The 36th Day of Spring, Year 2028 of the Pangaean Calendar, Dawn.
The report that they received from Prince Gabriel had said the new base was being built just a few kilometers away from Svarta, right next to Pilgrim Falls. Kai had lead the assault team, and while they had run into a few snags here and there, the entire team had managed to come out mostly unscathed. However, the same could not be said for their enemy.
Kai looked overhead as they made their way back home. They had set out for the assault a little past midnight, and now, as dawn was approaching the horizon, they trekked through the woods on horseback, his squad mates blatantly disregarding the peace the night brought, laughing and chattering like they would in broad daylight.
Under the cover of darkness... That's how the Corp. of Ashes had always functioned.
"Have you guys heard of the new troupe that's come to town? My sister says they put on some phenomenal performances," One of the guys in the back, Simon, managed to grab everyone's attention with those words. While Kai didn't make any effort to turn and look behind, he trained his ears to listen in on the conversation.
"Oh yeah, I've heard they've already performed in three other nations before coming here," added Keith, a young lad who had joined the order not long ago. "There's this one dancer they have that's got every guy in the kingdom buying up their tickets just to catch a glimpse of her."
"Not just guys! She's charmed a lot of girls too!" Cried Ruth, a former mercenary that had joined them as one of their first members. Her muscular build and brute strength put even most men to shame.
"Makes you wonder if they're actually good performers or the reason for their fame is all because of one girl's beauty," Kai added skeptically, having heard about this matter for the first time. The others laughed heartily at his words, and then Simon, having something more to add, found his voice to speak up. "Oh, that reminds me, I heard that the King would be inviting them to perform at the upcoming banquet this weekend."
The entire group erupted in a series of cheers and hoots, scaring away whatever small animals and birds that may have been nearby. Kai just shook his head, already used to their chaotic antics, the hint of a smile playing on the corner of his lips. And despite the cheery mood, a small dark corner of his mind still wonders for how much longer they'd be able to spend time like this.
Suddenly from a distance, he spotted a patch of red and gold on the ground, a bit of flowing satin, the color of the setting sun. As he focused his vision, Kai vaguely made out the outline of someone's body, and his eyes widened upon the realization.
"Everyone be quiet! There's someone over there!" Kai shouted as he signaled his horse to pick up the pace, closing the distance between him and the collapsed figure. He felt his comrades follow close behind him, their laughter now completely dissolved.
As he got closer and closer, the figure's features grew clearer and clearer. He first spotted slender hands, then long, rich golden locks that was mostly seen among nobles and the upper echelon. But what stood out even more were the clothes she was wearing.
"Speak of the devil, it's her! The dancer we were talking about!" Simon gaped as Kai got off his horse. Indeed the girl on the ground was dressed in attire one would typically see dancers wearing. An exquisite muslin sunset red skirt that reached all the way down to her ankles, and a matching top that exposed most of her slender waist. The entire outfit was embellished with a splatter of sequins and a strip of gold that ran across the edges of the skirt which matched the colour of her hair.
Being as careful as possible, Kai knelt down and gently shook the girl's shoulder to try and wake her. But the moment his fingers grazed her skin, he felt a burn that singed his fingertips and almost made him bolt back in shock.
She was burning. The girl had collapsed from a fever.
Seeing as it wasn't his place to go any further, Kai called out to one of his comrades. "Brina, can you help me out here? This girl has a fever."
With almost cat-like swiftness, Brina was next to him in no time, putting her hand to the unconscious girl's forehead. "Should I carry her on my horse? Her condition seems pretty bad."
He nodded. "We don't have a choice. She'll have to bear with it till we get to the nearest doctor."
"Does anyone here have some water left?"
"Here." Ruth tossed to her her water flask and with a little difficulty, Brina managed to get the liquid down the girl's throat, who passed out again soon after taking it.
After making sure that both, Brina and the dancer were sat safely on her horse, Kai got back onto his own horse and shouted loud enough for the others to hear, "Listen up, once we get to Svarta, Brina and I will head to the nearest doctor to get this girl treated. The rest of you will head back to the barracks and get some rest, is that understood?!"
"Yes, sir!" came the chorus of answers. Satisfied, Kai turned towards his right-hand-man and nodded at him. "I'm leaving reporting to His Highness to you, Hans."
Hans nodded hesitantly. "Are you sure Gabriel won't be upset that it's not you reporting?"
Kai looked forward, taking in the sight of the rising sun, suddenly feeling distant from everything else. "Well, he should start getting used to this from now on," he said, his voice so soft, even the wind struggled to catch it. But he had to make sure at least Hans heard him. "Sooner or later, the position of 'Captain' will be yours to keep. It's only a matter of time."