The cadets set up a table and board where me and Torian stood. Not one word was spoken between the proposal and now.

  They brought chairs and booze out and we sat.

  “So.” I said as I placed my pawn on c4. “Why’d you come alone?”

  Torian took a sip of his ale, and pushed his pawn to e5. “I escalated things earlier, my intent was to talk — not fight.”

  I nodded. “Makes sense.” Pawn to g3. “Well then, I’m all ears.”

  He let out a soft chuckle. “Right.” Knight to f6. “Why? Why did you continue down this path?”

  My bishop landed on g2. “Once I started, I couldn’t stop.”

  His eyes pierced through my blindfold. “That’s bullshit and you know it, kid.” His pawn flew from d7 to d5.

  Without hesitating I captured his pawn with my e pawn. “No, not if you’re pressured to make a decision with haste.”

  He shook his head. “I capture with the knight.” That’s not how it works. You don’t act on your impulse.

  My d pawn pushed once to d3. “But I didn’t. The system beat down on me and I made a single offensive move. Then I retreated and played passively. I could have continued, but it didn’t make sense to.”

  Torian took another swig of ale and pushed his bishop to d7.

  The game continued with exchanges of conversation, and of pieces for over an hour.

  This game and this conversation weren’t going anywhere.

  Eventually we ended in a draw by agreement.

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  We sat at the table without saying a word for a half hour. Repeating the game in our heads seeing if we made a misstep, perhaps launched an attack too soon, but no. Just like my game with Cecilia, this was just a perfect game.

  “Look, kid. I can’t make you stop, and I can’t stop what’s coming at you. I won’t launch an attack right here and right now, but I need you to know that nothing I will try to do to you will be at all personal.”

  I nodded. “And the same goes for you.”

  He gently shook his head. “Kid, you threw a blow at me once and gained my respect tenfold what it was prior. But I didn’t swing back. Don’t test your luck, and don’t heighten your arrogance.”

  I stood, finishing off my ale. “Fair, I’ve always respected you. This game strengthened that respect further.”

  He stood and lunged his arm towards me to shake my hand.

  We grabbed each other at the forearm, a warrior’s handshake.

  I released my grip. “May the best man win.”

  He began to walk away, and his head fell over his shoulder. “Aye.”

  I stood still as I felt people approaching me. “Cadets.” They stood still, awaiting my orders. “Clean this shit up.” Then I turned and walked back into town.

  I walked past my parents directly to Rona. “Listen up. Expect an attack within one week. If there’s no attack, we march to them.”

  She was puzzled. “Why would we go to them?”

  I began conjuring a spell in my hand. “Rona, if my intent was to attack you and you saw me preparing a spell like this.” The fire in my hand grew hotter and brighter. “Would you wait until it’s at the power I want it to be? Or would you try to intervene?”

  She didn’t answer.

  I put the fire out. “I’d march to the capital now if we’d be able to, but the cadets were just on standby for far too long. A little R and R and we’ll hit them before they hit us.”

  She stood tall. “Right, Sorry sir.” She flung her fist to her chest as a salute.

  I shook my head. “Thank you, but you know I hate that shit.” I said as I marched away.

  My legs carried me to Fenrick’s temporary forge to see if he completed Jerek’s relic yet.

  “Fenny.” I said when I was in earshot. “What’s the word?”

  He laughed. “Fenny? What a nickname, well it’s going well. Finishing touches are going on now.”

  I felt Jerek in the room to my left, he was sitting still so probably meditating. “What’s the damn thing do?”

  He roared laughter into the workshop. “Oh this baby is some of my finest work yet, second only to yours. He can fully absorb most energy, and disperse it into a concussive blast. And it’s strong enough to block any and every known spell.”

  “Wow, mighty impressive.” I said.

  He nodded. “Yep, and it gives him more strength than he already has to begin with to be able to block these attacks even better.”

  That was going to turn out to be a quality investment.

  Overall I could tell I was on edge. Silence from Nythris, a war lurking, killing more and more. I was as on edge as a calm person could be.

  However I didn’t find myself to be shaken by any of the events transpiring.

  In fact, I liked it. I didn’t like the killing, the death, the casualties, the secrecy, or just about any part of what was going on.

  But purpose.

  I needed purpose.

  Living a life without purpose is bleak and mundane, even if you’re doing things you enjoy.

  I suppose it’s sufficient to say that pain, emotional or physical, makes you appreciate what life has to offer, even if you’re dragging exposed organs through shards of rock.