Jason Grekor

“SO, YOU’RE THE son he mentioned? Jason right?” the woman seated in her chair inquired, her stormy sea eyes scrutinizing me from head to toe. Clad in a form-fitting, dark blue military uniform, despite her mage status as indicated by the rising sun badge, she exuded an air of authority of a knight. The jacket, adorned with intricate gold embroidery and polished brass buttons, was impeccably tailored. The trousers, neatly tucked into polished boots, complemented the jacket, creating a streamlined and imposing silhouette.

Despite her youthful appearance and perfect figure, I knew she was much older. Irene Aen Harvey, the Northern garrison's commander and a powerful spellbringer, was as graceful as they said.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, offering a stiff salute, the best I could muster. "Jason Greakor, cadet number seventy-two, reporting."

"My, my, you certainly look like your father, much younger," she remarked with a smile, ignoring my salute. "You don't have to be so formal. Your father and I were quite close, so consider me an aunt."

Aunt, my foot. I know the nature of your relationship with my father. This is our first meeting, and I already dislike her intensely. Her smug smile only aggravates me further.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, maintaining my firm tone to conceal my true feelings.

My eyes wondered around the room. The room was furnished with a massive, intricately carved desk, a comfortable armchair, and a long, narrow table. The walls, carved from solid rock, were adorned with intricate patterns and symbols that hinted at the castle's ancient origins. A collection of ancient artifacts, including enchanted weapons and mysterious relics, lined the shelves, casting an air of mystery and power. A large, arched window offered a breathtaking vista of the endless forest that stretched beyond the garrison.

She rose from her chair, her tall and imposing figure silhouetted against the ancient stone walls. Her southern grace was tempered by a steely determination. Gazing out the large window towards the ancient ruin below, she remarked, "You've been here a month now, confined to that ancient ruin." Turning to face me, she inquired, "What do you think we do here, Jason?"

"We protect the people from the northern threat, ma'am," I replied, echoing the line Captain Pixie had drilled into us on our first day of training. The phrase "protecting the north" was a rallying cry that inflated the chests of most cadets, as if they had vanquished hordes of ice apes. But such tricks held no sway over me. I harbored little motivation to save the world. Seeing the commander's dissatisfaction, I added, "We are the first line of defense against the Elven Union," a line I had gleaned from Lord Merwin's library.

"Yes and no. The Northern threat is long gone, as is the Elven Union," she stated. I remained silent, awaiting her next words. "When Algeron reclaimed Dragsula and forced the elves beyond the mountains, he chose to rebuild the Northern garrison as the primary defense line. The Elven Union waited decades to regroup and attack, but ultimately succumbed to Glaecia's might. Now, they no longer exist. Thus, the garrison's original purpose ended decades ago."

"But the elves, they still exist," I murmured softly. Damn, they do. I experienced that firsthand a month ago.

"Yes, they do. Remnants of a lost war, struggling to survive in a human world," she affirmed, approaching me. Her hands gently caressed my face, a maternal touch unexpected from her. I found myself reconsidering my initial impression of her. A glimmer of motherly love seemed to shine in her eyes. "Many believe the garrison's primary purpose now is to cultivate powerful mages for our esteemed Duke of Glaecia. But is that the sole reason for the existence of this ancient ruin, isolated from human civilization?"

"I don't know, ma'am," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

"You don't have to, my dear. The truth, Jason, is far more complex. Not everyone needs to carry that burden, especially not a young soul like you," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "And please, call me Irene when we're alone."

"Yes, ma'a... lady Irene," I replied.

"Ah, that would do as well," she said with a smile. She then walked towards the corner of the room where a sofa and table were situated. With a subtle gesture of her hand, she issued a silent command that I instinctively understood.

"You're old enough to drink, Jason, right?" she inquired. I simply nodded. She then approached a glass shelf, its shelves groaning under the weight of countless wine bottles. Each bottle was a masterpiece, its label a testament to its origin and vintage. She selected a particular bottle, its label promising a rich, full-bodied wine. With a practiced hand, she uncorked the bottle and poured two generous glasses. "It's a bit early to drink, but I won't have much free time to meet with you again."

Morning or night, I wouldn't turn down a glass of wine if given the chance. I hadn't tasted a drop since leaving Slacia. And from her smile, I felt like she could read my mind. The wine, a deep ruby hue, swirled in the glass, releasing tantalizing aromas of ripe berries and dark chocolate. She handed me the glass, and I took a sip, the rich, velvety liquid warming my throat.

"Is this from southern Paercia? It has a distinct floral note, with hints of dark fruit and spice. A truly exquisite wine, my lady," I said, savoring the taste. I had intended to take another sip, as nobility often does, but the taste was too enticing. I drained the glass, nobility be damned. Rhinia didn't seem bothered by my informality. She simply smiled and refilled my glass.

"So, Jason, how did you find Lady Shirisha? Let's keep this casual, not a formal report," she said, taking a small sip from her glass. Back to business, it seems.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

I explained how one of our friends had found a finger, which led us to dig and rescue Lady Shirisha. She listened intently.

"You see, our Garrison wouldn't want to be entangled in northern politics, but if something happened to a nobleman's beloved daughter, it would certainly tarnish our reputation. Your actions not only saved a life but also protected our reputation," she said, gazing into her glass. "What about the lad she met last night, during curfew? What was his name again?"

Ah, I knew this was coming. Gary was my roommate, and she knows that too. Now, how to tackle this situation? Well, there's something I haven't told her yet.

"I assume you're referring to Gary, my roommate," I said, my tone slightly serious. "I know he met her just before all this unfolded, but I vouch for him. He had nothing to do with it."

"Tell me the reason." She asked with a smile, an amused look fleeting in her eyes.

"As I unearthed Lady Shirisha, I detected subtle traces of magical energy. This suggests that other bodies may be buried nearby, their life forces long extinguished," I stated, noticing Irene's amused look now replacing with concern. "Given the reports of missing young women and the absence of any such reports from the garrison, I believe these victims were outsiders, possibly from villages near Whitewoods. Someone intended to conceal them within the graveyard. I hypothesize that Shirisha witnessed this act and was subsequently attacked. In haste to ensure her demise, the perpetrator discarded her body in the same grave as the others. However, due to her innate connection to the earth, she survived beneath the soil." While this revelation didn't definitively absolve Gary, it redirected attention towards a broader, more malevolent conspiracy surrounding the garrison.

"What? Did you report this to anyone?" she asked, rising quickly from her seat.

"No, I didn't have the time," I replied nonchalantly.

"Well, Jason, you can leave now. I'll handle the situation," she said, regaining her composure. She packed the two bottles of wine into a bag and handed them to me. "Take this as a personal reward from me." She winked. "And would you give Gary a little warning not to do something like meeting a young girl in the forest at night?"

"I would, my lady," I said with a smile. Acquiring two bottles of fine wine had certainly improved my mood. It wasn't as if I was selling myself to this woman, who clearly had her reasons for wanting to win me over. It was simply a reward, as she'd stated, for my morning's hard work. After a formal salute, I left her office.

The hallway, carved into the living rock, was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The smooth, polished walls seemed to shimmer with an inner light. Despite its subterranean depth, the air was fresh and cool, circulated by some unseen magical force. It was as if the very mountain itself breathed, sustaining those within. As I walked, I couldn't help but marvel at the intricate carvings adorning the walls, depicting scenes of ancient battles and heroic deeds.

I reached a grand staircase, its steps worn smooth by countless footsteps. As I ascended, a sense of being watched crept over me. I glanced around, but the hallway was empty. Yet, the sensation persisted, as if a thousand unseen eyes followed my every move.

When I finally reached the ground floor, I noticed a girl, perhaps a little younger than me, leaning against the staircase railing. She wore a beautiful hat, a style popular among noblewomen. I feigned ignorance as I passed her. But after a few steps, a gentle voice came from behind. "Are you the one who found Lady Shirisha?" A hint of apprehension colored her tone.

Damn it! Now what? I'm already uncomfortable here, and now I'm a bit drunk too. I turned to face the voice, seeing her walking towards me with an elegant grace. Now that I got a good look at her face, she was undeniably beautiful in a healthy, unpretentious way. Soft brown curls framed a delicate face with faintly rosy cheeks. She bore a striking resemblance to the girl we'd found buried, though a bit younger.

She paused a few steps away, her posture exuding a sense of refined elegance. A subtle smile played on her lips as she inclined her head in a graceful gesture, her gaze steady and inviting. Her hands, delicate and adorned with a simple ring, were folded gently in her lap.

I inclined my head respectfully, "It was we, my lady," I replied, my voice soft yet assured. A moment passed as she regarded me with a curious, appraising look.

"I extend my thanks to you and your friends, ser...," She trailed off, her lips pursed in contemplation.

"Jason Grekor, my lady," I said, stating my name.

"Ser Jason Grekor, House Henkelstone is eternally grateful for your noble act of saving my sister's life," she declared, her identity now revealed. "Please, call me Sherin."

I hadn't known house Henkelstone had another mage. From her mana signature, I could tell she was a powerful mage. Such power, coupled with her good looks and confident demeanor, would give her a significant advantage in high society, making her a desirable match. I often found noble ladies to be somewhat uncomfortable, even a pain at times. However, I sensed no such discomfort from her.

"It was a pleasure, Lady Sherin, and a duty to save a young woman," I responded politely. "If you'll excuse me, I must report this incident to my superiors."

"Of course, I don't mind," she said with a courteous smile. "But I'd like to invite you for a cup of tea sometime later. Would you accept that, Ser Jason?" Her eyes, a captivating shade of brown, softened and twinkled with a subtle invitation.u

"I shall be honored to accept your kind invitation, Lady Sherin," I replied, extricating myself from her subtle influence. I knew she had been following me since I left the commander's office. To be precise, it was her misty clone that watched me from behind. It was almost undetectable, but my heightened wind perception allowed me to perceive her presence.

I finally left the entire area and stepped outside the gatehouse, only to find Kane engaged in conversation with Gary. What on Earth is he doing here? That idiot. I quickened my pace towards them. When Gary noticed me, I knew he was about to bombard me with a flurry of questions. However, I disregarded him and continued walking past them towards the stairs.

"Let's go. We've done all we can," I stated, not turning around. They trailed behind me without questioning.

However, just as we took a few steps, Gary began his barrage of questions: "Hey Jason, will she be alright? Did she sustain any critical injuries? Was her crown spinning normally, Jason? What did the Healer say?"

"Just be quiet and keep walking. And why did you come here like an idiot?" I demanded angrily.

"It's... I just couldn't," he stammered, unable to finish his explanation.

"You know they're suspicious of you, Gary. You were the last person she saw," I said, then quickly turned to face him, gripping his shoulder firmly and staring into his eyes. "Did you do it?"

I understand he loves her, but if his partner saw him burying dead bodies, she would pose a threat to him. Eliminating her would have been the safest course of action, love or not. The world is cruel, but people are even crueler. However, I saw confusion, not guilt, in his eyes.

"No, I would never," he replied. His eyes were still red and bloodshot, as they had been that morning.

"You need some sleep, you idiot. And yes, the Healer said she'll be fine in a few days," I said, walking towards the garrison below us.