Return of the Lost Ones: BlueSteel Series: Book 1 by David Liberto

Author:David Liberto [Liberto, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mustardseed Realms
Published: 2023-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

I

“Neraida were created by Lohem to sculpt the world and maintain his creation. Never underestimate Lohem’s Sculptors. The saddest evolution of current Cordiae military education is the negligence of neraida.”

–Cleric Joern. Advanced Cordiaen Military Tactics, Volume 2.

The excitement of meeting a new instructor quickly cleared Pol’s morning fogginess as he hustled across the garrison courtyard. A fist of soldiers, consisting of four grunts and Corporal Rield, waited at the gate with Granite as Pol approached.

Granite said, “You’re committed, then?”

“Yes, sir.” Pol was going to become an officer. All he had to do was learn how to put up with Stefan. He had doubts, but he wasn’t going to give up now. “I trust your judgment.”

“You’ll see. Ah, here he comes.”

Stefan approached with his pack almost bursting and an expression that fluctuated between irritated and pensive. When he approached, Granite gave the lopsided rucksack a frown but said, “Coming?”

“You are going to take us to a forest with a reyuul. I don’t think my father would appreciate that.”

Pol had also considered that, but again, he trusted Granite.

“Actually, I’m placing you with the most capable person I know when it comes to reyuul. There’s nowhere safer from reyuul than by her side.”

That was high praise coming from Granite. Stefan grunted in response.

“Boys, you know Corporal Rield, but this is Thielda, Wrues, Sounder, and Geanna. Once we drop you off with Gossama, I will train them to lead other fists to search for the villagers. Let’s get going.”

As they traveled the familiar road, villagers stopped their morning chores and saluted as they passed. “Stone, find them for us!”

Guilt washed over Pol. He should have been more considerate of the missing villagers rather than focusing on his own ambitions. One reason he had wanted to enter the army was to defend those who couldn’t defend themselves. As they passed Boud’s farm, he remembered a baby was in the village without a mother or family. If he was going to be an officer, helping Granite should be more important than his own advancement.

“Fall Commander, if you need help finding the villagers, I’ll do it.”

“Pol, I appreciate that. I know you mean well, but Miraden is brutal, and I can’t watch you while I’m searching for them. I need you to learn to work with this guy,” Granite said, nodding to Stefan. Stefan glanced up. He was already struggling under the weight of his pack, and Pol wondered if he would have to help him carry it.

They passed Boud’s farm again and crossed through the ripe silverberry fields and past the open land beyond. Between the fields and the forest, a six-foot-tall wooden beam with multiple notches stood like a sentry.

“What’s that?” Pol asked.

“That’s how I communicate with my contact. This Dasari is not easily accessible and doesn’t prefer to leave the forest.” The forest’s edge was a quarter-mile away, and the notches were all near the top of the post. “They can hit this from the tree line?”

“Oh, yes. That’s nothing.”

“Amazing.” Pol wondered about such accuracy as the group arrived at the tree line.

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