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"Master, Zacisra has yet to answer our request for entrance." Dakota reported as he elbow Lyall to continue the bad news. Both their heads hung low, making Kalhil give them a stern look.
"I. . . The country of Nan declined." Lyall hesitated while studying their master's expression.
"Rue and Daemyn?" Raziel search their faces for an answer, each avoided eye contact, nudging the other to answer. The coven lord sighs as he rests his elbow on his desk, finally glancing at Kalhil. "They personally travelled to Nan. Lord Anhwar has always been fond of them. . ." The eldest explained for his siblings.
"Without my permission?" Raziel furrowed his brows, "Brother Anhwar might have a hand with my banishment. This won't do, I'll call them ba-" "Master! Please let them. They. . . we could find out if. ."
"Anhwar has always been unpredictable, ever since father's death. I'm worried for them." Raziel reasoned. "We have no choice we need Zacisra's backing in this upcoming war." He sighed as he combed through his silver locks.
"Kal, you told me that currently we have two major powerhouse. Noxgimenos, the largest country allied with 3 vampire-centered countries. Then, Zacisra allied with 10 out of 16 countries, but is mostly composed of humans." Raziel paused, tapping his finger on the hardwood table, in deep thought.
The room filled with 'tak tak tak' as the orphans nervously watch their master's mood. Afraid a single sound might trigger his anger.
"I'm mostly intrigued by the hermit country of Nan. They are brave enough to be on a neutral stand." The coven lord continued as the orphans process his words.
"Yes, Zacisra has a rumored demi-god backing while the country of Nan is a country of rumored werewolves. They are at a par with Noxgimenos' in terms of power. But if we talk about the population Zacisra and the human-centered countries have an advantage." Kalhil added, he solemnly stood beside his lord, his mature aura contrasts his sibling's nervous demeanor.
"All rumors?" Raziel pursed his lips as he contemplates the political struggles of this generation.
"My lord, they are at a stand still. The last summit held for the Kings happened in Nan. All of them agreed that as long as no one dared to mess with their country and allies: peace could be achieved. It's been 50 years. No contact has been made ever since hence the rumors." Kalhil reasoned as the only person who strived to live during the 500 years gap. Lyall and Dakota glanced at each other both embarrassed by their lack of knowledge.
"If we throw a pebble in still waters it could cause a ripple. Let's see if during those 50 years no one truly broke that pact. If we dig deeper, we might just discover a skull or two under their façade. You two, dig out some information, whether Levant's pets harmed anyone outside their borders. Make sure to bring me evidences." Lyall and Dakota disappeared in an instant. Raziel sighs as he stares at the empty spot.
"I'm sure they will all be fine." Kalhil approached Raziel pouring chamomile tea into his cup. "Times has changed for the worse. These countries were in harmony during my father's reign. That wretched ba-" "The tea will calm your nerves Raziel."
The coven lord's lips pressed into a thin line as he reaches for the cup in front of him. "Kal, I'll infiltrate the kingdom." He announced making Kalhil almost drop the teapot. His eyebrow twitch as he tries to calm himself.
"No." Kal answered shakily. "This is not a consultation. I'll go in as Rhydian, this is why I kept him by my side. It's also why I sent a sample of his blood. To trick Levant. A kin's blood smells exactly like his master's."
"But Raziel."
"Give me a week. I want to know everything."
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"Rhydian? Why don't you ente-" "Huh?" He twirled blocking off Aude's path with a panicked expression.
"You're here to see master? He's busy let's go!" The little vampire pulled the witch towards the library's direction. Not even bothering to give Aude a proper explanation.
"Why are you taking me wit-" "He's busy!" Aude rolled his eyes as he lets the flustered vampire pull him along the hallway.
"Did you hear something you're not supposed to?" He asked with a calming voice making Rhydian stop. "It was all a plan." The little vampire sobbed as he mumble.
"A plan?" Aude tried to pull back his wrist but he is no match against a vampire's strength. "The times I treasured dearly. All a scheme." Rhydian finally face him with trembling lips and tear stained face.
"I can't understand you." The little witch flail his hands, panicked, not knowing how to react to this situation.
"Oh dear. Who made little Rhydian cry?" Raziel apparated out of nowhere making the two gasp in surprise. As soon as he saw Raziel's silver locks Rhydian used his vampire skills to dash out but his master was too fast for him to avoid.
"Was it my fault, hmmm?" The coven lord hummed as he place his hands on the little vampire's shoulder. Raziel glanced at Aude who in return shrugged as a reply.
"He said it was all a plan." "NO!" Rhydian glared at the little witch.
"No fighting." Raziel covered Rhydian's eyes as he pull the teen into his embrace.
'Am I witnessing a lover's quarrel?' Aude thought with a complicated feeling.
"You're the little mouse outside my office, hmm? Were you upset that you're part of my plan? I never lied when I told you I was fond of you. Besides, you'll be my escort outside. I'll pretend to be a long lost twin."
"You'll go outside?! May I. . ." Aude chimed in with a giddy expression making Raziel chuckle as he hold the sobbing vampire's waist. "We can't have a witch trailing behind us." Aude frowned at the rejection while glancing at Raziel's hand.
'He's just clingy with everyone, huh?' The little witch gasped hoping his friend didn't read his mind. He stood there eyeing his friend's reaction, eventually sighing in relief once he realized Raziel is busy coaxing Rhydian to stop crying.
Noticing Aude's frantic side glances, Raziel shake his head. "Must I appease two little cuties today? If you can shape-shift into an animal and mask your witch energy. . . . I might change my mind."
'Oh. Did he really hear? I hope not. Don't want him to think I'm such a selfish friend.'
Aude nodded as he head towards the study hall for students, giddy by the fact he'll get a chance to explore the outside with his friend. After a few steps, he stopped glancing back to Raziel but witnessed him carrying Rhydian instead. Aude huffed, rolling his eyes.
'Right, let's focus on shape-shifting first!' Aude tried to snap out of this weird mood by slapping his cheeks. With one last slap, he starts to run as fast as he can to avoid over thinking. The little witch kept chanting 'shape-shifting' in his mind as if it's a spell to ward off bad feelings.
'He rarely spends time with me. I thought we were friends!' A thought managed to slip out of the chant as he enters the hall full of students. A smell of old wood greets him along with the piercing stare of some students.
"Hey! Halfie." Aude stopped to glare at the stranger. 'To call me that term while I'm in a bad mood!' The teen crossed his arm as he wait for the stranger to continue.
Taken a back by the intense reaction, the stranger scratched the back of his chestnut colored hair. "Oh. That's an offensive term? I'm sorry." Seeing the genuine guilt Aude's expression soften, still eyeing the teen.
"Do I know you?" The little witch asked with an awkward smile trying to get this over with as he tap his feet with impatience. "Oh! I'm Nadrica, your classmate!" Aude tilted his head, not knowing how to react.
"Are you still angry? I'm sorry. . . just wanted to get to know you."
"Well, my name is Ciel Aude Sinclair, not halfie." With one final glare, Aude walk pass Nadrica, hoping the random stranger could take a hint.
"Oh! I'm Nadrica Romani. I grew up here." Immediately the perky teen appeared by his side, trying to match the little witch's stride. Annoyed by this tactless person, Aude tried to evade him by suddenly changing direction but this Nadrica person seemed determined to follow him.
Seeing the unusual pair, the students sneak a glance as they pretend to read their books. Aude frowned, troubled with the intrusive stares he's receiving.
"Are you searching for a book Ciel? I'll help! I love books!"
Aude tried to continue to shrug him off. A cheerful personality always made Aude not know what to do. All his life he's accustomed to Raziel's calmness that this sudden exposure made him experience anxiety.
He might be on the cheerful side himself, but being on the receiving end of such energy. The little witch just don't know how to function!
Nadrica kept chanting 'hey hey hey hey hey', trying to get a reaction from the dirty blonde teen. Feeling as if his last strand of sanity will snap, Aude abruptly stopped causing Nadrica to bump against his back letting out an 'oomf'.
"Eh? Ciel, are you lost?!" Nadrica peeked his head into the little witch's line of sight.
"Do you know how to shape-shift?" Aude finally asked wishing for Nadrica just to leave him alone.
"Of course! Wanna be a little kitten?!"
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