Protected

A big part of Kael’s time lately has been meeting with dignitaries from other parts of the still young kingdom. Nobles who were once rulers in their own right deserved the chance to speak with the ones who would be leading them soon. Ria took to diplomacy much more easily than Kael, but fortunately the other nobles have been reasonable thus far. Lord Greyheart’s word went far with most, and the reputation of the lord’s champions spoke for itself.

Today, though, Kael wouldn’t have Ria with him. They each had someone to speak with, and rather than making one wait, they each chose one. Kael’s job was to speak with a representative from the former merchant city-state of Lechin, now a major trade hub within the kingdom of Erillia. Kael wasn’t entirely sure who the person representing them was, as Lechin is led by a merchant council of sorts. Likely, they had concerns over the fate of Rastus Malen, and Kael intended to ease their worries.

Petra is accompanying him today, her first time doing this solo. Koa was on duty guarding Ria, and Orin was still sifting through potential champion candidates, leaving Petra alone with Kael. She seems extremely vigilant, and Kael chuckles to himself at her intensity as they make their way through the open air sections of the palace. It was actually quite endearing, seeing how much effort she was putting in.

Kael is about to tell her to relax, that there’s nowhere safer than the palace, especially considering that he’s a champion himself. Just as he’s about to speak, though, there’s a hissing sound, the telltale noise of an arrow in flight. Kael instinctively ducks away, but before he can even react, Petra’s hand snaps up, faster than he can blink. In her fist is a black, cruelly barbed arrow. With a snarl, she drops the shaft and sprints towards the wall where the arrow must have come from.

Kael stares after her, and is stunned to see her suddenly leap to the top of the wall, a nearly twenty foot jump. Even from here, he can see lightning trailing from her eyes, and crackling about her fists. As she dashes towards the closest tower, a palace guard hurriedly approaches Kael.

“Lord Kael! Are you all right?”

Kael points to the tower that Petra went towards. “I’m fine. Go find out what happened!”

He needn’t have said anything, though, because before the guards can rush off, Kael sees Petra emerge onto the wall again. As she leaps back down to the courtyard, he can see her carrying a limp body over her shoulder. Kael walks over to join her as she lays the body on the grass.

The man is dead, foamy spittle running from his lips. Petra shakes her head. “Petra not hurt him. He drink from this.”

She hands him a tiny vial. Kael sighs. “Poison, I’d guess.”

Looking down at the corpse, Kael spots something behind a ripped shirt sleeve. Reaching down, he tears the sleeve away, revealing a brand on the man’s shoulder. Seeing the now familiar flaming hand, Kael shakes his head.

“I’m not surprised to find that. Petra, that was impressive. The catch of the arrow, the jump, all of that.”

Petra bows, though there’s a slight flush to her cheeks. “Petra protect her king. Just duty.”

Kael nods patting her shoulder. “Well, you have my thanks, Petra. Well done.”

Turning to the nervous looking palace guard, Kael scowls. “As for you. Find out how this thing got in here. I expect answers, and soon. Got it?”

The guard nods quickly. “Yes, Lord Kael. Right away!”

As he rushes off, Kael sighs again. “Well. All that, and we still have work to do. Thanks again, Petra.”

Petra simply bows again, but as they begin walking again, there’s a definite spring in her step this time. Possibly just excitement, but a sideways glance at her surprises a small smile on her usually impassive face.