"Your Majesty, we have conquered Wysteria and brought back five thousand men, seven thousand women, and five hundred children to serve you," shouted the general as he stood in front of the balcony of the king's castle. "You have done well, Achilles. Your parents named you, and you've lived up to that name," said the king after hearing what the general had said. "You're going to receive a promotion if you keep this up," the king continued. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored," replied the general gratefully.
"Take them to the slave house and let the gods be on their side as they choose their new posts," commanded the king. The general bowed and gave the command. The slaves followed the soldiers to a grand mansion. When they got to the gates of the house, one soldier turned and told them, "Except for people who get to work in the castle and as soldiers, this is where the rest of you guys are going to stay." he turned and opened the gates for them. "Get in here, you slaves!" shouted the soldier after he opened the gates for them to enter. "All males to the left and females to the right," he continued. They all lined up, and two baskets were placed in front of each queue.
"As you can see, there is a basket in front of each queue," he began. "Each person is supposed to go forward and pick a piece of paper from the basket. Each paper has a job written on it, and the job you pick will be the job you're going to do for the next fifteen years, after which you would be given a choice whether to return to Wysteria or become a citizen of Elyria," he continued. "May Zara be with you," he concluded.
The choosing started with each person picking a piece of paper and showing it to a soldier who was sitting in front of both queues. The soldier watched the roles they picked and directed them to their places. But when it got to a particular boy, the soldier looked at the paper and was astonished. "This is impossible!" he screamed. Just then, a hoard of soldiers rushed over to him. "What's it?" asked one of them. "A male's got a female's job," he answered. "But that's impossible," said another soldier. "That's what I just said you imbecile," said the soldier behind the table angrily. He looked to another soldier and told him, "Get me General Achilles now." "Yes sir," he responded and ran off to call the General. "As for you, go over there," he said, turning to the helpless boy who did not know what was going on. "Next!!!" shouted the soldier behind the table as the boy moved to where he was directed to.
A few minutes later, the soldier returned with the General. "Yes, Armeistrose. I was told you called me," said the General when he entered. "Yes, I did. I think you have a new son," responded Armeistrose jokingly. "What do you mean, Armeistrose?" asked Achilles. Armeistrose smirked a little and began, "You remember when we were picking jobs fiftee..." "Okay cut it, I remember. So what about it," he said cutting Armeistrose off. "Well," he began pointing to the boy he set aside. "That boy over there picked the same thing you picked, so I think you should have charge over him." Achilles smiled and walked over to the boy.
"What's your name, young man?" he asked trying to initiate a conversation. "I'm Draken Guddiale," he replied. "Okay, Draken," he continued. "I've been told that you got a female job, is that true?" he asked with a soft voice. "Yes sir. That is true," he said with a bold but respectful voice. "Would you mind if I told you to change it?" he asked the boy gently with his soft but fierce voice. "Sir, please not to be disrespectful but I refuse," Draken said with boldness in his voice. "Zara caused this to happen, and I would not dare change the goddess's decision." Achilles stared into the eyes of the boy trying to coerce him but he saw something else instead. The boy had no fear or regret for what he had said. General Achilles was known throughout the nine kingdoms as the fiercest warrior that has ever been. It was said that he could squeeze the truth out of a liar just by looking at him. But he looking at this boy he saw no fear. Something he had not seen in a long time. After staring at him for a few seconds, he smiled and looked away.
He walked up to Armeistrose with Draken and said, "He wants to keep his job, so let him keep it," he said with a smile. "Oka-y. What ever you say," said Armeistrose. "Go over there kid," he continued, pointing to a group of girls gathered at a corner. But before he joined them, Achilles told him, "Draken, I like your spirit, and I would like to talk to you more, so anytime you want to see me, look for the house with the golden sword." Draken nodded and went off to join them. After a few hours, the grouping was done. Each group was taken to their specific posts. As he entered the castle, he saw from the corner of his eye a figure staring at the group.