Divine Beast Ascension

628 Anything Else, Father?

“Had a man like Hurman appeared in Prodson, I would’ve made it my duty to recruit and culture him with every resource available!” Rokkal berated. “If I had to choose between giving our best resources to either you or such a candidate, then we wouldn’t be in this mess right now! I would have a loyal, powerful talent at my side!”

Cutting into his father’s rant, Rofar brought them back to the matter at hand, “Either way, Hurman Practor is on his way here with an army of beasts and humans. Likely, it contains the true strength of Iron–”

“Of course it does!” barked Rokkal, swinging his hand as if trying to throw an imaginary cup at his son. “When that ape and the leopard appeared with such small forces, it meant one of two things. Either Iron was leaving its army behind to guard their own borders. Or Iron was planning another invasion at a later time.

“Turns out it was both!”

Rokkal heaved a long sigh and slunk back into his throne. “... But I don’t understand one thing. Why dare attack our capital while both of their peak-perennials are away?”

“Are you certain the ape and leopard are still at the other cities?” Rofar asked, controlling his own temper to avoid being hit by his father.

Sighing some more, Rokkal frowned, “Of course I’m certain! … Messenger hawks arrived this morning with the usual reports. That idiotic ape is still throwing his goods into Dobbar City. And the small army surrounding Iccad City reports no movements or appearances from the leopard within the walls.

“But Iron must have a plan up their sleeve if their army is already marching toward us. It’s just a matter of figuring out and countering the key to their plan…”

While his father sat and toiled over potential threats, Rofar waited in silence for a moment. Then, with his father less agitated, Rofar reported, “Also, it was stated that Rakan was done in by the dozen gorillas, hence it was Captain Khas reporting the news instead of Rakan–”

.....

“You think I didn’t realize that?” Rokkal scoffed from his throne. “It’s only natural that the weak get killed by the strong without proper preparations. Why do you think I had a few sons, if not to give me options and spares?

“Anyway,” Rokkal continued with a stern gaze, “there are more important things. What did you do with Captain Khas? And don’t tell me you let him leave the palace.”

Putting on a professional, emotionless face, Rofar replied, “The captain is in a guest room just down the hall, with four guards on a rotating shift.”

“Good! This is why you’re the most dependable one!” Rokkal stated with a proud grin.

Rofar bowed his head again. “Of course, Father. After all, I’m your firstborn. I have an example to set and uphold.”

Nodding, Rokkal said, “Then at least your priorities are still straight. Now, is there anything else to report?”

“No, Father.”

Leaning into an armrest, Rokkal tightened his lips and thrummed his fingers on the gold-plated seat. “... Do you believe the captain?”

Rofar didn’t know whether to nod or shrug. “I’m unsure… But considering how the captain willingly accepted a guest room, I would say it’s likely that he’s not lying. And it wouldn’t make sense as to how the captain fled from the camp alone without doing so under some kind of orders.”

“That’s a fair point to consider…” Rokkal agreed. “Still, keep him in the guest room until we have confirmation of the incoming beast army. We knew they were coming, but not with such numbers.

“If the beast army doesn’t arrive by tomorrow, have the captain killed. And if the beast army does appear but the captain’s reported numbers were off, have the captain killed. The last thing we need now is a loose end on our side unraveling our demise.”

Bowing his head while getting back to his feet, Rofar replied, “Of course, Father.”

But Rokkal continued, “And send a scout to search for the beast arm down the road. If that scout doesn’t return or returns with identical information to our intel, then we’ll reconsider what to do with the captain.”

Rofar turned to leave but his Rokkal wasn’t finished. “Also, triple the guards around the gates. And seal each gate as thoroughly as possible. Use boulders, tar, whatever you can to fill in the cracks and make the gates impassible.”

“... Anything else, Father?”

Donning a lecherous smile, Rokkal nodded. “Send my slaves back in, and have two more bathed and dressed to replace them. I need to let off some steam.”

“Very well, Leader Rokkal,” Rofar stated. His back was to the throne and his deep frown and pained eyes faced the double doors. “I’ll do as you order.”

Rofar cracked the door open and stepped out of the throne room. His gaze landed on the two women at the side of the hall.

Those women went from relieved and relaxed to standing perfectly straight and tightening their newly-stressed faces. They both already knew what was likely coming next. And when they noticeably the frustrated, sorrowful look in Rofar’s eyes, they were now certain of their fate.

After giving the guards a quick nod to keep the door cracked open, Rofar approached the women.

Immediately, both slaves eased up when Rofar drew close.

With the bowl of fruit in hand, one woman bowed to the Prodson heir. “Thank you for protecting us, even if only for a few minutes.”

But Rofar placed one hand on her shoulder, raising her head. He shared a ginger grin and picked up a peach from the bowl. “Don’t mind me. I’m just grabbing something for myself.”

Then, Rofar retrieved a cup from a void ring, holding it out to the other woman. “Can I have a cup’s worth, please? I want some jrabda wine before my father drinks us dry.”

“Of course!” the second woman replied, eagerly filling the cup.

Rofar raised the cup to his lips. But only for a quick moment. “Delicious… But I feel that it’s missing something. Please, allow me.”

A small vial appeared in Rofar’s fingers after he stored the peach. Before the servant women could say anything, the vial was uncorked and a small amount of powder was added to the wine pitcher.

“That should be better,” Rofar sighed before storing the re-corked vial and taking another sip from his cup of unaltered wine. “Yes, that’s much better.”