“You haven’t touched your drink…” King Ver smiled as he walked around the furniture, running his hands across the silky satin fabric, before throwing himself into the large sofa in front of where the High General was sitting. “I am thinking of giving my Vrekan representatives a little pay raise. I think they deserve it. Today’s Maza meetings were very successful, do you not think?”
The High General wasn’t paying attention. He was busy reading through various documents, all of which looked both official and not from anyone at the Maza meetings. Ver didn’t recognise any of the seals, so he assumed it was some sort of internal document. Or fan mail. People seemed to love the little Rethan ruler after all.
Ver watched for a bit longer. Still, the High General had not touched his drink.
“Are you not thirsty, Elkay?”
The use of the High General’s first name finally caught his attention.
“Pardon?”
“You haven’t touched your drink.”
“That is because it is a bitter, vile drink in need of a hefty amount of sugar, but I lack the heart to send it back.”
“So you put up with it?”
Elkay sighed. “It is so minor, I see no reason to bother messing around… Not when there are far more important things going on…”
Ver glanced at the paperwork, trying to decipher some of it. Scribbled on a red sticky note was a message that read “Call RRethianos.”
“You need to call your Vice General?” Ver muttered, then realised he’d spoken out loud.
“No.”
“Surely that’s…”
“If I wanted to speak to Rethais, I would speak to him in person,” Elkay tutted. “That is a reminder to call Retvik Rethianos, his sibling.”
Ver blinked. “You mean the Leader of the Dessaron?”
“Yes.” Elkay rolled his eyes and went back to what he was reading.
Ver returned to his seat and sat down, lost in thought. After a moment, he got up, disappeared somewhere, then returned a few minutes later with two drinks, a sugary caramel soda for Elkay and a diet one for himself.
“I must have gotten eleven from putting one and one together. Never realised Rethais and the Dessaron Leader were related.”
“Well, they are.” Elkay went back to reading again.
Ver sighed, then had another quick glance. He decided to ask the High General what he was doing. He was met with a very long, grumpy growl.
“This is number eight in a list of messages sent by foreign, exo-Maza races. All having heard about me ‘defeating’ that stupid Temthan wench. The problem is, while I really want to help them, I can not risk… well, I could risk it… From what I have read, the Temthans use swarm-numbers rather than actual tactics but…” Elkay grunted, flipping over a sheet of paper. “None of that is the point. I do not want to break the treaty we created. I tried having the Cassids contact them but they fear the same thing I do, that the Temthans will see it as a breach of contract… The same applies to most Maza races…”
The High General paused and took a sip of his drink. The sweetness of the caramel soda seemed to cheer him up a little. It had also given him an idea.
“Are you alright?” Ver asked as Elkay scribbled something down.
“Yes. I have an idea. It is an insane one. But one I shall file away for future use.”
“Ooh, tell me!”
“No.” Elkay was very stern. He scribbled something else on a separate piece of paper then tucked it into the armour around his neck. “I also can not tell you about Retvik Rethianos… At least, not until later…”
“Aw…” Ver sighed. “Oh well. Can I meet him?”
Elkay blinked. “Why are you asking me? You are the King of the Vrekans, ask him yourself.”
Ver smiled, then got up to leave. “That is a good idea, High General. Thank you very much.”