Book 3, Chapter 31 (1/2)
Inheritance
It was only after the last bandit had disappeared from their view that Fuschia turned around to look at Demi, Wennington, and Venica, “Go to Earl Alice’s territory, she can protect all of you.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere! This is my father’s castle, it has the Archeron cemetery!” Demi said stubbornly.
Fuschia frowned, “They wouldn’t dare mess with the Archeron graveyard, this stubbornness has no meaning!”
Demi forcefully shook her head, “No, I want to stay here. I could die wherever I go. This is Father’s territory, only occupied for a while by these thieves. If I get scared for my life and leave, I’m basically letting them have the place!”
Fuschia was slightly taken aback; she hadn’t thought this young lady would be so knowledgeable.
……
When Richard stepped out of the portal in the Church of the Eternal Dragon, he had no idea about the situation he would be facing. The portal came out in the portal room of the Church, a region where commoners were forbidden.
When Flowsand and Richard walked out, even the priests guarding the place were utterly shocked. These people were supposed to be lost in the myriad planes!
Flowsand didn’t let Richard head back to the island immediately, instead bringing him along to visit high priestess Ferlyn. On one hand, she wanted to register Faelor with the Church of the Eternal Dragon, getting a serial number for the plane. This would strengthen its connection to Norland, lowering both the cost of teleportation and chances of failure. The other was to find out the truth behind how they had disappeared to Faelor.
Ferlyn told Richard that his ceremony’s blessings had been interrupted. However, she didn’t mention who the source of the interruption was, only advising Richard to concern himself more with matters in Faust.
Her words left Richard feeling strange and secretly unsettled. He tried his best to calm his anxious heart, listening to a beautiful cleric in front of him regale him about the recent events in Faust. As he heard more and more, his expression warped.
Gaton was stuck in the Rosie plane, most of his army with him? Wouldn’t that leave all the Archeron lands bare, including island 7-2?
Besides… could he come back at all? And even if he could, when would it be? Endless questions lingered in Richard’s thoughts, growing more passionate and fiery until he felt like something was searing his heart. The mild stings didn’t seem to be much, but he soon found it hard to breathe.
Gaton Archeron… Someone so capable, so carefree, rugged, and bold… How could he sabotaged to the point that there was no news of him left?
He quickly stood up, but then forced himself to slowly take his seat once more. Flowsand was concerned by his nasty complexion, asking, “Richard! Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I have no emotional attachments to Gaton,” Richard said nonchalantly, almost no change in his voice. He then added, “I just don’t like when something that belongs to me is taken by someone else.”
Flowsand didn’t believe any of it, but she still nodded seriously.