The days after their encounter with Rollins and his ruffians passed quickly, too much so yet not quick enough. The brothers had both been detained by the city watch that night along with Rollins’ associate. The next morning found them in the presence of a magistrate and it took some intervention from Anthin to arrange their release. The watch was considering charges for brawling as it was not the first time the boys had been brought in regarding some incident.

  Anthin, after getting the story from the boys, managed to convince the magistrate that any action by the lads was self-defence and that they had no part in the lawlessness inherent with any of Stabber’s crew. His position in the Church and his connection with The Enlightened swayed the magistrate. Anthin was sure to remind the boys that it wasn’t the first time he’d had to intervene on their behalf but he was secretly proud that their advocating for others was the source of Rollins’ ire.

  The first few days after the run-in with Rollins were filled with healing and preparation, going over lists of needs and wants for the trip and life at The Citadel. Afterwards they spent their time visiting friends and saying goodbyes with many glasses raised in toast to good health and luck for the journey. Well wishes flowed from many. The boys had as unofficial guardians of Dimabri City’s less fortunate touched many lives and they would be sorely missed.

  Of Stabber Rollins and his crew there had been no sign since the fight. Dav especially had been worried about repercussions. As he and Taninsin had gone about their business in the first few days they had done so with eyes focused on the dark byways of the city and armed. They argued constantly about the situation, butting heads over it. Tanisin especially was angry. He felt their prior meddling had led to the trouble with Rollins and that they should have ‘done him off’ ages ago. Dav disagreed despite taking the worst of the night’s beating, claiming had they done so they’d be no better than the people they were fighting. Eventually Tanisin agreed with him.

  When the first week brought no retaliation they relaxed a little, though still did not leave the safety of Eastgate Parish without swords at their sides. Word on the streets was that Rollins and his crew had gone to ground. He and the rest of his thugs had been as ghosts since and were laying low. So Dav and Tanisin filled their last days at home unmolested but wary.

  Two nights past a ten-squad of Corps troops had arrived in the city and taken quarters at the cathedral’s attached barracks. They were to escort The Enlightened with his entourage, Brother Anthin and his charges to The Citadel. On top of that Anthin had let slip that two more recruits for the Corps were to join the ranks. He didn’t know who they were and quickly grew tired of the constant pestering for information from the boys.

  The day of departure arrived warm and clear some two weeks later. Anthin, Dav and Tanisin awoke ready to go. For Anthin the day brought trepidation. Not only from the prospect that at the end of their journey his part in the lad’s lives would come to a close. He was worried about his reception at The Citadel and the possibility of sinking back into the intrigue and politics that encompassed life there. For Tanisin and Dav the trip was an exciting prospect that promised change and renewal, but for them it too held some trepidation. No longer would they be under the wing of their beloved Brother Anthin. No longer would his patience, wisdom and guidance be available to them at need. He was their father, adopted or not, and for both it was a daunting prospect to face things without him.

  The time had come and the boys found themselves with Anthin that morning in the stable behind Eastgate Parish saddling their horses. They worked in solemn silence. Having woken early, they broke their fast and said a prayer to Sayoshti ahead of their journey before gathering their things. Brother Anthin had left Brother Mchale in charge of the parish with a promise he’d return when his business at The Citadel was complete. Dav and Tanisin had also made their goodbyes to Mchale, as much a fixture in their lives as any other. They would miss him as much as they would Anthin.

  With the horses saddled and the pack horse laden, the three led the animals into the streets of the city heading towards the cathedral where they would join the rest of the party before leaving. As they reached the end of the street Tanisin stopped and gazed back towards the place that had been his home. For both boys it was the only home they knew. Dav stopped with Tanisin and also looked, no words were exchanged. The pair just looked one last time. Dav put a comforting arm around Tanisin’s shoulder. Brother Anthin stopped as well, giving his two wards the time they needed and after a minute they all moved on.

  They came to the cathedral just as the sun poked its rays above the western mountains. The light seemed to frame the building’s spires in a glorious halo. Despite the early hour a bustle of people and horses could already be heard before they reached the cathedral. As the noise promised the place was a hive of activity. Corps soldiers, men and women both, hurrying from task to task. Packs of supplies being loaded into a single wagon and equipment stowed for the journey ahead. Sharp commands from the sergeant in charge pushed her troops to a quickened step with no regard that they were already at full tilt. The trio approached the sergeant as she directed the chaos.

  She was mid command as they stepped up to her. “... Stephans, make sure that wagon is weighted evenly! We can’t risk a broken axle. By all that’s holy, spread it out.” Her strong voice carried over the pandemonium with ease.

  “Excuse me.” Anthin interrupted. “Good Morning Sergeant, Sayoshti’s Blessing on this fine day. I am Brother Anthin of Eastgate Parish. These two are my wards, Tanisin and Dav. We are joining The Enlightened on this journey. Where do you wish for us to que up and can we offer you any assistance?”

  The sergeant eyed them. She was a gruff and hardened veteran and carried her command as if born to it. Dressed in the typical Corps kit, a mail shirt over a padded jerkin, grey over tunic embossed with the Corp’s sigil. Grey breeches with black riding boots completed the uniform. Her sandy blonde hair turning to grey was covered by an open faced helm. “I’m Sergeant Millin, Sayoshti’s Grace upon you Brother. You can tether your pack-horse to the wagon,” gesturing to the mentioned wagon. “After that wait over by the steps. We should be leaving soon.” Dav dismounted, handing his reins to Tanisin. He led the pack horse to the wagon and tethered it to a rail before rejoining his companions. The sergeant was talking to Tanisin.

  “...at least at first you’ll stay with your group. Once we get out of the city you’ll march with the squad and other recruits. Assuming the buggers get here on time!” She turned and spat on the cobblestones. “There's drill every evening after camp setup and a duty roster will be posted on the wagon side. You’ll be pulling your weight kid, there’s no free ride in the Corps.”

  “Yes Ma'am!” Tanisin’s enthusiasm brought a smirk to the Sergeant’s mouth.

  “What about you?” She looked to Dav who was reclaiming his horse’s reins from Tanisn. “I was told I have three recruits and a future acolyte joining us. Are you one of mine?”

  “No Ma'am, I’m the future acolyte.” The sergeant sized him up again.

  “Too bad. For me I mean, not you lad. We could use more folks willing to defend Sayoshti’s Bounty. You and your brother here both look capable and I venture you’ve had some training with those swords. Given how you carry them.”

  Dav shifted the sword belted to his waist. He’d left his two handed blade behind and brought a short sword with him. “Yes Ma'am we have. Should it be alright with you I’d like to join the drill and be added to the duty roster. I’m not joining the Corps but I’ll do my part on the trip.”

  Millin nodded with a touch of respect on her gruff expression. “That’s the right attitude. You can join the drill and I’ll add you to the duty roster. The clergy and the Corps are two parts of one entity and we work in harmony. It’ll look better to the rest of the squad if you’re included, forestall any questions on you pulling your own weight.”

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  “Thank you Ma'am.” Dav was happy his effort to be included was accepted. He turned with Tansin and Anthin and as they gathered by the steps they noted three new-comers entered the plaza.

  One was a Dimabri City guard in uniform who led the others into the plaza. Those two were prisoners fettered together. They walked with a shuffling gait due to the chains connecting them at the ankle. Dav’s curiosity grew to alarm as the group passed and he recognized one of the men. It was Rollins’ goon, the one who’d been left that night in the alley. Dav turned to his companions hoping to avoid notice from the passing men as they made their way to Sergeant Millin. If the fellow recognized them he gave no sign of it. Rather he remained focused on his feet and not tripping over the chain attaching him to his companion. Dav gave Tanisin a meaningful look who stiffened and returned the look but said nothing as they settled down to wait.

  “Our other two companions.” Anthin declared. “Straight from the city gaol it seems.”

  “Prisoners! What does the Corps need prisoners for?” Tanisin’s disdain was evident.

  “More indeed than the city’s gaol I wager.” A reproachful Brother Anthin continued.

  “We’ve been over this in your lessons. Gone are the days when volunteers filled the ranks. In times past they had volunteers from all the four realms, men and women willing to join and serve in Sayoshti’s name. The past hundred years or so have seen numbers decline. Oh there are still those willing–even eager–but the purpose of the Corps and the Church's mission mandated from Sayoshti herself demands that all lands help fill the ranks.” He paused for a breath and to allow the boys to absorb what he was saying. His voice carried a lecturing tone they both knew well.

  “These days people increasingly don’t believe in Despair or its influence in the world. Most have never been anywhere near the Dreadlands and fewer have ever felt its effects. The creatures that inhabit Despair’s Abyss haven’t been seen in generations and even shamblers are a myth to most, though I assure you they are very real. So Tan as that belief wanes people forget the true purpose of the Church, the Corps and the need to be ever vigilant against Despair’s influence. Folk become complacent and the only ones left to defend against Despair are those that truly believe with an assortment of sentenced criminals who choose terms in the Corps over imprisonment. You should not assume and take note that not all sentenced to service are bad people. Some have made mistakes, others had no choice in the life they led before their arrest. Some others may even be innocent but couldn’t prove it to the magistrates. There are as many circumstances as there are people and you’d do well not to judge without knowing them!”

  While Anthin lectured Tanisin the guardsman spoke briefly to Sergeant Millin before bending down to free the prisoners from their chains. He then departed for whatever duties he had. Millin looked the men over and gave them some instruction then pointed to Brother Anthin’s group in dismissal. The two would wait by the steps with the rest of them until it was time to depart. She assigned one of her squad to watch over the two and as he stood nearby Millin returned to bellowing orders and directing her troopers. The prisoners walked over, joining Anthin’s group just as Anthin was finishing his lecture.

  “Good Morning.” Anthin acknowledged the arrival. “I am Brother Anthin. These two are Tanisin and Dav.”

  Stabber Rollins' associate merely glared at them before sitting with a grunt. He leaned back on the building behind him and shot daggers at his surroundings before resting his head on the building and closing his eyes. The other newcomer was more willing to engage.

  “Morning good Brother, Dav, Tanisin.” Slightly older than the two youths he was a nondescript man though he seemed very animated and spoke with a Fedenian accent. Shorter than the boys with a head of brown hair and eyes to match. He was slim though not skinny and carried himself with a confidence that belayed his situation. He held his hand out and shook with each of them in turn.

  “I am Willhem.” He introduced himself. “My less talkative friend there is Relf, or so he told me when we were chained together. I couldn’t help but overhear the last bit of your instruction Brother. I must say you’ve summarised it well.” He paused and grinned. “Take myself. Did I choose to be arrested, tried and sentenced to serve? Honestly, no. Am I a bad person? Again in my humble opinion no I am not. I believe I’m a victim of circumstance and of a rich man’s influence.”

  Anthin smiled at the chance to further elaborate. “I wonder Willhem, would you be willing to tell us the reason for your claim?”

  Willhem tossed a roguish smile right back. “As it happens, yes, more than willing. I was until recently a teamster for an affluent merchant based in Dimabri City. For many reasons my employer and I didn't get along, I won’t get into it too much but to say this led to my dismissal after our latest trip. We arrived in Dimabri City and I was let go but the merchant, claiming I had caused him a loss in profit, decided not to pay me. What could I do? He owned the goods, the wagon and the animals. I was just the driver, and a stranger in the city! He did release some back pay owed from prior work. So I took a room in the city and tried to find employment. Later when in my cups I was quite vocal about my thoughts on the situation. Telling anyone who’d listen about my unceremonious dismissal. It happened that my talk made its way to the ears of my former employer. To say he was livid would be an understatement. In retaliation he used his influence and someone sympathetic to him sent the guard after me. I was charged with theft for costing him profit, and with slander for bad mouthing his business and to top it off resisting an officer of the law.”

  “You see Tanisin.” Anthin interrupted. “Would you consider Willhem to be a bad person?”

  Tanisin shrugged. “No, I guess not.”

  “Because I am assuredly not!” Willhem held a hand over his heart. “I’m a victim if anything. A victim of a rich man’s ire and a flawed system. I do however find some humour in the situation. Upon being tried before the magistrates it was found that I was innocent of both the theft and the slander, I took nothing from my employer and my words though angry were not untrue. What condemned me was the resistance. As I said, I was in my cups and in a panic I did resist arrest. It was witnessed by the whole of the common room at the time and I had no defence to present on it. So here I am! One bad choice and sentenced to three years imprisonment or service in the Corps. I chose the service.”

  “I’m here because of you shits.” Came a gruff voice from the man sitting against the wall. “I intend to have you make up for it.” He stood to loom over the others.

  “Liar!” The word was out of Tanisin’s mouth before he could think. “It’s your own fault. You attacked us, we defended ourselves.” He was angry and shouting at this goon who’d blame others for his own actions.

  “Whatever kid. I was told to put some fear into you and your friend there. Next thing I know I’m being dragged away half dazed by the watch and now I’m here. Stuck with two kids, a foreigner, a priest and facing three years service!” Relf was growing angrier by the word. He stepped towards them with his chest puffed out and chin thrust forward, shoulders back and menacing.

  An alarmed Anthin put himself between the angry man and the rest of them. “No need for further violence you. I don’t think your commander would appreciate having to break up a fight between her new soldiers.” He looked meaningfully at Sergeant Millin who was in turn looking their way at the sign of raised voices. The trooper set to watch over Relf and Willhem had a hand to his sword hilt and was taking steps towards the group. A sullen Relf backed down and returned to his seat against the wall. Sergeant Millin seemed satisfied there’d be no blows exchanged and resumed her supervision of the preparations as the alert guard settled back to his duty.

  Before much longer the doors of the cathedral swung open and Enlightened Serivus stepped out and proceeded down the stairs into the plaza. Accompanied by his entourage, among them Sister Mariaa who acknowledged Anthin and his group with a nod.

  Sergeant Millin, satisfied that all was now in order, barked the command. “TEN-SQUAD! FORM RANKS!” With a flurry of activity and a scramble to obey the squad assembled in front of her two by two, each soldier positioned precisely and standing at rigid attention. “You two, form up with your squad.” Millin gestured for Relf and Willhem to get into place at the rear of the column.

  Stablemen brought horses from around the building for The Enlightened and his entourage who all mounted up. Brother Anthin and his companions scrambled into their saddles. The animals, like their riders, were eager. They danced a bit impatiently until they were reined in. With everyone ready Sergeant Millin spoke again, this time to the Enlightened Serivus. Her voice was loud and clear as it echoed in the morning air.

  “Welcome Your Grace, the march order is such. I ride lead, your party can fall in behind me. The squad will march next with the wagon and pack animals in the rear. Once we exit the city my scouts will join us.”

  “Very good Sergeant.” Serivus looked to the assembled. “May Sayoshti’s Grace favour us all on the journey ahead!” He made a circle of his right thumb and index finger and brought it down on top of his left palm, a sign of Sayoshti’s Sacrifice, then addressed Millin again. “You may give the order.”

  “SQUAD-MARCH!” Bellowed Millin as she swung into her saddle. With a flick of her reins they were off, heading out of the plaza following the wide main boulevard towards the western gates. Enlightened Serivus and his group fell in behind the sergeant. Anthin, Dav and Taninsin took their place followed by the soldiers marching behind. Even Relf fell into step automatically. Last came the wagon with the packhorse tied behind.