Chapter One: I am--

I was born on the Battlefield.

My father was a high ranking officer and my mother, a bed slave. For one reason or another he became quite fond of her and when she became pregnant with me he granted me his last name. My name is Damian Katsaros and true to my name I was born with an untamable head of curls.

[Damian means - to tame, Kastaros means - curly haired]

By the time the war effort had ended it had been 9 years and Helios Empire had successfully conquered the eastern continent. My mother and me returned with my father to his home country Erehwon, a craphole country famous for it's coldness and ale.

Now with his wife and his many mistresses to entertain him my mother was quickly cast aside . We treated worse than dogs there. We kept our heads down, avoided interacting with any of the members of the main household as much as possible. My mother tried desperately to live a quiet life in that house but her efforts where futile, our tanned complexions, eye-catching against Erehwon snows.

I dont she could ever get used to the cold, my mother. She was like a fire, dimly and passionately keeping her light against the harsh wind, until one day she just couldn't anymore.

She got a fever and her last days were spent in madness. I remember her last words to me were "Is he here". She said this repeatedly and repeatedly each time more frantically and with more urgency. Each time I replied "I'm here Mother, I'm here" and each time she disregarded my presence.

Even then I think I knew she wasn't calling for me. It was my father she was longing for to see in her last moments. She loved him in ways I didnt think I would never understand.

For a while I loathed my mother for her stupidity. It was so clear to me that he was undeserving of her love or admiration, so why? Why do you call him and not me?

When I was 13 and becoming a bigger and bigger of an eye-sore, my father sent me to live with one of his brothers, my uncle. He was ex-military too but of lower rank and position. He had no inheritance from their father, as like me, he was also a bastard.

He had a small strip of land which he needed extra hands to work.

At 17 I joined the Helios army. I can recall no particular reasoning for my decision. Perhaps I was bored of my mundane farming lifestyle or maybe I wanted my father's acknowledgement. Whatever may have been the reason I have long forgotten

I took to it like a fish to water.

I exelled in both swordmanship and archery. My body strong and lean due to farmwork, combined with natural ability lead me to being amongst the most promising talent amongst my sector, much to the envy of my peers.

Of course the Kastaros name did me a great deal of assistance. With me being the only child of my fathers enrolled in the army he used his influence and gradually assisted me in heightening my rank. Still that wasn't enough, with my natural position of being a bastard and of mixed heritage holding me back. It wasnt until I swallowed my pride and succumbed to the external pressures of my commander that I secured my position 2nd lieutenant using "alternative" methods.

I fought in many domestic wars and spent the majority of my time policing newly established Helios colonies. Time tricked by steadily that way, with me growing my experience and prestige. My last teens years slipped away until one day before I knew it and had turned into a young man.

Currently, The Helios has declared war against the Kavas Region although no official fighting had yet begun.

The Kavas region is a group of small independent countries situated between the Cor valley and mountain ranges and right in between the Helios Empire and the Province of Swords.

It is a poor region, which mainly due to its conspicuous location, has retained its independence.

The war began due to the killing of the High Priest of Helios, Gorious. He was killed unprovoked during a missionary mission by hostile Kavas natives. Or at least that's the official statement

From what I know the High Priest was a beautiful but sadistic man who was famous for his dishonorable character. His various misdeeds were an open secret and a constant source of gossip amongst the aristocracy. He retained his position largely due to his position on the Emperor's bed and not due to any sort of competency on his part although it could be said that he was quite charismatic. I cant help but wonder what kind of immorality he was up to in Kavas away from the Emperor's eyes.

•

•

•

We set up our camp right on the doorstep of Cor's territory.

It was late evening and I was in the Lieutenants tent assisting him with his daily lodgings . The camp were mostly quiet with the drumming of feet and low murmers being the only sounds to be heard. Inside the lieutenant tent was no diffrent, the smell of ink, the sound of slightly rustling paper.

The a trumpet sounded through the camp ground. There was one long blow signifying the arrival of new Helios troops.

We had been expecting the arrival of the 1st sector for a couple days now. Lead by Nicias Evandros, nephew to the current Emperor. This squadron was made up of the cream of the crop, the most influential and elite young lords of the Helios.

They were said to have the blessing of the Lord God Helios himself. They were mostly tasked with defending the king in the capital and weren't deployed unless it was a matter the Emperor declared most importance too.

I followed the Lieutenant out too celebrate the arrival of the Commander of the 1st sector.

There were still a ways away from the camp as we waited at the entrance. You could easily spot Nicias out of the crowd as he was the only one riding a horse. A flashy white stallion which would be useless once we enter deeper into Cor territory. I could spot out his lieutenant too he was was carry the flag with the Helios emblem on it to show that they're not enemy troops . A red sun sprawled on a purple background, red and purple the Emperor's colours.

•

•

•

Currently, I'm attending a meeting in my Commanders tent. The Commanders and their lieutenants from the diffrent sectors are meeting up here to discuss their plans for battle. Their second lieutenants are here also but we remain standing heads bowed, out of respect and signifying we are of lower rank to the Commanders. We dont always have to do this, at most we will do a salute or bow but since the Commander of the 1st sector and nephew to the Emperor's is here we have to show the utmost respect towards him. Even those supposedly at the same rank as him bow their heads slightly and refuse to meet his eyes.

Except one that is.

Across from me a second lieutenants keeps his head up high, his eyes playfully examining all the people at the table. He stands behind Nicias and his lieutenant so he is most likely the second lieutenant of the 1st sector.

I see some commanders outwardly huff at his arrogance but the smarter ones know it can only mean that he is of exceptionally high rank that he can act like this and not fear repercussions.

I left my head slightly trying to examine his armour for his family emblem only to find a pair of forest green eyes meeting my gaze.

I slightly gasp in my heart before looking away, but I can feel his gaze still on me.

I can feel my eyes pulling back onto that figure almost as if I'm enchanted but I resist. It's enough I was caught staring at some who is blatantly in a higher social standing than me. I'd be lucky if he didn't take any offense and cause any sort of punishment to befall upon me.

Like that the meeting ended with my barely catching any of the battle plan.