Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Incoming War

Tessia Eralith Pov

"I can fight, Grandpa!" I yelled, slamming my palms on the table.

"And I'm telling you that you can't," he snapped back as his eyes stayed glued to the document he was reading, refusing to meet my gaze.

"Enough, Tessia. Your grandfather is right. The risk of putting you out on the field is much too high and unnecessary right now," Master Aldir's commanding voice cut in.

"But, Master! Even you said yourself that I'm much stronger than I was before!" I argued, ignoring my grandfather.

"And that is still not enough." The one-eyed asura's tone was matter-of-fact.

I could feel my face burning hot as I did what I could and kept my tears at bay. Refusing to let them see me cry, I stormed out of the study as Grandpa called out for me.

I marched down the long, narrow hallway lit by widely-spaced torches that flickered brightly against the cobblestone wall. I banked a left near the end of the hallway, reaching two solid-iron doors guarded on either side by an armored augmenter and a well-dressed conjurer.

"Princess? What brings you here?" The conjurer called out, her voice laced with concern.

"Please open the doors," I ordered, my eyes focused on the center of the entrance.

Despite my sour mood, I couldn't help but stare in awe at the unique doors that guarded this castle. I remember the day Professor Gideon built it. Everyone, including Master Aldir, had been impressed by the craftsmanship.

"I-I'm sorry, we haven't received any notice from Commander Virion or Lord Aldir that anyone would be leaving," the armored augmenter muttered as he traded uncertain glances with his companion.

"Open the doors. The princess is supposed to run an errand with me," a familiar voice echoed from behind.

"General Varay!" Both guards saluted in unison before lowering themselves into a respectful bow.

Turning around, I let out a relieved smile at the lance, who had become more like an older sister to me these past two years. The elegant yet intimidating lance approached me with a steady and purposeful gait, her tight-fitting navy coat trailing gracefully behind her. Varay's left hand rested on the pommel of the thin sword strapped to her waist as she nodded at me with her usual aloof expression.

The two guards immediately went to work opening the double doors. The conjurer mumbled a long incantation as the augmenter went to work, pulling the various knobs and levers all over the intricate doors.

"Thank you, Varay." I hugged her arm as we headed inside the room.

The elderly gateman stood up straight at our sight, dropping the book he had been reading to pass the time. "General Varay, Princess Tessia, what can I do for you?"

"Etistin City, please," I responded as the door closed behind us with a loud thud.

"Certainly!" The gateman went to work, mumbling over the ancient runes that allowed such complex magic. The stone platform began glowing different colors before it focused on its directed location.

"All ready. Please take this emblem for identification when you use the gate at Etistin. That will be the only way the gateman over there will let you return to the castle," the elderly gateman said as he handed the two of us a small metal locket with the three-race symbol on it.

"Surely they'd know who we are, right?" I asked as I tucked the locket in the inner pocket of my fitted robe.

The gateman shook his head. "Security has tightened throughout the continent because outside attacks have become more frequent. Even though Etistin is still quite a distance away from the Beast Glades, Commander Virion has employed stricter measures just in case."