BRETVER 29TH YEAR 552 ASMERIAN CALENDAR.
Alice looked around her room, it was small and cramped with all sorts of trophies from grand hunts and expeditions. It was hard for her to sleep with heads of animals suspended over her but she made do. After all, it was better than living on the streets of Concord. The sun poked through the cracks in the wooden shutters of her window and the wind found no trouble gusting through her room. She opened the window and looked out onto the street below. She saw several Gregorian Marines making their rounds and grabbing breakfast at the tavern across the street. It had been four long years and she had moved all over Gregoria from Concord to Clearwater with Miller then to Fort Audacity in the far north. The winters there were brutal and rough for a fifteen-year-old girl from Asmeria.
"Miss Scottkey!" A man shouted from the street. "Good morning to ya, how are ya doing this fine day?"
"I'm well Savion. I just woke up and thought I'd enjoy the sun for a moment!" She shouted back.
"Well, meet me down by the harbor when you can, I've something to show ya!" Savion shouted then turned and rushed off out of sight. Alice met Savion a month prior while traveling back to Concord with Miller and his wife. She was currently staying with a friend of Miller while he was off on a mission for Baronet Schneider. Alice striped nude and changed into her clothes for the day. It was hard for her to change without any aid, but she managed. It was at times like these she thought back to how her brother treated her.
"I miss you so very much Jack." She said under her breath as she wiped a tear off her cheek. She forced her way into her wheelchair and opened her room's door to see that the woman of the house was already there. "Oh, I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't hit you, did I?" She asked.
"Oh no dear, you weren't even close Alice." She said with a warm smile. She was an older woman with grandchildren. Her hair was greyed and face wrinkled but had the heart of an angel. Her name was Margaret Blanton and her husband was Jim Blanton, an accomplished hunter and traps man in Gregoria. He was old however and nearing the end of his life. His grandchildren attentively took care of him and Alice was not normally allowed near him by the others, but she was understanding and knew better than to go against their wishes. After all, she was just a guest and a foreigner at that. A traitor to the country she was raised in.
"So, um, how are you doing ma'am?" Alice asked looking for something to change the conversation.
"Oh, please, how many times must I tell you lass? My name is Margaret, and you can feel free to use it whenever you like, okay?" She said with the same smile her mother used to give her to make her feel at ease.
"I'm sorry Margaret, you're so kind to me and you remind me a lot of my mother."
"Oh, child, I'm not that amazing, We've only known each other for such a short time and I've enjoyed every bit of it. Now then, let's head downstairs. I've prepared a breakfast suitable for the prime minister himself." She said with glee.
Alice ate her breakfast and headed out to the docks, her wheelchair was hard to push down the streets by herself but she'd rather not burden anyone with pushing her around town. She turned onto the street that led down to the docks. It was extremely busy and bustling with trade. There were a lot of Marines at the docks, more than usual. An entire company of one-hundred and fifty men were forming at the docks. There was even a Marine Corps band playing for bystanders and merchants using the dock.
She was almost overwhelmed by everything. She hadn't been in a crowd this large since the festival in Greendale. It was more than she could handle so she started to turn around but that's when Savion tapped her shoulder. "Hello miss Scottkey." He said he seemed proud for some reason. "Isn't this amazing? No one knew what was happening until the Marines came out of nowhere and started this. Everyone in town is on their way to see what's going on."
"Oh, well, I- I don't do too well in crowds Savion. I'd rather let everyone else have their fun." She said shyly, it was obvious that she was uncomfortable to everyone, except Savion.
"Oh come on now Miss Scottkey, what else do you have to do? Sit in your room and do nothing? That's not how a Scottkey of all people should act."
"Well, I'm not a Scottkey anymore. I'm more Frederic Miller's child now than anything else. Besides, I'm a woman, it's not like I can continue my family name even if I find someone willing to marry a cripple such as myself."
"While that may be true, the fact still remains. You're a Scottkey until then and I believe you should live up to your family's legacy." He said with a tone of voice that you'd hear from a lecturing professor or a father going on about traditions and culture. "Now then, will you please reconsider going home?"
"I… fine but I'm leaving as soon as I want, I'll just stay until you're pleased then I'm going home to study." Alice allowed Savion to push her wheelchair and lead her around. They listened to the Marines play their instruments to perfection. The Gregorian Marine Corps played for the Prime Minister at official events and during state balls. Alice watched as these men who were thoroughly trained for warfare play elegant instruments with grace and precision like no other.
The Gregorian women screamed and shouted encore after every piece. Alice was enthralled by the Marines. They were massive men, with arms larger than any she had ever seen before. Once they finished playing an officer, a Major stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. "Attention everyone, I'm Major Anderson of the First Marine Regiment and I'm here to make an announcement on behalf of our Prime Minister." She was a large woman, slim at the waist and with broad shoulders. Her armor was immaculate and fitted to her figure. Her sword had a golden pummel and had a longer blade to balance the weight.
"The Asmerian Army invaded our allies, Vern, and captured the capital city of Remo. Gregoria is preparing itself for potential invasion as well. The Marine Corps has been allotted two more divisions by the Prime Minister and we're looking for any able bodied man or woman able to carry a sword, plan logistics, run from line to line carrying orders, or even something as simple as cooking for our infantry units. We pay based on rank and status, the starting wage from a Private is two silvers a week and land once your military service is over after spending at least ten years in the Marine Corps."
Everyone started talking amongst themselves, several men muttered to each other and then a young boy, no older than fourteen raised his hand. "I'll enlist ma'am!" He shouted. "I can carry a sword and I can hunt as well!" The boy said as he made his way up to the front of the crowd.
Alice watched as almost every man stepped forward and enlisted on the spot chanting 'For Gregoria my brother's!' It was incredible to witness and Savion put his hand on her shoulder. "Well, I better step up as well. Alice, when everything's said and done, I'll come find you and well. I hope to continue our friendship then."
"It's not like it's going to end anytime soon Savion. I wish you the best, and if you do go into Asmeria, keep a lookout for my brother." Alice held his hand on her shoulder for a moment then he was off. Several wagons being pulled by war horses entered the docks and everyone who enlisted boarded the wagons.
Alice watched as Savion boarded the last wagon and headed. He waved to her and she waved back. He was an avid hunter so it was likely that he'd be an archer. Major Anderson blew a whistle and all of the wagon's departed to the west, most likely heading to Clearwater to train. The women cried as their loved ones disappeared beyond the horizon. Gregorian men were devoted to their country, all women knew this and respected it. After all, if not for the men fighting the northern tribes there wouldn't have been a Gregoria.
She sighed a sigh of loneliness and pushed her wheelchair up the hill. She was yet again alone except for the Blanton's but she had no doubt that the sons of the Blanton family also enlisted into the Marines or Army. She rolled herself up to the porch and knocked on the door. Margaret opened the door and helped her inside. The Blanton family was preparing lunch and were all seated at the table with freshly cooked food waiting for Alice to devour. The food was good and the company was better as Connor Scottkey would've said.
"So, what did you do today?" Jim Blanton asked. "I assume you went down to the docks, I had a young man approach us this morning just after you left telling me all about what happened."
"I was down at the docks with a friend. I watched the marines play their instruments for what felt like only a moment but before I realized it a few hours had passed. There was also a woman Major there recruiting men for the Marines."
"A woman you say? Well while women do serve are you sure she was a major?" Jim asked as he cut into the meat on his plate.
"I'm sure of it sir, she was beautiful and she had a awesome sword. It reminded me of my brother's swords."
"Ah yes, you mentioned your brother was a swordsman. What type of sword did he use?"
"Well, he had to use two hands and one was pure black and the other was my grandfather's sword."
"A black blade you say?" Jim asked, surprised. "Peiron you mean? Those weapons are incredibly expensive and near impossible to forge anymore."
"Sir Miller gave it to him as an award for beating him in a swordsmanship competition if Greendale."
Jim sank back into his chair as he wiped his lips clean with a cloth. He stared at Alice straight in the eyes. "You know better than to tell such lies in my house Scottkey."
"It's no lie and you can even ask Sir Miller when he returns." She pleaded.
"I plan to, you should know that every man in Gregoria sees Sir Frederic Miller as a hero for many reasons and I doubt that a boy could best him in a one on one fight."
"I'm telling the truth sir, my brother really did win. My brother even was able to call him friend the entire time they knew each other."
"Enough, I will ask Sir Miller and see what he says on the matter. As for you, I understand you're a Scottkey but understand that name holds no weight here." Jim said coldly.
"That's enough out of you as well Jim." Margaret snapped. "How dare you talk to a guest brought to us by Sir Miller himself like that. You should be ashamed, you say her name holds no weight in Gregoria but you as well as I know that without Stanton Scottkey there wouldn't have been a Gregoria any more. We'd be fearing an Asmerian Guard or soldier now as they patrol our streets if not for a Scottkey."
Jim scoffed as he stood up and walked away. The rest of the family followed him down the hallway and helped him into his room. Margaret moved seats and sat next to Alice. She was on the verge of tears when Margaret wrapped her arm around her. "Calm down child, no need to get worked up. While I love my husband he's a real stubborn man."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."
"No no no, my dear, you weren't in the wrong. You just have a lot of pride in your family and your brother and no one can hold that against you. You're a Scottkey for crying out loud, you should be proud."
Several days passed since Jim and Alice's altercation. Still, they could not see eye to eye. Jim incessantly called Alice a liar and wished that she never set foot in his home. It wasn't easy but Margaret managed to keep the peace between them and the rest of the household.
It was now Bretver twenty second and the weather was horrendous and the rain flooded the street and the sound of thunder filled the air. The drops of water were massive and plentiful, blocking Alice's vision from seeing even the gate that was not far off from the porch. Entire family's took shelter in the tavern across the street from the Blanton's home. Horses were forced to withstand the pounding of the rain and the wind. The lightning was so bright it lit the room Alice was in as if the sun itself were shining, even through all of the rain. It was one of the worst storms she had ever seen. Alun Blanton was hiding behind Margaret, he was only five and not yet over the fear of lightning.
Several Marines passed by as if there were no storm and continued their patrol through the streets of Concord. Their cloth cloaks only absorbed the rain weighing them down and making every effort to move that much harder on them. She felt drowsy from the storm, it was always the sound of rain that helped her sleep and there was enough racket for her to lose herself. Then the sound of knocking on the front door grabbed her attention. He moved her wheelchair closer to the window and pressed her face against the glass.
There was no one there at least as far as she could tell, the rain clouded her vision as she struggled to make out simple objects in the yard. Then the sound of knocking again caught her attention. She glanced across the street to see if she were hearing another door being banged against but saw no one at any of the neighbors. Again the knocking this time much louder and even Miss Margaret took notice of it.
"Alice dear?" She asked politely. "Could you please fetch the door for me, little Alun is terrified or else I would."
"Of course ma'am," Alice rolled herself to the front door, Jim was slowly walking down the hallway as she rounded the corner.
"About damned time girl, that knocking was driving me insane." He barked but his words fell on deft ears. Alice opened the door ajar and looked outside. Everything was grey and skewed but as she opened the door wider a tall figure shrouded by a cloak stepped forward. "Hello?" She asked.
"Hello, it's been awhile." It was a familiar voice and Alice swung the door completely open.
"Miller!" She exclaimed, without skipping a beat he stepped inside and pulled her from the wheelchair.
"Aye lass, how've you been?" He asked as he spun around holding her closely. "I'm sorry that I've taken so long but a lot of shite happened and it demanded my attention."
"It's okay, I missed you so much." Alice sobbed. "Did you find out anything about Jackson?"
"Nay, it's hard to tell what's true and what's not. I'll tell ya everything I've learned and you can help me out, won't ya?" He said as he placed her back down in her wheelchair and shut the door.
"Greetings Sir Miller, forgive us for her informal greeting." Jim said as he bowed his head.
"Don't fuss about it Mister Blanton, she's like my own daughter. It would be weird for you to be formal, especially when I own her so much."
"Oh? What exactly do you owe her? I'm sure I could assist in removing any debt that you've made with her."
"No, it's not that kind of debt Mister Blanton. It's personal and I feel poorly about it every night."
"Is that so? What has she made you do to incur such a debt. I knew Scottkey's were vile-"
"Silence, what are you on about man!" Miller demanded. Margaret and Alun rounded the corner just as Miller shouted. They were in shock and even stumbled backward from it.
"I apologize Sir, but there must've been something that she had you do to incur a debt, that's just how Scottkey's are."
"No, I don't care about your past dealings with the Scottkey's Jim. You will not hold harsh or brash feelings against Alice because of your failings with her father two decades ago. I trusted you with her but it seems to me that I was greatly mistaken." He turned to Alice who was averting her eyes and dared not look at Jim. "Go grab your things Alice, you're coming to my home now."
"So soon, do you not want to see the rest of the Blanton family. Poor Alun could use a knight in shinning armor right now. He's terrified of storms." She pleaded.
"Very well, I guess a fear of storms is something that all Blanton's share in."
"Forgive me sir, I only-"
"You're asking forgiveness from the wrong person Jim."
He promptly turned to Alice, and bowed his head. "Please miss Scottkey, forgive me for my harsh words. I simply don't know the details behind Sir Miller's debt to you."
"And you don't need to know, I've told him many times that he's never had a debt with me. Only to my brother Jackson." With that they entered the living room and little Alun forgot all about the rain once Sir Miller entered the room. They spent a few hours at the Blanton's before heading home.