Chapter 7
Captain Yang
The rest of the journey is spent in relative silence. I now know better than to draw Castor back into conversation. While there are details of his conscription I must discuss, I wisely choose not to in Yin’s presence. When we reach the Royal Army barracks, the generals can discuss whatever they wish with Castor, and I will have discharged my duty by getting him there.
I keep telling myself that. All I have to do is to deliver Castor back to the Royal City.
.…
Then presumably deal with Yin, and I have absolutely no idea how to do that. With her abilities, she will be a boon to the Royal Army, if she is trainable.
Everything I have seen so far suggests she isn’t. She even seems to lack basic manners, especially those expected of a woman.
These thoughts occupy my mind until we make it through the walls of the Royal City.
It’s always an arresting sight. In fact, if you ask me, it’s the most beautiful view in all the world. I don’t even need to have traveled all the world to conclude that. Every time I return home, my heart sings with that certainty. It’s one of the few times I can feel it. It’s one of the few times I let myself feel any emotion at all.
So as our cart continues past the great golden gates, I shift closer to the window, unable to control my smile. As I stare out of the thick glass, positioning a hand on one of the bars to stabilize myself, I catch sight of Yin.
To my surprise, she’s lost that fiery edge in her gaze, and she too has turned toward the window, her eyes wide with surprise.
No doubt she’s never seen the Royal City. In fact, she’s probably never left that tiny mountain village.
For a second I open my mouth intending to point out the great museum as we pass it, but then I stop.
I’m no tour guide.
In fact, I push myself away from the window, return to my seat, and straighten my back until it is as stiff and tall as I can make it.
Realizing I’ll soon have to present myself and my new recruits to the generals back at the barracks, I begin to neaten my appearance. I methodically dust off my armor, even taking off my helmet and neatening my short hair.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Yin watches me.
You would think she had never seen a man in armor, considering how closely she examines my routine.
“It’s important to look respectable when greeting one’s commanders,” I say by way of explanation.
She turns from me, crosses her arms, and stares out the window haughtily.
For some reason that makes me smile.
Infuriatingly, I don’t know why.
As a Royal Army sorcerer, I understand how to control my emotions better than most. So it’s alarming and more than a little irritating when I act for reasons even I can’t understand.
Shining my helmet with my sleeve, I cram it back on my head, then I lean back against the wall and cross my arms.
It takes me a full five seconds to realize what I’m doing. When I do, I immediately loosen my arms, drop them into my lap, and clear my throat.
I’m not some unruly brat who challenges authority with apathy. I don’t slouch and cross my arms – like Yin. I’m an officer in the Royal Army, and it’s time I remind myself of that.
Finally, we reach the barracks. As our cart slows down and the soldiers atop announce themselves to the guards, a surge of nerves travels through my stomach. Hot and fast, they feel like bubbling water. I even move to touch a hand to my stomach, but I stop myself.
I’ve been to these barracks countless times; for the past few years, I’ve lived here. So why do I now feel as if they’ve changed? As if I’ve turned some corner, and my life will no longer be as it once was?
As if somewhere, somehow, a fire is about to ignite within me.
A fire I’ve held back for years.
Though my conscious mind can’t seem to answer that, my body can, and without knowing it, I turn to face Yin once more.
She’s a powerful summoner, the apprentice of one of the most legendary warriors of our times, and she’s currently sitting in my cart glaring at me.
Perhaps my life has just taken a turn, and nothing will be the same anymore.
Or maybe I’m just unsettled. Yes, that’s it, I conclude, as the cart draws to a halt and I hear the soldiers scramble off the top.
All I need to do is relax, meditate, and regain control over my emotions.
Then everything will go back to normal.
.…
Even as I tell myself that, a part of me knows it’s fancy.
Nothing will be the same again.