“You’ve been on your feet all day. After what you went through, you should be taking it easy. Maybe relax in bed?” He hedged hopefully, his gaze darting down to my feet as his hand twitched at his side. I had a feeling he wanted to pick me up, but I was glad he didn’t. As sweet as I found it, he had no reason to be concerned. Ihadbeen on the move all day, but…
I felt re-energized. I felt determined. The very last thing I felt was tired.
“Plus,” Dakath stated, approaching us from where he’d been talking to a young man holding several pieces of what appeared to be new weaponry, “recruit processing isn’t the most interesting thing to watch. Are you sure you don’t want one of us to go back to the room with you?”
“Recruit processing may not be fascinating to you guys,” I pointed out as I offered him a small shrug, “but I’m really enjoying this.”
That wasn’t a lie either. After the meeting today, I was not only more focused than ever, but I had a keen interest to understand how this entire process worked. A process that Elijah had explained to me in-depth before stepping out here.
Apparently, because this was an overseas military attack, the castle used the recruit process to gather information from the new members of the military. Important elements included things such as where they lived and the family they had here, as well as giving them military markers with their names on them. They received uniforms, equipment, and weapons as well. Elijah did note that he was a bit concerned about not having a ton available for training but that they still planned on doing as much as possible to protect the citizens of the Tridian Empire.
So yes, I wanted to be part ofthis.I had been locked away and removed from society for so long by Malakai that even simple things like this were new experiences that I was happy to be a part of.
Plus, Elijah was now standing about ten feet away from me being all commanding. Watching him directing individuals where to go? I found it oddly sexy. Then again, I found pretty much everything these men did attractive, so that wasn’t entirely surprising.
Kolvar shook his head at my words, a smile playing on his lips.
I took the opportunity to distract him, asking both of them a question that had popped into my head a few minutes ago. “So when Malakai’s ship first arrived and the warning sounded, what did that mean to everyone? That they needed to come do recruit processing like this to prepare to fight? I know it was a signal to prepare for a possible invasion from an enemy ship, right?”
“Yes, it was a signal for the arrival of an enemy ship and for the people to prepare for a possible invasion.” Kolvar nodded. “Recruit processing wouldn’t have been part of those preparations, however. This is a bit new for everyone because of the scale of the war we are launching.”
“So what would they have done?” I asked in confusion.
“Our ruler,” Kolvar paused as a smile grew on my lips slightly. I could see how easily it would be to slip up and say Empress or Myrin, but there were far too many people around. He glanced to his left at a gaggle of recruits before continuing, “Our ruler has ensured that every household in our empire is equipped to defend themselves in some way. There hasn’t been much concern or need for it in the past, but training and basic weaponry is available to our citizens.”
“Seriously?” I asked incredulously. Malakai would never give the people of his empire weapons—the idea was nearly laughable.
“Yes,” Dakath answered for him. “It gives the citizens confidence in their ability to keep themselves safe, but it also allows them to be independent from the monarchy instead of reliant upon it for their safety.” Yeah, that would never happen under Malakai’s rule, but I could see the appeal of it. My respect for Myrin increased tenfold.
“So the warning bells,” Kolvar continued with a sharp nod at Dakath’s words, “were a signal for everyone to prepare their homes. The castle guard and standing military would act as a first defense to the invasion, but it gives citizens the ability to not only know what's going on, but to take defensive measures of their own as well.”
I nodded in understanding before tilting my head, a question burning in my mind. “And we are recruiting for this because it's a large-scale attack? We need more than just the normal castle guard and military?”
I didn’t want to sound dense with all of my questions, but I wanted to understand my new home and all of its inner-workings. And to my surprise, I was captivated by how this empire was run. It seemed worlds apart from the Thaician Empire.
“Oh, yes,” Dakath said with a succinct nod. “Our empire isn’t militaristic in nature, so the standing army, while strong, isn't one of our main focuses. However, in this case, our ruler has sent word throughout the entire empire that we will be launching a full-scale attack on the Thaician Empire and that we are officially at war, which means that normal citizens become part of the standing army.”
My gaze ran over the many young men, and even some women, who were in line to be processed. The line ran from the castle doors all the way out of the castle gates and onto the streets. “Do they have a choice in whether they want to go to war?”
“Of course,” Kolvar answered with a confidence that rang with truth.
I looked at him before my gaze swung toward Dakath, my brow furrowing. “They can decide not to serve? Even if the empire is at war?”
“Yes,” Kolvar offered me with a look of understanding. “The best fighter is one who wants to be there—who wants to sacrifice his or her time, resources, and potentially their life for their empire. None of these individuals, human or vampyre, are required to put their lives on the line. If they are joining, it is out of their own desire to do so.”
I couldn’t explain how much better that made me feel.
“You said humans can join? How would it be safe for a human to be part of a war against an empire that likely only has vampyres fighting for it? Wouldn’t that be an automatic death sentence?” Even the strongest humans wouldn’t be able to fight against a vampyre in a one-on-one battle and win.
“They won’t be involved in combat or on the front lines,” Dakath explained, and the anxiety roiling through my stomach settled. “Instead, they will be placed in speciality positions, serving in the armory or as medical staff. They will also be part of rescue and retrieve squadrons that will aid in breaking out prisoners from the Thaician Empire. I do not doubt that those soldiers will have more than enough work to keep them busy—Malakai’s dungeons are always full.”
That was beyond an unfortunate truth.
“Kolvar,” Elijah called, and the man in question kissed the top of my head before striding toward the older vampyre. Dakath slid his arm around my waist, tucking me against his side.
“I love how interested you are in all of this,” Dakath admitted.
I met his gaze and answered his unspoken question ofwhythis was so important to me. “This place has brought me so much. I won’t see it destroyed by Malakai. I want to help in any way that I can.”
