Euthalia was led into the throne room by a senior magistrate who then left. The first thing she noticed was the three others standing before the dais. The first was a man who wore cuisses armor and had a sheathed sword on his belt as well as an axe and he carried a lance—the Knight. The second, another man, had a bow slung across his back as well as a quiver filled with arrows, a pouch, and several large, steel rings tied to his belt—the Ballista. The last was somewhat shorter than the others. The figure was hooded but Euthalia thought she was a woman—woman’s intuition. The Duelist had support tape on her arms and legs, and had a nunchuck and shurikens on a red cloth belt.

With Euthalia here, they made up the Four Warriors of legend. She walked before the dais where the king sat surrounded by a few who must be advisors. The other Warriors glanced at her, likely taking their own stock of her. Euthalia could see that she was right and that the Duelist was a female.

Their attention went back to the king as he started the council.

“Greetings Warriors, Knight, Ballista, Duelist, Mage. I know all your names, but please introduce yourselves again.

The Knight stepped forward. “I am Jarek Maganson from Titanite. I have been trained in sword-play by my father. Two days ago, I improved suddenly and drastically and I could use any knightly weapon given to me.”

He stepped back and the Ballista stepped forward.

“I am Arvid Grosvenor from Beryl. I was a hunter in the wilds. Like Jarek, I suddenly had proficiency in multiple weapons. Word of the Knight had reached my village and I surmised I was the Ballista. Greetings to my fellow Warriors.”

He stepped back and the Duelist stepped forward. She spoke with an accent.

“I am Tanya Gundottir from the northern city, Zircon. My family runs a dojo. Like the others, I gained unrivaled proficiency and defeated all the masters of the dojo. From long ago, our own histories held that the Duelist would come from our land. When I had defeated all the masters, this was taken as a sign that I was the Duelist. From afar we traveled and recently arrived. Greetings.

It was Euthalia’s turn. She swallowed then stepped forward. She wasn’t used to being in such honorable company.

I am Euthalia Santhos from the village of Teal. Two days ago, I could not use any magic. I woke from sleep one night and suddenly had magic. In our village, I was tested by my younger brother and was revealed to be the Mage.”

“And has no proficiency in magic.”

This last comment came from one of the others, but Euthalia didn’t know who. She stepped back, her face slightly red.

The king cleared his throat.

“Yes, moving on. As you have been told, we have declared war on Baingana-Kerajya after their attacks. We have received more reports from the front lines, a defense line near the town of Aquamarine. It seems that the majority of Baingana-Kerajya troops are monsters being controlled by the Baingana-Kerajya soldiers. How they are doing this, we do not know, but based on this unprecedented strategy as well as your appearance, it would seem that this war is the prophesied conflict which will call the Warriors. After consulting with my advisors, I have decided to send you to the front lines. We have taken heavy casualties. I think you can make a difference and it would seem this would be the best tactic to follow the prophesy. You are not going alone. Several people have volunteered to be the companions of the Warriors; they are civilians and a few retired warriors as well as some volunteer mercenaries. Guard, please send them in.”

People walked in and were instructed to go to the Warrior with whom they wished to travel. Euthalia waited expectantly for one of them to come to her and became anxious when only a few were left. In the end, she stood alone. She looked around. The Knight had five companions. The Archer had five also. The Duelist had three.

After debating whether she should say anything, she finally spoke.

“Um, could one of you mind giving me a companion?”

The Knight answered first.

“I’m not giving one of my companions to someone who can’t control her own fireballs!”

“I will not do so either. The Mage is a danger to those around her until she can control her magic.”

“…” The Duelist said nothing but Euthalia had directed her question to the Knight and Ballista. She couldn’t ask Tanya who had few.

Euthalia looked down in embarrassment at her own lack of control of the elements and her new lack of companions. She looked up at the king who seemed to be pondering something.

“The Knight and Ballista have a point. I do know of someone who might be willing to accompany you though. He is a soldier in our army. I will send for him. In the meantime, Knight, Ballista, Duelist, gather your things and head for the front lines. As you leave, magistrates will have bags of funds for you as well as instructions on how to get to Aquamarine. Good luck to you all.”

The other warriors left the throne room.

“Thank you king, for giving me a chance to have a companion.”

“Not at all Ms. Santhos, the Mage. You cannot go alone and I have a feeling this will be a good thing for my soldier too.”

In short order, someone dressed in a royal army uniform walked into the throne room. Euthalia was taken aback when she noticed he was a demi-human. He had orange fox ears and an orange fox tail with a white tip as well as brown hair and fierce, slitted orange eyes. Why was a demi-human in the Silican Army? The country of the demi-humans was to the west of the Kingdom of Silica and relations between the two countries were unfavorable. Demi-humans rarely ventured beyond their lands; thus she had never seen one before—only heard tales of them.

The demi-human saluted, as was the custom of the army instead of kneeling as Euthalia discovered later.

“Elias Conallson, your majesty.”

“Elias, you have heard of the appearance of the Four Warriors?

“Yes, you majesty.”

“Then allow me to introduce you to one. This is Ms. Euthalia Santhos, the Mage. Of the companions who volunteered to accompany the Warriors, none chose Euthalia. She is having some difficulties with her magical control. Would you be interested in traveling with her?”

“Yes, as your majesty commands.”

“No Elias, I ask you to go only if you chose to go.”

“I would like to go, my king.”

Euthalia, who had been quietly observing the exchange, noticed Elias was somewhat less rigged in his response this time.

“Then I send you off with her with my blessing. Euthalia, I think you will be in good hands. Elias is one of the most advanced young soldiers in my army. You will find a map to Aquamarine, as well as some money outside. Elias has his own armor, so purchase whatever you need. Goodbye and good luck.”

Euthalia and Elias bid farewell to the king and walked out of the throne room. Euthalia received the map and coin from the magistrate outside.

Elias spoke up.

“Ms. Santhos, will you allow me leave to go prepare for our journey?”

“You can just call me Euthalia, Elias. Yes, get your things.”

Elias turned to get his things but before he left Euthalia added, “Thank you for coming with me.”

He nodded and went on his way.

As Euthalia watched him walk away with his tail twitching, she decided that maybe he wasn’t so intimidated after all. It was just hard to look into his eyes since they were so beast-esque.