The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

INTENTIONS

Ghroghl´s impatient footsteps echoed all around the intricate maze of hallways as he firmly paced towards a dark oak door and pushed it open to find Ahau and Greghan sitting stoically inside the room.

-Stay here – The Argantean ordered the Lowlander man that had been annoyingly following him, not even bothering to look at his face as he grunted the words.

But the warrior didn't seem to heed the imperiousness embedded in his voice... or mind it at all, as he simply proceeded to ignore the monarch's command entirely and step inside the luxurious chamber anyway, disregarding the ruler's tone.

-Are you stupid, soldier? – Ghroghl angrily barked, seeing the expressionless guard shadowing him stubbornly despite the adamancy of his request – Can't you follow a simple instruction or what?

-He can, and he IS doing exactly that, Your Grace – Greghan calmly chimed in, nodding sternly at the Argantean King – He just happens to be following mine, not yours… Don't forget that he actually answers to me.

-How could I? – The foreigner sarcastically responded, rolling his eyes tiredly for a moment, before approaching the large, rectangular table where his hosts sat and plopping on one of the many available seats – Alright … So, what did you guys find?

-She is telling the truth – The Captain informed him with a cautious tone – Or at least it looks that way… We found the cascade she mentioned, and a modest shrine apparently marking a grave. We believe it is hers.

-It could all be fake – The Argantean reminded him suspiciously – Ulgiak is famously known for his deceitfulness and treachery… As credible as it all seems, it could still be a very convoluted trap.

-Then the mother should join a troupe, because she has put on quite a convincing act – Greghan told him in a darker voice, narrowing his yes – That woman has been spotted visiting the place religiously every evening since the day we began surveillance, and I'm telling you this, Sir… I don't think you can fake that kind of sorrow, you just can't.

-So, she does believe that her daughter has died – Ghroghl pensively breathed out, distractedly scratching the side of his scalp – And that girl must really hate Ulgiak if she is willing to let her think that.

-I guess she does indeed – The Captain agreed – Because we've been paying close attention to the guards escorting that poor woman too, and they seemed oblivious enough each time.

-Fine – The Argantean sighed, glancing towards the massive warrior standing by the door and waving his hand dismissively at him – Why don't you make yourself useful for a change and bring her in then, big guy?

But the corpulent man he was referring to stood immobile and took a doubtful look towards the Lowlander Captain instead, who gave him a brief affirmative gesture, making him finally move and diligently exit the place.

As the minutes slowly dripped by, Ghroghl sat uncomfortably before Greghan and the former Lowlander King, drumming his fingers on the table as the three of them awkwardly waited for the soldier's return.

-Where's Jashka? – The Argantean monarch abruptly asked, ripping a hole in the dense silence that hung heavily all around them.

-Busy – The Lowlader Captain coldly replied. Raising a defiant eyebrow at him – Why do you ask?

-Because I want her to be reinstated as my bodyguard immediately – The outsider plainly remarked – I found it very disrespectful that she was relieved of her duty without any warning, or without my consent.

-You already have a replacement– Greghan calmly pointed out – And I thought you said that you didn't need a bodyguard. So, what does it matter anyway? What's wrong with having Kaxian instead?

-Nothing. I just have a rapport with Jashka, that's all – Ghroghl answered in a purposefully dispassionate voice, yet the drumming pace of his fingers on the table increased significantly as he spoke.

-That's an interesting way of calling it – The Lowlander scoffed. Giving him a knowing smirk and letting his words linger between them for a long moment before adding – Let us see if she also agrees.

-Does that mean that she will reclaim her post? – The Argantean ruler inquired with a hopeful spark dancing inside his eyes.

-It means that we will see, Your Grace – The warrior impassively said, his attention then traveling to the sturdy door as it loudly creaked open and Kaxian barged in, holding Giankha tightly by the arm – Now, if you don't mind, we have more important things to focus on… Shall we?

Ghroghl cleared his throat as the prisoner was lightly pushed in front of him and instructed to sit. Which she obediently did.

-So, congratulations Giankha, your story checks out – He unceremoniously stated. Tilting his head to the right and staring expectantly at her with a particularly uncanny smile.

Regardless of this, their guest had managed to remain quiet and completely motionless under his piercing sight for a considerable time, until an intrusive thought unexpectedly crossed her mind and made her eyes flicker with concern.

-What about my mother? – She anxiously mumbled at the Argantean ruler – Have you seen her? Is she…?

-Alive? – The monarch tentatively suggested – Yeah, you could say so. But given the terrible sorrow your mother has suffered since your, hmmm… departure, that could take a turn for the worse any time, just so you know.

-You need to rescue her! – She urged him, slamming her palm on the table and trying to pounce forward, but being swiftly held back by the crimson warrior's hand.

-And we will, as soon as we have Ulgiak properly contained – The foreigner assured her, nodding at the large map that was spread before them – So, first things first. You said they had landed on Nadhei's coast. Would you show us exactly where?

-Yes, I will tell you that, and even how to defeat them if you get my mother safely out! – The woman ardently proclaimed, staring pleadingly into his eyes.

-Oh really? – Ghroghl chuckled with visible amusement – You truly sound as if you had everything figured out.

-That's because I do – She defiantly grumbled, tapping her index finger on a specific spot on the map, then dragging the tip along the depicted coastline and slowly towards the outline of the neighboring hills – And I know that you blocked the river and all, but he is not going to bother trying to go upstream as you thought, instead, he is going to drag the ships across the mountains and ambush you from the other side.

-I.. Is that even possible? – Ahau alarmingly exclaimed at her statement, staring inquiringly towards the Argantean with a fearful shadow clouding his already dark irises.

-Oh, I'm afraid it is, and I must admit that they could have surrounded us irremediably if they had succeeded with their scheme – The Argantean somberly muttered, his face then beaming with a resolute gesture – But now that we have learned of their true intentions, we're not letting them come anywhere near these walls.

The infuriated tides crashed violently against the worn-out boulders that stuck out of the wet sand at the bottom of the pit like the pointy fingers of a giant's hand as he remained static, watching their incessant sway at the edge of the cliff.

-Well, it seems you're also not as stupid as I would have thought either, Your Grace – A familiar feminine voice suddenly proclaimed in a bubbly tone, making a smile creep spontaneously up his lips as he quickly turned around to find the Lowlander warrior standing there with her arms crossed over her plated chest – I’m impressed! I’ve been told that you've come up with a decent plan to save our land, and I see that you've even managed to shake off Kaxian's tail.