Hait stood up and pointed off in the distance, away from the medical tent. I followed his finger. Len walked along, still a few dozen feet away, with three other people in tow. Three people I recognized right away.

Daila walked at Len’s side, her shock-white hair tied in its trademark bun. She wore the white leather armor I saw her in at the back of the monster invasion. But her accessories were different this time around. Not only was she wearing the two bandoliers filled with multicolored potions and the belt with knives, but she also had a few pouches hanging off her hips. Probably filled with bombs or other alchemical goodies that could and would devastate hordes of monsters. She spoke with Len as they walked.

Behind Len and Daila stood Jaren and Terl, Jaren’s number one Support. Terl wore a leather outfit that seemed to be the standard for Legion Supports and didn’t really have much in the way of accessorizing like Daila. Not even a weapon, but from what I gathered most Supports didn’t carry one. Strange but I guess they needed to focus solely on the healing. He also no longer had the bandages on his arms. I was glad to see his wounds healed well. As he spoke with Jaren, he closed his eyes and shrugged. Then his head rolled around as Jaren smacked his back, his antlers shaking for a second as he tried to find his balance from the big guy's sudden blow.

My stomach tightened as I looked at Jaren. He was quite the intimidating sight. He wore his battle attire just as the rest, but it was far more threatening. Black plate armor completely covered the giant half elf. There was next to no decoration on the whole suit. It was clearly made for function above all else. And it looked heavy at least a hundred pounds, but there was no discernable difference in Jaren’s gait. So either it was actually light, or Jaren was just that much of a monster himself. Oddly enough he too wasn’t carrying a weapon. I figured he was one of the types that never walked around a raid without it.

There was one detail about this get up that floored me about Jaren’s gear. On his left shoulder pauldron sat the only ornamentation in the entire ensemble, a red number four. I smirked as I looked at it. I knew what it meant, he was just signifying that he was the head of the Fourth Legion. But damn did it make the whole set of armor look like medieval American football pads.

The giant fantasy linebacker laughed as Terl stepped up to him, finger wagging at the big guy. Jaren laughed, ignoring the protests. I stopped the smirk before they got any closer. Well, he’s in a good mood at least.

I thought back on our last encounter. He was supremely pissed that I had skipped a training session. Training in Laurelhaven was treated almost like a religious sacrament to the Legion. And skipping it was tantamount to heresy. Not that I felt bad about it. The exact opposite really. I was completely justified in my behavior. I needed answers from Len. I needed to know more about the Ferals and why I should even bother with this business in the first place. Yet as my thoughts edged negative, I looked at the twins. With a nod, I closed my eyes. Right now they were my reason to fight. To make sure they got through today.

I can figure out everything else after the Raid. And I would.

Before I could think on it any further, Hait and Tawny stood up and turned in the direction of Len’s group, backs straight, giving the Laurel salute. The left arm is on the right shoulder like I’d seen so many times before. I stood up with them but avoided all the other pomp and circumstance. Wasn’t in the mood. Hait clearly disagreed with this decision. “You should really salute. It makes our squad look bad if you don’t.” He whispered.

Why should I care about all that? I looked around, all eyes were on the four Legion headliners making their way over to us. That’s when I caught a glimpse of what Hait meant. Other soldiers and medics running around the place stopped and watched on. Their eyes switched between Len’s group and us. Hushed voices and strange glares were shared as a number of them pointed at our trio. Are you serious? Is this high school?

I shook my head, utterly annoyed. However, seeing that even the rambunctious Tawny was That and it's not as if I’m all that attached to my shame in the first place, it was just a salute. I had enough crappy rumors going around about me; I didn’t need to encourage any new ones.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

So, I straightened my back out and moved my left arm up. It only went about halfway, the hardened mucus stopped me from bending it at the elbow. I looked down at it. Ugh, I’m starting to get tired of being dumb. It's still in the Protective Mucus. It felt so natural that I had forgotten about it, much like how my other forms’ oddities didn’t bother me.

While I was examining it and seeing if there was a way to make it bend, I heard snorting come from the twins. It escalated into pure giggling on Tawny’s part. “Told yah it would work,” whispered the sister. “You owe me a silver when we get home.” She nudged her brother. Hait didn’t answer, instead focusing all his attention on not breaking.

I sighed. Bamboozled once again. Maybe one day I’d be free of all the childish pranks.

Then the chief prankster finally rolled up just as the twins got their act together.

“Were you…were you trying to salute just then?” Len asked.

I coughed. “Um, no. Uh, just er, stretching my arm? Yeah, that’s it. Felt a bit stiff. Been in this cast for a while,” which wasn’t completely a lie. I rolled my shoulder around and waved the once injured arm.

“Nope, he was giving us a salute. I’m sure,” Jaren said as he walked in front. He leaned down and then gave my entire body a once over; his previous cheer was gone, replaced by a neutral expression that I hoped was a good sign. Daila and Terl walked over to the twins, leaving just me, Len, and over-observant Jaren.

I felt a bead of sweat roll down my forehead, mixing with the loose mucus that covered my skin. The two liquids flowed together and dripped to the ground.

After an uncomfortable minute, Jaren finally pulled back, squinting.

“How the hell did you get so wet?” He asked while poking my forehead.

I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was even holding in. Then I received a smack from the smack happy man himself.

“Oi, why so tense?”

“You want the honest answer?” I replied.

“I’d prefer it.”

“I was a bit worried you were still upset about our last meeting. It didn’t really end well.”

Jaren smiled. “Oh, that, pshh ain't nothing to worry about. Water under the bridge lad. Especially since it ain't my bridge to deal with anymore.”

I tilted my head. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you are no longer my problem, but his.” Jaren nodded his head back toward Len who stood behind him.

“Yep been trying to get him to form up a squad for ages now. No way in hell I’m taking you back now. Though it's a shame to lose out on such talent.”

I was touched. “Thanks,” I said with a smile. I kind of needed to hear that.

He raised his eyebrow. “What, do you think I’m talking about you? Haha! First Ones above, no. You're far too much of a pain in the ass. Len can have you. I’m talking about those two mini-mages. You don’t know this but every Legion was fighting over recruiting the two of ‘em. Should have seen the bribes Rickard sent them. Downright criminal, you ask me.” He said, looking over to the twins with a playful longing deep in his fiery green eyes.

I looked at the twins. Tawny wore a huge smile while she talked with Daila, probably regaling her with her triumphs. The two must have been closer than I thought. Then again Daila was personally tutoring them. Stood back and watched.

“And yet they just fall into Len’s lap. What else is new?” He finished, rubbing the back of his bald head and looking at the ground.

Len stepped in. “Alright, enough of that. We have more pressing matters to attend to. Like preparing ourselves for the boss. The second wave is coming to an end soon.”

“Yeah, I know. Can’t let a man have some fun, for Tiamat’s sake. Come on, moist man.” Jaren said with a wave.

Both of the Commanders walked away. I caught up quickly. “Where are we going?”

“To the command tent. The boss should be heading out onto the field any minute now. Wanna see?"