Chapter 7: First Day
"I was born into a humble family of fish merchants," I began, my voice dry and steady. "My parents, my little sister, and my grandmother—we lived peacefully in a small fishing town by the name of Seren in southern Aserath. But then the war. War came to our doorstep, and our lives were shattered."
"My parents were falsely accused of supporting the Parchment, and they were executed," I continued.
"I was taken and sent to a brutal prison camp in Werion. My grandmother and little sister—I lost all contact with them. I don't know what happened to them." I said with a heavy throat.
"I escaped that wretched camp with the help and sacrifices of my fellow siblings—the Emperor's Children," I declared, my voice rising with conviction. "In the face of cruelty and injustice, I found a family among you. A family that fights for justice and the greater good!"
"Glory to the First Emperor!" I exclaimed, my heart swelling with pride as I concluded my speech. The knights below repeated the phrase, their voices joining together in a resounding chorus and could I feel their energy, their passion, and their shared determination.
"The First Emperor has heard our cry, and we will carry out his will. We will reclaim our land from the grasp of the Order of Ignis. We will stand tall and proud, defending the innocent and fighting for what is right! Fighting for the Glory of the First Emperor." I declared, my words ringing with determination.
After the cheers and applause died down, Captain Hadrian dismissed the knights, and I stepped down from the platform. As I made my way through the camp, I noticed Vedrent standing nearby, waiting for me. He was about my age, with white hair that contrasted sharply against his dark armor, and he wore glasses that gave him a scholarly appearance.
"Alexis," Captain Hadrian called, motioning for Vedrent to come closer., adjusting his glasses as he approached me. "Show our newest member around the camp, will you?" "Nice to meet you Alexis Vopiscus" I greeted him with a handshake. "Vedrant Ranlal" he replied.
Vedrent nodded "Sure thing, Captain," he replied, his voice calm and composed. "Follow me, Alexis."
I fell in step beside Vedrent as we navigated through the maze of tents and training grounds. The camp was a hive of activity, with knights going about their duties, preparing for the upcoming battles. The air was filled with a sense of purpose and camaraderie, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't truly belong there.
Vedrent led me through the camp, showing me the different areas with genuine enthusiasm. As we passed by the mess hall, up in a large tree house, he pointed towards the knights gathered there, sharing meals and stories.
"This is where we come together as a family," Vedrent said. "No matter where we came from, we're all united by our loyalty to the First Emperor."
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral, even though his words made me want to scoff. Loyalty, family—these were just words to me, means to an end.
Next, we arrived at the armory, where weapons of all kinds were meticulously stored. Vedrent picked up a sword and handed it to me, his eyes gleaming with pride.
"Each knight has their own weapon, and it becomes a part of them," he said. "We train with them day in and day out, honing our skills to become the best warriors we can be."
I weighed the sword in my hand, pretending to be interested, but my mind was already calculating and had already started.
Finally, we reached the training grounds, where knights were sparring and practicing various combat techniques. Vedrent's eyes shone with excitement as he watched them.
"Here is where we become strong, both in body and spirit," he said. "We push ourselves to the limit, always striving to improve and protect what we hold dear."
I nodded, trying to hide my boredom. His passion for this cause was almost sickening to me.
As we continued to walk, Vedrent shared more stories about the knights and their battles, their victories and losses. He spoke of their dedication to the First Emperor and their desire to bring justice to the land.
"I always feel lucky to be a part of this, Alexis," Vedrent said with a smile. "It's an honor to fight for something greater than ourselves."
I gave a noncommittal grunt in response, not wanting to reveal my true feelings. In reality, I felt no honor in fighting for the First Emperor.
But I had to make these fools believe that I was truly one of them.
As Vedrent continued to talk, I listened to every minute detail that came into my ear. This camp, with all its camaraderie and loyalty, would prove to be a powerful weapon in my hands.
For now, I would play the role of the devoted knight, fighting for the First Emperor's cause.
"Is something bothering you, Alexis?" Vedrent asked, noticing my distant expression.
I shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, I'm just taking it all in," I replied, my tone faking my curiosity as ever.
Vedrent seemed to buy my response, and he continued to show me around. We passed by the medical tent, where wounded knights were being tended to, and the study area, where some knights were engrossed in reading ancient texts.
As we walked, I observed the dynamics among the knights. To be honest, there was a strong bond of trust and loyalty among them, and they treated each other like family.
As Vedrent continued to talk, I noticed how easily he seemed to trust me, and how he confided in me with his hopes and dreams. A dream of a fool. A young knight, earnest and full of hope.
As Vedrant and I reached the last stop of the camp tour, I found myself standing in front of a small tree house, perched on a large tree amidst countless others like it. Vedrant gestured towards it,
"This is your new room. Not much, but it's a place to rest."
I grunted in response, not particularly impressed by the modest accommodations. Nevertheless, I nodded in acknowledgment as Vedrant introduced me to the occupant of the room. "This is Hef Staven," he said, motioning toward a young man
"He is actually seventeen" Vedrant whispered to me.
Hef had long hair and slim stature, and he was entirely engrossed in a pile of books and papers scattered on the desk beside the window, which overlooked the camp.
Hef glanced up, his expression distant but not unfriendly.
"Hello," he said, his voice soft and somewhat absent-minded. I grunted again in response, not in the mood for pleasantries.
"Is Crelim coming today ?" Vredent asked.
"How would I know?" Hef replied with annoyance.
"I don't know who else to ask?"
"You know how it is," Vedrant said, flashing a smile at Hef.
"Just go away you.." Hef said angrily.
"I'll leave you two to get acquainted. See you around, Hef."
"Don't get some funny ideas from him Crelim is the third roommate. And also there are no beds. We sleep on the floor."
Hef said buy his attention already returning to the papers in front of him. Vedrant gave me a knowing look before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
I let out a sigh of relief, finally left alone in the room. It was small, but at least it was private. I put my belongings beside the wall, trying to make myself feel at home. As I settled in, I couldn't help but overhear Hef muttering to himself as he read through the books.
As I settled into the small tree house, I couldn't help but notice Hef engrossed in a pile of books and papers scattered on his desk. With a hint of curiosity, I approached him, finding myself intrigued by the prospect of a conversation that delved into the intricate web of politics and history.
"So, Hef," I began, "I hear you're quite knowledgeable about wars and kings." seeing all those bookshelves, from a copy of the 'Book of the Emperor' to 'Lost Thoughts' and from 'Ancient Helmerian plays' to 'Stories of a little peacekeeper'.
"Is this really a copy of Book of Gods?" I asked. taking out that thick book in the hardback.
"Yes... in original Lumina" he replied still in his pile of paper.
"A righteous ruler will..." I started saying as I was keeping the book back.
"...always enjoy Aseagnea unopposed," he replied completing the sentence with me.
"It is the most cliché sentence ever, even a child knows that" he added harshly.
"Do know the chapter?" he asked, as if trying to test my knowledge.
"Yes, Chapter 2 'Purpose of the King' verse 3," I replied, while still viewing the bookshelf. For a moment he paused his work.
"So, what are you reading now?" I asked, coming closer to his chair and taking a peak over his work.
"Cervinian Empire?" I asked
"Yes," he said.
"They want me to teach the history of the Cervinian Empire, with most of them who can't even read." he then added, with exhaustion.
"52,000 years of history," I said raising an eyebrow, genuinely impressed.
"Indeed it is," Hef replied, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"The Cervinian Empire has witnessed the rise and fall of countless emperors, each leaving their mark on its history. From the glorious reigns to the darkest times, it's a tale of power, intrigue, and ambition. And the home for children like us."
Hef nodded, clearly enjoying the conversation. "The empire's political structure is akin to a complex tapestry. It consists of provinces, each governed by an elder house sworn to the Emperor's rule. These nobles have immense power and influence over their regions but also answer to the Emperor's will. It's a delicate balance of power that has shaped the empire's fate."
"Sounds like a tricky game of alliances and loyalty," I mused.
"Exactly," Hef agreed.
"Throughout history, there have been rebellions and power struggles among these noble houses. The Emperor must maintain a strong grip on the reins to prevent the empire from descending into chaos."
As the conversation progressed, we delved deeper into the annals of the Cervinian Empire's history. I found myself drawn to Hef's wealth of knowledge and his passion for the subject. It was refreshing to engage in a conversation that didn't involve plotting or scheming for once.
At that moment, I allowed myself to be absorbed in the world of ancient kings and political intrigue, appreciating the vastness of history that had shaped the empire's present. For a brief moment, I almost forgot my motives.