The Book and the Feast (4)

The General would then see on Artirian eyes that Artirian was quite impressed by him again. The General would know what kind of person Artirian was when he first saw him. Artirian was a future leader in the eyes of the General Conrad Thornwind. From the eyes of the General Artirian would succeed triple of what He did and the General already accepted it.

The General would then order Artirian to get some rest already and continue his travel towards the Xethova capital as the entrance exam for the Divine Empire Military Academy is nearing. Artirian would give a snappy salute back again to the General and the General would salute back. After that Artiiran would put his right foot at the back of the left foot then twist his body and his footing around before exiting the tent.

Artirian would then see the two Aide de camp smiling at him but he was too nervous to smile back at them so he would salute them also as they saluted back before finally exiting the tent. He would then walk towards his tent that was built earlier by some of the conscripts that idolized Artirian as a brave hero of Moon Scar City and the news spread of a talented young officer that battled the Republican-Coalition forces at the siege of the Moon Scar City.

Artirian would then enter his tent; it was too crowded for things as Artirian was kinda minimalist and organized. He also lit up the lamp and read some chapters of the book and the first chapter of the book is "The sword was not made to fight" and from those words the first lesson has begun for Artirian. After reading that chapter Artirian would wash his face and remove his clothes then he would lay on the comfy makeshift bed that he built earlier. He would slowly close his eyes as his body became more relaxed.

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POV Artirian

~Dream~

"Where am I" as I looked around my eyes are getting dazzled by the light that was coming from anywhere then there was a voice that have been echoing and it said with a rough deep voice "My child I was not able to teach you what I must told you but luckily you have someone that has dignity over his honor as a Leader.

I keep my dignity as a human being and I left my honor as an Officer." as those words echoed through my ear and from what I think it was the sound of my father's voice.

My eyes would slowly be filled with tears, my body would get shiver as my hair from my body slowly rose up. My skin would get some goosebumps. I felt something on my shoulder and as I tilt my head I saw his face. My father's face visualized it well and my tears began to drop across my cheek and onto the ground. I hugged him tightly but it soon vanished.

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It was Early morning, when Artirian would open his eyes he would head to his wash bowl and start to wash his face. He then wears his inner clothes which is a white long sleeve and a curly on the end of the hands and walked outside, he would see that the conscripts had already been formed into 3 columns while in their sleeping uniform. Artirian would get confused as there was no bugle sound for the conscripts to be awake that early. But Artirian found out that the conscripts were able to wake up on that exact time without the help of a bugle sound to wake them up.

The conscripts would start their exercise while the knights would start to form their ranks and continue the jogging that was ordered to them. Soon the drills would start and Artirian would also join the knights on their warm up routine and Artirian would get a grasp of it even though some of the time he fell behind the pack.

But the knights would not care if he fell behind as it was an experience to let Artirian feel what a knights warm up routine was. Soon Artirian would feel the tension that all the knights are feeling they would increase the pace for Artirian as because Artirian is catching up from their routine and they would likely make Artirian give some little pointers as Seniors.

Soon the pace slowly increased Artirian sweat would be see on him and became much more visible the marks of sweat from the armpits to his back and from the neck would also be visible his face would not look tired but the body tells a different story.Then when they reached the nearby river on the neutral zone they give some rest. Artirian would be seen laying on the ground and the knights would give a small smirk and say "Hey Artirian you look tired wanna get a drink on the river to boost you up don't lay on the ground it is a bad habit kid"

Artirian would head to the river to get some water on his face to freshen up. He already noticed earlier that the knight increased the pace because he joined them but at least he knew how to do their routine warm up exercises and could apply them on future endeavors

Artirian would give a soft sigh then walk over to the knight that was having a conversation on their previous campaigns of war in the northern Republican borders. The stories came that their company was walking through the thick woods and it was windy, the leaves were making noise and it was raining heavily.

That was the weather on that day. The knight said that day was the most unseen scenario in his life that he wants to never come back to. That time the republican forces were getting a battle frenzy with the 2nd company the knight said. When they were getting into a battle frenzy it was a type of battle where there was no reinforcement and they were all out of choices and they must break through the defense of the defending army that was in front of them that time.

Artirian would be listening carefully and try to recreate the scenario in his mind. Then the knight continues with the story as the knights reminiscent the scenario it was a bit gruesome he said. he lost his company buddy and his arm was also got cut by a republican sword luckily his company buddy helped him to get the cut on his back and saving him from the certain cut from the enemy. And when that happens he countered it and the republican got also killed in that fight with him. The day that that battle frenzy happened almost the company didn't survive.

Luckily the other forces retreated with a strategic advantage that they have slain the company commander of the detachment force and that is the fault of the whole company for not being alert. And from that day on the knight said while his gloomy face would paint his feelings "always bear in mind to keep an alerted mind and a good eyesight.''

After the last story he said this. The Artirian would recreate that in his mind and from the bits of information all of the communication failed before they entered the forest that means it was a warning sign that they must have retreated and did not need to continue well. As for an honor of a Company commander he must do the duties that were given even if it cost his life.