Chapter 56

The Proposal

Another month went by, making a total of three months since the battle of Dunthir. Coincidentally today also marked the one-year remainder mark on Lykan’s contract to the Sidherthan military. From all appearances the Sidherthan military looked content to just let Lykan waste away in silence. Silently applying runes to ships, letting new ships get upgraded to the combat tested versions that Lykan had already developed and demonstrated during the battle of Dunthir.

While the bay that Lykan and his skeleton crew of rune writes had was large it was also predominantly empty. The only reason such a bay had been granted to them was twofold, first it was separated from the rest of the base, so no one had to bother with the crew unless necessary. Secondly, it was large enough to accommodate any size ship the Sidherthan Air division had. This had been invaluable as all the battleships and aircraft carriers were the first to be outfitted with the battle tested runes.

The large open space of the bay also allowed for the crew to easily hear the clip-clopping sounds of booted feet coming forward on the stone bay flooring. The sound was often a sign that one or more of the crew, generally the one closest to the entrance would break away from what they were doing and greet the incoming officer. Often it was Deroze’s job to be the official greeter. Being the supply clerk, she was also the one who had been summarily placed in charge of the ship maintenance schedules.

However, when the clomping of no less than twenty sets of boots all marching in crisp union began to echo, even the members of the maintenance team began to break away from their tasks. The only two exceptions to this were Lykan and Avensa who were both in the process of powering runes.

Yet even with their focus on their current task, Lykan’s heightened senses allowed him to hear the conversation that was happening out in the bay.

“Your…your majesty.” Deroze stammered, clearly flustered.

“At ease. At ease.” King Philipon’s gentle voice rang out clearly trying to calm Deroze. “I merely stopped by to see if runes worker Vita is in?”

“Yes, he is your majesty. Lyk…um Mr. Vita is currently scribing runes but I’m sure he will come as soon as he is finished!” Deroze responded, saying the last part loud enough so that anyone in the bay could hear.

Hearing this Lykan concentrated the last bit and focused on making this last segment of runes complete. Finishing, Lykan wiped the sweat from his brow before turning to Legg. During times like this, it was clear that she would rather stay here and avoid the pomp and circus that normally followed high ranking members coming to the bay. Seeing this Lykan just smiled slightly. “Legg, I need you to do a quality control check on my work.”

Hearing this, Legg straightened up immediately and nodded. “Yes sir.”

Seeing the relief on her face again caused him to chuckle slightly to himself as he grabbed a towel that was nearby to wipe off his hands from the dirt and ink used in the writing of runes. Runes were not made with regular ink, but from a crafted process that used natural minerals in a way that they could be applied as a liquid and dry out as a solid chain of micro-crystals that could be used to channel energy. It was an interesting process that fascinated Lykan on an intellectual level. When he asked how this came to be, he was answered with the dogmatic answer that prevailed throughout the Sidherthan Kingdom, because the gods will it.

Finished cleaning his hands Lykan quickly hung the hand towel before walking out of the ship’s cabin to greet the king. Legg looked on in awe at Lykan’s poise. While some would take in a deep calming breath, Lykan always seemed calm and collected. Rather than pausing to muster his thoughts, he just moved forward.

Little did Legg know, but the act of finishing the rune and carefully cleaning his hands was what Lykan used to muster his thoughts into place. While he mentally went through several processes for why the king would be here. Most of his thoughts circled around Nayali and her needing to be stationed here at the military compound. This was an argument he often had and was ready to make a stand here.

“Ah, Lykan Vita. The hero of our kingdom. How is your recovery time treating you?” King Philipon asked as if the last three months had been nothing but a time to recover from the wounds he sustained during the war. Pausing for a moment Lykan realize that this might be the types of reports the king was receiving. At the very least the look on the king’s face showed that he believed such words. One glance at Lykan’s face however caused his face to shift.

“Oh, not as good as I had been led to believe.” King Philipon responded to his own question. “No matter, I have a proposal to offer you.”

“A proposal?” Lykan asked.

“Yes, yes. Come on, we should do this some place more private.” The King said, gesturing for Lykan to follow him. Realizing the gesture was more of a command than anything Lykan followed the king and leader of the military to a secluded section of the bay. By secluded it merely meant that the twenty odd guards and attendants that followed the king gave the two a few meters birth so they could discuss things in private. Or as close to private as one could expect from a large open bay that often echoed sounds.

With a nod of his head, a guard who had been standing nearby cast a wind shearing spell that surrounded Lykan and the King. The shape of the spell cast was a large sphere that covered the two and only ended just before the nearest guard was made part of the spell. While Lykan was still unable to feel or interact with the mana that was cast he could still see its effects clearly.

“Ah, so you can still see the effects of magic?” The king asked, clearly watching Lykan’s eyes follow the spell that surrounded them.

Lykan nodded, not realizing that he had been so easily figured out.

“Don’t worry, this is just a protection bubble. You can still enter and exit this area, but any words spoken in here will remain between us.” King Philipon said.

Hearing that, Lykan’s mind began to race with the idea of what purpose could the king have in being here.

“I know you are on your last year of your contract. Normally this is the time when we would throw ample resources at you to keep you around and serving our great military. But I feel that you have grown sour to the idea of staying?” The king asked, his eyes locked onto Lykan’s face.

Hearing the words Lykan involuntarily grimaced at the idea of having to be shackled in place for any longer than necessary. Seeing the micro expressions on Lykan’s face the king nodded knowingly to himself.

“Don’t worry, I realize these last few months have been tough on you. Also, with the Class of a Wanderer, I assume being tied to one area doing the same thing every day has to be taxing?”

Lykan said nothing, at least not verbally. But his body and face seemed to speak volumes to the king. Nodding again to himself the king continued with his plans.

“Well, I have one idea for how we can amicably split ways.” The King began. Hearing this Lykan’s posture straightened, and his eyes glowed with an intensity that had been missing to this point. Seeing this the king realized he had a talking point, but before he began that trail of discussion, he had to try one last thing. “There is just one last thing I need to ask you. What are your thoughts on my eldest daughter Lauren?”

Hearing that, Lyakn deflated a little, and the intensity in his eyes quickly waned leaving only a cold focused look. Nodding to himself the King sighed, it was clear the girl had ruined whatever chance she had with this man before him. Taking in a deep breath the king began his speech, his sole reason for coming here.

“Never mind, that ship seems to have sailed. That is funny turn of phrase as that was how the first airships were envisioned…” King Philipon began but looking at how Lykan’s expression hadn’t changed the king just shook his head and continued. “Well, that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you are in the lame duck year of your career. This is normally the time when you begin training your replacements, get placed on garbage details that regulars don’t want to do. Basically, make it so you want to get out with all haste. I however have a simple solution to your problems.” The king said.

Upon hearing the words, the blaze in Lykan’s eyes suddenly came to life with an intent not seen for a few subjects. There we go, now I have him back. The King thought to himself as he tried to see how this next conversation would go.

“I will annul your obligation to the Sidherthan Kingdom if you perform but one final task.” King Philipon said.

Hearing this Lykan once again was clearly intrigued, though he was more guarded than before. Apparently, the talk about his daughter was a sore subject for Lykan.

“In exchange for ending your terms of service to the Sidherthan Military early. I request but one simple task. I wish for you to perform the third old-world law upon me.”

Hearing that Lykan was shocked. His mouth opened as if to respond but ended up just hanging there for a second as he tried to process what was being asked of him.

“To perform such an action with only a selfish motive as the purpose would negate the meaning behind the third and most sacred of the old-world laws.” Lykan said as his mind tried to comprehend what was being asked.

Thinking about this, King Philipon paused for only a second before going forward with the next phase of his plan.

“You are right, to think of such a thing would be a disgrace to the whole system of the old-world laws. Then before this discussion goes any further Lykan Vita, I king of Sidhertha and leader of the military release you of your bond made in good faith to our kingdom. I release you knowing that you have performed deeds more than what is expected of all who join and serve our great kingdom. I release you from any moral, mental, or financial obligations made during your tenure with the military. I release you from your bond, as you have more than paid back our investment in you ten-fold. You are released now and forever from any previous contracts made to this kingdom, to my family, and to me.”

The king said, as he spoke golden threads of light began to form from King Philipon and flow into and through Lykan. Then as his words continued to go on, the threads that connected the two slowly began to be cut away, until no golden lines of energy were left. At this point Lykan received a message from the gods.

King Philipon, current defacto ruler of Sidhertha, the country you swore allegiance to has severed your bond to the country in good faith. You are now free of any moral, financial, spiritual, or mental obligations to the Sidherthan government, military, or its people.

Blessing Bestowed: Military Veteran.

Military Veteran (Uncommon): You have fulfilled all oaths and regulations related to a full military service and will forever be recognized as a Military Veteran. Due to your exemplary service the moniker VoV will be added as a prefix to your last name to distinguish you as a Veteran of Valor.

With that Lykan felt a glow burning deep from within his soul. As he focused in on himself, he saw that his last name had changed.

Name Lykan Vov'Vita

Seeing that his name had changed, Lykan couldn’t help but feel awed by the fact that his service to Sidhertha was over. It was a strange feeling, simultaneously relaxing and frightening as he suddenly found himself free of all obligations. His plans of surviving for another year were now thrown away as he felt tethers that had been holding him back suddenly released.

King Philipon saw the change in expression of Lykan as he slowly became used to the idea of being free. Seeing this as a moment to strike, he did.

“Now, I ask you once more, without any threats or fear of repercussions possible on my part. Will you perform the third and final of the old-world laws on me, for my people?”

Hearing this Lykan locked eyes with the King and froze as he contemplated everything this third and final law would entail.

“You know what this law will mean for you right?” Lykan asked, as what he was asking was not a simple ask by any stretch of the imagination.

“I do.”

“And you are still willing to follow through?”

“I am.”

Hearing the conviction in his words Lykan paused as he tried to think about all the different things that could go wrong with such an act. Sighing, Lykan reluctantly nodded his agreement.