[NAVA HEADQUARTERS]
[The Same Night]
“It looks like the treaty was signed and the two powers have forged an official alliance.
On top of that, Scavengers guild continues to grow in power and influence.
To think they went from seven members to 10,000 heroes and 100,000 keepers in one year.
At this rate, they will have a million members in another year.” Vesper said with an amused tone.
“Yes, indeed.
They will have enough strength to rival a nation soon.
I wish I could visit them in person and congratulate them.” Morgan said with a sincere smile.
“If I didn’t know better, I would say you are rooting for them.
Are they really that important to your grand plan?”
“Yes, they are.
I’m secretly cheering for them; they are after all the centerpiece.
Tell me, how goes preparations for the legal hearing next month.”
“Not well.
Nevariel Arden has proven to be a formidable opponent.
Her legal team has managed to prepare quite the case.
I doubt we will prevail.” Vesper said sourly.
“I expected that much.
How is her father doing?
I take it he no longer commands the Arden empire.” Morgan asked.
“Thomas Arden’s health is failing at a rapid pace.
It appears a lifetime of excesses have finally caught up to him.
Even with all the prosthetic organs, his team of doctors is struggling to keep him alive.
Unfortunately, it seems he will likely perish before the hearing.” Vesper said feigning sadness.
I take it Nevariel has assumed command of the family empire in his stead.
Have things improved between them, in his final days?” Morgan asked probing for possible angles to exploit.
“I’m afraid not.
She refuses to see him.
Even now, the dying man is more machine that man…but still he refuses to change his ways.
Our spies say that he is cared for 24-hours a day by beautiful nurses dressed in different color lingerie.
He calls each by their color…blue, purple, red, yellow, etc.” Vesper chuckled at the ridiculous idea.
“Thomas was always a weak man easily seduced and manipulated.
It’s too bad we will be losing him as an ally.” Morgan said disappointed.
“Will you be attending the legal hearing?” Vesper asked.
“No.
There is no need for that.
I predict we will lose the case regardless of if I attend or not.” Morgan said with assurance.
“Hmm.
You might be right.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mercer, will be there in person to observe.
He will no doubt be unhappy if we lose.
He will likely use this as an excuse to attempt to take control of NAVA.” Vesper warned.
“Indeed.
I fully expect him to do that.
Which is exactly what we need.
Poor General Mercer sees everything from a predictable lense.
That makes him easy to predict.” Morgan said with a smile.
[…]
Heat shimmered on the sand dunes like a thin veil of morning mist.
In every direction, endless dunes stretched like an ocean of sand.
The dunes were known as ‘fool’s ocean’ because the blue sun reflected off the sand causing a light blue hue to appear similar to an ocean.
Many explorers fell victim to the mirage only to walk aimlessly until the sands took their life.
Concealed by miles of shifting sand, were limestone walls that rose high above the desert like cathedrals.
They were as ancient as the sands itself, sun-bleached and wind-worn, the limestone walls stood like silent guardians of a time long past.
Behind those limestone walls was a lush and thriving oasis known as Baleon.
Baleon Castle, the heart of the Kingdom of Baleon, was built in this oasis by a group of refugees fleeing from persecution hundreds of years ago.
With few options left, they fled into the desert wandering aimlessly.
Many succumbed to the relentless heat and drought only to perish and become one with the sands.
A few lucky survivors stumbled upon and discovered an unclaimed oasis in the heart of the desert.
As the years passed, the village eventually became the Kingdom of Baleon.
“My Queen!
We received word from King Isandor of Camarax.” The messenger said with much excitement and exhaustion from the exertion of running in the desert.
“What’s the message?” The young queen asked.
“The Scavengers guild agreed to our proposal.”
The queen smiled, pleased by the good news…this dungeon had troubled her people for months now.
The situation had grown so dire, that she feared Baleon’s extinction was at hand unless drastic measures were taken.
See said, “excellent news.
When do they arrive?”
“They agreed to meet us at the border of Baleon and Avalor in six weeks, my Queen.”
“Good work Karesh.
We must prepare for them at once.” The queen said as her gaze rested far west into the dunes.