Gunner - Part One

My admiration for him was like this deep ocean. Perhaps more than just admiration, I somehow fell in love with his charms. More than that, I fell in love with his quality, his sense of duty and his aspirations, the way he carried himself with an *explosiveness*, my cheeks flushing warm as my chest hummed a song to his every step whenever I chance upon him, my own stare dogging his every stride. A little too dreamily perhaps that it may have been obvious. He was no ordinary man. He was nothing short than perfect.

And he would most definitely not notice me.

I always seem to remember that day with a certain beating. Back in the King's Palace when all Scholars were called in to attend the Annual Ball of the Becoming, this certain time of the year when the Bibles were switched out to usher in a new patron for the year, the next twelve months being that of Mother Ela, the goddess of snow and ice, where after the proper ceremonies, we had all gone on to the Dance, a most attended affair that I had been curious about, everyone who was coming talking of being faultlessly dressed. That perfect pair of shoes to match with headpieces and accessories. While I was but a wallflower.

I was one of those who stood somewhere unseen, a soul too dreary for such a jubilation that I deemed myself worth the pillar I had decided to lean against, an onlooker as my other fellow Scholars took to the floor, itinerants touring the ballroom to the tune of the orchestra and this wonder called the Music Maker said to be able to mimic every known instrument there is, a contraption of the Bards.

Oh it was lovely. Even if I was not one for dancing, I was one for the sounds of it, my gaze appreciating the overall appeal of the venue, the way they made it seem like stars were falling from the ceiling as snow, a decorated moon and sun revolving at the center where most of the people had concentrated, partners in a whirl of happiness under clumps of silk and puffs made to look like clouds. There was even one thundering somewhere. Magic maybe. I could not partake of it. I could not dance.

That reason made me decide to spend the next hours sampling all the food there was to offer, a few of my closer friends dragging me along, they already tipsy since early this evening. The spread was impressive this year like it had been last I was told, food towers common and heaped high with delicacies from all the corners of the Realms. The best chefs were here on personal invitation. I can't wait, said my sarcasm. Like last year this was going to be my fare of the night.

I was drifting senselessly with my plateful of shrimp and golden olives, listening to the chatter of my companions as they gossiped about their future as Scholars, about who would have the highest possibility of maybe converting to an actual Faction, our smartest in class, Sabina, already deciding to try out for the Magick Council or Alchemy.

Her future's bright. As conflicting to my own. I wanted to make it to Monster Base, the only Faction I ever considered, but failed around creatures rather miserably. I could not even get an Armored Horse's colt to heel, much less tame a Thundergut. I was scared of dragons and they made up most of the common species under the Monster Base's care.

I shrunk at the prospect. Maybe I'd return to my hometown a loser. After many years studying imagine that. All my effort would be for naught. I had only proven I was not the smartest in the bunch. My skills were typical and mediocre. I would never fit in the league of the Factions. Better eat shrimps while I can. I might be thrust back to my disconsolate world after graduation, peddling lowly-brewed potions all the remaining of my life.

While I was contemplating on these things, crossing the floor to the other side where the tables were, I hardly noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere of the ballroom, how a hush had blown in and a hand suddenly pulling me aside.

"Makia! What are you doing?!"

I could not understand the concern painting her face. I had blankly stared at where she was pointing and simply gaped as realization finally hit me. I panicked. Or more rightly said, I shied away and slid to hide behind at least a layer of other attendees, my plate neglected on a table somewhere as 'they' paraded into view. Everyone was in awe and, admittedly, so was I.

One word: Trinity. They were the highest form of achievement any Denizen could aspire for. They were the most adept, the most brilliant, the most powerful combatants of the land, the post so utterly arduous to achieve that the number was exclusive to a very few, a very SELECT few trained, raised and mentored by the Royal Highness himself. Well according to rumors.

The path to Trinship was one full of gruel tasks and hardships they said, each of its current members tested through hell and high water just to reach this summit. Giving it their all to the point of near-death. They were tempered as steel and sharpened by many deadly encounters in their process of learning the many secrets of the Kingdom. Afterwards, they stay on that acme for life. For no Trinity ever gets knocked off their pedestal -transformed maybe, but never replaced. Most likely this was because of certain specializations particular only to that or this being in their circle. The Trinity as individuals were said to be very unique from one to the other.

I admit I had gotten excited at the thought and had regretted drawing behind the crowd as we were pushed aside by an entourage, the small group of Trinity in what surely was their regal gait making their way forward along the aisle. I do not know their faces, the Senior Scholars however do, debating about who was the more impressive, those who had the chance to encounter them getting into the competitive mood of wording as many facts as they could about these Beasts of the Battlefield. I was all ears…

"The Clergy Judas Cain Killian Luther Arthforth. Son of the late Saint Rochis and the demoness Mistress Smith of the Iron Towers. Nephew to the King. He might as well be a prince and, true enough, here he is, a Trinity like his family. He's just a kid but let not his looks deceive you. He's anything but ordinary."

I turned my blue eyes towards this said being. As awesome as it already is, he now holds the status of Head for the Legion Church, a small nipper of four or five, pale silvery golden hair, fiery red eyes and a set of short horns in similar color protruding from his head in betrayal of the other half of his origins. I heard them talk of being at High Mass before, something which I should consider attending now. This Clergy they spoke of was able to change form into a teen our age, mature enough to carry his many roles for the Faction although for now he was a footling doing his best to stray ahead from the rest of the cortege. Being cute at that. Unbelievable how someone of that age was already a Trinity.

"Who's that one?"

"Trinity Vance Kial Simeon. The Weather Beast. He could have decided to pick any Faction to Head himself but he stays without affiliation to any even to this day. He wished to be directly under the King's command alone and obviously listens to no one else."

"Why'd they call him the Weather Beast?"

The man in question suddenly turned to us, hearing the whispers and I froze. He had such a strong set of features, sharp like lightning and even under robes you could tell how toned his muscles were. Mind you, he looked godly with his height, the pride in his stance. And those eyes. They were gray and shifting. Like clouds in the sky impending of rain. Storm eyes. It scared and awed me at the same time. I don't know why I was unable to look away. Thinking it now, I suppose this was the same feeling the other Seniors felt at the moment. The swallowing at the throat. This cold sweaty sense of foreboding. It's never nice to speak about someone behind their back, in this case, while they were passing by.

"Vancey, what are you doing?"

And just as abruptly, there was a break in the atmosphere. Just as I thought there would be a confrontation, this gentle voice broke through the tension, like a smooth song drifting past, a cool breeze during an early morning. A shower of petals accompanied the said voice. Smoother than the snow outside, their feel like velvet. I cupped my hands together and with held breath watched it unfold with wonder, catching one of these pinkish folds in the palm of my hands. So…beautiful.

"Flower. Good evening."

The Weather Beast turned to extend his hand, a movement everyone followed towards the receiver of the invitation, and there she was, the source of all this, a lady I had not seen nor heard of until now. With as much warmth in her smile, she beamed her rosy glance at him, pressing her smaller palm unto the male Trinity's while gracefully gathering at her dress which was peppered with its colored diamonds from the waist down. She made an equally gracile curtsy, her hair suddenly coming to life.

Flowers! Scores and layers of them in varied sizes with their creeping tendrils and coils dancing in her tresses, blooming orchidias that made for her a wondrous crown, a few pearls strung to her locks catching them in reflection. I heard but only one whispered name after, "Iron Chrysanthemum" which made me gape after the image they presented now.

The Weather Beast began walking her away, a lord hooking her arm around his own in a gentlemanly fashion, fragile as she looked yet all the more defined beside him. She could tame his personality and the slightest of gestures from her made the crowd nod and heed, the petals still trailing from her as she moved along, myself just noticing that the blooms in her hair actually ran a cycle. Buds, flowers, those falling and then new buds springing forth.

"How. Does she do that?" I whispered in question to myself.

"Chrysanthemum. The only female in the Trinity. She is also what they call a Fighting Muse. Lovely as she appears, she is known to have taken on many opponents twice or more her size, constantly sparring with the males of their Class and is as vicious a battler as any Man in the group. It would be bad to assume her the weakest. That is no delicate flower."

A smallish form taking on the likes of gods like the male counterpart who had tarried her away. Difficult to imagine how something so beautiful is someone so dangerous as well. She was both breathtaking and powerful, the reserved flame in her beating throughout like the flowers shifting in her hair and mystifying everyone. A Female Trinity. The only one. Amazing...

The lines broke. The ballroom after their entrance fell to an organized disorder again, its occupants now taking to the song as the orchestra began a new note, livelier than earlier to perhaps indulge the hype the arrival of these wonders had inspired. I was left there watching, eyes not moving from where they had fastened on the two prominent figures, the little Clergy joining them next and pulling at the Muse's hand with his wee ones to lead her up the privileged balconies, the Weather Beast following with a shake of his head. They would sit with the hierarchy, far from the reach of the common like I. To be them. It's all a fantasy.

-------

I had tire of the civilities after an hour or so, my classmates having gone to watch as the band of Trinity took to the floor a few minutes after the third song, the elegant Flower as graceful a dancer and surprisingly well-accompanied by the Weather Beast who was no stranger it appeared to the art of it as well. They looked like a very dreamy couple. Even the little Eminence was versed with it, leading away ladies to the floor to dance with. He was beyond cute. I felt left out. Everyone else seemed connected to the celebration, even those other friends of mine who had been wallflowers with me earlier. They were enjoying it. I could not. I had too much on my mind.

Instead I chose to stray into the gardens, seeking the silence of the sheltered greenhouses under the moonlight, ears listening to the sound of nocturnal creatures straining their music to join the natural cacophony of the evening, the murmurs of the fountains far removed from the noise of the inner halls and the brutal wintry chill outside. Here was peace, the stars glowing bright even if it was to backdrop one of the four Lunas we call Eons in the Kingdom, their spray of constellations a relief to my soul even if I was just looking at them through the panes of glass, the midnight flowers blooming undisturbed, the arbors decorated with vine, with shadows and with the warmth of quiet. Best place to be, cold as the winds may blow elsewhere, harsh the Season that came.

"Enjoying the view?"

My reverie broke. A sudden intrusion to my solitude that I scowled at before realizing it was just another Denizen who gave me his smile and a quick "Sorry" for disturbing my meditation. He made a bow of his head, another gentleman, as he asked what it was I was doing outside by my lonesome. I don't know why I began answering his questions.

"I don't do well in crowds," I shrugged. "I wanted to go back to my dormitory but the carriage won't be back until another hour at least. You can say I'm stuck here."

He laughed lightly then. "A kindred spirit," he offered, stepping into the light of the lanterns from the shadows where he had been hidden.

The first thing I noticed was that he was taller than I was, his build a good proportion of muscles, and with a standing similar to that of a noble. He was perhaps a knight, the air about him, it was strong. I looked him from the bottom up, the simple set of formal clothes just making him dashing and - I paused, jaw this time dropping - I had just seen his face and now had just peered into his eyes.

"Anything the matter?"

His eyes! They were deep orbs of purple and clear, very very clear, the glint in them like a mirror to my reflection, delving pools. Where have I seen them before? Where have I…

A decade ago in Begotten. There was a Dragon Horde that had rampaged into the pens and had eaten their way half through the herds owned by the families there. I wasn't even a resident of the area. I was just visiting some relatives during the lean months to help my family. I had not suspected that I would be caught in the dilemma.

After the dragons had their taste of cattle, they seemed to change appetites and began running after the Denizens there. The people of the town had done their best to duck and hide but there I was, the poor and naive urchin. I was not even conscious what the dangers were. The sandstorms had separated me from my clan. I got caught.

Trapped between the claws of the dreadful wyvern, I was attempting to scream, my crying muddled, unable to push myself out of its vice-like grip, its freshly bloodied teeth gnashing at me that in my child's mind I had already seen how my body would be torn into shreds by its canines. I could see my death. Eaten alive by a scaly dragon whose breath smelt like sulfur and rotten flesh. Not really a very lovely way to pass on. But apparently I survived that did I not? Charge it to my more unconventional experiences. I still lived to tell the tale. How? Someone saved me.

I actually did not know what happened. Memory didn't serve me right at times that's why I wasn't really seen as smart. But despite being held down the way I was, almost squashed to the ground, caged in talons that could crumble boulders with sheer force alone, something fell from the skies that rescued me. It first got to the other dragons then to the one who wanted my head, smacking it aside so violently that it threw it off its feet and I was tossed back and over like a rag doll.

It was a scene played out in slow motion, but as I was hurled up and outward, I witnessed how the dragon roared in pain and without finishing its first chorus of howls was struck again by a curving ray of light. I did not understand it, only that I was safely grabbed around the collar of my clothes and tossed even farther back to the waiting arms of my parents. I could not say much about the landing, but when I looked up, at what was before us now, there…there /he/ was.

I never knew his name, only partly recalled his face. To me however, he was my savior, the coolest and calmest man I had ever seen. With eyes like colored ice or crystal, nay, they were gems. Strong and determined gems that had planted a sudden beat into my heart, tugging at all its strings. He turned his back at me. I was too befuddled to stop him.

Yet I saw how well he fought. How he bravely clashed head-on and forward towards the invading fray and with bullets and an explosive dexterity no man I knew possessed even to this day, took down dragon after dragon with his group, clearing the small town of its troubles and saving the day. I was in the crowd of those that had stared in admiration. I watched him carve his presence on the horde that dared disturb the disorderly peace of this herders' paradise.

Had I thanked him? I think not. But he had smiled down at me and reached a hand to pat me on the head. "Stay out of trouble okay?" that voice, it was the same voice. It held the same soothing lull and now I remember. His face. He had not aged a day and here he was again before me, after so long I scarce could recall.

"Keep out of trouble, okay?"

The same advice. The same smile. Gods of Citadelia! He had left as immense an impression as he had back then yet what had I done just staring at him while he was still there? Why did I not talk to him? I should have told him that it was I. I was that child he saved! I could have thanked him at last.

"I best be going."

With a respectful bow of his head, he turned his back to me again. This time I could not help myself. He was someone I wanted to know more about, since that day I had always been curious of him, a hand reaching out unconsciously to stop him, to make him look at me again with those jewel eyes. But he had already walked on.

"There you are!"

"Makia! What are you doing here?"

My friends had come. I was distracted for a minute, and when I looked back the next thing, I found him gone. I turned to follow the path he had taken. Where. Where was he?

I had been dragged back, to the ballroom, in a flow of arms and hands that seemed to not exist to me while my mind was transported to deeper thoughts. Why now had I only realized these feelings had not changed, just lain dormant then like a fire bird reborn, renewed since the day he had saved me? It had been locked away and perhaps had at some point been forgotten but the strings he had plucked in my heart had woven him a tapestry from my youth and now wanted to brandish it out as a banner for him. Will I ever see him again?

"Why did you have to bring me back in here anyway? I just want to go wait out the carriage."

"You're such a thrill killer. The dances just restarted."

They already knew I was not one for such gaiety. I had failed at this craft like I failed everything else on the Scholar's curriculum. Yet I was here being led around. Ironically, I became thankful of it later on that day.

"There he is! Look Makia!!"

The excited pointing had me baffled. I turned sharply about in annoyance and just...stared. I froze. I must have gaped again haven't I? The man… *that* man was on the floor. My feet took a few steps forward, but he had taken a few steps towards someone else. It was the lovely Iron Chrysanthemum. He gathered her to himself and pressed her closely, whispering with a gentle smile something that made her giggle, his arms melding her to him in such a sensuous fashion that my heart flickered. Then they danced. But it was genuinely intimate that I felt angered, the color rising to my cheeks. That was the first time I had ever felt jealous.

"Trinity Chalice Roan Averque," one of my friends supplied and I snapped in attention to her. "Gunnery Captain. Also known as the Czar of the Curving Bullets…"

Curving Bullets. Was that what he called the attack that he'd saved my life with? So he was a Trinity? That should have come as no surprise. Neither was the fact that he was a Council Minister and among the Heads of the Kingdom's Factions. He had perhaps walked the red carpet closely behind the King without myself ever seeing it. How clueless I had become that it frustrated me immediately!

After that night, I now knew which Faction I wanted to be part of.

-------

After Graduation, I had considered all my options, but veered away from the first choice I had in mind, dropping the Monster Base tracts into the garbage bin to replace them with that of the Gunnery, spreading the information on the desk of my room. Would you have guessed the Kingdom had its roots even in Space? The Faction's scope of dominion extending beyond the tech cities here on the terrestrial and in sub-terrain. They had constructed and colonized the nearby moons and planets of the cosmos. Amazing. Captain Chalice had brought his dedication to new heights and had me and others fascinated even more.

"I hope your decision has nothing to do with the fact that you adore him so much."

Gustean. A Scholar of fiery red hair and dark eyes. Freckle-faced but a pleasant companion all in all. I met him at an orientation for Gunnery and we clicked. He was aiming to be a Mecha Engineer, already had his plans set and his blueprints drawn that I was impressed with how much he had thought this out. Meanwhile I was struggling with the simplest of decisions. The test to get in involved altering an old human machine gun to fit the Realms' standards and I was a nervous wreck. 'Gusty' had offered to help me out so he was here in my dormitory more often now during this break. When Spring comes we will have to vacate our rooms.

"What? No," I frowned at his remark and sought to deny it. "You know I want to be a Rogue Bullet."

I swore and he scoffed at it, rolling his eyes with a chuckle. He teased me about this 'crush' I had for Captain Chalice often that it was vexing but he was truly a good fellow. Because he lets me get back at him if ever he does rile me about it. He also somehow dragged me back to reality.

"You know his standing in the Kingdom. He's a Trinity...one of t h e m. I heard the King has a say as to who becomes their mates, and the partner for someone like him is most always another Trinity.

"Unless you make it to Heir Apparent. Which is about as far-fetched a dream as anyone could make it. He's not for the Ordinary like us," he said.

He was right. I didn't refuse the fact that the distance between our ranks was Dragonflight to Citadelia, and that he already had someone special in particular reserved for him, myself recalling the lovely Chrysanthemum. That would probably be her. Plus, I hadn't seen him since. Other than the Ball and that one time at High Mass in fact, I was never able to catch him in public ever. I just hear of his exploits, his spars and his appearances with the Royals but I would never spot him out in the open. Never again.

"I could dream right Gust?"

That was what it may ever be. A dream.

-------

The day we left the Dormitories was the start of our days in the folds of the actual Factions. While my other classmates went on to be Bards or Knights, Alchemists, Mages or Dancers, I aimed for the Gunnery with Gust. My friend had passed the signings with no hassle, was tested and got high marks to get the endorsements he needed. I barely got through the exams but was hooked in as a substitute when one of the other passers shifted to be part of Monster Base the last minute. Fated? Call me a sore loser. I now belonged to a club.

"Lousy…" we met a Rogue Bullet by the name of Sinquain, known as the Nuker due to the reason that his armament consisted mostly of bombs.

He had the same temperament to boot, in charge of us 'Low Lives' or what they called the camp consisting of those that had failed the signups the first time. Gustean belonged to the Shells. He was an ace that would make it to the Rogue league soon if permitted.

"Really had to pick the Gunnery when you could've just lived a less stressful life plantin' herbs or maybe feedin' monsters!"

I was already regretting my decisions. This Faction seemed to be the worse at treating its members. I was looking at the rag-tag group I was in and we all looked like we had the same thought in mind, reflected by tired faces, doubtful stares. Nuker didn't make it any easier.

After being shipped to the Faction Isles, we were sent to do most of the scullery work for the higher sections. We had scrubbed floors, cooked meals, polished boots…served like dogs under the seniors that I wished I never asked to be part of this. Gust didn't seem to see me the same way anymore either. He took advanced lessons and pretended to not know me when he passed me by. No longer my help as I struggled alongside the other Low Lives and started Basic on everything.

The tasks piled. So did the trouble. It was clear after a few months that we were not regarded any better than leeches and even those things were treated with more care than we were. Some of us got bullied. Some quit. I had my share of the ill-treatment that I had come back to my room bruised, falling asleep crying, but stomached it all in to wake up the next day and do it all over again. I had not left.

I reminded myself that the only consolation, I being able to send my family a decent salary at least, was enough. The Seniors can pick on me as much as they want, the friend who told me he would stick with me can ignore me to oblivion, and Nuker can scream all he wanted, but I was staying. Something in me wanted to stick with this Faction. It wasn't him this time. I haven't seen Trinity Chalice in over a year now that his name had faded into a myth to me once more...

"You maggots are the sorriest bunch I had the p l e a s u r e o'seein' all my life an' lemme tell ya I might gladly DIE of a heart attack--"

He was not even half done with this /sarcasm/, my ears and heart steeled as he whipped insults and orders one after another, curses running like the blood in his veins left and right. We had all become cold. We, the ones left of the Low Lives, somehow became indifferent to this form of treatment and regarded it as normal. Shantee, a lanky girl from the Deserts of Abyssalia, even began making jokes about it now. We all snickered once Nuker left.

"Did you notice he had said the same thing yesterday?" she started with a drawl, making an impression that sounded just like the Bullet. " 'I might gladly DIE of a heart attack!'

"Well? Why won't he?"

I laughed while scrubbing at the floorboards of the kitchen. Mess duties felt livelier with them around in some way. We talked of nonsense and other stuff, removed from the dreary rounds we had here at the Faction Base. Sometimes we talked about our reasons.

"Say Makia. Why'd you join this Faction anyway? If I remember right, before, you said you wanted to join the Monster Base. Why did you get yourself here?"

Augustus was a boy that was in the same Dormitory as I was. He was in a different section as a Scholar but had become close pals with me here in the Isles after I saved him from his bullies. Ended up in detention for a day after giving two Seniors broken noses, but we discovered we had so much in common as fellow Low Lives. He was also a herder's son. We came from the same Continent with his family just living farther into Inner DarkThrone. We found out we could discuss things easily.

"Perhaps the same reason as you. I mean, you could have been a Trader right? Why didn't you?"

We laughed at each other.

Shantee was throwing leftovers again and we had turned it into a food battle within thirty minutes. Much to Nuker's wrath, of course. It always earned us three even more hours of extra work but it wasn't so bad at all anymore. We had adjusted. We were like blades toughened by our designation, moving much better through our life in the Gunnery.

-------

It were the months after. Of all the Low Lives, only three of us remained -August, Shan and myself. Our ranks had not budged an inch. We still had carried out most of the dirty work for the Seniors, laboring in the shadows behind them, treated worse and seen worst by them. But then something else became noticeably clear when it had only been us in the group.

Nuker personally began to teach us things besides what was in the program. We were learning information that even I had been surprised about, discovering how much of a late bloomer we were and that we had a knack of sponging up a lot of knowledge, more than the other members could.

Shantee became proficient at hand battles, able to disarm anybody who cared to step in her way, now capable of tossing Seniors older than herself over the ring when it was time for combat training. She had lost her bullies and earned admirers, the Strong Girl of the Low Lives they called her now. Everyone was noticing how she had grown. She was more woman now than anything and had a grace about her, able to turn heads, far from the lanky and awkward girl she had been when we first came here.

Augustus became an excellent technologist. He was better than the older guys at fashioning weapons and boosting them, at one point roping me and Shan into creating a prototype of a Rail Gun to post on a high tower of the armory. Imagine the look on the Seniors' faces. They could not believe we had made it out of spares and junk, the parts they tossed from the tech plants. Usually the higher engineers were the only ones who could achieve such a feat. They hadn't expected a Low Life. They were seething.

As for myself, I became dedicated to the propulsion arts, my aim having not missed too many of a target since the day Nuker gave me a gun to fire. I also memorized the specifics of all the known weapons in the Gunnery Arms Bible, able to ascertain the type, capacity and make of any weapon at a glance, to dismantle it and assemble it repeatedly. Nuker had taken me to hunts. We took down game during certain assignments to keep the peace.

The Basics, Intermediate and Advanced teachings to level up no longer mattered to us, no need for going through the material like an infesting swarm but more attuned to finishing stuff hands on in a day, myself surprised that I could do so much when I had drowned in learning before. Nuker screamed less at us now. He trusted that we knew what to do. Although Low Lives still, we felt like we had gotten educated more of the world than the other members of our Faction.

We three had stopped going to lessons altogether, after finishing our chores, looking out into the horizon from the rooftops. When had it been wider, I wondered? I do not remember, but I liked the feeling.