Just as the sun reached its height on the fifteenth day of the journey Alunhull the capital of Orera finally came in sight. Tasha marveled at the towering white walls that rose far above the city. She could see two of the famous Blackstone watchtowers which loomed even over the wall, their deep black contrasting with the marble white of the walls. Though that is not what drew her attention, instead she started at the angels, one bound to each of the four Blackstone towers. Charged with watching over the city since the Orrean empire first began to rise. From this distance, she could barely make out the shapes that floated in their eternal vigil softly glowing with a radiance that leaked through the black veils that covered their bodies. So divine was this light it could be seen in the high noon light.

Next to her John stood in his reigns trying to get a better look, “Never thought I’d see the say we were called to the capital and by a thrice-damned Ferrocor.” He mumbled to no one in particular.

“John, Tasha. May I speak to you for a moment?” The singsong voice of Adaline rang out from behind.

Tasha wheeled her horse and rode back to the lady-in-waiting John trailing behind her.

“What is it, Adaline?” Tasha asked

“Well, you see our lady is in a …. unique political situation. One that I until recently thought you were informed about.” Adaline’s face took on a brief look of agitation as her eyes flickered over to Emila.

“How Unique exactly, are we to be knifed the moment we enter the city?” John asked, his voice took on a tone that Tasha could not place.

“No no, at least not yet. As you may know succession amongst the nobles is handed down to the oldest living son.” Tasha nodded, her limited education had taught her that much. “However, it gets much more complicated when there is no living son. In such cases, the vassals of said noble house gather and vote on a pool of eligible heirs.”

Tasha continued to nod, she had an idea where this was going.

“Which brings us to the noble house of RueGuard-Ferrocor, blessed with an eldest son and three daughters. For years we all rested comfortably in the fact that one day Sir Rollo RueGuard Ferrocor would claim his father’s place, until three years ago when he fell on the battlefield slaying heathens in the name of Yaza. The grief of losing his eldest son affected lord Ferrocor greatly, each day he grows weaker edging ever closer to death. Now nobles circle around like vultures trying to turn the situation to their advantage, pulling unseen strings every plotting to have their favorite sit upon the lord’s seat. Some even go as far as to claim falseblood that makes them eligible heirs. That is why Lady Emila has brought you here, she wishes for you to help her maintain her claim and take her father’s seat. A task that if successful could be very beneficial, Lords and ladies do well to remember their friends after all. ” Adaline finished.

“Ahhh, so that’s why you dragged us all the way here. I will play along with your plots as long as me and my sister are … well taken care of.” John spoke up half-smile curling on his lip. Tasha looked at her hands trying to process the emotions that stormed around her mind. She knew that no noble did anything out of the goodness of their hearts, still, she had hoped in a corner of her soul that Emila saw something more in her. Two people united by the bonds placed upon them by their pacts who could understand the other's pain, maybe even friends. Instead, she would be a tool used to chase her lady’’s ambitions. The feeling of reality being exactly as you expected crashed down upon her shoulders.

“I assure you and your sister will be treated most excellently, I look forward to your aid, John. And what of you Tasha, can me and our lady count on you?” Adaline’s large eyes looked up at her expectantly.

Tasha stared at her hands, “Yes, I’ll do as you say.” She had come all this way it would be a fool’s move to turn back because she expected more than she was promised.

“I am glad to hear it, with people like you two I am sure we can do anything we set our mind to.” She smiled wide at the siblings, “just remember tell no one anything they do not need to know.” With that she tapped her horse’s flank and rode towards the city.

Tasha looked at John, “Do you think we will be okay?” Her uncertainty had returned in full force as she stared at the towering walls of the capital.

“Yes, we will, no matter what Tash we will survive.” John’s face turned grim as he set his horse after Adaline.

I wish I was as confident as him. With a heavy feeling in her stomach, she joined the rest of the group heading towards the city.

***

The road to the gate of Alunhall was packed with travelers, merchants,and soldiers both leaving the city and trying to enter. The two groups struggled to get past the other, merchant carts blocked the path for the horses, the horses stopped the people, the people packed around the carts seeking a way to slip by but accomplished nothing but preventing the carts from moving. It was pandemonium, Tasha could feel the tension thick in the air, people were despite to enter or leave the city and found themselves trapped in a sea of people. Arguments broke out amongst the madness as blame for the blockage was passed from one person to the next. If this was not taken under control they may never make it to the gates.

As if reading her mind Lady Emila tapped her on the shoulder and waved her hand for Tasha to follow. They pushed through the crowd the hooves of their mounts threatening to crush anyone who stayed in their path. Emila grew frustrated as she tried to weave through the blockage. She pulled her horse to a stop and closed her eyes. Tasha watched as a faint light glowed from the mark on her hand, she breathed deeply and spoke.

“By the name of Ferrocor and the power bestowed upon me by the divine I command order amongst you.” Her voice spilt the air like the crack of a whip booming much louder than should be possible. Those closest to her cringed at the loud noise as everyone turned to look. Light poured from the mark on her hand and shaped into a corona around her head. An aura of radiance embraced her and traced illusory wings on her back. Realization spread in the mob as they reacted to Emila’s invocation of the emperor’s name and the power she displayed. One by one they kneeled before the niece of the empire and her squire.

Tasha shifted in her saddle much to her shame and against the teachings of her order she had always enjoyed being at the center of attention, but this was far more than she’d ever bargained for. She did her best not to wither before the scores of reverent or curious eyes that watched her from every angle.

“My beloved countrymen, you have fallen into disorder and petty squabbling when the wolves of war are at our doorsteps. If we wish to bring the light of Yaza to the world we must embrace his teachings, yet at the first sign of an inconvenience, you lose all reason and find yourself stuck in a mire of your own creation. Heed my commands, return to the safety of order and take my words to heart. As long as we stay faithful and embody the Codex Iustitia no evil can harm us. Now you in the cart …. “

Tasha lost focus as Emila barked commands at the mob slowly untangling the web of chaos that had ensnared them all. “The wolves of war …” What is she talking about? Tasha felt a distorting sense of not seeing the full picture. War was familiar to those in Orera even down the simplest peasant, but they had been at peace for years. She was unaware of any imminent war, so why had Emila chosen to speak in such a manner? Tasha dared not interrupt the stream of instructions that poured forth, so she vowed to ask her lady later, after all, she was a squire and war was her duty.

Time slipped away as soon order was restored to the road and both those coming and leaving were able to resume their travels. Soon Emila was satisfied and directed her retinue to join the stream filtering towards the gates of Alunhall. Tasha tried to bring her horse to next to her lady’s, she had many questions burning to be asked. She weaved her way through the horde trying to not disrupt the order her lady had enacted, a combination of her armor, sword, and relation to Emila made most folks lower their heads and scramble to get out of her way. Soon she rode abreast with the noble.

“What is all this about war, my lady?” Tasha leaned over to whisper, much to her surprise Emilia leaned back. She had to suppress a smile, two weeks ago she had done everything to avoid her presence. For now, she may have been a tool but who knows how much her perseverance would pay off.

“Soon Orera will march on the Ashmount ranges. The attack on your order is officially being attributed to a tribe of hobgoblins calling themselves the Ashmount confederacy. The troops are marshaling as we speak with a plan to launch a full-scale invasion within the next four months. Orera is a nation built on warfare but the peasants have no hope, every time one of our armies have entered the Ashmounts it has been a bloodbath, armies often returning with a quarter of their numbers if they return at all. They say the mountains are cursed, that we are sending them to die.”

“Are we my lady?” Tasha had heard tall of the Ashmounts from elder members of the crusaders of the light. They spoke of land devoid of any kindness, streams of magma running over supplies, volcanic fumes burning the lungs and choking the unaware. A dryness so deep that squadmates who have severed together all their lives will turn on each other for the last water skin. Monsters born in the dark scorching depth of the volcano hunting for the blood of man. She was unsure anyone could survive in such a place let alone an army.

“Not this time“ Emila trailed off looking at the brand on her hand. “Never again.”

***

The rest of the trip was uneventful even with the peasants trying to avoid Emila and her retinue; they still moved at a snail’s pace. Soon they came to gates where a large congregation of guards stopped and interrogated everyone. As they waited in line Tasha eyes wandered up the Blacktowers and to the angels that levitated above. Even though she had traveled much closer the details of the watchers were still difficult to parse. They seemed ethereal, almost translucent. It was as if the black veils and wings were the only thing that her eyes could absorb. As she stared more and more her chest grew warm, she could feel power pooling in her source. She reached for it.

A blast of white filled her vision, fading as quick as it came. Now the angels were in full view, bile filled her mouth. Hooks weaved and pulled at their flesh, chains wrapped around their bodies under which raw flesh leaked puss. Now their veils were gone, their faces contorted in agony mouths shaped in a silent scream. They had a massive single eye placed in the center of their face held open by hooks, it scanned back and forth rapidly before snapping to Tasha. Her horse reared and she slipped from her saddle thumping into the road.

“Tasha … Tahsa!” she could hear voices faintly as if she was submerged in water. One voice she heard all too clearly as if it came from inside her skull.

“Look …. Brook no lies …. Not even ones that bring comfort.”

“Why did you show me this, what does it mean ?” she screamed inside her own head.

“Lesson … traitors … deserving … punishment …. You must harden your heart to do what you must.” suddenly the presence disappeared and pain surged into her body.

“What must I do? Tell me?” No answer came and she was left alone. She snapped back to reality John, Emila, and Tasha all knelt by her. She shot up, Bruno held the reigns of her horses, moving in the path of any who tried to approach.

“Tash, are you hurt. What happened?.” John said as at least three pairs of hands moved to help her, she shooed them away. “I am fine, just got surprised is all.” She took stock of her surroundings. Her companions looked at her with concern, passerby gawked at her, some moved to help but quickly reconsidered when Bruno stepped in their way.

“Surprised by what exactly?” Emila asked, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. “It was my pact. I think they wanted to show me something?” she responded.

“Show you what,” John asked, a look of concern still cemented on his face. “I'll tell you later. Too many ears around.” She was pleased to find the group did not press her on the matter, she got to her feet and took the reins, giving a nod to Bruno as she did. She swung her leg back onto her horse.

The line stretched on promising a long wait. Before she had been eager, impatient even to get to the city. Now she could not take her eyes off the Angels if that's what they were. How could anyone pious do that to the most holy of creatures, and who in the right mind would allow them to continue to suffer?

She looked to Alunhall, she hoped to find answers within its white walls, but her heart told her she would find nothing but questions.

***

John continued to pester her about her fall, other than that the rest of the trip was uneventful. The guards responsible for admittance let them through almost immediately after the appropriate amount of bowing and “Beg your pardon my lady”s upon seeing Emilia. Finally, Tasha had reached the capital, the heart of her beloved country. Her earlier vision was pushed to the back of her mind as she absorbed the sights for the first time. The buildings rose taller than she had ever seen, the streets were packed with grim-faced citizens rushing to and fro. On every street corner stood a priest preaching to the passersby or a peddler pushing trinkets and charms.

A rush of excitement filled her body. So many sights to see and people to meet, Tasha could not wait to explore this place of wonder. However, sightseeing would have to wait, she was squire now and her duty must always come first. If she could figure out her duty that was, so far all she had been asked to do was follow Emila. Surely now that they had arrived there would be work that needed to be done.

“My lady, what do we do now?” Tasha asked, bringing her horse next to Emila’s

“We get to my estate and rest, from there we strategize,” she responded

Not quite the action-packed task I was hoping for but a soft bed would set me right. Looking forward to a night of comfort she smiled to herself and gawked at the city as she rode.

The trip to the RueGuard estates proceeded smoothly and at a blistering pace compared to their trip into the city. The citizen may have been clogging the roads, but when faced with nobles and a heavily armed escort they would almost trample each other if it meant clearing the way. Soon they stopped in front of a high-walled gate inscribed with two sigils: a rose and a nail piercing a heart. An elderly attendant dressed in red finery swung open the gate and stepped outside. His long mustache swung gently in the wind.

“My ladies, I am glad to see you return safe and sound.” the man bowed to Emila and Adaline before turning to Tasha. “You must be the newest member of the house, my lady was quite excited to hear of another marked by the angels. I am beyond pleased to make your acquaintance.” The man bowed once again

“How many times must I tell you, Ruffeo. Speak less than you know.” Emila shot the attendant a blood-chilling glare. Ruffeio bowed and spewed a stream of apologies, as he finished and raised his head he flashed Tasha a quick grin before turning to John.

“And who might you be, Good sir.”

John swung off his horse and approached the attendant, Tasha held her breath. Her brother could be unpredictable at times and it would not be too out of character for him to punch the man from some imagined slight. Much to her relief her brother grabbed the man’s hand and shook it up and down.

“I am just John, No sir. I assume you are Ruffeo”

“I am pleased to meet you, Just John, I am indeed Ruffeo. The RueGuard’s most trustworthy and loyal servant.”

Emila muttered something under her breath that Tasha could not hear, but Adaline burst into a giggle. Tasha bristled at the exchange for reasons she could not herself identify. She did not have time to dwell on it as soon they were ushered into the estates proper.

Her first sight of the interior robbed her of her breath, carefully planted gardens dominated the space. Flowers of all colors bloomed into a mosaic of life. Her skin tingled as she extended her senses. She was submerged in the Vitus that poured from the gardens, it felt like being underwater. It was not just the gardens however that amazed her. The splendor and size of all the buildings were something she thought impossible, the main manor stood in the center of proprietary and looked to be bigger than the entirety of the temple grounds she grew up in.

“Fuck, they Aren't joking when they say noble’s have more money than sense,” John mumbled next to her, she responded with an elbow to the ribs.

“Leave your horses here and I will show you to my personal manor which you will be staying in. I suggest you rest up. The journey was hard but has nothing on the trials you will face in my retinue. “ Emilla said, dismounting her horse. The rest of the group mimicked her as she led the way.

John walked next to Tasha, “No wonder she’s so stuck up, I’d be a dick to if I had a “personal manor.” Tasha shot him a glare, trying not to smile at his wisecrack. “How many times must I tell you dear brother, be respectful to the nobles. People have gotten executed for less.”

Tasha looked around as they walked, a sense of homesickness settling in her gut. Things were nothing like they were in the temple and a feeling in her bones told her they would never be again. Her excitement was replaced with uncertainty, sure she enjoyed the novelty of the capital, but what about when it wore off? Would she be able to adapt? Everything seemed so big and busy, even in the estates servants dressed in red rushed back and forth as if their backsides were alight.

She looked around and saw beauty and extravagance, but not one drop of peace, everyone acted as if they would drop dead the moment they stopped.

She gritted her teeth, she was here, and bellyaching would do her no good. She had no choice, she would adapt or die trying.

With her confidence restored she marched back to her place at Emila’s side. She gave Tasha a side-eye but did not object to her presence.

A grin cracked her face, she was already making progress.

***

Tasha sprawled out on her massive bed, smiling in dream-like bliss. Her new chamber was nothing like the barren cell she had lived in for most of her life. Clearly made for a Noble lady of high standing her room had every luxury she could think of. She pushed herself deeper into the bed, just maybe I was born to be a noble. She let loose a rare giggle and sat up. She had to unpack before she slept.

Just as she was putting the last of her few items away a rap sounded from her door. She opened the door and Lady Emila waltzed into her room.

“Tasha, tell me what Mydaiel showed you at the gates.”

“Good evening to you as well my Lady.” Tasha could not help but let a little venom slip into her voice, she would not be reduced to a tool used at Emila’s whims. Conflict appeared in the noblewoman's eyes as she calculated how to respond to Tasha’s comment, she did not get the chance however as Tasha began to describe the vision she had seen.

Even now thinking about the angles’ suffering made her stomach churn. Emila’s face remained impassive during her telling, her mask not slipping an inch at the gory details.

“And why do you think Mydaiel showed you this?”

“I have no clue. Do you think there is some greater meaning?”

“Angels never act without meaning Tasha, though their aims are not always for us to know. Still think about any meaning it could have, let the seeds grow in your mind to see if they bear fruit.” Emila’s tone took on an unusually tone and rhythm of sagacity, enrapturing Tasha in her speech.

“I will take your words to heart, my Lady, Is there any other reason for your visit at this late hour?”

“Yes Tasha, like the angels I also act with meaning, I have come to tell you the news. We will join the march on the Ashmounts.”

Tasha nodded, she had suspected this would be the case. Young nobles often joined the battlefield in hopes of attaining glory, and if Emila wanted to prove herself worthy of taking her father’s seat there would be no better place than the sight of Orera’s greatest failures.

“My sword arm will protect you no matter where you stand my lady.” Tasha bowed,

A rare smile crossed the noble’s face, “you are my squire, not my bodyguard. While I appreciate your loyalty it should be me watching over you. After all, it would not do at all for an Angel’s chosen to die on a hobgoblin’s spear, now would it?”

“Of course my lady. I shall do everything in my power to stay alive.”

“I am glad to hear. Too many young have died as of late.”

“When do we march?”

“We will join after the main host, roughly six months from now. You and I will be training every day starting tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it, but what of John?”

“John will train as well, but he will walk a different path than us. One that serves Yaza more than we may ever. As for now, I grow tired, Good night Tasha.”

She wanted to ask more questions, but her lady was already halfway out the door. Yazza’s teeth, she doesn't like to waste time.

“Good night my lady.” she managed to call out before she disappeared down the hall, shutting the door behind her.

Tasha collapsed back onto her bed, head spinning. She had never been to war, what would it be like?

Her last thoughts were of spears and blood as she dozed off.