Auro Of Mount Ocean. Book 1 : The Infamous Trio

Chapter 5 : The NovaGrad War

A couple of days had passed. Auro was happier than usual and Kim was happy for him. Auro has been training more and more, even during his breaks he would be seen meditating.
Mount Ocean and Auro was in a time of peace.

On a cloudy day, a small party of NovaGrad Soldiers on horses, rode into Mount Ocean. The citizens stood along the roads, watching as the party strolled through the streets towards the citadel. However the party turned off the main road and moved towards Auro's house. Once at the door step, Dante stepped out with a look of annoyance. He muttered, "Why did he have to send a whole group to pick me up."

One of the soldiers got off their horse and greeted Dante, "Good Day Dante. We have come to escort you to the the NovaGrad wall. The King of NovaGrad is waiting for you there." "Yes, Renzo! It's good to see you again after so long."

"Father! Why are they here? " Auro asked Dante. "They are here for me. NovaGrad is losing the war and they need my help to secure certain parts of the battle field. I am basically going to be a general." Kim came from behind Auro, "So why didn't you tell us earlier?" Dante turned to her and smirked, "Cause you to would have disagreed with my decision to join the war." Kim ran up to Dante and punch him in the chest but without any force, "We would have been right to disagree. You are not going with them, Father!" She told him with a stern but worried look on her face. Dante grabbed her hand and pulled both her and Auro in for a hug. "Look you two, I've made my decision. If NovaGrad loses this war we are next. However, Mount Ocean as a whole cannot get involved because we will leave ourselves vulnerable to Eon Kingdom, who has allied with Grandall." "But father!" Kim blurted out but Dante raised his finger to her lips,"Kim, my decision is final. Now cheer up! look at the positives, you won't have me around the house for a couple of weeks."

With that Dante grabbed his sack and walked to an available horse. Once mounted, he saw that his kids were lost for words. "Don't worry! I shouldn't be long away, and please look after the house and farm. I informed the Mage, Garthor and Mary about my decision."

As Dante rode off with the soldiers into the dim rising sun, Auro could not help but feel uncomfortable. Kim was visibly upset with the turn of events and stormed off to the docks.

A couple of days had passed and things didn't really change much due to Auro and Kim having busy schedules. However, the two shared responsibility for tending to the farm and chores around the house. Garthor had also asked if the two could help with training the new recruits of the Mount Ocean Bandits in Dante's absence. Kim declined saying, "Sorry, but I don't think I am the right person to be teaching rookies." Auro shrug because she was telling the truth. She never had the patience for people that struggled. Auro told him, "Look, I will see where I can help, but I am not my father. "Garthor was ecstatic that Auro was willing to help and gave him a massive hug, lifting him off the ground with both his arms pinched in the hug. Auro winched because Garthor's breath was foul.

Once Garthor left, there was silence until Kim asked with a slight hint of sarcasm, "So what are you going to help them with?" Auro looked at her with a straight face and after a second, shrugged his shoulders with a pouting face. The two erupted into laughter.

The next day, Auro was relieved earlier to assist with the training. Auro knew that Dante had six students that he was training, but he never met them. He went through a small tunnel which lead to the Bandits barracks, where there was a small training field. The six students where notified that Auro would assist with training later the afternoon.

Auro was surprised to see that all six were already training. He had gotten use to lazy, unmotivated Bandits. He didn't want to show himself at first, so he decided to sneak up and remain out of sight. Once he got into ear shot, he sat and listened quietly.