"I say with complete confidence that those who reside in these newly discovered realms ought to be beled as one thing, devils”.
Daniel Rholo, Human Royal Historian, 5 A.T.S.
Rain thundered on the wooden roof of the lean shelter, with light bleeding through the gaps, “Raveno, didn’t I tell you to get a mage from Petralona’s unit?”. An older but built gentleman rocked back and forth in a simply decorated and thin chair. He was clean-shaven, revealing a few scars scattered about. The older man looked to the Sergeant, who had stood at attention for a few minutes.
“I’m sorry, my King, but the Captain reported that all of her mages or and those above that rank were occupied, something to the effect of enchanting the North-east and North-west barriers” the Sergeant handed the King a letter, which seemed to back up their cims as he went through it. There were a couple of other items, but he kept them to himself.
“And thus a sorcerer is sent in a mage’s stead?” The King grumbled as he swatted off the few raindrops that filtered through the wood, “And this is the thanks I receive for increasing funding for the Order”
The King stood up to his full height, and nearly hit his head on the top part of the ceiling. His suit of pted steel iron had cloth yered on top, with the chest decorated with boar digging its tusks into a shield.
He looked upon the rest of the camp, which once was a disciplined and clean camp, was now a mess of nterns as soldiers tried to briskly make their way to and from tents.
However, out of those nterns, lines of soldiers ran in formation through the mud and rain. One of them in particur had brought a smile to his face as he stepped out from under the lean shelter.
“Warden Oslon, it brings me joy to see you and the soldiers out”
The Warden halted herself and her soldiers in front of the King’s shelter. Her demeanor matched the rain, miserable and cold. But despite that, she stood as straight as a sword. Even her uniform seemed to keep itself in order, as if afraid of her retribution, “Get inside, father, I don’t need to hear another lecture”
“Nonsense, your mother isn’t here! Besides, this is for the morale of the troops”
Instead of saying anything, the King’s daughter, who stood just as tall as her father, stared him down. After both exchanged looks, the Father tossed his hands up, and started to head under. However, just before fully in, the King turned and said,
“Thalia, head North, towards the barricades at Tresaveri. Bring your soldiers and two other companies as well”
“I’ve told you before, I should be here. You saw what my scouts reported?”
“I read them, but Klesteno and I agree that those movements are diversions”
“They’ve only increased their attacks in recent weeks, and thrice have their bdes nearly pierced your skull, father!”
“The gods favored me four times”
By this point, Thalia had started to tower over her father, even if only slightly. She held him by his shoulders as her hands dug into his steel pauldrons. However, within a moment, she let go of him as her head sunk into his chest, “I’d rather have my father after this, rather than a fucking memory of a war hero”
“Every single time they’ve attacked here, Tresaveri has suffered trifold”
“Pcing your elite troops elsewhere though?”
Thalia’s father raised his hand before fishing something from his pocket. As he pulled it out, glints of the metal reflected the ntern light. “By both my consideration and your superior officers, we have agreed you have earned the rank of Captain Warden, Thalia Oslon Marsona”
Thalia’s body stiffened as she saluted her father, remaining silent as he came over and repced the badge on her shoulder with the new rank. Even through the rain the silver and gold pieces that made the middle circle shined through. The five silver triangles that were adorned on the top part of the circle were a little muddied but nonetheless visible.
“And your first order of business is to follow through with the order, Captain Warden. Armu?ti?ri willing, all stays calm. Either way, I need someone I can trust at Tresaveri”
“But-”
“I almost guarantee it will be worse at Tresaveri. Those Rikatans are fresh-bloods. And their general is the most obnoxious man I’ve met. We cannot allow the fort to fall. Not again”
Thalia stayed silent as she stared at her father. Her gaze tried to break through the walls that her father had pced along his mind throughout the century. Her father met her eyes as he said,
“We are the strong, Thalia. You must trust that I can protect these nds, just as I trust you to protect Tresaveri”
Thalia stayed in form as she muttered, “Yes, my king”
The king briskly walked over as he hugged her, “Be swift and sure, my rapscallion”
The rain pelted both of them as the winds shot water into their faces. But in that moment, the warmth of her father made her forget all about that. She could smell the coal and the poor attempt to mask it with the soap her mother gave to her dad.
The King nodded towards Thalia, who in turn saluted as she turned back to her company. Giving the order to march, her soldiers cheered as they went forward past her father’s tent.
The road, if one could even call it that, was marked with the trails and wagons that embarked on the same journey before them. Her soldiers would occasionally ring out in song. Cssics like the one about the burning walls of Tal’Cere, or creatures sin as part of the tales of old filled the otherwise grass fields of the Isthmus. Even the other two companies joined them from time to time.
“How are you, Marsona?”
If one were listening to the footsteps of the soldiers, one would be shocked as they witnessed the companies collectively stop as soon as the sentence was uttered.
Thalia slowly spun, only to see most of the soldiers backing away in an orderly, yet anxious manner. She turned to see one soldier standing by herself. She had dirty blonde hair, with slightly red highlights. The soldier only rose to her chest as she stared right at Thalia. She also wore bright blue robes, which had a thin golden trim outlining the outside as well as the pockets. On the neck was a fountain neckce, signalling a cleric of Fanta?ku.
“Second Warden Petrak, led this company and the other two to Tresaveri. The Rikatan General should have further orders there”
“Yes, Captain Warden!”
As the rest of the companies marched forward, Thalia turned her attention towards the rogue soldier. However, before anything came out of her mouth, the soldier said,
“So you’ve been promoted?”
“State your name and rank, soldier”
The soldier saluted “Surely by now, you’ve come to recognize me”
In the same instance, Thalia whisked herself behind the lieutenant, grabbing both of her arms and pulling them behind her back. In a steady and even tone, she repeated herself slowly, “Rank and name, Soldier”
The soldier practically whelped as she said meekly, “Lieutenant Ophelia Akostos, ma’am”
By this point, Thalia was pushing Ophelia forward as they kept pace with the companies ahead of them. As Thalia kept close watch over the cleric, she smelled a faint hint of vender and vanil, smells of the markets that would always take pce in front of her home. Or her tent the night before.
“I thought we got past this- ow!”
Thalia tightened her grip around the Cleric’s wrist, “I don’t care how many times we’ve fucked. You drop the casualness on the field, and it’s over”
“Loosen your grip, dammit, Thalia, please!”
“I don’t know what game you want to py out here, Lieutenant-“
“I have a name, Thal”
Letting go of her wrists, Thalia promptly grabbed her hand as they stormed up to the front of the companies. As they did, she could feel Ophelia hold onto her hand tighter. The same warmth of the night before found her way to her palms. She even felt Ophelia gently caress her hand. It infuriated her.
“I will knock down your fortress walls, Thalia Marto Marsona”
Just the words were enough to seize her mind. Her chest tightened, and she nearly flinched. But as they got closer to the companies, she steadied herself, and took a deep breath in.
“There is nothing in these walls worth conquest, Ophelia”
