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Chapter 60 – The Guard

[Ricat]: So what’s your real name?

[Me]: I’ve forgotten it long time ago. You know my beard is not black, I’m dying it that colour. That’s why it seems a bit off...

[Ricat]: Hahaa.. really?

[Me]: Yes... I have a story to tell to you.

[Ricat]: I’m listening...

[Me]: After establishing Kingdom of Kali, king Dark insured kingdom’s protection from south, north and west by arranging forces of warriors and mages in proper battalions to be permanently settled in areas of potential warfare. I was young when I joined one of bridges to protect from demons. Young and hot blooded...

[Ricat]: You really are a mage!

[Me]: I’m a warrior with lots of mana capacity..  Now, once during the latest attack – one of raiding demons turned back and ran. So I went after it, I caught up with it after a day’s march. I killed it mercilesly. I was young and inexperienced in matters of life back in those days. In that moment, I decided to charge demon lands and kill as many demons as possible. It took me more than a week to reach to other side of bridge...

[Ricat]: You went to demon realm? What happened later on?

[Me]: Unexpected happened. Most of demons were friendlier to me, and I got to learn  prophecy about revival of dragon. I did not come back to our side until recently when a human delegation came to demon lands to meet their lord.

[Ricat]: Wow, so you have lived with demons for more than a decade then?

[Me]: I have lost count of time... Maybe two decades, maybe less..

[Ricat]: Why now?

[Me]: Signs of revival were everywhere... I knew that I had to help, but I didn’t know how. So I came to build my own wealth to help out people who will need help when time comes. In time, dragon will grow up to unbelievable size, and killing it will be job of heroes. What do you think will happened to common folk?

[Ricat]: Die?

[Me]: Exactly. I’m not saying that I will save everyone. But I will save as many as I can whether you want to join the cause or not...

[Ricat]: I’ve already told you. I want to be part of it..

[Me]: You have to prove yourself to be part of it.

[Ricat]: How?

[Me]: Was Ashod Halim’s right hand man?

[Ricat]: Yes, he was. I wanted...

[Me]: Whatever has happened already has happened. Dead do not belong in realm of living. I want you take to initiative while giving Iron Tree to Halim to get to his position. That’s your test...

[Ricat]: You want me to be Halim’s adjutant?

[Me]: More like his personal aide... Ashod is no more with us.

[Ricat]: I though you are not interested in power.

[Me]: No, I’m not. But without power, knowledge and wealth how can we build fortifications, bunker and shelters? Do you know someone who will build them to us for free? Do you know people of power who will not question why are we building them?

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[Ricat]: They will understand when they meet the dragon.

[Me]: It will be too late when they will it. Better to be safe than sorry.

Ricat nodded in agreement and we went to sleep. We reached Tigran after two days, Azim and Ricat flew directly to Mehn with Iron Tree while we stayed in Tigran overnight to rest.

By the time, I reach Mehn, King Dar’s death was made public and new king was installed. Halim was going to lead Kingdom of Kali. I did not care about politics of Kingdom of Kali as in near future balance will be broken after Gorn’s attack and demolition of almost all of the world.

I was sitting in my personal office in “The Chevalier” drinking tea and making plans about future when Ricat came in with two more people. I shook their hands and showed them armchairs to seat. It was past afternoon, so I offered them meals in case if they were hungry. All of them declined offer and we began to talk...

[Ricat]: Bartholomew, meet my friends. Ruler of Tigran region appointed by King Halim amir Kirk. We are childhood friends. And mayor of Ark City Rychyld. I took my pleasure to talk to Kird and Rychyld about what had happened in lands of beastmen. Informing them about dragon and the threat what it imposed. They share same concern as I do and would like to support our cause both morally and financially.

[Me]: Thank you Ricat. Most probably Ricat has told you about who I am, has he?

[Rychyld]: Yes, he has.

[Me]: What I’m offering you is not just your family’s and humanity’s safety! You will benefit from this deal after the dragon is killed as you will be saviours of your region’s people. They will support you voluntarily after armageddon will pass.

[Kirk]: How can you be so sure? How you know dragon will be killed? Ricat told us that after sometime it will be almost invincible!

[Me]: Killing the dragon is not our job. Ricat knows the chosen one who will kill it.

[Ricat]: Who? Me? I do not know any hero.

[Me]: The Kid!

[Ricat]: You mean...

[Me]: No need to tell his name. It will be known when time comes...

[Rychyld]: What’s in it for you? Why are you doing this? Ricat told us you have no family and friends.

[Me]: Death... Death awaits me. Most probably I will die battling the dragon BUT I will not let it destroy humanity...

There were smiles on their faces. They knew they can trust me, and moreover all of them had potential economic and political gains to be made after dragon’s attack..

I put up my left arm up to sky. My right hand clenching into a fist.

[Me]: It’s time to take steps to protect humanity from future threats. We are the last stand between destruction and salvation. Welcome to “The Guard”!

Next: Chapter 61 - Ambitions