Stick War: Inamorta and beyond

Chapter 33: Griffins

12th March 1074, 10.39am

It has been a few days since the Speartons have declared war on the Allies. Every since the death of General Johan, the Speartons became enraged and desired revenged against the Allies. However, the Allies already stated that they did not kill General Johan. But the Speartons ignored the Allies, claiming that they are just covering up the murder.

In just a few days, the Speartons mobilised swiftly and took over some towns and settlements once owned by the Allies. The Allies have been pushed back to the Swordwrath territory and are struggling to hold. Recon team is almost done recuperating from the damage they sustained during attack from Yoake. They are currently resting in a small town near the front lines and they are about to be deployed back into missions.

"Where's Mark?" Elizabeth asked.

"He must be sleeping still." Ace replied.

Recon team just received their new mission and Kim ordered Elizabeth and Ace to get Grace and Mark.

"Mark! Wake up you lazy cow!" Elizabeth shouted while banging on his door. 

"Let me handle this." The Prince replied and kicked open the door.

"You lazy imbecile, wake up!" Ace shouted.

"Wait Ace, Mark's not here." Elizabeth said as she scanned the room.

The room is quite neat in fact, the bed us tidied up and his sword is gone. There is also a piece of paper on his table. Ace picked it up and read Mark's terrible handwriting and grammer:

I at de bakyad trienin, mit mi dere.

Ace sighed and deciphered his message. " It read: I am at the backyard training, meet me there." 

"I'm surprised that you can read it." Elizabeth joked.

Ace ignored her tasteless joke and proceeded to the backyard. They soon reached the training area and were surprised at what they saw. There were trees broken and snapped, in the middle of the mess is Mark, smashing and cutting trees with his sword. Ace and Elizabeth were just stunned, they did not know that Mark was so strong. Soon they snapped out of it and walked towards him.

"Yo. What's up?" Mark asked while wiping sweat off his face.

"Hey... Did you do all of this?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yeah. After that fight with Yoake, I realised how weak I was. I just could not stand and watch Kim getting ahead of me you know? So I need to get stronger, strong enough to fight next to him." Mark said and clenched his fist.

Ace was stunned, he has never seen Mark so into training. It is as if the lazy hothead soldier has been reborn into a brave and hardworking soldier.
"Hey, Ace. Cat got your tongue?" Mark joked.

"Hmm. It looks like your attitude and handwriting needs some training." Ace remarked.

"What did you say?! You rich girlish face?!" Mark shouted.

"Look at who's talking, the idiotic boy that could not even write!" Ace shouted back.

Elizabeth sighed, looking at her teammates fighting in a childish manner again. "Same as ever."

11.26am

"You four are late!" Grace scolded.

"Sorry." Mark grumbled.

"It was that idiot's fault! If he hadn't bought that sandwich then we won't be late!" Ace protested while pointing at Mark.

"What did you say you ingrate?!" Mark insulted.

"Guys! Seriously, we have a mission." Kim shouted while sighing.

The two soldiers glared at each other childishly and looked away. 

"Anyway, as you all know, the war is not looking im our favour so the higher ups have decided to send us to the Spearton Capital, Orilon. To request an alliance and clear up the misunderstanding. We have to persuade Emperor Alexander, the Emperor of the Spearton faction." Kim explained.

"I had celery soup yesterday and celery sandwich this morning, so I think I will have stir-fried celery for lunch today!" Mark exclaimed.

"SERGEANT MARK BANKS!" Grace screamed and Mark immediately got into a formal stance.

"Yes Lieutenant Grace?" Mark whimpered.

"Mark seriously, this is an important mission." Kim remarked while face-palming.

"Oh yeah one more thing, our group has been called a different name." Kim said.

"Really? What is it?" Elizabeth asked.

"From this day, we will be referred as the 'Griffins'." Kim said.

"Really? Griffins? Is that all they could think of?" Mark mocked.

"Shut up Mark." The rest of Griffins team said.

"Alright, Griffins, I the mission will begin tomorrow at 7am in front of the town gate. Is that clear?!" Kim commanded.

"Yes captain!" The rest answered.

12th March 1074, 7.06am

"Alright Griffins! Let's go!" Kim shouted.

And so, the recon team or the Griffins embark to their new mission to stop the Speartons.