Glancing over his shoulder, Thompson took his gloved hand and rubbed it against the miniscule amount of hair that had begun to grow on his chin. He contemplated his options as he looked at his battered men. Each had just been through hell, and he wasn't willing to put any of them at risk, yet it was imperative for him to learn more about the place they ended up in ever since they were able to escape the white void.
Sergeant Randall felt a bead of sweat roll down the side of his head as he and Lieutenant Patterson were chosen to take the tour offered by the Princess. As he passed his carbine to Green, Randall almost felt reluctant about leaving with the Princess as the cold metal left his hands. Though he had his handgun on him, he questioned if the stopping power of the .45 ACP would be enough to get him out of harm's way.
Turning around to walk with the Princess, Randall studied her appearance. Silver hair, a slim body, and what looked to be a blue silk dress that hugged her womanly features; Randall took a deep breath as Lieutenant Patterson patted him on the back.
"Hey lets go." He said calmly, yet his voice seemed strained, "This is just an intel op. Keep it together, yeah?"
All Randall could do was shake his head in agreement once more.
The large wooden doors shut behind the four figures that exited the room. Both Rangers, the Princess, and a lone guard gathered at the entrance. Tension built as the guard kept his hand on the handle of his blade, Patterson mimicked his actions and perched his arm on his thigh holster which contained his handgun.
"Now before we start, I would like to ask you a question." Lecca spoke as she directed her voice to Randall who shrugged indifferently, "You are obviously a part of a military organization, what do you do?"
Patterson steeled himself to answer the question, but he was cut off by the Princess who doubled down on her question as she stepped forward to the Sergeant, her hair fluttered due to her sudden movement and she held a curious, yet annoyed scowl. Feeling a light headache, Randall decided to calm the Lieutenant and answer the question posed by the Princess.
"Sergeant Mike Randall, E-5 in the United States Army, and a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment." He said firmly, "As the army's premier light infantry unit, we specialize in direct action missions behind enemy lines."
"Hey-" Patterson once again try to stop Randall, yet he was stopped by a pat on the shoulder.
"If I'm not mistaken you mentioned that we were summoned here." Randall scrunched his face as he said this, "Not that I don't believe it, but you would have to understand that such an idea is merely fiction from where we come from."
Lecca soon took a step back and nodded in understanding as she turned around, her dress sweeping up just an inch. "Indeed. You were all summoned her as Holy Knights. Such a position lets you answer to the king directly." She said before walking away with a gesture for the two to follow.
Rubbing his blood-stained hands together, Randall walked just behind the so called "Princess". At this point they had passed by several paintings and had visited several rooms ranging from the kitchen to the study room. Though normally patient, his focus was wearing thin from the lack of sleep, and pure exhaustion he had gained from the last 24 hours.
Dimension hopping from Peshawar wasn't one of the many things on his bucket list. Yet, he had done it. And almost immediately he had killed someone who was just as confused as he was.
The pain at the front of his forehead had subsided. Thankfully it was just in time as Leccamaradel led him and Patterson to what looked to be an extensive balcony that showed off the world he had just entered. "You wanted to know the world you were summoned into?" She asked pushing open the wooden and glass doors. "I'll let you see it for yourself."
A rush of warm air filled the hallways as Lecca moved outside. The two Rangers remained in place as the glowing orange sun contrasted against the purple-blue sky. Thousands of white dots coated such a sky and provided a serene image that would draw someone in. Were it not for gravity, man would've strived to conquer the skies long ago.
Taking off his helmet, Patterson stepped forward and leaned against the stone railing. He wore a soft smile as he gazed out to the world afar. Not wanting to be left behind, Randall copied his Lieutenant's actions and removed his own helmet. As he reached the railing, golden-green fields shimmered in the rising sun. Far below, normal people walked the stone and dirt streets.
Though his face felt cool from the wind blowing in his face, the sun warmed his body as it rose in the far distance. Even in such a serene environment, Randall and Patterson subconsciously kept scanning the grounds below. Their training they received during Ranger School and RASP had become second nature, thus their actions of scouting the area made the Princess beside them look at each Ranger with a curious look.
"What is this place…?" Patterson whispered as he rested his knuckle against his cheek.
"You said we'd be able to speak to the king." Randall started as he took his eyes away from the paint-like view and directed his attention to Princess Lecca. "No one has mention what the hell we were summoned here for, but I assume it will be answered soon?" He questioned with a sharp look as he locked eyes with Lecca.
"The King will see that all of your questions will be answered." She said, "Mind you that his majesty will expect instant loyalty to the throne, yet from what I can see you won't bend your knee to anyone."
"And aren't you a princess?" Patterson cut in, "Isn't he your father?"
"-Patterson, it's most likely similar to our version." Randall answered, "Remember Queen Elizabeth? 130 years old?"
"It was actually 133 years." Patterson exclaimed as he let out a light chuckle.
"Queen Elizabeth?" Lecca parroted while adjusting her posture.
"Ah!" Randall said while turning back to the Princess, "Queen Elizabeth was the queen of England from where we come from. The Royal Family doesn't have any power, but they act more as figureheads during diplomatic meetings between nations."
"I see…" Lecca said as she momentarily walked away when a butler called her over.
Turning back to the morning sun, the two Rangers fell to silence as they basked in the sunlight. Randall's blood-soaked hands were highlighted in the light making the guard present shudder. Patterson kept watch on the guard as several minutes passed before the Princess returned with a slightly pale looking face.
"Holy Knights, the King has requested your audience immediately." She ordered.
"The king?" Patterson asked.
Lecca failed to respond, which only left the guard next to her to answer, "I recommend you visit the king." Was all she said.
Not saying another word Randall tapped his thigh letting Patterson know to follow him. Satisfied and wearing a cocky grin, the guard and Lecca turned around to re-enter the castle. A large cloud covered the sun casting a shadow on the castle as the four once again set their path on the red-velvet carpets.
Publicly Available Information: Muskets:
Used by Musketeers, and designated members of the Royal Guard, the musket is a muzzle-loaded long, smoothbore long gun that was invented in the early 1400's.
Using a finely powdered version of a mana crystal, the Musket can shoot up to five balls before being needed to be reloaded. Yet due to mechanical restraints and materials available, the musket is not known for being reliable in ranged combat.