Commander Lyrian í Godmyk vàr Millios stood at attention with her heels clicked together and her arm sharply crossed over her chest with her fist over heart. She stared intently at the young Prince standing not much taller than her and fifteen years her junior. Although she was focused on her job, her gaze always held a sense of admiration for the young man. There was a twinkle in her chocolate eyes and a sense of readiness to lay down her life for the man whom reigned supreme over her home country. Commander Lyrian was the embodiment of a loyal subject and Zephèl trusted the woman with his life, which was the sole reason he had chosen her for this assignment. Standing next to her with their travel gear was her quickly assembled scout party of two other women and one man. Zephèl had no prior knowledge of the soldiers Commander Lyrian chose to accompany them, but he trusted their knowledge. Lastly, standing at attention next to the prince, was none other than Captain Mathias. The mountain air was sharp and bitter as it whipped past the party as they were getting ready to depart. They all looked to Zephèl to receive their final departure orders.

“Commander Lyrian, thank you for accepting this mission on short notice,” Zephèl bowed his head to his commander who stepped forward out of shock for his actions.

“No need to bow to me, your highness. We’re all your servants awaiting your orders.” Her voice was firm yet kind.

Zephèl lifted his head and greeted her with a smile as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder and politely shook his head. Her long, curls collected in his fingers as he patted her shoulder with a sense of camaraderie.

“It’s fine, Commander. We’re all friends on this campaign.” He smiled and gestured to her three riders, “But I believe introductions are in oder.”

The commander bowed her head slightly, out of habit, and turned her attention to the men and women in her company. The first person to step forward was a rather tall woman, taller than both Lyrian and Zephèl, but shorter than Mathias. She was muscular but had a strange amazonian beauty to her with her long black hair and piercing eyes. The woman saluted her prince in the same manner Lyrian had earlier.

“My name is Jania í Costraph vàr Vardik, at your service, your highness” The woman said with pride in her voice.

“So you are the daughter Lord Costraph so often brags about,” Zephèl smiled, giving her an approving nod, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“No sir, the pleasure is all mine.” She bowed her head deeply.

Zephèl nodded his head once more and continued on to the next woman. She was considerably much smaller than the rest of their company but had a fiery look in her sparkling, golden eyes. Her hair fell about her shoulders all the way down to her waist like a fiery red waterfall, likening her to magical creatures of legend. A large, ornate longbow and quiver was slung over her shoulder along with her travel pack while at her waist hung a small dagger. Zephèl had to keep himself from grinning at the odd sight, the bow was almost as large as her—he had to wonder how she could pull the thing. When he stopped in front of her, a strong blush erupted across her face and she lowered her head as to not meet the Prince’s gaze. Lyrian, quickly noticing her officer backing away, rushed to her side,

“I am sorry, your highness. She is not of higher birth like the rest of the company, so she is probably just nervous. This is Captain Allia and she is the best shot in this kingdom’s entire army. I assure you she is just being shy.” Lyrian patted the girl on the shoulder who nodded her head in silence.

With a kind smile, Zephèl got down on one knee and took her hands in his, giving them a reassuring squeeze,

“Do not worry, my dear Captain. In this kingdom we do not discriminate by birth. If your shot is as good as the commander says it is, then you are more than welcome on this campaign,” Even his eyes were smiling as he looked up at the captain who only blushed harder.

“Zephèl!” Mathias called from over his shoulder in a sharp whisper, not even bothering to call him by his title.

The Prince turned around to find his friend looking at him with a look of disbelief. Of course the Kingdom did not discriminate by birth and anyone with talent could rise in the ranks, but breaking all manner of proper conduct and bowing to another citizen of the country left the man in shock.

“What, Mathias?” He responded plainly as he stood up and turned around, arms crossed over his chest in front of him.

“I think you’re only making matters worse for her,” He shouted at him in that sharp whisper again.

“Really? I was only trying to help. Besides, you’re not of noble birth either, Mathias, yet here you are standing by my side!” He smiled, turning back to Allia with a silly grin on his face, “See! If you act just like Mathias maybe you can become one of my friends someday too!”

“Zephèl!” Mathias shouted well above a whisper.

“I’m kidding! It was just a joke.”

“Now really isn’t the timing for joking,” Mathias shook his head disapprovingly.

“Ah! That’s true,” he frowned, “the results of this mission could determine if we are to go to war…”

He quickly moved on to the last member of their company, the only male member of Lyrian’s company. He stood well above the rest of them with broad shoulders and well built muscles. He had the look of a seasoned warrior and appeared to be much older than the rest of the company.

“I am First Lieutenant Kaollian í Nethandar vàr Jarraf. You may call me Kaoli if you so please, your highness.”

The man’s manner of speaking was as stiff as his appearance, though it was a trait they all shared from their military training. They were addressing their kingdom’s leader after all. Zephèl simply responded to the man with approving nod and moved back a few paces to face their entire company. He glanced over to note that their horses were arriving, and just in time too.

“As you all know, this mission has one purpose. Last night at around dawn’s break a disturbance was noted in the lands beyond the Emerald Sea. Our experts on the Aeastalth have noted that this use of magic could be seen as a sign of aggression. It is our job to investigate in the borderlands for any clear signs of war preparation,” The gathered warriors all started to look uneasy, “Of course, we cannot conclude there will be a war yet, and, of course, no one wants to start a war without good reason. Which is why our ultimate task is hopefully to stop any war before it happens.” He gave them all a reassuring look of false confidence; even as the prince he could not prevent a war if it was inevitable.

The horses, six sturdy war mounts meant for long and hard riding through the tall grasslands of the Emerald Sea, as well as for the pitch black floor of the Darkwood, were lead in front of them. All of the mounts had the face of a growling tiger’s head speared on two crossing swords, the crest of the kingdom of Balthae, pinned to the front of their riding dresses. It was the symbol of the two heroes that freed and protected their kingdom. All of the stallions were either brown or black in color, said for the Prince’s white stallion. The horse was embellished in jewels and fine leather riding gear, but the special Farland’s breed was of the most note. Imported from the lands beyond the the Darkwood forest, a small group of these horses were given as gifts to the royal family of Balthae every year as a sign of a peace agreement with the Farland people.

Taking his mount by the reins and quickly pulling his leg over the side of the magnificent stallion, he drew his sword and held it high in the air above his head. The other warriors quickly followed, “Do not fear, my warriors, and do not say goodbye to your homeland. For I swear by the Two Heroes, we will all return!” It was a leader’s tradition and an warrior’s oath that was said at the beginning of any official campaign outside of the borders of the Kingdom. No warrior was to say any parting words with their friends and family, for it was bad luck and feared that it would imply the warrior would never see their faces again.

“For Balthae, her King, and the Two Heroes!” The company shouted in unison, including Allia whom Zephèl smiled at when he heard her voice.

Kicking at his mount, the stallion bolted forward into a gallop and his men followed suit as they quickly descended down the First Holding’s mountain pass and towards the Emerald Sea.