21 The Dark Gods Have Returned (2/2)
The young man was baffled by the last sentence. They were currently in the Forest of Verde, the most peaceful location that far in the West. Here, only normal animals were present and no monsters or terrifying creatures lived. That's why it was the training ground of the 2nd and 13th Legion, a large place with few threats and nearly no inhabitants. Also, it was the most efficient, between the plain, the small hills and the forest. There was even a lake ten kilometers south, allowing the instructors to teach nearly everything. After centuries and centuries, the way the soldiers were trained here was maximized and even some adventurers were joining the exercises. That was how good this place was. Still wondering how huge the threat should be to make that encampment disappears, the thin boy pointed a direction behind him.
The princess nodded at him and soon, the two were marching, both immersed in their thoughts. One had an imagination too big for his own safety while the other was still wondering how she could convince others that the legends had returned. Not a sound was pronounced and they only reached the fortified door at dusk. She could see other groups coming back, some carrying medicinal herbs while others were grabbing wastes or worse, poisonous weeds. She pitied a group in particular that used their naked hand to carry the latter, they will suffer for a week at least.
The two of them, on the other hand, grabbed the attention of everyone. First of all, she was not wearing the uniform of the recruits or the one of the 13th Legion. Also, her fierce face was still visible from the half broken helmet, provoking the envy inside some of the men. But they were too close to the instructors, meaning that their fear was immensely bigger than their lust. But they were at the same time perplexed by the drenched boy in front of her. How did he manage to be wet like that in the middle of the forest?
While the recruits were having a hard time to comprehend the situation, the sentries were quick to respond and already ringing the bell. To them, only those arrogant pricks of the 1st Legion and some important people would wear a white armor. And no matter what was happening, those warriors never moved for anything and tried to avoid the former criminals as much as possible. The slack and easy going attitude inside the fortified camp was quickly dispersed and everyone got in position.
The gate was already opened to let the groups come back but soon, a path was formed between two rows of soldiers. Seeing this, the recruits didn't dare to walk it and only the white girl marched inside. Turning her back, she saw the fearful boy and signaled him to come. After hesitating a few seconds, he came behind her and followed her three steps behind. He didn't know why, but he felt that the young girl turned into a strong authority the moment she stepped between the two rows of soldiers. And at that time, he didn't dare to get too close.
She finally arrived at the commander tent, that was in the middle of the camp. Inside was already reassembled all the high ranking officers. The two sentries blocked the path of the thin boy and after a wave of the hand from the commandant, an old man left the tent and approached the young recruit. That thing being deal with, Muirnë looked at everyone in the room.
She was not very familiar with the 13th Legion and tried to avoid those scums as much as she hoped. Even those in front of her were former rapists, arsonists, murderers, assassins, slavers. Four people were in front of her, three men and one woman. She didn't know the men, even if one of them was the actual commandant and the only one putting his feet on the table. But the presence of the blue-haired woman was a surprise.
”Anabelle Brea, what a pleasant surprise? Why are you so far in the South and not fighting near the Dragon's gate?”
Disdain and contempt filled the voice of the princess, but no one was shocked. Everyone here knew who she was and what Muirnë asked was actually a reasonable question.
”Princess, I was sent here to investigate the trail of the Church of T…”
”Don't bother, they are all dead.”
Now even the phlegmatic commandant nearly fell from his chair. To say that this cult was strong was not true, the cultists wouldn't be able to deal with a single squadron of the 1st Legion. To say that it was weak was false, they had numerous unholy spells that were terrifying. But nonetheless, they was very good at hiding and the fact that the cultists always managed to escape the legions of Massalia during a very long time was the proof of their relative strength. And now they were all dead?
”The funny thing is, that's not even important.”
Now everyone looked at Muirnë with weird eyes. Anabelle and the commandant knew about the ”secret” mission that the princess took. And whether it was a success or a failure, it would not be grave news. But unlike their grave looks, the young girl was smiling and even laughing. Even if they had some contacts, none of them really knew her, so they didn't know if it was a normal behavior.
”Sorry, I was just thinking that you are so affected just by a simple cult. And what I was going to say was so big that it looked a little funny. Well, please believe me when I say this.”
Muirnë bowed one time and planted her two hands on the table. She didn't even feel the pain that time. She looked at them through her broken helmet, a serious expression on her face, not joking anymore.
”The dark gods have returned!”