Their gear was something that the two weren't used to. The gold and black was an odd change to the blue and silver armor they would see from the guards of Caerthalas, the unawakened at least given that Norrick had different armor. Some erected strange aluminum poles, others whispering into their wrists as they matched around.
The scene was bizarre to the two but it didn't take them much time to know that they were no longer safe. "Should we move now?" Dargath whispered to Seryn, the two crouched masked within some foliage watching the men go about with their business.
"Well this should serve as our reason to leave." Seryn posed rising to her feet and making her way to her tent. As for Dargath, he got rid of the campfire that was still smoldering from last night and the racks of meat he had erected. Seryn emerging from her tent had her shoulder wrapped with herbs, a face of displeasure constantly flashing on her face.
"Are you done?" Seryn asked, her eyes darting to the rest of the camp. "Of course, are you?" Showing her shoulder, the two began their trek.
...
"We have a reading up there. The satellite is picking up two bodies moving west." One of the operatives mused, his face flat with a wire hooking to his ear from his back. "We have to get those two!" A man posed, his tone stern posed to which a handful of operatives started making their way to the alleged spot.
Arriving at the spot, what greeted them was a camp not that abandoned. "The way they two are moving is far from just a hunt, it's clear that they are running away from Caerthalas. It's safe to assume that they know about our pursuit of them." Such words didn't take the leader by surprise.
"As expected, just give us a constant update on the two." The man adorned in sharp black and white suit posed, his tone lacking emotions. With an affirmation coming from the other end, he began his chase. The rumors of goblins wandering about were bizarre enough given that most had fallen into extinction thanks to the abomination tides however these two were different.
They had managed to overwhelm a station with an awakened individual despite being of the first tier being Ash-borne. Still it was something that had to be investigated, after all it would come to serve as a link with the infamous pair who resided in Caerthalas at the moment.
"Make sure that we get those two. And see whether they speak. If so then I'm sure that we should have some polite words with them." Two armed jeeps could be seen head west way deeper into the forest.
...
"I'm sure that they shouldn't be able to catch up to us with us hiding out tracks." Dargath assured Seryn as the two went on with their run. Hours had passed, the time for rest was lacking and with Seryn being exhausted from the Hollow Mane encounter, it served to slow the two down. "It would be best for you to leave me behind. I'm sure that it would be best to have one of us make it out of this hell hole."
Seryn urged with her body wincing from the pain that would course through her body. "We're going to make it Seryn! So stop with your hopeless words already!" Dargath mused with Seryn on his back. Given his huge stature, her weight on him was barely an inconvenience however it did slow him down.
...
Minutes dragged to becoming hours and by the time the two could get out of Caerthalas, they were instantly greeted with an army on the other side. Before the two could have the time to track back, two darts were shot at their necks making the two crash to the ground. Operative swarmed their figures like vultures on a corpse, a specialized vehicle was brought to haul the two and in a matter of minutes the issue was dealt with.
...
"Well I guess we won't be be expecting a lot of action from the two." Callista sighed, in her hand a glass of wine swirling about. "I'm sure that there should be some fun to be had with Seryn, Dargath however, his screams will have to suffice." Jarren mused flatly, his hand moving a pawn on a chess board. The board shifted, his shadow playing as the other contestant and on his should the crow came to be.
The entire chase watched by the crow. "Are you ready for the king?" Callista asked as she finally finished her drink. "More or less. It shouldn't be a troubling matter." His words flat as he kept on engaging with his shadow. Callista rose to her feet and landed a kiss on his cheek. "Make sure to make it interesting darling."
Her peck now twisted I to something more as the two began a kiss. Breaking off, their eyes locked with each other showing the hunger they have for each other. "It's been a while." She muttered with her hands roaming all over his back. "It would be far more enjoyable to see the expression in your eyes."
She paused before letting a chuckle escaped her lips. "I'll do it when I'm ready." Another kiss followed before the two unwillingly broke away from each other. Now going back to his game, a few more turns and it was another checkmate. 'Maybe he know how to play chess.' A joke of a thought crossed in his mind before dismissive it.
Rising to his feet and making his way to his room, he switched from his casual clothes into something far more fitting. Checking his reflection and pleased with what he saw, he made his way to the carriage stationed out for him. With the sounds of horses softly neighing, the journey began through the city.
As he made his way, he could see the use of carriages and yet the elves had already tasted the advantages of modernity. 'It's amusing to watch them think that they'll retain their sense of self. What use will it be when all of you are long gone?' The scene of the lavish villas never left his peripheral before his destination came to be.
Alighting, he was met with a servant meant to guide him to the main hall. The antique paintings hung on the wall nothing more than babble to him, the touch of gold and opulence hanging in the air a breathe he had grown weary off. It wasn't long before he finally made at the end of the hall, the guide stepping to the side gesturing for him to make his move.
His face flat as he grabbed the handles and pushed the doors open. 'So this is the king of Caerthalas, huh?' A playful smile flashed on his lips as he made his entrance known
His lean figure and dashing visage drawing eyes not to mention the way the air itself would twist around him as it out of reverence.
His apathetic face was now donned with a faint playful smile which stretched further into a mask he had grown familiar with. He didn't need to glance to the side to know who the pigs of Caerthalas were,his gaze solely focused on the man seated ah the farthest position from him.
All the figures seated dressed in lavish attire, most of which had smiles far too clean and welcoming. As a being that was accustomed to wear it emotions like armor, he fit right in with a laugh. "King Tharan Vexmar, it's an honor to meet you." His tone light, his smile tight as he took a seat.
"The feeling is mutual Jarren Velros." Tharan Vexmar spoke, his tone low as he glared at Jarren with no restraint. It was clear that he was suspicious of his visit and he had no plans of hiding it. "What is it exactly that brings you here to Caerthalas?" Tharan went on. Jarren looked around, his eyes taking in the glances thrown at him.
Some of skepticism similar to Tharan, others laced work intrigue. "A straightforward man, I like that." He mused as he cleared his throat, his hands resting on the table. The next words felt heavier than they needed to be. Maybe it was the anticipation or the silence that made them reverberate more in the room. "I'm here for an alliance with Caerthalas."
"In such a chaotic state in Arcania, it's only natural to form alliances." Tharan however didn't buy it. With Caerthalas being absent in most of the trade in recent times, their overall stance wouldn't be as high as it usually would given the sudden death of the elites. However that didn't mean that they could be overlooked so easily either.
'All the way here for an alliance.' He found his words rather odd. "What kind of alliance do you propose Jarren Velros?" He probed, a part of him glad that it wasn't a scandal the very moment he came in contact with Jarren. "A trade alliance of course. I'm sure that Redfall is in dire need of resources, some of which are in plenty in Caerthalas."
Tharan already knew what he wanted. 'The mithrilline, however do you think that I would give it to you?' He couldn't help but inwardly scoff at Jarren's attempt of a bargain. His eyes narrowed, his guts warning him of something darker at play with the aloof advocate for Redfall.
"I'm sure that you already know what I'm going to say therefore let's cut to it. Make sure that Redfall has a steady flow of mithrilline and you experience a mutual growth." Stating this he brandished a document handing it over to a servant who took it to Tharan. The air fell silent, Jarren's smile unfaltering before Tharan spoke once more.
"These terms..." Holding up the papers, he threw it back to Jarren failing halfway. "Do you think that we would agree to such ludicrous terms?" Jarren however didn't flinch seeing his response. "More than that, you would be pleased to be in my presence handing you such a deal. But please do elaborate what was wrong with the terms offered that I can change."
Tharan could feel the mockery in his tone, his tight smile now serving as a cherry on top of his insult. "Everything about it, five million gold malcore shards for a defense pact? Absurd tax rates charges and down right blackmail! What do you think I am? Some other king for you to push over? This is Caerthalas that you're in, not some random human kingdom!"
His tone cold as the two locked eyes. Jarren however wasn't at the very least bothered by this. "That is what I told Guinevere but I'm sure that we could make some changes right here. I could have your goods travel tax free, pass for a non-aggressive and autonomy."
A click escaped Tharan's lips. "If you have nothing of use to offer then please take your leave. You will however be permitted to stay in Caerthalas for a minimum of three months as well." Jarren tilted his head in intrigue, his figure now leaning back into his chair as he poured for himself a glass of wine. "It's amusing to think that you have a choice in any of this Tharan."
He paused, his gaze growing sharper as he took a sip. "A man who has his entire family die for reasons about to be repeated, Caerthalas on the brink of death and yet when I offer you my hand you dare bite me!" He followed this with another gulp, calm and civil as he rose to his feet. "I'll be back in three days and see whether your opinion still is the same. If so then there is no need for a meeting, only war."
And with that he rose to his feet and left the room, a strange silence hanging with his absence. Eyes drifted back to Tharan and he man of attention could tell why. 'A man who has his entire family wiped out for reasons about to be repeated. It's clear that the bastard knows something about the death of my father.' Any room that he might had for a second chance with Jarren was now off the table.
He didn't need to wait for the three days, he knew what choice he would make.