Althea led them toward the building in the middle of the barracks. It wasn’t the largest or most conspicuous building in the camp. It looked simple and unadorned. There wasn’t even a guard around.
"How is this the building of the Commander? Isn’t it a bit too simple?" He asked Althea, not bothering to lower his voice. He didn’t perceive anyone around.
"The Commander is one of the strongest people in the kingdom. Do you think we would be able to defend against sothing that threatened him?" Althea asked with a soft smile as she talked about the leader of the Northern Hawks. Her reaction didn’t surprise Hex. He knew she looked up and adored the man beyond anyone else.
When Hex shook his head she continued. "The Commander is the fastest person in the kingdom and is rarely inside. He roams the skies. This building is just sowhere he rests. So, if we want to et him, this is our best bet."
"Why do you make sound like a stray cat?"
A sharp voice suddenly asked from the inside, while the door opened, revealing a tall, thin man with a long sharp nose and piercing eyes. The man had short light brown eyes and a pointy chin. But Hex was shocked by the man’s energy. Or rather lack of it.
’He is standing right there but I can’t sense him. Not even a trace of energy is leaking.’ It was the first ti Hex realized his enhanced senses weren’t effective against everyone. The person before him could behead him without him realizing it.
"Commander." Althea imdiately perford a perfect salute.
"Done?" The Commander asked teasingly as he wrapped his arms around her, giving her a warm hug.
"Welco back girl. At least one daughter made it back." The Commander spoke softly but it was loud enough so Hex and Hestia heard him too. Both rembered Brielle and looked unsure how to reply.
"I am sorry. I had no idea she was corrupted by the enemy," Althea mumbled, averting her gaze from his face. The Commander let her go.
"You are not at fault." He glanced at Hex and Hestia. "Neither am I angry at you two. My daughter was an adult and well-educated. She made her choice and will have to face the consequences of it."
With that the Commander entered, leaving the door open. Althea signaled them to enter with her.
The inside of the Commander’s office was empty, save for a desk and a chair in the middle and a few wooden chairs in front of the desk. The walls were empty and the floor was rough.
"Take a seat."
Hex sat directly in front of the man while the ladies sat at the sides. Seeing Hex behave normally, the Commander smiled. His lips barely moved though, so no one realized.
"I know why you guys ca to Notrelune. As soon as I heard about the second prince taking office as the governor, I ca."
"You ca especially for us?" Hex asked, feeling gratitude for the mighty man before him. The Commander was tasked with the safety of the entire northern region of the kingdom. Yet, he spared ti to help them.
"I owe the baron a lot. He helped the Hawks defeat monsters and the Witch. He saved millions of lives when Notresol fell. The least I can do is to help his student inherit his title and land."
Hex bowed lightly to express his gratitude once more. "Thank you, sir. But I am confused as to why the prince wishes to take Grindeston. So far, everywhere people either don’t know about us or consider us outcasts. Why would soone else want a place like that?"
"You are right yet you are mistaken at the sa ti," the Commander said, looking straight at Hex. "The people and the town are not what the prince and the other nobles are interested in. It’s the land. Barren as it is, the North has plenty of resources. So of those resources are more valuable than the nobles can acquire from more fertile grounds. Especially, the availability of crystals."
"But they could get those crystals from us and that too without risking their own people," Hex countered. That was the biggest reason why rchants and other factions visited them each year. Hex didn’t see the point in changing a system to achieve the sa result.
"Indeed. Only, now so of the nobles wish to take the risk. The three greatest factions are on the verge of accepting mbers again. Many wish to partake but not many can qualify. One of the people hoping to enter the Paladins is the son of the Duke of North. But he needs lots of Fiend crystals. The Duke has Sterren to buy them but Fiend crystals are not easily available. And so there are more people interested. They might not have the sa power as the Duke but they will certainly try to stir the pot, hoping to get so leftovers."
"And the prince wants to help the Duke?" Hex asked, creating a link between the power struggles between the various nobles and royalties in his mind.
"The Duke has a lot of power in the court. With his help, the crown prince will have an easier ti passing down laws and regulations. The second prince is just a puppet in the hands of the crown prince."
Saying such things in public might get soone in trouble but the Commander wasn’t just soone. None of the royals or the court dared to butt heads with this man. There were very few who were his equal.
"So, what are my options? I heard I had to join a faction but it seems the governor will wish to distribute the land before the factions start accepting people." Hex asked with a frown. His only option seed the very reason behind the politics.
"It’s difficult but I have a plan." The Commander disclosed his plans. Hex couldn’t help but glance at the man he considered his master’s friend. The plan was simple but achievable. It wouldn’t help them solve the issue but it would give them so ti. But the crux was that Hex had to be able to enter a faction in the ti they would gain. Else, he would lose the title and the land permanently.
’I don’t care how hard it is. Even if I have to pave a path of blood, I will not lose Grindeston.’
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