King Of Limbo

The image being shown on the helm of Roses's scouter revealed a large number of armored Kolieans moving back toward the north from various directions, a good number of them being airborne.

Aron looked at the image with a calm expression, not feeling threatened by this sight. He did however worry as to what it meant.

"What do you think is the cause?" Rose inquired, unable to reach a proper guess of her own due to her lack of understanding regarding Kolieans.

Unfortunately for her, Aron was none the wiser and shook his head. "I never grew up in the kingdom of Kol so meaning behind this also eludes me. If I were to guess, judging by their speed, it's either an emergency gathering… or retreat."

"I see, either option could present either good or bad outcomes. I suppose we can only hope." Rose sighed and waved her scouter back into its position beside her.

Aron nodded at her words while looking North in deep thought.

…

At the same time, within the the beast monger settlement of Jor Harald, Harald was also focusing his gaze toward the North, although unlike his son, he wore a deep frown.

'Just what are you planning now Elia?' He thought to himself, just as a set of footsteps were approaching from behind, belonging to none other than one of his partners Freya.

"She must know by now that Aron is here." Freya softly commented as she came to stand beside the pondering Harald on the empty wooden deck of their central hut.

Below them, contrast to their expressions, celebrations were raging with numerous voices echoing in cheers and song.

Harald let out a weary sigh and shifted his gaze toward the settlement. "You would best understand how that woman thinks. If what you say is correct, then I must go."

This time it was Freya who let out a sigh as she circled Harald and gently stroked his muscular arm, soon leaning her head against it. "You worry for your son, I understand. But if you leave, it is only a matter of time before this settlement perishes, that I am sure of."

Harald shook his head and separated his arm from Freya, moving to the edge of the deck and showing a deep sense of a troubled mind.

"No, not Aron, Elia. What the council truly want is me, should I present myself, they wouldn't need to seek him out…" Harald let out a long and tired sigh while shaking his head further. "This isn't right, I should've told him."

As Harald said this, Freya by his side again and placed her hand atop of his, showing him a gentle and calming smile. "As I told you before, the less he knows the better. You had little choice in the matter, it wasn't your fault."

Harald's expression shifted from worry to slight anger. "Then by that sense, it wasn't Elia's fault either? I cannot erase what I've done, but I refuse to repeat it. However, given the choice to repeat those actions for the sake of my son… I am more than willing Freya."

Freya saw the deep look in Harald's eyes, it was one that she knew she couldn't change no matter what she said.

So she simply sighed and leaned against his arm, giving a gentle nod of understanding. "I understand, and I will not try to stop you. I only ask that you do not make any rash decisions yet. If the northern Koliean's retreat really is Elia's doing, then we have some time to stop whatever it is she or the council are planning."

Harald also nodded at those words. "I hope you're right. I will not allow Aron to succumb to the same events I did… no matter what I must sacrifice. At that time, it is you that I hope understands me."

"The others and I shall always understand you."

The duo simply remained silent and simply watched the ongoing celebrations taking place below.

Among the rowdy crowd, sat Claudia and Scarlett, who also observed the singing and dancing of the giants before them.

Scarlett was more in tune with the events, shifting her head side to side to the various beats and drinking a very diluted version of the beast mongers equivalent to alcohol.

Claudia on the other hand was more quiet and kept stealing glances toward the central hut, where they now stayed along with Mrah and Khalel as guests.

Seeing her distracted friend, Scarlett showed a mischievous grin and put her hand around over Claudia's shoulder while offering her a drink.

"Why ther long face? Still raking your brains about Aron?" Scarlett asked bluntly while taking a very long sip from her jug and burping soon after, "y'know, a pretty lass like you shouldn't worry about fellas like him. It's bad for yer health."

"You're drunk Scarlett," Claudia sighed but showed a little smile towards Scarlett.

"I ain't drunk enough! Seriously though, we need to get your mind on other things! How about one of them manly Kolieans to show yer a good time, a good ploughing could fix ya right up."

Claudia was unsure whether Scarlett was speaking like this because of the drinks or just her usual boldness. Regardless of which, she shook her head at the not so tempting offer.

"I wasn't thinking about Aron until you mentioned his name. I was just wondering what's gotten his father and Lady Freya so worried. Do you think it's something to do with him?" Claudia showed some slight concern but Scarlett simply waved off those troubles.

"Yer think too much sometimes, and the world don't work cause of Aron, yer need to think more about yourself. I swear, you noble ladies fall harder than a drunken ships-man at a port!"

Claudia couldn't help but chuckle at the example Scarlett used, finding some truth in those words.

"Honest to me Ma, if I had a schlong, I'd definitely bone ya!" Scarlett further added, however this only made Claudia laugh louder.

She could only shake her held helplessly at Scarlett. Despite her drunken stupor, her words carried a great deal of truth to them.

Claudia knew her affection for Aron was especially strong due to the simple fact that he was her first love, and although she couldn't stop herself from thinking about him from time to time, she was coming to terms with the truth that things may not work as she wishes and the the best she could do was ensure she had sufficient strength and knowledge to fend for herself if need be.

"Thank you Scarlett, for being a good friend," Claudia thanked while deciding to take a small sip of Scarlett's drink, only to cough aggressively the next moment.

This time it was Scarlett who couldn't help but life. "Aye, what do you mean good, I'm the best!"

…

Back at the aethelian settlement, Sharla had made her way to Solair's private gardens to reveal the matter regarding Aron.

She found that Solair was already calmly waiting for her and had even prepared some delicacies around a table for them.

"You've returned quickly, with good news I hope," Solair showed a small smile and looked at Sharla with a deep gaze while gesturing for her to sit.

Sharla was still largely shaken by what transpired with Aron and her mild was in a haze, but she had already come to a decision of what to say, knowing she couldn't delay it too long and risk coming off as suspicious.

She took a seat right across from the smiling Solair and gave an answer, "yes. He was accepted the offer, but he looked like he had some doubts…" Sharla trailed off, suppressing her urge to say more.

Solair saw that Sharla was troubled but she simply took this as her being shaken from the encounter, given the history between Sharla and him.

In her mind, Sharla was maybe just fearful of Aron, which worked in Solair's favor.

"Oh, what doubts are those?" Solair inquired curiously, taking the initiative to hand over some food to Sharla who slightly shrugged her shoulders. "He didn't say, but I could see it in his eyes that he didn't fully trust my words, I apologize for not learning more…"

"Nonsense, you've done more than enough. It is I who should apologize for putting you into such a volatile situation, given your past with him, it's only understandable you feel uncomfortable when he is involved. I hope you understand that we need his help to prevent Lufair from ascending and plunging our people to chaos due to his hate for the Kolieans."

The front Solair put up was incredibly hard to see through. From the time Sharla and Mirai had arrived here, she had shown them nothing but kindness, whereas Lufair had almost turned them away entirely.

She knew that Solair wasn't being completely honest about her desire for the position of Queen but Sharla just couldn't see herself supporting Lufair, a part of worried that his ascension would mean their removal from the settlement.

In truth, it was her and the rest of Pesian Aethelians that were in a volatile situation. And under such unknown circumstances, she chose to trust in the words of Aron, who in her mind, was at least a known evil.

'I hope I do not regret this choice… there is no turning back now.'