Book One: Novitiate

"Assemble, my brothers and sisters. The time is now: The Orders stand ready. Let all who can, march as one and destroy the White Hill, once and for all!"

-Proclamation of Artorius Veltaan, Grandmaster of the Second Order of the Lion, during the 25th Year of the war against the White Hill

Aella walked around the camp beneath the walls of Kanlin where the Twelve Orders of the Beast had assembled, noting the sheer variety of people milling around. She knew that the Orders were large, but to see them all so gathered in their strength was another matter entirely. The city of Kanlin had always been the beating heart of the Orders of course, having been where the first two had been formed, but that had always been more for organization and administration's sake. The actual numbers of the Orders was hard to keep track of, with new Beast Knights being initiated or dying every day and spread out across two continents. Here and now, there were thousands of Beast Knights, all those that could be spared except for the most vital postings.

"Aella!" A voice called above the general clamor.

Aella sighed as people began to quiet and part for the speaker, a tall and strongly built man in his late forties, shining blue eyes set in a handsome face covered by a blond beard, the hair on his head being equal parts gold and silver. Artorious Veltaan, once king of Kanlin, now the Grandmaster and Founder of the Second Order of the Lion.

"Hello, father." Aella greeted him with a short bow and a sigh at the eyes now on them. Artorious may have shrugged off the attention, either being used to it or simply not caring, but appearances still mattered to Aella and damn him, he was being far too casual.

His face fell slightly at the formal greeting, but he still strode up to her and pulled her off the ground and into a fierce embrace. "My baby girl, all grown up!" The man practically bawled. "You look so wonderful in that armor!"

The surrounding crowd, the majority of them Beast Knights or those who worked closely with them, laughed at the usual antics of the Grandmaster and continued on with their business. Aella still felt her face flush with embarrassment. "Father, I am twenty-three this year. You're being overly sentimental again."

"And you're starting to sound more like your bastard of a mentor." Artorius retorted before letting out a more subdued chuckle. Gently he set her down. "I still say you could do with some thicker armor." He tugged at the padded gambeson she wore. "Some plate or at least chainmail."

"I am of the First Order, Father, speed is my best weapon." Aella replied easily, having heard the words before. "You know this."

"Yes, yes, we've had this discussion." He sighed dramatically. "I simply worry for your safety."

"I'll try not to be offended." A far calmer and less emotional voice inserted itself into the conversation. 

Artorius whirled on the newcomer. "You! What are you doing, sniffing around my daughter!" He thundered, hand going to the hilt of his weapon, a custom built warscythe strapped to his back. 

Alexei von Goethe, the First Founder and Knight-Commander of the First Order of the Dragon, was a tall man, taller even than Artorius, though of a more slender build, with salt and pepper hair and a short beard to match. His face was rugged and bore the scars of a career soldier. He rolled his eyes at Artorius' words. "I was looking for you, Your Royal Furriness. The Founders are assembling for a meeting, Roselyn thought you might be around here." His eyes took on that gleam that told Aella he was about to start making sport of her father. "Besides, she's my squire, I can seek her out whenever I please."

Artorius hung his head regretfully at the reminder of Aella's choice. "Why did you have to become a bug like this bastard!" He wailed. "You could have been a noble Lion Knight, like your papa!"

"Do you dare insult my Crest Beast?" Alexei asked dangerously. 

"Of course! A Dragonfly is nothing compared to a Lion!" Artorius declared. 

"This means war."

"Then come taste my steel!"

Aella sighed and tapped into the First Bond ever so slightly, enough to make her faster than the two bickering Founders in their base form, then blurred between them and pushed them apart. "You two are like children when brought together."

"He is the child!" Both shouted as one, then paused and glared at the other. Finally, Alexei shook his head with some measure of exasperation and began to walk away. "Founder's Hall, ten minutes. I'll drag you to the meeting myself if I must. Squire, go through the principal blade drills, then keep yourself busy until tonight's feast." 

Aella saluted at Alexei's back while Artorius stuck his tongue out. She smacked him on the back of the head for that, even if she had to jump a bit to do so effectively. She hated being shorter than most of her family. 

"Ow! Elder abuse!" Artorius shouted, only to be ignored by most of the crowd again.

"So you admit you're old then?" Aella asked playfully.

Her father's head hung again as a dark cloud seemed to gather around him. "I see that Alexei has corrupted you. I will have to beat him for his insolence."

"Actually, Aesira is the one who said you're an old man." Aella corrected him.

"I see. The youth truly does have no respect." Artorius sighed. "I suppose I'll let it slide this once."

"I swear, you'd let Aesira get away with murder." Aella took on a contemplative expression. "I shouldn't have to worry about calling her 'Mother', should I?"

Artorius let out a choked cough. "By the forgotten gods, no. She's closer to your age than mine."

"I tease, Father. You make funny faces when caught off guard. I see why Alexei does it." Aella allowed herself a small smile at his antics. "Go. Give Aesira my greetings?" She asked, knowing she wouldn't see the Twelfth Founder at the feast.

"I will. Have fun and maybe meet some new folks." He waved his hand around them. "We have Beast Knights from all over Phechios and Panthalassa, a wealth of culture and experience. I even spotted a trade caravan from the Empire."

"I know, I know, I'll enjoy myself, promise. See you at the feast." She kissed him fondly on the cheek before heading out toward the training yards.

After a session of invigorating exercise and learning a few new tricks with her blade (some visiting Dragon Knights from Panthalassa were more than happy to share their expertise with her), Aella made her way to the central keep of the city, Castle Kanlin, and then to her quarters. Thanks to the innovations of the Fourth Order, the castle had spigots capable of pumping and heating water directly from the river and to her chambers, rather than having to order servants to carry water or use the public baths. The Fourth Order was coming up with greater technology every year and Aella couldn't help but marvel at how some of the things they built helped make life so much more convenient.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

If only they could apply that genius solely to civilian comfort and not the war effort. Aella thought to herself with some small amount of bitterness.

She cleaned herself thoroughly, only enjoying the hot water a few more minutes than absolutely necessary, before preparing for the feast. Did she wish to go as a princess, the daughter of the last king and sister to the current or as a Dragon Knight?

Deciding she didn't want some arrogant nobleman twice her age staring at her chest all evening, she dressed as a Knight, a plain, though well made uniform of a jacket, shirt, pants, and boots, a standard across the Orders. As a mere novice of the First Bond, she hadn't yet earned the right to modify the uniform to her own tastes. Her one indulgence was a small circlet of gold that marked her as both princess and heir to the throne of Kanlin. It stood out in stark contrast to the rest of the modest attire, but she knew her brother might be upset if she wasn't wearing some sort of acknowledgment of her position. 

Making her way back outside the walls and to the large assembled area for the feast was no small feat. Kanlin was a busy city normally, but the influx of thousands of Beast Knights and their retinues had caused a boom in civilian traffic as merchants and farmers flooded the city with their wares. Luckily she'd grown up in the city and it made getting back out of it merely annoying instead of overly time consuming. The feast was being held in a large open field, hundreds of tables set out and dozens of large fires crackling in the setting sun. She made her way to the area closest to the Founder's table, grabbing a cup of wine from a passing server as she did so and took a seat. Her brother had spared no expense in hosting the Orders, the tables set with heavy platters of beef roasts, entire chickens, mutton, and freshly hunted venison. Loaves of bread, bottles of wine, huge plates of vegetables and fruits from all over Phechios, all of it expertly prepared and arranged. Seafood was plentiful as well, a show of Kanlin's wealth, seeing as they were a landlocked nation.

The Founder's table was of course occupied by the Founders of the Orders and the most important of Kanlin's nobles, though the last seat was empty. Aesira and indeed, most of the Twelfth Order, tended to avoid large public displays like this. Their reputation often made things… awkward. 

Her brother caught her eye and waved her over. "Sister, there you are. Father was worried you'd been accosted by footpads in the city." Arthur Veltaan gave her a wide smile. He shared similar features as their father, tall, handsome, and charming, but he had their mother's auburn hair, the opposite of Aella herself.

"Dear Arthur, you should know that it would take far more than some footpads to keep me away from such a magnificent gathering." Aella laughed and gave her brother a light hug. "Lord Grimthaw." She nodded in greeting to the serious faced lord on her brother's right. 

The old nobleman who had served all three of Kanlin's kings was as much a part of the city as the walls themselves and perhaps just as important. He inclined his head in greeting. "Princess. How is your health?"

"Well, my lord. Yourself?" She asked politely.

The old man smiled and took a sip of wine. "I have never felt better."

The Orders did not discriminate by age. Anyone who developed abilities was welcome to join. It had been a surprise, though a pleasant one when Lord Grimthaw had developed an affinity with the Tenth Order the prior year. The powers granted to him had bolstered his flagging health.

"I am glad, my lord. Mind if I steal my brother for a moment?" Aella asked.

"By all means. Your Majesty, I shall be speaking with my grandchildren, should you have need of me." Lord Grimthaw stood and departed with a swift bow.

"He looks like he's gained a few extra decades of youth." Aella mused as she took the seat Grimthaw had just vacated. "It makes me curious to see how long our father shall live."

"If he isn't killed by this venture first." Arthur scowled and downed the rest of his wine, refilling it from a nearby flagon. "I still think it is foolhardy."

"You worry too much." Aella rolled her eye. "Father is right in this. The Orders have never been stronger. We can do this, we can finally destroy the White Hill, rather than react to it."

"And how many shall die in this quest?" Arthur mused darkly, looking out over the mass of assembled Knights. "We all know what sorts of creatures the Hill produces and the Orders will be marching into their very nest."

"We will have all the Founders with us too." Aella pointed out. 

Arthur shifted uncomfortably for a moment. "About that… I have a request for you."

"Name it."

"Now please don't be angry, but…"

"Just spit it out already."

"I want you to stay behind." Arthur held up a hand even as Aella felt her anger rise. "This is not as a brother worried for his sister, this is as a king worried for his heir."

"So find a suitable noble girl and marry her then." Aella retorted. "I am of more use on the battlefield."

"We both know that's not true, you're only able to use the First Bond." Arthur said. 

"I can tap into the second as well."

"For brief periods."

"Dammit. Has Father been spying on me again?" 

Arthur snorted and glanced over at where Artorius and Alexei were busy bickering over a choice cut of beef. "Alexei acts like he doesn't care, but he gives Father and I regular updates on your progress if we ask."

Aella growled. "Fine. But why can't you just start making children again?"

Arthur looked forlornly to where the Eleventh Founder sat.

"By the forgotten gods, why is that an issue? Ginette is wonderful and I've seen the way she looks at you." Aella smiled slyly. "And don't think I haven't seen you two sneaking off at oddly coincidental times either."

Arthur hid his blush by taking a drink from his cup. "It's not that simple. Politics."

"She's a Founder. The people would love you for it if you wed, considering her Order." Aella reasoned.

"Yes, but she was born a farmer's daughter."

"So was Mother."

"Who married our father before he was legitimized and there were still plenty of nobles who hated her for it." Arthur rubbed his forehead. "Don't think I haven't thought this through, I have, quite a bit. House Veltaan as it stands is loved by our people, but we are sorely lacking respect and legitimacy in the eyes of our lords and other kingdoms. Some still whisper that you and I are little better than bastards."

"They can all hang." Aella snapped. "An accident of birth does not make someone a true noble. Our grandfather earned his crown, as did Father."

Arthur gave her a mild look. "And what have I done to earn mine, dear sister?"

That made her jaw snap shut and throat tighten with helpless frustration. Arthur had a hell of a legacy to live up to, considering their grandfather had forged Kanlin into the kingdom it was today and the legendary deeds of their father in his role as both Grandmaster and king.  

Arthur let out a mirthless laugh and seemed to shrug off the dark mood. "It is what it is. I'll make it work, just as Father did. Now go enjoy yourself, I see the ambassador from the Empire, I need to go play politician for a minute. Think about my request."

Aella nodded and stalked off, mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She grabbed a bottle of strong liquor, Panthalassian brandy, and sat at the edges of the feast, staring out into the night and taking sips of the burning drink. She hated that her brother was so right, but she also hated that part of her wanted to ignore his wishes and march on the White Hill. It was selfish of her, she knew that, but it was easier than playing the part of princess.

A small coin hit her forehead, making her flinch. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Aella glanced up to see Alexei emerging from the darkness. “Commander. Shouldn’t you be schmoozing the nobles?”

Alexei gave her a thin smile and then sat next to her, snatching away the brandy and taking a swig. “I’ll leave the politics to Roselyn and your father. You know that the nobles don’t like me.”

“Because of your charming personality?” Aella quipped.

Alexei gave her a flat look, but allowed a small smirk to break through. “Because they know I’d rather stab them than deal with their games. It’s why you aren’t too well liked either.”

The blunt, though truthful words sent a stab of pain through her guts. “Arthur wants me to stay behind.” She blurted out suddenly, unable to keep the request a secret. “But I don’t want to. I want to fight with you all.”

Alexei considered that while swirling the bottle around. “Why?” He asked simply.

“Because…” Because it was easier. Easier than dealing with people’s expectations, their judgements, their fears, their prejudices. She couldn’t find the right way to say it, so she simply shrugged.

Alexei still seemed to read the gesture and in a rare show of affection, ruffled her hair playfully like he used to when she was a child. “What is the guiding principle of our Order?”

“Bravery.” She answered easily.

Alexei nodded. “Indeed. When I first fought in war, against the now dead kingdom of Rundall, how do you imagine I felt?”

Aella shrugged. “I imagine you faced it as you do now, calm and collected.”

“Actually I nearly pissed myself.” Alexei said. “I wasn’t supposed to be a soldier all those years ago. I was supposed to be a merchant, like my family. Do you know why I joined the army instead? Because it was the right thing to do, not the easy thing. So ask yourself, my squire: Do you want to march on the White Hill with us because it is truly the right thing to do or because it is easier than facing your other duties?” He handed her back the bottle, patted her on the shoulder and then made his way back to the heart of the feast.

Aella sat contemplatively long into the night and far past when the bottle was empty. At the break of day, she informed Arthur that she would stay. Alexei and her father accepted the decision easily, even happily in her father’s case. The Twelve Orders gathered and together, they marched upon the White Hill’s latest landing site with the intent to destroy it once and for all.

That was the last time Aella saw her father or mentor for a very long time.