Star Eater

Chapter 120:

Arthur's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

"Essentially, yes." I confirmed. "That gold can go towards tools, delivery fees, hiring extra help in case of a bountiful harvest, and more. The importance of your farms is vital to Lestrania whether those magical fucks know it or not. I'd like you to spread the word about this to the other surrounding farmlands as well."

"Why'd ya bring this up ta me and not Cassidy?" He inquired.

"I'd like both of you to help. Many down in The Slums know the Reed Family as being upstanding, and I've heard how each of you has gone out of your way to help the downtrodden. I think it's about time someone did the same for you." Then I held up my hands quickly. "Not that you're downtrodden, but you know what I mean."

Grandpa Reed hummed out in thought as he put the scroll down. "What do ya want in return? Ya must want somethin cause I can't imagine anyone goin out of their way ta do this."

I shook my head. "There are no strings attached. I would appreciate it if you could make any spare donations to the Town Guards and barracks if you have extra that you can't sell, but there is no expectation."

Rubbing his chin, he chuckled. "That's the same requirement you've asked of every place you've done business with." He said, amused, and he continued at my look. "Cassidy told me. She keeps me up ta date with your shenanigans." Taking another sip, he calmly looked me over. "Ah have no issue with this, but Ah'm not excepting no handouts." Tossing the scroll back to me, he continued. "Ya fix this ta add something in there for yourself, or the military and ya got yourself a deal."

A smile came to my face as I finally picked up my own mug from the rim before taking a sip. "Sounds like a plan to me."

We began talking about a few smaller details. Nothing major would change the overall document, but it wasn't until much later that the door opened, and in came Cassidy and Austin.

"Arthur!" Austin cheered as he ran into the kitchen and jumped up onto my shoulders.

I steadied my drink since I knew it was coming as Cassidy shook her head. "Austin! Ya gotta be careful!"

"Sorry..." The boy let out as Augustus, and I chuckled.

"Good to see you too, Austin. Busy day?" I asked him.

He then pressed his cheek on the top of my head as he responded. "We were actually lookin for you!"

That confused me. "Me?" I asked back as I turned to look at Cassidy. "Did you need something?"

"Nah." Cassidy said with a dismissive wave before gesturing out the door. "But Ayda and Typhon are waiting at yer house. Best not ta keep em waitin. It seemed important."

Nodding, I opened a portal and tapped Austin to climb down. "Then I should go take care of it." Augustus stopped me as I stepped toward my portal.

"Arthur!" The older man called out, and I looked to see him tapping the scroll. "Thank you... For all of this."

"I should be the one saying that." Was all I said in response as I left.

Cassidy's Point of View

Reed Farmstead

"Grandpa?" I called out to him as he held a scroll in his hands. "Is something wrong?"

"That Arthur isn't who he seems. The way he moves, and talks, is changing. Ah don't know if he has a goal in mind or if it was from his run-in with those Demons, but somethin changed." He put the scroll down and looked out the kitchen window. "Be careful movin forward, Cass." Grandpa warned me. "Ah have a feelin you'll have to chose sides here eventually."

"Wha-"

His eyes then turned to me, cutting me off. "Make sure ya chose the right side."

Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

"Heard you two were looking for me." I said as I stepped out of the portal and near my front door. "Something I can help you with?"

"Arthur!" Typhon greeted in a cheerful tone.

I ruffled his hair for a moment before Ayda handed me a scroll. "The Priestesses have a mission for you."

That got me to quirk a brow. "A mission?"

Ayda gestured to the scroll, and I opened it. "From what I heard, the Priestesses are sending an ambassador to the Red Kingdom in the east. Our Eastern allies need to be informed of what has been happening here."

"Red Kingdom?" I repeated.

"The Desert Kingdom, more specifically." Ayda corrected herself. "Or the actual name is the Land of Vithari, but most people use the other two. Vithari is the Kingdom; however, once most people visit it, the other names seem to stick more." She explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I see. They did say they wanted to get in touch with our allies in the east, but I wasn't expecting them to send me." I told her.

Typhon shrugged. "A lot has been happening. Are you really surprised they would send you to make sure nothing happened?" Then he playfully punched at me. "You're Sir Arthur Pendragon! Nothing is going to interfere with you there!"

That made me smirk and roll my eyes at the flattery. "Uh huh." Holding up the scroll, I looked at Ayda. "How long until we leave?"

She brought up both her hands and waved them back and forth. "I was not requested for this mission! You will be escorting someone else from what I have heard." Then she looked down in thought. "Although maybe this is some sort of test for you, and you are the ambassador."

"I hope not."

Typhon chuckled at that. "Yeah. You are not exactly the most diplomatic person I have ever met." He replied.

Ruffling his hair a little harder, I eventually moved him to the side. "This says we'll be taking an airship?"

Ayda nodded. "Yes. All in all, it should only take two months or so depending on the talks go." Then she sighed. "Being stuck on an airship like that for so long cannot be fun." The Elf then frowned. "I can only imagine what crossing the ocean would be like on a sea vessel."

There were other details in the scroll that I started going over. "Well, make sure the Priestesses know that I accept this mission. If there is nothing else, I needed to speak to a few people and brief them before I leave."

"Of course." Ayda nodded in understanding. "I will also make sure both Priestesses are informed that you will be getting ready. You should be leaving in a day or two."

Both Elincia and Arceana likely wanted me gone, but that didn't matter too much to me. If they wanted to fuck with the system I had in place, they were too late. Greigh and Ziah would look after things in my stead. The ramparts would be close to completion by the time I return, which saves me the trouble of doing the inspections myself.

"Then I'm looking forward to this little vacation." I told her.