A
new dawn lingers over the capital city of Lunestra Kingdom, Glacrest. In front of some of the two-story stone
buildings, merchants open their storefronts and wooden stalls ready for their
customers to arrive. At the center, a large castle overlooks the entire city.
Its majestic silver marble glistens under the sun’s shine. Towards the outer west
side of the city, a large dark gray building stands like a shadow, giving off
an intimidating presence. At the top of the Lunestra Army Headquarters, a blue
and purple flag with a feather dragon silhouette at its center shifts in the
wind. Down below a steel, 6-foot-high fence separates the building and entryway
from the rest of the land.
Coming up the dirt path from the woods, two horse drawn carriages clop up to the front double steel gates. From the first carriage, Captain Julius comes out in his blue and white captain’s uniform with two assistant soldiers by his side. In the second carriage, some high uniform officers get out, straightening up their clothes to be presentable. A small group comes from the building and stand at attention with their swords drawn upwards. Both gates creak open, clicking in place to welcome their guests. With proud confidence Julius strolls past the soldiers, his arms tucked behind his back. A few feet behind him the other officers followed him. To his left, he notices new recruits out in the training field participating in their morning warmups.
In front the heavy steel doors screech open by a man in a neatly dressed white uniform and gloves on. He bows slightly and adjusts his glasses on the rim of his nose. “Welcome, Mr. Lyberg. The commander is expecting you in his office to give your report.”
Julius shifts his feet uncomfortably and clears his throat. “Of course.”
“Follow me.” The man leads him inside to the main floor.
Inside both soldiers, visitors and other workers go about their business. On the floor the same feather dragon silhouette sits in the center of the marble flooring. On the walls in between the windows hangs wavy light blue tapestries. Several of the hallways remain closed, guarded by soldiers in lightweight armor, their swords at their sides. A reception desk sits nestled between two half circle steps leading up to the second floor. The woman behind the desk looks up from her work and nods to the man.
Julius follows the man up the stairs and into a long-carpeted hallway. At the end, two large wooden doors decorated with gold trimming around the edges. The man uses his knuckles to knock three times. “Commander, Mr. Lyberg has come to give his report.”
“You may let him in.” A medium deep voice arises from behind the doors.
Both doors open and Julius proceeds inside. The commander’s office houses many luxurious items like a soft sofa, a large map of Lunestra Kingdom, a expensive carpet, large windows, and sturdy crafted work desk. Behind the desk, a man in his late forties’ stares down at a large pile of papers. He wears a light blue and white uniform with a few metals hanging from his left chest pocket. Short chestnut hair covers his ears, and his bangs hang just above the top of his eyes. A commander’s hat sits just on the corner of the table.
Julius crosses his right arm in front of his chest and bows. “Commander Luke Vaynes, I’m here to report that the mission was a success.”
“And the aftermath?” Luke looks up at Julius.
“We pulled a few survivors from the water and locked them away. We assume the rest were lost at sea.” He answers back.
“Their captain?” He asks.
“We haven’t identified him yet. We assume he was lost at sea like the rest.” Julius responds.
“What have you been taught, Julius?” Luke stands up from his desk and glances out the window. His arms fold behind his back.
“Sir?”
“Never assume something. It was assumptions like those that led us to war in the first place.” He lectures.
Anger bubbles up in Julius’ chest. He tightens his hands into fists. “I personally destroyed that ship. If he did manage to survive, I’ll hunt him down. Pirates don’t deserve to live their lives peacefully after what they did!”
“Calm yourself. You have already done so much to help us with your calculating mind. Ah!” Luke interrupts himself, turning to face Julius. “Incidentally I could have sworn the orders were to capture the captain alive for interrogation. You also used a prototype cannon that caused quite a bit of damage to your ship.”
Julius casts his gaze away from his commander unwilling to meet his eyes and unable to defend himself against his actions.
"He is still out there. I know it, but we have more pressing matters at the moment." A smile crosses Luke’s face but Julius feels intimidating pressure hiding behind it. “I think I have a fitting punishment for you.”
He pulls out some documents and slides them open across his desk. Julius looks down to see a several pictures taken of a port city.
“We have received reports that pirates have infiltrated the port city, Milonite. Of course, those reports are unconfirmed, but we must act as if they were accurate. We also couldn’t get in contact with the mayor in the last week or so.” Luke explains.
“What is the goal?” Julius asks.
“I would like to send a group there to report back the accuracy of the reports and to stop any pirate activity that is taking place. Arrest them on the spot.” Luke answers.
“Aright working with no breaks? I can handle this type of punishment. Just give me a ship and crew to use.” He proceeds to exit from the room, but Luke speaks up.
“Ah no no. Let’s not jump to conclusions. Your ship is indisposed right now. So why your living wages are pay for the damaged that you caused, you will be handling this with another high position officer.”
Julius stops in his tracks. “Um…who?”
The double doors burst open and a semi tall man with large muscles and a slightly round stomach comes right in. His mustache and beard give him a grizzly bear type look. “I’m here for my orders commander.” He speaks in a gruffy voice, ignoring Julius.
Julius’s face goes pale, and he turns back to Luke.
Your next mission will be with the leader of the third division, Gunther Warrin.” Luke announces to him, a smile still on his face. “I told you it would be a fitting punishment for you.”
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