Book One: Schwarzer Wolf

Chapter 19: Lioness' Den

If I knew how and why I was here, I wouldn't be thinking. 4 days after they brought me here and 3 weeks after our first meeting. Still don't understand and I probably won't.

I still can't wrap my head around why they brought me here. Then again, I am a bargaining chip with Ironblood. Even if I made enough mistakes to ruin my career in one day. Wisconsin had left to deal with a siren fleet while Preussen was on watch duty over me. He had this stoic look as he kept an eye on me, I myself was in the infirmary just waking up from a very poor afternoon. 

“Is he up yet?”

“Should be, unless he intends on missing the trials.”

“What….trials?” Preussen looked down at me, then slowly smirked. I had learned something really fast, and that was to not ask questions to what I don’t want answers to.

“The guard trials of course.” 

I had heard about these from an American long ago. Something about all of Eagle Union’s strongest coming in one area to show their skill. It was supposed to be a major event, with admirals and workers standing and watching together. I had heard once my brother had attended one as an observer, albeit he got thrown out rather early.

“I’m not going to be in them…right?”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“Whether or not Luzon here sees that you’re healed correctly.” I looked over at the other person in the room. It was a young boy, couldn’t be older than 16 physically. His hair was a light brown, wavy and smooth. He had a sort of sidepart haircut to the right. His eyes were a matching brown, although at some angles they seemed to have a green hue as well. He was dressed in a white sweatshirt and grey sweatpants,  a lanyard around his neck with his name and a few other things. He didn’t look the part for a doctor, kansen or not. 

“He’s good enough for a fight, no guarantees the bandages will hold after a few kicks.” Preussen’s smirk only grew, Luzon sighing and handing me a bottle of pills.

“Only take one when the pain surges, don’t get addicted or we’ll have a lot of issues. I’ve already broken someone’s neck for being addicted, don’t be that guy.” I could only nod, Luzon walking away into a different room. Preussen looked me over, then sighed.

“I’m kinda sad I can’t break your spine. I had fun during our first duel, even if it was short.”

“I didn’t.”

“That’s because you weren’t able to fight back how you wanted to. That was my realm, now you’ve entered the lioness’ den.”

“I don’t like how that sounds.”

“You’re not supposed to.”

I grumbled and tossed the blanket to the side, looking down at my body with a slight sigh. The pain wasn’t bad, but it still was there. I got up and started walking to the cafeteria, Preussen following me quickly. The cafeteria was nearly full when we arrived, it being around lunchtime. I got my food first, then Preussen got his. 

I started looking for an empty table with Preussen, but nearly every table was packed. A few were half full, but I didn’t want to associate with these Americans while I was here. Preussen grabbed my collar after our third time around and forced me to sit with him at a table which had two figures I recognised from combat reports.

“Morin’ Preussen.”

“Guten Tag Kentucky and Missouri.” Missouri only nodded. Kentucky was an individual I’d only heard of via his exploits. Once being the reason a siren fleet was put into a daze temporarily. His hair was oddly enough a semi dark purple, his eyes were a similar but darker purple with a very slight blue coloration to add. He wore a black turtleneck with a black trench coat hanging off his shoulders. He currently had a corndog stuck halfway in his mouth, scrolling on his phone while he ate.