Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

“Why were we all summoned?” Alwin inquired as he looked around the room at those who had gathered.

Aydalia stood behind me as I sat at my desk while we looked the others over. She’d become a secretary of sorts for me. Her daughter lurked around my house working on project after project while Greigh and Ziah kept me informed about my train. The tracks were being laid out as directed with Elincia keeping the process moving smoothly.

“Arthur asked you all here to keep everyone notified of your tasks.” Aydalia informed the group.

“Tasks?” Lucia asked as she stood next to Marina.

She was doing far better. Another week had passed as my holidays loomed overhead. They neared, but I had no time to celebrate, nor anyone to rejoice with. Well, in a way that would matter.

“Not you, Lucia.” I told her immediately. “You’ll be staying here, but we wanted to keep you informed of what’s happening. Alwin is here for the same reason. I’m no longer a Knight or General, so I can’t order him around.”

Alwin didn’t look impressed. “Yes, you could.” He told me plainly as he glanced at his mother. “Given what we know, and how we’ve proceeded since our return, can you really say you haven’t been bossing me around?”

Greigh chuckled at that. “Id say he’s worse now.”

Ziah giggled with him. “Oh, definitely.”

I rolled my eyes. “They’re merely suggestions.”

“I expect each and everyone of you to listen to Arthur.” Aydalia quickly told them.

Looking over my shoulder at her, she merely shrugged in response, so I looked back at the group. “Ziah, Greigh, and Alwin. You three were called here to inform you Marina and Breeze will be leaving. Rock will be as well, but I’ll want him to return daily.”

“Where are they going?” Lucia questioned.

“I’m also curious about where you’ve decided to send us.” Marina added.

“With The Summit coming in the future, I want to reach out to the two Kingdoms that will be our biggest concerns.” My attention focused on Marina. “I want you to go to Crawlana. The Seafolk have been distant and a secretive bunch for too long. Had they been more willing to cooperate with others, we might’ve had better warning about that giant Levithan.” I then held up it’s tooth. “While the trophy was abysmal at best, thanks to Elincia and Arceana, both Dwarves and Lestranian’s were put in danger due to their isolation.”

Greigh crossed his arms. “Bringing Crawlana into the fold will be difficult. No one even knows where they are or where their Kingdom truly is.”

Alwin nodded in agreement. “Seafolk appear randomly in ports, harbors, beaches, or near sea faring vessels. They’re aloof at the best of times. Finding one will be a matter of luck. Especially when you’re in the water.”

Pointing at Marina, I continued. “Which is why the one who can breathe underwater is going to be looking for them. Marina should be able to cover more ground than anyone else and given that she can also use magic on top of my energy, I’d say she has a chance to locate them.”

Marina looked down in thought. “It will be difficult. The area you’re asking me to search is-“

“I know. What I’m asking is damn near impossible, but you have the best chance unless I go myself. Although, if I go, my lacking diplomacy skills will likely shine through.”

“True. If I find a seafolk, I can also speak with them about their kind, or possibly even follow them to a city of theirs.” Marina thought aloud. “Once located, what do you want me to do? Relay the message about The Summit or…?”

“No…” I replied before I looked to Breeze. “This is where I’m a bit on the fence. Between the two of you, I can only send my orb with one of you.”

The wolfen guardian stepped forward. “Where are you sending me that you would be so wary?”

I sighed. “How fast a flier are you?”

My question made Breeze give me a curious look. “That depends on the situation. I’ve never had the opportunity to fly as fast as I possibly can, but I could probably fly faster than any Zugal.” His head bobbed in thought. “Almost any Zugal…” He quickly continued. “Why the sudden interest in how fair a flier I am?”

Part of me wanted to ask, but there were other things to focus on. “Do you think you could outrun a Dragon?”