Both of them plummeted, the hundreds of meters separating them from the hard, compacted soil and stone that comprised the ground closing in fast, before using their own means to stop their descent.
Meanwhile, the guards on the ground were panicking at the sight of two people falling from the bough of the tree, and running around on the ground, trying to think of a way to break their fall.
But their aid was not required, as both sovereigns suddenly slowed down, one with a gout of flames, and the other with a burst of wind, before landing on their feet, like nothing had happened.
Phoenix smoothed out her wrinkled dress, and Astaroth walked to her, smiling like an idiot.
"I had a splendid view while going down, being behind you and all."
She elbowed him in the ribs, motioning at the guards that were getting closer, and he chuckled.
"Your grace! Are you alright?!" a guard asked, in panic, looking at Phoenix from head to toe.
"I'm fine, soldier. It'll take much more than a brief fall like this to take me out. Off you go, now. Get back to your posts, all of you."
The guards all looked at her incredulously before saluting her and obeying the order with a smidge of reluctance. Getting brushed off like this wasn't pleasant.
But their queen was ultimately the one in charge. They couldn't disobey her orders even if they wanted to.
As the couple walked toward the palace doors, Phoenix's arm wrapped around Astaroth's, the latter noticed a woman standing near the door, getting the stink-eye from the guards near her.
As they got closer, the woman started approaching them.
"What is it with you and falling women, King Astaroth? Do you like the thrill of putting them in danger?"
"It's a pleasure to see you as well, Commander Alena. To my defence, she was the one that jumped first. I only followed."
The commander of the Sentinels huffed disapprovingly and bowed to Phoenix.
"I would throw myself off the highest cliff as well, rather than tolerate his presence, my queen. I am glad you are fine."
Phoenix giggled lightly, bringing her hand to her mouth.
"Oh, come one, now, commander. King Astaroth isn't such bad company. He's actually quite funny when you get to know him," Phoenix defended him.
Alena scoffed.
"I'd rather not. I am still mad at him for putting my daughter-in-law in danger, and having my son strike him like it was a normal thing to strike a monarch. If it wasn't for my protection, Castien would have lost his post as a Sentinel for his actions."
Astaroth scratched the back of his head, feeling slight guilt about this.
"If I had known it would cause him problems, I would have taken him to somewhere private, before letting him hit me…" Astaroth mumbled.
Alena snickered at him.
"It would have been better, yes. In any case, I was not here, waiting for you, just to bring up that incident. The Sentinels have a request to make to you both, and I would like an audience."
Phoenix smiled at the commander, her business mode kicking in.
"Why, by all means, Commander Alena. Follow us to the throne room. We were about to summon all the commanders there, anyway. We can hold you an audience in private first if you wish."
Alena nodded her head before signaling them to lead the march.
The walk to the throne room wasn't too long, and once there, Astaroth asked the guards to leave them in private. If the Sentinels had a request to make, then it was their business and theirs alone.
The guards obeyed the order, quickly filing out of the room before closing the door behind them. The hallway became slightly crowded, but the guards paid it no mind.
Once they were left alone, Astaroth climbed to his throne, as did Pheonix, while Commander Alena stayed at the bottom of the few-step dais. Once seated, Phoenix motioned the commander to speak.
"What is it your Sentinels wish to ask of us, commander?"
Commander Alena went down to one knee, bringing her fist to her heart.
"I would like to ask your majesties for the honour of sending my Sentinels to the Inter-Alliance Military Exercises! There would be no greater honour for my regiment to be sent to represent the kingdom!"
Astaroth looked at her with a frown.
"The what?" he asked, confused.
But Phoenix intervened before he looked like an idiot.
"Commander Alena. You realize what you are asking us, right?" she asked, with gravitas.
"My queen. I know I am asking you a great favour. But I am not asking you to play favourites. We are ready to relinquish our chance at going to the next ones, if we can be in the first ones. I am ready to beg for this chance, Your Highness!" Alena said, getting her second knee down, and prostrating.
"Enough!" Astaroth shouted.
His vehement reaction took aback Alena. Her face dropped, realizing they had shot her down.
She got back up, getting into a simple bow.
"I apologize for asking this out of place. I will fetch the other commanders. If you'll excuse me."
But Astaroth raised his hand.
Phoenix looked at him with a smile, already leaning back into her throne. If he wanted to deal with this, she wouldn't interfere.
"We are not done. I do not excuse you."
Alena stopped backing away and raised herself, looking at the king's face with confusion.
"I wasn't saying enough because I refuse. I was saying enough because you prostrated. Never again do I want to see one of my commanders on his knees like this. Have some pride, for crying out loud."
Alena felt the words punch into her like sledgehammers.
"Sir, I—"
"Stop. I'm not done."
Alena shut her mouth promptly, lowering her head.
"I don't know what these exercises are, and I'm guessing that is because I missed many a meeting. But if you willingly go down on both knees, I take it is of great importance. Why don't you tell me more, before we decide if we grant your request or not?"
Alena's face lit up.
There was still a chance!
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