Chapter 6

“No ya blummin ain’t lass!”

Gladus responded to Astoria’s declaration, in a manner that was expected.

“If I’d known that those two city folk were goin’ta pull a stunt like that, I’d have never let ya two kids listen in.”

“You said we were both of age mother! I am 18 years old now, I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”

“Ya will not be trottin off to fight in someone else’s poxy war. That goes double fur ya Cal Hemlock.”

Gladus gave me a fierce look. The frustration of this situation, finally caused Astoria to storm out the back door. Leaving me alone with a disheartened and dismayed looking Gladus.

“Well there’s a possibility that this is all just a hoax. Also I don’t think the soldier will allow Astoria to enlist anyway.”

“I don’t think the lass has her eye on fighting with sword or axe lad.”

“Eh? What do you mean? Surely you don’t mean that Astoria fancies herself a mage? I know our Astoria has always thought highly of herself, but there’s no way that she has any more affinity with the so called elementals than you or I.”

Gladus looked distraught and offered no response to my comment. Her shoulders drooped and she stared at the floor as if completely and utterly defeated. I could no longer bare to see her like this, so decided to see if I couldn’t go and talk some sense into Astoria.

“I’ll go and have a word with her, see if I can talk her round.”

With that, I left Gladus and proceeded to find Astoria. It wasn’t too difficult, because there was only one place that Astoria went when she was upset.

I made my way out through the backdoor and walked to the stables that were a little further down from the Inn. When I arrived I spotted Astoria brushing her grey shire horse. She had gotten it as a present from her father when it was just a foal. I cautiously made my way to Astoria, making sure not to startle her into lashing out. Just when I was within speaking distance, Astoria looked up and glared at me.

“What are you doing here!? Did mother send you?”

“No, no! I came of my own violation, look, I am unarmed.”

I put both arms in the air to demonstrate this. Astoria responded by rolling her eyes and returning her attention to her horse.

“I see Snowball has grown a lot since I last saw him.”

“...*brush* *brush*”

“W-wonderful weather we’re having huh?”

“*brush* *brush*”

“Say…”

Before I could attempt to force a conversation further, Astoria put down the brush and got up.

“Look, I’m going to see if I can enlist with the Order of the White Mage. I don’t care about the Verdant Royal Family or warlocks or anything else for that matter. If there’s a way for me to get revenge on the monsters that took Papa from me, I’ll..I’ll...”

Astoria’s face was wrought with anger and frustration. It wasn’t like I couldn’t understand her mindset. I too would give anything to be able to get retribution against the beasts that took my father from me. However, before my father left for the battle, I asked him why he decided to volunteer. I asked why he was willing to put himself in such danger.

He smiled and ruffled my hair. He said under normal circumstances, he’d have never done so. He said that it was only because the threat was at his doorstep and that people he loved and cared for were directly at risk. He would personally never leave the comfort of the village or the farm, if it wasn’t in order to truly protect the village and the ones he held dear.

For some reason, I only really understood my father’s words recently. My father and the other members of the defense force, fought and died, so that we could live. I wasn’t about to throw my life away, and if the Verdant Royal Family wanted me to join the supposed war effort, then the only way, was to enforce conscription. Until then, I will be on my farm, living life as normal, unless the invaders reach the village gates. Only then, will I willingly answer the call to arms.

Although I sounded like a coward, I was more than happy to be labelled as one, if it meant that I could live peacefully and ensure my father's sacrifice was not in vain. Besides, there wasn’t much I could add to the homefront, unless, they needed farmers that could efficiently grow grain or other rations.

In spite of my reluctance in joining the fray this early on, I decided that I would at least accompany Astoria when she went to go and enlist. I might be able to convince her to reconsider, when the mage informs her that her affinity with the elementals is not high enough to join the Order of the White Mage.

“Fine, but I’m going with you.”

Astoria responded to this by folding her arms and turning away.

“I mean it, don’t go waltzing off to meet that blond mage without me.”

“Hmph! Whatever, it’s not like you’ll be accepted into the Order of the White anyway.”

I had no idea where Astoria got her confidence from, but she truly believed that she’d be granted entry as a potential recruit.

We decided that we would meet up and visit the village head’s house first thing in the morning.

Before leaving, I spoke with Gladus and told her that I would try and convince Astoria to drop her desire to rush off to war after she is turned down by the blond mage. Gladus thanked me for my help but still showed a look of concern.

Gladus let me use an available room in the Inn to sleep. I laid awake, wondering what the future held and anticipated another hectic day tomorrow.