The soldier nodded.
“Were you stationed outside the temple today? Did you see who it was?” Adalia asked.
“Yes, General. A young boy. I followed him home to make sure he arrived safely, in case there were lingering enemies, but found none,” the soldier replied.
Adalia took a deep breath in. “Tell me exactly where he lives.”
Disappointment pulsed through her veins as she listened to the soldier.
It had been months since the last Thorn haunting crashed through the Oscuro gates and bled into District Seven. Adalia, others in charge like herself, and soldiers had fought hard against them, pushing back each Thorn until The Grey was safe again.
Since then, each time the bell tolled—it rang for Lucius. The Grey’s other districts reported the same. So how could this have happened—and why now?
The soldier finished his report and bid her farewell.
“May the light guide you and keep you,” Adalia said in return.
With a small team, she would journey to The Grey to locate the child’s home. Thorns might still be lurking in the shadows, waiting for more innocent lives to influence.
As she walked the halls of the palace, Adalia glanced at the bright walls lined with framed images of all who lived in Lucius. Each time someone from The Grey passed on—destined for the Lucius Kingdom—a picture of them would be placed upon the walls in the king’s palace. There were far too many for Adalia to count, but on a day that wasn’t of high urgency, it was nice to stop and see the smiling faces.
Adalia reached the front doors of the palace and pushed them wide open.
The moment she stepped into the enormous expanse of lush palace grounds, the sun warmed her face. Taking in a deep breath, she stilled her mind before she shot into the sky, her lilac wings lifting her with ease as they beat against the air.
The wind on her skin felt good. The scent of fragrant flowers and trees filled the air and birds flitted above her as she flew. Below, Lightners carried on with their day. Each person carefree. Here was abundance. Here was life. There was no death, no sickness . . . Lucius thrived with joy, love and peace.
Adalia dropped in altitude and, within minutes, landed at the compound, her boots hitting the ground with a thud. Her lilac wings tucked in tight as she strode towards the entrance.
The area designated for the Lucius-based compound, responsible for overseeing District Seven in The Grey, was generous and housed ten small buildings constructed from a blend of wood and stone. They often served as sleeping quarters for soldiers on double shifts or as offices for generals—a home away from home on more than one occasion for Adalia.
Adalia walked through a stone archway that led into the centre of the compound towards her office, which was surrounded by lush green shrubs.
“I need three Lightners to accompany me on a scout. Also, has anyone seen my brother?” she called.
Soldiers scurried about, avoiding eye contact. If Thorns were slipping between the cracks into District Seven, then it was her job to address it. Her tactical skills meant a preservation of life and the king valued that over brute strength. This sense of responsibility occasionally painted her character with a touch of sternness, a contrast against her usual relaxed demeanour.
She didn’t wait for anyone to answer, instead striding straight towards her office.
There were seven different compounds in Lucius altogether, and each one hosted a colonel, five to ten majors and over six hundred soldiers. Each compound handled their own districts throughout The Grey. Adalia was a major alongside her brother for District Seven. Nikolas, the charismatic one of the duo, held the hearts of many females but was the keeper of none. He was one of her best friends, and she loved working alongside him in the King’s Army.
“River.” Adalia halted as she pointed to a male. “Have you seen major Nikolas?”
“I believe he is out on patrol. Shall I fetch him for you?” the male asked.
Adalia shook her head. “Never mind. Gather two more soldiers and suit up. You’re coming with me.” A dollop of dread fell to the pit of her stomach at the thought of Thorns invading District Seven. She took a deep breath, gathered said dread, and mentally shoved it from her body.
Now wasn’t the time.
Her training had prepared her well for these exact situations and she knew how to carry herself. The presence of cunning Thorns wouldn’t rattle her composure.
The compound teemed with Lightner soldiers, a dynamic hub of activity. Squads returned from Veil patrols, joyful and chatty, while others armed themselves, preparing for their turn about the Veil boundaries. The air vibrated with footsteps, distant chatter, and clinking armour.
Positioned at the heart of the compound was a wooden platform called ‘the ring’. Its use: combat training, which Adalia and her brother had used many times before throughout their years as members of the King’s Army. It was a place that one would enter as an ordinary Lightner, spending many months—even years–perfecting their agility and skill to wield a weapon before exiting as a true Lightner soldier.
Adalia watched as a few soldiers trained, honing their skills in wielding weapons and physical combat. It didn’t seem that long ago that she was in that ring.
Turning away, Adalia sighed. Sometimes she wished she could go back to the days when she had a little less responsibility.
