I stood before Captain Lucien he pinched his nose and sighed.“You ran off by yourself, disobeying orders. Then got ambushed by vampires. Your foolishness could’ve gotten yourself killed.“

“I don’t see what the problem is. I killed all the vampires. “

He breathed deeply, pinching his nose .  “Normally I’d punish rouge behavior even during a trial mission, but your skill and display of power is too much to overlook…so I, Captain Lucien O'Neill, would formally  invite you to officially join the Field Corps.”

“I accept Captain.” I saluted, palm up almost to the brim of my hat. Then turned and left.  

“That boy will either get himself killed or become headmage of the Hiraeth division.” He muttered. 

“Xiongyan! Xiongyan!” I heard a voice calling out to me as I exited Captain Lucien’s study. I turned seeing Aleksander barreling towards me. 

“What do you want this time?” As he got closer I could see he had a worried expression on his face.

“Jin has disappeared for several days now Captain Medea told me she was with him  when they attacked. I’m going to ask if I can go with one of her teams dispatched to find him, she could use your skill.”

“Should you really be going out? Weren’t you in the medbay a few days ago recovering from the blast from your own friend? I didn’t peg you as being suicidal.” 

He frowned at that. “It’s ok! My spirits will fight for me!” Just like that the eager expression came back.  

“I see. Well…it’s your funeral.”  As I tried to leave he grabbed my wrist to which I slapped his small hand away. 

“It’s really important to me. Besides you wouldn’t want a power like his in the enemy hands would you?” 

He has a point but... “There are much more qualified senior officers that can handle the rescue mission, I’m not needed.” 

He grabbed my hand again, ice formed on my hands. “You can protect me too! With double-no triple I have two spirits… I’ll not even get hurt in a confrontation! Besides I’ll annoy you alll day till you agree.”

I sighed imagining happy go lucky Aleksander annoying me at every opportunity he got.I’m irritated just thinking about it. “I’ll go as well then.”

A big grin broke out on his face.   “Come on! Let’s go see Captain Medea ” He went to grab my hand again the same manner I’ve seen him drag around Jin like an over eager puppy. 

I yanked my hand back before he could grab it. He ran off ahead of me; while I just walked the way to the library. He stood at the big double doors waiting for me while fidgeting as if there was too much energy in his tiny body.  “Why wait for me if you’re so anxious to save your friend?”

“I wanted to wait for you. Besides I want to be polite to my new mate.”

“I’ll pass on befriending you. And you didn’t answer my question;  you could be talking to her right now but you’re not.”

I pushed the door open walking in. Big shelves full of books everywhere. And comfy benches and chairs. Along with baywindows.  I walked through till I found the  door to her study.  She didn’t stir as I knocked, but I heard something fall. When I opened the door to see  Captain Medea sound asleep at her desk  on top of papers her glasses askew; smudges of ink on her face and white hair from no doubt fresh notes.  As well as dark circles under her eyes 

I waited till Aleksander arrive to clear my throat. “Ahem, Captain.“ No response. I tried a little louder. “Captain Medea.”  After the fifth time she finally woke up.

“Huh? What?” She jolted up; a piece of parchment sticking to her face then gliding down to the floor.  Her glasses falling off her face slipping off the chain. Her eyes narrowing to squints as she fumbled for her glasses. When she finally fixed them in her face she spoke. “Did you need something?”

“Captain you said you’re trying to organize a group to come to rescue Jin; so me and Xiongyan volunteer.”

“Most people are chomping at the bit to fight on the front lines now that it’s reached here.”

I looked at Captain Medea. “What is your plan?”

“I’ll have to factor you both in as well. Give me a moment.” She furiously typed away on her typewriter. Captain Medea finally stopped typing she put the papers into a stack. “First off Xiongyan, you’re not to go running off throwing around spells. I heard about what happened yesterday. “ she took a breath “We’ll first take potions to disguise your scents. Your Spirits Aleksander, with some gunpowder and aluminum could create an explosion with a flash effect  would stun them. Then you Xiongyan, freeze them in place. But, that’s only if we need to. Ideally the four of us. That including Captain Lucien-in the case of open combat, he’s agreed to come.  We’ll find where they’re keeping him and get him out without altering Otto or his elite’s we’re here. And finally if we encounter a purple haired feminine looking young man, there’s s chance anyone of us could die.”

…

 I sat at the end of my bed flipping through  a book a military  strategy. My eye lids kept dropping. I kept having to jerk my head back up.   The  medicine vial dried and crusted.  It’s been days since it’s been empty

“Xiongyan are you alright?  You’ve been returning earlier from practicing. You have bags under your eyes as well.” Aleksander asked. 

“It is none of your concern; Aleksander.” I snapped.

“Is that medicine?” He gestured to the empty medicine vial. “Ever since you ran out you’re eyes have gotten  bags.  You can’t go on a mission like this.”

He’s got a point I’d be a liability. I didn’t think his happy-go-lucky I’ve made it out in  worse states before. 

“Why haven’t you gotten them before now?” 

“That’s none of your concern.”   I said. I will not serve Hiraeth’s emotionless doll.  The apothecary woman’s words echoed in my ears. Some cold water should wake me up. 

“It seems important if you don’t have it soon you could die in the mission in your state.” 

“Big brother… if you don’t eat you’ll die in your state.” Liang’s voice echoed in my head. Why does that irritating pipsqueak have to remind me of my brother.  I sighed pinching my nose. “Alright.” I turned to Aleksander. Pulling the ingredients list out.  “You swear you won’t tell anyone because if you do I’ll report you for disrespecting a higher ranked officer.” 

He just smiled brightly at me. “Thank you! I promise I’ll bring back everything you need!” 

I gave him the list.  He bounded off with it in hand. Half an hour later I heard his footsteps bounding in the hall.  In his arms was a large  steamer trunk one wealthy would buy for long trips.  He must be from a higher station then me… “You bought a steamer trunk?” I felt my eye twitch for irritation.  He placed it on his trunk on the bed, then opened it.  It filled to the brim with the supplies I needed to make the tonic. That must’ve cost hundreds of Len. What possessed him to go out of his way to spend so much Len for my medicine?

“With the war hitting the  central capital you’ll loose access soon to the apothecary this should last you around 6 months.”

He had no reason to be so kind. He may not be so much a pain in the ass after all. I believe I could tolerate him.

“Thank you.”  I muttered

“I beg your pardon?” A big grin broke out on his face. 

“It’s nothing.”  I said with a flicker of irritation in my voice.