Kyle returned alive. But the rest died. That too in the hands of Dealer. Why did the dealer do that to his own squad? Sil shivered at the possibility of Kyle being a spy. He couldn't be or could he? The fatigue from the few days of travelling made his decision making skills. He just put it aside. All that mattered was his family was safe and Kyle returned alive.
Eleni saw Sil's worried expression and could easily understand it. She too felt Kyle wouldn't survive and she felt he might have actually changed sides. But apparently Sil's and Kyle's relation went too deep for that kind of betrayal.
"So we are fugitives now eh?", Riya asked.
"That's true. It would be better to stay low for a while.. But if we miss the tryouts now, I doubt we can have an easy life when the next attack starts.", Sil said.
"These bloody wars, Its all just for the entertainment of those in power! They never get hurt! We end up losing everything!", Kyle said.
"It is what it is, We can't really change the system but we can try to save ourselves from the effects of it.", Riya said.
"I don't want to actually fight in the war. Direct field work would be dangerous, If someone recognizes me it wouldn't end well. If we step into the frontlines, our location would be jeopardized and all we had done would amount to nothing. We need a safe haven away from frontlines if possible for at least ten months.", Sil said.
"How? Now after we sign up, we will be sent to whatever border they deem fit. There's no guarantee that we will even be in the same side of the country.", Kyle said and Riya looked on sadly.
"I.. I have a solution..", Eleni spoke up.
"What do you mean Elle?", Kyle asked, his expression a bit cold.
"The Prince... Kael Lozano, under him there is a battalion, referred mainly as the 3rd battalion. It was supposedly active in war. But now since the prince is being punished for his crime.. His battalion is supposed to just protect him, no active field work till the prince's punishment is lifted.
There is another option too, the 12th battalion, It is the bodyguard unit, They protect the Royals and the only war they face is assassination attempts. You can apply there too.", Eleni said.
"What... How do you even know that Elle?", Sil asked concerned.
"I heard it.. from... someone... It is trustworthy information.", Eleni said trying not to look at anyone's eyes.
"What are you hiding?", Kyle asked. It made no sense for Dealer to go mad over her. What is she? what is her identity?
"Kyle, Stop! Giver her time, when she is comfortable she will tell us.", Sil said.
"I am sorry...", Eleni said hiding behind Riya.
"Kyle Sparrow? The group has to meet the commander and get our battalions... won't you come?", A fellow mercenary said.
"I am..", Kyle said going away.
"See you soon.", Sil said carrying Eleni away.
"Yeah.", Kyle said, he didn't want to get angry over a small girl but he had been over the edge after seeing his students brutally murdered by his mentor. His neck would have been cut too if he hadn't taken the decision to support Sil's decision. He was angry at that girl, though not her fault. He blamed everything on her.
"Mr. Kyle Sparrow, from Ezekiel is it?", A person sitting in a chair asked.
"Yes, sir.", He replied.
"Your health is good overall, your skills are above average. Since you topped your batch in the test, you have a decision. Tell me which battalion will you choose?", The captain asked.
"How many are there? I am not quite familiar with the battalions..", Kyle said.
"There 12, numbered from 1-12. The first with the most elite soldiers, They are given the highest respect and their families will be provided a house and enough money as compensation. The benefits decrease as the ranking goes down. So, the ones in the 12th battalion only get monetary compensation, no honor medals, no mention in history or a property.", He replied.
Kyle thought of what Eleni said. Should he just go try it out and see if the info is correct or not. HE made up his mind.
"The third battalion sir. There was a mention recently that there were a few open posts and that they needed personnel. I would gladly be of service, being the third battalion, I am sure they can give me enough compensation to my family in case of a mishap..", Kyle said.
"Third battalion? Where did you hear the information from?", The captain asked. His eyes suddenly sharp and judging.
"I don't quite remember, was it near a bar I drank last night? I am sorry sir, I don't quite remember that well, that too considering I eavesdropped, I don't know the person too... Is it wrong info sir?", Kyle asked. The captain weighed every word of Kyle carefully and just looked on.
"Yes, there are no posts available, I am afraid you can't even join as a cleaner. They have too many people. You have to pick another one, or I shall choose one for you.", The captain said, his eyes clearly saying not to probe further.
"Yes, I guess it is hard for a mercenary from other country to ask that... Put me in the 12th battalion. It is the most fit for me.", Kyle said.
"12th? why go that far? take the 5th battalion.", The captain said.
"You said I could choose. Sir. I don't think this is choosing.", Kyle said.
"I just was suggesting a good place for your skills, or is it that you have a motive to join in the battalion after all, Mr. Sparrow?", He asked.
"I don't understand? I just wanted to get a job that pays me and my family.. that is my motive.", Kyle said.
"Family? You mentioned you had none.", The captain said.
"I thought they died in the previous mission. You see my brother is a mercenary too, he signed up too.", Kyle said. He hated to have involved Sil but he had no choice but to continue with the newly created story.
"Oh.. The ones you met outside just now? I see.", The captain said.
"Then... Would I still get to ch-", Kyle was about to say when he heard a loud noise. He went out of the tent behind the captain and saw, a person blew himself up by igniting himself with a box of dynamite near his legs.
There were three other teenage boys holding dynamite. One of them held a noble girl, the daughter of the Mayor of Dew, who had come to oversee the tryouts. The other held Eleni. Kyle cursed at how easily she would get stuck in trouble. The three of the boys were paranoid and shaking as they held the dynamite and the flame in each hand.
Kyle looked for Riya and Sil, Riya got a scratch on her forehead and was bleeding from it, but otherwise fine. Sil did take some damage probably from protecting Riya. His shoulder had some metal piece pierced into and bleeding. The look on Sil's face showed that the metal was poisoned too. He needed some medical help.
A horrible disaster could follow very soon. Kyle wasn't that interested in saving anyone, but seeing his brother's expression, he figured if he didn't he would never forgive him. He looked at Eleni, who was once again near the edge of a sharp knife. The only difference from the previous time was that here her eyes weren't looking at knife but rather Sil. The man whom she knew for barely three days. He observed Eleni. She wasn't trying to run around but rather calm. She too knew that aggravating these boys would just accelerate her death rather than prevent it.
Kyle waited without moving, none of the soldiers moved. From afar it looked like time itself had stopped. With only the surroundings moving, People running away in fear far from this circle, with soldiers and knights forming the outer ring and hostages with the assailants in the inner ring.
The captain came forward and asked them their intentions. They immediately answered that they demanded they be given freedom to go about the country and their criminal charges be dropped. The captain just nodded in agreement. A few soldiers came with some papers and were busy in the signing.
The boy holding Eleni panicked a bit and lit a flame by mistake. He panicked even more and was moving his hand a lot. He lit the dynamite, it would burst in a few seconds, He shut his eyes tightly and braced. Kyle came into action so quick and kicked away the dynamite up into the air. He took Eleni in one swift movement and freed the noble lady.
Sil who also came to save Eleni, held down the two boys while another soldier jumped in to hold down the third one. Eleni cried in Sil's arms. She felt hopeless, she was just a burden. Sil and Kyle were always risking their lives to save her, But she was unable to even tell them the truth. Today I have to! She thought in her mind.
She was determined, no matter what the outcome is. If they hate her or love her or take advantage of her or even throw away her, She would be ready. She owed them the truth. It was going to be hard for her. But she would somehow.
The dynamite burst in air, there were a bit hot pieces on fire falling around but what mattered was everyone is safe.... didn't it?
He acted so fast that even those boys froze and took a while to realize they are trapped. The captain sprung into action and the knights caught the boys and took them away. Two knights specifically escorted away the Noble Lady who kept turning back to steal glances at her savior.
Eleni opened her eyes to her uncle, Kyle holding her. His eyes were trying to analyze this girl. She was thankful for him saving her life. again. She owed them a lot. More than her worth. A voice behind her head kept saying out that she was scamming this family. Harming them with her presence. She forced that voice to shut up and then calmed down.
The captain later resumed the selection process. It continued as though nothing happened. No one batted an eye. Kyle went back in and continued his process.
"You wanted 12th battalion... congratulations, you are now a probationary member and not just a contract mercenary.", He said and gave him a certificate.
Kyle was shown out of the tent. The other side of the camp, Sil got in the 12th battalion as well. They both happy about it, they would be transported to their respective battalions in some carriages. The carriage was more spacious than what they imagined. It could hold 10 people at once. It had six wheels. It had to be run by three horses too!
The carriage had Kyle, Sil, Riya and Eleni. Each member were allowed one family member or caretaker to accompany them in the carriage. The others were supposed to take any other means of transport. Sil's plus one was Riya, Kyle's plus one was Eleni. The carriage would start the last.
Since the carriages would start three hours from now, They just relaxed in one of the tents. Riya was taking care of Sil's hurt by applying some medicinal cream. Kyle was busy trying to teach Eleni an old game from his childhood mercilessly defeating Eleni while at it.
Seeing that all had gone to eat. They were the only ones in the tent. Riya was nauseous and would only eat fruit. Kyle had eaten already. Sil was not supposed to eat anything for five hours as he took the antidote.
Eleni stood up and closed the tent. She turned to her family bowed and kneeled in front of them.
"I am sorry for all the troubles I have caused until now. Thank you for your kindness to let me live and eat alongside you. I am grateful for everything and I certainly wish for your good fortune. But there is something you must know. You might regret saving me after that.", Eleni said her head on the ground.
"What is this Elle?", Kyle asked.
"Elle... we would never regret saving you...", Riya said.
"Really? Even if I told you my darkest secret?", She asked.
"Yes.", Sil replied seriously.
"I am a criminal... I have committed a crime so worse..... My own people were scared of me.", She said her face dead serious as she lifted her head off the floor and looked at them, her blue eyes shining like sapphires.