The base was a hivemind of activity, soldiers all marching to various destinations with resolute purpose.
Cities of War were never a particularly beautiful place.
They were built for function over beauty. Grey and dull, each building was an exact mirror of the other, and it was only the various signs hanging outside them that told of their different purposes.
Most were barracks, but there were also smithies, medicinal wards, herbalists and a variety of other businesses that always propped up in response to the potential profits of war.
I was dragged into one of these buildings to join the rows of prisoners just like me, standing, hands bound as we waited for our fates to be handed to us.
An Officer soon marched in, he had dark hair and sharp dark eyes with tan skin that told of a working life.
"Attention!" The Officer barked.
"You're are all here because your country deemed you failures. All of you, in your own ways, have caused irreversible damage to the land that gave birth and raised you.
Have no illusions that I am not aware of the contents of your character, nor your feelings for joining. But, the gods have granted you a second chance, and you'd be a fool not to take it.
So serve well, or die trying."
It took a considerable effort not to burst into laughter there and then.
This speech, the way he had spoken, even the way the Officer had stood, it was all complete and utter bullshit.
I'd heard it all before as Reshi. Fallen for it then, never again.
The most dangerous part of the army for me wasn't going to be the battle.
It was going to be avoiding their lies.
If I wasn't careful, I'd find myself tied and bound to this damn place, like a slave eager to dance on the whims of my master.
"As a mandatory test, I will now determine your mana talent levels. It's standard procedure, don't get your hopes up, I'd doubt any of you here would have sufficient mana talent to be worth teaching."
The Officer held a crystal in one hand, going through the rows of prisoners one by one. Each one placed their hand over it.
Each time, there was no reaction from the crystal.
One boy stuck his hand out, and unlike the others, the crystal glowed white.
He was one of the younger prisoners, maybe a year or two older than me, tall for his age. He had long brown hair that fell to his shoulder and dull green eyes.
"Hohoh, a talent I see. Good, good. Stand behind me lad, you'll be going somewhere else."
The boy obeyed the command like a robot, his eyes betraying nothing but a cold emptiness.
I recognised him immediately.
Noah Seaborn.
Well he hadn't been given the name seaborn yet. He was one of the prodigies that had managed to get into the academy through the army, the exact thing I was hoping I could do.
There were two things that defined Noah Seaborn. Talent. And his hatred for nobility.
'Shit, let's hope we're not in the same unit.'
In his heart, I knew Noah was a good person. Yet he had another side to him, one of irrational rage whenever he saw a noble.
It had caused him quite a few problems in the academy.
Then the Officer reached me.
When I stuck out my hand, I wasn't surprised that the crystal glowed white. Even though I had yet to awaken, there was no chance someone of my own bloodline wouldn't be able to wield mana to a high enough talent.
The Gravewalker's had yet to ever produce a dun heir.
[Dun - Unable to wield magic.]
The officer sneered when he saw the results. "Blood will tell, eh? Once a noble, always a noble. Get in line."
As soon as The Officer finished speaking, I felt two burning eyes rest on me.
Reluctantly, I moved, standing next to Noah while he glared at me. So much for trying to keep my identity hidden.
After me, there was no other prisoner that showed sufficient mana levels to make the crystal glow white.
The others were then escorted out, being split into different regiments, until it was just me, Noah and the Officer left in the room.
I stood silently, trying to become as inconspicuous as possible.
The Officer stepped up to me, his dark eyes boring into me. Then he turned to Noah. "Stand aside boy. I need to talk with the Lordling here."
Noah's eyes glimmered as he heard the tone, his face shining with silent glee as he moved away.
I sighed heavily, realising what was going to happen.
'I'm going to be beaten again.' I didn't feel scared…just resigned. I expected this was going to happen the second I was called Lordling by that younger soldier.
The officer fists must've been slightly reinforced with magic, because the first blow sent me to the floor easily.
I was dragged up to my feet, then hit again.
And again.
And again
Until despite my struggles I lacked the strength to get up.
Then he broke my legs, stomping on them until he shattered and crushed the bone.
Blood gushed from my mouth, as with clenched teeth, I stopped myself from screaming.
The bastard wasn't going to get the satisfaction of hearing me beg.
I curled into a ball, trying to shield my head as kicks rained down repeatedly with a brutal efficiency.
After a while, which might've been moments or years, I couldn't really tell, the beating stopped. The Officer stepped back with a sigh.
"Come on boy" he called to Noah. "Let's get you branded. Lordling here can take a small rest for a while."
I was left there, bleeding out.
My body trembled in pain as blood gushed out from a dozen different wounds.
One thought skittered across my mind as my vision began darkening.
'Am I going to die?'
To die like this, alone on a cold floor…like a dog.
"….help..."
......….
[OFFICER'S POV] 3rd Person
Officer Skelter left with the boy, his mind a battlefield of moral conflict.
He felt a strange mix of humourless mirth and hypocrisy. As an Officer, no one would throw a hard look at his actions today.
They'd understand at the very least, and celebrate at the very most.
Yet those who knew him. James Skelter. Well, they'd be able to smell the hypocrisy of him a mile away.
He escorted the other boy, Noah was his name, to the branding room.
Here a magic brand would be engraved into the forehead, marking them as criminals, as well as providing an invaluable leash.
The brand could inflict pain, or even kill when necessary. It was harsh, but the only way the Empire could trust a criminal to fight alongside good, honourable men.
Afterwards, he took the boy to Mara's unit, walking with a heavy reluctance. After all, Mara did know him, she knew him well. Way before her name was Mara, and before he had been an Officer.
She stood there, at the front of her unit's barracks, long red hair whipping in the wind, dark eyes fixed on him with an expectant look.
He looked away, it still hurt to see her sometimes. With those dark eyes and red hair, she reminded him too much of her brother.
"Officer" he greeted as he stepped up to meet her.
"Skelter."
He gestured to Noah to step forward. "This is your new recruit. He's been branded, and he's got potential to be a MageKnight."
Officer Mara sighed heavily, her dark eyes regarding the brand on Noah's forehead with a clear disgust. "Must we really use such barbaric things James?"
"Because if we didn't, no man with a grain of salt for brains would trust to fight along side them. We don't brand for nothing Mara, these men have proven they are barbarians. And they should be treated as such."
Officer Mara smiled sourly. "It's funny, I hear your voice but someone else's words. What do you think, Officer Skelter."
Skelter smiled. "Those above say we should use them. And I listen to those above."
Mara sighed. They'd had this conversation way too many times. "So, where's the other one" she asked.
Officer Skelter coughed a little. "Well, the other one was that noble boy. You know…between him and General Thanason's daughter…"
"I asked where he is, James."
"Well, I had orders Mara," he replied, trying to avoid her sharp gaze. "You should probably call a healer to Building two, he isn't in good shape."
Mara laughed, it wasn't a humorous laugh, but cold and sarcastic. "Forever the Dog of the army aren't you, Skelter."
"You're no Saint yourself. Besides, you have a reason to hate them more than I do."
"I do." Mara stepped closer, and though she was smaller, she seemed to tower over Skelter. "But I'm my own person. Try it sometime."
Before he could reply, she rode over him. "I'll collect him, Officer Skelter, you can go."