Birch smiled in silence as his eyes scanned us with his child-like innocence, but I picked up the methodical conscience behind them as he asked, "There was another among you when you arrived. A dark one. Where is he?"
"Why?" Za'Fia asked just as I said, "He's in Forgeton, to ensure it's safe for us to travel there."
I saw Za'Fia hang her head in my peripheral vision and then looked at her apologetically.
Birch looked directly at me, which sent a shiver down my spine as he asked, "Are you consorting with the Klevonian Army?"
Would answering that make us look suspicious? It shouldn't, should it? I thought to myself.
Answer honestly, Viraa instructed me. You aren't consorting with them, and you have nothing to do with Cindar's current problems, so you have nothing to worry about.
"No. Being newcomers, we aim to learn everything we can about both nations and help resolve the current issue as peacefully as possible," I said honestly.
Birch stared in thought with a blank expression before a playful grin spread across his face again. Pleased with our answers, he took some steps back, giving us some space.
"Sorry for the awkward questions, it's my job to make sure people are who they say they are for Pneuma City's safety," he said shyly, scratching his head. "You all passed! I officially welcome yo—"
There was a sudden new commotion as the ground began to bend and ripple beneath our feet, kicking up dirt and dust and causing Leta to lose focus and the wall of wind to fall apart while the butterfly Steed rested on flew off in a hurry. We heard a thud as Steed hit the ground, having been thrown off in the process.
Then, several thick vines wrapped around him before hardening with what looked like bony thorn protrusions as Marrow and Elic calmly walked through the dust.
"Hhhh," Elic sighed in complaint, "why'd I have to be dragged into this?"
"It is your duty to help keep Sir in check as well," Marrow answered calmly as he patted some dust from his pristine suit. He walked up to Steed, who was groaning and banging his head against the ground, before Marrow placed suppression chains and cuffs on him.
"That was quicker than I expected," Steed stated, accepting having been caught.
Marrow lifted him and threw Steed over his shoulder as he said, "You sneak away here quite often, Sir. It is always the first place I check."
"Aw, your visit was short this time, Steed," Birch was laughing uncontrollably as his friend was being carried past us.
"He's always shirking his responsibilities," Diana remarked.
"I'm hoping they'll fire me someday," Steed said, hanging his head, which only made Birch laugh even harder.
"Aim lower, friend," he barely got out.
"You are the most powerful of our crest and the greatest manipulator of iridescence on the planet, Sir. Your leadership will be a long one," Marrow assured him with a mildly playful pat on the back.
"Can't wait until you're gone," Steed grumbled.
"I have many more years before then, Sir, but rest assured, when I die and evolve, I will remain by your side to keep you in line."
Steed whined in defeat about never getting a break as Marrow and Elic grew a pair of Pegasus wings from their backs and took off.
Birch's laughter waned enough for him to approach us as we watched them fly further away back toward the Pegasus District.
"Hhh," he wiped away a tear of laughter. "Steed hates work, but he's a good person and loves his people. He once picked a fight with another Crest Head, whom he believed stole one of his Pegasi. It's likely why he's remained Crest Head for so long and never gave up the position. I think Marrow and Elic are aware of this as well. Even after their evolutions, they'll likely continue to be by his side to help shoulder some of the burden because of it. Anyhow, I do have to tend to my people – soothe their growing concerns and whatnot. I'm looking forward to seeing more from you, Alissia."
Birch and his personal guards fluttered their wings and lifted from the ground in unison. They'd turned around and begun to fly in another direction when Birch stopped and turned around just as we all sensed a presence rampaging toward us.
Suddenly, before I could react, everything went dark, and Avarice, Za'Fia, and I fell as our strength was sapped.
I couldn't see who spoke, but there was a gruff voice breathing with anticipation as it neared me, "Heh heh heh, I finally found you. I hope you can fight..."
Then I fell unconscious.
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Fun fact: Suppression cuff/chains - cindium and PRP-made items designed to suppress the power of cindarians when activated. For full details about locations, characters, and items, and to check out every up-to-date cintracy, visit the series' Patreon!
Legacies Saga Layout:
The Primordials: New World (Volume 5)
The Primordials: Transcended (Volume 6)
The Primordials: Culling Phase (Volume 7)
The Primordials: Secret Vendetta (Volume 8)
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