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Chapter 8 - Before The Story Begins (Taking Responsibility)

Slipping out of bed quietly in an effort to not wake Triss, Eric adorned his office clothes with a light cream colored tunic, charcoal grey slacks and dress shoes. Heading down the stairs the smell of coffee permeated throughout the shop.

"Good morning father" Eric said while pulling a blue coffee mug from a shelf.

"Good morning son, Heading to the Halls of Hearing today?" Jeb asked, sipping his black coffee.

"Indeed, even on my leave work never stops." Eric says.

in a wistful response "tell me about it."

Walking out onto their porch overlooking the main street, father and son would come here to watch the morning routines of the people. Hearing the bustle of the city, the occasional worker shouting commands or the idle chatter of passerby's.

Without looking at Eric "have you thought about it?"

Not answering right away savoring the sweet tastes of creamer and coffee Eric thought, on more than one occasion the topic of Eric leading the community as a Kings candidate has come up. Jeb, sensing the compilation added "The people would support you, I have already asked around." 

"I'm sorry dad, but my place is in the navy right now…besides I don't think the Blood nobles would like a Titled noble like me in their circles."

Blood nobles, people born into nobility with no fault of pure luck and family blood lines. Titled nobles are people who have earned the right through merit and achievements. Eric is one these few Titled nobles, even fewer who come from his background and reach the heights he has. 

A few sips of silence followed after the conversation, each enjoying this father son tradition. Until Eric with glossed over eyes told his father "I'm going to marry her dad."

Jeb for the first time glanced at his son seeing the tenderness in his eyes. Mid sip and with a shake of the head "It's about damn time." A chuckle followed after from both. "For a while there you had me worried."

Eric sensing this is the second time someone has hinted at something was growing irritated. "What does that mean!"

---

Walking in high heels Jane cursed 'damn these godforsaken shoes.' with a puff of air "I wish slippers were uniform approved."

Before Jane could lament any further a male's laugh caught her attention. "haha as do I Lady Jane."

Recognizing the voice Janes perked up. How could she forget a good friend's voice "Ahh Eric! You are back, how was your deployment?"

Stepping up to match Jane's pace "It was arduous, we lost some battalions out in the Lost Island sector."

With a remorseful tone tapering off into a more deadpan cadence "Oh that's unfortunate…all in the name of the king I suppose."

letting a moment of silence pass Eric asked. "How about here? I was given a debrief but how is it really…here on the ground level."

Jane gazes off into the distance at the approaching carved marble pillars of the council hall. "It's at a breaking point, any day…hell any hour and things are ready to spiral."

"Mmh so the blown up silver repository wasn't just a fluke." Eric mused to himself but Jane answered anyway "Definitely not, it's the match that lit an already blazing fuse."

Now that they have been walking a good distance Eric was able to take in Jane's appearance more actually. Contrasting her look from when he left to know he could see a slight bulge in her belly.

Not wanting to draw attention he leaned down slighting to whisper "So when are you expecting?" thinking this was an innocent question Eric didn't expect to see Jane's eyes go wide in horror and panic "SsHH!! Eric be quiet…for god's sake." 

Placing her shoulder bag over her belly. "is it that noticeable?"

"My lady Jane, I apologize if I offended you, but it's hard not to miss the change compared to last time I saw you." seeing Jane's distraught nature "is it a secret?"

"Of course it is Eric! I'm just glad it's only you who's noticed." Eric was in the middle of a suppressed laugh when his mind suddenly thought of the Empires situation. Glancing at Jane's belly he thought of the child and then the situation the Empire is in. With trepidation but care Eric suggested leaving.

Jane mentions she just so happened to be plotting the same thing, additionally Eric was someone Jane trusted the most after Red and the Wind Queen. So she reassured Eric that when the time comes she had a plan. "Besides my hubby is strong and will take care of me."

Eric wanted to chuckle at the free spirited demeanor Jane was exhibiting. It was a refreshing look into who she really was. Unfortunately mid conversation Eric and Jane's skin went cold with a sharp stabbing sensation shooting up their spines. 

The air around them and the entire front steps of the council building started to bend inwards. Resonance particles started focusing into one point and proceeded to start collapsing.

The instant Eric felt his skin grow cold, without hesitation water started to be pulled from what looked like thin air. Swirling vortexes of sparkles, deep blues and light greens hugged Jane's figure.

Culminating into a double layered translucent aqua shield. With only one covering himself.

'Jane The Ever Gentle' was something people would call her. But no one made the mistake of crossing her. When facing her as an enemy Jane the unyielding would crush her enemies without mercy. Following Eric's lead with an unhuman level reaction speed called upon one of her tier 4 contracts. Summoning her wind spirit.

Paying no mind to the water encapsulating her, or the body moving in front with levels of dexterity rivaling her own to shield her from whatever is coming. 

In the span of two seconds Eric and Jane deployed the best defensive measures they could. Eric's aqua shields and own body cover Jane and Jane's Wind spirit creating a reverse cyclone in front of them to create a counter force.

Then all went still…

 

 

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