#velder

Raven: Velder’s Hallucination clear

“You can’t wake from this hallucination. How will we ever get out of this?”

“Look at these tactics! The Demons always play with forbidden rules!”

Meanwhile in Velder

Not suspicious indeed

Here’s the better version

https://sta.sh/2yxui8m9ve2?edit=1

Usually, Velder in battle was fine.  Clad in shining gray armor he’d walk the field, striking down any enemies in his path, or he’d be standing in the tactical tents at the back and helping command the armies.

It was good that, in this battle against the demons, he’d chosen to stay in the back.

A column of smoke rose in the distance, and Velder suddenly gasped, sinking to one knee.  The Red Knights around him snapped to attention.

“Sir!  What’s the matter?”

“I- It burns,” Velder gasped, and clawed his way to his feet using the table to support himself, hurling his body outside.  The smoke on the horizon made him sink once again to the ground.

“No… No, it can’t be,” he gasped out, staring at the smoke.  He knew it came from his heart, the city named after him, the bustling center of life and merchandise and crafts.  “I can’t be burning.”

The Red Knights tried to help.  They tried to lift Velder to his feet, to get him cold things to drink or to call first aid.  Nothing they did seemed to help.

“We should really stop meeting like this,” Velder growls.

Senace says nothing, his hands on the balcony railing and his blue cape fluttering in the wind.  Velder’s own armor weighs heavy on his shoulders.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

“I did,” Senace acknowledges.  Velder grits his teeth and strides to Senace’s side.

“We’re at war,” he snaps.  “We need to stop this affair.”

“Are we truly at war?” Senace asks.

Velder stares.  “Thousands of soldiers die in battles every day for us.  Yes, we are at war.  With each other, in case you didn’t recall.”

“Though the soldiers fight, my merchant ships still dock at your shores,” Senace says.  “Trade passes between us as peacefully as ever.  My country depends on the food produced from the plenty of the Earth El.  If you truly wanted to win, you could simply starve us.  Likewise, your country depends on the magical expertise, healers, and innovation of mine.  If we truly wanted to win, we would turn all our resources to the effort.”

“If we’re not fighting with all our hearts, then, what would you call this?” Velder asks.  Senace raises his eyebrows.

“A lover’s quarrel, perhaps?”

Velder can’t find a suitable answer to that, so instead he turns away.  “My people are asking me to stop these visits.  Until we can manage to settle our differences, we will not speak like this again,” he growls.

“Sure,” Senace agrees.  “But will you be able to stay away, truly?”

Velder knows the answer to that.

Ain: Southern Gate clear

Ain: Palace Entrance clear

Ain: Commercial Area 1 clear

Ain: Hope Bridge clear