#wingul

Gaius frowned, unsure what to think of what was potentially an insult. "Care to share, then?"

Setting down his cup, Wingul slipped a bun from the box to his side and plated it, sliding it across the table to his king.

"You know, of course, that we took our names after elements of the chimera. Its wings, its horn, its stinger, its fangs."

Gaius nodded, carefully taking the dumpling and considering whether or not to eat it while Wingul continued speaking.

"The chimera is a creature of war. While some myths claim it to be a natural creature, most describe it as manmade. How, we do not know. Special artes? It hardly matters. The fact of the matter is that it serves a purpose as its individual parts and as a whole. Upon the chimera's back, a new country arose -- that which we call Auj Oule."

Wingul drank more of his tea, watching Gaius not eating his food.

"Don't be fussy with your food, Gaius. We've been over this."

Gaius wrinkled his nose at the sudden switch in topics. "I am not being fussy. There's no spice in this, right?"

"Of course not. Now eat."

When he realized that Wingul was not going to continue with whatever expansion on the metaphor he had planned, Gaius shook his head and began eating.

Wingul reached for the teapot, his voice wry as he refilled his cup.

"It's for the best that you are not so poetic. Someone needs to be grounded and keep looking forward."

"That was what I vowed to you and the others, yes."

Wingul hummed his agreement but said no more.

* * *

The chimera can lose its horn, its stinger, its claws, its wings. It can and will fight regardless, with all of its strength. Yes, it is powerful with all of its tools, but each aspect of it can be broken, can be taken away.

Gaius grimly looked across the room, watching Wingul as he ordered away a number of soldiers and spies. They had much to deal with, now essentially in charge of both Auj Oule and Rashugal. First had been Jiao, and now Presa and Agria. The Chimeriad was reduced to one member -- the first to have taken on a name in honor of the creature of war.

"I want you to return to Auj Oule and continue running operations out of the capital. Or whichever city you find will allow for easier communication with our forces stationed here in Fennmont."

Wingul did not look over as Gaius spoke, his eyes scanning over written reports. "And what will you be doing, Your Highness?"

Gaius frowned at the lack of confirmation. "You know what I will be doing. Maxwell and her group will undeniably be making their move soon."

Wingul set down his papers and scoffed. "And you intend to meet them with that spirit that has taken a liking to you? That is folly and you know it, Gaius."

"I don't know what you are talking about, Wingul. She is an acceptable partner in battle. Her power is undeniable."

The mention of power brought about a cross look on Wingul's face that Gaius was surprised to not see fade from sight a few seconds later.

"The truth of the matter is that she is unpredictable. Her loyalty is questionable. What if she were to turn against you?"

"It's not like you to sow dissent, Wingul."

The younger man scoffed, golden eyes flashing as he allowed his annoyance to properly surface.

"You don't know what I have done for you and this country, Gaius. It's already foolish how much you have been doing alone -- including going to that other world by yourself."

"What would you have me do? We cannot lose this momentum."

Wingul's silence was sour and utterly poisonous. With an abrupt shake of his head, he coldly responded. "I want you to think on what you are saying, Gaius. For as long as you live -- hopefully a long time, given your decisions at the moment."

"I disagree that this is a bad course of action, Wingul."

It wouldn't be the first time they reached an impasse.

"As you say, Your Highness."

But it would be their last.

* * *

Robbed of its horn and stinger and claws, the chimera stands with only two options before it: fight or flight.

The option to fight is the obvious choice to the steadfast creature, taking to the skies for every advantage it can still use against its enemy.

But wings are fragile. They break more easily than any other part of the chimera.

Wings broken, the chimera plummets to the earth. A stalwart protector of the land. A beast of many battles, always sensing war on the horizon.

A remnant of an era best left in the past.

Upon the dead chimera's back, a new country would rise and flourish.