Chapter 8: Dreams

"Dinner's ready," Vedrant said in his usual calm manner, "Are you two coming?"

I glanced at Hef, who seemed just as disinterested in leaving our discussion as I was. But there was no point in resisting. "Fine, lead the way," I replied, trying to hide my annoyance.

Vedrant turned on his heels, and we followed him towards the mess hall. As we walked, Hef nudged me with a mischievous grin. "You really know your stuff," he said, genuinely impressed.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I've read my share of history books," I replied. "Knowledge is power, after all."

Hef chuckled, his eyes lighting up. "True, and your knowledge might just come in handy someday."

We entered the mess hall, where the knights were already gathered, talking and laughing as they shared their evening meal. The aroma of cooked meat and fresh bread filled the air, but I remained indifferent to it all. Food was merely sustenance to me, a means to an end.

As we found an empty spot to sit, I couldn't help but notice how easily Vedrant socialized with the other knights, laughing and joking with them as if they were old friends. He seemed to fit in seamlessly, like a well-integrated cog in a machine.

Hef and I, on the other hand, didn't share that camaraderie with the rest of the knights. We were outsiders, brought into this world for our individual purposes. Hef's role was to teach history, and mine was far more complex, hidden beneath a facade of loyalty.

The conversation at our table turned to the upcoming plans for the camp. The knights discussed strategies and tactics, drawing maps on the table with their fingers as they shared their insights. Hef and I observed, but we didn't contribute. There was no need for us to reveal our hands just yet.

I noticed Captain Hadrian at the head of the hall, deep in conversation with some of the senior knights. His commanding presence demanded respect, and he spoke with authority. Despite his inspiring speech earlier, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain for him. He was just another pawn in this game of power, and I saw through his righteous facade.

As the knights ate and talked, I picked at my food, my mind wandering back to the discussions I'd had with Hef earlier. The history of the Cervinian Empire was indeed fascinating, filled with tales of conquests, rebellions, and intrigue.

Vedrant, sitting beside me, noticed my distant expression. "Something on your mind, Alexis?" he asked.

"Just thinking about what we discussed earlier," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "The Cervinian Empire's history is quite captivating."

Vedrant nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "It certainly is. There's so much we can learn from the past."

Hef chimed in, eager to continue the conversation. "And there's still so much to uncover," he said, excitement evident in his voice. "Many of the ancient texts are shrouded in mystery, waiting for someone to decipher their true meaning."

"I suppose that's true," I said, masking my true intentions. "There's always more to discover in the annals of history."

The conversation drifted to other topics, and I let the others talk while I observed, always on guard, always calculating. This was just another opportunity to gather information, to learn more about the people around me and their weaknesses.

As dinner came to an end, I excused myself, claiming exhaustion from the day's events. Vedrant and Hef bid me goodnight, and I made my way back to my tree house, alone with my thoughts.

In the darkness, I allowed myself to drop the facade for a moment. My true self emerged, devoid of loyalty or compassion. I was here for my own gain, and I would stop at nothing to achieve it. The camp, the knights, even Sidonius—they were all just pawns in my game.

The mess hall was abuzz with the knights sharing their tales and laughter, while I and Hef sat together, still engrossed in our conversation about the history of the Cervinian Empire.

Hef leaned in, his voice low, "You really know your stuff, Alexis. It's impressive."

I shrugged, my expression indifferent, "Just something I picked up over the years. Knowing history can be useful in understanding the present."

Hef nodded, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, "You must have been through many places, seen a lot of the world."

I paused for a moment before replying, "I've traveled far and wide, seen the best and worst of humanity."

As we continued talking, I couldn't help but admire Hef's unwavering faith in the First Emperor. He was a true believer, even though he didn't entirely trust the knights. But he never mentioned it outright, just like I never revealed my true motives.

As the conversation shifted, Vedrant approached us and announced, "Dinner's ready."

Hef grinned, "About time, I'm starving!"

We followed Vedrant to the mess hall and found a place to sit. The knights were boisterous, discussing battle plans and strategies. I sat through it all, listening and observing, gathering information as I always did.

The smell of cooked meat and fresh bread filled the air, but it did little to entice me. I picked at my food, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming recruitment test.

Hef nudged me, "Are you nervous about the test tomorrow?"

I smirked, "Nervous? Please. It's just a formality. I'll ace it."

Hef chuckled, "I have no doubt. You're too skilled not to."

As dinner came to an end, Hef and I excused ourselves to head back to our tree house. The darkness enveloped us as we made our way through the camp.

"You know," Hef said casually, "I find some of the knights annoying."

I raised an eyebrow, "Really? Who would have thought?"

Hef laughed, "It's not that I don't support the First Emperor, but some of them can be a bit too zealous."

I nodded in agreement, "I've noticed that too. But they're all just following orders."

Hef sighed, "True. I suppose we all have our roles to play."

As we reached our tree house, Hef started to lay down the rough mattresses. "Get some rest," he said. "Tomorrow is a big day for you."

I joined in, helping him with the mattresses, "Thanks. I'll need all the rest I can get."

Once the mattresses were laid out, I couldn't help but think about my journey to this hidden camp. From the towering walls of Vrenath to the bustling streets of Maigor, my life had taken me to unexpected places. And now, I found myself in this camp, surrounded by knights and their noble cause.

In the darkness, I allowed my thoughts to wander, contemplating my true motives, my ultimate goal. I knew the camp was just a stepping stone, a means to an end. But I couldn't reveal my hand just yet. The time would come when I would make my move, and no one would see it coming.

As I closed my eyes, sleep eluded me for a while, but soon fatigue took over. Hef was already fast asleep beside me, his faith in the First Emperor guiding him into peaceful dreams.

In the silence of the night, I lay there. The camp was just the beginning, and the world beyond held even greater opportunities for someone like me.

But for now, I would play my part, continue to deceive and manipulate, and lay the groundwork for my ultimate plan. Tomorrow, the recruitment test awaited, and I would show the knights just how valuable I could be.

With that thought in mind, I finally drifted into a restless sleep. The night held its secrets, just like I held mine, and the world awaited the moment when everything would come crashing down.

.

.

.

"Mother, Mother!" he cried out, his voice echoing in my ears.

I reached out to him, but my arms were not my own. They were charred and scarred, and in them, I held the lifeless body of a woman. The child's mother. She was fully burnt, and her lifeless eyes stared back at me accusingly.

The child's screams filled my head, repeating over and over, a never-ending cycle of pain and guilt.

I jolted awake, my body drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest. The darkness of the room engulfed me, and for a moment, I couldn't tell where I was. But then the reality of the camp came rushing back, and I realized it was just a dream. A nightmare that seemed to haunt me whenever I closed my eyes.

I glanced over at Hef, still fast asleep beside me. With a sigh, I lay back down on the rough mattress, closing my eyes once more.

As sleep finally overtook me once more, I couldn't help but wonder how long I could keep up this charade. How long before the knights saw through my facade and realized the truth? How long before I had to face the consequences of my actions?