“Log two in the month of Fevruários,

  With the completion of the castellum we will soon move in. The supply ships have recently arrived and we have put many more of the polites to work. Accommodable housing should be complete within another three months. There has otherwise been nothing worthy of note, though Brother Panagiotis’ Arshakuni drone has disappeared. Following the lex that has been approved by the grandmaster, the development of this world will be culturally and militarily a Tulingi world. Upon completion, all Tulingi who wish to immigrate will be provided a home and monetary funds to help them settle onto the new planet. I have chosen these peoples’ due to their resilience and I believe they are suitable for the environment of Tagaste based on their culture. May Augustine continue to thrive under your leadership.”

  Marshal Asher stood up from his chair before fastening his weapons. He fixed his crooked Augustinian cloth and then watched as the large metal doors to the front of his room opened. Asher cleared his throat as the thud of his boots echoed across the hallways with his brisk pace. Another door quickly opened after he input the key, and he arrived outside of the ship before looking at his brothers and squires lined up. Noise came from the nearly complete castellum whilst workers focused on the construction. Asher’s imperial violet eyes peered at the brothers, before listing off pairs to train with one another.

  “Brother Patagionis and Brother Alexius, Brother Hypatius and Brother Boghos, squire Iskandar and squire segomaris, lastly, Squire Vergos and Squire Rev,” Asher finished as he looked at the men getting into their stances. Many members of the order came from Augustine’s diverse population leading to their variety of names and cultural weapon arts.

  “Commence,” he said before turning his back on the men. He needed to talk to the project manager about the finishing touches of the castellum. Rocks crumbled to dust under the weight of his feet as he began the short stroll.

  “Ave Deus,” Asher greeted the project manager as his eyes wandered to the men on the castellum roof.

  “Ave Deus, Marshal,” the project manager replied before kneeling down. He returned the Asher’s gaze once it returned to him.

  “What is your time estimate?” Asher simply said. His words were few, yet all that needed to be said.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  “A week sir,” the manager replied before offering the digital clipboard to the marshal, “It would have been sooner however, the surprise rain in Tagaste interfered with the building process at the most integral part. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

  “Tigranes!” exclaimed one of the workers as he jumped off his low-scaffolding and ran towards his child.

  Marshal Asher handed back the clipboard, trudging through the rocky ground to see what the commotion was about. Brother Boghos extended his arm out to hold back the builder as Squire Vergos peered down at the child who couldn’t be much older than twelve years old. The child waved his hand around like he was holding a blade though only the air stood in sight.

  “What seems to be the problem?” Marshal Asher asked Brother Alexius, “Why is there a child of a polite outside, we have banned any from exiting at this time.”

  “The child seems to have snuck past the security system.” Brother Alexius replied. He had a slight smile watching the squire befuddled on how to handle the child.

  “I shall handle this,” Asher stated as he reached the child. The builder continued to shout his name, but Boghos would quickly shut him up.

  “What is your name, little one?” asked Asher taking a knee before the child to share the same height.

  “Tigranes!” exclaimed the young boy awe struck by the marshal. The order was his heroes, and he had somehow heard that they would be training outside today.

  “Well, Tigranes, you realise you are not supposed to be outside at this time, right?”

  “I know that sir, but how else can I watch and be one of you eventually if I don’t even know how to swing a sword,” Tigranes replied.

  “Though I see you may have had good intentions you need to take into consideration that we have kept you inside for a reason. It is still dangerous outside, and we do not want to see you, or your father harmed. Squire Vergos will personally take you back inside if you comply.” Asher responded, trying to level with the child.

  The child nodded, Asher turned his gaze elsewhere. “You, his father, take the day off, spend it with your child. The Castellum is near completion, and you can assist when we begin with building houses. Seems like somebody needs to keep an eye on the lad, or next time he might somehow get a hold of one of our illustrite blades!”

  Vergos, the builder, and the child would walk off as Asher shouted one last thing to the child hoping to leave a mark of inspiration, “I will see you at the Order trials in a couple years Tigranes.”

  “Marshal with all due respect you know the polite’s child broke multiple rules and you let him off scot free?” Brother Hypatius questioned.

  Marshal Asher looked at his brothers and squires, “He is just a child let him be, we all did stupid things when we were a kid. Do you mean to say you were perfect Brother Hypatius?”

  “No err- I meant...” Brother Hypatius went quiet.

  “Take the rest of the day off, aside from your watch duties, brothers. And Hypatius,” Asher replied.

  “Yes Marshal?”

  “Surely Grandmaster Baldwin would have done the same.” he said exiting the conversation. He quietly walked off towards the project manager having cleared up the commotion before softly saying, “Who am I to punish a piece of the future of the Order?”