“From the information I’ve gleaned so far, they have been no exception to their father’s tyranny, despite being his blood. They’ve been surprisingly empathetic to our kind’s plight.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least with that monster,” the king replied.
“I believe you would do well to garner their support.”
“And I want their support why?” Zelrus scoffed.
“Because they know the ins and outs of what’s really been happening in Awrelwood, far better than any of our spies ever could. They know their father and they know their kind,” Raxx replied. “The youngest one, Faye, is a majborne. She hasn’t got a clue what she’s doing with her powers yet, but I think she could be of significant use with some tutoring.”
“And the other one? The one who’s spent most of her time sat on Lephas’s dick by the sounds of things,” Zelrus asked, taking another sip from the glass.
“There’s been talk of some majick ability, but I haven’t seen any for myself as yet. She has, however, put her neck on the line for the commander on more than one occasion.”
“He’s that good in bed, is he?” Zelrus snorted.
“If I may, my king, I believe you’re not seeing the bigger picture here. Lephas has the faerie’s loyalty, that I can say with absolute certainty.”
Zelrus rolled his eyes.
“You said it yourself, you’d never expect this sort of behaviour from Lephas – so why do you think he has succumbed on this occasion?”
“It must be very appealing for him to be wanted in such a way by a beautiful faerie. I’m sure she knew exactly how to manipulate him, coaxing him to play right into her hands.” Zelrus scowled. “It’s too late, he’s shown his allegiance. I can’t have someone who is willing to turn his back on me at the sniff of some female company leading my men.”
“Perhaps – that is for you to decide and is certainly above my station to say.” Raxx paused. “But take it from me, as an impartial – these faeries may be of great use to you. You have Lazuli’s flesh and blood on your side. Think how that will look to the masses.”
Zelrus sipped his drink thoughtfully.
“And you think the princesses can be swayed?” the king asked.
“Most certainly. So far, they’ve given me no reason not to trust them – other than ‘being faeries’, but isn’t that what we’re trying to abolish here? That same thinking that us being demons makes us monsters?”
“…Fuck, you make too much sense for your own good sometimes, Raxx.” Zelrus sighed, rubbing a hand down his face.
“That’s why you keep me around, my king.” Raxx nodded.
“Lephas has humiliated me. I can’t let that slide.”
“Then don’t. Just don’t let the humiliation distract you from something which may well be a huge boon to our war efforts.”
Zelrus downed the rest of his drink before standing up. Raxx got to his feet.
“I need to sleep on this. It’s been a fuck awful day and I leave to meet with Cirro in a matter of days. There is much to think about and to plan.”
“Do you still require my assistance with Cirro?”
The king paused for a moment before shaking his head. “No, I have another task in mind for you. If you’re not too weary, keep an eye on the faeries and Lephas for me until day break. In fact, keep close to them until I return from my meeting. Let me know of any developments.”
“As you wish,” Raxx replied.
“I know I invited you to join me, but you are going to stay behind, Raxx. I need you here to keep this shitstorm in check.”
“What about Oriel? Could he join you? I’d feel more at ease knowing you were accompanied.”
“Haros is captured, Lephas is imprisoned along with the two faerie princesses, the meeting with Cirro is looming, my foolish little sister has shown up unannounced… I can’t be dealing with any of Oriel’s fuck ups as well right now,” Zelrus groaned.
“That’s fair.” Raxx smirked.
“Go, please. Keep an eye on them and takesomethingoff my plate for me.”
