn't teach them any of that," Thorsen replied, trying to defend his honor. "Sure you didn't," Gorm huffed. "Have you taught anyone else how to use mana?" he asked, standing on his toes to see if he could spot anyone else he recognized. "Ye-... n-no! Well, not anyone who's here right now," Thorsen caught himself, scratching the side of his cheek, eliciting a curious glance from Bernar.
He doesn't know I taught Leona, does he? Thorsen thought, feeling a hole burning into the side of his head.
"I see," Gorm began with squinted eyes. "Gods, I should've asked this earlier, but what brings you all the way out here? Clearly, you're on your way to Harut, but why?" Gorm asked. Ahkmed, whose curiosity peaked when hearing the question, took a step forward to better hear the answer.
"Queen Zari Ibn'Escea, widow of Bashir Ibn'Escea, has made an attempt on my life. I'm going there to settle the score personally," Leona explained plaintively as if talking about the weather. Ahkmed was shocked, to say the least, but cleared his throat to speak. "W-well, if I may, Your Majesty," he began, taking another step forward.
"I would not recommend taking her so lightly," he began, glancing from one person to the next. "Since King Bashir's death, rumors have been spreading amongst the traders that she's been amassing wealth and supplies for something she hasn't addressed in any of the council meetings," he said, finally letting his gaze rest on her.
"Are you saying that she's been waiting for me to release a full-force attack on her country?" Leona asked. "I can't say for certain, Your Majesty, but that's all I know," Ahkmed said, shaking his head. Leona stepped forward and placed a small, gloved hand on his shoulder. "I know it wasn't easy to say that, but I thank you for the information," she said comfortingly.
Ahkmed looked into her pale blue eyes that the torche's fire was dancing freely inside of. "Just as I have taught Gorm many of our ways and shed new light on much of our culture, he has also shared much of his own. I probably know more about you than you ever would of me, but I respect you as a leader. I can only hope that, no matter this situation ends, it can favor both countries immensely, Your Majesty," Ahkmed said, giving her a bow.
"I appreciate the kind words, good sir. I will do my best, and I look forward to potentially working more closely with you once Gorm returns to his post soon," she said, giving them both a warm smile, which they returned in kind.
"Your Majesty, as much as I appreciate the thought of you wanting me back to my old post, I'd much rather just stick to training the new recruits since the giant is a little too gentle on them, it seems," Gorm said, offering a bow. "If that's how you feel about it, then it can be arranged when we return from our mission in Harut," she replied with a nod.
"Allow me to lead you to where you will be staying, Your Majesty. It's not much, but it's much better than sleeping outside, at least," Ahkmed began, gesturing for her to follow him to one of the nearby buildings. As she followed behind the large silhouette, Bernar slowed his stride to get close to Gwili.
"Do you feel that?" Bernar asked, looking up at one of the nearby hills. The moonlight, now shearing through a thin layer of clouds, formed shadows that moved and molded to the sides of the mountain like fish beneath the surface of the water. Gwili glanced around as subtly as he could before answering. "Of course I do. It's one of the reasons I was so quiet during their whole conversation," he began quietly.
We're being watched, Bernar sent mentally, confirming what Gwili was already thinking.