Chapter 1 - Tea and Fire

"Sianna Rayoss. You are late."

Leitnant Aldermeck's words rang out like a threat.

Sianna lifted her chin to acknowledge it. "Ser, I apologize. During my morning route with Tiel we were told frost belluas were sighted at the edge of the village, but it turned out they were only a small pack of snow wolves. They did attack, ser, which is what delayed me."

"Attack? That would explain your attire's poor shape."

The warm spots on Sianna's arms and chest where the wolves' blood had soaked through grew hotter as if to emphasize the Leitnant's words. A piece of the boiled leather arm guard had been bitten off and cold claws had shredded most of her padded sleeve. Leitnant Aldermeck's gloved fingers hovered over the angry scratch marks on Sianna's arm.

"Very well," Aldermeck said and motioned for her to follow.

She led Sianna across the room to the two wooden seats by the fireplace. She shuffled past the Leitnant's oversized table she claimed was made from dragon bones. If it really was, its only purpose now was to hold Aldermeck's high stacks of old parchment, rolled up maps, and dried out ink pods.

Sianna didn't sit until her Leitnant did. She awaited her orders. Or for whatever the hell it was she had been summoned. Sianna stiffened as a thought streaked through her mind.

Did the Leitnant find out about the brawl I had with Elkren? She'll have me scrubbing out chamber pots if she did.

She eyed Aldermeck, trying to decipher her hard posture. The crackling fire next to them did not help. It only seemed to intensify her stern look yet the shadows of the flames softened her as they caressed her curvy body. Even with the chainmail chest piece over her clothes—the armed circle of Dracarr displayed with chipping paint—her ample breasts and rounded hips were apparent.

When Sianna first met her, she had wondered if her body was the reason she was a Leitnant, but after hearing Aldermeck cut off the ear of a man who tried to forcefully lay with her in the barracks, Sianna quickly changed her mind. She knew how difficult it was to be a female in the Dracarr Guard. The Guard welcomed you all the same, but it offered no protection. A woman had to be vile and good on her threats if she wished to be left alone.

"Rayoss," Aldermeck said, "I received a raven from Lessithar Citadel a few days ago. It was about you."

Sianna held her breath. Oh shit.

Even so, Sianna's eyes caught Aldermeck's sharp blue ones; the Leitnant liked for those below her to match her stare.

She smiled. "Congatulations, Sianna Rayoss. You are to be promoted."

Sianna lost all her composure. "What?"

"You are to be promoted from your Centurio rank to a Leitnant."

"But, ser," Sianna said and shook her head, "I don't understand. You're the Leitnant overlooking this region."

Aldermeck stood up and went to her messy desk. Her white cloak caught Sianna's eye. It was the cloth of the Leitnant rank—only half the length of a regular cape with the Dracarr seal sewn in black at the bottom right hand corner of it. She returned to her seat with a parchment, probably the letter she spoke to have received.

"For the next few months you shall be under me and I shall train you in your duties. You are to replace me, Rayoss. I am to be sent elsewhere," Aldermeck said.

Sianna stared at her. "But, ser. What about Lycin? I thought he would get this promotion?"

Aldermeck rolled her eyes. "Simply because he received a Rhokin? I don't even understand why an exception was made for him. It should have been you from the start."

The Guard was usually made up of Miles and Centurio ranks, making it difficult to rise to the Leitnant status because the leap was so drastic. It was at this rank when a soldier received a Rhokin. And she wasn't so great as to earn that which was fine with her because she didn't want one.

Aldermeck stared at her. "It does not matter. You are to receive one all the same."

Sianna went rigid, biting back her cry of defiance, and stared at the half rotten floorboards.

Her advancement was probably because she was stationed in such a frozen wasteland. Her assigned territory was vast but there were only two towns in it to protect: Jabel and Vess Wake. With only a total of a dozen soldiers protecting both towns, there wasn't much competition for her here. However, even if Leitnant Aldermeck had to leave, why not send another Leitnant to replace her instead of promoting Sianna to the task?

"He should arrive tomorrow," Aldermeck said.

Sianna blinked and faced her Leitnant. "Who?"

"Your Rhokin, Rayoss. Do not fall asleep on me." She leaned toward Sianna, a hand still clutching the rolled up letter. "A Rhokin is quite...tedious. They have been trained in the ways of combat against men and beasts, yes, but that is pretty much all. Don't be alarmed if he does not know what snow even is."

"Isn't that why they are just dolls?"

She smiled. Her teeth were crooked. "Have you seen Deneck? Does he look like a doll to you?"

Sianna tried to picture the Leitnant's Rhokin in her mind, but all she could remember were his eyes. His silver eyes.

"They need to eat and sleep as you and I, Rayoss," Aldermeck continued. "They do seem immune to drastic climate changes, so at least he won't be stealing your blankets. Do treat him as a comrade, one that holds emotions because they do have emotions."—her face ironically fell into indifference—"I don't care what others may say. They have emotions."

Sianna almost scoffed but passed it off as a cough.

Aldermeck sighed and life returned to her face. "Unfortunately, your Rhokin is the only delivery that will be sent here. The Citadel still does not see us as candidates for Armadura."

This time Sianna did scoff. "Tiel almost got his face bit off by a frost bellua a few weeks ago! We need that armor! We can't just rely on our swords alone!"

She sighed again. "I have requested every year for Armadura but we are not in enough danger to receive any. It is almost true. Our frozen wasteland is quiet most of the time compared to the rest of the regions."

"But the Armadura protects us," Sianna said through her teeth.

"Yes," Aldermeck agreed. "However, it is easier to dispatch one Rhokin than a dozen sets of Armadura, but I am falling from the subject. Your Rhokin shall be here tomorrow and there are things I must tell you of him.

"His name is Reth I believe. As I said, he will most likely be like a child, curious by everything, but don't forget he is a deadly child. During your training with me, you should also be bonding with your new partner."

"Bonding?" She flinched.

Leitnant Aldermeck glared at Sianna. Her dark hair enhanced the icy stare. "Is there a problem, Rayoss?"

Sianna strained her posture. "No, ser."

She continued. "You will obviously be showing him the routines we have in Jebel. Anything assigned to you will also be assigned to him. Train with him. Eat with him. Talk to him. He will be residing in your quarter as well, so this shouldn't be hard."

Once more, Sianna bit her tongue. There were empty rooms he could house in instead of her own.

"You will be with him at all times. It is an order." Aldermeck leaned back on her chair and crossed her long legs.

"Ser," Sianna said, "I do have a question. Why does my Rhokin have to be male?"

She waved her hand as if the answer was the least important information in the world. "The Citadel believes opposite genders will bond faster and thus be stronger in battle. However, if you ask me, it's simply another unneeded distraction that leads partners to bed."

A small grin pulled on Sianna's lips. Everyone knew Lycin used that distraction well with his female Rhokin.

Aldermeck walked to the small window by her desk. A square of sunlight nestled in the middle of the floor. "Noon is it?" she said. "I believe it is time for my break. Won't you join me, Sianna?"

"Break, ser? I still have to finish patrol—"

She waved her words away. "You will soon be the one giving orders, but now I am telling you to enjoy some time off with me."

The door opened and a burst of winter chill encircled the room and rustled the papers on the Leitnant's table.

"Deneck," Aldermeck said. "It's about time you returned."

Sianna stood and backed further into the room as the Leitnant's Rhokin entered. He was a comely looking man with black curls and dark stubble. As all Rhokins were required to do, he was dressed in their Dracarr navy blue uniform. His sheathed sword was by his side and he wore a cape that matched Aldermeck's. Rhokins' ranks were determined by their partners.

He came up to the desk and set down an armful of rolled parchments on it.

Aldermeck groaned. "More Citadel nonsense."

Deneck chuckled. "Come now, ser. You mustn't say that."

"I say whatever the hell I want. I am on my break."

"For that, I have this for you, ser." He placed a brown, square package before her.

Her face lit up and she proceeded to open it.

The Rhokin's eyed Sianna. "Ser Rayoss."

Sianna nodded at him, the gesture barely feasible. All she could focus on were his eyes. The gaze of melted silver was hauntingly disgusting.

"Sit, Sianna." Aldermeck gestured to the same chairs they had been using. "I'll send Deneck to brew our drinks. It is imported tea that arrived this morning."

She gave her Leitnant an awkward smile. I don't want any fucking tea. I don't want any of this.

Deneck arrived quickly enough with mugs for both of them and one for himself. He stood between the two, a small smile on his face as if anticipating their reactions to the drink.

Sianna looked at the murky liquid that had the appearance of swamp water, but before she could take a sip, Aldermeck's yell caught her attention.

"Ser?" Deneck said, his smile widening. "What is it?"

"Ugh! Is this the piss they've been drinking in the Citadel?" She gagged. "I hope I don't get sent there if this is what they force down their throats." She stood and dumped the rest into the fire that hissed with its liquid enemy.

"The tavern is what's calling my name," Aldermeck said and grabbed her furs that were heaped on the ground by the table's feet. "Come on, Sianna. Chuck that ogre's piss into the fire and accompany me."

Sianna smiled as she did so. I do know one thing for sure. I'm going to miss you when you leave, Leitnant. 

Drawings of random Magus by mizmousey:

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