We Go To Them

As the sun was peeking above the horizon a group of people gathered in the training grounds. Riley was sitting on the bench out of the way while Gavin spoke with those gathered. Ondrea and Varen were there, as well as Xanthe, Raul and Tan. Gavin's early morning training has started to expand.

"Ondrea, today I want you to train with Xanthe and the captains. Varen you get the privilege of training with me."

Gavin took Varen to where Riley was sitting while the other four moved to begin their sparring. Riley pulled out a bag that was sitting beside him and laid out a selection of weapons on the bench.

"Have you used a weapon before?"

Varen felt lost as he looked at what was laid before him. He knew what most of them were, he had just never used any of them.

"Just a dagger. When I joined the army it's all they trained mages to use."

This will be fun. Gavin picks up the short sword and hands it to Varen. He takes a moment to explain how one should stand while holding a sword then slowly walks Varen through the different defensive and offensive formations.

"How does that feel? Do you see yourself being able to use a sword?"

"I don't know, it's still so new."

They spent the next half hour going through the same steps with every weapon that Gavin had brought until Varen found one that he was the most comfortable with. In the end Varen stuck with a mace. Gavin was surprised that the man who seemed to be hesitant about physical combat would choose a weapon that required an up close and personal fighting style.

The group of seven didn't stop until lunch time. The two captains went their separate ways and Xanthe left to run a few errands before meeting up with Gavin later. The remaining four had a quick lunch then went to Caine's office.

"Quick review; Ondrea, show me the elements that you can use."

Ondrea called up all three elements; fire, light and wind.

"Wonderful. When did you start on wind?"

"Yesterday. Varen can use wind so I used the method you taught me to sense it and had him use his element. I worked with it until I was too tired to continue."

To prove his mastery of the element he made it grow in his hand. His face was lit with excitement, lips raised in a smile. He would have been happy with just one element, now that he can use three he is overjoyed.

"It seems that I was right to choose you. You've come so far in a short time." Gavin turned his attention to Varen. "I will be busy the next few hours. You will teach Ondrea all of the wind spells you know. Once you've done that I want you to work on your connection to the light element. Ondrea can help you with how to meditate and on how to connect with the fire element. Right now the best teacher for both of you with magic is each other. Don't fail me."

After checking the papers on Caine's desk, Gavin left the three of them. Riley stayed to keep an eye on Varen. Neither of them worried about Ondrea.

Gavin met up with Xanthe and the two of them made their rounds around Dreymore. Their last stop was to check in on the injured and newly integrated soldiers. By early evening all of the injured were healed and moved to their new locations, whether as a civilian or a soldier.

At nightfall, after everyone had eaten dinner, Gavin pulled Ondrea and Varen back to the training grounds. They worked on their forms and sparred against each other. Once they were finished training they returned to their room to do more training with the elements. Varen could now use the same three elements that Ondrea could use.

As much as Gavin wanted to expand their skills, he felt it was better to focus on the three elements so that they could become strong enough to fight in the next battle. So, instead of learning more elements they focused on learning spells for the ones they knew.

The next day was a repeat with both Ondrea and Varen working hard on their combat and magic skills. The only difference on this day was the return of Caine and the remaining demons. While all demons have combat skills, the demons that had stayed behind were those that chose not to join the army. They were parents, children and elderly. Among them were the remaining nine elders.

Dreymore was becoming crowded.

"When we leave for Kael those who remain will begin building a third wall. This city will be the new capital and will need to have enough room to take in all noncombatants from Kael."

The moment Caine returned he had called a meeting with all his captains and generals. This meeting was being held in a large room that had been converted into a war room. A large table sat in the center and a map of their world had been built on the table.

"Captain Tan, you will remain here with your men to keep order. All twelve elders will be here as well to assist you. This also means that you will be in charge of building the wall. After this last attack we have enough civilian manpower to spare for building.

"I don't know how long we will be gone, but at minimum it will be two weeks. I have faith that the wall can be built and the city expanded during that time."

"We will do our best to live up to your expectations, Lord Caine."

Caine nodded then turned his attention to the rest of the room.

"I've gotten word that the ship carrying Galarede soldiers is near the meeting point. You have tonight to put everything in order. We will leave at first light. We've proven that we can defend the city, now let's prove that we have the power to take down whatever obstacle they put in front of us."

They went over a few more details before the meeting was ended and everyone dispersed. As everyone was leaving Caine pulled Gavin aside. The moment they were alone he pulled Gavin close and kissed him.

"Tonight Riley can bunk with your pets, I desire your full attention."

Gavin chuckled and wrapped his arms around Caine's neck, moving in for another kiss.

"As you command, Lord Caine."

*******

That night when Varen and Ondrea returned to their room they found Riley unpacking a bag by the as yet unclaimed bed. He turned to wave when they walked in.

"Looks like I will be your roommate for the night."

"Is everything all right?"

Ondrea asked as he walked over to the bed. Riley chuckled and looked embarrassed.

"Yes, they just wanted some time together and it's awkward being the third wheel. It might be different if I was into Lord Caine, but he's just too intense for me."

"Well, you are more than welcome to stay here."

Varen moved to sit on his bed and removed his boots. He was trying to ignore the conversation entirely. Riley was his prince, it seemed wrong somehow that he was sleeping with the enemy. Varen took the first shift in the bathroom. It had been interesting with two of them sharing the same bathroom, with a third they had to decide who got to go first. Varen won the first go, Riley second and Ondrea was last.

When Riley came out Varen was already laying down. Riley was wearing a large shirt and picked up his stuffed bear before climbing into bed. He turned to lay on his side and found Varen staring at him.

"What is that?"

"What? This? It's a stuffed bear. It's cute, isn't it? It was a gift from Gavin and helps keep my nightmares away."

Ondrea got up from meditating and walked over to Rileys bed. His smile was friendly as he sat next to Riley.

"I forget that you have nightmares. If you have any trouble tonight you can lay with me. The beds are smaller than what you're used to, but I think they can handle the two of us."

"Thanks. I haven't had a nightmare in days, at least not that I can remember, and it's been so nice."

Varen sat up in bed and turned to look at them.

"Are they that bad?"

"I've had a nightmare every night for as long as I can remember. I can never remember what I dreamt about, I just know that it's something terrible. I know you don't like Gavin, or Lord Caine, but both of them have been there for me during my nightmares. I honestly believe it's because they're part of my life now that the nightmares have finally stopped."

"I… I don't know what to say. Once word came that Dreymore had been taken all everyone could talk about was how horrible the people's lives would be now. I expected to see a city of miserable, oppressed people."

"Sometimes the villains aren't the ones you think they are."

Ondrea's words were cold. He didn't feel any sympathy for the turmoil he saw in Varen's eyes. It wasn't on him to change the way the other saw the world. Ondrea stood and took his turn in the bathroom.

"The world isn't black and white. There are no true villains, just the way we each interpret the world around us. To most of the world the demons are evil. As the leader that makes Gavin, Xanthe and Lord Caine the worst of the worst.

"To me, they are my family and the few people in this world who truly care about me. In my interpretation of the world it's humans who are evil and the villains of my story. It's up to you to decide how you interpret the world.

"Goodnight."

Riley closed his eyes and turned away, hugging the bear close.

Varen let out a sigh and laid down, staring up at the ceiling. He's not certain how to see things. Everything he's ever been told contradicts everything he's been seeing. That's not to say he believes that Gavin is a good guy, having the slave mark forced on him proved that. Is he truly evil, that's the question. If he's doing what he believes is right, doesn't that make everyone else wrong in his eyes. We see what the demons are doing as wrong and seek to destroy them.

Varen found that sleep eluded him that night. His mind was processing everything that he had been taught with what he had seen. When it was time to get up he still hadn't decided where he stood.