“Axel Schneider,” spoke a man, speaking with such authority that each word forced itself into its listener’s soul. “We are not asking you to join our forces. We are commanding you to, and will swiftly make an example of you should you not comply.” This was the court of the Crown Prince of Thorns. The aura exerted by his presence alone was enough to make anybody with even the slightest sensing prowess shake in fear. To be in the same room as him was a once in a lifetime experience, and to be addressed by name was an honor like no other. Axel, knowing his unbelievable luck, chose to stand tall and stubborn.
“I refuse. I have no quarrel with Ravenna. I will not be fighting a war simply for the fact that I live in the Thorne Empire. I retired from fighting when I retired from the Assassin Syndicate.”
“Schneider, you have ten seconds to change your mind, or else you will be expelled from both the Thorne Empire and all allied nations.” Thoughts raced through Axel’s mind, but like a stampede of bison, they all went the same direction. Each and every thought was being herded by the Prince’s aura to the same conclusion: join the attack against Ravenna. Gods dammit, I know I’ll regret this… he thought. The Frosthelmian sighed.
“Fine, dammit. I’ll join your war.” I’d like insurance of some sort, too, he thought, but I’d best not push it. I’ve already defied his direct orders, asking for something so simple may push him over the edge into a sea of rage. Axel was not necessarily a smart person, but his instincts were sharp, capable of sensing danger from miles away, and this was just emanating it. He hadn’t even heard stories of what the Prince could do, but he didn’t have to. An aura of that strength was not something to mess with.
“You have one month to prepare for the invasion, Schneider. Letters will be written from Avery Walker informing you of what position you shall hold in the fleet, which ship you will be on, et cetera. You are dismissed.” The authority radiating off of the Prince was immeasurable, like a war-torn general giving orders to his soldiers. Axel felt pressured to follow every command given to him, and not simply out of fear for his own safety. He left the room, before leaving the castle and returning home to his wife, Angelica, and his daughter, Andrea.
“Welcome home, Darling.” Said Angelica. “Did your meeting with the Prince go well?” Axel was still shaken up by the aura coming from him, and it was clear as day on his face.
“Nothing went to plan, Dear… I’m joining the invasion of Ravenna.”
“What?”
“It’s true, it’s true. He managed to… er… convince me? My memory of the whole interaction is foggy, truthfully, but I know I’m leaving in a month. Tell me of any mail, please.”
“Axel, what in Hades do you mean you’re going off to war? How did he convince you? What did he do to you? You were so stubborn on not joining, I just… how?” Angelica’s voice was quivering, something just wasn’t getting through to her. “Not in a million years did I think you would join that pointless war… are you sure about this?”
“Of course I am, Darling. I’m just not sure why I’m sure about it…” His face was that of a man learning something he couldn’t comprehend; a face which was unseen by most and unworn by more. “Whatever, it matters not. Has Andrea been doing well? She hasn’t caused you any trouble, has she? I know she can get feisty.”
“She’s been asleep since you left. Seems you tuckered her out. I just don’t understand-”
“Love, I’d like not to talk about my decision. Now, have I missed any important happenings?”
“Nothing new, same as usual this time of day.”
“Do tell if something ever happens while I’m out, will you? The last thing I want is you getting hurt.”
“Of course I will, dear.”
Days passed, and Axel began forgetting his agreement, until late one night a letter was slid under the door. Axel, with his sensing so sharp, was awakened by the aura of this delivery person long before the letter made itself known. To feel an aura this strong this late in the night was an oddity, like it was meant to be felt by him, projected out as if it was giving a speech. The auras he felt from the training grounds were similar, this was clearly a soldier’s aura, only it was unusually encroaching on his body. He could feel this aura seeping into every inch of his skin, nearly cutting through it to tear apart his organs. An anger, or grit, could be felt within it… Before this delivery person could knock, Axel was already fully dressed and stood at the door with his sword drawn, ready to protect his wife and daughter. The moment their hand came near the door, Axel nearly tore it off its hinges and thrust his blade to this man’s throat.
Without a barrier between the two of them, Axel recognized the aura with ease. The hostile nature of it was amplified, as individual strands of his hair slowly drifted through the air, cut by the man’s presence. The man whom he was ready to execute was none other than Avery Walker, coming to deliver a letter personally. His aura was only being amplified in order to ward off mosquitoes and the like; Axel couldn’t blame Walker, he’s done the same in the past.
“Calm it, Schneider. Read the damned letter before cutting me down.” His voice had a presence debatably more noticeable than his aura, the commanding tone and power behind it forcing any listeners to comply. Axel crouched down, picking up the envelope with a lack of grace similar to a wounded cat’s limp. He opened it up, admiring the handwriting, and the care put into each and every word. Sir Axel Schneider, it read, I am sure you recall the meeting you had with His Majesty the Prince. Now is your time to return to battle, and fight for the glory of the Thorne Empire. Axel scoffed at the idea of fighting for anyone but his family, and continued reading. Please report to the barracks on the southern edge of the city within two days, or face punishment for your desertion.
He looked up at Walker.
“Well?” Asked Avery. “You finished?”
“Yeah.” Replied Axel. “I’ll be there at noon today. Just let me sleep, and quit projecting your damned aura. I didn’t ask for a haircut.”
Avery chuckled, not amused, but at the fact that Axel thought of himself highly enough to order around a general.
“You have a good night, Schneider. Sleep well for tomorrow.” Avery turned around, returning to wherever he came from, leaving Axel to close the door and prepare for whatever came the next day.