“No.”
“No?”
Retvik remained seated in his chair, showing as much disrepect as he could muster towards the High General. He always disliked Photeianos, and now this old, spoiled brat of a Rethan was demanding that Retvik drop everything he was doing and go through a magic purple portal with a risk of him not coming back.
“I said no. I will not go. I finally have my life back. I am working hard to strengthen multicultural ties to those around me. Everything is going swimmingly and now you are here to ruin it all.”
Photeianos wasn’t sure how to deal with this. Normally everyone just did as he said. Retvik returned to the paperwork he was filling out, ignoring the High General. He knew he was being incredibly rude, but his reason why was perfectly valid.
“Elksia is going. So is Arkay. We haven’t spoken to Tenuk yet. But he will agree, if only to prove that he is loyal to us.”
Retvik grunted. “Of course Arkay agreed. He’s a brainwashed Ksa who will do whatever his leader tells him! Elksia is an idiot who does anything anyway and Tenuk’s immortal so it doesn’t matter. Me though, I have a life to live, with my partner Gath and…”
Photeianos abruptly smashed his hand on Retvik’s desk, startling him. “I have had enough of your disobedience. You will come willingly or I will send you through that portal in chains, do you understand?”
Retvik stood up, snarling. “You cannot force me. I will only go if there is a guarantee I will come back in less than a month, completely unharmed. But you can’t, so I won’t.”
Photeianos backed down. He could have had Retvik arrested. But his Ksa were outside and Retvik was most likely stronger than him, both physically and mentally. The Rethianos family were well known for their indomitable wills. He needed to find a better argument.
“Retvik, I understand your reluctance. But this is for-”
“The greater good of the Retha. I know.”
“So why are you refusing? You may be happy but are you willing to put the entirety of our kind at risk by not complying? Are you that selfish?”
Retvik’s head dropped. He kept his eyes down, not daring to look directly at the High General.
“Yes, I am that selfish.”
Photeianos sighed.
“This is very much unlike you, Retvik. What happened to the strong, powerful warrior, the vastly intelligent general that everyone loved? You have gone soft.”
“I just want a family!” Retvik snapped. “You may be happy, spending eternity sleeping around and abusing your power to bed whatever thirsty little cretin comes your way, but I have always dreamed of settling down, sharing my life with Gath and having our own kids. Maybe that is selfish of me, but am I not allowed to have a little peace?” Retvik sat back down, going back to his paperwork. “I bet you bribed Elksia, didn’t you. Offered her a chunk of land and some money. She probably asked for a large amount of confectionery too and you said yes.”
Photeianos hesitated. “Yes, that is exactly what I did.” As he spoke, he spotted an opening. “What can I offer you, Retvik?”
“There is nothing you can offer me, nothing you can do to change my mind.”
“Very well.” There was no other way. Photeianos didn’t want to do this, but he had no choice. He called in his head Ksa. “Thitavee-En, please arrest Retvik, for the endangerment of others, and putting the Rethan race at great risk. Then take him to Portalia City.” He sighed as he glanced at Retvik.
“You bastard!”
“All you had to do was say yes.”