Thank you to Oldbroad76 for editing.
CHAPTER V
Kael IV
Kael was drinking a morning broth that Piera had made while seated on a sofa that felt as soft as a cloud. He was on his own, awake earlier than most, although he assumed his team had a busy night in this brothel.
"I hope you slept well." Piera's older yet soft voice said as she approached Kael, who was sitting down opposite to him.
"I did. Thank you for your hospitality." Kael told her as he spooned more broth into his mouth.
"No thanks necessary," She told him. "After saving Jahil, it was the least I could do."
Kael's head was still spinning with the knowledge of Denil sending people to Pakria.
"Can I ask," Kael said as Piera nodded to him, "how long have you been here?"
Piera sat back, circling a spoon inside of a mug of tea.
"I've run this house for twenty years," She told him. "But this house has been here since shortly after the war started."
"So Denil are supplying the Pakria?" Kael asked, "to help weaken the rest of the empire?"
Piera smiled at him.
"It is not my place to say," she told him. "That is the business of the Molatas."
The Molatas were the ruling Dynasty of Denil ever since they migrated to Oswin mainland. Kael knew of their history, how the empire made them submit. Ever since then, it had been a calm and friendly relationship. King of Kings Leo Thine may be the emperor of the Empire, but he was not a vicious man. He was a bit of a fool, but he treated each Kingdom with respect, which made the fact that Denil were working against him more confusing.
"I have a question," Piera said, and Kael returned with a nod. "Why are you here? Where are you going?"
Kael was unsure on his answer. On one hand, he shouldn't give away their mission, but on the other, she may have vital information.
"We're going East," He told her as he placed his bowl down before leaning on his knees. "Have you heard of an army being formed in Pakria?"
Piera gave a knowing smile in return and then crossed her legs.
"That is why you're here," She told him. "We have heard talk of such things. My girls overhear conversations whilst working."
So it's true,
His heart sunk at the thought.
"What is your plan?" Piera asked. "Six of you taking on an army?"
Kael looked at her, and her eyes showed a woman with years of knowledge and intellect.
"Not as of yet." Kael replied.
This woman effectively worked for the enemy. Giving her any more information than necessary could be detrimental to their mission.
But Kael needed more.
"Do you have maps?" He asked her, "or a way to know which route we are to take."
Piera's eyes roamed around his body, probably wondering what she should do.
"We have maps of the local tribes that we venture to regularly," She told him, "however any further is done by memory. We worry if there were maps for further away. Less friendly tribes, they could track us down. As you've seen, not all Pakria are happy to have us here."
Kael nodded. Even a map of the local area would be of help. As he pondered this, Piera arose from her seat, tea in hand.
"You are all welcome to stay as long as you wish." She told him before walking away.
Kael remained on his own, eating his broth while contemplating their action before Connah emerged with his top off, his scared face smiling.
"Morning." Kael told him.
Connah grabbed himself a bowl of broth before slumping down onto another chair.
"Oh, it is." Connah said grinning from ear to ear.
"Well rested?" Kael joked.
"I tell you what," Connah said, "I waited too long to fuck a Denil girl."
Kael laughed in response, not that he would know, having spent the night alone.
One by one the rest of the team left their slumber, ate, and recovered. When Exi came out Kael's heart fluttered, both with nerves and annoyance, knowing how she spent her night.
"We need to talk." She said to him, sitting by his side as the rest of the team walked around the brothel.
"What about?" Kael asked her.
"Samuhal," She told him, perking Kael's ears. "I asked, and he is welcome to stay here while we continue."
Kael sat back, staring at her intently.
"You would leave him here?" He replied.
"He's injured, Kael," Exi replied. "He can't fight. He will only be a weakness to our mission."
I am not leaving my friend here! Surrounded by what are the enemy.
"He's healing." Kael told her with gritted teeth.
"Not quick enough," Exi argued. "If we get attacked, then he would be of no help. One of us could die helping him, whereas, he will be safe."
It was nonsense. Kael did not bring Samuhal this far to simply leave him.
"We will let him decide." Kael told her, hands forming into fists.
"You need to step up," Exi whispered. "Take charge and make him stay. It's the right decision."
"No." Kael grunted, "He can decide his fate."
After that, the group joined together to discuss their plans. Kael informed them about this conversation with Piera that morning, which brought straight, solemn faces.
"So," Alix spoke, "it's settled then. There's confirmation of an army. Do we return to camp?"
"No," Kael quickly responded, not wanting that idea to get into the other's thoughts. "We do not know for certain, and we don't know how big an army they have grown or where they are... there is too much we need to know before returning."
Kael was happy to see his words met with agreement, even from Alix.
"So, we set off today," Kael told them. "Piera will give us a map of the local area, but from there we carry on as normal."
"I could help with that," Jahil's soft voice said from behind. The group opened up to allow the Denil woman to join them. "I can guide you. I have been far East a number of times."
A guide would help, but Kael tensed at the thought of having her with them.
"I can't ask you to do that." Kael told her, hoping that would end the discussion.
"I can't stay here," Jahil continued. "I won't go out to work again in case I get taken again, so I must leave and... I'd rather leave with you."
