Chapter 2
Voltrain awoke at dawn hoping he would leave without anyone to wish him well on his journey home, for he did not like to be center of attention. As he stepped out from his cabin into the cold, crisp morning air he looked around, and really saw the place, for what it was, that he had lived in for the past time. The town of Folor truly was a beautiful place to be in, with its trees in full bloom and, besides the vultures, the birds singing beautiful songs in the sky. The place that had been ravaged by war for the last five years was truly a place of beauty and life. The sharp air on Voltrain’s face woke him up immediately, he took in a deep breath and let the crisp fresh air flow down through him and into his lungs and just held in, enjoying the feeling of it. He exhaled and swung his pack over his shoulder and began his journey with a walk toward the stables.
Finally I will return home and get to see my loved ones again, he thought, War is so pointless. All it does is tear family’s apart and extinguish the candle, of which is someone’s life. So many dead for no reason at all…
All he could think about was his wife, his young son and daughters. He had missed the most important years of his children’s lives, he would not miss anymore, he vowed. Home was just three days away. So close but still, so far away.
When he arrived at the stable he saw the doors already wide open and a torch which lit up the building. Standing beside a brown stallion brushing the horses fur was Felïck Theelor the new First Commander. He did not hear Voltrain entering the stable and so he cleared his throat for his presence to be known.
“Good morning Theelor! Up early as usual I see,” Voltrain said as he walked toward his horse, “ I didn’t think that anyone would be here to see me off,” Actually I was praying to the gods that I would be leaving on my own.
“Sir!” Theelor exclaimed, “I thought I would come early to brush your horse and see you off sir. I hope you have a good journey sir!” He was obviously still trying to repay him for promoting him to his new position.
“Calm yourself First Commander,” Voltrain sighed, “Before I leave there are a few things I need to talk to you about, since you are here right now.” Theelor looked at him and nodded. Voltrain sat down and Theelor followed his lead, “First off my men do not seem to like you very much, it is very obvious from last night’s reaction on hearing your promotion,” he looked at Theelor’s crushed face, “Last night there were a few people who came up to me after dinner and expressed their displeasure with me, promoting you, one person in particular.”
“Second Commander Kentor sir?” Theelor asked not looking suppressed at all.
Voltrain nodded, “Yes, it was. I realize that not everyone here likes you but I promoted you for a reason. You are perfect for this position, you are going to do great things for your Kingdom, and you will have my rank in no time at all. You are going places in the eyes of The Kings Inner Circle of Knights. Kentor is going nowhere.”
Theelor looked at Voltrain, “But…sir...I’m not in the Inner Circle. Only yourself, High Commander to the King Letor, First Commander Veltg are and His Majesties Left and Right Hands. I’m just under your command. I’m nothing special.”
Voltrain shook his head, and then took a deep breath before continuing what he was going to say, “You will be within the next few weeks. Like I said you are going places in your career. Once you get back with my men safely you will be inducted into the Inner Circle.” He looked at the new First Commander.
The only look on Theelor’s face was that of shock, one that did not suit the young man’s oddly aged face.
First Commander Theelor was a young man that had seen many a hard times in his short life, thus the aged look, he was in his mid-twenties, and at around 5’ 6” very well built for his young age. His tunic was a deep purple which, exactly like Voltrain’s tunic, which represents his old rank; when he arrived home he would receive a deep green tunic for his new position in the army. Though Theelor was only twenty-five years old, he was completely bald; because of the disease he was born with, marking that his mother mated with a man from Centa-Mas, that man being his father. That was the basis of the reasoning that few liked to share the First Commanders company, and why even less would talk to him. As for his eyes they were the colour of the magic users, a copper variety. Though he hadn’t had proper training with the mages in Voti, Voltrain had taken him into his army when none other would because he believed that eventually, the young man’s powers would eventually burst forth and be of great use to the High Commander’s army.
