Dax walked out of his office with Jalen beside him. He tried to remember if there were any businesses open in the village that would have a place for Jalen to stay. The two walked into the seemingly deserted village to see who was still open. Three stone roads made up the main party of the village. All of the buildings featured an illustration of a Lily, representing the community and the lily groves on the east side of town. There were four or five businesses open in the village of the fifty or so recovered villagers. "This community has not been operating normally. For now, everyone has been working together to provide what is needed. Children are cleaning and doing chores and watching over the younger children while adults hunt and harvest food with the help of adults. The adults work in shifts caring for those still ill or taking care of food or other town needs. I have never seen a community quite like this one." Dax explained, hoping to entice Jalen to stay and help. "We have had twenty or so caregivers come from other kingdoms to volunteer and care for the sick. My caravan brought medics for each village, and I have fifteen knights including myself to protect and run the village if needed."

"Is that why you are in charge of the community center?" Jalen asked casually. He wasn't sure why Dax was sharing so much information about the village with him although he thought there might be a hidden reason.

"Yes, this is why I was okay with joining the Knights of the Land. We are mercenaries that focus on helping others, not making money." Dax said with pride.

"Trying to impress me, Captain?" Jalen chuckled at Dax's flustered expression. "I am flattered, but I prefer a feisty personality. You, sir. are more of a heroic type, not a boundary pusher."

Dax pushed Jalen out of flustered frustration. No man ever talked that way to him before, but Jalen's humor is like Aura's, which is probably why they got along so well. "I would say you are rude or disgusting, but I believe you are joking."

"You would be correct, Captain Dax," Jalen said, satisfied at Dax's reaction. "So why are you telling me about the village?"

Dax sighed as they came to the end of the first road. "If the woman is Aura, I was hoping you would stay and help Aura create more herbal remedies. The medics told me that several villagers improved from a few doses of whatever Aura made. I would like it if you would help her. Over half of the village is still sick, and I think you two could change it to where over half the village is better."

Jalen nodded knowingly. "If Aura is here, then I will stay. I just have to check in on my sister every few days. She is in recovery, but I am her only family."

"Do you want an escort back to Stone Creek Village?" Dax asked.

"Have you seen Aura in battle?" Jalen responded.

"No, however, she told me you trained her." Dax shrugged.

"Worry not, Captain. We can both handle ourselves well." Jalen reassured Dax.

"I believe it," Dax responded. "Let's see if this inn is open shall we?"Dax wanted to get Jalen settled quickly, so he could go meet with Roland and a few others for training.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Lead the way." Jalen nodded.

An hour later…

"You're late, Captain," Roland called to Dax as he came into the training field.

"Yes, well that is the price of helping an old woman set up her inn, which is why I am the captain." Dax joked. He looked around to see six of his men and Roland sparing with their magical weapons. The field was far enough from the village to prevent any serious damage, however, the field was scorched and torn apart from their combat drills. There were a total of eighteen knights in his troop. They weren't the typical knights that lead soldiers in an army. They were men who were on par with knights that didn't want to serve anyone's kingdom. About 50 years ago, a group of mercenaries completed acts of mercy instead of just accepting any job. They did it for free out of compassion going from land to land, awarding them the title Knights of the Land. Eventually, the group started accepting money for jobs but stuck to the code of only doing jobs to help others. The organization wasn't big, but it is well known and sustainable.

Dax ran a few battle drills and completed a ten-mile run with his men. Once everyone was warmed up, he had them compete in a sparring match to see how their skills and weapons were holding up. Dax created every weapon used by his men with his blacksmithing talents. Most of his men could wield elemental magic like fire, wind, and water.

Dax called his strongest member, a bulky, little dwarf named Yarhon Axefall, who had an ax that used terrain magic, and a fiery orc woman, Juniper, who used ice with her sword and shield. "Begin!" Dax exclaimed as the fierce warriors clashed. Yarhon came in fast, slamming his ax upon Juniper's shield, which she pushed back with an ice blast. The air began to feel frigid as the two warriors exchanged blows. Juniper struck her sword down over and over, pushing Yarhon back. His stumble let her fire ice shards outline his body. Yarhon went on the defensive pounding his ax to the ground, splitting the ground Juniper stood upon wide open. Juniper saved herself with an ice bridge just in time. Just as the two were about to clash again, Dax signaled the end of the match.

"That was a rousing battle, Juniper. I can't wait to cross blades with you again." Yarhon smiled, extending his arm.

Juniper wrapped her hand around his arm, honoring Yaaron as a warrior. "Yahoo, I would happily run blades through the stomachs of our enemies and watch them bleed out with you any day."

The whole group laughed at the interaction. The knights loved a good match to test their skills, so they could learn and improve their talents. Dax used that time to study each combatant to get new or better ideas for the weapons he made them. He treasured his time blacksmithing because it would strengthen the bond between him and his troop and allow him to be creative. Dax only wished the whole troop could train together, but they trained in shifts to ensure the protection of the village.

"What do you say, Captain? Up for a little match?" Roland asked, waving around his new flame sword.

"Are you ready for something more than swordplay, Roland?" Dax raised an eyebrow at him. "You just started wielding a sword, and I don't want to embarrass you." Dax laughed.

"You are so on!" Roland exclaimed, raising his sword.

"All right. Don't say I didn't warn you." Dax accepted the challenge. He raised his blade to Roland's, and Juniper yelled out, ``Begin."

Roland went on the attack, swinging his sword down to meet Dax's blade. Blow for blow, the clang of the metal swords filled the air. Roland tried to force Dax back with aggressive swings, but Dax would not budge. Smiles were plastered on the combatants' faces. Sword locked in a standoff.

"Ready to take this up notch, Captain?" Roland smirked.

Dax agreed, and both blades lit up. Roland was armed with a long flame sword while Dax's long sword crackled with lightning. The rest of the knights surrounded them, using shields to create a magical barrier to conceal the destructive magic. Juniper signaled for the match to continue.

Dax started by shooting off strikes of lightning. Roland spun his sword by the long hilt to create a shield of flame. Then, Roland came in hot with a low swing, forcing Dax to leap up. Roland came around to strike Dax's legs when Dax let lightning rain out of his blade, wild like a storm. Rolling away, Roland regrouped by knocking away the wild blasts. Dax charged in, forcing the swords to clash, sending sparks and embers flying around them. This was a true dance of magical weapons locked in combat. The soil beneath them darkened with each burn and strike. Every shed of grass was charred. Clanks and crackles echoed in the barrier. Dax and Roland grinned with each swing and strike until Juniper called time. The barrier came down, revealing the stench of sweat and burnt soil in the air. Cheers erupted from the spectacular match. Both men released their fighting stances although the air remained charged with electricity.

"That was better. I believe you finally surpassed amateur swordplay." Dax congratulated his huffing comrade.

"Thanks...Cap." Roland huffed as he fell to the ground.