[Target subdued. Returning to base.]

“Perfect. They probably won’t mind one man going missing.”

30 minutes later…

“Toss him in the cell.”

Peregrine being controlled by Eve did as I commanded, locking the mage in the room. By now, he had already woken up, and was struggling against the iron band that kept his hands tied behind his back. Taking control of a Montana, I walked into the room and spoke to the man.

“What is your name?”

“Go fuck yourself, golem. I’ll only talk to your master.”

“What was your purpose in coming here?”

“Didn’t you hear what I said? Bring your master here and maybe I’ll talk.”

“Who is your commanding officer?”

At this point, he refused to speak any further. Exiting the room, I thought about what to do. I considered using torture, but tossed out that idea in an instant. I may have kidnapped the man, but I still had some lines I wouldn’t cross. Plus, torture is an unreliable way of getting information, since victims will say whatever they think the torturer wants to hear. I also wanted the mage in perfect condition for casting his magic.

“Although…”

Taking control of Peregrine, I made my way up the hill. When I reached the summit, I saw that Aurea was washing her face and hair with the water pump, probably getting ready to go to sleep.

“Hey Aurea!”

Looking up, she waved and said, “Hi Evan. Did you need something?”

“Yes, actually,” I said sheepishly. “I caught a mage. I tried to interrogate him, but he thinks I’m just a golem. The problem is, I kind of have no idea what a golem is…”

“I still don’t get how you don’t know these kinds of basic things,” she said, shaking her head in confusion. “Remember what I told you about life mages, and how they could bless inanimate objects with life? Those are called golems. Other types of mages can make golems too, like earth mages and fire mages, but it’s a lot harder for them.”

I digested that information for a few seconds until Aurea interrupted my thoughts, “Now you get why I was surprised when you said you weren’t a golem or mage.”

“Yeah, I see what you mean,” I nodded, “In that case, can you do me another favor?”

Seeing her nod, I explained what I needed. “The mage doesn’t want to talk to me. He says he only wants to talk to my master. I’m hoping you could pretend to be my master and get him to talk.

“Sure, I guess? Full disclaimer though, I suck at acting. Are you sure you want me to do it?”

“Yes. He already believes there is a master somewhere. When he sees that he’s right, he won’t think too much about it. Don’t worry, I have taken measures to make sure he can’t attack you.”

“Alright, if you say so…”

Bringing her back to the mine, I had her put on a large robe and mask that would obscure her face and body. If somehow the mage escaped, I didn’t want them to be able to identify her. Reassuming control of the Montana, I pushed the iron door open. I stood off to the side, and Aurea walked in.

“Finally. Where have you been all this time?” the mage asked sarcastically.

“This is the best you could do?” Aurea said with a cold look on her face.

“Apologies, mistress.” I said in a servile manner.

“Tch. Fine. Now then, what's your name?”

“Before I tell you that, why don’t we make a little deal, hmm? I tell you what you want to know, and you let me go free. Sounds good?”

Aurea turned her back on the mage, as if to consider his proposal. In reality, she was looking at me for directions. I nodded imperceptibly.

“Very well. I swear that as long as you answer my questions honestly, I will allow you to leave here alive.”

“Make the promise on your vitae first,” the mage demanded.

“Very well. I swear upon my vitae that I will release you and let you live, as long as you answer my questions truthfully.”

“Is vitae some sort of honor?” I wondered.

“Alright, to answer your question, my name is Caius.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“You are part of the Peace Corp, correct?”

“Yep. Peace Corp, Talon 134, Mage unit 7.”

“Why were you sent out here?”

“Well, we were supposed to take care of a group called the Blood Brigade. Didn’t really see the point of it myself, but hey, orders are orders.”

At his words, Aurea stiffened.

“You…you came to deal with them?”

“Uh, yeah. But it turns out you already wiped them out. My captain thought there was a coven in these parts, so a few of us were left here to try and find it. I promise I won’t tell anyone that you’re here.”

“Why didn’t you come earlier?” she asked in a strange voice. I could see her jaw was clenched tightly, and hear the grinding of her teeth.

“Pfft. You think some bigshots over in Ocaephis care that much about a few villages out in the middle of nowhere? The only reason we were sent out here at all was because the Blood Brigade was starting to disrupt the lumber trade. If they hadn’t done that, well, we wouldn’t be here,” Caius said with an indifferent shrug.

Sensing that Aurea was getting angry, I quickly opened the door and ushered her out. As soon as the door closed behind her, she yelled and punched the wall in frustration. Clenching her fists, Aurea let the blood from her scraped knuckles drip onto the floor. I gently led her away and towards the entrance. Sitting down on the ground outside, she wept. I sat down next to her, observing the multitude of brilliant stars above.

“They could have come sooner. They should have come sooner…”

I nodded in silent agreement.

“Those! Greedy! Fucking! Bastards!” she screamed, punching the ground after each word. “We asked them y’know! We sent dozens of letters begging for help! It was always ‘I’m sorry, but we are stretched too thin right now. We will send a unit as soon as we are able’. Fucking liars!”

“I’m sorry.”

Aurea sighed, wiping the tears out of her eyes. “It’s not your fault. If they had come just a bit sooner, maybe…maybe my dad…” her voice drifted off as she thought of what could have been.

We sat in silence for a while.

“I miss him. Ever since my mom disappeared, he took care of me. He showed me how to hunt. How to forage. How to be independent.”

“I get it,” I whispered, shifting slightly.

“Do you really?” Aurea laughed bitterly.

Yes, I do.” I snapped.

Aurea recoiled slightly before falling silent. I sighed, knowing I shouldn’t have gotten so worked up.

“My dad and I…” I paused as the painful memories resurfaced, “we lived in the slums. My mom left both of us for another guy. He did everything he could for me. I didn’t appreciate a lot of it until I got older.” I absentmindedly scratched at the dry ground with my fingers as I spoke.

“What was he like?” She asked.

“Strict, but fair. Protective, but not so much that I never got to experience the world.” A memory popped into my mind unbidden, making me chuckle slightly. “I remember one time a kid beat me up at school, so my dad showed me how to fight. Made me practice every day until my knuckles bled. The next time that kid tried to do the same thing, I broke his shoulder.”

“I thought you were raised in the slums?” Aurea inquired.

“I did,” I responded, confused as to her question. She shrugged, “It’s just that I’ve never heard of a slum with a school.”

“I’m not surprised. It's a place far, far from here,” I waved off.

“Still though,” she said, “he sounds pretty great.”

I felt a lump rise in my throat, so I just nodded. We both sat in silence for a while, both absorbed in our own thoughts.

“So what happened then?” she asked in a small voice.

“Hmm?”

“If you don’t mind telling, of course,” She quickly added.

I pondered on how to answer her question for a few moments.

“My home was facing a disaster. Our rulers were looking for a way to stop it, or at least save our people. They found that some children had an ability that would help solve the issue. I was one of them. They took me from my home, and turned me into this,” I explained, holding up my mechanical hand, showing her the wires and circuitry that ran throughout my body.

She nodded slowly in understanding, not daring to push me for further details. We stayed there for a while in companionable silence, observing the movement of the crescent moon overhead.

Changing the topic suddenly, she asked, “What do you want, Evan?”

“Hmm…”

“What do I want?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh come on,” a slightly teasing tone in her voice. “There has to be something you want.”

I looked up at the stars. They were beautiful, a swirling display of colors that lit up the night sky. I hadn’t appreciated their charm before.

“I want to explore the world. Learn. Experience things I don’t know of. I want to be able to enjoy life.”

Aurea snorted in amusement. “Yeah, that sounds nice. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know, ok?”

“Really?”

“Duh.” She said, turning to me with a strange look on her face. “You saved my life twice. You even made me a home and helped train me. As far as I’m concerned, I can’t repay you.”

“If that’s the case, then sure.”

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head.

“Aurea, what kind of an Empire is Pithus?”

“Well, right now it's ruled by Emperor Nonus and Empress Lucinia. This is sorta old news, but the Emperor has been getting sicker and sicker.”

“Does he manage the entire empire?”

“No, he has subordinates under him. Under the Emperor are the Imperial Vassals that control large portions of the empire. I think there are 6 of them? Then under the Vassals are the Regional Viscounts, and then under them are the Governors.”

Laeotira explained that the Pithus Empire was a very militaristic nation that had expanded its territory through violent means. It was actually the largest nation on the continent, rivaled only by the Kingdom of Hvenesia to the west. However, Pithus’s expansion was unsustainable, and had not been in a war within the last 200 years. Only recently had the Empire declared war with Hvenesia.

“Thanks Aurea, I appreciate it . You should rest now. It's getting late.”

“Alright Evan. See you tomorrow,” she said, hesitating for a moment. Apparently having made up her mind, she decided to give me a quick hug before making her way back home. A warm glow rose in my chest, and I went back into the mine in a significantly better mood.

“Now then, time to test this so-called magic…”