It was a peaceful day out. The birds chirped, the sun beamed down at me and Alisson, and the drone of the capital filled the air.
“Good work. But remember to keep your knees bent, Celis.”
“Right!”
I restart my set, Alisson before me.
It’s been a week since that sparring match where I was injured. Since then, I’ve actually started to train with blades and do footwork drills; real battle stuff, not just mentality testing. As a result, Alisson has treated me a lot more like a person. It’s nice. Even though I was currently being worked to a sweat by Alisson, I still considered it pleasant.
Me and Alisson went through the motions of the drill once more. The ladder drill, it was called. Essentially, one person would start with a direct attack, and hit the other. They would repeat it a second time, but this time, the second person would react to the first direct attack, and find some way to hit the other whilst protecting themselves. The drill could be built upon endlessly, from this, both people going back and forth. Alisson and I were on step forty-five of the ladder. That meant that we both had to remember forty-five actions and play them out, each time more trained and quickly than the last, until we reached the end, where a new action would be appended.
It made for quite the spectacle. Recently, other people using the Nuam proving grounds have started watching on, mesmerized.
Other than blade and footwork drills, Alisson also introduced me to the Nuam Keep’s gym. He apparently uses it frequently in the mornings, which was news to my ears because I’ve never seen him look winded or tired, during the daytime…he certainly has more endurance than me.
Spending my days with Alisson like this…training together, eating our meals together, him showing me tricks and tips with miscellaneous life things here and there…I felt so at ease, so at peace.
We were by this point on step fifty, and with its conclusion, Alisson and I relaxed our postures. Alisson smiled gingerly at me.
“I’ve never had an apprentice who could so quickly grasp this drill, it’s a test of mind and body…But you can already do it quite flawlessly, even to such high number of actions.” I avert my eyes from his praise and smile to myself. “I know you haven’t mentioned this to me before Celis, but I did read your information from the academy…It seems that first place standing you garnered from the instructors was quite valid.”
Oh stop it. You’ll make me blush...
“Well…” I start warily. “If the only thing I’m destined to do in Sidonia is fight…then I should be good at it…”
Alisson strode over to me, and laid a hand on my shoulder. I jumped and looked up to him. “The time will come in your life when you will gain more responsibilities…whether that be with subordinates, or a civil duty, but right now, you just need to learn to protect yourself. A Nekomata is firstly a servant to Sidonia, and she needs us to be warriors, so that is what we will be. So don’t feel bad about just being a soldier. You will grow in the future. When we stabilize the world so that humans no longer attack us, there won’t be such a great need for war.”
He smiled and took his hand off my shoulder. “And you will certainly have more paperwork to do. It makes you want to just be a soldier, and nothing else.” He chuckled to himself.
Having concluded our drills for the day, Alisson and I walked over to a shaded portion of the proving grounds, out of the sun. Alisson’s servants had already prepared ice-cold water for us, and we graciously accepted it from them. After taking a few gulps of what tasted like the best water I’d ever drunk, I made small talk with Alisson.
“About that paperwork you were talking about…You sure are having a lot of meetings recently…”
In the last few days especially, Alisson had retired early in the day, and parted with me. By the time he was finished with the meetings, it was already too late in the night, so he simply retired to his bedroom and did paperwork until going to sleep. It was nice in the sense it gave me a bit of free time, but I really had nothing important to do, so I felt a bit useless not being near Alisson.
Alisson finished a gulp of water, and paused for a moment, before slowly responding, “Yes…High Command is…well, they’re busy. Let’s call it that.”
I looked up to him. “Busy with what?”
Alisson shook his head. “You’ll see in due time.”
Alisson was dismissive about what he was actually doing, leading me to believe that the meetings were confidential, and that a lowly apprentice like me wasn’t privy to the information.
The cold glass I held felt so nice against my warm, sweaty hands. I took another gulp, the cooling sensation seemed to sap my muscle’s tire.
“Hiya! Mind if I have a sip too!”
Just before I was able to raise my glass to my lips, a boy about my age leaned down right into my vision. I was probably far too at peace to notice him approaching. I looked up to him. He was about my age physically – but that’s where the resemblances ended. He was smiling at me, invading my personal space, his hands behind his back. On his waist rested a cutlass. He wore the same training outfit that I did.
“U-um…”
I didn’t know how to respond and averted my eyes.
Behind the boy came a woman who was older than me and the boy, but looked about Alisson’s age. She had this cotton-candy pink hair and a soft expression. Like Alisson she did not wear a training outfit for apprentices, but rather some casual attire. All of our sleeves were of course rolled up in this heat. It gave me the chance to see Alisson’s surprisingly large forearms.
“Ah, Cheri. How has your training fared?”
Alisson asked with a smile, clearly he the girl, Cheri.
“Pretty good, captain. This one here might be a little feisty but he catches on quick.”
She said, laying a hand on the boy’s head, and pulling him back to straighten him. Probably in a subtle motion to leash him back in away from me. Alisson looked me with a smile. “Meet your new teammates. You’re going to be working very closely with these two for the foreseeable future.”
“Ah! M-my apologies…” I stood up, and bowed my head, feeling embarrassed at the awkward treatment I gave the boy. “I’m Celistine Regadonia, an apprentice…but you can call me Celis.”
The two newcomers both knew who Alisson was (who wouldn’t) so Alisson didn’t bother introducing himself formally, and remained seated.
“Ah, yes! I have to introduce myself!” The boy said, and as he was talking to himself, hit a fisted hand down lightly into his open palm upon his realization. He wrapped a hand around his chest, and curled leg around the other, bowing theatrically to both me and Alisson. “I am Haruneil Bel Falslier, an apprentice. Happy to meet you, Celis!”
He said with innocent enthusiasm, I could almost see the sparkles in his eyes.
The taller, older girl stepped forward, looking at me. “And I’m Cherisa Ja Veruz. 51st. I’m unfortunate enough to be this one’s master.” She laid a hand on Haruniel’s shoulder.
My mouth hung open for a moment as I realized this girl was a fully-fledged 51st. She and Alisson had probably fought together for decades. I bowed my head in respect to the 51st, my shoulders up by my head submissively.
Perhaps seeing the sweat on their faces, or hearing Haruniel’s early remark, one of Alisson’s servants silently offered the two glasses of cold water, and they too graciously accepted. It seemed the two had also been drilling like Alisson and I in the heat of the sun.
Alisson slowly rose, straightening his back, and it became very apparent who were the apprentices here. Cherisa might’ve been taller than Alisson, but the both of them were each a head above me and Haruniel.
“Celis, Haruniel, I suggest you two get to know one another. You’re both apprentices after all. You may be fighting side by side not too long from now, so how about a friendly bout?” Alisson suggested with a smile. “Me and Cheri here need to discuss some things, so run along for little while.”
“Yes master.” I bobbed my head at Alisson, before Haruniel suddenly blurted out,
“Ah! Alisson- er, I mean, Captain Nuam, sir, you can just call me Haru!”
Alisson, as he was turning away with Cheri to walk somewhere, looked back at Haru, “Noted. And Alisson is fine, apprentice.”
With that the two masters made their way to the edge of the proving ground, where they would have some privacy to discuss probably confidential things. Though they both kept an eye on us apprentices.
“So, Celis.” Haru stepped forward, seeming excited. “How about that duel your master suggested? Let’s let our blades do the talking for a first introduction!”
He seemed eager to prove himself, like I was before I was hit by Alisson.
“…Sure.” I smiled a small smile shyly at him, and we both exited the shade, and got into the sandy, sunny clearing of the field.
The two of us took our stances, and hefted our blunted training blades at one another. Haruniel’s stance with his one handed cutlass was far closer to a traditional fencer than that of Alisson’s. After a moment of staring at one another, he blurred into action.
I was faster than him, and managed to dodge many of his strikes. He clearly was very eager for blade contact, but keeping mind how Alisson had so thoroughly thrashed me in the week prior with just his movement and hands, I was eager to not fall into the trap of needlessly clashing blades. Especially since my weapons were smaller. Eventually, during one of his strikes, I stepped forward, blocking his blade with one of my own, and thrusting into his gut with my other. The wind was blown out of him, and he stumbled back, holding his stomach.
“Uwah…You’re so fast, Celis! Your master must love evasion if you’re already so fast and capable! Or maybe I’m just slow…”
I shyly shrugged at him with a small, consolidating smile. “Mm. You’re not slow, Alisson has trained me a lot with movement before blade work…I bet if we were both locked in one place, you could beat me with your swordsmanship…”
Haru looked up to me, sparkles in his eyes. “You think so? We should try sometime!” He nodded to himself.
“Ah…haha…yeah…” I chuckled, averting my eyes, and raising my shoulders.
I looked over at Alisson and Cherisa, they were still talking, but when Cherisa saw me and Haru looking out toward them, she gave us a thumbs up and a satisfied smile; they had clearly paid attention to our bout.
“It looks like there not done yet…” I retorted, “Do you want to drill while we wait?”
Haru nodded enthusiastically. “Mm! Sure!”
I couldn’t tell if Haru was an especially outgoing and happy-go-lucky person, or, if like me, he was very at content with the current circumstances in life as an apprentice.
The two of us practice attacking and parrying each other in different attack lanes. Haru didn’t hold back – I had to use both my blades to have the strength to halt and push his cutlass away from me. He doesn’t thrust very often, in fact, I don’t think he’s thrusted once. He makes super large swinging motions, as if he’s using a polearm or something.
“You really need to tighten up your swings…It’s like you’re using a polearm…” I gave him some advice mid drill.
“Funny you should say that…I actually use a halberd as my main weapon!”
“W-wha…?” I ask, bewildered.
“Yep. This here is just my back up.” He he twirls the cutlass with his wrist in a flare. “You have two weapons, so it’s not crazy to understand, right?”
He tilted his head with a smile.
“Y-yeah…but why aren’t you using your halberd then?”
Haru shook his head. “I have a special one that can fold up so I can hoist it on my back under a cloak. I’m so used to it that any others just feel weird…that, and the one I use is really light weight…I don’t think I’d be able to lift much less swing one of the halberds the 57th use…”
He rubbed the back of his head chuckling.
Well, it makes sense that a 51st apprentice, if they were using such a large, unwieldy thing as polearm, would use a lighter, concealable variation – But it doesn’t make me feel any better about having the pride of winning that bout be invalidated.
Haru parried one of my strikes, and, and he asked, “So how is your master?”
“W-what?”
“Like, do you like them?”
I averted my eyes. “Y-yeah…Alisson is nice…” My voice trailed off awkwardly, and I hastily added, “What about you?”
“Oh! Cheri’s the best!” He brought his hands up to his chest, eager to sing her praise. “She has to super cool bow that can turn into a glaive with just a schwing!” He made a cutting motion with a hand, “She’s so strong and fast and cool! And she’s super nice to me! I’ve learnt more under her in two weeks than all my time at the Academy it feels like!”
He kept on kowtowing, even commenting how he liked her hair and her eyes and…yeah he basically just said she was cute. I guess I can say the same about Alisson, but listing it off as a positive about your teacher is pretty bold.
“You guys both have some interesting weapons…a folding halberd and a bow that doubles as a glaive…”
I muttered, wondering if I was ever going to get a more interesting arsenal than just my stilettos. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Alisson mention or use anything other than just a simple rapier…does he have some sort of secret weapon, or is he just boring?
Well I guess having flashy weapons doesn’t really matter, it’s how you use them.
“Yeah…but Cheri told me her weapon in its glaive form isn’t all that reliable, it probably would just break in half if she tried to cut steel with it, it’s more a self defense thing, being an archer…But it looks like all us apprentices got masters that have some sort of similarity in the weapons we use!”
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
“Yeah, you’re right…” Alisson uses thrusting rapier, and I use thrusting stilettos, some methodology carries over even if our weapons differ. And Haru of course shares the fact that he uses a polearm with Cherisa.
“Good work, both of you.” Alisson said, approaching, flanked by Cherisa.
“Drilling instead of being idle, this must be the work of your apprentice, Alisson.” Cherisa remarked.
Alisson stood tall with his hands on his hips. “I’m sorry to cut the day short, but the 51st will be meeting in our barracks tonight.”
“Everyone…?” I tepidly ask.
Alisson nods. “Everyone. That includes you two. So behave your best if you want to make a good impression.” He smirked.
“So exciting!” Haru exclaimed with glee.
This must be connected to all those meetings and work Alisson has been doing…I think something big is brewing for the 51st, and by extension, me.
…
The 51st barracks were quite spacious. Though they hosted cots for the members, it was evident that they weren’t used often, and was more an emergency housing space for the unit. It seemed to mostly be used as a meeting room and storage area for the unit’s gear and any trinkets they may have picked up. There were sets of armor, battle scarred, hanging on the walls. They bore Andestine insignias. Many weapons were laid out across tables, accompanied by the tools needed to tend them. Half-finished card games were spread across the room, and there were plenty of notes on pieces of equipment detailing the needs of the equipment, as well as a missive board that held a swath of notices addressed to the unit as a whole.
I kept near to Alisson, wary of all the people. The entire unit was here. They were going to be my comrades heading forward, my siblings in arms. Regardless, I still felt uncomfortable, and practically hugged Alisson’s backside. It was evident who were the apprentices here and who were the actual 51st, most easily discernable purely by the height. Other apprentices were like me, staying close to their masters, and warily looking around. Others though, like Haru, gawked at the members of the 51st, asking them all sorts of questions about their gear and fawning over them.
With the last the 51st arriving, and Alisson concluded that now was the time to start the meeting. He stepped forward and leaned over the largest table in the room that everyone was surrounding, on it was a map of the world. The lights in the barracks suddenly dimmed, and dull blue mage lights blared to life under the table.
“Listen up everyone.” Alisson declared, his voice and the sudden shift in lighting silencing the room. “As much as we’re all eager to show off our apprentices, this isn’t a social call. We have our next mission. This one comes directly from Sidonia.”
Everyone promptly straightened.
“As we all know, the Caliphate recently attacked us. With our luck, a declaration of formal war is already on the way. Those in High Command, including myself, believe the attack to be incited by Andestine as an intentional step toward getting the whole world to turn against us at once. Though a full-scale war is still in the horizon – Both the Principality and the Caliphate will need time to mobilize their armies and bring their manpower down from their northern borders. Same with Andestine, they’ll need time to ferry their forces and prepare them to coordinate with other nations – High Command estimates we have six months until that happens.”
As Alisson spoke, he maneuvered his hands, and fuzzy objects appeared on the map, signifying enemy armies. They were mostly in the north, and as Alisson spoke, they moved down to south toward Sidonia. The map was illuminated by underlying magic lights, and so every country had its own color and borders glowing clearly in the dark room.
“To that end, Sidonia has foreseen that Andestine will attempt to sever our information network in human territories before the war really kicks off.”
Alisson weaved his fingers as if he were playing a harp, and multiple fuzzy black dots appeared on the map.
“These are the towns that we currently have a strong influence on, with entire infiltrator and informant networks within. It’s thanks to these brave Nekomata who would live false lives in human territories that we are able to see through the human’s actions with such ease. Going forward, it’ll be our job to protect them. We’re already getting reports of increased presence of Andestine Inquisitors in towns throughout the Principality and the Caliphate. Andestine will probably need time to handle the politics of sending Inquisitors to their own allies’ towns, and to coax favor out of the local governorships to assist them, so we’ll have time to get to these towns and link-up with our allies.”
A wave of red dots appeared from Andestine, following red lines toward the black dots. Above every red dot was a glowing, hazy ‘I’ letter.
“We’re to split up, move to these towns, blend in with the local populace, and annihilate any resistance Andestine or any other anti-Sidonian factions can muster.”
Alisson weaved his fingers, and a wave of blue dots exited Sidonian land and spread out to the towns, meeting face to face with the red dots. Above each one was a hazy ‘51st’.
“Other than our largest, most important assets, there are further reaching towns and smaller villages that either hold important positions or important VIPs as well – The 52nd, and 53rd, will be breaking off some of their manpower where needed, so you need not worry about these. But overall, we are the main shield against the Andestine aggression for the foreseeable future.”
Other dots moved out of Sidonia, with ‘52nd‘ and ‘53rd’ hovering above them, though there were far fewer of them.
“Your missions will end when either all resistance has been effectively neutralized from these towns, or until the infiltrator director there declares that they have no need of the extra muscle. Or, on the off chance that we must retreat from the town due to heavy Andestine presence. There will not be an even distribution of Andestine forces throughout these towns – Do not be ashamed if you are the only one against an entire Inquisition order, in such cases, you are to aid and protect the infiltrators until they are able to evacuate the city.”
The red and blue dots pushed back and forth against each other, the vast majority pushing the red dots away; but some blue dots were pushed back, away from the towns, and the red dots sat triumphantly atop the town.
“In these cases, everyone will be provided with the relative positions of nearby Ranger Corps. If there’s anything the enemy have lose by having so much land, it’s that we can hide entire battlegroups in their borders, provided they are in the wilderness.”
Green ‘R’s formed in certain places around the Sidonian border and throughout the southern human territories.
“Remember. You’re as much protecting our intelligence assets are you are preparing the towns to be conquered by our armies in the future. I’m sure the Infiltrators will put you to good work even after you deal with armed resistance. Daventdale.”
“Captain.”
Daventdale, a large man, who seemed far more masculine than Alisson, stepped forward.
“You’ll take charge of the 51st being deployed to Irinian lands.”
The blue dots occupying the western human lands, within the lavender borders of the Principality, flickered cyan.
“Alieri, you and I will be the commanders of the Jedathari operations.”
“Yes captain.”
A woman nodded in the crowd. Obviously the two of them were officers in the 51st. The blue dots on the eastern side switched color to match Alieri.
“The 51st for the next six months will most likely be doing odd jobs outside Sidonia to prepare for the war, we will most likely not meet as a single unit like this for a while, so say your goodbyes, and pack for a long trip. Meet with your company commanders for your individual assignments. We have some towns with just one member assigned, and other larger settlements with two or three, so if you have any concerns about who will be your teammates, or lack thereof, be sure bring it to either me or the company commanders.”
Alisson looked around the room for a moment, stopping to see if anyone had any questions.
“Sir, what about the apprentices?”
One of the 51st asked. Alisson nodded. “Yes, I know the apprentices have only transferred here recently, and have only had a couple weeks of training at the capital, but High Command believes that this mission will not be one where you as masters will not be able to protect your apprentices on the job – There is little reason to split up, and the urban environments will make escape in bad situations easy. The apprentices will be going along with us. Take it as a chance to build their experience.”
“Understood, sir.”
The 51st that had asked stepped back into the crowd. Alisson looked around the room, once more seeking questions, but after a moment of silence, finally concluded, “Alright, we have our orders. Let’s move.”
““Sir, yes sir!””
The 51st around the room responded without hesitation, and I quickly blurted to follow along.
With that, the lights undimmed, and the room was bright once more.
The 51st broke into murmuring and talk, and went their own separate ways after Alisson was done with his briefing. A small crowd formed around Alisson, and he was busy for a while ironing out questions and details with his subordinates. I stood warily behind him, my shoulders high by my faces.
“So you’re the captain’s new apprentice? Mm! Just as cute as I thought!”
I felt two arms wrap around my belly and lift me up, with someone nuzzling my shoulder. I let out a yelp and flailed my arms around in surprise.
“Easy there Claus, you’re going to break her!” Daventdale says, his arms crossed.
Oh, thanks for the help. Really stops the crazed woman who’s trying to suffocate me. And I know it’s a woman because of the two big masses pressed against the back of my head. W-wait w-what!? My struggle redoubles, but I’m not able to break free of her grip.
“I suppose the young ones are quite fragile…” With that remark, she put me down gently, and I turned and stared at her indignantly.
“Claus you scared the poor kid half to death, she’s shaking in fear.” Alieri remarked.
I backup, and accidently bump into Alisson, who was looking quite quizzical. He then stepped forward past me, and before Claus.
“Claus. Hands off my apprentice.”
The expression drained from Claus’s face, and fear wafted into her eyes upon seeing Alisson’s stern expression.
“That goes for the rest of you. Please treat her as you would treat me. That includes the personal space.”
“Y-yes captain!”
Claus fumbled to apologize.
It was odd seeing these older, more mature looking Nekomata take orders and be so submissive to Alisson, someone who was shorter than most of them, and didn’t look at all like the part of a grizzled commander. I kind of see where they came from though…Alisson’s eyes could be so scornful, so stern, so authoritative, but they could also be so soft, and gentle. It was odd.
Afterwards, Claus approached me, and despite being double my height, said her apologies. “Celis, was it? I’m sorry for picking you up like that, I didn’t know…”
“N-no…It’s nothing…It just surprised me was all.” I averted my eyes shyly. “We apprentices all need to take our lumps somehow around here, right?” I tepidly smiled at her.
“Yeah! Good point Celis!” Haruniel suddenly appeared behind me, his head bobbing back and forth. “So hurry up and pick me up too!” He extended his arms toward Claus with excitement, bouncing up and down.
Claus tilted her head with a smile. “Sure thing hunny.” Claus picked up Haru under his armpits and gave him a spin ‘round before setting him back down. He bobbed with glee, and then ran off to go presumably accost another 51st. Seeing this, I asked offhand to Claus,
“Don’t you have an apprentice?” I would expect that this motherly looking 51st would be the first to leap for the chance.
Claus shook her head with a sad smile. “Unfortunately, no. I’m the 51st‘s main healer. As such, I can’t let anyone get in my way, it’s a life or death matter – I can’t afford to be looking out for someone on-top of my usual healing.”
I bobbed my head in understanding. There are probably many in the 51st who are like me in that they have lower level healing spells, but dedicated healers like Claus are rare; they have their work cut out for them. The branch of magic that held healing was one that few could get to work, and even fewer at the higher levels of it.
“I’ve never seen Alisson get so defensive about an apprentice before…” Claus retorted, “So I assumed something about you…But I guess Alisson must like you.”
Claus winked deviously before walking off. Just what’s that supposed to mean? I can’t lie that I actually sort of enjoyed being grabbed like that but what I said was the truth, it was just surprising.
“Claus would make a good mother…”
I murmured to myself off-hand, but after a moment, I realized I said this out loud, but thankfully no one around heard me. Well, If I want to pedantic, since I’m technically apart of the 51st ‘family’ I guess I could consider her my mother. I wonder how she’d react if I just went up to her with a cheery smile calling ‘Mom! Mom!’
It sent shivers down my spine thinking about it.
Since the barracks was filled with talking 51st, I decided with a nervous swallow that I should try to talk with some of my new family. Alisson said that we’d be working closely with Cheri and Haru in the future…I can imagine that both Alisson and Cheri are being sent to the same town, so by extension, me and Haru. I looked around for Haru, but couldn’t find him, so instead tepidly approached Cheri. She seemed to have just finished reading over some papers that were handed to her.
“Ah, Celis. Something you want to ask about the mission?”
I didn’t really have any questions, I just wanted to talk to blend in and not be that one loner in the corner, so I whipped something up in my head.
“How dangerous will it be?”
Cheri looked a little perturbed by my question. She shrugged. “It could be a walk in the park if Andestine sends little to no Inquisitors to our town, or it could be impossible if we’re unlucky…We’ll need to keep our eyes out and gage the enemy strength – If there’s one thing Alisson wants of the 51st, it’s that we shouldn’t throw our lives away. Oh, and Celis…I’m not sure if Alisson told you, but he and I have assigned to the same town, Foksly. That means you and Haru are coming with. Not that you’re any pleased to hear that though.”
She chuckled.
“Haru’s fine…” I mumur. “What can you can tell me about Foksly?”
Cheri smiled. “Ah, yes. Young ones like you don’t have the decades of experience to know every town and how it’s like off the top of your head. Foksly is a port town on the Caliphate’s eastern coast, as such, it’s in spitting distance of the Andestine mainland. It’s a medium-sized town, but it’s a little on the poorer side. Me and Alisson have been there before, so that’s why we’re going. I’ve never met any of the infiltrators there though.”
Right. When Sidonians are working in towns on business that doesn’t pertain to the infiltrators, in order to maintain strict secrecy, a no-contact rule is in place.
“Only thing of note about it is that it has a pretty big governmental bureau, even by Caliphate standards.”
Cheri gave a flick to the papers she was holding, probably detailing information on Foksly.
Caliphate settlements are governed by regional lords, and are spread quite far, as such, large, castle-like buildings are hosted in Caliphate towns as per norm, it’s where the government exudes their control from. They were a sign of oppression back when most of the Caliphate lands were freshly conquered, now, a sign of order.
“But you keep yourself safe, Celis. I know Alisson is just about the best person you can have looking out for you, but you never know what can happen.” She then leaned in, and sure that Haru wasn’t around, said quickly to me, “I’d also appreciate it if you kept on eye on Haru, he’s been disciplined so far, but given his attitude…I don’t know if he might do something stupid.”
I nodded.
“Sorry if I’m a little paranoid.” Cheri rubbed the back of her head guiltily. “Long ago I was just a just a simple archer, part of a division and everything. Then Golonus happened…” Her voice trailed off. “…Alisson was one of the relief forces sent to aid us, and I was lucky enough to escape thanks to him…after that I stuck around with him and got transferred into the 51st since my all my previous comrades had…well, it was Golonus, there isn’t much I can say that you probably haven’t heard about that battle.”
She shook her head. I nodded with pity for her. So, Cheri is a veteran of the Battle of Golonus…There aren’t many of them. A fighter with her experience, and time in the 51st since then, she must be one of Alisson’s most trusted and hardened subordinates.
“But…losing all your comrades in battle…” I look away. “That’s something we have in common…”
Cheri’s eye piqued. “Oh? I didn’t think there were any apprentices in the 51st who had combat experience…My condolences.”
“Well…it wasn’t combat…It was a training mission that went wrong…” I looked away with my shoulders high. “…that’s why I’m only apprentice I know to have had two different training teams in the Academy…”
Cheri laid a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me. I know how terrible it feels, to be the only one left…You wonder why and why it was you that made it out…and not someone else…”
I looked up to her and smiled, warmth filling my chest. I nodded, suddenly feeling a connection between the two of us.
I murmured quietly, staring off, for a moment seeing faces of the ones that I once called my first friends. The ones that were unlucky enough to be paired up with me, the bad luck charm.
“Celis, Cheri.” Alisson strode up behind me. He looked to me and Cheri for a second. “I’m glad to see you two are getting along, but duty calls. We’re heading to Foksly.”
…
“The 51st is briefed, then?”
“Yes my Lady. The 51st will be deploying throughout the week. I’ll be leaving shortly as well.”
Alisson responded, kneeling, his hand on his heart and his head held low in the presence of Sidonia. In the Rolaign, late into the night, the light that wafted in from the ceiling was far duller, and so the shadows were heavier in Sidonia’s chambers. He had been called to her on short notice - He’d been instructing Celis on what supplies to pack, and what horses they were to use, when Sidonia had called for him.
“That is good to hear…There’s something I must discuss with you, Alisson.” He looked up to Sidonia, and she continued, “I’ll be entrusting you Enhérejär for the coming time. It will be a far larger bout of time than I have given you with it before, most certainly.”
Alisson’s eyes widened. Was this mission so important that he was to be armed with his weapon? Or was it that Sidonia foresaw heavy Andestine resistance?
Sidonia smiled. “It may be as you think…I would rather not take chances…in case anything arises in the area, I want you on the field at top strength. You are one of my most powerful pieces Alisson, you spoil me in your ability to resolve and snip problems in the bud before they bloom. I trust you, Alisson – You won’t fall in battle or otherwise compromise Enhérejär.”
Alisson looked up sternly to Sidonia. “No, Sidonia. I would sooner trade the lives of myself and my 51st than let Enhérejär fall into enemy hands, as you’ve instructed.”
“Mm. Well, it doesn’t help that you have such a great rapport with Enhérejär…even Apophria can barely get her to cooperate, but you, you’re only one Enhérejär seems to bond with. And besides, I would rather be using my assets proactively, then letting it collect dust in my armory, no?”
Alisson took a deep breath, but other than that, steeled his mind on the mention of his older sister.
A servant of Sidonia’s – one that was pale and dressed only in pure white livery, who seemed to lack expression or any concept of emotions, walked out of the shadows, holding out Enhérejär. They handed it to Sidonia, who then, with both her hands, lowered it before Alisson. He looked up, and like a knight being given his oath, grasped Enhérejär with both his hands, and lifted its familiar weight from Sidonia’s porcelain grip.
What he lifted, was a white rapier. It was flawless, and had intricate designs running over its pommel and blade. It spoke to him. It welcomed him.
“Sidonia. I’m honored you would once more place your trust in me.” He tightened his grip on Enhérejär. His weapon. No one else could use it...No one else could understand it.
“Don’t disappoint me, Alisson.” Sidonia’s smile intensified. “I think you’ll be very busy after your mission to Foksly…so put Enhérejär and your new apprentice to good use.”
“Yes, my Lady. I am but your humble vector. To protect Enhérejär, to complete my task, I would forfeit everything.”
“Well said, Alisson. Now, fly.” Sidonia raised her hand outward, as if sending forth Alisson as what he called himself – A vector. A tool. Sidonia’s wishes were the muscles that moved him.
***