Dreu laid down on the hard bed. He preferred the ones in the Cleric Fortress of Ujun but, given where he was at, a bed of any kind was considered a luxury. The room was also smaller and he had to share it with Bayard and Rohese. Due to the influx of adventurers who fled to the capital, the adventurer inn was forced to cram as many adventurers into a room. Three was the limit and Dreu found himself with his summons who were content just standing in the room while he laid on the single bed. He knew Jeane and Gaenor were sharing a room with a stranger while Sadon was forced to make new friends.

The young man wondered how his group got through the last couple of hours. Shortly after their arrival at Xante, the palace officials began splitting up the new arrivals to where they were needed. The clerics from the fortress were assigned to the front lines. From what they heard, things were going poorly and casualties were high along the outermost walls. While the demons were held at bay, there were worries about the collapse of the first defensive line. The clerics were sent to assist the second defensive line in preparation for the collapse of the first.

Meanwhile, the combatants from the Cleric Fortress of Ujun were assigned to groups of their own kind. Dreu watched as holy knights joined other holy knights and other groups doing the same. In the end, only his group remained because, as adventurers, they didn’t belong to any specific group. After learning of their escape from Berkton since the demon invasion, the group was led out of the castle by a single guide. The guide led them to the adventurer inn where a receptionist with dark circles under her eyes helped book them rooms. The receptionists also told them to rest well because they were expected to join the garrison the following day.

What’s on your mind? Asked Bayard.

Not quite how I envisioned my visit to the capital. Everything is so hectic and it’s obvious they want to get rid of us as soon as possible. Our deaths would matter little.

Strength is all that matters here in the capital. During time of peace, low level adventurers are needed for tasks high level adventurers viewed as below them. In times of war, your group is seen as nothing more than fodder to be sent to the front lines.

The receptionist made it clear that we’ll be joining the fight tomorrow. I'm still surprised by how packed the inn is.

The capital officials aren't fools. They are reinforcing the walls where it's needed and are keeping a reserve wherever they can. Get some rest! I doubt you’ll be getting a proper rest for a while starting tomorrow.

Dreu closed his eyes but sleep wouldn’t come. He wasn’t worried about his current safety because he knew Bayard and Rohese were both keeping guard. The idea of returning to the battlefield frightened him. He still remembered being encircled after he was separated from the Duchess. Despite how bad things looked then, the situation at the capital was several magnitudes worse. If the rumors were correct, all the demonic armies had descended upon the capital. They were fighting against overwhelming odds and, as luck would have it, he was about to be sent to the front line. If the demons didn't finish him off, whatever threat lurking in the capital would.

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Don’t think too much about tomorrow, said Rohese. We’ll protect you to the best of our abilities.

Heeding the advice, Dreu cleared his mind of the thoughts of the following day. Despite tossing and turning, he eventually fell asleep.

_______________________

Following a quick breakfast, Dreu found himself, his summons and seventeen other adventurers herded onto the streets. They joined a group of soldiers who were already in a single file. He noticed the soldiers, like the other adventurers, avoided eye contact with other people. They constantly fidgeted with their weapons and armor, nothing like the knights he once envisioned of becoming. Dreu then realized none of his adventure mates were there with him. Jeane, Gaenor and Sadon were nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t even seen them for breakfast. As he was about to ask the person in charge, the man stared back at him.

“Get back in line, adventurer!” said the man sternly. “Don’t make the mistake of being labeled a coward.”

Without another word, the man went to the commanding officer of the soldiers to discuss something.

Did either of you see Jeane and the others?

Dreu suspected he might have not paid attention with everything on his mind. When his summons replied no, he could only conclude they were sent with a different batch of adventurers. Taking a few deep breaths, Dreu steeled himself for the battle ahead. When the commanding officer ordered everyone to march, everyone obeyed. The death sentence tied to the coward label provided them all good incentives to follow orders, regardless how much they disagreed with it.

The adventurers formed a single file behind the soldiers. As the group went towards the outer walls, the empty streets caught Dreu off guard. It wasn’t that early in the day and people still had to go about their days despite the siege taking place. Yet, the streets were completely deserted allowing his group to proceed with little interruption. Having just arrived in the city, he wasn’t sure if a curfew was in place, though one active during the day was rare. If this was the case, times of war gave the king more power than usual. Between a curfew and a demon invasion, the people were unlikely to oppose such a measure.

“What the?” said Dreu when a loud screech got his attention.

He looked up to see a dozen griffins flying above them. The griffin riders waved down at them but they quickly overtook the group. The soldiers and adventurers, like Dreu, stopped to look at the incredible creatures. A couple of them waved back.

“Get back in line!” shouted the commanding officer. “What are we doing sending a bunch of peasants into battle?”

Obediently, everyone reformed their single file and resumed their march to the front line.