Mom and I found ourselves in Leif. We didn’t come to Leif because we wanted to, we were asked to. Although it was a request from the Azkhan General, Vayr, it felt like an order. There were reports of the Imperium’s activity in Academroth and it was a matter worth looking into. Azkhan’s hold on Academroth wasn’t as strong as that of Stavren so they were determined to strengthen their grip on it.
Stavren had completely fallen to the hands of the Azkhans so their attention was focused on territorial expansion.
I found it difficult to understand why the Azkhans were invested in this war, it didn’t make sense to me. Both empires were very far from each other and separated by vast oceans that would make crossing practically impossible. Contact between the two didn't need to happen since both empires could exist and survive without needing to know about each other. After all, before this war, no one would have believed that an empire outside the reach and influence of the Imperium existed. I believed they had a strong conviction that compelled them to start this war, and I wanted to know about it, though such information would be difficult to obtain.
Vayr has requested in a letter that he needed an Arcane from House Choryth to join the envoy to Academroth. I didn't understand why they made such a request since they didn't give reasons why they did it. Yukina and Evren concluded they were referring to me or Mom, having accepted that we were different. There was no debate on who was going, but I requested I went with Mom. She was hesitant, stating that she didn't want me to put myself in danger by coming with her since she didn't trust the Azkhans. But after much pleading, she let me join her.
I was surprised to see Sophia among the envoys sent to Academroth. We traveled together although none of us said a word to each other. Leif was our first stop. Nothing looked out of the ordinary just as in Stavren. Everyone carried on with their daily activities even though there were a lot of changes occurring in the Republic, let alone the fighting that broke out here and there. The only positive note I could take from the Azkhans was that they didn't harm the citizens and commoners who in turn weren't bothered about their incursion since their lives weren't affected.
I didn’t tell anyone that Sophia was royalty. I felt it was best to keep it to myself because I thought it wouldn’t change anything since we didn’t know much about the Azkhan Empire. That was what I told myself. Maybe I didn't have any reason to keep it a secret but ended up doing so. I didn’t think much about her after our second meeting, and all curiosity I had about her disappeared since I had perceived that she wasn’t different from the others, just stronger. And I strongly believed that there were others a lot stronger than her, Vayr for instance.
The hazy and crowded streets of Leif were an easy environment for the eye to remember but not to navigate. This time, we weren’t walking, but rather in a carriage with three people we were uncomfortable with. Though it was just my second time there, I felt that nothing had changed except the presence of Azkhan soldiers patrolling different parts of the city in different groups. Our destination, as we were told, was the council building.
Mom and I were seated opposite Octavia and a familiar face; the young man who made me know that she was royalty. I got to learn that his name was Orlyo as Sophia once called him before we got into the carriage. Though they were seated right before me, I never looked in their direction. Most of the time, I fixed my gaze outside. We didn’t ride for long until we got to the council building. I thought it would be located somewhere in the middle of the city, maybe somewhere not far from the tower-like building that housed the transport gates in the city. My assumption was wrong as we rode farther away from it. At some point during our ride, I wanted to ask Mom where the council building was located since she was familiar with the city, but I held myself back because I felt it would be very uncomfortable having a discussion with her in front of Sophia and her companion.
The council building was somewhere on the outskirts of the city, which was less lively and less rowdy but a lot more livable. The area was different, almost like it was separated from the rest of the city since a small body of water acted as its point of separation. The water body that ran a long narrow course through the city had to be one of the deltas of the river Pyre
We crossed to the other side of the city through a bridge as we rode on a paved road until we arrived at our destination.
The council building was a lot more exquisite than the one in Stavren, at least, appearance-wise. It was a round building with a dome-shaped roof. Both sides of the building created an extension that arched outwardly, forming a circular enclosure, with the entrance at its meeting point, and Azkhan soldiers stationed there. We alighted our carriage as some guards escorted us into the building.
We were led into the hall where council meetings were held. I had never attended one before, but the sight I beheld was a shadow of what used to be. Months ago, it was a place where the High Lords and other important profiles in Academroth held their meetings but now, it was used as a meeting place for the Azkhans. The hall was practically empty. Including us, only fifteen people were present. From their appearances, I could tell that everyone present in the hall was a ranked officer since they were dressed slightly differently from other officers. They all paid their respects to Sophia before the meeting commenced.
The man who stood on the raised platform spoke up.
“General, I apologize for dragging you here.”
“Lieutenant Tarde, right? You don’t need to. I’m just doing my job,” Sophia responded from where she was seated; the last row of the hall, which happened to be its highest point since each row was higher than its antecedent one. They referred to her as General, which confirmed my suspicion that they were hiding her status as royalty. She’d got to have a lot of nerves considering how calm she was around me, given that I knew a secret of hers.
“Though I am not proud to say this, we have been losing a lot of men, lieutenants, too. It looks like the Imperium is slowly trying to take back control of Academroth from us. Though we are still in control of most major cities, we lost control of most towns in the south. According to reports, even our lieutenants didn’t stand a chance against them. I am afraid if this continues, we might lose total control of Academroth.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Reports said you requested the deployment of Elder Guards here in Academroth. Don’t you think it’s too early to put them to use at this stage of the war? They are meant to be our last resort. Deploying them now doesn’t give any positive indication of our position in this war.”
“General, I just explained the situation so I felt it might be best if we...”
Sophia didn't let him finish speaking.
“Are we that weak or are you simply scared?”
Tarde was silent but the worry on his face was visible.
“Where do you think they will be headed next?” Sophia asked him, ignoring his concerns.
“Based on the pattern of their attacks, they seem to be focused on taking total control of the Southern cities and towns. We strongly believe that their next target would be Brisdow.”
“Can I see a report of their attacks?”
One of the officers sitting in the first rows walked up to the platform and was handed a few papers which she gave to Sophia.
Mom finally spoke,
“Excuse me, I’m finding it difficult to understand why we are here. So, can you do us a favor and let us know so we don't sit here looking like confused spectators?”
Mom didn't direct the question to anyone in particular but she expected an answer.
“Finally,” I said inwardly.
“You could have asked in the carriage,” Sophia replied.
“I don’t think we are that close. Besides, I feel more comfortable in a formal arrangement like this one.”
“Well, I made that request. You Arcanes from House Choryth have proven to be a lot stronger than most of our lieutenants so, I shouldn't worry about my safety if the need arises.”
I couldn't tell if she was trying to mock us or if she was just being straightforward. Her tone sounded like the latter but the words felt a bit disrespectful, especially to Mom.
“So we are on bodyguard duties?” I whispered to Mom.
“More or less,” she replied.
“How many lieutenants are here in Leif?” Sophia asked Tarde.
“This is all of us,” the man on the platform replied.
I got to understand that the higher-ranked officers who we once referred to as demons were called lieutenants and there were eleven of them in the hall. The bulk of the Azkhan military was made of soldiers who were no different from the casters we had here in the southern republic and even their silhouettes in the grey domain were covered in blue flames. From the short conversation between Sophia and Tarde, I understood that the Azkhans also have a special military unit called the Elder Guards, and I didn't need anyone to tell me that they were crazy strong.
“It should be enough. I need five lieutenants with me, we set for Brisdow.”
Tarde opened his mouth to say something, but words failed him as he slowly nodded.
“This is a bad idea isn’t it?” I whispered to Mom again.
She nodded,
“Yeah, I think so.”
***
We set out for Brisdow almost immediately. There were nine of us; the five lieutenants Sophia requested, included. I couldn’t tell what Sophia was thinking but it was evident that she wanted to fight and prove that they didn’t need the Elder Guards. I felt she was being reckless, undermining her safety, and maybe forgetting that she is royalty. For starters, she isn't even supposed to be here given her status. Even though she was strong, I felt she was being overconfident in her abilities. One can't tell what they get in a battle and I learned that the hard way.
I was bothered; not for Sophia, but about the current situation and how it could affect us. The Azkhan lieutenants were already strong enough; on par, if not stronger than chaos-class casters but according to what Tarde said, the soldiers from the Imperium disposed of the lieutenants alike even though they attacked in small numbers.
I was subtly reminded of Blaire and his men. We had concluded that they had to be members of the rumored Order of Death. Maybe the identity of the Order of Death was kept a secret because they weren't like normal casters. Mom said that they were just like us which meant that they were divines, or Arcanes, as the Azkhans called us. Based on my previous understanding, I believed that divines had the edge over demons since some of them could be as strong as Mom was, if not stronger. It was worrisome because these people were an elite force, meaning that they undergo special training every day. There was no telling how we would fare against them should we encounter them.
We arrived at Brisdow in no time since there were transport gates ready to take us there in an instant. The town was more rural than urban, though it contained components of both. Azkhan soldiers were waiting to receive us as soon as we arrived. They were pre-informed of our arrival through a communication scroll. Most of the soldiers in the town, if not all, were on high alert since they were expecting an attack from the Imperium any time soon.
It looked like it was going to rain as the dark clouds in the sky stretched as far as I could see. The wind was strong and even felt stronger as we rode our horses against its current. Our destination was the Azkhan base in Brisdow. We were racing against the rain as we planned on getting there before the downpour starts.
After we'd ridden quite some distance, I brought my horse side by side with my mother's.
“Are we close?” I asked her, almost screaming.
With a smile on her face, she replied in the same tempo,
“Yes we are.”
Suddenly there was a flash of lightning. It didn't flash across the sky, rather it approached our direction. The closer it approached, the bigger it appeared. Some frightened horses threw their riders off, sending them crashing and mine was one of them. Thankfully I wasn't hurt, just a few bruises. I stood up almost immediately, trying to figure out where Mom was. I heard her call my name. I could see her but she couldn't see me so I waved at her,
“I'm here.”
There was relief on her face as she walked towards me.
All of us were brought to an abrupt stop.
“This isn't ordinary lightning, it's an attack spell,” Mom said to me.
“I know,” I replied.
Mom drew out her swords and walked forward. I drew out mine and followed closely behind.
“Svan, prioritize your safety first if it gets too difficult.”
“I understand.”
Figures approached us from a distance, there were seven of them. My heartbeat tripled, banging against my chest wall but I tried to keep a relaxed expression.
“You have to stay alive if you still want to kill me.”
It was Sophia’s voice, and she was standing next to me.