A drop of red appeared as Aster accidentally cuts her finger, the blade grazed as she was sharpening an arrow tip with a small whetstone. She stared at the bleeding wound before getting a nearby handkerchief from her table. Suddenly, the door in front of her sprung open.

“Ah, there you are general!” The king appeared out of nowhere, followed by his advisor Macias, carrying a pile of big books in his arms. Aster stared at the two.

“I brought you some books to read for your… training.” The king slammed a book he just grabbed from Macias on Aster’s writing desk. A whisk of dust flew in the air from the small impact.

“Give her her schedule, Macias! Don't just stand there will ya?” gritting through his teeth impatiently.

“At once, my lord.” Macias bowed promptly, and the king flashed a quick smile towards the girl.

Aster scowled and glared towards the king, “With all due respect my lord..”, she said through gritted teeth, “I am not leading an army where I have no knowledge of. I don't have the slightest interest to read your fancy books. I want you to explain why am I stuck here and why don't you just let me leave.”

“But General, I don't understand…” The king frowned, “Your Elder sent you here so we could--”

“I was just meant to be an envoy. I already delivered our tribute and I want to go back.”, she said with eyes deadshot serious and her words tight-lipped.

The king’s smile disappeared. His eyes darkened.

“Macias, show it to her.”

The advisor nodded, reached into his pocket and promptly placed a small parchment on the table.

“Here’s the official letter from Kinan. Your shaman sent it to us a week before he sent you.” The king points at the table. “Would you like me to read it?”

Aster snatched the letter and silently reads it herself.

“Our dearest King,

For many years our tribe rebelled against your throne. It costed both sides not just pain but also immense fortune, and I finally realized that it is all but foolish pride. All of this I sincerely regret and right now nothing matters to me more but the legacy of our tribe. The actions of my ancestors and my fathers before me will end here, which is why I humbly offer you our finest harvest as my tribe’s peace offering, and our best hunter, young lady Asterion, as our tribute and testimony of our allegiance to your kingdom. May your people train her further and let her serve your reign… for the benefit of everyone.

To prosperity.

The Shaman of Kinan”

It seemed as if a barrel of ice cold water was thrown at the back of her spine. Aster froze in disbelief, unable to speak. A rush of blood rose through her veins when the king snatched the letter back from her.

“Sigh, I hope this makes everything clear now.” The king said, his eyes averted quickly to his advisor.

“Macias, will you tell our general her schedule for tomorrow?”, the king gestured as he walked out and went out of the room.

“At once, my lord.” The advisor nodded drawing out a scroll from his books. “Very well, general. Your official copy of the court’s training affairs, It shall start the morning with…”

Everything faded as Aster stared blankly at the two figures in front of her. It is all clear now yet she could not believe it. She will no longer see her village, the place she grew up in, her best friend. She could not bring herself to cry even if she wanted to. She felt numb.

The advisor took a glance before closing the door to the young general's room. Her eyes still staring blankly at the surface of her desk, veins pulsing through her neck, it looked as if rage was bottling up inside her. He took a step back nervously and caught up to the king who's already walking ahead.

“My lord, if you don't mind me asking… why are we keeping Lady Asterion?” the advisor curious.

“She bears something.” The king answered seriously. “I can sense it but I do not know what it is yet.”

“And this something… does this have anything to do with the--”

“We shall find out soon enough.” the king hissed, suddenly walking faster, leaving the advisor in wondering.

“Ready my stallion, at once!”