Rebellion: Prince of Dawn

Chapter 16.1: Seven Sentinels

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ILIAS VAN PAYNE

"Seven. You'll need at least seven sentinels to protect your village," Askeladd explained to the farmers. "It's getting late so I suggest we all go rest. We'll rendezvous here tomorrow to look for others who are willing to fight for your cause."

"About that." Jaime and I had been silent for so long that everyone, including ourselves, had forgotten we were still here. "We had actually been following the farmers since they got rejected by the captain of a mercenary company."

Hanzo shot a bewildered look at me. "That was this morning. You were following us since then?"

"Yeah. Jaime and I know how to lurk about unseen."

"A mercenary company?" Aksleadd chuckled. "In your situation, less is more. It's a good thing they said no or else they would've grazed through your food supply in a week."

I continued, "Well, we were actually following you because we wanted to fight for you." I pulled Jaime onto her feet and turned to Askeladd. "And since you're acting as leader, Ser, we're asking for your permission to join."

"No, this isn't a game," he said dully. "A battle is no place for children."

"Children younger than us have fought in wars."

"They didn't have a choice. You do."

"We don't have a choice either, Ser."

The elf knight shook his head. "Believe me, you'll have plenty of other chances to fight for glory in the future. But you're not ready."

"We beg to differ," Jaime retorted.

"This isn't a matter of opinion. I'm sure you'd love to live with honour and die with glory, but now is not the time. Let me ask you this: what's bigger, one or five?"

Jaime held out an open palm. "Five."

"Five..." Askeladd held up all of his fingers before making a fist. "One. One force united under one leader fighting for one purpose. In battle, not only do we need to protect ourselves but also our comrades. We fight as one by protecting the person next to us. A single weak spot and that one breaks into many."

"You're saying just because we're children that we can't fight as one? Age means nothing and you haven't a clue what we're capable of." Jaime nudged me. "Ilias, show them your staff."

I shook my head in annoyance and unwrapped my robe, presenting Aurora Ventus to Askeladd and the farmers.

The knight inspected it before handing it back. "This is an expensive staff. One that should only belong to a powerful jynxist."

"He's a State Jynxist," Jaime announced. "Ilias Van Payne—Prince Of Dawn!"

"Prince Of Dawn? Never heard of it."

"It's a long story. Ilias will be happy to tell the tale once we join."

Askeladd sighed. "You two aren't joining. That's the end of it."

"So you're not even willing to see what we can do?" Jaime asked. "Ilias alone can fortify the village with his spells and I can teach the basics of swordplay to the farmers. We can hold our own."

"Fine, I'll entertain this idea."

The farmers shot each other looks of irritation at the idea of children fighting for them. Ritsu was the most vocal about this. He wouldn't stop talking about how this was a waste of time.