Sorin made it back late that same night the rest of his team got back. Through some math Euryale knew approximately what time he should be back give or take a half hour.

Sorin moved as quickly as he could the 120 kilometers back from their training site. He was a sweaty, gross, hungry mess that Euryale kept extra far from.

He was escorted back to Euryale's campus estate where he washed up and was able to eat real food. As he was eating at the guard house table Reeger came in with Euryale behind him.

Linx and Cain were excited to see Sorin and they couldn't wait to pick back up on their conversation of the battle with the turtle when their superiors walked in ending the conversation.

All three of them stood up and saluted.

"We all need to have a serious discussion." She said.

Sorin saw more into her words and body language. She was uncertain, even nervous.

She gestured for them to follow and they did. A few minutes later they sat around the conference room table with Euryale at the head and Reeger standing behind her left shoulder.

"Gentlemen, first off, well done on a perfect score in the defense. I have spoken with each of you about what you are working toward and what you ultimately want to do after your conscription is over." She paused and Sorin could see her breathing and gathering herself.

"The next test is completely on whether you remain loyal to me and my house in spite of everything the academy offers you or tries to coerce you with. I have not treated you three as what is traditionally done where we use absolute fear to keep you in line. I have offered you a path to get what we both want in spite of what our lives have become."

The three of them remained silent watching and listening to the young woman that sat before them.

"I will keep my word to you. You have given me what I believe to be your trust and loyalty so far and I hope that is better than trusting the word of an admittedly unknown organization such as the academy. There is a saying I've been told for a while now. "The devil that you know is better than the devil you dont." Even if you hate me, you have come to known a version of me that gives you hope of getting what you want or need."

She took a deep breath in closing her eyes.

"I would ask, that you not forsake me or my family and this is the hard part gentlemen. Things on my home world are more precarious than I have let you know and members of my family would be cross for me telling you this, but I'd rather leave the information on the table for you to see the whole picture. If you all abandon me it won't be just me that suffers, but the people my family cares for."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Sorin tilted his head a bit at this information. "What do you mean ma'am? He asked.

She looked down and started fumbling with her hands.

"The Pallas family and Aegis family rule the planet of Odyssey. There have been savage wars between the two factions for thousands of years. For the last 200 years there have been a tentative peace my father and grandfather tried to ensure would last through the marrying of my sister. However, intelligence and even the actions of Aeon all suggest the Pallas family is preparing to break that peace depending on the success or failure of him and I."

Sorin, Linx, and Cain looked at eachother and nodded which did not go unnoticed by Euryale.

"What?" She asked.

They looked to Sorin who shrugged and spoke up.

"With the social being the way it was, the attempt on my life, and the obvious cruelty of Aeon it made sense to us that a bigger game was in motion. With you confirming it for us it completed the picture."

Euryale looked at them. "I have been learning things and when to be honest. So here it is. I am a noble woman. The daughter of a duke whose grandfather ruled before him. I cannot afford to be weak and fail my family. I am asking each of you to remain loyal and fight for us and our people. I will ensure you remain assigned to me so I can keep my word to each of you."

She looked meaningfully at each of them.

"I'll leave you to consider everything as nothing more I say will add to this. If you have any questions, please direct them to Reeger." She rose and walked out of the conference room.

The three men sat at the table looking at one another.

Linx expectedly spoke first.

"I think this is a simple decision. Of course we stick with her."

Cain looked at him with a smirk. "Linx you know you have no chance with her right? She is the daughter of a duke and will not have a choice but to marry for the benefit of her family and planet. You're an OK man in my eyes, but I'm not her father."

Linx scrunched up a bit. "Not pulling punches tonight huh?"

Sorin jumped in. "We know you are pretty smitten with her man, but you need to think further on down the line and sadly I think Cain is right on this one bud. However, personally I'm sticking with her. She is right about the devil you know."

The other two looked at him. "I've been thinking pretty hard about this and if she will honor her word then I can have the time I need to get stronger and stronger while being part of her retinue. You might not be able to get Euryale, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have women who emulate her within your reach if you work with her."

Cain spoke after a short pause. "Personally, she has been up front with us and I sense no malice from her. Working for her family will be a safer bet for me than the front lines or the mines."

They all looked at one another and nodded.

"I think we are in agreement." Sorin said.

They all got up and went to Euryale's office. Sorin knocked.

"Enter!" Came the response.

The three walked in and stood hands behind their back.

Sorin had a very evil idea.

"Have you decided?" She asked. Sorin could see the nerves all over the poor girl.

"We have ma'am. We are here to deliver unfortunate news." He said letting a breath out.

Linx and Cain looked at him confused out of the corner of their eyes.

Sorin saw Euryale droop eyes starting to go pink around the edges from threatening tears. Now he felt bad.

"It looks like you're not getting away from us any time soon as we have elected to stay on. So respectfully, I suggest you get used to us." Sorin finished.

Euryale was looking down at her desk and Sorin saw what he said starting to sink in. She snapped her head up with a furious glare.

Taking the aether lamp from her desk and she threw it at Sorin.

"You ass!" She shouted.

Sorin caught the lamp with a laugh.

"You will pay for that Sorin Ekart!" She continued.

Reeger who had entered after them was laughing loudly behind them.