Pezz570

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Chres pondered at Octavio’s words, hand to his chin. The way he hesitated at the part about his sister seemed ominous.

It was around then that Jen spoke up. Like Octavio, Jen seemed guarded about his personal life.

He looked to Jen, curious. ”They took someone from you?” He reiterated. ”Wh-”

“There be.” Interrupted one of the women leading the way.

“Exit there be.” Said the other.

Chres snapped his attention back ahead to a dead end with a ladder.

“I’ll go first said one of the soldiers behind them. Make sure the coast is clear.”

Chres nodded. The soldier had come prepared to look less conspicuous. Having taken uniforms from the wall guard.

Slowly the man climbed the ladder out of sight. Pausing for a moment to push away at a loose panel of stone blocking the top of the ladder. With some effort the panel gave way. The man disappeared for a moment that seemed to last forever, before finally calling back to report everything was clear.

---

It took some time for everyone to exit the tunnels. During that time Chres had taken a moment to assess his surroundings. The tunnel had exited them into the middle of a storeroom of what appeared to have at one time been a shop. The shop itself being conveniently being located a few blocks away from the inn of which the Cult had set up shop. And a few blocks beyond that, though significantly further, lay the O’Kal estate.

Outside, there seemed to be a mad rush of cultist going to and from their makeshift church. People running back and forth carrying supplies. Others rushing to the frontlines of battle, while yet others seemed in a mad rush to head for the western gate.

Most importantly there was no Sightless to be seen. The scene was ripe. A perfect mix of chaos to allow them slip into the Cult’s church.

Before leaving the shop, they had some of the soldier do some test walks around the perimeter of the Cult’s church before heading back to the shop. Few people barely paid the soldiers a glance. Yet another good sign.

The soldier reported back to the group with the findings. The Cult’s “church” did not seem to be heavily guarded, at least from the outside. They group could likely fight their way in though the front they worried about the commotion that would cause.

There was a back entrance, however. Similarly guarded but facing away from the main road. The downside was that a Sightless had been spotted through a window on the second floor at the backside of the inn. If they were to fight their way in from the back, then they would surely attract immediate notice from the Sightless.

Chres and the rest gathered around, having listened to the report. For a moment he stood there thinking. ”Is fighting our way in the only option?”

The soldier hesitated for a moment, before saying, “Perhaps not…”

Apparently, the scouting had shown that at least twice members of the Wall Guard had been seen entering the Church without barely a question from the ones guarding the building. While the group could use the stolen guard uniforms as some sort of ploy, they did not have enough for everyone. Only the soldiers had come wearing the wall guard’s uniforms.

Chres nodded at this. That meant that they could either try to steal more uniforms, or come up with another ploy, perhaps a ploy to use one of them as a prisoner. Hoping to divert the Sightless’s attention while the others sneak in. The Sightless were after all looking for ‘Pact Makers’.

Chres turn to the rest of the group. ”Well?” He asked. ”What do you think?”

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Dossiers? Wanted posters? Chres smiled. You know, you had me going for a while. I thought you some sort nobleman for quite some time.

He looked to Octavio. This woman... what did she want?

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Sil giggled. She fluttered off of Chres's shoulder and landing atop Akai's head. Chres himself couldn't help but release a small chuckle.

"So instead of obeying orders and quieting down, you instead quietly disregarded them and stubbornly came here on your own volition?" Chres smirked and gave her a sidelong glance. The conflict now was making a whole lot more sense. "It doesn't get any more Karina than that I suppose." He said teasingly, while pocketing the crystal jade candle.

Chres turned a glance in Týfurkh's and Jen's direction.

"What about you two?" He asked. "You never did tell me what brought the two of you to this town."

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Chres stirred uncomfortably. Karina's words had shone a spotlight on his inner emotion that he would have preferred being left in the dark. So turned his gaze in Octavio's direction. The man had been quiet during this whole time. Perhaps he, like Chres had also been hoping to escape from this town.

It was hard to tell with Octavio. Despite his ostentatious words and actions, Chres noticed that the man often tended to sit in the background and keep to himself.

Perhaps it would be good to redirect the spotlight on another. "You've been awfully quiet, Octavio. Is something wrong?"

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Chres rubbing his chin in thought wondering how this new development changed things. "Two crystals, several pouches of salt, and a handful of soldiers... how can we use them to our benefit..." He pondered out loud.

He looked to the two guides. "How close will these tunnels get us to the the Cult's base of operations?" Chres asked the guides.

"Be near." said the first.

"Very be near." said the second.

"And where will it take us?"

"Building." said the first.

"Be building's under." said the second.

Chres scratched his chin at their strange phrasing of words. So beneath a building? Was it a raised building or just some sort of cellar?

"Take it, Chres." Karina said. "This jade candle is one of the few we have remaining and now, you will be responsible for it. If you need a reason to live, do it for your companions. Remember, you are not alone. Stay strong, Chres."

Shocked by Karina's caring words, Chres raised his gaze to the hand on his shoulder. During his time with the woman, he had not seen much of her compassionate side. He hadn't been looking for kindness or sympathy, and yet the gesture stirred a strange mix of emotions.

On the one hand, he was touched to have someone be there for him. He had been alone with Sil, the reminder of his past deeds, for so long now that he couldn't even remember what it was like to have a companion who he could count on. On the other hand, his guilty conscious stirred at her words. Within him, he felt the bubble of frustration rise further along with his self-loathing. That part of him whispered to him. He didn't deserve to have companions who cared for him. He didn't deserve to be happy. That side of Chres wanted to wallow in the pain and misery. It wanted to shrug off Karina's hand and throw a fit.

With difficulty Chres shoved away the negative thoughts and emotions. Those thoughts... those emotions... He didn't yet know whether they were valid. His wife told had said he didn't understand. He had to find out... He had to know... Just what didn't he understand? Only then could he validate those feelings.

Reluctantly, Chres took the Crystal Jade Candle from Karina. He stared at its greenish glow with empty eyes. Before feeling a tiny nudge on his neck from Sil's tiny elbow

"Well go on." Sil said.

Chres looked to her confused.

Sil just rolled her eyes at him.

"You silly little puddle. Aren't you going to thank Ms. Ice-a-rina already?"

Chres blinked. Twice now the familiar seem uncharacteristically aware of what was going on. Pursing his lips, he met Karina's gaze.

"Thanks Karina."

"That's Ms. Ice-a-rina." Sil corrected.

"Ka-ri-na." Chres reiterated, empathizing each syllable. Sil sighed and waved him off. "Thank you." He said again. It was a more meaningful 'thank you'. One that spoke to more than just the crystal jade given to him.

"Seems rough." He said after a moment of walking in silence. "To have boss who is also your father... What did he mean that 'the best soldiers do not undermine their superiors'? You came here on behalf of the army and completed your mission, did you not?"

The Five Senses

Chres

---

"I'm..." Chres started before hesitating. How was he holding up?

Physically he was fine if not tired. The army of Touch's touch healers had seen to that. Magically? He was running on empty. During this whole downtime he had been doing his best to refill his heat reserves. But mentally? That... that was a more complicated question.

Time seemed to freeze on itself, everybody but Chres stopping in place. Chres head jolted up. The sensation feeling all too familiar.

"You could have run." Said the Being. There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Just like that the sensation was over. Time suddenly rushed back in on itself. Once again, the world sprung to life as if nothing had just happened.

Chres shook his head and continued walking. He was tired, so perhaps it was his imagination. After all this time, why would the Being choose now to show up only to make a jab at him?

"I'm fine." Chres lied.

In truth, he had a knot of frustration stuck in his throat. He had hoped that opening the gate would put an end to this. That he would be able to leave this town and starting looking into exactly what he didn't 'understand' about the deeds of his wife. Instead the army had refused to let anyone, except a few, leave until they rooted the cultists out of this town.

Could he have run? Perhaps. If he had abandoned Týfurkh and Octavio after opening the Portcullis. Or maybe he could have snuck out using his remaining heat reserves to Weave a heat construct that would get him up and over the wall. Regardless, getting caught meant complications. Complications he would rather not bother with.

Right now there was only one way Chres knew for sure that would get him a way out. To help Karina and the rest kill the seed. Otherwise, the morning following there another day of madness, and who knew if he would be able to find a way out of this town during that.

"I just hope two crystals are enough." Chres continued.

"The jade candles have their use, but they not the thing I'm referring to. Turns out the sightless react as poorly to salt as the heart does. It interrupts their healing ability, and you'll see it working by how the little vines wilt and the afflicted area wilt. It also seems to hurt extra, but who cares about that." Jen said straightforwardly.

"Problem is now they know that we know about this weakness. So, I expect them to fight extra hard as well targeting our supplies of it. But again, they could get overwhelmed with some good hits and coordination. It really depends on who's able to be the better fighter."

Chres' head whirled. "Salt?!"

He gripped the pouch of salt at his side. The Kharu-Natjer had give each one of them a pouch this morning. All this time wonder how they would fight the Sightless, and it turned out that a little thing such as salt could be wielded as a weapon against them.

"Are you sure?"

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Chres eyed the candle. Reaching out hesitantly, he stopped himself suddenly and withdrew his hand.

"No." he said. "You keep it. I lost my last one... and if any of us should survive whatever happens next, it should be someone who cares enough about this world to want to do some good."

Sil seemed to frown at his response. She patted him on the shoulder.

"You care." She said. "You care more than you think you do."

Chres frowned. He turned to look at her, surprised by her response. She met his gaze. A rare moment of clarity seeming to seep out from those eyes of hers before suddenly it was gone.

"Big Little Sister Akai has pockets!" she blurted out with a giggle.

Chres arched an eyebrow.

"Yes..." He said hesitantly. "Yes, she does..."

The Five Senses

Chres

---

"Equipped?" Chres repeated. "It seems Sil unfortunately lost our crystal jade during their fake-out. If I'm not mistaken, Lynx, Octavio, you've lost yours as well, correct? It also seems that crystal jade is rare amongst our soldier friends. I personally worry we aren't equipped enough. How about you Karina? Do you still have yours?"

The Five Senses

Chres

---

Quiet were the tunnels under Shimmertown. Quiet and empty.

Chres, the rest, along with unit of soldier at Karina's command, followed the two guides cautiously as they traverse the cavernous labyrinth. They had planned for this the night prior. Planned for another trip through the tunnels in the event that it became necessary to sneak in close to the Cult's base of operations, A ritzy inn near the center of town, in order to attack the Seed.

Greeting them at the entrance of the tunnels were two females wearing clothes native to these lands. However, judging from their accent and the broken way the spoke the language, it was clear that these two women were one of the Kharu-Natjer's people rather than being native to this country.

Chres eyed them curiously as the guided the group through the tunnels. The Hue of their skin did not have that Orange-tan hue to it, unlike the rest of the Kharu-Natjer's people, nor was their hair silvery either.

Ferris and Octavio had mentioned that during an earlier excursion to buy salt from a trader, one of the Kharu-Natjer's people had used some type of magic to change their appearance so that they could fit in. Chres idly wondered if that was what they were doing now. Hiding their appearance. Perhaps less so for Chres, Jen, Karina and Octavio, but more so to hide their differing appearance from the soldier who towed behind them.

"Something's different here..." Sil whispered, cowering a top his shoulder. "It feels... scarier..."

Chres drew his mouth in a line. As curious as their guides appearance was, it was not the only thing curious. Sil was right the tunnels did seem different. The only echoes throughout the caverns came from their own footsteps and voices. And the numerous crystal jade candles that use to litter much of the tunnels seemed absent. Here and there, they passed a jade candle, but for the most part there were none. It was almost as if the Kharu-Natjer cleaned house.

"Where are your friends?" Chres asked one of the women leading the way.

"They be." Was all the woman answered.

"They be where?" He asked more persistently.

"Not they be this tunnel." The other woman said.

Chres narrowed his eyes but took it that he likely wouldn't get much more from them. Instead he turned his attention to his comrades.

The army of touch had graciously tended to their wounds, providing the few touch healers that they had to spare. Still though, He had little doubt in his mind that, they like him, were tired from today's earlier battle. It was a fortunate thing that the army spared them soldiers for this last battle. The question was, would it be enough?

"Its been a long day." Chres said wearily to the others. "How are you all holding up?"

The Five Senses

-Collab Between Pezz570, 13Org-

Viktor Frost
Karina Frost
Malkev O'Kal

---

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Viktor Frost grimaced as he got his first look at Shimmertown beyond the eastern gate. He could tell right off the bat that this town had taken a toll larger than he would have liked. Once they had finished establishing control, they would need to expend precious resources here just to rebuild. Still, a swift victory here was better than a prolonged siege.... Now… if only they could find a way to rid the town of this gloomy Distortion.

He pondered the oddity of the Distortion as he rode horse onwards. The eerie way the shadows of the living stretched towards the light of the setting sun, or how the sun set in a direction that was most certainly not west. The blackness of the sky despite it seeming to be bright as day... Everything just seemed to be visually off. Like one giant illusion come to life.

Viktor made sure to capture a few odd images he noted with the spectacles he wore. He stored them away for later use. One could never know when a seemingly useless image could make for a useful illusion.

Colonel Raelar’s mount trotted alongside Vicktor all the while. The man cleared his throat, catching Viktor’s attention. He then nodded off towards the gatehouse. There, a familiar face caught the General’s eye. A soldier standing proudly and at attention. She saluted the general without meeting his eye. The girl...

General Frost drew his mouth in a line, steeling himself as he did everytime he looked upon that face. If given the choice, Viktor would have ignored the girl and moved on. Acknowledging the girl, especially now of all times, could be viewed by others as showing favoritism. Something he refused to do. However, due to circumstances now out of his hands, there were matters between him and the girl that required discussing.

His horse coming to a stop, Viktor dismounted and approached the girl. Hands clasped behind his back, he didn’t wink or smile. No. He needed to mask all emotions from her. She had chosen the life of a soldier. And so, he would treat her as one.

Vikor came to a halt a good distance away from the girl and took a moment to take in all the unfamiliar faces standing behind her. They stood together with a sort of familiarity likely having worked together through this whole ordeal. There did not appear to be any order to them, however. Viktor grimaced at that.

As he soaked in her companions, his eyes lingered on the tall, well dressed, dark skinned man. The man stared back at him defiantly, as if daring Viktor to pick a fight.

Frowning, his gaze fell back upon the girl. His daughter. Karina.

"Soldier." He said at last.

"General Frost, Colonel Raelar, Lieutenant Karina Frost reports." Karina replied, saluting the two men as they approached the group in a firm and proud, but at the same time, elegant posture as she waited for General Frost's salute before lowering her arm and assuming an 'at-ease' posture.

While Karina had a deep respect for General Frost, not because he was her father, but due to his skills and his unparalleled intellect and strategic thinking, it wasn't really a secret through the military base that she and Colonel Raelar didn't like each other. Whenever the two met, the only thing that held the sparks from flying every time their gazes crossed was the pride each one had and the position they were in the military.

Despite Colonel Raelar's unpleasant presence, Karina still carried herself with pride and elegance, traits of her personality which, along with her appearance, earned her quite the fame through the military of touch and quite a bit of prejudice as well from those who justifying her position and even her pride as solely because she was the daughter of the general.

Viktor raised his head ever so slightly, his expression unchanged. While he said nothing, his stare indicated that he was waiting for her to continue.

With General Frost's silent permission for her to continue, Karina finally lowered her arm and stood at attention as she began making a brief but detailed report of the current situation, how the group helped her in contacting the Military of Touch, Malkev's promise to aid the military (Which earned her a stare from Malkev), and finally everything that she was able to discover about the Cult, including the strange powers they had, how they could affect a person, the tactics they used and even the aberrations that were called 'the sightless' and their connection with "the seed", which was, apparently the origin of the distortion and the cult's powers. While it would sound like nonsense for anyone else, Karina's tone was dead serious and the fact that they were currently seeing the inexplicable event that was denominated the 'Distortion' made it hard for them to dismiss Karina's words as exaggeration or anything other than the truth. If General Frost paid close attention to Karina's report, he would soon understand that the Cult was a bigger threat than they had initially thought. Much to Colonel Raelar's dismay, Karina was right since the beginning about them.

"That concludes the report, General Frost." Karina said, still standing at attention.

"I recommend for our forces be prepared for the confrontation with the cultists. The full extent of the cultists' powers, especially the beings called the 'sightless' is still unknown. We cannot dismiss the possibility of them being able to affect our soldier's minds like they did with the population." she finished, looking towards General Frost with a serious expression.

Surprisingly enough, even the mischievous and talkative Akai was nervous, feeling the weight of General Frost's gaze, being dead silent as Karina spoke. It was her first time seeing General Frost and while she knew that he was Karina's father (even if Karina haven't told her so, it was obvious they were father and daughter, due to how much they resembled each other), the pressure she felt from the man was unlike anyone else she had seen until now. Getting on his bad side was definitely a bad idea.

Viktor said nothing, instead waiting to see if the girl had anything else to add. After an uncomfortable long moment, he finally spoke.

"Soldier. The Empire thanks you and… your friends… for having completed your mission by opening the gate." Colonel Raelar raised an eyebrow at the choice word ‘mission’, before smoothing his face over. He knew just as well as the General that it was for show more than anything.

Karina made a quick and brief salute as General Frost 'thanked' her and the group for their 'mission'. The hidden meaning behind his words was not lost on Karina, as she, more than anyone else, knew the implications of her actions. Even if she was in fact, correct about the cult, she still went against direct orders from her superiors.

Viktor looked to the unconscious cultist, Tayla according to the girl. "Colonel Raelar. Have the men lock this one up in chains. She’ll need constant doses of taste deterrents. See to it that we have any water given to her treated as well. Have a field medic to treat her wounds."

Again, Raelar raised his brow. The man remained silent. The judgement, however, was ominous. Giving a quick salute, he placed the girl upon his horse and rode off.

While Tayla would probably have a rough time, waking up only to find herself chained, Karina still thought that she could be very helpful for them in the fight against the cult. Especially since she was one of them. While it would be unlikely for her request to be granted at that moment, or even heard to be honest, once things got a bit calmer and Tayla was no longer considered a threat, she would go forward with her request. For now, silence was the best option.

Viktor turned his gaze back to the man, Malkev O’Kal. Just as before, he stared back coldly. They had been in communication with the man’s brother until recently, negotiating a surrender behind the Mayor’s back. This one, however, did not look to be nearly as agreeable.

"Lord O’Kal." Viktor said carefully. "Tell me. What became of your brother?"

Malkev’s frown deepened. ”Dead." He said.

Viktor frowned. "His son?"

”Alive. Though under my care and supervision."

Viktor nodded. "And your wife… Barren, is she not?"

Malkev said nothing. Just the cold stare. Viktor took it as a confirmation.

"Once this town is back under control, we will depose your Cousin seat as Mayor. He will be named traitor to the Lord of Senses and exiled from our lands as a slayer of his own kin. What I would like is for you to take his position. The people will respect one of their own more than anyone we put in his place."

Malkev’s face grew darker with every word. ”Kin slayer?” Malkev repeated. The irony of the title not lost on him. ”My cousin was no kin slayer. Your lies stain the honor of the wrong man."

Viktor raised his brow ever so slightly. "White lies." He said "Lies meant to keep the peace and give legitimacy to your elevated position."

”A position, I did not ask for.”

"You wish to serve. Well, this is how you will serve."

”Except the agreement your daughter claims that I made, were not the terms that I agreed to.”

"Daughter?” Viktor repeated, his voice going cold. "Terms? Agreement?” His gaze slowly shifted back towards the girl. His presence looming.

”What I agreed to, was to support your takeover. But, in return, I asked that my family be kept safe. What I didn’t agree to, was becoming your puppet.”

In silence, Karina heard as Viktor addressed Malkev O'Kal, his words were cold and calculated as he gazed at Malkev, a gaze Karina knew all too well. A cold gaze that seemed to see right through any lie, any mask, any illusion.

Viktor's proposal to Malkev wasn't a bad one in Karina's opinion. The political move of branding his cousin a traitor would solidify Malkev's position and give the military of touch a powerful pawn. Malkev was still showing reluctance and proving himself to be quite a difficult man to deal with though. The moment he mentioned her, not by her name or her position in the military but referring to her simply as 'General Frost's Daughter', the air around Karina started to immediately cool down and freeze, betraying her emotions despite her collected demeanor. Even though General Frost's gaze moved to Karina, she showed herself to be unfazed by it, instead simply gazing back towards Malkev with frightening eyes.

Viktor’s frown deepened ever so slightly as the air frosted around the girl. He didn’t like this one’s small loss of control over her powers when her temper flared.

"Lieutenant Colonel Karina Frost. If I were you, I wouldn't push my luck addressing me like that again." Karina said, looking to Malkev with cold, threatening eyes, the air around her cold enough to make other's breath visible.

"I don't like to play games, lord O'Kal." she said, with an acid tone as she said his title.

"Your family's safety in exchange for your cooperation. That was the deal. It's up to you if you will accept my offer or not." Karina finished, her tone of voice making it clear that there would be no negotiation nor any other 'added terms'.

”With all due respect, this is no game Lieutenant.” Malkev said. He said the title not because he feared retribution, but only because poking a bear does not help when there is little room to escape. ”Words matter in politics. In your report you stated that I would aid the military. Aiding the military is not a term I agreed to. What I agreed to do was to support the military and their take over. My name holds weight in this town, and my support would make your transition here all the easier. What I will not do is lead under your rule. I can not lead in a cause of which I do not believe.”

Viktor turned his gaze away from the girl and back to Lord Malkev. "Lord Malkev. Your concerns are valid and righteous. You’re right. Words do matter. Although, normally, it is not a Lieutenant’s place to speak such words.” Viktor pointedly did not look at the girl as he spoke the last sentence.

”But-”

Viktor held up his hand indicating that he had not finished. "But to go back on an agreement, that would be a stain in the eyes of the Lord of Senses.” The defiance in Malkev’s eyes seemed to cool cautiously at this.

"I will keep your family safe as you so desire. However, it will be done on the Emperor’s own terms. Not on the terms of some... soldier you met out on the field.” This time Viktor did eye the girl.

”And… just what are these terms?” Malkev asked cautiously.
"The same terms your brother had agreed to.” Viktor said, pulling out his trump card.

”My… Just what are you saying?”

"What I’m saying is your brother saw sense. He saw the hopelessness of your position. The betrayal of your cousin Mayor O’Kal. He saw that there was only one way out for your home that involved the least amount of bloodshed. And that way out was through us.”

”My brother… was a traitor?” Malkev said aghast.

"No.” Viktor said. "Your brother was brave. Before he died during whatever chaos happened here, he came to us and negotiated his family’s safety just like you.”

The vision Malkev had seen. The vision that came before the Day of madness… It showed his brother as a traitor… The vision had been real after all… except… it had left out one important detail. The reason behind why his brother had betrayed his country. And now, his brother is dead. Dead by Malkev’s own hands. One of the people his brother had been trying to save.

Malkev took a sudden step back. An itch crawling up the back of his neck. ”No...” He whispered. ”No… It can’t be...”

Viktor eyed the man carefully. Uncertain about the source of Malkev’s distress. "I would have you.” Viktor said carefully. "Just as I would have your brother. As you said, your name holds weight in this town. I need you to lead them. Nobody else can do that but you.”

”I can’t...” Malkev said. He didn’t deserve the position.

The General frowned. "It need not be forever.” He said.

”How long?”

"Until your nephew, Taleb, comes of age.”

Malkev hesitated, and raised his gaze from his feet. ”Taleb...” He repeated, before nodding finally.

”Yes...” He said more to himself. ”It’s the least I can do… I’ll raise the boy properly. He’ll make a fine Mayor.”

Viktor frowned. "My apologies, Lord Malkev. There is one last one last term to this agreement.”

Malkev frowned as he raised his head. A hint of defiance returning to him.

"The boy. He’ll be taken in as a ward until the day he comes of age.”

”What?!” Malkev asked, the itch on his neck returning.

"One of the emperor’s cousins will raise the boy. He’ll be provided a proper home and education.”

”You mean to brainwash him!” Malkev spat.

”What I mean is to give the lad a proper opportunity. To be viewed as an equal, your boy will need to learn the ways of the Empire.”

”You agreed to my family’s safety!”

”That is what I’m agreeing to.” Viktor said in a collective tone.

”A family can no longer be called a family when you go around ripping its members apart! He is my flesh and blood! All that is left of my brother! I will not have you take him from me!” Malkev cried.

Viktor said nothing. He knew this man’s pain. Albeit in a different manner. However, to lead meant making hard decisions and having assurances that one’s allies will cooperate. Taleb was that assurance.

”I. Cannot. Agree. To. These. Terms!”

Malkev stood defiantly, staring face to face with Viktor. His defiance had drawn the attention of a few nearby soldiers, who cautiously stepped up in case their general needed defending. Viktor calmly raised a hand signalling for them to stand down.

”Lord Malkev.” Viktor said respectfully. ”Today has been a long and hard day. Please allow my men here to escort you to a suitable chamber for you to get some rest. We shall speak more on this in the morning.”

Malkev said nothing. He simply stared daggers at the General while the soldiers came up to escort Malkev away. He shook off their attempts to take him by the shoulders and shot one last look not at Viktor, but instead at Karina.

”You spoke as if you could have done better for me.” He said, a look of betrayal on his face. ”I was a fool. I should have known better than to have put faith in you.”

Viktor gave one last look at Malkev as they took him away. They would need to find a proper holding cell for that one. Nothing too bare but not too excessive.

With a shake of his head, he turned a disapproving gaze to the girl, as if to ask if she had anything to say for herself.

Karina was about to reply to Malkev when General Frost began speaking once again, making her go silent. Malkev's insolence was almost insulting for Karina. Not only he was in a terrible situation that he wouldn't be able to get out of by himself, but he was making demands even after her and the Military of Touch offered to help him and let him keep an elevated position in exchange for his cooperation. What would be his next demand? Would he want a seat besides the Emperor as one of his counselors as well?

What maybe made Karina even more angry was how General Frost was, for some reason, taking Malkev's side, agreeing that words do matter in politics and saying that it wasn't a Lieutenant's place to speak about it, even referring to her as a 'soldier that Malkev met in the field'. By now, the air around Karina was so cold it was starting to create a thin layer of ice in the ground around her, as she stared daggers towards both Malkev and General Frost. When Karina had spoken about the threat of the cult, no one believed her. Officers mocked her and dismissed her words, unable to see what was really happening. If it wasn't for her 'insubordination', the Military of Touch would only even consider the cult as a threat when it was already too late. Despite that, despite the dangerous mission she took upon herself to infiltrate behind enemy lines to bring valuable information, her efforts were still being belittled and ignored.

Karina continued silent while General Frost spoke with Malkev, although her presence was still clearly felt by the coldness in the air and the hoarfrost forming in the ground and anything too close to her. Despite all the arguments General Frost gave, making it obvious the situation Malkev was in, he still couldn't afford to throw away his pride and doing what was best not only for him, but for his people as well. Malkev's words spoke of betrayal as he mentioned he shouldn't have trusted her, which could only cause an acid chuckle as a reply from Karina. That fool was still unaware of his position, making such senseless demands.

With Malkev being taken away, General Frost once again looked at her, with a disapproving gaze, which made Karina feel even more angry and frustrated.

"With all due respect, General Frost, I did what was necessary to complete my mission. Punish me for my insubordination if you want, but you know more than anyone else how devastating our losses would be if we proceeded with our plans, without taking the Cult in consideration. Considering their powers, we could have suffered an even worse fate... Becoming their puppets like the rest." Karina said in a defiant tone.

"The threat of the cult is now clear and we have enough information to plan against them and more importantly, to avoid becoming under their control. Puppets, just like the rest of the town and even the king. Thanks to me, who put my own life into danger, going into a dangerous mission behind enemy lines to bring back valuable information to our strategists, even risking my own position by disobeying orders from my superiors." she continued.

"Malkev is nothing but a fool. Unable to realize how dire his own situation is and still making senseless demands. Let him run his mouth any longer and I'm afraid he will demand a seat besides the Emperor of Touch as one of his counselors." Karina finished with a serious expression.

Viktor listened in silence. He frowned at her comments about Malkev. Not only were such words were best said behind closed doors, or better yet not at all, but he also didn’t feel as though Malkev’s reaction was so unreasonable.

Viktor knew compliments were due, but not at the expense of pushing aside the wrong she had done. Choosing his words carefully, he spoke.

”Great soldiers put their own lives in danger on a daily basis, but the best do so without undermining their superiors.”

In truth Viktor was proud of the girl’s accomplishments here. But the costs of her accomplishments were more severe than she realized. While some would buy the story he told about sending her on a mission, many of the higher ranking soldiers knew better. Viktor was their general. He could not be viewed as showing favoritism to anyone, not even his own daughter. Especially his own daughter.

”Now, clean this up.” He continued while nodding downwards towards the ice pooling around the girl’s feet. ”As you know, a soldier without control is no soldier at all.”

With that, Viktor nodded. He turned to his mount and grabbed it by the reins.

”Besides,-” He said, his back turned away from the girl. ”It seems I spoke too soon. It sounds as if your mission is not done yet after all.”

Karina didn't try to hide her reaction to General Frost's words nor her dissatisfaction, despite his subtle complement as she slammed her heels against the ground, making the ice that was forming around her instantly shatter like glass in hundreds of small shards before it melted. Again and again, similar situations have put a dent in Karina’s patience and her discipline. No matter how much of a talented genius she was, no matter how correct her assumptions were, she would always be just an inexperienced child for the other high ranking officers. Even now, after she clearly showed how much of a danger the cult was and after bringing back vital information about them, she was admonished instead of congratulated for her achievements. How much would she have to do in order for her talent and her effort to be recognized? She didn’t need a parade for her efforts, nor a medal. She just wanted the respect she deserved.

"Great soldiers know how to consider the risks and benefits in order to take the correct decisions to complete their mission." Karina said, replying to what General Frost said before.

"That was exactly what I did. The benefits of my actions far outweighed the risks. We now know our enemy, how they fight and how to beat them." she said.

"Means are nothing if no result is achieved in the end." She said with a serious expression just as the ice finished to melt and gave a quick and brief, defiant salute before walking away.

Viktor shook his head, choosing not to respond. How could one have so much discipline yet at the same time show none? She knew better than to make a scene like this, and yet more often than not, he found the girl seemed to do so anyway.

The time for reprimand was not now. That time would come later. After the girl disposed of this Distortion, and hopefully behind closed doors.