It was night. The sky looked very beautiful with the stars and all. The breeze was not too windy, it's just nice. Perfect balance. But for Cayden Haig, what's more beautiful than the scenery is the view of the 255th flag waving in the sky, against the wind after being set up in the base.
He smiled, proud of himself for being such a good commander for the 255th Tarazmy. Each day they push and each day they gain more land. But.. He's kinda in sorrow, after seeing all his 8000 men dead, just like that just to conquer another base inside this big fort.
He was seen sitting inside his tent, pulling out a cigarette to be lit and smoke. He put the tip on fire and smoke it, blows a good amount of smoke.
On his desk, there's a map of Fort Tarahud. All in all, he had conquer nearly 80% but the next 20% will be the utmost importance for him.
"Port... I need that port. I can conquer the sea and ask for some seapowers. I hope they don't just give me some boats.. But I hope it will be good. Not too advance and not too primitive", he said while looking at the map.
Then, he exit the tent. He was met with the view of his soldiers camping and having nice dinner meals. It's not always to have a good one after just winning a battle. Once the soldiers saw him, they immediately salute him, including Erik and Oufouni.
It was revealed that Erik and Oufouni was playing cards that belonged to a dead Khatardak soldiers, they want to know Khatardak culture, so they tried it. Even after 10 minutes, they still are figuring it out.
Cayden looked at them and just chuckled. He remembered when he was young and when he played with his friends. Well, past is past. Nothing to do anymore.
Cayden then went inside the base mansion, there's lots of rooms. But the vibe within felt like library.
(the second base used to be a library actually. A big one but changed purpose due to the making of Fort Tarahud 3 years ago)
He wipes his finger against the books, it's not dusty. It must have been preserved then by the soldiers, he thought. Such a respectable manner, respecting knowledge even after being soldiers.
He walked on the stairs, going up before he saw a portrait of Queen Azelia. His eyes opened wide for a while. It's like, he's trying to understand. It took him a few seconds before he returned back to reality.
"Dang... How can she be this cute?.. And she's so pretty", Cayden murmured to himself while there's some obvious red on his cheeks.
He immediately shook his head and looked around, making sure he's alone and no soldiers realised what did he just do. He cleared his throat once it's clear and went inside a room.
Inside the room, there is a cushion. Or used to be. The cushion used to sit by Iunda but since the base had been taken over, Cayden saw the potential of the cushion, for him to sit down.
The room was just nothing actually. It had a table which had a map mimics the surrounding area of the base. The hills and all. And some small toys that mimics archers and soldiers.
"Hrmm. They have good things after all", Cayden said while inspecting each toys that's been carved with woods with fine accuracy.
"Would be a shame if this operation ended early. Well. I'll try not to make it end early then. There's much more I want to know about this world"
He took a last glance on Queen Azelia's portrait earlier and smirked.
"Especially her"
He then exit the base mansion, seeing the vibe is now less lively rather than earlier. But still, he looked at both Oufouni and Erik, and he's happy that both of them are now have a good bond now, like some brothers or best friends.
"Hey, Erik. Guess what"
"What? "
"Chicken poo"
Erik stared at Oufouni for a few seconds in dead silence before he laughed the hardest he ever had. His wide smile is very infectious to Oufouni and he even slammed the table, making it nearly break.
"HAHAHA HAHA. THAT WAS... THE FUNNY THING YOU'RE EVER SAID! HAHAHA", Erik laugher loudly that he couldn't stop laughing and stood up, walked away and tried to delete the laugh by swinging the hammer around, but he simply can't.
"Mate, chill.. It was just a random thing I said..", Oufouni earlier's joking personality immediately changed to concern once he saw Erik couldn't stop laughing.
Erik took some minutes before finally stopped laughing. But still, he couldn't shake the joke. He sat down on the ground, resting against the wall and he can't stop smiling. Why? Cause of chicken poo.
At the same time, at L'ayll River. Both Azelia and Adrog were seen walking alongside the riverside. The calming noise of river is really relaxing Azelia.
"Your majesty, not to disrespect you, but what exactly are we doing here? There is no one here but us", Adrog asked politely. His voice casual and respecting Azelia, thus breaking the silence.
Azelia who was just sitting on the riverside, shook her head, clearly understanding Adrog's question.
"We're waiting"
"Waiting? Waiting for what? For who?"
"For me", a voice appeared from Adrog's back. He was immediately startled and turned around, only to see a tall white guy staring at him from the top.
The stare looked deadly for Adrog. Like it was meant to tell Adrog that he will be eaten and consumed. But theres something that changed the vibe, it was a thing on the man's head. A crown made of pearl.
"Please don't hurt me!... Wait... That crown... The crown of L'ayll.... It can't be.. You're Edward Hrey, the current king of Sea", Adrog said happily even though his stance is still defensive.
Edward nodded his head, clearly agreeing with everything Adrog has said. He even smiled to Adrog.
"You're absolutely right, yo... And you, Azelia... I've heard the news... I'm going to help.. But.. Only if they cross rivers without my permission or bring harm to the sea livings, or even both. Then only that I intervene,understand, sister?", he looked at Azelia with serious stare. His tone is even more serious.
Azelia felt shook a bit, but she believed her step-brother didn't want much of any issues or wars going on on the ground.
" I respect your choice, brother Edward... But hear me out.. This is for good.. For all of us! The enemies are slowly pushing and pushing our forces.... Please.. I need your help.. Right now", Azelia begged to her step brother.
"Didn't you just heard me?... I said if they crossed the river without my permission or harming the sea creatures, will then only I intervene! You're not deaf aren't you?!", he answered angrily. He even pulled out a spear he brought with him.
The spear looked golden, but only on the tips. The rest are made of metal too, but its not as strong as the hardened gold on he tips.
Azelia felt a bit sad but she's standing on her point firm. She even cried a bit now, the tears falling on the sands, and she put her hands on weak defensive stance, covering her face.
"But... But... Elduy is dead... Because of them"
Once the name 'Elduy' was mentioned, Edward was immediately shocked, Heck he even let down his spear and he kneeled for a moment. He couldn't hold himself but to let the tears out.
Why?.. Cause Elduy was someone important for him, his best friend, his mate during growing up. He can't believe, that the only elf male he trusted, is now dead.
"I'm sorry, Edward... I should have told sooner... I'm sorry"
"No... No.. No need to sorry..... I'm.. The sea Nation... Is now... Declaring war upon our enemies... LET THEM KNOW THE TRUE WRATH OF THE WATERS!", he said angrily before retreating back with his spear into L'aylla River. He submerged himself and swam away.