Chapter 1:

My female companion

13


The year was 1004. Thanks to its revolutionary tactics The Reevian kingdom of the west was making impressive victories in recent battles but the sheer size of the large Imperial army of the east was preventing ‘’Reeva’’ from making the push they desired into imperial territory. The second Magis war was reaching a stalemate. The only non-constant variable was the number of casualties on both sides, the number of burned-down houses and villages, the number of newly orphaned children, and the number of freshly dug graves.

Today I stood in one of these recently burned villages. I looked around me, there were no signs of any survivors. The place was crawling with Reevian soldiers moving from one house to another, it looked like they were taking the food and supplies they found. ‘’ the spoils of war’’ was the term the Reevian army often used, a less polite term would be ‘’ Theft’’.

I walked inside a fancy military tent, it was bigger and better looking than the rest. Inside a tall man with elegant armor stood facing a wooden war table. He was engaged in conversation with a female soldier who had a serious look on her face. I decided to put more weight on my feet and the sudden noise of my footsteps caught the attention of the tall man.
He turned around and stared at me suspiciously:
‘’ You’re not one of my soldiers? Who let you in here? ‘’ The tall man spoke with a menacing stare.
I noticed the female soldier next to him reaching for her sword and eying me down, she was probably trying to estimate my strength. Most soldiers in such a situation will be looking around trying to spot other intruders but she chooses to focus on me instead. This soldier had special training. 
The tall man waited for my answer but whatever I choose to answer him with will be a waste of time so instead, I slowly reached into my pockets, took a small sealed envelope, and tossed it in the direction of the tall man.
The tall man’s expression quickly changed to an inquisitive look as he bent down to pick up the envelope.

’How dare you make the captain picks something off the floor ‘’courier’’? I shall cut you right now for this grave insult ‘’ the female soldier yelled out as she pointed her blade in my direction. 
‘’ it’s okay First Lieutenant, stand down ‘’ The tall man said as he waved his right hand at the female soldier.
 ‘’ But sir ….? ‘’ the female soldier replied with confused eyes...
‘’ The seal on this envelope, this is the high council’s seal ‘’ the tall man replied.
 ‘’ The high council? ‘’ the female soldier said.

The second he recognized the seal was the moment I confirmed my assumptions. Only a few people in ‘’Reeva’’ can identify this seal based on his distinctive armor and the fact that the female soldier called him ‘’Captain’’, this man is most likely ‘’ Captain Alexander Welkin ‘’. The renewed officer of the first Reevian army but why is he stationed in a place like this?
While I was having these thoughts, the tall man finished reading the letter and raised his eyes to face me, and said:

‘’ Can you provide me with details of this mission? ‘’
‘’ I’m not authorized to share such information ‘’ I replied as I locked eyes with him.
‘’ What’s going on Captain? ‘’ the female soldier suddenly spoke, her eyes were seeking answers she desperately desired.
‘’ This is a direct letter from the high council, we are ordered to provide any assistance to this man in his mission ….it says here his mission takes top priority ‘’ the tall man explained. I noticed his fingers suddenly gripping the edges of the paper as he reached the final part of the letter.

‘’This man’s official name is ‘’13’’….A high traitor to the Reevian kingdom but for the duration of this mission he shall be considered a ‘’soldier’’ and shall receive the same privileges that of a soldier ‘’ the tall man finished explaining the content of the letter …A hint of surprise was mixed into his words.
‘’ A TRAITOR? This guy is a ‘’Number ‘’? ‘’ the female soldier stepped forward with her sword pointing at my legs. 

‘’ At ease first lieutenant ‘’ the tall man gently patted her shoulders...
 ‘’ But sir, you heard what the letter said, this man is a traitor. He’s armed and possibly dangerous. I will cut off both his legs just to be safe ‘’ the female soldier replied without taking her eyes off me.

She was right, I am a traitor or as most people would refer to me a ‘’ Number’’. In the kingdom of Reeva, certain acts could make you branded as a ‘’traitor’’.
 The high council doesn’t believe in executing ‘’traitors’’ because that would rid us of our sins nor do they believe in impersonating traitors because that would be wasting food and shelter on us.

 Instead, Numbers are stripped of their name and land and forced to live the rest of their lives shunned and humiliated by the rest of the population. We are stripped of our humanity and looked upon like wild savage animals.
‘’ Indeed this man standing in front of us is a ‘’traitor’’ but the high council has ordered us to consider him a ‘’ soldier’’ and to aid him in his mission so that’s what we will do ….do you understand, first lieutenant? ‘’ The tall man declared as he stood in front of the female soldier urging her to lower her blade.
The female soldier was hesitant at first but ultimately followed his orders. The tall man looked at me one more time and said:

‘’ So …How exactly do you expect us to aid you in your mission?’’
‘’ I need 4 soldiers: an archer, a …..’’
Before I could even continue the tall man interrupted my words...
‘’ I’ve lost 2/3 of my men capturing this region and we are on the verge of attacking ‘’Vastis’’, I cannot spare any soldiers. All I can offer you is Intel and supplies ‘’ The tall man’s words were cut and dry.

 I anticipated the Reevian army to be launching an attack on the town of ‘’Vastis’’ soon, this is exactly why I was only asking for 4 soldiers but I failed to anticipate the severity of their causalities.
 ‘’ I can’t accomplish my mission without soldiers ‘’ I quickly replied. This mission was near impossible in the first place, without any backup the chances of success are 0 percent.

The tall man contemplated for a second. Any other military captain would have just kicked me out by now but this tall man was different.
He seemed to care. I guess the rumors I heard about him were true.

 ‘’ You can take 1 soldier with you to aid you on your mission. This is the best I can do ‘’ Just one soldier, huh? That’s not enough at all but I don’t think I have another choice.
 If I’m given the choice to pick out one soldier to accompany me then the obvious way to go is to pick out the captain but there is no way he will agree to abandon his post to aid a traitor on an unknown mission.

‘’ I pick her ‘’ I replied pointing my finger at the wide-eyed female soldier standing there. 

                                  The point of view of first lieutenant Karolina Porze                                       
 Year 1002. 
The eastern border of the kingdom of Reeva
 The command tent on the outskirts of ‘’Vastis’’.
First lieutenant ‘’Karolina Porze’’ of the first Reevian army.

I feel disgusted, I feel really disgusted just standing here in the presence of this ‘’Number’’. This isn’t right, this isn’t right at all. Why are we ordered to help someone like him and why is the captain even talking to him right now? That letter could be fake, he could have faked that seal. Why is the captain trusting the words of a ‘’Number ‘’?
He is even offering him to take a soldier with him to God’s know where. This is wrong, this is very wrong.

 ‘’ I pick her ‘’ the disgusting number said as he pointed his finger at me.
What? What? whaaaaat?
 Has this lowly traitor gone mad? Does he really expect me to go anywhere with him other than to see him hanged? If only the captain wasn’t here, I would cut both of his legs and call it an accident. These thoughts were raging in my head when all the sudden the captain said words I never thought I will ever hear:

 ‘’ Understood. First lieutenant, you are hereby ordered to offer your assistance to this man on his mission ‘’
‘’ WHAT? CAPTAIN?’’ I quickly replied, please tell me he is joking.
 ‘’ I know very well how you feel first lieutenant but this is not negotiable. You are to aid this man on his mission and then report back here as soon as possible. This is a direct order ‘’ the captain spoke each word he uttered cut deeper and deeper inside of me.
I couldn’t believe my ears.

WHY?? WHY??? WHY?

This word continued to ring in my ears. I turned my gaze to the disgusting traitor in front of me. A deep feeling of hatred engulfed my heart ….A hatred that was targeted toward one creature and one creature only. A hatred that won’t ever disappear until I see his severed head rolling by my feet.

                                         The point of view of Captain Alexander Welkin                                      

Year 1002.
The eastern border of the kingdom of Reeva.
The command tent on the outskirts of ‘’Vastis’’.
Captain ‘’Alexander Welkin ‘’ of the first Reevian army.

The first lieutenant is looking at me with disappointed eyes. I feel if I wasn’t her superior officer she would be throwing some harsh words at me. Of course, I understand the reason for her frustration. Talking to a ‘’number’’ not along aiding them is considered the most disgraceful insulting act a Reevian can face. This hatred for ‘’Numbers’’ is as ancient as our noble kingdom. My father made sure to instill this in me since I was a kid so I’m no exception. I despise and loathe ‘’Numbers’’ from the bottom of my heart. 

That said, the moment this person entered my tent I could sense something very peculiar about him. He was wearing horrible light armor, the type bandits won’t even wear. His appearance was far from presentable and it looked like he didn’t have a decent meal in days yet he stood firmly. He had both hands behind his back and was intentionally putting pressure on his right leg. He looked at me with a blank stare in his eyes and kept his words short.

I could feel his lack of respect for me, his lack of trust. He was a mere number, a traitor to the empire yet he looked at me as if I was nothing. As if I was just a necessary conversation in his way.

I don’t know what mission he was tasked with and why would the ‘’high council’’ even rely on a traitor but I know this is something very crucial to the future of our noble kingdom. I can’t explain why I have such feelings. I just do.
This is why I agreed to his request. I have no other reason.

As I observed the number leaving my tent with the first lieutenant walking behind him with a disgusted look on her face.

A certain image crossed my eyes. An image of a tale so old I almost forgot about it.
I tried to remember the details of this tale but I couldn’t no matter how much I tried.
 Eventually, I gave up thinking about it and focused on the war table in front of me.
Another battle is at our door. I need to focus ….I need to focus for my sake, for the sake of the Reevian people, and the sake of our glorious noble kingdom. 

                                                      The point of view of 13                                                                         
 Year 1002.                  
 The eastern border of the kingdom of Reeva.
Near ‘’Vastis’’
‘’13’’ 

After leaving the tall man’s tent, I left the burned village behind me and started heading east. We were entering imperial territory, this is perhaps why my companion has chosen to wear a cloak.

 ‘’Where the hell are you taking me anyway?’’ my newly found companion asked, it seems she has resigned herself to reality and was just impatiently counting the seconds to leave my company.

‘’ East’’ I replied pointing in that direction.
‘’ I need something more specific Number!! ‘’ my female companion added, this time her irritation was quite visible on her face.

This was the first time I paid attention to her facial features. She had long blond hair and deep blue eyes, her skin was fair and pale.

 She had no makeup on but her face shined bright. She was a pure-blooded Reevian. This is most likely why she chooses to wear a cloak. She must have realized that her unique features won’t blend in nicely with the common imperial look.

I on the other hand had black hair and brown eyes, regular features found in almost every Imperial city and village so there was no point in hiding my face.

‘’ East of Vastis ‘’ I finally replied after being mesmerized by her attractive face.
‘’ Are you doing this on purpose Number? Do you mean to insult me? ‘’ my female companion replied with an angry tone.

‘’ Not really’’
‘’ Ughhh, as a first lieutenant of the Reevian army, I hereby command you to tell me our destination you disgusting lowlife creature ‘’ the female soldier declared as she looked down at me with disgust.

But while she was waiting for my answer, my focus was on something else entirely. We have been walking on this wooden path for a while now and the same presence continued to follow us. Someone was hiding on top of those trees. I’m sensing 3 maybe 4 men with light weapons.
They were waiting for the chance to ambush us. Forest bandits maybe? 

If we take a turn here and start running we should be able to easily avoid their ambush. I doubt they will even bother chasing us. But instead of making a run, I decided to purposely come closer to the trees, and just like I predicted a couple of armed men suddenly jumped in front of us.
‘’ Who do we have here? Travelers? Welcome, welcome to ‘’Vastis’’ my dear friends. My name is ‘’Dean ‘’ ‘’ the person who spoke was an old-looking man with a scar on his left cheek. A menacing grin decorated his rugged face.

‘’ Who are you? What do you want? ‘’ My female companion quickly draw her sword and locked eyes with the old man. She must have understood the situation. 

‘’ Oh…A woman’s voice? Why are you hiding your lovely face, my dear lady? Won’t you honor us with your beauty ‘’ the old man with a scar spoke elegantly? He must be interested in seeing if my female companion’s face makes her worthy of being sold to a slaver. 

‘’ Step away and move out of our way if you know what’s good for you ‘’my female companion declared as she held tighter to her sword.

‘’I’m afraid that might not be possible my lady ‘’ the old man with a scar grinned as he gestured to his men. This situation is becoming rather interesting.

‘’ They’re fucking bandits. I’ll take the 3 guys on the right you go for the remaining two ‘’ my female companion added as she looked at me with a serious stare. She seems to have formulated a plan in her head.

‘’ Uh, this might not be the best time to mention this but I’m afraid I don’t know to swing a sword ‘’ I quickly replied with a confused look on my face.

 ‘’ WHAT? You gotta be fucking kidding me. ? Who doesn’t know how to use a fucking sword these days? Were you born on a fucking pig farm? ‘’ My female companion looked at me.
Her anger and disgust have increased tenfold and the small vein on her forehead was pulsating. She was really pissed. 

After giving me one final look of disgust, my female companion jumped forward. She took a unique stance and swung her sword at the nearest bandit. Her sword moved at such an incredible speed the bandit failed to even notice her attack.

 The rest of the bandits watched as their comrade’s severed head rolled on the floor. Such sight stunned them for a second as their brains tried to process what they’d just witnessed.

Filled with anger and fear the rest of the bandits attacked at once. But their effort was in vain as my female companion dodged their attack very easily and delivered swift precise slashes severing their limbs and body organs like they were made of butter.
My female companion swung her sword so beautifully one final time finishing off the old man with an annoying grin.
A gust of wind blew over as her sword pierced his chest uncovering her beautiful elegant face. The whole sight was so magnificent it could have easily been mistaken for a work of art.
It was exactly like I thought. This woman, this soldier is incredible.

                                              The point of view of Dean                                                                           
Year 1002.
The eastern border of the kingdom of Reeva.
 Near ‘’Vastis’’ The leader of the forest bandits ‘’Dean ‘’ 

Yes, yes, just like taking candy from a child. Another group of hopeless travelers has fallen for my glorious trap. I was worried for a second because I felt our presence was compromised by that weird-looking man but I guess my worries were for nothing.

Not only did we manage to corner 2 hopeless-looking peasants but one of them is a woman. Oh my, it's been so long since we’ve caught a woman and she looks so young from her voice. She should fetch me a very good price.

‘’ Step away and move out of our way if you know what’s good for you ‘’ the woman spoke as she branded her sword at me. How cute, it’s so rare to see an imperial woman using a sword. Can she even carry that thing? Once I’m done with her male friend I will make sure to give her my meat sword to grab into Haha.  

‘’I’m afraid that might not be possible my lady ‘’ I spoke as I gave the signals to my men. Let’s not wait a single second more.

The woman seemed to be whispering with the weird-looking man. It looked like they were arguing about something. Huh? Why is he stepping back? Don’t tell me he won’t even try to defend himself.

Haha, what a fucking coward.

But while I was watching the weird-looking man with a big grin on my face. The woman suddenly moved with incredible speed and swung her sword. The next thing I saw was the head of ‘’Tuck’’ rolling on the floor like it was never attached to his bulky body.

W-What?...........What the fuck just happened?
 Before I lifted my gaze off the severed head of my strongest fighter, the rest of my men were laying on the ground drowning in a pool of their blood.

H-How? How did this happen? No….no….no……no ….
I shook my head in denial, this can’t be happening. This doesn’t make sense. Is she even human? She is a W-Witch …..She’s a fucking witch.

Before I could finish my line of thought a sudden feeling penetrated my chest followed by immense horrible pain. I looked down, a shiny blade was piercing through my chest. I reached to pull it out but my hands refused to obey. Soon I lost all power in my body and fell to my knees.

With my last remaining strength I lifted my eyes to gaze at the person stabbing me but what greeted my eyes wasn’t human but an angel. An angel with long blond hair and angelic eyes, she stared at me with her cold blues eyes.

‘’ I been killed by a lovely angel ‘’ this was my final thought before my life faded away.
























13


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