It felt like there was some invisible weight bearing down on me. The revelation of Hewg's death and the impossibility of Vy's return sucked the life out of me.
Leaving the palace and walking back through the Doll District was a blur. I followed my guide like a shadow, and we didn't speak the entire journey. We took a ship down to the first district and that is where I was handed off to someone else. They all looked the same, and now following him, he led me back up to a ship to get to the other side of the city, away from the Outskirts.
The silver armored man didn't even try to speak to me, something I was grateful for. I allowed myself to sink into my thoughts and reminisce. A ball of longing began to grow in my chest. With each passing memory, the world around me became less real.
A gruff voice awoke me from my lapse. "Oi, time to get off."
Taking a deep breath, I followed my escort off the ship.
I always thought my first visit to Naminas would be filled with joy and reverence, but now I couldn't stand to examine anything, to take in the spectacle. I just wanted to get somewhere I could lay and be left alone.
We walked down several different streets, turning left and turning right before it opened up to a courtyard where there was a giant gate. It looked identical to where I had entered the city with Ser Bader, but now we were facing away from the Outskirts and Mt Aderos.
I was ushered through the gate and there leaning against a fence that was parallel to the road was a black-robed figure. They straightened and flashed some sort of medallion to the guard. A swift nod answered, and I was left alone with the figure.
The person turned and began walking. Their footsteps made a metallic sound on the stone road. I quickly ran after them. "Who are you?" I asked once I caught up.
"-Directions." They replied quietly. It was muffled so I couldn't make it out completely.
I decided to ask something different, "Where are you taking me?"
No answer.
"What's your name?"
Nothing.
"Are you a Herald?"
"…"
Okay, okay, I get it. You don't wanna talk. Would've been nice if I got some answers though.
Suddenly, a man came sprinting down the road. He stopped in front of me, and grabbed my shoulders, shaking me back and forth "You're the new recruit! Why did your escort leave you alone?! I'm not that late, am I??"
I think he saw how shocked I was because he let me go and took a step back, letting me catch my breath.
"I'm not alone. I'm following them." I pointed behind the man, but now the figure was gone. I looked behind me expecting to see them, but there was nothing. Where did they go?
"Are you feeling okay? There's no one around. I would've sensed them."
"But they were right here?"
"Why am I always stuck with the weird ones?" The man let out a sigh.
I decided to ignore that. "If you were supposed to bring me to wherever I was ordered to go, then why were you not at the gate?"
The man flushed, and scratched the back of his head, "I, um, I was busy." He quickly waved his hands in the air, "But that doesn't matter. I got to you, and you're safe. It's good news. Not another dead recruit."
Dead recruit!?
The man paled, catching what he said, "Not like recruits die all the time or anything."
This time I couldn't help my exclamation, "RECRUITS DIE ALL OF THE TIME?!?"
"NO! No, they don't! Ignore what I said."
What did I get myself into?
The man coughed awkwardly and extended his black-gloved hand, "Name's Vayne Draybek, Third class Herald and your big brother for the day."
I hesitated before accepting the handshake, "I'm Rave Yukliffe… what do you mean 'big brother for the day'?"
The man named Vayne smiled widely. "I'm teaching you the everyday life of a herald in training. It will include showing you around the camp and where your quarters are, any rules we have, and what your schedule will be like. It is my job to help the newbies."
"You became a Herald to help young recruits?"
Vayne looked at me oddly, "You know nothing for someone that was accepted by the Héron. Makes me curious." Here he leans in close, "What exactly did you do?"
I'm honestly not sure. From my merits so far, I would only make a good delivery boy.
Vayne then quickly stepped back taking my silence as an answer, "It'll be fine though. I'm sure you'll do great!" His smile was blinding. "We've dallied long enough, it's time I bring you to Camp."
I nodded, once again feeling like a fish out of water.
We continued down the road that I had previously been accompanied by the hooded figure.
Vayne talked and talked. I learned many things from his story-oriented advice. Like for one, the average age of Heralds was twenty-two with there being only a handful reaching thirty. It was unnerving to think about. When hearing tales about their heroism and bravery, there's never any mention of the age at which they're doing it. The chance of it being their last exploit, while still being in the prime of their life.
I had always thought of Heralds as indomitable peacekeepers, but they are much more and much less. Indomitable in will and spirit they may be, but it seems not so much in livelihood. Peacekeepers in the sense of driving back evil, but they actually do much more modest work. Third-class Heralds were tasked with training recruits and the more laborious work until they underwent the Corimmor Test to rank up to Second class. It's really once you pass the Corimmor Test and become a Second class that you would undertake real missions. The Second-class Heralds were considered 'true' Heralds, and many would speed through their time being a Third-class Herald to join the legitimate force.
"I never realized there were so many steps to becoming a Herald..."
Vayne chuckled, "There's not too many. Many wish for the training to be longer because of the casualty rates of newly initiated Second class, but that would make it impossible to have any sort of working force because of the time necessary to create it."
"Do you think it could ever change?"
"I hope it does. At some point, I believe we will have enough active Heralds to slow the training of the recruits and then from there the cycle will even out."
We had made it to a portion of the road that was covered by a dense canopy. Vayne stopped and pointed to a rock wall that was covered in vines. "Once you walk through here, your life will change indefinitely. Are you sure you want to continue?"
I clenched my fist and nodded; this was my new beginning.
Vayne stepped forward and pulled aside the vines, ushering me through. It was a tiny cave that opened up to a majestic sight. We were raised on a hill and looking down at a massive campsite. It was abound with movement and chatter.
It had a completely different feeling than Naminas. Everyone was lightly armored in brown and doing various activities. There was one closest to us who was chopping wood and a cabin near him that had smoke coming from the chimney and a delicious smell.
"Welcome to Camp Aeschylusa, home of the Heralds-in-training." Vayne smiled and slapped me on the back.
He guided me down the hill and into the camp. A massive wooden arch with Camp Aeschylusa engraved in it framed the entrance. There was a single path that cut the camp in half with massive cabins on each side. Branching off from the dirt path were various colored grass paths. Even though we were inside what was quite obviously a settlement, the forest surrounding it seemed to loom overhead with the dark green spires that embraced the camp. It reminded me of the Outskirts a bit, but much, much nicer.
"The cabins on the left are for Heralds who are teaching and the ones on the right are for the recruits. The attractions and other buildings are highlighted by color so follow that color path and you will reach them. It's all pretty self-explanatory."
I nodded, so far so good.
As we walked down the main path, many of the people greeted Vayne. There was even one, who I learned after was named Clive, he did an elaborate handshake with my guide.
No one batted an eye at me. It was a little odd, but I was glad. I don't think I could handle all the attention at the moment.
Vayne stopped at the last cabin that was on the right. This will be where you are staying. I'll check in on you in the morning to give you a rundown of how everything works." He turned to walk away before stopping and turning back, "We're all here for you. Comrades now and forever; don't be a stranger."
I nodded and watched him disappear down the purple path.
I stood outside the cabin, now alone. It had light beige walls and a dark green roof; it was smaller than the other cabins.
I gripped my satchel tighter and knocked on the door. There was nothing for several moments before the door swung open.
A girl stood peeking her head out from behind the door. Her white hair contrasted brightly with the darkness from inside of the cabin. Light blue eyes narrowed, "Who are you?"
"Um, my name's Rave. I was, uh, told that I would be living here.?"
The girl said nothing, before opening the door fully.
I entered my new home.
The inside was clearly divided. To the left were two couches facing each other with a table in between them. Further inside was a single bed with a dresser at the foot of the bed. To the right was an open door which revealed the bathroom and further inside was a bunk bed with a dresser at the foot of it as well. Separating the two sides was a line of clothes.
The girl sat on the couch and began fiddling with something, completely ignoring me.
I stepped over the boundary and moved to place my stuff on the bed that was on the left.
"Are you delusional?" Broke the silence.
"What?" I questioned as I turned to look at her.
"That's my bed, you're sharing the bunk." The girl said while scoffing.
"Oh. Sorry." I put my satchel on the top bunk and took out my toothbrush to put in the bathroom.
After re-entering the main space, the girl turned around to face me and leaned on the back of the couch, watching me.
"Hi?"
She did nothing.
I smiled awkwardly. What was I supposed to do? She's being creepy.
She pointed to the line and indicated to her side of the room and then pointed at the line again and indicated to the other side.
Ah, I get it. She has her side and I have my side. Oh, and also whoever I'm sharing it with. They left their stuff on the bottom bunk.
I nodded and climbed up to the top bunk, tossing myself onto the bed. Ah, it was so comfy. Much better than the ground. As I looked at the ceiling, I valiantly fought to keep my eyes open, but soon they collapsed, and I drifted into a peaceful slumber.