Whatever It Takes

Chapter 1

The fletchers surrounded Kasen Milo as he clenched his jaw, made strong from years of determination. The blazing desert air made it difficult to breathe and gain some of his senses, making him lose the grip on his sword. A fletcher, close to his left, advanced one step forward, baring long pointy teeth.

"Come on Kasen, think!" he chanted to himself.

He wasn't as clever as some of the other boys in his division. Then, another fletcher came closer to Kasen, and a faint idea popped into his mind. Kasen planted the weight of his whole body onto his right foot, regained the grip on his sword, and jabbed forward, springing off his right foot toward the closest fletcher. As the sword was thrust toward the fletcher, Kasen heard the squeal of pain coming from the wolf-like creature.

Kasen knew his plan had worked when the injured fletcher rammed into the rest of his pack, knocking them all off balance. One thing Kasen would always remember about fletchers is that even small blows to the stomach would ruin their stance. They could fall with one carefully placed strike to the belly. Kasen watched the final fletcher fall on the burning desert sand. He smiled at his fallen foes, glad he didn't forget anything from training.

"Not bad, Milo," a voice behind him thundered.

Kasen ran a hand through his dirty-blonde hair, trying to get some of the sand out, as he spun around. His trainer and great friend, Gideon Ace, towered over Kasen like a small giant. Gideon walked over to Kasen and patted him on the back. Kasen winced, for his back was still sore from battling the fletchers so strenuously.

"This was, by far, the best you have ever done. At least this time, you had a plan."

"Well, I did have a plan this time," Kasen growled under his breath, as he put his sword back in his scabbard.

Kasen did not like fighting with a sword, and he much preferred to use a bow and arrow. However, a bow and arrow would do him no good in his close-range training.

Kasen exited the fenced enclosure with Gideon. He wiped his brow on his greenish-brown jacket, relieving his face from some of the sweat and dust caking his face. His blueish-gray eyes shone even more with his face cleared. As they entered a large pasture, Kasen could see other trainers congratulating or encouraging their cadets. Obviously, they had all just finished the same test Kasen had completed. Passing the test was required to move on to the next division. Kasen had taken the test two times before, failing both times.

Kasen and Gideon came to a halt in a large circle with all the other trainers and cadets in the pasture of sand. In the center of the circle, there was a rough looking man that everyone came to know as Orson Aldivian. Orson was an old and surly man with a gruff voice and tough and scarred skin. He wore a leather eye patch over a scar on his left eye from a bolun attack about 20 years before Kasen's beginning. Boluns have great tusks protruding out of their large head. After nearly getting one tusk in his brain, Chief Aldivian was now tougher and meaner.

"Gideon, why are we meeting with Chief Aldivian? Aren't we supposed to go back to our huts before sundown?"

Gideon looked worried, "I thought you knew they were announcing the Cadets chosen for the expedition today?" When Kasen expressed shock and dismay, Gideon continued, "They change the starting day because Arch King Slavik is dying. A nobleman, a heroic soldier, but all people must die."

Gideon's eyes filled with sadness, and Kasen felt emotion run through him. Arch King Slavik was a tremendous friend to Gideon when he was in his training years. Kasen felt sympathy for his large friend.

"I understand your loss, my friend. I wish you well."

Kasen scanned the group for Zara Rhett, a fellow cadet. She was one of the few girls, but also one of Kasen's devoted friends. At 15, Zara was one of the best fighters in the training field. Kasen regretted that because she would probably be chosen for the Cadet Expedition, for this is what Gideon had been talking about. The Cadet Expedition was set every year to see who was the best fighter. Commonly, five cadets were chosen from at least ten cities in the Arnav Seaboard. Making that 50 cadets at the start and 10 at the end, Zara's chances of survival were slim. He did not want his friend to die.

Chief Aldivian strolled around the circle glaring at each and every cadet, "As I have suspected, only some of you have failed in your exams. I've seen improvement but it is not satisfactory. You need to be pushed past your limitations."

Chief Aldivian then glared right at Kasen. Kasen put up the hood of his coat, though no one gazed in his direction. He had endured most of the lectures of the Arnavian guards, informing them of the "horrors" of serving in another community post. They had stated, 'The battalion is the only place you will feel you have a purpose in the community.' This year was his year, finishing at least third in his class.

Chief Aldivian retreated over to the center of the circle and whistled, and all the cadets snapped into attention. Kasen looked up, his face was hot and he was tired.

"Gideon, why does the Chief prolong this? What does he think it will accomplish? Screeching at us won't make us work harder!" Kasen angrily whispered.

"Kasen," Gideon said in his heavy accent, "He does not want you to fail. He wants you to succeed. Though he may be alarming, just listen to his words. There is always wisdom in what the man says."

The Chief put his wrinkly hand into a pocket in his coat and pulled out a small device. He tried to clear his throat, but to no effect, for when he began to drawl again, his voice was just as gruff.

"After many hard battles and challenges, we have finally narrowed down the list. This year's cadets chosen for the expedition will be Zara Rhett, Kaysar Ashwin, Jax Thames, Kasen Milo, and Astrid Rohan."

As each name was called, nervous and shaking, each cadet stepped forward. Kasen was the last one to do so after Astrid. How could he be in the final five? Now, he would have to battle to the death against all the other teams. He thought about his family, his mom who would have one less pair of hands around. He thought of his brothers, Alrik and Bryer. He looked at Zara from across the circle. Her face only shone with confidence. Standing at attention, Zara saluted Chief Aldivian as the rest of the cadets followed suit.

"If only," he said to himself, "If only I could be like her. So strong."

The Chief continued his speech, "The five of you will now gain further knowledge back at my hut. Everyone else be prepared for training at first daylight. You are dismissed!"

Kasen did as he was instructed, and as Gideon followed him to Aldivian's hut, Gideon, being such a large man, lightly patted Kasen on his shoulder. Gideon warned, "All you need to endure now is nine teams, to fight your hardest, and not die."

Gideon was trying to help Kasen recover from his shock, but nothing would. Knowing he was probably not going to survive, Kasen just wished Zara lived. If fighting bravely 'til the end was the way he would become part of the Magnus, then so be it.

End of Chapter 1