Three days had passed and the squad was finishing their final preparations. A messenger dropped off the maps and planned route to the frozen mountains along with a few books on dark and demonic magic. Five month long journey in total (estimated) if there was no set back or deviation from the planned route. Due to the timing of winter, the squad had to account for the harsh weather. They would have to cut through part of the Forest of The Kings to enter into the Tree of Life to meet the warlock. From there, they would have to venture an extra month north east to finally reach the frozen mountains. The route was based off the previous route the original special forces group took.

  A few atlas geographic books were dropped off, courtesy of Tom with the specific pages tabbed by him. There was also large, black book with the history of the emerald ring with even more tabs made specifically by Tom. A large, covered wagon being pulled by oxen was waiting just outside the barracks. Six individual horses were also ready for them outside. Everyone was in different parts of the barracks building preparing to leave.

  Ator sat on a prayer mat by his cot he silently prayed whilst gripping his great axe tightly across his lap. His large, black wool cloak draped over his hulking upper half as his fur leg wraps twitched with every deep breath he made. A grey, head wrap covered his head and his long hair was tied into a low pony tail. His armor was custom built for his large frame taking in the approach of “more is more,” courtesy of Nikolai’s designs. His breast plate at the neck opening was extended creating a turtle-like shell with a thick, padded neck plate that wrapped around to the sides. It was like an armored cowboy-collar around his neck and helmet. His enclosed helmet had one thin, horizontal eye slit with small breathing holes drilled into the front. It was covered in old scratches and scrapes with a thick scratch over the left side of the eye slit. He also had a thick and serrated knife strapped to his left side.

  He was praying intensely to the goddess of wisdom and strength as a way of blessing himself, his squad, and that the mission will go well. However, doubt and fear still lingered deeply in him and he knew it. He proceeded to punch one of the empty cabinets leaving a grapefruit-sized hole in it from his iron gauntlets as he jumped up shaking the floor.

  Kale was counting the large amount of arrows he had and the different types he could use, all of which was laid out on the dining table. His recurved bow was laid gently on one of the dining room chairs. It had multiple hash marks carved into the hand grip. His light armor was more elegant and well designed with an open face, Mongol-like helmet with a thick, fox-fur brim and padded neck guard. He had custom vambraces on his arms. One of the vambraces had a built in leather archer glove that only covered his index, middle, and ring fingers on his right hand. His upper arms and shoulders were exposed for better mobility. Only his, waffle undershirt, loose tunic top, and gambeson covered his exposed shoulders and upper arms. He also had an Elvan short sword holstered to his side along with a small, bollock dagger strapped and tucked just inside his left boot.

  He was constantly counting over his arrows and inventory as a way to reassure himself before the journey. He had meticulous notes written in a small journal in his hand. He was on his third cup of coffee and halfway through eating a muffin as crumbs fell onto his black, wool cloak. Kale was beyond nervous for the mission, but he knew he had to hide it as best he could in the only way he knew how: meticulous inventory checking, forced confidence, and a reminder to himself that he will protect Keely and the squad no matter what.

  Audra was sitting next to the covered wagon doing a stretching routine for her legs in her custom light, armor (courtesy of Nikolai’s input on mobility approved by Arn and the Royal Armory). She had armor that was flexible with her movements; looked an awful lot like royal guardsman armor, but without the blue painted highlights and intricate engravings. The drawback to the armor was that it was thin, but overall did its job against arrows and slashes. Her Sallet helmet had a custom visor with a slightly wider eye slit for better vision. Also, there was the ability to remove her visor all together only if needed, per Nikolai’s input specifically for her. Her hair was tied into a simple braid covered in a red headwrap. Her quilted-lined cloak was clipped and tied around her shoulders. Her 11-inch round shield, repeating crossbow, and scimitar were just off to the side of her. She had a magical, never-ending pouch of holding hanging from her belt that was roughly the size of a small messenger bag.

  She was trying to distract herself with stretching to calm herself down. However, her nerves and thoughts of her past mistakes were making her uneasy overall. She told herself constantly that she was more than her past and that she would not lose control again as she bent forward grabbing her toes from her outstretched legs. Her fingers were glowing red and blue sporadically as she bent forward.

  Keely was cleaning her .50 caliber, muzzle loaded rifle one last time before she was going to put it away in her fur covered gun sheath. Her armor was like Audra’s, but less refined and a little thicker in plating in some areas. There was more protection on her shoulders, sides, and arms, particularly her right shoulder having a slightly larger, removable shoulder pauldron with extra padding for the recoil of the rifle. She carried with her multiple throwing knives, one multiple purpose knife, and an Elvan short sword on her sides. There was a leather bag and ammo pouches next to her that also contained a small cigarette holder containing Gnomish and dragon sage joints. Her black kettle hat had an extra layer of plating on the front area covering the forehead. It was lying beside her along with her navy, blanket lined cloak. She had a black headwrap on her head along with a black, wool gaiter around her neck.

  Keely was humming a sweet song to herself as she was cleaning the gun. Her leg was bouncing rapidly shaking the leather couch. She could only think about how scared she truly was and how she could not miss any shots or lose anymore throwing knives. She also thought about doing everything she could to keep everyone in the squad alive, which made her foot tap faster. She lastly thought of the few happy moments when she was a kid with Kale living at her father’s house. She wanted those moments to last, but knew that they were becoming fleeting memories that would never be.

  Skivvy was in the washroom staring at himself in the mirror practicing how he would draw his two scimitars from his back scabbard quickly. He also had a curved knife strapped across his waist. His armor was mostly standard issue except he was barefoot due to his clawed feet. He also wore fingerless, leather gloves due to his long, clawed fingers. To make up for the cold, he also had fur leg wraps, leather foot wraps (not covering his clawed toes), and fur lined vambraces. He wore a long sleeve, silk tunic under his armor. Instead of a helmet he had a Bajka hat made with wolf fur with long, aluminum backed neck covers and the top part of the hat had iron plating all around it with an extra plate welded to the front facing part. He also had a wool scarf and a wolf fur-lined cloak over him.

  He was murmuring to himself that he was the fastest swordsman in all the land as a way to boost his confidence. He thought about his duty for the kingdom and how he had to be an example for everyone in the squad. He thought about his family and other Skarins living in squaller and how he was fortunate to make it this far in the army. He thought that he had to be an example for his race as well. He thought of Audra and how things would be better if they were together outside army life. However, he knew it was only a dream because he was still too afraid to express his true feelings to her. He went back to drawing his scimitars out multiple times repeating that he was the fastest swordsman in the entire realm.

  Nikolai was in his standard issued footman armor pacing about. His thick, wool cloak was treated with a decent amount of beeswax. His breastplate had a black, painted insignia showing the symbol the Cursed Devils logo. It was a bear skull bursting out of a rose. It was painted on the area where his heart was covered. Everyone in the squad had this insignia on their breastplates. His helmet was open-faced with the visor removed due to his glasses. He wore a wool balaclava with a mesh mouth and nose opening under the helmet as to not fog up his glasses. He didn’t want anyone to see his fear and anxiety especially when fighting, so he always wore one. He wielded a standard-issued gladius and the large, round shield that everyone was given. The only thing custom for him, besides his helmet, were his thick, leather googles that fit on his helmet like a replacement visor.

  He was trying his best to psyche himself up. He was pacing the lounge area circling Keely nervously. Keely threw a muffin at him for accidentally knocking her leg as he was pacing around. He ignored the muffin as it bounced off his back. Keely rolled her eyes and then went over to finish eating the muffin she threw as her leg bounced rapidly once again.

  Aurora had her two short swords, small round shield, and spear with her as she pet her white horse gently next to the wagon. She was in custom, silver plated armor that was flexible and form fitting. Somehow, Elvan armor was stronger than most human or orc made armor despite the thinness of it. Her hair was tied back into a simple braid with her black headband around her head. She had painted a blue line across her eyes. Her olive green, quilted-lined cloak rested neatly on her as it stopped just at her waist. This was done by her in order to make her movements less hindered by her cloak when fighting. Her black gambeson underneath highlighted the shine of the armor. She was distracting herself by petting her horse and whispering sweet Elvish to it.

  She was unsure of herself and knew that her fear was warranted overall. However, she was an officer and she kept reminding herself to be strong no matter what comes. She also thought of her mission outside of the main mission. She wondered how Desmond would treat her after the fact. She then thought of her disdain for her mother’s and the Elvan Council’s orders. She lastly thought of her love for Desmond. She felt she was using him for her mission and felt immense guilt for it. She sighed tiredly as her horse gently nudged his nose on her face wanting more neck scratches.

  Desmond stood outside on the opposite end of the barracks away from everyone. He had a black headwrap around his head and brushed back hair. He was given the same custom armor as Audra, but he kept his previous helmet with the long scar on his visor. He had the helmet spike replaced with a flat square. His round shield was attached to his back with Light Wielder sheathed to his left side.

  He stared longingly at the morning sun as the frost was falling down onto the light, snow-covered lands. He wanted to remember how pretty the land was before he headed out. He felt the cold air bounce off his lightly stubbled face like waves hitting rocks. He was at peace for a moment. He took a few deeps breaths and sighed tiredly as he turned around to face the barracks.

  He thought about the squad and the mission. He thought about the incident at Wynward. He thought about the last battle he was in and what the prince had told him along with what Vul’Goth told him. He thought of the king’s orders and Light Wielder choosing him. He thought of the tiny blue glow in his right palm. He thought of Tom teaching him about Light Wielder, the Dark One, magic, counter spells, and the private talk he had with him. He thought of Johnathan as he gently put the locket away underneath his breastplate and shirt. He lastly thought of his love for Aurora.

  He took a deep breath and went back inside to rally everyone.

  Desmond put his helmet on whilst noticing Keely, Kale, and Nikolai. He asked Kale, “All good?”

  “Sir, just doing a last minute inventory check, sir! You know,” Kale said quickly with a hint of nervousness as he downed his muffin in a surprisingly big gulp.

  Desmond nodded understandingly.

  Keely chimed in with her exuberance and charm saying, “He’s very anal about his gear no matter the mission… Kind of his ritual, you know? But overall, we won’t let you down, sir! We’re ready. I’ll blast us a bunch of orc-head-sized holes with this beau. Won’t let you down sir!”

  He noticed how her foot was tapping the ground rapidly. It looked like a bouncing rabbit’s foot. He smiled in response to her.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  He walked over to Nikolai and placed his hand on Nikolai’s shoulder. Nikolai was a little startled by this and responded, “Oh! Uh, sir! Sorry, just trying to stay… Stay warm is all. No worries here!”

  Desmond knew this was a lie, but he didn’t press further. He tapped Nikolai lightly on the helmet and said, “I’ll be on my horse. Remember to grab Ator and Skivvy before we leave.”

  Desmond walked outside as Audra did a back flip off the wagon to greet Desmond with a near-perfect dismount and landing in the splits. She shot up onto her feet with a pink face and said with forced excitement, “Morning sir! Beautiful end of fall, beginning of winter type day, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah? It’s a nice day, I suppose.”

  “Ah! Don’t be worried sir. We won’t let you down! Besides, I control the wagon with Ator at my side along with Keely occasionally switching out with Ator and me. We’ll be fine sir!”

  “How’re the supplies?”

  “All accounted for and secured. Three months’ worth of food, large arcane heated tent and individual emergency tents if need be, sleeping bags of course, and medical all accounted for… Uh, route has been planned out accounting for possible detours with the many stops in the surrounding towns and forts for resupply and…”

  “Okay, Audra. Thank you! I appreciate your confidence and attention to detail. Get ready and take a few deep breaths. We’re moving in five.”

  “Thank you sir,” Audra said standing tall and proud despite being a good four inches shorter than Desmond.

  He patted Audra on the head and walked over to Aurora. Audra quickly turned around facing the wagon and began to nervously breath as she was trying to suppress an anxiety attack. Her finger tips glowed blue and red for a moment making a slight burn mark on the side of the wagon as she placed her hands there.

  Ator came out and picked her up onto the cart whilst headbutting gently with his helmet on hers making a THUNK sound. She thanked him as she was calming down and her fingers stopped glowing. She put her leather gauntlets on quickly to hide it.

  Skivvy followed after Ator and was cursing about the holes in the cabinets Ator made with Kale joking about it just behind Skivvy. Soon, Keely and Nikolai came out and Keely was in the middle of an intense thumb war with him. She won and tried to athletically jump onto her horse only to immediately slide off of it.

  Aurora sat up on her horse and smiled at Desmond. She put her open-faced, Elvan helmet on whilst pulling a silver, mesh gaiter over her mouth. Her helmet was more of an Elvish-nasal helm with Elvish chain mail neck padding. The white fur of the brim blended perfectly with the snow.

  Desmond walked over to his horse securing the saddle and placed Light Wielder in the saddle holster.

  Aurora curiously asked, “You ready?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Desmond?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m here,” she said tapping his helmet.

  She noticed how tense and stiff his body was reminding her of a fence post. She felt as if she could feel his heart beating rapidly with anxiety. He sighed knowing that she sensed his apprehension. He kept trying to distract himself with noticing everything around the land and barracks, but to no avail. He turned around to look up at her.

  All he saw was her beautiful, multicolored eyes. He wanted to remember every detail of her. How she glowed like a silvery, bright war angel in his eyes. He felt a sense of calmness when he smiled at her. She continued to look at him waiting for a response.

  He said happily, “Thank you… I’m okay now. Let’s get ready.”

  Everyone else got out and onto their horses. Ator and Audra got settled in the covered wagon with Audra holding the reigns. Desmond was in front and looked back at everyone. Aurora gave a thumbs up. Skivvy gave a reassuring nod as his skin changed from light green to dark green due to the cold. Keely waved enthusiastically. Kale rolled his eyes pretending to be bored, but gave a thumbs up as well whilst hiding a nervous smile. Nikolai gave a timid smile along with a thumbs up as he took off his glasses and put the goggles on. Ator and Audra gave an okay sign as Audra smiled brightly with her visor up. Ator sighed and hunkered into the wagon seat giving a nod to Desmond.

  Desmond lifted his arm in the air and was about to say something just as a commotion of horses with multiple royal knights came up suddenly. Tom, the red robed man, and a party of royal knights rode up.

  Tom greeted everyone and said, “Best of luck! All of you! Sir… Remember what I told and taught you. All of you! I believe in you all. May the gods bless this journey and mission. These royal knights and guardsmen along with the city police will clear the streets for you seeing you all out the gates.”

  The squad was surprised by this news. No one expected an official escort out of the city.

  The red robed man then asked in a calm and monotone voice, “Pardon all… Need to take pictures for the Royal Archives. Please?”

  He got off his horse and pulled out the same orange crystal Desmond saw earlier. He motioned everyone to stay on their horses and to just look at him and the crystal and smile if they felt like it.

  Aurora was next to Desmond holding his left hand only showing her mysterious eyes from her gaiter covering her nose and mouth. She looked breathtaking and mysterious. Yet underneath the gaiter was a confused expression. Desmond tried to look serious, but appeared more surprised than anything as his right hand held his visor up. Keely leaned on Kale smiling big with her pearly white teeth. Kale gave a genuine smirk being okay with her annoyance as he wrapped his left arm around her awkwardly from his horse. Ator remained encapsulated in his helmet appearing intimidating as he stared directly at the orange crystal while holding his great axe. In truth, he was mostly confused by all this. Audra smiled awkwardly unsure of how the orange crystal worked as she held her repeating crossbow tightly across her lap with her visor up. Skivvy tried to be serious, but ended up appearing more confused than anything. Nikolai puffed out his chest with his hands on his hips trying his best to look heroic; however, his goggles made him look dorky and bug-like instead.

  The orange crystal glowed brightly for a brief second with a few flashes and then went to a dull orange. The red robed man put it away in his satchel and thanked them with nary any emotion in his voice. Tom bid them all farewell and gave a long and knowing look to Desmond. Desmond nodded back as Tom and the red robed man left.

  The royal knights and guardsmen flanked ahead on both sides of the pathway. The lieutenant of the royal knights looked back at Desmond giving a nod. Desmond raised his arm and yelled out, “Squad! Everyone! Move out!”

  They rode slowly passed all the other barracks as some of the knights and royal guards in training stood by. Some of the knights gave cheers and best wishes. Others stayed silent, but seemed rather proud of the Cursed Devils. A few squires ran up and handed fruit to the squad. They thanked them. Some of the other task forces were milling about outside cheering the squad on as well. One ranger unit seemed mostly annoyed with the parade and Kale and Skivvy shot middle fingers at the rangers.

  Keely looked at Kale and jokingly asked, “Still have to piss em off, eh?”

  “Those uptight fuckers are still annoyed we won that recon challenge. Racist cucks!”

  “Come on! Like Dez always says: ‘Be nice and be the better man. Don’t stoop to their level.’ Who cares if they were assholes anyway? Not all of them were like that. Only the E-4s and above were assholes.”

  “Whatever… Why aren’t you reprimanding this to Sarge then? He did the same thing as me? Plus he was given the worst of it from them so he kind of has the right to flip them off?”

  “I don’t have to,” Keely said pointing towards Audra using mage hand to smack the back of Skivvy’s helmet in disappointment.

  Kale remarked, “I suspect you’re going to..”

  “Too late!”

  Kale was punched across the face lightly and he accepted it.

  They had to cut through part of the outskirts of the city in order to get to the gates just beyond the training grounds. The city police in their beat up leathers and worn, navy blue uniforms were stopping traffic and forcing merchants to move their carts as the squad and royal knights moved by.

  Some of the civilians were in awe of them as they passed by. A group of kids of all ethnicities and races ran along the side of them enamored as they asked for high fives, trinkets, lots of questions, and fruit. Keely and Kale looked at each for a moment both thinking back on their time as orphans on the street. Both gingerly gave the kids head rubs or fruit from the squires. Keely also felt compelled to tell a few of them to be adventurous no matter what. All the kids smiled in awe at this.

  Nikolai was doing his best “hero’s welcome” as he was practicing his waiving and what he thought was a heroic way of addressing the people as if he were a famous knight. Majority of the kids kept asking him for his goggles.

  Ator ignored the kids, but was smiling underneath his helmet nonetheless. He had to gingerly pull a few of the kids off the wagon as they tried climbing up the sides.

  Audra performed some quick fire tricks with her left hand as she made sparks fly making the kids happy.

  Aurora and Desmond remained stoic and proud as they lead the squad forward only occasionally shaking hands with the kids. Some of the royal knights shooed the kids away.

  Both Aurora and Desmond overheard some of the civilians murmuring about Desmond being the hero from the battle based upon his scar over his eye and the way in which he was carrying himself. Most recognized him from the newspapers and posters. Some of the women were wooing the squad and Aurora rolled her eyes at this, especially at the men openly proclaiming how an Elvan ranger was this beautiful. A police officer then punched one of the jeering men for making a lurid comment at Aurora. She sighed and rolled her eyes thinking that most men are pigs.

  Skivvy looked slightly off to his left and noticed a Skarin family on a porch. He waved and they all waved back at him. The Skarin children were amazed by Skivvy’s presence and he overheard one of them saying they wanted to be a knight like him. Another one pointed out that they were special forces because of the small insignia painted on their breastplates along with being attached to the hero, Desmond. The older male Skarin on the porch gave Skivvy a knowing look and proud nod. Skivvy noticed the older one was wearing a faded, army great coat with the sergeant’s rank still sewn on. He nodded in return and waved at the Skarin children as he tossed some of the fruit from the squires to them.

  Just passed the city walls and gates leading out of Rodham city stood Arn with a company of royal guards flanking the path on both sides. They were at parade rest with Arn standing slightly off to the left. The escorting royal knights and guardsmen then flanked the side of the road giving a salute with their spears. Arn gave a proud salute and microscopic smile as the squad passed by. The squad saluted back and noticed Arn’s smile. This made everyone feel better.

  Once the gates behind them closed, they were off into the Northeast region of Evandria. The fate of the kingdom, if not the world, depended on them it felt. Kale, Skivvy, and Nikolai all let out an enthusiastic yell as three of them decided to race ahead for a short bit. All the women in the squad shook their heads and Desmond sighed in the way a semi-proud father would for his rebellious kids doing something fun.

  “We’re still young idiots regardless,” Desmond muttered to himself.

  Ator beat his chest and threw his fist in the air.In the far distance of about half a mile ahead, Skivvy threw a fist in the air. He won the short race.

  Desmond looked up at the blue sky seeing a bright, blue colored hawk fly up ahead of the party. It reminded him of the blue butterfly he saw long ago before and after the battle. Then again, blue hawks did not live in this area. He figured it was one of the gods watching him. He looked down at Light Wielder’s handle and noticed the faint blue glow.

  A soft, woman's voice said in Desmond's head, "I'll be watching over you all. Don't worry."

  He smiled and pressed onward.

  The End