Xia Bai and Anluan are led onto the ship by the elf. As they stand on the deck, Anluan looks around to see the various refugees and crew members rushing around. Plants and tree roots spread across the deck, with other plants growing everywhere on the ship. The Elf turns around to the pair and puts her hands on her hips.
“First rule for you, fire breath. Keep your flames to yourself.”
“Hey!” Xia Bai yells.
“Second, don’t try anything funny. There’s a ceasefire, but I don’t trust you guys at all.”
“That’s fair,” Anluan says.
“Anyway. This ship belongs to one candidate, right?”
“Duh. Orders came out to eliminate a Demon. A crusade, as those shadowy freaks call it. So, we brought out the big guns to take it down. Sadly, one shot wasn’t enough.” She says.
“That was well within our projections.” A short, fur-covered man with a long cat’s tail walks forward, standing next to the elf. “The Light Cannon’s efforts can’t penetrate the Miasma without a greater charge. So, we’re using this downtime to build up the Mana needed to break it open.”
“Don’t tell them the plan!”
“What? We’re working together. You elves are a secretive bunch, aren’t you?” The cat man steps forward. “I’m Ollie, chief engineer aboard this vessel, and that is Falenas. She’s a distrustful sort, but a nice person.”
“I’m Anluan.”
Xia Bai sighs. “I’m Xia Bai.”
“And we’re both pieces in service of Glyn Mattox at the moment.”
“At the moment?”
“Our contracts are temporary until the current crisis is resolved,” Anluan explains.
Xia Bai nods. “Yeah, we’re working together as a means to an end. Nothing more.”
“That’s more than fine. The more hands, the better.”
“Hey Ollie, don’t go getting too excited here!”
“Didn’t you hear? They work under Glyn Mattox.”
“So?”
“The Half-Elf one.”
“Oh…. And that means….”
Ollie rolls his eyes. “Forgive her.”
“It’s fine, but could you explain? I only began working under Glyn recently. Does he have a reputation?” Anluan asks.
Xia Bai nods. “The guy's decently known amongst certain circles. Mainly, the other students he went to school with. It's how Isaac knew of him but didn’t know him.”
“I see. From your reaction and curiosity, I imagine your boss wishes to meet with our boss.”
“You could say that.” Ollie turns. “Come with me and you’ll see for yourself.”
“Alright then.” Xia Bai walks forward.
Anluan follows as they walk through the ship. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yeah.”
“How?”
“Well… Just a feeling.”
“A feeling?”
“You saw the refugees on the deck, right? The guy feels like a bleeding-heart type. And besides that, the Shadows said no fighting each other. That means they're watching. And no one taking this contest seriously would dare piss those guys off.”
“But there’s something else to this, isn’t there?”
“I didn’t pay that much attention to Isaac’s lectures. He would tell me to attack things, and I would. But I remember him talking up one particular classmate, and the boxes are checking off in my head. But I won’t say anything until I make sure.”
“If you two are done whispering to each other, pay attention and don’t make me regret bringing you aboard,” Falenas says.
“Come on Falenas. You have to be nicer to people. Please forgive her. She’s actually calmed down somewhat since joining up with us,” Ollie says.
Xia Bai stares at Falenas. “That makes me question how bad she was before.”
“Shut up!”
The two are led deeper into the ship towards a gigantic dome in the center of the ship. Vines and plants cover the dome as Ollie opens a door and motions for everyone to enter. They enter a greenhouse filled with various plants and shrubbery. As they enter, the plants twist and move in response to their presence, as Ollie waves at them.
“A greenhouse on a boat?” Anluan asks.
“It’s for a special someone.”
“Stop telling them stuff.” Falenas growls.
“They’ll find out soon enough, so why not? Remember, the boss said we should fully cooperate.”
Xia Bai looks around. “There are plants from all over the place in here.”
“Yes. Whoever the gardener is, they have a talent. I’ll give you that.”
“Why, thank you.” A voice comes from deeper within the greenhouse.
Turning the corner to the center of the garden, a young woman with vines for hair sits in a chair drinking a cup of steaming water. Falenas walk towards her as Ollie bows and she laughs.
“I told you to stop being so formal.”
“Well, I figured you deserved the respect.”
“A Dryad, huh?” Xai Bai stares at the girl.
“A Dryad?” Anluan asks.
“They are like Fairies, but more connected to plants and nature than pure Mana. If one of them is running around, no wonder this place is so green.”
“That’s right. I maintain this garden and watch over it, as well as the ship, alongside my master.” She says.
“So, you are not the King then,” Anluan says.
She stands bowing. “No. I am Flora. I am the Queen of our merry band of warriors. Although I serve more of a support role.”
“So you’re the Queen, then where are the rest of you?” Xia Bai asks.
“I had ordered the bulk of our forces to stay behind just in case. I couldn’t risk my territory falling into chaos in my absence after all.” A young man with a pair of cat ears on his head enters. He stares at Xia Bai and Anluan, nodding as he then holds out his hand. “I welcome both of you aboard my vessel. I am Pallan Anselm, the King of this ship.”
“Anselm?” Xia Bai asks.
“That’s right. Considering you were Isacc’s aid, you must be aware of me.”
“Um… I never paid attention much, but your name’s familiar.” She says.
Pallan laughs. “Well, allow me to explain. My family is one of the few who kept their nobility during the chaos of the Demonic Wars. Our former king rose to power in. My ancestors fought in the war not as warriors but as strategists coordinating troops for his majesty.”
“I see. So, as thanks, you kept your nobility.” Anluan says.
Pallan nods. “Yes. While many other houses fell into ruin, House Anselm remained. Our greatest strength was not power or wealth, it was weaponry.”
“Right, House Anslem. They’re famous weapon makers. They make the newest and deadliest weapons on the mainland.”
“I see.”
Pallan nods. “Yes, that is correct. In a sense, we are arms dealers. Conflict is our bread and butter. But enough about me. Can you tell me just how Glyn is these days?”
“Do you know him or his reputation?” Anluan asks.
Pallan turns with Xia Bai and Anluan, surprised by his lack of a tail on his rear end. “No half-breed from the Royal Academy hasn’t heard of Glyn Mattox. Even if I am lacking Elvan blood, I am a half-breed of a different sort.”
“I never would’ve expected.” Anluan says.
“Now. If you would. Please tell me what’s happened to Glyn Mattox.”