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Chapter 43:

Arthur's Point of View

Lestrania Thousands of Years Ago

"Around." I replied to Aydan. "Likely from a place you've never heard of before."

The Sage gestured to me excitedly. "Exactly my point! You seem to possess very little knowledge of the world around you." He then used his magic to create a small sitting area for us, which both Arceana and him used promptly. "Please, sit!"

Sitting down, I sighed. "My knowledge isn't exactly common knowledge." With a directed look towards Aydan, he seemed more intrigued by that. "I'm sure you can relate."

"I can, indeed. You are a man who intrigues, as I have done the same to many others." Aydan stated, and put a hand on the Princesses shoulder. "The Royal Family being on the top of that list as they are all my students." The Princess is young but passionate to improve and show her worth."

"That's why she was out in the middle of nowhere?" I asked with a look towards Arceana.

"It was meant to be a base for scouts to move more freely." The Princess explained. "With the hills, we were partially hidden, but also gave us plenty of warning if any enemy force tried to attack."

"If that's the case, how did your camp fall?" My question made Arceana pause.

Sighing, she gestured to Aydan. "As Sir Aydan stated, a Ghoul took us by surprise. Their human appearance is enough to fool most. Only those who have encountered them before know what to look for." The Princess then looked down. "Sadly, that was my first time encountering one, so we paid no mind to the 'human' approaching. A mistake I will not repeat again."

Patting her on the back for a moment, Aydan spoke. "Learning from our mistakes is what helps us grow. Still, we were lucky. If it was a Ghoul talented with spells, it could've spelled disaster for us." Then he turned back to me with a smirk. "Thankfully, Sir Mordred here was kind enough to intervene."

"..." I didn't reply.

The two exchanged a look, and Aydan eventually leaned forward once again. "I hope we haven't insulted you in some way. It was not our intent."

My hopes lay with this man and his magical capabilities. I was not excited about getting stuck in the past, in the middle of a war. This is the kind of shit people are supposed to learn about right before the final season or during the final fight in some big reveal. Why I was sent to the past was beyond me, but I didn't care enough to find out.

Looking down at the ground, I spoke. "No insult was paid. Just... Lost in thought."

"I see. Well, we will have opportunities to speak later if you wish to be alone. I'm sure after fighting those Demons and that Ghoul, you're exhausted. Not to mention that fire spell you used earlier was outstanding." Aydan said as he rose to his feet. "Like a tidal wave of fire covering the entirety of the fields. Truly a marvelous sight to behold." He then nodded toward me. "The Princess and I shall take our leave. Space is sometimes needed for a warrior, but please be ready to head out in a few minutes."

"I will." With that, the two left, and Kandma moved next to me. "What do you think?" I asked in a quiet tone because I was unaware of how communicating with her truly worked.

The bear looked down at me, confused. "Why didn't you tell them what you told me?"

Sighing, I replied. "Believe it or not, but I think I'm stuck in the past right now because I know Arceana in the future, and she mentioned nothing about me." Kandma just looked more confused so I explained a few things before continuing. "Clearly, she had no idea what I looked like, either. So, I think it's safe to say that most don't know me, and history doesn't remember me." Then my gaze focused on Aydan. "However, one person does, and they put me in a book. He's my best shot to return to the future." Needless to say, I was whispering so no one could hear me but her.

"I suppose that makes sense. So, you're going to try and leave as soon as you can?" Kandma inquired as she leaned down with a soft whine.

"Not quite. I'd like to make sure you're taken care of as well as learn a few key details. Things are very different in the future, and certain individuals are missing. King Rudnurth, to be specific." Then I patted her snout. "Why isn't he in the future, and why have the 'Princesses' become 'Priestesses'? What happened to the King? Did Arceana and Elincia murder him, or was it something else?"

"Uh..." The bear let out in a confused manner.

Chuckling, my arms returned to my side. "I don't know either, but I'm going to do my best to find out every dirty little secret I can before returning." Then I shrugged. "Along with making a few other contingency plans since I have the opportunity."

Kandma sat on her haunches and whined. "This is a lot to take in, and I don't get any of it."

Frowning as I gave her a slightly annoyed look, I responded. "Tell me about it. I've only been here a few weeks, and I feel like one thing after another has happened."

We rested a few more minutes in silence as I kept my eyes focused on the horizon. Mostly to make sure no Demons were chasing us, but to also remember the locations vividly. Just in case I needed to visit some places once I returned to the future.

A sharp whistle caught my attention, and when I turned, I saw all the soldiers mounting up. "Guess that's the signal to head out." My stone bear companion stated and bent down. "Hop on."

"Are you going to suddenly come to a stop again?" I asked with my arms crossed.

"Are you going to run the entire way?" She questioned back.

Rolling my eyes, I jumped up and settled in. "Looks like they're making sure we're following." My statement got Kandma to look towards the rest of the group.

The stone bear nodded as she moved towards them. "It would seem so."

Several soldiers were looking back at us, along with the Great Sage himself and the Princess. It didn't take long for us to head out. Our pace was much slower this time around since we were no longer on the run, and with Kandma's strides, she was able to keep up just by walking.

After a few hours, we entered a path in another forest and started making our way through the trees. It was a bit of a tight fit for Kandma, but we made do. No tree was big enough to really stop her, and branches broke against her skin. I mostly ignored them by hiding behind the large trunk on her back that jutted out.

A horn blew after our trek through the woods. Guard towers above the tree held sentinels that spotted us. In the distance, another horn sounded off, and so on and so forth. Smart. From what I could tell from how they identified us, the Capital probably knew we were coming, and they could use that as a warning system. Maybe they weren't complete morons after all.

A large castle came into view behind tall walls and above the trees, with more lookout towers circling the entire area. We moved towards a gate that was made of steel and was lowered with several magic signatures, which told me it was extremely heavy. Walking through, we entered a town with many civilians going about their day. Well, they were until Kandma, and I appeared, which unnerved many of them.

Aydan quickly got to waving along with the Princess to calm them and to show everything was alright, but many kept their eyes fixated on me. Ignoring them, Kandma continued to follow the soldiers as we moved through the town and towards the castle. The town itself was standard, but the homes were rather basic. Stone for the base and a mix of hay, leaf, and wooden rooftops. The solid wooden roofs didn't start to show until we got closer to the castle, but it was still a bit of a dump.

The castle, on the other hand, was larger than almost the entire surrounding town. Large stone walls separated the castle from the people, and soldiers stood watch armed with bows and arrows. Even the first sign of Zugal appeared when they flew in formation over the castle and surrounding forest.

My eyes drifted to Arceana. "Maybe she was right." I mumbled low enough that only Kandma could hear me as her head perked up. "If these are the living conditions of the Capital, maybe this King Rudnurth wasn't a good King." Patting Kandma's side, we came to a stop in the castle courtyard as we passed under the second wall. "I might have to do something about that."

"I thought you didn't want to interact too much with the past?" The bear pointed out.

"If I get the chance. Rudnurth is likely dead from being murdered or something."

"So, you're going to save him?" Kandma asked me.

With a smirk on my lips, I looked around at all the jittery soldiers watching me closely. "We'll see. Don't make any sudden moves."

The bear nodded in understanding and completely ignored me as she barreled over me violently. Now on the ground and embedded in some of the stones below, I groaned as I perked my head up to see what she was doing. Turns out she was very hungry and thirsty. Kandma had run over to the fountain that was off to the side of the courtyard, and many shouted in alarm as she ignored anyone in her way.

"Hold your fire!" Aydan boomed as he made his way over to me with a small smirk. "Are you okay?" He inquired as he crouched down before me.

"Yeah. Just relaxing in the cobblestone. You know how it is."

The Great Sage nodded his head for a moment. "Yeah..." Then he shook his head. "Actually, no, not really." Holding out his hand, Aydan smirked. "You hurt anywhere?"

Pushing out of the stones and grabbing his hand to help me to my feet, I brushed myself off while glaring at a certain stone bear. "Just my pride. Apparently, my body is impervious to being crushed by GIANT STONE BEARS!" I shouted at the end and towards Kandma, who just kept drinking away while ignoring me before I turned back to Aydan. "Sorry, she gave your men a fright."

Arceana approached with an amused smile herself. "It is quite alright. They need to be more prepared next time, in case a creature of the Old World goes stomping around to get a drink." Then she gestured to the castle. "Would you like to join us while we report to the King?"

"I would, but I think I'll stay with Kandma. Despite trampling me, she could probably use the company until you get things settled." She opened her mouth to retort, but I continued. "That, and I don't want to listen to people giving reports for the next few hours. Think I'll take a nap now that we're completely surrounded by meat shields."

"Meat shields?" Aydan repeated in a confused tone.

Then I gestured to the soldiers around Kandma. "That's a big bear, Sir Aydan. I'm not sure water is enough to satiate her hunger. So, for the time being, I'll be staying with her." My attention shifted back to Arceana. "I'm sure you can handle being without me, a stranger, for a little bit."

This irked the Princess as she titled her head in frustration. "Perhaps we should be wary of such a stranger who has been led to our home. The dungeon is always a more acceptable place." Aydan seemed surprised at this, but I just smirked as she moved closer. "Do not anger the King and refuse this offer. It will seem as if you are refusing to meet with him, and I could use your help as we discussed."

Leaning closer to her to the point of my hood covering the side of her head, I whispered in her ear. "Angering the King will take his ire off of you, will it not?" I asked back, and she looked at me surprised before I started to walk over to Kandma. "Much like my traveling companion, I am famished. If you or one of your servants could bring us some food, it would be much appreciated."

"I will see what can be done." Princess Arceana said in a slightly irritated tone.

"We'll see you soon, Sir Mordred." Aydan said and walked off after the Princess.

The blonde Elf ran past me and after the Princess along with his Master, but I did receive a glare as he went by. This made me smirk. Uppity Elves seem to be the same no matter the time period. Moving next to Kandma, I sat down on the fountain as she drank greedily. How it wasn't gone was a mystery to me. Although, magic likely had something to do with it.

Eventually, the bear removed her face from the fountain and laid down with a sigh. "Now that we're safe, what's the plan?" She asked me.