The firelight flickered across the command tent, casting long shadows over the gathered officers. The air was uncharacteristically light, a rare respite from the weight of war. Astrid sat at the center of the table, her silver armor gleaming under the glow of the lanterns. Cups of spiced wine and bowls of dried fruits were scattered about, and though the meeting was informal, the topic of conversation carried significant weight.
"They're raw, but they've got the potential," Astrid said, setting her cup down. Her tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a spark of pride in her voice. "Lucas's growth is remarkable. His strikes are sharper, his timing precise. Every step he takes, it's as if he's carving out a path for himself."
"And his endurance," added Captain Eldric, the oldest among them, with a scar running down his cheek that marked years of battle. "During the test, he was relentless. That kind of determination is rare. It reminds me of Sir Roderic when he was younger."
Astrid chuckled softly at the comparison. "Roderic would be flattered—if he weren't too proud to admit it."
"What about Finn?" Lieutenant Caera leaned forward, her keen eyes glinting with interest. "That boy has a head for leadership. I watched how he coordinated with Lucas during the test, how he calculated Astrid's movements and guided their approach. He thinks ahead."
"Leadership and strategy," Eldric mused. "A combination we could use in these times. He might even surpass Sir Alric in that regard one day."
At the mention of Sir Alric, the tent fell quiet for a moment, each officer reflecting on the Knights of Aurelius.
"The Knights are the backbone of the Grand Aurelius Empire," Astrid said, her voice taking on a reverent tone. "Sir Roderic, the Shield of the Empire. Sir Alric, the Tactician of the East. Lady Seraphine, the Flame of Aurelius. Sir Kael, the Silent Blade. And myself." She paused. "We each have our strengths, but none of us achieved this alone. We were molded by those who came before us."
"And now you're shaping these two," Caera noted, a faint smile on her lips. "Do you think they could stand beside the disciples in the capital?"
Astrid leaned back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. "The four disciples—Garrick, Thalia, Coren, and Selene—are a year or two older than Lucas and Finn. They've had more time to refine their skills under our guidance. Garrick is a powerhouse, physically unmatched even among his peers. Thalia's mastery of elemental magic is breathtaking, though her temper can sometimes get the better of her. Coren… he's methodical, precise, but some say too detached. And Selene… she's the heart of the group, her healing magic as potent as her spearwork."
Eldric nodded. "Those four are already legends in the making. Bringing Lucas and Finn into that fold would be a significant move. But will they measure up?"
"They will," Astrid said firmly. "Lucas's strength and determination will push him to match Garrick. Finn's leadership and quick thinking could rival Coren's strategic mind. And together, they'll complement the others. But they'll need refinement—discipline, patience, and experience. That's why they need to go to the capital."
Caera tapped her fingers on the table. "The disciples are already turning the tide in skirmishes across the Empire. If Lucas and Finn can rise to their level, it might finally give us the edge we need against the Bloodlord's forces."
Eldric raised his cup. "To the future Knights of Aurelius."
The others followed suit, their cups clinking softly.
---
Their moment of quiet camaraderie was interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps outside the tent. Before anyone could react, the flap was thrown open.
Lucas stumbled in, his face pale and his chest heaving. His clothes were drenched in blood—not his own—but it was clear from his wide, frantic eyes that something urgent had occurred.
"Lucas?" Astrid was on her feet in an instant, her hand instinctively moving toward her sword.
Lucas held out a rolled scroll, his hands trembling. "This… this is important," he managed to say between gasps, his voice strained but urgent.
The officers exchanged alarmed glances. Astrid stepped forward quickly and took the scroll from his outstretched hands. As she unrolled it, the officers leaned closer, their expressions tense.
"What happened?" Eldric demanded, stepping forward, his gruff voice cutting through the heavy silence.
Lucas tried to speak, but the weight of what he'd seen seemed to hold him back. His mouth opened and closed as if searching for the right words, his face a mixture of exhaustion and urgency.
Astrid's eyes scanned the contents of the scroll, her expression darkening with every line. When she finally looked up, her jaw was set, her gaze steely.
"You did well," she said to Lucas, her tone steady but laced with a grim edge. "But this... changes everything."
The tension in the tent was palpable, the officers exchanging glances as they waited for Astrid's explanation. But she said nothing more, her attention fixed on the scroll in her hands.
Lucas swayed on his feet, his exhaustion catching up with him, but he remained silent, waiting for Astrid's next words. Whatever he had brought back, it was clear that it carried a gravity none of them could ignore.
For now, the explanation would have to wait.