Omar II

By the end of the 9th day, the convoy successfully made it out of the Xandar region and entered Kandria, from then it took them another 2 and a half days worth to reach the border city of Augusta where Dragon Pass Fortress is located.

Given the special geografic position, right besides the Broken Fang Mountains, and surrounded by high mountains for hundreds of kilometers, the narural formed valley that spaned for more than 200 km conecting the Kandrian region with the northern plains is one of the most important positions in the whole country.

In there, the Dragon Pass Fortress sits right at the entrance of the valley like a sleeping dragon guarding the entrance of its lair, giving the valley its name of "sleeping dragon". Constructed over a slope, the fortress structure was simmilar to that of a steps on a staircase, with three main sections, each at different altitudes. Every section was protected by a high wall that conected from one side of the valley to the other, effectivelly sealing the access to other rutes, forcing everyone, be it merchants, travelers and enemies alike to made their way through the fortress's main road if they plan to reach the Karg Kingdom.

The way the fortress itself was designed also plays a big role in its fuction as a defense position. The purpose of the three layered sections comes into use when fending an enemy attack, because it was constructed over a slope, the enemies would have to make their way up completely exposed to the fire breathing cannons[1] mounted over the walls and still have to fight their way in, and even if they somehow made it through, the process would have to be repeated 2 more times before taking Dragon pass for good.

And even then it will be for naught, for the fortress is incredibly weak to attacks from the rear, making it easier to recature it. Such is the existence of Dragon pass fortress as an impenetrable defense in the southern border, never been conquered or defeated in 700 years of the country's history.

Omar's conviy reached Dragon pass in the 9th of august, they were specially recibed by the 2nd prince, Felix Vista and the lord of Augusta, baron Loufus Casta. The soldiers of the fortress helped move the supplies into the armory as they were inspected and accounted by a man in dark red robes inscribes in silver patterns.

"That man..." Omar mutered under his breath when he glanced in the robed man's direction, clearly a little surprised by his presence in the fortress.

"Uh, sorry did you said something, i wasn't paying attention?" Asked Julio as he barely catched Omar's words.

"Let's go, we have to move the horses to the stables and then await for his royal highness orders" interrupted Gabriel as he looked at both Omar and the robed man meaningfully.

Later, the new troops were ordered to form in the main square, right behind the Dragon's tail Wall[2] as prince Felix had something to say before deploying them to their new positions for the next few months.

Under the noon sun, the 200 elite units stood in formations of paralel columns of ten men each as they waited.

"I didn't thought i would end up seeing prince Felix here in the rear, although i had my doubts of why we were send here, so far from the battlefield innthe middle of a war" whispered Omar in a hushed tone.

"Oh, i know what you mean. But I'm not really that surprised, y'know?" Said Gabriel in understanding.

"Why is unusual that 2nd prince is here, i mean Dragon Pass is also a key position" Julio, who was behind both Omar and Gabriel also commented "in case the enemy decided to attack, isn't the fortress also a likely objective, if it falls into the hands of the Sorh Dynasty they could deal a heavy blow"

"Not quite!" Answered Gabriel.

"Though Dragon Pass is indeed a strategic position, because of its location right next to the Astoria kingdom the Dynasty's army would have to fight another country before they reach us, furthernore its importance is not so high it requires the presence of a member of the royal family".

"Also in the last reports from the frontlines, the Sorh Dynasty should be more worried about the loss of its cities by the coast".

"Gabriel is right, if the Dynasty can't retake their cities back, it wouldn't take long for them to start lossing more than just cities. If their losses start to pile up, eventually they'll ask for compromise and we would end up winning the war"

"Then why deploy us to the rear? Dragon Pass has its own garrison of troops under lord Loufus, without even mention that the baron itself is also a powerful master" Julio asked in confusion.

"Although is partially truth that we're being sent here as reinforcements as the fortress is an important place, being the conection of the country with the rest of the continent. Right now we're probably being used as the prince's bodyguards" said Omar slightly annoyed.

"Bodyguards?! Didn't he brought his own? I'm pretty sure I've seen at least a couple who follows him like ghosts, never leaving his side" Julio was finding it hard to warp his head around.

"That's right! Dragon pass had resisted the countless attempts of invasion ever since its construction 7 centuries ago, and never lost a single one, the only reason that the army is sending a small company if 200 elites here, is that we're being sent here to serve as the prince's bodyguards. Basically our job is to babysit the 2nd prince" said Gabriel.

"But-" before Julio could say anything, Gabriel interrupted him.

"What? Disappointed?" Questioned Gabriel with a smug face.

"The only fight we'll end up fighting is that of us against boredoom, don't expect gaining any battle merits at all. Its better to take it as vacations"

Julio could only look at Gabriel's back speechlessly as countless dark thoughts filled his mind, urging him to smack Gabriel to the ground and wipe that smug grin of his against the pavement.

"Punch him! No, don't! Or wait, maybe i should? Ahhh i wanna plummet him so bad!" Fighting against his murderous insticts, Julio decided to ignore Gabriel's mockery and istead asked:

"So we won't be able to preform in the battle, but also don't have to worry about our personal safety?" Julio said "i hate to admit it but you're right, its basically a vacation" julio was grimancing when he reached the second half of his sentence.

"Aren't you curious about his royal highness presence here?" Asked Gabriel, disappointed to see his little blunder wasn't enought to make Julio loss his cool, but somewhat happy to have forced him into agreeing with him.

"It doesn't take a genius to know it probably has something to do with those useless power struggles you nobles and royals always participate" answered Julio noncomically.

"Not really interested in hearing it. My head stills throbs just thinking of the discussion about the conflicts withing your families and the noble factions, i rather heard my parents nagging me about marriage" just the idea of the complexity of the relations amongst nobility sent shivers down Julio spine.

"Both of you quiet, his highness is here!" Hearing Omar, Julio and Gabriel both strightened themselves.

Not only Omar's group, but also all the other sounds of discussion coming from the square died down with the appearance of Prince Felix as he was accompanied by his guards into a small podium at the north end of the square.

(Indeed, its him, so hes part of the 2nd prince's guards huh?) Thought Omar as he wathched Felix 10 guards, finding from among them the same figure ind dark magician robes from earlier.

(Teacher...)

"My fellow countrymen, in the name of the people of this nation, i Felix Vista, 2nd prince of the Karg Kingdom sincerely give you my thanks. For ..." As the prince was giving his speech, all that Omar was thinking about was of his teacher, Gauss Ferim, the man who introduced him into the world of magic as a young kid.

[1] the fire breathing cannons are, in simpler terms a type of weapon, powered by magic, details of how they work will be given latter in the story.

[2] Dragon's tail is the name of the upper section of the fortress, each of the 3 sections have one, being the names of the middle and lower sections that of Dragon's heart and Dragon's head respectively.