Arthur and Aemie didn't have to wait for long. In less than one hour the entire team was regrouped again with many new faces, harsh and brutal ones.
Plus Doaf and Amera as well.
As for Nicole, he took her out during that time and she didn't open her mouth the entire time. The hurdle of choosing between her mother and her lover and master seemed to take a great toll on her.
And Arthur understood that and kept his silence while Aemie kept walking around while saying nothing.
"Now as all of you got briefed about what happened, it's time for us now to move," Aemie said after talking about what happened in their absence.
"Is it wise to leave the main city unguarded like this?" one of the trusted and elite mages of the cauldron clan spoke up with his deep voice. He had yellow teeth and a deep scar over his right bare shoulder.
"We need to keep some guards here," another expressed his thoughts.
"Losing the city means nothing to me or to my enemies," Aemie said, "and who said anything about leaving it unguarded? I'll leave the entire army here defending it. If an army couldn't keep one meager city then how the hell are they supposed to protect our world?"
Her words made sense yet Arthur and many others knew this was based on her desire for vengeance.
However no one here could speak up or argue with her.
"I'll stay here then," Nicole finally broke her silence with these shocking words, "I'll lead the defenses and make sure no one will trespass the walls."
Aemie looked deeply at her while everyone here realized what Nicole was trying to do. As Aemie was world renown as a stubborn person, someone had to nail some sense inside her without touching her unparalleled ego.
And Nicole just did that.
"Staying here isn't safe," Aemie had to say the truth, "do you know that?"
"I know," Nicole stood up and faced her, "and so I'm asking for you to make this place safer for me to stay."
"You can just come with us," Aemie tried to reason with her, however Nicole's strange silence and determination was obvious to everyone.
"Sigh, why did you choose to act like me in this particular moment?" Aemie couldn't help but shake off her head in disappointment.
"Sometimes protecting what's dear to you comes second to protect your world," Nicole said, "or your people."
Her words seemed to come from someone wise, someone brave, someone not like herself at all.
"If anything worth commending then this disaster might help you grow up," Aemie finally succumbed to Nicole's wishes, "Admir, lead your squad and stay here. Defend the city and don't let anyone touch the walls."
Her words were met with a calm smile and even many nodding from everyone. Admir was someone worthy, ranked in the top three strongest mages in the entire clan.
And his squad was a powerhouse in their own regard.
"I promise my lady that," Admir simply said while giving Nicole a silent thanks glance.
It wasn't only to defend the people or the planet, but all of those standing here and their men had families in the city.
Abandoning the city like that wouldn't help at all except at making everyone restless and doubtful. Something not a wise leader would want at the eve of battle.
"Alright, let's move," Aemie said but Doaf had to stop her.
"We need my men," Doaf said in a strong tone and a face that told everyone he wouldn't budge about his request.
"Sounds fair," Aemie casually said before turning to one of those standing around, "go and release them. We will meet at the north gate."
"We won't be late," the female mage moved fast and vanished off their sight while Aemie looked with a faint smile towards Doaf, "can we move now?"
Doaf nodded and stepped out of the way. Aemie led everyone outside, while Doaf and Amera retreated all the way to the back of the line to stand beside Arthur.
"You surely are full of surprises," Amera said in a low tone yet she seemed quite happy.
"He is our young master, of course he isn't ordinary," Doaf replied with an arrogant smile on his face, one that he deserves to show.
"It was just a fluke of luck," Arthur simply said, "but now we have bigger issues to handle."
"We can kill anyone as long as you point them out for us," Amera said in confidence.
"I'm not worried about those," Arthur slowly said while gazing around the wide streets they were walking through right now. Faces of many people appeared from the two and three story buildings in the city.
And if Arthur felt anything out of them then he would only feel fear and worry.
"I'm worried about those traitors of that old lady," Arthur added with a cold tone, "I doubt she took everyone out with her."
"As you mentioned it," Doaf slowly said before adding, "if I was here, I wouldn't leave the base of my enemies unwatched."
"You think Aemie doesn't know that?" Amera said with a chuckle, "you two are way off the nature of our grandmaster."
Arthur glanced at her while Doaf asked:
"If so then why did she want to leave the city without proper guards?"
"I don't know the answer to that," Amera slowly said, "but I bet she will pull something amazing the moment we are outside these walls."
Arthur gave the up front Aemie a long glance. "I can't disagree with you," he said, "I feel she isn't simple."
"If so then she won't be our grandmaster, right?" Amera smiled in pride while Doaf only sighed.
"I hope your trust isn't misplaced."
"Tell me something," Amera seemed to enjoy this little conversation with Doaf, "if we were in your world, led by your grandmaster, would you feel the same doubt like now?"
Doaf could only sneer before answering: "If so then won't you share the same doubt like me?"
And that answer made Amera sneer and Arthur laugh.
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