I'm led to a small room on a lower floor.
Now it depends if I'm tricked or not.
Not like I could do anything about it at this point.
Yet nonetheless, I can't help but become anxious while I'm sitting here alone in this room.

After a short eternity, the door opens, and an elderly man, with a trimmed beard and hair that borders white, enters, flanked by two heavy men who look extremely dangerous.
However, all his demeanor tells me that he's by no means old in the usual sense.
The eyes of the man are piercing, and his gaze makes me shiver.

It lingers for a while on me, before he cracks up in a jovial smile that is almost worse.

 

"Hah, this is the second time that I’ve met a young woman with unordinary circumstances in this room in rather close succession. It's kinda peculiar." (Zervion)

 

Okay...

 

"Marshall Zervion, I take it? My name is Elin, and I bring an official dispatch with orders from the crown for you!" (Elin)

 

I salute, as I learned to do so during my boot camp with Kahan's forces.
My time there wasn't exactly easy, but I can't complain.
I got regular meals, and due to my acquaintanceships, nobody dared do me dirty.

 

"I see. I was told that you wouldn't hand the message to anyone. May I assume that to me, now, such a thing would be possible?" (Zervion)

 

I'm still getting the creeps.
This old man talks casually, almost like a grandpa, but behind his words, I get the feeling that he's analyzing every little thing I do while making plans that may involve a radical approach.
This man is no stranger to deciding over the fate of people.
Thus, I'm rather sure I'm talking to the one I am supposed to hand my message to.
Everything else would be a little too paranoid.

 

"Of course, Sir! It's just that the contents are of a very delicate nature, and I had to make sure they'd reach you first." (Elin)

"You can believe me, I know the value of confidentiality. However, your words indicate you read them?" (Zervion)

 

Damn!
Is he assuming I'd stick my nose where it doesn't belong?

 

"No, Sir! You'll find the seal undamaged. I merely guessed at the contents, as I was present during the council that led to its creation and am in the know about the general situation of the country, Sir." (Elin)

"Very interesting. So you must be a trusted subject of their majesties. Well, then let's look through the contents." (Zervion)

 

He takes the envelope from my hands and pulls the letter out without any hesitation after he breaks the seal.
After this, his gaze is fixed on the writings, and he sinks into them.

 

"Hm. To think it would come to this. This spells of greatest severity." (Zervion)

 

You don't say?
And this while everything was so happy-go-lucky in our country?
As I don't have anything to add but the obvious, I choose to remain quiet.
However, this old man seems set on involving me.

 

"This reads that the royal majesties are to send most of their local garrisons out of the capital to deal with the possibility of an uprising. They request the urgent deployment of troops to reinforce the weakened forces in Aurea." (Zervion)

 

Why is he telling me this?
As if the messenger would be the guy you ask about strategic matters.

 

"I'm not quite sure what to tell you, Sir. But it would seem like they fear an attack aimed at the capital." (Elin)

"This much is obvious. But how would we hold our current position in that case? Were you aware that we are currently dealing with an orc insurgence? They grew ever so much bolder and even began to attack our positions. Leaving us understaffed and open seems like a poor idea under these circumstances." (Zervion)

 

Things were looking so bad here?
I didn't know.
Yet once again, why am I being asked about this?
I didn't even go to school, at least not for long, not to speak of a military academy.

 

"To be frank, if the crown doesn’t get help, there won't be much of a country to save anymore. The opposition must be crushed with sufficient strength or this is going to become one of the bloodiest civil wars in history. Don't see your position holding out well if this were to happen." (Elin)

 

At least I think so if both sides are around equally measured in strength and decide to take their chances in a fight to the end.
Would be better if one side wins decisively.
And I would very much prefer it to be mine.

 

"So you're saying. You might have a point. I'm in the first place subject to the country. Yet if there's no clear path shown, I would need a good reason to deny their majesties. Nonetheless, I can't completely expose our borders. Thus, a limited contingent is all that I can send them." (Zervion)

"So, uhm, am I supposed to relay that back?" (Elin)

"No, I don't think so. Did you know that the last passage concerns you? Ah, you don't need to answer. Your gaze is telling enough." (Zervion)

 

What?!
Damn, I should've opened that letter.

 

"Ehm, no? This is the first time I'm hearing about this." (Elin)

 

Seriously, what is up with this queen?

 

"In word, it reads: 'If this message reaches you, this means my envoy did a passable job. In this case, I'd like to make further use of them. However, their current skillset should be improved. Therefore, I leave them in your capable hands to put them through special training.' I was never much of an admirer of the jovial tone her majesty applies to drastic situations." (Zervion)

 

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
Special training?!
My "reward" for carrying out a highly risky mission on behalf of the country is to be subjected to what possibly amounts to the greatest mental and physical strain?!

 

"Ehm, I'm not quite sure if I'd agree to this." (Elin)

"It's an order right from their majesties. Didn't you boast at the gates that you have to keep your vows to king and country?" (Zervion)

 

How does he know about this?!
Also, that was just a filthy lie!

Next, he beckons outside the door.
In steps the Captain from before.

 

"The day is already long. Captain Verad will guide you to your lodgings. Find her a nice room, please. Our guest deserves a modicum of hospitality. Also, she will need all the rest she can get for tomorrow." (Zervion)

"Yes, Sir." (Captain Verad)

"Once you're done, tell Relia that she's about to have a new student." (Zervion)

"Relia!? Are you sure?" (Captain Verad)

 

I really don't like how he looks even more distressed about this than I already am.

 

"Of course, I am. I can see potential in this one. I'm sure Relia can drill the training into her." (Zervion)

"But Sir, Relia is currently already training our... newest admission." (Verad)

 

Sure.
Whispering that last part awfully secretive like isn't going to make you look the slightest bit suspicious.

 

"So what? I'm sure Relia can handle more than one student at a time. Was that all or do you intend to question my orders any further? By all means, I enjoy our little banters!" (Zervion)

"Sigh. No Sir. I'll bring her to the officer barracks then." (Verad)

"If you deem those suitable. Have it close to the inner exercise field. The way shouldn't be too long." (Zervion)

"Sigh... Yes, Sir." (Verad)

 

Is it over?
Seems so, as now I'm gestured to stand up and follow him.
For some time, he silently walks in front of me.
At one point, I decide I had enough and step up next to him.

 

"You know, if you'd just send me on my way, we could spare each other a lot of work." (Elin)

"Sure. Letting you run off is certainly going to help me avoid trouble." (Verad)

 

Hm, I notice that this guy can speak quite relaxed.
A rare notion for a higher-up.

 

"Seriously, just quickly look the other way, and I'll be gone." (Elin)

"You don't seriously think that ignoring that missive is going to do you any good, is it? Look, I'm sorry for you. I gathered that you truly delivered an important message, so this isn't quite the kind of reward you would expect for an accomplishment." (Verad)

 

Duh!
You don't say?

 

"Well, if nothing else, I can tell you that the rooms are clean and quite comfortable." (Verad)

 

We reach an upper floor and the hallways start looking a lot nicer.
They're even colored in a mix of brown and white.
Eventually, my escort, or rather watchdog, opens a door.
The room in there looks truly quite nice.
A single bed, a tiny bed stand, a table with chairs, even a huge wall chest.

 

"Your items will be returned to you here shortly. Also, as you didn't receive anything today, I'll make sure that someone brings you a meal. However, you'll have to make do with the same food everybody else receives. Army policy. No special supply for higher ranks." (Verad)

 

Is this supposed to declare equality?
Seriously, I saw at least a dozen restaurants on the way here.
I'm sure the officers have their way to avoid having to eat crap food.
And the merchants know this.

He leaves, and I'm left to ask myself if I shouldn't make a run for it.
Yet even if I got some very ominous signals, it's probably nothing that will kill me.
Might be uncomfortable though.
On the other side, that bed looks great after all this time out there.

Yet I barely get to lay down before there is already a knock.
When I open, there's a young man.

 

"I'm bringing you your meal."

 

Great.
Got already hungry.

He's even pulling one of those fancy metal containers away and reveals steaming scrambled eggs with meat and an assortment of vegetables.
Okay, maybe I'll give this a chance.