Dedicated to cherrie_bomb :D

Drawing of Lycin by sleepy_rain. <3

12.

House Gabard

Though Sianna hadn't slept well during the night, her eyes opened as soon as the sun threw its first rays over the horizon. She had woken up several times during the night, sure that Nayichi named Kota was hovering over her. Sleep would then return slowly, her mind plaguing her with thoughts about the Nayichi crystals. Sianna couldn't remember if she had touched Kota's or not when she had gripped her arm.

If she had, that meant Kota knew everything about her. When a Nayichi's crystals are touched without permission, a channel is opened. Memories and emotions, trailing back to birth, are absorbed and known to the Nayichi, granting the creature the ability to shape shift into the person that had caressed its gems.   

Sianna hoped Kota wasn't as mischievous as her grin suggested.  

That's if I touched her crystals, but I can't remember.   

Sianna stood and buckled her sword on her belt. She saw Ser Aldermeck had, as always, been awake before everyone else. She was standing over Lycin, nudging him with her boot.

"Wake up, Gabard," she barked.

She walked over to Iari and woke him up in the same manner. The boy perked up quick enough but his face betrayed his grogginess. Sianna smiled. She had to admit he looked cute as he stumbled to his feet. Reth, on the other hand, was the opposite. As soon as his eyes opened, his alert yet indifferent face pushed the sleep away from his features.

Sianna watched as he rubbed his palm over the stubble on his face. He gave the smallest of frowns. Reth pulled out a dagger from his belt and started to shave, going by touch. Sianna was impressed how well he did it and without even drawing blood. He must've done it countless of times.

"You missed a spot, Reth," she said and tapped her left jawline.

The look he gave her appeared...shy? He ran his blade over the last patch of blond stubble and tucked his dagger away. She shook her head and left him before he decided to say anything.

"Hurry up," Aldermeck ordered, pulling out the last skin from her bag. "We have no food but the sooner we arrive to Caister the sooner we get to eat."

Iari looked at the ground. His fate had still not been decided. Sianna wouldn't be surprised if he was given to the Guard by force. Usually that was the fate of users if found by the Guard. They were placed in Instituos to help train the Rhokin. At least, that was the gossip Sianna had heard during her training days.

"Take a sip. It's all you will get," Aldermeck said and tossed the wineskin to Sianna.

She caught it and wet her lips with the wine. It was cold but tasteless. She passed it to Reth and made her way to the path they had been following to get them to Caister. Aldermeck fell in step next to her.

"Sianna," she said, "When we arrive at Caister, it's not only the Dux you will be seeing but also the Captain of the city."

"Captain?" Sianna echoed.

"Did you already forget what I told you, Rayoss?" She looked at her from the corner of her eyes.

"No, Meryl."

She smiled.

Sianna focused on the clear, morning sky as she recalled the Leitnant's lesson on Guard rankings. There was a fog of sadness in her mind, remembering that had been the first and only lesson she had received; the Magus attack had been on the same day.

Caister was a proper city, unlike Jabel, and had its own Captain, five Leitnants, and dozens of Miles. The Dux resided there as he observed his precinct which included a total of three regions: Gwyn Valley, Caister region, and another region which name escaped Sianna. Gwyn Valley was made up of Jabel and Vess Wake. The Caister region had Caister, of course, and half a dozen other smaller cities, each big enough to hold a captain of its own.

Sianna sighed, upset she had forgotten half of the information of the prescient Dux Suller overlooked. Dracarr had 23 precincts and probably four times that many regions. How Aldermeck remembered them all was beyond impressive, but still, Sianna didn't wish to look dumb or incapable in front of the Dux or the Captain.

"The Captain," Sianna asked Aldermeck, "what is his name again?"

"Captain Dacain Loque and simply because he is not necessarily your Captain does not mean you should not show him any less respect," she answered.

"Dacain Loque," she repeated to herself.

"Captain Dacain Loque."

"Yes." 

"There is something else about the Captain you should know, Sianna. His Rhokin is different than what you would expect."

Sianna shuddered. "Different?"

How much worse could these Rhokin get?

Aldermeck grinned. "You shall see, but do not worry, Sianna. The Dux will sort us all out and all this shall finally be behind us."

Her chest felt hollow and it wasn't because of her healing bruise. "Meryl, may I ask you something?"

She looked down at her. "Of course, Sianna."

"Why did you abandon Tiel? We didn't even bury him."

The grin on Aldermeck's lips faltered. Her eyes hardened. "I knew you would ask me that. There was a hoard of powerful Magus we had never faced within sight of our position, Sianna. I could not risk anymore losses. We had to leave him."

Sianna saw the logic in her answer, but she still didn't like it.

"It is what you will have to do as a Leitnant. You must think of those under you and what is best for them as a whole."

"Yes, ser."

Aldermeck frowned. "Please understand, Sianna. It is what it is, and you are a part of it now. You are not the one taking orders anymore."

The sound of riders approaching them was heard. Horse hooves dug into the rocks and dirt and nasal neighs penetrated through the morning silence. The banners were seen first. The biggest one was the circular seal of Dracarr's self–grasping arms. The other flag held a solid purple shield with a silver streak darting across it diagonally. Sianna knew that arms. She had seen it multiple times on Lycin's coat.

The riders beneath the banners were only five. Three she recognized from the Guard, two of which had the kingdom's seal upon their chest plate. They wore no cloaks, so Sianna figured them as Miles. The third rider ahead of them was dressed in Rhokin blue. Her black hair was pulled into a high ponytail. The silver in her eyes regarded them with stoic silence.

Next to them stood men from House Gabard. The banner bearer was dressed in leather and cotton, a pitiful comparison to the man next to him. He sat tall on his charger, looking at them with familiar mint green eyes. His dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. A coat identical to Lycin's was perched over his shoulders, fur lining the collar.

His brother? Sianna studied him. He appeared older by a few years.  

"Ser Aldermeck," he said as he dismounted and came up to her, "it is good to see you well."

She nodded at him. "My lord, I had not expected to be greeted by a party."

He smiled. His chin was wide and boxy, like Lycin's. "You know my father. He would have come himself if duty with Dux Suller did not call."

Aldermeck frowned. "Will we not be able to see him today then?"

"Oh of course. Morning duties is all. They should be done by the time of our arrival." He turned to Sianna and smiled.

"My lord," she said.

"Ser Sianna Rayoss I presume?"

She was taken aback. "Yes."

"Congratulations on your promotion though I am also saddened by the events which took place shortly after."

Up close she could see how the hue of his eyes was soft. His face was a mold to Lycin's but the warmth on it was something Lycin's lacked. At the moment, there was genuine sorrow in his frown and gaze. It was as if he was wearing the expression Sianna couldn't, showing what she had to now hide. A tight sensation gripped her throat but she swallowed it.

"Thank you, my lord," Sianna said.

He nodded and looked behind her. He smiled again, always closed lipped, she noted.

"Where is Lycin?" he asked, searching among the faces before him.

Sianna turned to see Lycin just as he stepped behind Reth and Deneck. Her eyebrows shot up. He was hiding. She felt amused at the thought but it was followed by a sense of having been insulted. For some reason it irked her Lycin was using Reth to hide himself. He wasn't very successful though; the long length and folds of his coat peeked from behind the two Rhokin.

The man walked up to Lycin. "Why, you seem just fine, thank the Saints. I had heard you were injured. Is that all you have for your brother? We have not seen each other in years." He didn't wait for Lycin to react. He reached out for him and hugged him. 

"Torm," Lycin muttered, arms by his side.

Sianna had to look away. The uncomfortable look on Lycin's face was going to make her laugh. Her eyes wandered to the female Rhokin sitting on her horse. Sianna's growing grin faltered. The Rhokin wasn't as a disturbing sight as Calera—she appeared "normal"—but the same resigned expression on her face was no different. Draped behind her was a gold and crimson cloak similar to the one Sianna had for a half a day. Unlike the Leitnant's cloak, this one was more triangular, Dracarr's seal at the corner of it. It was the cape of a Dux.

So this one is Dux Suller's Rhokin.   

Iari appeared next to Sianna, apprehension in his green eyes. Despite the suspicions she held towards the boy, Sianna couldn't help but feel sympathy when she stared at his young face.

"Sianna, what's gonna 'appen to me?" he asked.

"A seventh? There was no word of that."

Sianna and Iari looked up to who had spoken. The female Rhokin gazed at them, confused, but there was a fiery sheen in her eyes.

"You there," she addressed Iari, "what is your name?"

Ser Aldermeck stood in front of him. "Ser, there was a change in what the letter may have said"—she shot a glare at Sianna—"but the boy is—"

"The Dux is expecting six guests, not seven," she snapped, her nostrils flared out.

"Inya," Torm said as he came up to Rhokin, Lycin sulking by his heels, "perhaps we should simply take them to father and the Dux. We can talk there instead."

She glared at the boy before turning her horse around. The other men followed her example to reveal six steeds, saddled and ready for Sianna and the others to ride to Caister. Torm remounted his horse and smiled down at them.

Aldermeck faced Sianna and the rest. "Find a horse and mount," she ordered.

Sianna was about to walk forward when Iari caught her attention. He was looking at the ground, appearing unsure of himself.

"You can ride with me, Iari," she told him.

He beamed at her.

They were the last ones to mount, receiving another glare from the female Rhokin. Inya Sianna remembered Torm calling her. She had seen more emotions play on Inya's face than she had seen on Reth's in the few days she knew him, yet she didn't like it. It seemed more disturbing and uncanny than his resigned features.

Or maybe it's because this Inya is a bitch.

Sianna saddled on the last chestnut mare and gave Iari her hand. He took a seat behind her.

"Good then," Torm said, beaming his comforting smile, "follow us."

Sianna noticed Torm and his banner man took the lead and by the look of Aldermeck's scowl so had she. Sianna waited for everyone to pass her, hoping to take the rear. Aldermeck kept her stone face as she rode by her. Deneck gave her a smile, but for once, Lycin didn't have one for her. Reth lingered behind.

"Go," she ordered him.

"Yes, ser," he said. He patted and stroked his mare's head before taking off.

"Reth told me he liked horses," Sianna heard Iari say.

"Did he?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes, he told me during my lessons with 'im. He wouldn't talk much about 'imself, but he did say that."

 "Horses? He never told me that," Sianna said and set her own into a trot behind the Rhokin himself.

Their half a day journey was cut to only a morning's ride. Her sides were sore but that was from Iari's arms around her. Sometimes a bump on the path would jolt his arms up to thud against her breasts and he would gasp and jerk away.

"Still afraid I see," she would say but he would only answer with inaudible words.

The conversations were few, but Sianna was too far away to hear any of them. It was mostly Aldermeck, Torm, and Inya that were talking. Their voices disappeared when she heard the ocean. Its salty scent followed. It seemed they were going to enter Caister through its harbor. Most of Jabel and Vess Wake's food and clothes came from Caister's imported goods. Merchants and tailors would visit the towns and sell what was needed.

Or so they used to.

Wooden piers and ships peeked over the horizon but no water came into view. It remained hidden as Torm led the party into a different path. That was when the first of Caister came into view. They had somehow ridden straight into the heart of the city thought Sianna didn't remember going through any gates. The afternoon bustle was lively and loud. Merchants calling, hagglers grunting, whores giggling, and drunkards laughing blended into one, brash sound.

The cobbled pathways were crowded with produce stands, running children, young apprentices running errands, and, no doubt, eager pickpockets. The people on the streets parted for them but only a few gave them stares. They were accustomed to seeing the Guard and its Rhokin.

It was no surprise. The multiple Guard towers stood out the tallest among the buildings. Some were in the distance, but two were close enough that Sianna could see them in detail. They appeared foreboding and alien compared to the wooden taverns and open smithing huts.

The stone towers were connected by a wall. There were arched pathways cut at the bottom for people to pass through, but the Guard used the top of the wall's path. It provided a fast crossing of the area without the hassle of winding alleys to slow them.

The top of both towers were flying the familiar flag of the Guard, a luxury Jabel hadn't had. It pictured a red, circular shield outlined in gold. A seven pointed star was on it, each point a different color.

Torm led them through the crowds to the approaching structure. It was surrounded by an iron wall, an excellent defense for a castle mostly set in winter weather to have. It was smooth enough that it would be difficult to climb and even if someone managed to find a way, the cold radiating from it would be enough to start the onset of frostbite. This time Sianna did cross through guarded gates.

"No," Inya said and trotted up to Sianna. "He does not come with us."

Iari's arm tightened around Sianna, causing her bruise to ache, but she bit down the pain. Behind Inya, she saw Aldermeck shake her head. Sianna had to bite down on her tongue as well.

"It's okay," Iari said, bringing his arms down. He slid off the saddle and gave Sianna a sad smile.

"Hurry up," Inya told Sianna, not sparing Iari a glance.

"Yes, ser," she hissed.

Though Sianna heard the clangs of sparring and the talk and laughter of soldiers, it was white noise to her. She focused on the back of Inya's head, hoping a stray arrow from the practice ranges would go through it. It wasn't till they arrived before the main castle that Sianna tore her gaze away.

It was a formidable structure, taller than the Guard towers. The melted stones held a violet gloss that seemed to have lost its glimmer with time. There were smaller, similar structures behind the one before her. Each building had a connecting resemblance where the rooftops were gleaming silver.

Sianna and the rest dismounted, giving the horses to the stable boys at hand. They passed through the giant pair of open doors to another smaller yard where servants, Guard members, and other castle hands were scuttling around. The party that had met Sianna that morning scattered among them, save for Torm and Inya.

"This way." Torm motioned them to enter a small, single–story building.

Inside was chilly despite the two lit fireplaces. A long wooden table sat in the middle of the room. Faded, miscellaneous flags and coat of arms decorated the walls. Two men were seated at the table, discussing something on a map before them. A female Rhokin stood behind them. Her eyes flickered towards them as they entered. Inya walked over to her and stood next to her. They appeared like matching statues except the other Rhokin's locks were blond instead of black.

Two Rhokin? Sianna's eyes narrowed. The Dux is here then. If I remember correctly, they are allowed to have two of them.

"Father, guess who I have brought!" boomed Torm as he approached the table. He stopped before it and extended an arm towards his guests.

The man with peppered wavy hair looked. Sianna's mouth hung open when she saw his face. It was like seeing Lycin twenty years older. The brightness in his green eyes had dulled but they still held their alertness. They shared the same wide chin except his was framed by marionette lines. He smiled, pulling them up. A few of his teeth were missing.

"My Lycin has arrived! Oh and you are alright!" He rushed over to him, hugging his son.

Sianna grinned. It seems they were a hugging type of family, something she was grateful Lycin didn't pick up.

"Ah, Calera," Lord Gabard said when he pulled away from Lycin, "you must learn how to smile."

"Yes, ser, I will," she said, face ever stoic.

Lord Gabard moved on to Aldermeck and took her hand between his own. "Oh my dangerous rose. How it delights me to see your face once more. Though I am troubled and saddened by the circumstances that brought you here."

The same genuine sorrow Sianna had seen on Torm overtook his father as well. 

"I thank you, my lord," Aldermeck said.

Lord Gabard gave Deneck a smile and a gentle pat on his shoulder before he walked over to Sianna. She noticed the powder caked between the wrinkles on his face and hands, its fresh scent underlined with the sour stench of sweat. Some of it dusted his satin tunic where the Gabard shield was stitched on its breast.

 "Oh my dear, you are new. I am afraid I have forgotten your name. Do delight me with it," he said.

"My lord, I am Leitnant Sianna Rayoss of Gwyn Valley's Jabel." The names and titles were heavy on her tongue, but if she wanted to provide a good impression, it had to be done. She had to play the part, as Aldermeck had told her, when not playing the bitch that demanded weapons and protection for her soldiers.

"Oh! You are Sianna. Oh, my dear, my dear!" He gave her a quick hug she was too stunned to return.

"Father, please," Lycin groaned.

He ignored him, his sights now on Reth. "Is he your Rhokin? Quite big of a creature. You should come to be quite powerful I hope. What is your name?"

Reth stuck his chin out. "I was named Reth, ser."

"Reth! Oh how delightful. Yes." Lord Gabard turned back to Sianna. "I am Torm Nabil Gabard, Lord of Caister and its surrounding towns and villages."

"You're named Torm too?" Sianna asked, forgetting her manners.

He laughed. It was a dry hackle but there was a sense of joy in it. "All firstborns are named Torm. We wish to keep the head of House Gabard under one name. The first lord that entered this castle two hundred or so years ago was named Torm and so it went. Even if something were to happen to the firstborn, the ascending son would have to change his name."

"Two hundred years ago? You must be the fourth or fifth in your name."

He laughed again, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Oh my dear Sianna. You are as adorable as my son described in his rare letters he would send to me. Would you not like to marry him?"

"I—my lord! What?"

Aldermeck's suppressed snicker was heard.

"Lord father, please!" Lycin stepped up to him. "Why don't we give you our reports? We are tired from our trip and would like to rest as soon as possible."

"Oh. Oh! Yes. Of course. How terrible of me. Dux."

The second man that had stayed in his seat throughout Lord Gabard's prancing stood up and walked toward them, though it appeared more like a march. The black haired Rhokin that had stood behind him pushed his chair under the table and fell back into her statue stance.

Though the Dux appeared younger than Lord Gabard, the serious demeanor around his rigid stance seemed to sour and age him. His stiff face seemed etched from ice. He was balding but had plenty of hair around his chin. It was streaked with the first sights of white. He wore simple leather breeches and a matching vest. How he wasn't cold inside the icy room puzzled Sianna.

"Ser Aldermeck. Good to see you. I received the bird yesterday evening." His voice sounded like rumbling thunder.

Aldermeck nodded. "Yes, ser. I am here to report the destruction of Gwyn Valley." She said it as if it was nothing.

"So I have heard. It has fallen to an attack from Magus. That was the only detail given in the letter. I would like to know how many men had been lost, what weapons and armor had been salvaged, and what the Magus looked like."

Sianna was shocked. Report now? With the Gabards present? Lycin I understand but this isn't their matter.

Aldermeck seemed to have the same thoughts. She glanced at Lord Gabard before speaking. "Ser, it was—"

The Dux shook his head. "I wish to hear it from our new Leitnant."

His dark eyes fell on Sianna and she froze. "Y—yes, ser."

He lifted an eyebrow, waiting.

She swallowed. "From Jabel, the only survivors were myself, my Rhokin, Ser Aldermeck, and her Rhokin. The fallen Guard members were a total of eleven. The weapons and armor seen on myself and Ser Aldermeck are what is left. I hold a regular sword while Ser Aldermeck's is Armadura enchanted.

"The Magus threat was unlike anything ever seen in Jabel. The numbers were great and the creatures themselves powerful. They towered about the height of three men, and their magick was that of ice. It merely took them the morning to encase all of Jabel and its residents in a shell of ice.

Ser Aldermeck and myself, along with soldiers alive at the time, had been able to kill one of the Magus, but ultimately they proved too many, too powerful. Ser Aldermeck ordered us to retreat and set us on the duty to report to you, ser."

When she finished, Sianna realized she had also spoken of the events as if they were nothing. The Dux stared at her, his eyes like wet onyx. He frowned which surprised Sianna because she thought he already was.

"The complete destruction of an entire region in only a matter of a few hourglass turns," he said.

Sianna knew it wasn't a question. "Yes, ser. Their ice magick had the power to explode snow and ice onto an area, immediately freezing everything with contact."

"Your Rhokin. Where were they?" Though the question was aimed at both Sianna and Aldermeck, he kept his eyes on Sianna.

She answered. "We were separated at the time of the attack. They were on errands together, Reth and Deneck. I believe they were battling on the other side of the town. When I came across them, I saw they had killed three of the Magus."

"Three?" he asked. "Deneck took down three Magus of such multitude on his own?" His sights settled on Deneck.

"No, ser," he answered. "It was simply two. Reth brought down one on his own."

Dux Suller's surprised expression was focused on Reth. "You? Explain."

Reth stepped forward to the Dux, his eyes staring straight ahead instead of at him. "Yes, ser. I was with Deneck when we noticed the Magus attack. We engaged them in combat. We were able to eliminate one but were faced with more. We each took on a Magus. With the use of my magick—"

"Magick?" interrupted the Dux.

Everyone's face lit up with surprise, including Sianna's.

Magick. He never told me that! She scowled.

"Yes, ser," Reth confirmed, unfazed by the reactions.

The silence that followed was so thin and delicate Sianna felt like she could see everyone's puzzled thoughts float in the air.

"Very well," Dux Suller said. "Can I safely assume the same fate Ser Rayoss described befell Vess Wake as well?"

Lycin perked up straighter. "Yes, Dux. All nine of my men were lost along with their weapons and armor. Ice and snow covers Vess Wake now."

He walked over to Lycin, his boots echoing in the room. "There is only one more thing I must know. The letter mentioned you had a crushed leg."

"Yes. That was why I had sent the party," Lord Gabard added. "I had to bring my Lycin to see our House sage as soon as possible!"

"Yet you are standing and walking well," the Dux said.

"I was healed, Dux, by a user. A young man." Lycin's words were soft.

"A user?" Lord Gabard gasped.

"Where is he?" demanded the Dux.

"Inya refused him entrance," Sianna spoke, adding more acid to her words than intended.

"Did she?"

The Rhokin in mention didn't even blink.

"Inya, you saw his face?" asked the Dux without looking at his Rhokin.

"Yes, ser," she answered.

"You and Essdin gather the other men that saw him. Each man will lead a group in search of the boy. Bring him here."

"Yes, ser," the two female Rhokin said in unison and made for the door.

Sianna opened her mouth but said nothing, thinking better of it. Iari was no longer her problem.

The room quieted again, the only sound Dux Suller's boots as he marched back to the table. He placed his palms on it and looked at them. "Ser Meryl Aldermeck, you will be sent off to Porthstead. There is no need to deter your transfer. In fact, your early arrival will be beneficial to them. Ser Sianna Rayoss shall be sent back to the Citadel where she will be dealt with accordingly. I believe more than likely she will finish her Leitnant training there. Ser Lycin Gabard will remain here. I am sure I will be able to fit you somewhere."

Lycin's face fell but the other two Gabards smiled; the Dux paid no mind to either of them.

"I have sent word to the Citadel this morning. It is done. The two of you along with your Rhokins shall leave by the end of the week," he said and sat down. His attention went back to the papers before him. Sianna and the rest might as well have been ghosts.

Lord Gabard came up to them. "You all are my guests. I have already started to prepare a feast for you all tonight, but you all must be exhausted. I am sure my Lycin wouldn't mind showing you to your rooms. You still remember the way around here, don't you?"

Lycin stiffened. "Yes, father."

He smiled. "Good. Torm and I have to remain here with the Dux, but you are all free to roam the practice ranges if such suits you. Just make sure to be ready for tonight's feast!"

As Lord Gabard ushered them to the exit, the door opened and a figure walked in.

"Ah, Captain. How nice of you to see us so quickly," Lord Gabard said with a smile.

Captain Dacain Loque.

Sianna would've felt proud at remembering his name if it hadn't been for the second person that walked in behind the Captain. It was his Rhokin. Sianna could tell by the silver eyes and the blue uniform, but she couldn't believe it. Aldermeck had said his Rhokin was different, but Sianna hadn't expected it to be a little girl. 

  ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌ ◌-◌-◌

Author's Note: So yeah...this is a long chapter. If I wasn't so lazy this would probably be the length of most of my chapters. *ahem* I know it seems like it's kinda boring and nothing is going on, but this chapter is actually important to the story. Next chapter, however, will be more...fun. :3

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed—or have :P—I changed "Gwyn Caps" to "Gwyn Valley" so yeah. Sorry if you got confused.

Anyway...thanks for reading. I do hope you are enjoying the story. <3