Mine (Book 1 )

Part 9

Attyra, the South Ayrian-Gaian border

Nerak hadn't been to Attyra in a long time. He preferred lands close to the sea. He walks through the market and notices how people were much more happy here in Attyra compared to the Capital. "Good morning" he greets Viktor. He had known Viktor since he was a child but Viktor looked at the stranger greeting him and stops sharpening his arrow to give the stranger his full attention. "I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find the General?" 

"General Uri or General Elijah?" Viktor asks. 

"Any one of them" Nerak shrugs. 

"They're at the Palace grounds." Viktor shrugs. Nerak thanks Viktor before proceeding to the Palace grounds. He asks another soldier where the Generals were. The soldier points at three men standing at one end, all three with furrowed brows. One speaking using his hands minimally and the other two with arms crossed in front of their chests as they listen. He approaches them. He recognises one of the men. He had seen him when he was younger but now the soldier was fully grown. The one who was speaking stops speaking when the one he recognised looks at Nerak questioningly. 

"Do you have something to say lad?" the one who was speaking before turns to ask him. 

"I wanted to be recruited, as a soldier" Nerak speaks and the three of them look at him confused. Uri and Elijah look at their Prince. They wondered how this strange man had the audacity to stand before them without greeting their Prince respectfully. But Hal paid no heed. He genuinely didn't care. 

"Are you not from Ayra?" Uri asks Nerak. 

"No my Lord. I am from Lyska" Nerak fibs. But it was true. It was the closest to his abode. 

"Did Queen Ferra send you?" Hal asks and Nerak remembers the Queen of Lyska who he thought was a wonderful person. 

"No my Lord, but I swear my loyalty to any of her allies" Nerak says truthfully. He was after all Lyska's protector. 

"What is your skill?" Hal asks. 

"I am a good swordsman and a good trainer" Nerak was much more than that but he was modest about it. 

"We don't need trainers, but we can sure use swordsmen" Uri comments. 

"I could train your female warriors" Nerak suggests hopefully. 

"Women unfortunately don't fight in Ayra" Elijah says shamefully. 

"That is absurd!" Nerak exclaims surprising Hal. He had never seen a soldier be this candid. "Who is your leader?" Nerak demands almost angry. 

"Me" Hal says even more surprised at the strange man's outburst. 

"I mean your Prince" Nerak says to the kid he remembered as Hal. 

"I am the Prince" Hal almost laughs at the man's demands. Nerak composes himself. 

"Why aren't you letting your women warriors fight?" he demands with the Prince. 

"It's the law" Hal shrugs.

"And you're okay with that law?" Nerak asks and Uri and Elijah step on either side of Hal straightening up their backs. 

"My opinion does not matter" Hal shrugs. Nerak goes to say something but stops himself. Hal thinks of Lexie at that moment. "But ... Attyra is a dangerous zone. And we need our women to protect themselves in case of an attack. Uri" Hal calls and Uri turns to look at Hal. "All women ages 14 to 50 will train from tomorrow. All former soldiers will train with ..." he looks at Nerak. 

"Nerak, Your Highness" he bows. 

"Nerak" he pronounces. Hal was honestly impressed with Nerak's candidness. Nerak remembered Hal from his visits now more distinctly. It had slipped his mind that Hal was the Prince of Ayra.