Chapter 108 – A Practical Lesson (1)

Cait didn’t visit them at the Red Tulip, nor did she show up the next day. While the group silently ate their breakfast, the captain of the guard arrived, accompanied by the young guard named Aaron from the day before.

“Willow Aulorn and Alistair Orlein,” Captain Herbert bowed his head ever so slightly. “Your presence is requested by the enforcer. Aaron here will take you to him.”

Willow grew pale as she placed her fork on her plate. “Of course.” Her voice was forced, as was her smile. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting,” she added, glancing at Alistair. The young noble nodded. “See you this evening,” he hurriedly said to Arwen and Midhir before they left, following the young guard Aaron.

“Arwen Maloid and Midhir Induen.” The guard captain’s expression soured for a split second. “You’ll be accompanying me today, as per Commander Aoidh’s orders. Please follow me – there is work to be done, and I’m already somewhat late.”

They shadowed Captain Herbert throughout his day. He explained what he did, and why he did it in great detail. How the Vermillion Keep’s bridge was protected, how many shifts were good for which situation, what was done in case a suspicious person appeared.

“Naturally, we were forced to increase out security measures nowadays.” He said as they took a break to rest and drink some water by the bridge. “With the situation in Calador being what it is, we had no choice.” He turned to face them with a grim expression. “Politicians may disagree,” he stated sharply, “maybe even the Emperor disagrees, but war is never good – even if it happens to a nation we don’t have the best relationship with.”

Arwen scowled. “How so? From a purely strategical perspective, isn’t it good that a rival is weakened or preoccupied?”

The older man shook his head. “Your purely strategical perspective is forgetting the human element. A sufficiently weakened rival is a cornered rival – tell me, what does a cornered animal do?”

“It lashes out.” Midhir chimed in, knowing full well exactly how it felt to be cornered. “At anything and everything, with no concern about anyone’s life, including its own.”

“Exactly. Never corner your enemy, never make them feel so desperate, so helpless that death seems a better option than surrender.” He turned his gaze to Arwen once more. “Always make them believe surrender is a good option. Understood? Now-“ His voice trailed off as he scowled, and his gaze turned to the other side of the plaza.

The young guard Aaron rode in on a brown mare, stopping just as he reached the bridge, and hopped down the saddle. “Sir!” he exclaimed, stepping closer and lowering his voice immediately. “Orders from the Lord Enforcer – I am to bring Miss Maloid and Lord Induen to the western gate for a practical lesson.”

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Captain Herbert grunted. “I see.” Clearly displeased about the situation, he glanced at Midhir and Arwen. “You better hurry. The Lord Enforcer doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

An’Larion had four entrances, one in each cardinal direction. Just like the other three, the western gate was also partially open during the day. Even at night, the smaller entrances at the side of the large gate allowed passage, though the security measures here were much stricter than those in Bareon.

There were two tall towers on each side of the gate, each housing a powerful Pylon – a crystal about the size of a tall man. While they were inactive now, they were activated every day at dusk, and only deactivated at dawn.

The courtyard leading to the gate, and in and out of An’Larion was pristine. Small gems decorated the outer edges, and imperial script was carved into the stone between each gem. If a creature taken by the mist ever stepped foot in this courtyard, this place would become an inescapable prison.

Midhir couldn’t help but think that Bareon needed to work on something similar.

Unlike Bareon, An’Larion didn’t have a constant influx of on-foot travellers and traders coming in. Aside from the several dozen soldiers guarding the gate, he only spotted a stable boy and a group of three familiar figures in the courtyard.

“Lord Enforcer!” Guard Aaron exclaimed. “I’ve brought them.” He bowed deeply and waited for Lord Aulorn to dismiss him.

“Thank you, you may return to your post.”

While the guard hurried away with a relieved expression, Midhir shot a quick glance at Alistair and Willow. The young Orlein heir seemed somewhat on edge, his lips had formed a thin line, and his gaze was clouded as he was lost in thought.

Willow was quite pale and fidgety. She was constantly shifting her weight from one foot to the other, and her fingers fiddled with her hair and the corner of her cloak. Her gaze was locked to the ground as she bit her lower lip in worry.

“While it is unfortunate that your lesson with Captain Herbert was cut short, an opportunity for a practical lesson has shown itself. You may choose to remain here, since this may prove to be somewhat disturbing – especially you, Cadet Orlein, and Cadet Induen.” Lord Aulorn paused, his gaze locked on them. He sought a sign of hesitation, of apprehension, perhaps even fear.

“I think we’ve delt with our fair share of disturbing things. I, at least, think I can handle it,” Midhir commented after a moment of silence began to stretch for too long. “Where are we headed?”

A smile flashed across the Lord Enforcer’s lips. “The veil has been weakened considerably near the Prancing Lion Inn – it’s about two hours away from the city. We will head to the inn, locate the weak spot in the veil, and mend it if we make it in time. If a tear forms, we seal it, and return the area to its rightful state.”

Arwen’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that very dangerous?” She exclaimed wide eyed. “Especially for Midhir – he spent too much time near a tear in the veil, and he’s been unwell since the incident by the monument-“

“I’m fine.” He cut her off curtly.

“His health is not in significant danger.” Lord Aulorn calmly replied, ignoring Midhir’s words. “It’s unlikely the veil will be torn in less than a day, so the danger is minimal to begin with.” He narrowed his eyes. “I feel compelled to warn you, Cadet Maloid – Solus Military Academy raises leaders and soldiers, people who will become the foundation of Eldoria’s future. Cowardice is not the quality of a leader, nor is overprotectiveness.”