2: Preparations For War

Andrew's POV

        It's been eight months since we were recruited into the military and of course, I am at the top of my class. But I am not surprised as soon as I was able to walk my father had trained me to fight. My father is a well-respected warrior on castle grounds as well as in the town. So no one was surprised that I would be good, but they were surprised at how good I was. I easily took out their strongest warrior the second day I was here. But to be honest, he asked for it, he started the fight and I just finished it. To be honest I am the second weakest out of my family right before the second youngest. Xerox Nightshade is the 4th child and the second youngest, I have beaten him 20 out of 28 times that we have fought. He just keeps on getting stronger so I made it my mission to not fall behind and always be stronger than Xerox.

        I sat by a tree in the vast courtyard, the stretch 1000 meters wide and the length is about twice the size. I looked up through the leaves of the great big apple tree, to see a bright cloudless sky. "I wonder how Deanaro is doing? I was a little too hard on him at that time. Maybe I should go into town today and apologize to him and check upon him. It's been a while since I have seen him, every time I visit the family he isn't there and nobody seems to know where he is either."

        I let out a sigh, they say he leaves earlier than they open and don't usually get home until 1 in the morning and sometimes later. I'm really worried about h. Why did I have to be so harsh to him at that time? Right before I got up I heard hurried footsteps coming my way. "Sir! W-we are we-wanted on the f-front lines. It s-seems the n-neighboring c-country is comi-coming much s-sooner. We are t-to go to the front lines n-now! Come on sir!" The man in front of me was clearly out of breath but continued running I quickly got up and ran along with him.

        As we approached the main hall I saw soldiers scurrying all over the place. Getting weapons ready, as well as their armor and horse, as the captains shout orders at the soldiers. through the chaos, I saw my father in his armor helping anyone that needed it. He stopped once our eyes met, he made his way through the crowd towards me. I stopped running once I was close enough "what's happening? Why are we going to war?" I looked up at him as the guy beside me hunched over trying to catch his breath. My father heaved a sigh " The king has chosen o go to war, only because our neighboring country had declared war first. So now we must take action... also promise me one thing; don't leave my side. Your youngest brother -and the others- had told us both to come back alive and in one piece. So we must stick together to make sure that we will come back home, ok?" I only nodded at him, letting him know I understood, "now get ready we are going to depart soon, got it?" I gave him a salute and yelled "YES SIR!" I rushed past him to get my gear and horse ready.

*90 minutes later*

        The people around me are now wearing their gear and mounted their horses. As I look around the castle grounds I can see thousands upon thousands of warriors armed and ready to fight. Determination burning in their eyes. I shifted in my saddle and patted the side of my horse's light brown neck, he gave a soft reassuring sound. "Well buddy this is it, what we have been training for is finally upon us. But honestly, I feel like this war is coming sooner than what we were told." I let out a sigh as I looked at my father right in front of me hoping he would give me a reassuring smile or something. My eyes widened when I saw the look of death plastered on his face. That gave me the answer I didn't want, he was sure that a lot of people around us would die. I stiffened while looking straight ahead waiting for the orders. "Shit! I wish I wasn't here but instead with Deanaro. I need to apologize, but instead, I am here. I hope we make it back alive." I whispered under my breath.

A few hours later

        We were now marching our way to the entrance of the kingdom. As we were marching I caught sight of my house and store. I could see the family waving and shouting something, probably something about coming back home. But I noticed that Deanaro wasn't there "where could he be?" I whispered as worry began to fill me.

Deanaro"s POV

      I was walking aimlessly carrying the sword my father had strapped to my side. children running by me enjoying their time with each other. Laughing and playing without a care in the world. I let a sigh escape my lips as I slowly closed my eyes. I lifted my head towards the sky to let the warm spring sunlight shine down on my face. I slowly opened my eyes again stopping on a bridge running over the clear river below.

       I walked over to the brick wall and leaned on it looking over the river. I let out another sigh seeing the Koi fish swimming and playing around with one another "why couldn't I have something like that? Why aren't I allowed to have friends and hang out? Why was my childhood some much different from everyone else's? Why am I so different from everyone else? What is my purpose?" I looked down at my reflection, what makes it worse is that today is my birthday. But no one seemed to notice or care. I miss my father and Andrew. I- my thoughts was cut off as I stared down at my reflection it began to distort on the clear still river surface. What the hell is that!

Andrew's POV

       I let heaved another sigh, I guess he just won't forgive me no matter what huh? I wish we didn't have that fight. What if- no I must not think like that! Get a grip! I have my father with me, we will both return. I know that for a fact! I looked straight ahead again with determination "father! Let's end this quickly, I still have something I need to do. So let's do this and come back home soon.

Two months later

        We have finally reached our campsite, looked at the vast land covered in the tall soft grass, and in the far distance I could barely make out the mountain range. So this is the land that we must fight on huh? Why didn't I try talking to Deanaro sooner? Someone came up from behind and smacked my back super hard. My eyes flew open and I yelled out in pain "WHAT THE HELL!" I snapped my head around to see my father with a big cheesy grin plastered on the face. My eyes began to fill with tears from the stinging pain. He has always been too strong even for his size, it felt like someone had hit me with a thick tree.

       "Whoa, there's a sense when did you start using that kind of language?" He said while raising an eyebrow with his grin still on his face. "I don't know for a while now, why? I mean I am 20 so I should be able to say what I want right?" He then crossed his arms and looked to the sky. "Yeah I guess you can, but I would appreciate it if you didn't. Plus what would happen if you went on a date and used that kind of language? I mean it wo-" he stopped once his gaze met mine that was shooting daggers at him. "Save that speech for my younger brothers. The only girl I care about in the slightest is my older sister Jessica. You knew that, so it doesn't matter how I speak. Let's say I did end up hooking up with some girl, I would rather her love me for all of me. So don't go around telling me how to speak!" I then turned on my heel to help finish up setting up camp.

Four hours later

        I sat quite some distance away from everyone else, as I was writing letters to my family, the only person I wrote to is Deanaro. I made sure to write down everything that has happened so far. I even included the fight I had with dad.

        I heaved another sigh as I wrote down my feelings about the whole thing. Tomorrow we are to meet with the opposing side. Hopefully, our generals can agree so we won't have to fight. I don't want to fight in this war, but if I don't then this so-called war would have moved into the kingdom where my family is and Deanaro of course. Why can't we all just live in peace? I let out another sigh and at that moment I heard someone speak up from behind me. "You sure do sigh a lot don't ya? I mean I guess I kinda understand, this whole war thing is quite a drag." I jumped a little, not sensing his presence until I noticed he was there really put me on edge. I turned slowly to meet the eyes of my commanding officer -Captain Luset- of our section. I hurriedly stood up and saluted to him but his face darkened in response. "Stop!" He said while raising a hand at me. I slowly lowered my hand to my side, and he just shook his head and sat down beside where I was previously sitting. He just patted beside him telling me to sit down.

       "Look Andrew was it? I usually don't like other people, but why not give it a shot. To be honest, the first time I saw you in the courtyard I was captivated by you. I was jealous in a way, of your looks your age, and even your battle style. All I could think about was wow with all that you must get the ladies. So I decided to ask your father questions only to find out that you are disgusted if a woman even looks your way unless it's your sister. I was truly shocked after hearing that. So tell me why? Why don't you like women?"

       I looked at him funny, why is he so curious about me of all people? And what the hell is he talking about? He is a very attractive guy and he is a skilled warrior. So why the hell would he be jealous of me? Wait a second don't tell me he is a stocker! I timidly looked into his bright light brown eyes that seemed to shine a golden color from the light of the moon. Golden short fluffy wide hair, lean body, perfect facial features from his perfectly shaped eyebrow to his sharp jawline, pink plump lips ready for kissing. Completely hairless from what I can tell, he isn't wearing a shirt indicating that he is about to or just got out of the bath. I couldn't tell from the look of him but maybe by smell? I shook my head a little so he wouldn't notice, what am I thinking? I mean he is a guy after all, why am I so focused on his looks? I could tell he had a six-pack, his smooth skin tightening more with each breath. The perfect curve of his back down to his nice luscious ass. My eyes widened and I turned my head away so he couldn't see the dark flash of red highlighting my cheeks.

       "I don't know, I just don't like them, why do you have a problem with that?" Still not looking at him and hoping he thinks I turned away because I am hiding something, like a real reason not to like them. I could feel his eyes burning into my neck.

        Feeling a little uncomfortable I shifted in my seat. I was about to turn around, but Captain Luset seemed to notice "don't you dare turn around until you are ready to tell me the truth! I hate when people lie to me." I stiffened at the sharpness of his voice. Does he know? I don't think I made it too obvious. "I don't know what you mean. I told you that I just don't like them I don't find them attractive, and I don't think I ever will." I said still facing away from him. I felt him inch close enough to where I could feel his hot breath on my soft sensitive neck. "Come to my tent now! That's an order" he whispered into my ear. "I don't want to have to use my authority in this way, but since you lied to me I have to now. Now get your ass moving and follow me!" He hissed, I nodded and got up and followed him to his tent, and nobody seemed to notice or care. What did I do wrong? I didn't lie to him so why is he so upset? And what punishment could he have in store? No! Don't think like that I am sure I can get myself out of this!

A few minutes of walking

        We had finally gotten to his tent. He motioned for me to go in first and I did just that. Once we got in I looked around and my eyes widened inside was a house with its beautiful meadow that stretched far and wide into the distance. He can use magic! I knew there were people in our kingdom that weren't human and or could use magic but I never expected to meet one who would show it to someone like me. I felt a gentle hand on my back pushing me towards the mansion that loomed over me in the middle of this vast land. He let the curtain shut behind him and the opening completely disappeared into thin air. He then pushes my mid-back harder to make me move, but how it looked completely normal when he opened the curtain so how could this want on the other side? Now that I am looking at him more clearly in the midday sunlight I noticed how smooth his skin was. Not only that but it turns out that he is taller than me by 3 or 4 inches.

        He smirked a little as we made it to the door. The door opened without anyone touching it, he must have used magic. I was pushed inside as he stepped in as well the door shut itself. He then continued onwards without removing his hand from my back and I was honestly too scared to move or resist against him. We began to ascend the vast beautifully crafted stairs. "We are almost there in my room, where we can talk without getting interrupted." He said as we ruched the third floor, we took a right down a long wide red-carpeted hallway. "I'm sorry sir, I won't do it again I promise so pl-" I became silent when he gave me a menacing look. I heard a door from in front of me, I turned my head to see two grand dark Oakwood doors being opened again with no one there to open them. I was then shoved into the room.

He walked in after me and the doors closed behind him. " What I wanted to hear was if you like women or not, can you answer that now that we are alone?" He gave me a hard stare, I gulped looking into his golden-brown eyes that seemed to swirl with mysterious power hidden within its depths. "I- I d-don't know, I-I mean I'm p-pretty sure t-that I d-don't." As I looked at him I couldn't help but stutter, as I felt like I was being drowned in those bright beautiful eyes of his. I guess he could sense what I was thinking because at that moment he gave me a very seductive smile. At the sight of this beautiful creature standing before me, I couldn't help but suck in my breath.

        "Then tell me what do you like" now he was just teasing me, he knows damn well what I liked and what I wanted. He sexily looked up and down my body taking it all in then meeting my eyes once again. "If you tell me I will give you a surprise that will ensure that you can have what you desire whenever you want, and for as long as you want me." He gave me the same sexy smile but this time showing his perfect teeth, I felt like melting right where I was standing. I only nodded "I-I like m-men!" I blurted out I never said that out loud holy shit! And of all the people I told, this beautiful creature stood right in front of me. I looked him right in the eye seeing his face light up with happiness and something else I can't place. His eyes burned with such intensity that I was sure could rival the sun burning so bright that they could put the sun out of its job. His eyes were filled to the brim with lust as well as his body. I could feel the heat of it from where I was standing in his room, 10 feet away from him.

        I seemed to be affected by this gorgeous creature's want for me that I felt the need to touch and be touched by him. He started to walk towards me with purpose, but before I could even blink he was right in front of me, he hungrily smashed his lips against mine. I let out a gasp as his soft plump lips press against my pink soft lips. The kiss became more needed as time passed and he then began to nibble at my bottom lip asking for entrance and I gladly gave it to him. As soon as I opened my mouth he slipped his tongue in intertwining our tongues together, so much time passed by that it started to get hard to breathe. I pulled away to catch my breath, but he didn't stop there, he instantly went for my ear lobe and began to nibble the soft cartilage causing me to let out soft moans. Holy shit I never did this before, but it feels so good and soo right. I wish this moment would never end. No! I wish to have moments like this forever! I heard him whisper in my ear in a husky voice "I already told you didn't I that I would grant you an eternity of pleasure like this. So don't worry your pretty head, daddy will take care of everything."