War of Dark Ages: A Unicorn's Journey
Chapter 18

Commander Kail takes a sip of water and continues to look over the documents on the desk in the Town Hall. He looks up and gazes on the floor as there are many injured people spread out through this hall, the main Villa, and tents throughout part of town. He sighs.

Ragnar approaches him and hands him a report. “Several citizens from the Kingdom of Saluden, Port of Steed, Arga Mountains, and a few Kagaries have already been teleported to the capital to be sent home.”

“That’s good, are the Knights of Dark Vesher ready to go home?” Commander Kail looks over the report.

“Well, Captain Uri is having a hard time talking with them. They are terrified and can’t even stand the thought of fighting. I can’t even imagine the terror these people went through.” Ragnar crosses his arms.

Commander Kail stands up, “Take care of the Maidens from the Temple of Tumilia. I’m sure everyone is frightened. Let them know if they want, we can give them sanctuary in our Kingdom. Also, let them know to take the time they need. I will not rush their recovery.” He walks out of the room with Ragnar.

Ragnar takes his leave heading upstairs.

Commander Kail turns right, carefully walking down the hallway to three connected rooms full of Knights of Dark Vesher. He walks into the room and spots Captain Uri on the other side giving them drinks while trying to calm them down. A few other soldiers are tending to the wounded. As he approaches the Captain of the Knights of Vesher freezes and lowers his head to his knees.

Captain Uri stands up, “I don’t know what else to do.” He stares helplessly at the knight with both hands on his hips.

“Let me try.” Commander Kail kneels in front of the knight and stretches out his hand gently placing it on the top of the knight’s head. “Take a deep breath, no one is going to hurt you or your men. You have sanctuary here and you can stay for as long as you need. Even if you don’t want to fight, it’s ok. You can take your time and conquer this fear. We are not here to force you.” Commander Kail’s voice is calm and soft as the ocean’s breeze, causing the knight to look up at him with fear in his face.

The knight asks, “I… can stay here? And …. But not many,” hiccup, “survived. I couldn’t save them.” He squeezes his eyes shut.

“There are three rooms of knights,” the knight looks up in surprise at him, “We were given a small window and a lot of people helping. You’re not alone. If you want, you and your men can stay at the capital with the Count of Nesis and his family to gain ground. If I remember correctly you have a good relationship with him and he has been awfully worried. He is here currently trying to help as many as they can.” Commander Kail lifts the cup of bae with his other hand and raises to the knight, “Conserve your strength, I think they will need you as much as you need them. I’ll start the documents and Captain Uri along with a few soldiers can bring you there safely.”

The knight gives a shaky nod with a slight relief in his eyes and takes the cup of Bae slowly drinking it. The other knights who were watching also started drinking.

“Thanks, guess I’m better at combat than helping.” Uri shrugs.

“It takes a lot of practice and you’re welcome. I’ll get started on the paperwork and have a soldier bring it to you.” Commander Kail walks out of the room heading back to the desk. He grabs the documents the Count gave him that morning and starts filling them out. Once it’s finished, he hands the document over to a soldier. “Make sure that goes to Captain Uri and they have all the help they need.”

The soldier takes the documents and steps carefully through the people resting on the floor to deliver the papers.

Commander Kail looks down at the documents and sighs.

“Is everything alright?” The Count of Nesis asks with the Knight of Garlsteag Domar behind him.

“Just so many to help, I realize we have placed quite a few in getting them homes. So many are still greatly injured and trying to figure out where we can safely place them.” Commander Kail picks up a couple of documents.

“That is like you, both you and the Duke have that in common.” The Count steps beside looking down at the documents.

“Oh, and the Knight of Dark Vesher is being moved to your home. They are afraid to fight.” Commander Kail skims the documents.

“That is great news. I was worried that if I went in there, they wouldn’t want to talk and would feel I was condemning them. I’m sure they will love it there.” The Count picks up a couple of documents.

“What about the others?” Domar questions with a hand on his hip.

“Calm down, we can only help so many at a time. If we try to help or move them all at once, they will get lost and chaos will ensue. We are trying not to cause that. Seems you might need a few more lessons.” The Count glances at Domar, “I wonder if King Argon’s Adviser would like that task?”

Domar grimaces, casting a distasteful glance at the Count.

Commander Kail chuckles. “Be nice, Domar has yet to set his foot into something like this. I just don’t like how many circus performers there are and shrine maidens. How did they manage to bring so many here and no one even be aware of it?”

“I don’t know, but something tells me we will replace out soon. How many circus performers do we have?” The Count responds glancing up from the documents.

“At least seventy-eight and only twenty-four are ready for transport. They want to go back to their homes. And the shrine maidens all of them want sanctuary. We don’t have a temple here though so I’m unsure where we can place them.” Commander Kail sets the documents down. “What did you replace in those documents?”

“Commander Kail apologizes for the interruption but something is happening at the Mansion. Lieutenant Knox requests your aid.” A soldier salutes and waits for his response.

“Take us there.” He orders and they leave the town hall for the mansion on the other side.

As they enter the mansion, quite a commotion can be heard to the left in the large room. Commander Kail remembers a lot of Kagaries were put in here. They head to the left and spot a young woman panicking before Lieutenant Knox.

The young woman Kagary pleads in a desperate voice, “We are being held prisoner here! You can’t keep us please, I just want to take them home!”

“Endorai Kortega!” Commander Kail gives the order to her.

She freezes for a second before looking at him with fearful eyes and spots the commander striding towards her. She bows her head at him.

He stops in front of her. “Feeling better?”

The young woman replies, “Commander Kail, forgive me. I didn’t know where I was and I panicked.”

“It’s fine. I’m sure waking up in an unknown area terrifies you. Right now, I need everyone’s help to look after everyone and make sure they are alright. Do you think you can help us?” Commander Kail places both hands behind his back.

“Yes, Sir!” The young woman looks up eagerly.

“Go with the soldiers and help the others. Do not be afraid of them, they are here to help everyone.” Commander Kail orders and the young woman follows the soldier into another room to tend to more wounded.

“I’m glad I called on you for that.” Lieutenant Knox remarks with relief spread across his face, “Seems your reputation amongst them isn’t a rumor.”

The Count smiles. “No, Kail here has quite the reputation.”

Commander Kail scowls at the Count.

“You’re about as famous as The Duke of Bringenton,” The Count teases.

“That’s enough out of you Laypon. Honestly, I think you love teasing both of us,” Commander Kail complains.

Lieutenant Knox chuckles. “Well, if I was as old as you are, I would definitely have quite a reputation myself!”

“Wait! What?! But you’re human, you can’t be that old!” Domar shockingly stares at Commander Kail.

Commander Kail places his head in his hand and groans. Lieutenant Knox and the Count chuckle.

The Count confirms, “Commander Kail is only half human, but his other half remains unknown. Which is why we leave his status as human. He is actually ten years older than I am, 143.”

“I never would have guessed that.” Domar gives a questionable look to Commander Kail.

“I’m aware. Now then, how many are ready to transport Lieutenant Knox?” Commander Kail is eager to switch the conversation off him and back to work, noticing the smirk on the Count’s face.

“None at the moment. Some are able to move around but most don’t want to leave the others behind. I wish we had more healers but at the moment, we are only able to heal their outer wounds while trying to help them get their strength back.” Lieutenant Knox confirms the report.

“That does make this difficult.” Commander Kail places one hand on his hip.

“Indeed, we still have so many people to move and place. I wish I knew a heal spell that would give energy back to them, but my heal spells can heal their wounds and not replenish the energy taken from them.” The Count places his hand on his chin.

“Perhaps I can help there, if I may?” Gwyneira remarks walking beside Madam Ura.

“Gwyneira, are you sure you’re not too tired? You and Calleas did a great job yesterday.” Commander Kail kneels.

Madam Ura gazes down at Gwyneira with admiration, “Indeed, Both of you have been wonderful. I even told them that but it seems they feel if they don’t do more, that person will win and the mere thought of that pains them greatly.”

Commander Kail sighs. “You are stubborn.”

Gwyneira perks her ears forward.

“Alright, what do you need to do and is there anything I can do to help?”

“I need an open space, possibly outside. I need to transform into my other form which will allow me to spread my magic in a wider area. Yet, I am slightly afraid I will be attacked.” Gwyneira nuzzles Commander Kail in the shoulder, “For some reason I like your smell and the Guardian said you were someone I could trust to help me deal with my own emotions.”

Commander Kail places his hand on the side of her jaw. “I’ll make sure you’re protected. No one here will hurt you and I understand.” He stands up and looks at Lieutenant Knox, “May I have your help?”

“Always Commander.” Lieutenant Knox orders a few soldiers to step outside with them.

Madam Ura steps outside and gives a few orders to move a few people away, giving room for Gwyneira. As they wait, several people move forward and gently move the injured people aside to give enough room for Gwyneira to transform.

Gwyneira moves forward slowly, betraying how nervous she feels.

“Gwyneira, do you need me to come with you? I don’t mind.” Command Kail offers.

Gwyneira looks back at Commander Kail with her ears drawn back. After a moment’s pause gives a jerky nod of her head.

Commander Kail walks forward standing a few feet away.

Gwyneira turns around and lowers her head. After a few seconds, her body glows with a white light surrounding her. The white light engulfs her body changing her shape back into the form of a Winged Pegasus. She spreads her wings and gives a mystical neigh raising her head. Her two front feet come slightly off the ground and paces slightly backward to stretch out her wings. She gazes at Commander Kail and taps her hoof twice. Her magic spreads from her wings forming a wide circle from the Mansion to the Town Hall including everything in between. White magic particles form and spread across touching every person, healing not only their wounds but regenerating a lot of their strength that was drained from them.

The magic fades and Gwyneira lowers her head and one foot, having Commander Kail catch her. “Easy there Gwyneira. I think your partner above wants to take you to the fields so you can eat and rest for a bit.” He looks up at the beautiful black-winged pegasus known as Calleas.

“I can do more,” Gwyneira murmurs.

“You have done more than enough, and if I have to make this an order to ground you, so be it. Is that clear?” Calleas makes a neigh sound from above agreeing with Commander Kail.

Gwyneira looks at Commander Kail and lifts her head to gaze at Calleas. She spreads her wings and lifts herself above. They fly over the town to the meadow by the lake to rest.

Madam Ura walks forward, “I’ll take care of the people outside.”

Lieutenant Knox, “I’ll start transporting the Kagaries back to the Capital so we can get them home.”

Madam Ura and Lieutenant Knox walk away to perform their duties.

The Count, along with an astonished Domar, walks up to Commander Kail. “Looks like we just need to get started on the people in the Mansion and move the rest of the people in town to the Town Hall.” The Count remarks with relief spread across his face. “You must admit, magical creatures are pretty amazing. I still don’t understand why someone would hurt them that way.”

“No idea, but Fallshmere is my enemy number one and I’ll crush him.” Commander Kail grinds his teeth feeling the fury of that day he was helpless against him.

“Indeed, let’s go and get something to eat. Then we can start getting more people home.” The Count smiles and walks toward the Town Hall followed by Domar and Commander Kail.

San wakes up glancing around at her room with a smile on her lips. The moon displays out her window and steps out of bed, realizing she is dressed. She proceeds downstairs.

Kail, Riley, and Argon are sitting at the table with Gwyneira and Calleas resting on the bench. On the other side is The Count of Nesis, Uri, and another unknown person.

She walks forward and sits between the Count and Uri.

Riley places a large bowl of soup and a cup of bae in front of her and smiles. “We are actually just starting to eat, then we can pick up the conversation from yesterday.”

San nods her head and starts eating her food enjoying the flavor.

Everyone sits down with their food and continues to eat.

Afterward, Commander Kail leans forward placing both hands together on the table. “We were trying to catch up with the King and the Earl of Garlsteag with his Knight Domar up to date on the current events. I’m sure they have a lot of questions and I also need to tell you of an event that happened in the capital. Domar, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Domar stands up and formally bows, “I am Domar the Knight of Garlsteag.” Rising from his bow, “Pleasure to meet you.” He sits back down and waits.

The Count of Nesis responds, “Since you have already met our King, shall we continue?” They continue the discussion of last night, retelling certain events and explaining the level difference.

“I still can’t even begin to imagine the level difference on that grand of a scale.” King Argon taps the table. “How does one measure that?”

“Perhaps if I explain the situation at the capital, San might be able to give a better judgment in explaining the situation.” Commander Kail glances at King Argon.

“Very Well.”

“At the time we got the report at the Capital, things were already in a heated argument over Madam Fortun. It seems we had two people in the higher courts involved with delegating misinformation. We were at the court in the castle debating with others. . . .”

“Sir, please we are being used. For all we know things are most definitely not what they seem and how is there no evidence showing Madam Fortun’s involvement?” The Marquess of Stayleen remarks.

The Duke of Bingenton and The Count of Nesis remain quiet.

Commander Kail sweeps his hand behind him gazing directly at the Marquees of Stayleen, “It is interesting you are defending them so readily, and yet you are being very cautious with your words. It almost sounds as if someone rehearsed them for you since you are usually not this passionate on a subject like this.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” The Marquess of Stayleen looks agitated.

Commander Kail notices a slightly rustic smell coming from the person standing behind him. His butler and man at arms is known as Raysteen. Casting a slight glance at the Duke, The Count of Nesis nods his head as all three of them are ready to attack.

Commander Kail immediately moves forward with his scimitar materialized, aiming an attack head-on. The Duke appears behind him with his sword drawn casting a series of small explosions behind him sending him flying forward.

Raysteen is suddenly flung forward and draws out a device only to be trapped in a cage both magical and material made from the same devices Gringel found at the Town of Isitural. Raysteen tries to hide the device only to have his hand frozen and glares at the Count of Nesis.

“What is going on here!” King Argon demands and stands up.

“Explain yourself.” The Adviser Turan remarks and walks forward.

Commander Kail has his blade on The Marquess of Stayleen’s throat not moving an inch while looking incredibly angry.

“Perhaps we should let the Marquess explain since you seem to be connected to the one we told you about, Fallshmere.” The Count replies.

The Adviser Turan glances at the Marquess and back to Raysteen. “How could you tell?”

“It was the bloodlust. Lower ranks are well equipped to hide it especially when they are close to being found out. Higher ranks, on the other hand, might not have been able to succeed in defeating it. We got lucky and I’m grateful no one got hurt.” The Count kneels before Raysteen and takes the device out of his hand.

Commander Kail frowns, “Be careful with that device. That stake the second it touches your skin will paralyze you and even kill you quite easily.”

“Indeed, it’s the one that immobilized Miss San and she is of a General’s rank which is a lot higher than the lower ranks. But as you can see this item has benefits for living or dead creatures. This is something else.” The Count of Nesis stands up.

“Do you think we might be able to determine its worth as we leave to help the people in the Cave of Solace?” King Argon questions and starts walking down to Commander Kail.

“I’ll do what I can, Sire. With so much being unknown, it’s hard to determine.” The Adviser Turan remarks.

King Argon stops in front of the Marquess of Stayleen, “Lock them both up and ensure no one is around them. I want no accidents or deaths. Now then assemble the Men, we ride out to see how many we can save!”

The Earl of Garlsteag along with his knight moves forward to the King, “Please Sire, let me and my men assist.”

“Very well. Something tells me we will need a lot of help.” King Argon along with everyone else moves to the instant teleportation outside of town to help with the urgent report concerning the Cave of Solace…..

She glances at Commander Kail. “No one was hurt by him?”

“No, we got lucky because of what we learned from you.” Commander Kail smiles with relief.

“You were indeed lucky it was a lower rank.” San pauses. “I have an idea if you’re okay with me trying to explain it?” She looks at King Argon meeting his gaze.

King Argon nods.

“You remember how I told you the elemental rock golem can change the mountain structure to give the Mountain creatures a home?”

“Correct, I can’t even do something on that scale,” Argon remarks. “A lower rank can put a large hole through a mountain, a higher rank can demolish a mountain in an instant. A general can topple a whole kingdom within three days. A rank that rivals the First can annihilate an entire region within a day. The First can annihilate an entire region in the blink of an eye. That is the huge scale difference of power. Using devices can increase their power greatly.” San glances around the table.

King Argon and Domar stare at her, completely shocked.

The Count continues, “Indeed, and that is how lucky we got at the capital. And why we didn’t hesitate when we realized what we were up against.”

“That would explain why you used those cages we are unfamiliar with.” King Argon replies.

San raises an eyebrow at the Count.

“I only managed to save a couple to figure out how their technology works. I am glad it worked on trapping them, but something tells me it won’t work for a rank higher.”

“Have you been able to figure out anything about their technology?” San questions.

“Afraid not, even though some of it uses magic. It’s on a completely different scale and may take some time to figure it out. And I will notify you immediately if anything because I know it might help you understand a bit more of the knowledge that you already possess.” The Count replies.

San gives a nod.

“Well since this meeting is almost over, is there anything else anyone would like to ask?” King Argon questions glancing around the room.

San looks down at her hands pondering a thought. “San, you have something on your mind don’t you?”

Riley speaks up for the first time and takes a sip of his tonic.

“Perhaps, but it will seem a strange question.” San glances down at her hands.

“You should ask first then, you didn’t hesitate before, correct?” Riley remarks with a slight smile.

“About the damned, I mean Raysteen you have locked up. May I be able to meet this person and try something after we are finished helping here?” San glances at King Argon and looks at Commander Kail.

“It’s what Fallshmere said, isn’t it?” Commander Kail responds.

“Yes, it bothers me a lot since there is some truth to what he said. I was never really allowed near the lower ranks and I wonder if there was a reason for this. Perhaps if I can figure this out, it might get me closer to the memories that are locked inside me.” San glances down at her hands.

“Memories?” King Argon gives a questioning glance to The Count of Nesis.

“It seems San can’t remember the creature she was before. We have no idea why but perhaps this might unlock a few more memories and help things become a bit clearer. I see no reason why not, Your Highness. It might also allow us to defeat Fallshmere a bit easier.” The Count takes a sip of his tea.

“Very well, that shall be our next objective once everything has settled down here. Shall we retire for the night? We have a long day ahead of tomorrow.”

“I think that would benefit all of us. Goodnight everyone,” Riley replies.

King Argon, The Count, and Domar depart and leave the tavern for the night.

Gwyneira and Calleas follow San upstairs to her room for more rest since tomorrow might be a busy day. San changes into her nightgown and lays down on the bed with both Gwyneira and Calleas stretched out. Her last thought is she hopes Skye, The Duke, the Earl of Garlsteag, and Boah are having a good time trying to talk to the elemental rock golems since they can be quite stubborn.