War Room, The Citadel, Solitas, The Stigyan Triumvirate“May your unbounded arrogance burn you alive. Insincerely, Fylkir Lukas II Grankjellsson of Svipjoth.” an exhausted Roxas read, barely able to contain his laughter as his overtired brain processed the juvenile insults from his newest enemy. However after two days without sleep the Emperor was not quite as composed as usual and subsequently broke down into laughter right in front of his cousin Amara, Executor Ironwood and Errol.
“For the love of Oum, look at how stupid this f***ing b**** is!” He almost wheezed. “Errol! Errol get your camera out. take a picture of it.” He slid the parchment over to the praetorian. “When We track that little b****boy down I’m rolling this up and shoving it up his primitive a** before setting him on fire.” Roxas took a long breath and calmed down as the other three just looked at each other, all being more than used to their leaders odd behaviors.
“When was the last time you slept?” Amara asked in her usual neutral tone, although she seemed a bit distracted.
“Two days?” Roxas said questioningly. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is stopping this civil war as fast as possible. it’s barely been six months since the end of the Ursian-Violetist war. Although after Madrigal this Lukas child is about as threatening as debilitated chicken.”
“Maybe we should take this seriously” Errol suggested as he pulled out his mobile scroll and photographed the parchment as ordered. “I mean they did steal three cargo ships of guns and tanks. To do that they needed inside help.”
Ironwood nodded in approvals he looked at Errol and remembered something both himself and Roxas should’ve thought of already . “I agree, and I think I know how we can speed it up.” The others both gave him a questioning look. “Errol, you can read minds. Why don’t we have him run an investigation into everyone in high command and the executive council. Of course I’d be willing to be interviewed first to clear myself.”
Roxas nodded in approval. “Good, you guys get started on this while I respond this little pr***.” Roxas said as the others stood up to leave and he picked up a pen.
To Lukas II Grankjellsson, the rebellion leader.
You claim to be the Fylkir as if the war is already won, Yet the war is likely only beginning. You speak with arrogance, rudeness, and lack of respect more reminiscent of a petty criminal or a street urchin as opposed to the supposed member of a royal bloodline. You did appear from seemingly nowhere after all. Can you even prove your lineage or are you just some opportunist praying on the beliefs of the Birkenbeinars for personal power at the cost of thousands of lives?
You claim to be a hero of the Svipish people, its values, and culture. Yet from what I have seen you are anything but. You have thrust your nation into a civil war only six years since the end of the last one, massacred thousands of innocent civilians because you do not agree with their values, and plan to ensure your nation remains lost and forgotten in the past until someone decides to make you their colony or wipe you out. If you cared at all for the people like you claim to, you would never have done any of this.
You threaten Pjotur, his family, and my own. You insult the honor of my wife. You gloated about your brutal murder of hundreds of innocent stigyan men, women, and children. You are not the first enemy I’ve faced. You are not the first to have traitors within the citadel. Far better and stronger men than you have tried to kill me, and those men all died in vain. However you are no man at all. The acts you have committed so far make it clear you are a small weak person who delights in cruelty. My father taught me to destroy those who delight in cruelty.
In ten years your memory will be that of a monster in a cautionary tale told to children, the villain in a tale that ends with your well-deserved death. If you wish to spare your followers. I will gladly meet you on the shores of the Skjlos gulf to do battle. However if you insist on these cowardly actions and continuing this war of personal glory, then send your best warriors. Watch as they fail, bleed, and die an agonizing, pitiful, demise in your name.
This is beginning of the end of your life Lukas, and I can’t wait to watch you burn.
Emperor Roxas I Amory.
_-_-_-_-_-
Cocktail lounge, the Citadel.
Amara sat down for dinner with old friend and the personal praetorian for Princess Cíelle, Claire Malachite.
So how’s the investigation going? Claire said using sign language.
“Not very well, but there may be a breakthrough soon. Once Errol reads the minds of everyone in high command it should be easy to find and burn the traitors.” Amara said angrily.
You seem a bit distracted. Bringing back old memories? Claire asked with a look of concern. Amara knew immediately what she was referencing. The feeling of ropes around her wrists. The sounds of gunfire and breaking glass, her father’s blood on the cold cement floor.
“I’m alright. Roxas didn’t even think to interview me despite my heritage. he knows I’m not like him.” Amara sighed. “It’s…it’s Aaron Windwalker. We spoke today and…well I don’t know. I keep thinking about it.”
Claire smiled mischievously Well it’s about time you stopped focusing on work and put a little effort into companionship.
“I don’t need companionship” Amara said defensively as she started to blush.
Your face says otherwise. really though? Him? He’s like two centimeters taller than me.
“I wasn’t paying attention to his physical traits.” Amara sighed. “Besides you’re not one to give advice. Your boyfriend almost got his jaw broken because you kept it a secret.”
_-_-_-_-_-
Rognhildr’s Room, The Citadel.
Aaron looked down at Rognhildr as her smile disappeared. “I’m Aaron Windwalker, Barnos’ Older brother. The Narex Council sent me to protect you from Lukas.” He held out his hand for the girl, she shook it shyly.
“And my family?” She asked.
“they’re not here yet, but your mother, siblings, sister-in law, and nephew are all on their way. Team KMSN is escorting them by boat. They should be here in a few days.”
She sighed in relief for a moment until she realized someone was missing. “Wait what about father?” She asked in a near panic.
Aaron looked down. “He chose to stay and fight.” he said with remorse as Rognhildr tried not to break into tears.
_-_-_-_-_-
The Röd Skräck, Hridvedr Sea.
Team KMSN and Rasmus were taking care of the Svipish Royalty as they sailed across the northern sea. Most were below deck, But Hardaknut and Ingja were up topside playing pirates with the actual pirate crew of the ship. Hardaknut was up by Rasmus as he starred the ship when the teen noticed something in the horizon behind them.
“Captain, what is that?” He asked in Svipish. Rasmus picked up a spyglass and investigated.
“Damnit. KMSN get up here now, we’re being pursued!”