“He created a codified system of ranks, each a successive step towards divinity. A jump in rank was not simply an increase in strength or ability, every stage was an exponential increase in power. Mercurion’s system included 20 ranks, from a talented but ordinary mortal to a demigod, on the cusp of divinity.”

“The Mercurion Reformation of Mana” Magus Ayla Weaver, 1652 IC

Chapter 8

As the commander stood in front of the assembled crowd, Wil could feel the Mana radiating off him. Wil estimated that he was at least rank 5, with enough power to crush most of the people present. As the crowd fell silent, the commander began his speech.

“I am Fort Commander Holland. You’ve all been hired to assist with the defense of Whitewater, and the pacification of the surrounding area. Shortly, you will be divided into small groups and placed under the command of a Legionnaire.”

While the commander spoke, a soldier came out of the fort carrying a stand with a display crystal on the top. The crystal glowed brightly before displaying a map of the town and surrounding area.

“In the past raids, the Goblins have come from the forested area to the northwest, here.” The commander pointed to a large forested and hilly area to the north. By the scale, Wil judged it to be around 5 miles distant.

“The legion will be securing the town, as well as the surrounding homesteads and farms. You will be responsible for scouting the northern forest, eliminating and sealing any goblin nests you find. When Night comes, you will assist Lord Herrington’s house guards in defending the surrounding homesteads from any raiding creatures.”

The commander finished, looking to the side at an older woman, with long dark hair that had traces of grey. She had hard features, a scar on her cheek. She was wearing a breastplate and padded armor, with a house symbol on the front, a blue flowing river on a yellow background.

“I am Guard Captain Oakley, of House Herrington. Although you will be taking orders from the Legion, it was Count Herrington who paid for your presence here. He has hereby ordered that all efforts will be made to ensure the preservation of his property. Your priority is the defense of the surrounding farmlands, to ensure there is no interruption to the production of grain.” The captain finished, nodding back at the legion commander.

Having finished their speech, both the commander and captain left the courtyard.

A burley man, wearing a legion uniform with a breastplate, helmet and large war hammer strapped to his back, stepped forward after the captain had finished speaking.

“Group by rank, first over here!” He shouted, pointing to the side. “Second in the middle, everyone higher to the right!” He finished, waiting impatiently for them to comply.

Wil made his way to the left, where the largest group of Auxiliaries was standing. Of the large crowd of around 40, most were part of the first rank group.

Looking around, he could see that nearly all of the remaining were second ranked, with only a small handful of experienced veterans standing together in the last group.

While Wil was standing with the others, a small group of legion soldiers stepped forward from the wall near the Fort. This group of about a half dozen people were made up of young men and woman, with a variety of weapons and armor, but all wearing the grey legion colors.

The group of first rank Auxiliaries were soon divided and placed under the command of a more experienced legion soldier. They would be giving the teams of Auxiliaries directions for the duration of their time here.

Wil found himself placed with the group he saw on the cart while traveling here. Their group leader was a young woman wearing a legion uniform, breastplate and helm. She had a sword on her hip and a shield strapped to her back. She had short, reddish hair and a pretty face that had a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

Leading the small group to a quiet side of the courtyard for some privacy, the woman introduced herself.

“I’m Corporal Hale, I’ll be leading your group for the next few days. I’m a second rank, and this will be the third Nightfall I’ve spent here in Whitewater.” She said, before pointing at the priest, indicating that he should introduce himself next.

“Victor, I’m from the Parish of the Sun God. I’m a first rank acolyte. I’ve never been on a Nightfall raid before.” The young priest said. He seemed to be nervous to be there, clutching his talisman in his hand.

Hale then looked at the next person, the young woman in leather armor with a black hood pulled up over her head.

“Anise, first rank.” She said briefly, obviously not one for conversation.

“Gunther, first rank, my father is the Baron of Innesvale.” The young man in the older plate armor said simply. Wil had heard a rumor about the Baron before, something about him being a gambler. Wil assumed that the son was here to pay for his father’s debts.

“Erinn, first rank, I’m from the North.” The young woman introduced herself, leaning on her bow causally.

“Ranger? Good in the forests?” Hale asked the young woman. Erinn nodded at the question.

“Yeah, hunted there since I was little.”

“Good, you’ll be useful here to scout. You’d be surprised how often people neglect to recruit a scout, and then they stumble into a Goblin’s nest.” Hale responded, pleased to have an experienced ranger in the group.

“And you, are you at least good with that sword?” Hale looked at Wil, she didn’t even hide her disgust at having a pampered little lordling in her group.

With Gunther, Hale could easily see that his family was on the decline, and that he was here for the money. With Wil, she thought the lordling was here to play at having an adventure. With his spotless clothing, and brand-new armor, Hale didn’t take him seriously at all.

“I’m a mage, actually.” Wil said, frowning at her attitude.

Hale perked up, having a mage in the Auxiliaries was uncommon, they usually had enough backing that they didn’t need the resources the Auxiliaries offered. In this crowd of over forty Auxiliaries, there were only two or three magic users.

“Don’t usually see a mage in armor, carrying a sword.” Hale responded.

Wil shrugged, “Thought it was good to have a backup in case my spells ran dry, and I trained with it when I was younger. And armor is better than robes at stopping an arrow or blade.”

“Fair enough, name?”

“Wil.” He said simply, not offering his full name or house. He didn’t like being associated with his father, if he could help it.

“Alright, good to meet you all, we’ll be traveling together for the next three days, until the Nightfall. We’ll meet at the front gates every morning at dawn, scout our assigned area and be back in town for the evening. The rules are, you keep everything you find off the monsters and beasts, with a tax to the Empire. Any questions?” Hale explained.

Seeing that there were no questions, the five Auxiliaries made their way out of the courtyard, they would meet again in the morning.

Walking slowly back to the Inn, Wil thought about what tomorrow would bring. His father had sent him here to gain experience quickly, but based on what he was hearing, this would be a straightforward battle against some local Goblin raiders. He didn’t see why his father had sent him here, instead of one of the other hot spots the Empire had.

The undead were a far larger threat in the west, Wil had heard that the fighting there was constant, with the undead coming out at night to threaten even the large cities. Even during the day, Paladins and Priests were leading parties underground to stop the Necromancers.

The stories coming from the Western border were horrifying, and Wil knew his father did not send him to the east out of kindness and concern.

Wil’s Father must have information that either was not shared with the locals by the legion, or they were unaware of it themselves. Wil suspected that it was the former, Count Herrington was committing a lot of resources to the protection of the surrounding area, more than what some farms were worth if they burned.

The amount he spent on the Auxiliaries alone meant that he was worried that they would lose not only the farmlands, but the town and docks of Whitewater as well.

As worry grew in Wil’s heart, he entered the Inn, making his way back to his small room on the third floor. Stripping out of his armor, he closed the curtains tightly, blocking the sunlight and climbed into bed.

Going over strategies on how he can stay alive over the coming days, Wil fell into a fitful sleep.