Cleanup was surprisingly easy after that. Ruena agreed to let the warlord return to the territories without a fuss. She did not try to find out what he had acquired, since she likely didn’t even want to know. As for Gero, consorting with the warlord territories was a heavy crime and he could no longer avoid the proof of his various illegal trades. Abandoned by the Blacksmith, there was no one left to save his skin.
Triumphant, but exhausted, the Alodan Warriors returned to the Forest of Traniva. They barely crossed the threshold of their home base before they noticed someone was already waiting there for them. A large black carriage pulled by nothing was parked before the gates. The door bore the Altean Royal Crest, a face half woman and half dragon wearing the symbolic crown.
Seeing as the Queen of Altea had secluded herself for about a decade now, this could only be her advisor Densooth. To leave the fate of Altea in his hands, she must not yet know his other identity as the Black Wolf. More importantly, why had he personally come to visit, and with such an unnecessary transport? Every city and settlement bordering the Forest Traniva likely knew of his visit by now.
Ruena stepped forward, bracing herself for his pretentious preaching of prophecy as well as whatever favors he might demand.She had no intention of doing anything for him, but she would take his assistance while their paths were aligned.
“Why have you come here today?” Ruena demanded, not even bothering to attempt the usual courtesy expected when greeting a noble.
“To congratulate you and assist you with your next step,” Densooth replied, “I also have some business with your partner.”
Soral? Ruena knew full well that those two despised each other. Densooth would endure anything for the sake of prophecies, but Soral was a believer in freedom not destined future. It was unlikely he would agree to Densooth’s request.
“You can speak with him after,” Ruena decided. She needed to get her use out of the man before Soral angered him. She led Densooth to the closest meeting room and took a seat at the head. “So what is the next step in that precious plan of yours?”
“You must return to Alodan and take back all that belongs to you,” he answered, “There is no need to fake or pretend civility. Velcorna does not have a drop of Alodan blood giving her no right to it. Her homeland would be more than happy to take her back, so it’s not as if you will be driving her to the streets. She will try to keep things quiet, but you must ensure everyone knows that you have returned and about your feud.”
“So I just need to make a scene taking back my childhood home?” Ruena asked, “That shouldn’t be too hard for us.”
“Not us. You,” Densooth corrected, “This is one step of the plan you must do alone. If you want to inherit all of Alodan you must become the Weaponsmaster as your father was.”
Ruena also had every intention to inherit her father’s title. Rather than the prestige of being Duchess, she found the achievement of Weaponsmaster far more valuable and had spent every spare moment training in every type of weapon she could get her hands on. However, his plan had one vital flaw.
“That’s all fine in theory, but Soral won’t let me head into danger alone,” Ruena pointed out, “You should know as well as I do that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish everything I have without him.”
“Which is exactly the problem,” Densooth explained, “I will speak to him as well, but the two of you need to split up and achieve things on your own. Especially if you ever intend to marry him.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Marry Soral? The Idea shouldn’t have come as a shock, but it did. The idea of separating from him for any length of time was terrifying as well. That was what Densooth meant. She was too reliant on him and was holding both of them back. Noble marriages were a pain, but if she really did become the Weaponsmaster, no one would be able to stand in the way of her choice of spouse.
“Fine, I will take your challenge but you must convince Soral yourself,” Ruena declared, “If you fail I will do things my way, with him standing by my side.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Densooth assured, exuding confidence, “I know exactly what he needs to hear.”
Ruena left the meeting room both frustrated and relieved to know the next step. She had intended to deny him and chase him out if his plan was nonsense, but despite his betrayal she found herself trusting his every word. Surely Soral would not fall into the same trap. If he agreed to this plan she would have no choice but to follow through.
“Soral, good luck,” she told him, “I will support your decision.”
==========
Soral felt the pressure of Ruena’s words, and even more from the absolute faith he heard in her thoughts. That being said, he also found it hard to imagine falling for Densooth’s words. Densooth was conniving, but it was harder to trick someone who could hear his inner plotting. Soral always knew when he was lying, and the intentions behind his words.
“Pathetic, as always,” Densooth greeted. Even his constant attempts to get Soral to hate him were obvious, “But I suppose that is to be expected from a coward who can’t even propose to the woman he loves despite his endless preparations. Have her thoughts not been warm enough for you, Wild One?”
“Leave my personal life out of this,” Soral growled, “What do you want?”
“I cannot,” Densooth denied, “What I have to tell you today has everything to do with your marriage, or lack thereof. She is going to become the heir of Alodan, and it is too late to wed her while you are on the same level. You call yourself a hero, but you only make appearances in business ventures. No matter how rich you are, a mere merchant cannot marry the Duchess of Alodan.”
Soral grimaced as Densooth’s true intentions poured out through his thoughts. “You would do anything to get your way,” he snapped, “This isn’t about me or Ruena. You need me to clean up some messes for you. So what if I do? What guarantee do I have that I will become famous? What good will the title of hero do if I am still just a merchant?”
“You are correct. It would be a step up, but not enough,” Densooth confirmed, “However, I have come across a prophecy that may interest you. I don’t know how it comes to be, but if you become a hero, kingdoms will fall into your hands, and your fame will spread throughout all of Althaedor.”
“How vague, as usual,” Soral scoffed, “You just want me to waste time going on adventures so you can regain your control of Ruena. But, there is something you seem to have forgotten. I can be in both places at once. Soral the adventuring hero and Soral of the Alodan Warriors should be different enough to not cause any anomalies.”
That scared him, and Soral felt a surge of triumph. However, Densooth’s next words were completely serious with no hint of trickery. “If your little rebellion does cause any problems, know that each mess of yours I clean up will be a favor you will owe me. I always make sure my debts are collected.”
“You won’t need to lift a finger,” Soral promised, “I can clean up my own messes. Just watch, I will protect Ruena while also becoming the hero who holds kingdoms in his hands like that silly little prophecy claims.”
“Be careful about carelessly adding new timelines to your existence,” Densooth warned, “You have already been cursed by the Gray Tower for your negligence. If you continue down this path, one day you will bear a curse from time itself.”
Soral shrugged. “I’ve gotten used to it. If this is what being cursed is like, it’s not so bad,” he replied, “I think it’s about time you see yourself out. Next time bring something more useful than words of supposed wisdom. You aren’t an advisor to us, but an enemy who betrayed us.”
“An enemy?” Densooth asked with a slight smirk, “Then I look forward to my defeat.”
With those parting words, Densooth did exactly as Soral requested and left. The damage was already done, though. When Ruena made her return to Alodan everyone would think she was summoned by Densooth, yet another one of his puppets. Annoyingly, it would be a helpful support in the beginning, but not everyone was a fan of Densooth. It would make finding trusted subordinates within Alodan difficult.
