BK1 Chapter Six

Chapter Six

The red-cloaked man beamed happily at me, ushering me to follow him. I hurried after him, his steps longer than my own.

"Address me as General, General Saika", he announced as we walked behind the tables lined up and past the big tent where candidates had gone after passing the assessment.

"Yes, General", I nodded, picking up my cloak as it trailed the dirt. He took me into a smaller tent set up with strips of red cloth flapping in the wind at its peak. Inside was bright, a mage light floating at the top, illuminating the stack of pole weapons featured on a rack nearby.

I slowed as he moved to a makeshift desk opening a drawer to rifle through its contents. As he did so, I approached the weapons. I hadn't seen pole arms before. Eduard and Callan both used swords called Jian, which was the favoured weapon of our family bloodline. These pole arms were beautiful. Each one had delicate carvings with unique patterns, some were made of wood, and others were pure metal from the sharp leaf-shaped tip to the bottom. Two had coloured tassels in bright, vibrant reds lashed at the hilts.

"Interested in Spears?"

I jumped, not noticing General Saika move beside me

"They are beautiful. The carvings are so delicate" I wanted to see them up close but knew I probably shouldn't be touching them.

"Good eye, these are part of my collection", he grinned proudly. "If you're interested, I would be happy to teach you a crash course" he chuckled at my expression.

"O-oh urm thank you, I've… never picked up a weapon before" I blushed at this embarrassment.

"Not to worry, most Trainees won't have. It's to be expected" he jerked his head to indicate I follow him to his desk.

"Different weapons are meant for different people, so we shall see what you are compatible with when we reach the capital."

"I look forward to it" I nodded with a hesitant smile, never thinking I would be learning to wield a weapon.

"Good. Now here," General Saika placed a scroll onto the table. It had writing in symbols I didn't recognize.

"It's runes", the General laughed at my scrunched face. "You won't learn these unless you want to get into enchanting, which I doubt. It's a profession for people who don't want lives" he rolled his eyes at what must have been an annoyance.

"What is it?"

"It's a blood contract for the Army. All recruits sign them."

I frowned a little uncertain, I hadn't seen any other people being brought here to sign this. They had all gone straight to the main tent after the final assessment.

"It's required for you to continue as a trainee", he explained, sensing my apprehension.

"I see," I said nervously. "What does it state?"

"This is a blood oath for the Zopan army. Every recruit is required to sign this to ensure there are no runaways. Blood oaths are unbreakable and ensure trust in your commitment to the Army. This one is to bind your service to the Army. Three clauses allow your release; these are your unfortunate death, incapacitation, or approval from three ranked generals. Approval is usually given for retirement or noble heirs who must return home to govern their lands following succession."

"That's.." I gulped, so it was sign this and never leave, basically?

"Don't worry. I've signed it, all summoners have. It's a requirement that garners trust. Many blood oaths don't have release causes, so I appreciate your apprehension, but this is standard protocol."

Vishka's Guidance system

Sign the contract child

Vishka must have also sensed my unease, but she was telling me this was the way forward.

"Very well, General. What do I do?"

***

Blood dripped from the tip of my finger as General Yamu Saika pushed it onto the scroll laid out on the table. Then, like with my blood sign, a sudden flash of red sealed it onto the contract fermenting my place as a trainee within the Army.

"Congratulations Trainee, you are now committed to your pledge", the fierce General grinned, his vibrant hair shining under the mage light. The contract I had just signed with my blood was an oath every recruit had to make to join, so he had told me. Blood contracts were binding and, most of the time, unbreakable. However, this clause only allowed my release from service due to death, incapacitation, or approval from three ranked generals. Usually, the approval was given to heirs of noble houses when they needed to return to govern their lands. But, for people like me, it was only one of the first two options.

My fate was sealed.

"Move to the tent behind us and wait for further instruction" he nodded towards the hulking beige canvas tent, two braziers placed at the entrance, their flames flickering in the calm wind.

"Yes, General" I performed the Zopan salute holding my right hand over my heart and dipping my head in a bow before swiftly moving as told towards the tent.

I could feel sweat gathering between my fingers as I neared the viper's pit. Inside that tent was Rian Thornfax, the woman I had once considered my worse enemy during my second life. We had a few encounters I didn't want to recall in my youth, so her opinion of me in this life won't be swell either, but hopefully not as bad as my second.

Taking a deep breath, I saluted to the two grey cloaks who stood outside and nodded back to me, stepping into the dimly lit tent.

Faint chatter roused my ears as I entered, a few groups of new Trainees already forming social structures. They all paused at my entry, most looking me up and down before carrying on with their conversations. A few didn't look away, the surprise on their faces obvious at my appearance. The Crazy Cerue had a reputation, after all.

Looking around, I saw a fairly unoccupied spot near the back in the darker part of the tent. Not wanting to draw any more attention, I made my way there and gently sat down on a single wooden stool, tucking my black cloak under my legs. There were quite a few people already gathered in the tent. It was fuller than I expected. The majority wore ragged clothes, nervously talking to one another, trying to figure out what was going to happen next. They were commoners, likely untaught on what pertained to joining the Army, much like I was. Most of them were young men. I didn't see many commoner women.

In comparison, the left gathered neater-clothed women and men of various ages. They were the ones whose eyes kept glancing toward me before whispering to one another in gossip, their body language showing hostility or just plain astonishment. The nobles of Talbour.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, knowing they were talking about me, but it wasn't easy, so I chose to look away from them, hoping that would ease my anxiety. As I did, I found myself facing the curious gaze of a petite girl wearing a plain white cotton shirt and brown canvas trousers. Her boots looked to be well-made brown leather already caked in dried scruffs of mud. She had friendly, prominent blue eyes, a wide face, and large ears. Shyly she tucked a strand of her straight blonde hair behind her ear, gently smiling at me. I returned her smile, sensing that, like me, she didn't feel too comfortable in this crowd.

The change in her expression alerted me to a growing presence approaching.

"They let a screw-up like you join?" Rian Thornfax's disapproving voice made me sigh.

"Greetings, Rian" I turned my head to face her, and she stood with her hands on her hips, glaring down at me.

"What did you do to convince them? Open your legs?" she sneered at me, her comment unwelcoming. So, my scandal news had travelled fast.

"What did you do, flaunt your lineage over capability?" I retorted before I could think, quickly regretting the antagonistic comment as she scowled.

"Watch your tongue Cerue. The fact you are here makes me question the judgment of whoever tested you. What could you possibly bring to the Army? That is, of course"- she smirked, "- unless you joined to end your miserable life to a demonic beast?"

The pang I felt at those words struck a nerve.

"what vicious words from someone so noble", I spat, leaning on the back of my hands and intentionally smirked at her. "Or are you just afraid that I might overshadow you? You didn't exactly show much bravery when I pointed a blade at you. If I recall, you screamed and ran for protection from your big sister. Not very warrior-like."

Rian visibly reddened as I brought up her cowardly behaviour when we were children. She and two younger Barons had decided to play a game of pelting rocks at me. The adoptive daughter of a Viscount, a mockery of their noble births as someone born a commoner, insulted their existence. They made the decision that I needed to be punished for daring to be adopted by a Viscount.

On pretence, they had invited me to play with them in the garden of Rian's estate during a party her parents hosted. Naive and young, I was excited to make friends, so I willingly went with them to play their game, only to be pelted with sharp rocks repeatedly, chased, and pushed down as they joyfully punched my small body. Distressed, I grabbed at the dagger on Kit Balburns belt and pointed it at them, tears streaming down my face, I don't recall what I screamed at them, but Rian had been so afraid of that blade that she and the two boys ran away quickly to the safety of their elders. Naturally, no one believed my side of the story, only theirs. They lied, claiming they had hurt me, trying to defend themselves when I threatened them with a dagger. Who would believe the story of one girl over three other 'witnesses'?

"What choice did I have when you could have killed me" she narrowed her eyes "your just the Crazy Cerue, nothing more, nothing less. It would be better for all of us if you never came to Talbour", she spat on the ground at my feet.

"Perhaps that's why I'm leaving" I shrugged

"What?" she stumbled on her tongue, not expecting me to say such a thing.

"Perhaps I agree with you", I sighed. "I should never have come to Talbour" What difference would my life have been if the Viscountess had never picked me up from the streets in Wayward Town, the town where she grew up? I may have died from starvation as a beggar, or I could have grown to live a normal commoner's life. Pick up a profession, marry for love, maybe even have kids, who knows.

"Maybe there's hope for you after all", Rian said, spite in her tone.

"Line up, Trainee's!" a man's voice suddenly boomed into the tent. It was commanding and demanding obedience. Rian shot me a glare before turning around to join the other nobles.

Everyone quickly dropped their conversations and rushed to line up as he asked. We all formed five rows of ten, standing straight, our arms behind our backs as the red cloak assessors had shown us. Rian shoved me as she passed me to a spot at the front, making me lose my balance. I felt my body moving backwards, my eyes widening as I began to fall, losing my footing.

"Oof", a sound hushed in my ear. My body halted as small hands gripped my shoulders, pushing me up back to my feet. "You okay?" a quiet voice asked as I breathed in relief.

"Yes, thank you", I whispered back to the small girl in a white cotton shirt. She smiled and stood beside me as we waited for everyone to find their place.

"Listen well, as I will only be saying this once", the man's voice echoed though I couldn't see his appearance behind the bodies in front of me.

"We will leave tomorrow at the second bell prompt after the last initiation intake in the morning. We expect you to bring clothes and shoes suitable for marching the Highland plains. If you have weapons, I suggest you also bring those for your protection. If you don't have any, something can be arranged. It will be a long march, so water skins and food rations are recommended, but you can and will hunt during the trip. We will provide standard tents that accompany two people each, with bed rolls, but you are welcome to bring your own. However, you are expected to carry your gear, so bear that in mind. There's always one fool every year who brings a tent so large they collapse, don't be that idiot." He sighed dramatically at the scowls I saw on the noble's faces. "The weather is expected to be mild, but it's always advisory to bring winter wear in your pack. As I'm sure you are aware, this will be a dangerous journey for you. Demonic beasts live in the highlands and have been known to attack previous trips. So I advise you to stay alert and, above all else, watch out for your companions. From this moment forward, you are all members of the Zopan Army, there are rules we expect you to accommodate, and one of those is not dying."

"Any questions?" He asked, and a few commoners raised their hands. They asked questions about the type of clothing to bring, worried that they couldn't afford the items he recommended. The man settled their fears advising that the Army had spare clothing for anyone who couldn't afford it but would need to pay back the cost when we arrived at the capital. This was the same for any weapons anyone couldn't afford, something I may need to take up. Like the commoners, I can worry about paying it back later in the capital.

"Alright, now, as I previously mentioned, your tents will accommodate two people each. You are welcome to choose your own tent, mate, but if you can not find someone, you will be assigned to a tent. If-" The man's words cut off as shouting suddenly echoed outside. He paused for only a moment before continuing.

"If anyone already knows who they wish to share with, then please inform the supply staff tomorrow to be registered."

I frowned as the shouting grew closer to our tent. I could make out some of the words now. It sounded familiar, almost like...

A flap on the tent was aggressively torn open, and I froze, the realization dawning on me as to who the shouting voice belonged to. I couldn't see above the heads in front of me still, so I tried to peer around but only saw a brief flash of blue leather armour before the noise continued, and my body shook.

"Get out here right now, Nathaniel!" Eduard's roar was distinct, and I winced. So Eduard had finally found me, but why was he calling for Nathaniel?

"Eduard, are you here to give a speech to the new Trainees?" the summoner speaking with us said. Wait, was that Nathaniel?

Slowly, I lowered my arms and carefully stepped left past the few trainees in my row until I was at the end and could peer around at the scene. The two young men I passed grumbled as I did so.

However, I didn't care too much about disgruntling them. Finally, I could see what was happening.

Eduard was dressed in full armour, the scales of his blue leather chest layering into a dynamic piece. It glinted in the light of the brazier's fire at the front of the tent. His stern grey eyes were directed at Nathaniel's pleasant smile as he stood in front of the Trainee's.

"You know why I'm here" Eduard lowered his voice, narrowing his eyes.

"I do." Nathaniel nodded. "However, this is not the time, as you can see" he remained calm.

"Where is she" Eduard demanded

"You don't know?" Nathaniel asked with a little smugness in his tone; I guess he was being serious when he said he was excited to upset Eduard.

I could see where this was going. Quickly I moved to try to shrink down to hide my presence.

"Nate", Eduard was growing tired of his evasiveness.

"Trainee Heversham, would you come here, please?" Nathaniel asked, and Eduard's shock sent shudders down my spine. His head flipped towards the Trainees, searching for me.

I sighed as a few of the Trainees looked my way, giving away my position.

"Lynette!" Eduard didn't wait for me. Stomping forward with purpose, he made his way over towards me, the Trainee's line broken as they darted away from him.

"H-hi", I squeaked as he towered in front of me in pure anger. His angled jaw twitched, eyes full of storms. Above his head, floating the number I had seen before; however, it was different this time.

Vishka's Guidance System

Eduard Heversham

Likeability:-24% (-8%)

"Come", he barked, grabbing my hand and dragging me forward so fast I almost tripped over my feet. I saw the horror on the petite white shirt girl as she watched us. Darn, the number has dropped since the last time I saw it.

"Where's General Saika? I want her released immediately" Eduard glared at Nathaniel as he pulled me to a stop beside him.

"He's retired back to his lodgings", Nathaniel informed him with a smile. "She has signed the blood contract Eduard. So there will be no release."

I felt Nathaniel step closer, so I dared look at him directly. His gentle smile to me was warming, and I couldn't stop myself from returning it.

"You signed the blood contract?" Eduard's voice changed as he looked at me incredulously.

"Y-yes. I'm officially a Trainee, Eduard" I gulped at his stare

"What is the meaning of this!? Nobody signs the contract until we reach the capital!" his uproar was aimed at Nathaniel, who only shrugged in response.

"Her skills were worth the immediate signing" Nathaniel's answer caused a stir of whispers amongst the trainees.

I stood there puzzled. General Saika had told me I needed to sign right then and there to become a trainee. Eduard's expression shared my confusion, it seemed.

"Skills? What skills does she have that would so be important?" He asked, his voice lowered.

"That is not for me to say, Eduard, not here", Nathaniel cocked his head, hinting at the small crowd before us.

As though only just now realizing how public this was, Eduard straightened. "Don't think I'm done with you", he sneered at Nathaniel before moving to drag me out of the tent.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Eduard", Nathaniel chuckled. "I shall see you both tomorrow" he saluted the Zopan way and winked at me, making me blush before we left the tent. The shocked look on my fellow trainees' faces was a sight.

My eyes squinted at the change in brightness as we left, my hand still firmly in Eduard's grip. He dragged me in silence through the summoners gathered. I instinctually raised my hand to try and hide my face from the embarrassment. I spotted Zachary still standing behind his assessment table, watching us with a frown. I quickly made sure to mouth sorry to him as Eduard led me further away towards a carriage parked nearby. I wasn't going to be able to meet with him as I had promised.

A familiar butler stood at the foot of the carriage showing disapproval at my appearance. Henley, without a word, opened the carriage door for us, too which Eduard proceeded to push me up the steps.

"W-wait" I placed my hands on the edge of the doorway to stop him from forcing me in.

"What" Eduard glared at me, his patience thin.

"Peta.. we can't leave Peta", I mumbled, looking away from

"Who the hell is Peta?" Eduard tried to push me again

"Our Kreshna!" I quickly explained, "I came here with him."

"Henley, deal with the Kreshna", Eduard gritted through his teeth, finally succeeding in pushing me into the carriage. I sat down with a plop at the force, immediately scooting to the edge of the soft cushioned seats to try and further myself as far as possible from Eduard as he sat down opposite.

As soon as the door closed, I felt the surge of movement from the carriage, the horse's rhythm smooth compared to the Kreshna-drawn carriage I had used yesterday.

I didn't dare speak first, choosing to draw out the silence between us for as long as possible. I could feel Eduard's gaze boring into me as I looked anywhere but at him.

"What were you thinking" he finally spoke after what felt like hours but was likely a few minutes.

"W-what do you mean," I asked tentatively.

"You know what I mean!" he roared, making me shrink in my seat. "what in the god's names were you thinking? It was infuriating enough to learn you left the manor without anyone's knowledge, but for us to find out from gossip what you did last night!? Lynette, I am ashamed of you more so than I ever have been before." I swear I saw a vein on his head bludge. "With all of the people you could infatuate yourself with, Nathaniel Hudson was your worst choice. This is a catastrophe for your reputation we are unable to fix!" his foot tapped in frustration.

"I wasn't infatuated", I mumbled

"Oh?" He darkly laughed. "Then just what were you thinking exactly."

"it – it was a necessary choice" I braved my heart and looked him in the eye.

"A necessary choice!? What delusion in your head did you come up with for fraternizing in the middle of the night to become a necessary choice?"

I sighed. It was probably easier to tell him the truth. "Do you think Father would accept my choice not to marry Baron Asher?"

"What?" He asked, a little taken back

"You know as much as I do, Eduard, once Father sets his mind on something, he won't change it" I smiled glumly. "If I refused, he would force my hand, as his 'daughter' I can not refute his choice of my marriage. So I did what I had to"

Eduard's silence at my words made my skin prickle. He looked at me unusually, almost thoughtfully, but soon scowled again.

"You could have spoken to me. I would have convinced Father."

"Ha," I mocked his words ", yes, because telling you the truth has ended so well for me in the past" I rolled my eyes which angered Eduard more.

"Lynette, I would have listened. Now you have just caused shame for our family!? You do realize this means your prospects for marriage are nought."

"Listened like you did when I told you it was Rian Thornfax who pelted me with rocks first? Listened like you did when I told you the shopkeepers were refusing me service because I was nothing but a disgraceful adopted daughter? Listened like you did when I told you I never took the Viscountess necklace out of her room but that she gifted it to me? Really now, Eduard… the evidence speaks for itself," I sighed in resignation. "All I ever got from you listening is being confined to my room in punishment for telling the truth."

Eduard's gaze this time was hard to read. I didn't know what he may have been thinking, but silence once again stretched for some time.

"Why did you join the army" he eventually spoke though his voice was much calmer.

"I want to leave Talbour. It seemed a good way to do that," I spoke truthfully, though I would have preferred to sneak away on a merchant's caravan rather than the Army. Vishka's guidance hopefully will see me through.

"Do you have any idea what being a part of the Army means? You will have to fight Demonic Beasts, Lynette; you could be killed. Just getting to the capital is treacherous enough without any training."

"I am aware." I half smiled. "I'm surprised you care so much about my potential death, in all honesty."

"Lynette…" he trailed off about to say something but chose not to in the end.

"Why did you sign a blood contract, of all things? I can do nothing to get you out of it now."

"General Saika told me all recruits had to sign them" I rested my head on my hand. I was a little confused about that myself.

Eduard sighed, frustrated, bashing his hand on the seat beside him to vent a little "That damn old man. Blood contracts are only used on the recruits who survive the journey to the capital. They are too expensive to waste on anyone who may die on the way there. Just what skills do you have that he would push onto you early?"

"Show me them", he quickly demanded

"My skills?" I asked, raising an eyebrows

"Yes, I see the blood sign on your hand. Just do what you did for the exam, say show skills."

"Fine" I couldn't find the will to argue it. "Show skills" I held my palm out as I did before, and the red-rimmed box popped up again.

I waited as Eduard scanned through them, his eyes widening for a moment before settling.

"Do you have anything hidden?" He asked, still reading the box thoroughly.

"Hidden?"

"Yes, have you hidden anything so others can't see them" he narrowed his eyes.

"Eduard, I haven't even looked at them myself yet. I didn't even know that was an option," I sighed.

"Very well. I will teach you before we leave tomorrow. You can close it now" he sat back in his seat, satisfied with what he saw.

I lowered my palm, and the box vanished as it had done before,

"So?" I asked curiously as he contemplated.

"Since when have you been interested in herbology" he flatly asked me

"A while, I guess", I shrugged. I couldn't exactly tell him I had nothing else to do in my last life married to Garret than to read the many books in his library, which were mostly herbology books, in an attempt to cure the disease that would appear in a few years.

"A while? I find it incredulous that you reached level fifty-seven. That must be why the old man was so eager to get a blood contract from you" Eduard pulled his hand through his dark brown hair leaning back into the seat.

"Why would that be?"

"The Army lacks medical staff proficient in herbology and alchemy. Our staff mostly focuses on earth summoners who can heal using their Aether. It's limited to physical injuries but very effective. However, anything viral is resistant. Only herbal medicine can cure viral infections. So your skill is greatly required."

"Aether?" I frowned. How did you heal with Aether?

"You will learn about it soon enough" Eduard resignedly shook his head. "Come, we're home, and I need to tell Father of your new employment."

The carriage pulled to a stop as he spoke, and I heard the chatter of staff waiting for us at the steps.

Right, time to face Father Roger Heversham.