As dawn greeted the Academy, Dras found himself walking along the familiar stone pathways. The early morning sun painted the Academy buildings in a soft, golden light, casting long shadows on the cobblestones. Wisps of mist danced over the paths, lending an ethereal quality to the scene. His mind was abuzz with thoughts and curiosities - his newfound magic, the mystery of his father's armour, and his recent elevation to nobility.
His steps led him to the austere administrative offices of the Academy, a place where he had rarely ventured. The building was an imposing structure of stone and wood, with tall windows that looked out onto the training fields. Inside, the air was cool and filled with the rustle of parchment and the faint aroma of ink and old books.
Behind a high counter sat a stern-looking woman, her spectacles perched precariously on the bridge of her nose. Her eyes were sharp and attentive, and she seemed to regard Dras with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
"Good morning," Dras greeted, stepping up to the counter. "I wish to request a formal audience with Emperor Aurelius."
The woman's eyebrows rose slightly, but she quickly composed herself. "A formal audience with the Emperor, you say?" she echoed, her tone carrying a note of surprise. "You do understand that those are usually reserved for nobility, yes?"
Dras nodded, standing taller. "Yes, I'm aware. I've recently been granted the title of Noble after my acceptance into the Academy's ranks."
A flicker of understanding passed over the woman's face. "Ah, I see. My congratulations on your new status," she said, reaching for a large ledger. She opened it, her fingers deftly flipping through the pages.
"Thank you," Dras replied. "It's a matter of personal importance."
The woman nodded, her eyes scanning the ledger. After a few moments, she looked up at him. "You're in luck, young Noble Dras. Emperor Aurelius has an opening in his schedule the day before you depart for the desert of Trex."
A wave of relief washed over Dras. "Thank you," he said, a sincere smile on his face. "That works perfectly."
The woman noted down his name and the appointment time in the ledger. "Very well," she said, closing the book with a thud. "The Emperor will see you then."
As Dras turned to leave, his mind was already spinning with questions he wanted to ask the Emperor. The answers, he hoped, would shed light on the mysteries that had been plaguing him for days.
In the days leading up to his audience with Emperor Aurelius, Dras found a kindred spirit and a partner in learning in his fellow cadet, Toren. Although they were of the same age and Toren was no master mage, he had a deeper understanding of magic, particularly of water element, due to his early exposure to it.
The Academy grounds housed a small serene pond, and this is where they spent many early mornings. Toren, who had been dabbling in magic a little longer than Dras, became his guide. His teachings were not from the perspective of an expert, but rather from the shared experience of a fellow learner.
"Magic, Dras," Toren began one morning, his gaze focused on the calm pond, "is less about casting spells and more about forming connections. To command an element, you need to feel it, understand it, and form a bond with it."
With his words hanging in the cool morning air, Toren turned his attention back to Dras. "We start with water because it's adaptable, always changing yet always the same. Feel the water, its motion, its life."
With Toren's words echoing in his mind, Dras stretched out his senses towards the pond. He could feel the cool touch of water, the gentle ripples on its surface, the subtle currents beneath. The water was a ballet of movement and grace, a living entity full of energy and life.
As days turned into hours and hours into minutes, Dras practiced. Under the shared guidance of Toren and his own intuition, he learned to shape the water, to influence its movement, to make droplets hang suspended in air. The water seemed to respond to his will, twirling and twisting in response to his focus.
Toren, ever the helpful guide, would often remind Dras of the vast world of magic that awaited him. "There are magical academies across the world, Dras," he would say, "and the Danann, they are masters of magic. They could teach us so much more."
Every sunrise found Dras by the pond, his mind open, his spirit ready. Magic was not just a skill to him, it was a connection to the world, a new language to communicate with the very elements that made up the world. And he was eager to learn, to understand, to connect, and to grow.
—------------------------------------------
The day of his audience arrived. The imperial castle, a symbol of the grandeur and might of Bartex, stood high above the city. Its towers reached towards the sky and its grand halls echoed with the voices of past rulers. He was escorted into a lavish chamber where Emperor Aurelius awaited.
"Dras," the Emperor greeted, his voice deep and commanding. "I've been following your progress with great interest."
Dras bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty."
Emperor Aurelius gestured for him to rise. "Please, we are not in court. You may call me Aurelius."
"Thank you, Aurelius," Dras said, straightening. "I've come to learn more about this armor I inherited from my father."
Aurelius's gaze softened, and he leaned back in his chair. "Ah, Kane's armor. It's not just any armor, Dras. It's a Danann artifact from the First Age, a symbol of courage and honor. It was created by magic, crafted by the Danann themselves. The armor chooses its own master and bestows upon him strength and protection in battle. Your father was one of those chosen."
Dras nodded, absorbing the information. "And my father, he was a great warrior, wasn't he?"
Aurelius smiled, a distant look in his eyes. "Kane was more than a great warrior. He was a hero, a leader, and a friend. He won more battles than any general in our history and was revered as the Ghost General. His tactics were legendary, and his bravery was unmatched."
"Also your new title," continued Aurelius, "comes with responsibilities and privileges, Dras. As a noble, you'll have an estate to manage, people who will look to you for leadership, and a voice in the kingdom's affairs."
Dras nodded, processing the information. "And my estate, Your Majesty? Where is it located?"
Aurelius gestured to a large map of Bartex displayed on the wall. "Your estate lies here," he pointed to a fertile area in the midlands, "a verdant land with a healthy stretch of forest and a small village."
"Will I be responsible for the welfare of the villagers?" Dras asked, trying to understand the scale of his new role.
"Indeed, Dras," replied the Emperor, "The villagers will look to you for leadership and guidance. Your duty will be to ensure their welfare, resolve their disputes, and protect them."
Dras felt a weight settle on his shoulders, a sense of responsibility. He was no longer just a warrior; he was a leader, a protector.
"And what about the court, Your Majesty?" Dras asked, his mind now racing with questions. "Will I be expected to attend?"
Aurelius nodded, "Yes, as a noble, you'll have a seat at the court. You'll be expected to contribute to discussions and decisions that affect the kingdom."
Dras took a deep breath, taking in the enormity of his new role. He was a warrior, a student, a noble, and so much more. His life had taken an unexpected turn, but he was determined to live up to his responsibilities,
"Remember, Dras," Aurelius said, "as a noble, you are not just a warrior. You are a leader, a protector of the people who live on your lands. It's your responsibility to ensure their safety and their welfare."
Exiting the Emperor's chambers, Dras almost bumped into Princess Elara. She stood before him, her beauty accentuated by her royal attire, her hair cascading in soft waves around her shoulders.
"Dras! I heard you were here," she said, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of surprise and delight.
"Princess Elara," Dras greeted her, bowing slightly in acknowledgement. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
Elara's smile widened, and she extended her hand towards the castle's lush gardens. "Would you like to join me for a walk?"
Over the next hour, they strolled through the verdant gardens, absorbed in conversation. They discussed various topics, from Dras's recently discovered magical abilities to the responsibilities of his newfound nobility.
As they sat on a bench overlooking a tranquil pond, Elara began to delve into the intricacies of Bartex's noble hierarchy. "Our noble system," she began, "is much like those in other parts of the world. At the pinnacle is the Emperor, followed by the royal family. Then, there are the aristocrats or high nobles."
She sketched an invisible pyramid in the air with her fingers. "Below the high nobles are the landed gentry, which include the ranks of Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. As a Baron, you rank above a knight but below a Viscount."
She turned to face him, her gaze solemn. "You have the dual responsibilities of serving the Emperor and overseeing your lands and people. The Emperor depends on his nobles to maintain order, enforce laws, and ensure the well-being of their subjects."
"And the court?" Dras queried, intrigued by the complexities of the system.
Elara nodded, "Ah, the court. It's a regular gathering of all the nobles, held monthly, where matters of state are discussed. As a noble, you'll be expected to attend and participate."
As their meeting drew to a close, Elara leaned in, pressing a fleeting kiss on Dras's cheek. Her words, barely above a whisper, left a lasting impression, "Something to remember me by when you're away."
With a final smile, Elara departed, leaving Dras to reflect on their conversation with a lingering smile on his face
—---------------------------------
As they began their journey, the platoon traversed the cobblestone streets of the capital. The city was a marvel of architecture with its imposing stone towers and the royal castle dominating the skyline. Nestled within a lush, green valley, the city was a jewel of civilization amidst the vast, unspoiled landscapes of Eros.
Once they left the confines of the city, the landscape began to change. The neatly manicured fields gave way to rugged, rolling hills and smaller hamlets. Life here was simpler, far removed from the grandeur of the capital. The villages they passed through were quaint, with curious villagers stealing glances at the platoon.
During a short break in one of these villages, Keldorn decided to lighten the mood. He cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention. "Alright lads, gather 'round. I've got a tale for ya," he began, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"I remember when I was about your age," he started, his voice thick with a heavy accent, "Me and my mate Darvin decided to have a bit of fun at the town fair. Darvin had the brilliant idea to steal a goat. He thought it'd be easy, he did. But this goat, this bloody goat, was the most stubborn creature I ever did see."
As they journeyed through a dense forest, the scent of pine and the cool, refreshing air served as a brief respite. Keldorn's story continued, his tale of the mischievous goat, an unlucky flagon of ale, and a pair of chickens that seemed to be everywhere but where they were supposed to be had the entire platoon in fits of laughter.
The forest gradually thinned as they reached a vast plain, where the lush greenery began to give way to an increasingly desolate and rocky landscape. The vegetation grew sparse and hardy, signaling the onset of harsher climates.
Finally, as they crested a large sand dune, the desert of Trex came into view. It was a relentless expanse of sand and rock under a blistering sun. Turning to face the group, Commander Rhett spoke, "There it is, lads. The Trex desert. This will be your new battleground, the site of your trials."
There was an eerie beauty to the desert, a reminder of the trials and tribulations that awaited them. The desert, as harsh and unforgiving as it was, was their next step, and every member of the platoon was ready to face it head-on.