The aftermath of the battle left a palpable silence over the ravine, the only sounds coming from the weary breaths of the surviving Valerian soldiers and the distant cries of carrion birds. Lukas stood amidst the rubble, his body aching but his mind sharp. He felt the weight of the victory sink in—a victory that had been made possible by his strategy and the tomes' guidance. But as the adrenaline began to fade, his thoughts were already shifting toward the future. There was more to do.
Lukas exchanged a glance with Aurelia, who was wiping her rapier clean. Her usual fierce expression softened briefly as she nodded at him. "You proved yourself today, Lukas. They're going to be talking about this battle for years."
He gave her a faint smile, but there was little time for celebration. He had gained something today—respect, power, and a growing sense of responsibility—but with that came the awareness that the path ahead was only going to become more challenging. The Drevyns weren't gone, not by a long shot, and this war was still far from over.
---
Early next morning.
The sun had barely risen when Lukas received the official summons from his grandfather's estate. It was expected after his military achievements, but the timing felt sudden. He packed his belongings quickly, his mind already racing with thoughts of what awaited him in the capital. He knew that his name had reached the city, but not everyone would believe in his success. His infamous reputation as a brothel-frequenting young master still clung to him like a shadow, and many in the capital believed that the stories of his battlefield triumphs were fabricated attempts to salvage his tarnished name.
As he gathered the last of his belongings, Aurelia entered the tent, her usual sharp gaze fixed on him. "I'm leaving too," she said simply, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Lukas arched an eyebrow. "Leaving? Why?"
She shrugged, strapping her rapier to her side. "The battle here is over for me. There's nothing left to do now, so I'm heading back to the capital."
Lukas wasn't convinced by her casual tone but knew better than to press the matter. He simply nodded, but inside, he was suspicious. Aurelia wasn't one to walk away without reason, and he knew her feelings toward him had deepened, though she would never admit it.
---
The journey back to the capital was a tense one. Lukas, Aurelia, Zane, and Kalen traveled with a small force of elite soldiers. Lukas kept thinking about his grandfather's summon and the opportunity to leave the battlefield.
On the second night, as they made camp in a secluded forest clearing, Zane suddenly froze, his eyes scanning the treeline. "We're not alone," he muttered, his hand instinctively going to his blades.
Lukas tensed, and before he could respond, the first arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself in the tree just inches from his head. "Ambush!" he shouted, drawing his saber.
The night exploded into chaos as assassins swarmed from the trees. They moved like shadows, their black cloaks blending into the darkness. Lukas barely had time to react before one of them lunged at him, a dagger aimed at his throat.
He parried the strike, his saber clashing with the assassin's blade. "Stay together!" he called out, his voice rising above the clamor of battle.
Aurelia fought beside him, her rapier flashing in the dim light as she dispatched assassin after assassin with deadly precision. Zane, ever the skilled fighter, danced between the shadows, cutting down attackers with his short swords.
But the assassins were relentless, their attacks well-coordinated. They fought with a precision that suggested this ambush had been carefully planned. Lukas gritted his teeth, his mind racing. Whoever had sent these assassins knew exactly where he was and when he would be returning to the capital.
As the battle raged, Lukas's training and instincts kicked in. His movements were sharp and precise, each strike of his saber perfectly calculated. The assassins, while skilled, were no match for the elite forces of Kalen. Slowly, the tide of the battle turned, and the remaining assassins realized they were losing.
Desperation drove them to act. Lukas saw one assassin bite down on something hidden in his mouth. He lunged forward, but it was too late. The assassin's body convulsed and went limp, poisoned before Lukas could stop him. Several others followed suit, their lives claimed by the poison they had hidden to avoid capture.
Panting, Lukas sheathed his saber and looked around at the aftermath. The assassins lay dead, and though they had won the battle, the victory left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"How did they know we were coming?" Aurelia asked, wiping the blood from her blade.
Lukas's eyes darkened. "There are spies in my grandfather's estate. Someone knew we were returning."
---
The capital was buzzing with rumors of Lukas's return. The stories of his battlefield success had spread, but many in the city were skeptical. To the people of Valeria, Lukas Veridan was still the useless young master who spent his nights in brothels and his days in a drunken stupor. Some whispered that the tales of his achievements were nothing more than fabrications, attempts to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.
But Lukas didn't care about the rumors. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
Upon arriving at the Veridan estate, Lukas wasted no time. He sought out his grandfather, the formidable General Veridan, who sat in his private study, poring over reports.
"You've returned," the old man said, his voice gruff but laced with a hint of pride. "I've been receiving reports of your achievements. You've done well."
"Thank you," Lukas said, bowing slightly. "But there's something I must ask."
His grandfather raised an eyebrow, motioning for him to continue.
"I want permission to create my own forces," Lukas said, his voice steady. "If I'm to continue fighting in this war and protect our house, I need a unit that can operate independently."
The old man studied Lukas for a long moment, his eyes narrowing as if weighing the request. "You want your own forces, do you?" He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Very well. You can have the household guards. Train them, and if you succeed, I'll believe you're ready to lead your own men."
Lukas nodded, grateful for the opportunity.
His grandfather then leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Have you visited your uncle?"
Lukas blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Not yet."
"You should," his grandfather said. "He's been… unwell. Ever since that battle, he hasn't been the same."
---
That evening, Lukas made his way to the private quarters of his uncle, the once-great general who had been confined to a wheelchair after a mysterious battle that had claimed the life of Lukas's father. His uncle's room was quiet, the man himself staring out a large window that overlooked the estate's gardens.
"You've grown into a man since I last saw you," the old general said without turning around. "I heard you've been making a name for yourself on the battlefield."
"I'm trying," Lukas replied, stepping closer. "But there's more to do. And that's why I came to see you."
His uncle turned, his eyes sharp despite the frailty of his body. "What is it, boy?"
Lukas hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "I've been studying alchemy. There's a pill I came across—a formula that cleanses the body, strengthens the meridians. I think it could help you."
His uncle laughed, though there was no humor in it. "You think some pill can fix this?" He gestured to his crippled legs. "I've been like this for years, lad. There's no cure for what I have."
"I'm not offering false hope," Lukas said, his voice firm. "But I've learned things—things that could make a difference. Just give me the chance."
The old man studied Lukas for a long time, his eyes searching his face. Finally, he sighed. "Alright, boy. I'll give it a try. But don't make me promises you can't keep."
Lukas nodded. "I won't. I'll come back soon with the pill."
---
Lukas left his uncle and met with his grandfather once more, seeking permission to use the estate's funds to begin gathering resources.
His grandfather frowned. "The estate doesn't have much left. We've been stretched thin by the war and due to the clan's decline as well."
Lukas clenched his fists. "Then I'll find another way to raise money."
And he knew just how to do it.