《Children of Alana》 Prologue There once was a great race of Homo sapiens sapiens, they rise up from the sea, flown down from the sky and built the greatest wonder this world has ever sees. All other race fell before the might of mankind; many driven away from their home, enslave, imprison or extinct all together. No one dare to challenge humanity for their dominant on this earth. If any should dare rise his head up too high or harm any human, all their kind and many other shall suffer a great punishment like the wrath of God himself descent upon them. Human were at the highest of their power in their final moment, even reaching into the star and set foot on another planet. Seeing their ambition, many said the god sent down a star barring gift and power for humankind. Its power grants a select few humans who can bare its power a great strength and mythical power which are still to this day called ¡°Magic¡± by human race. The day that the star fall mark a beginning of a new era for all of us. In the wake of this new found power that could lead human to even greater future instead of sharing this power among themselves some human start fighting each other and even start a war between nation for these few special humans which last for many decades. In an attempt to control and harvest its power, finally the star break. Its power swoop through the world and remake everything forever. All species of plant and animal start to react to its power like never before and many grew up many times its original size. Some were grant the power of magic too and share it with their own kind unlike the human in their waking moment. The continent starts to move and human found themself lost in this new world. Their superweapon lost when the very earth shifts beneath them, along with their government that keep bickering and distrust among themself while the world turns on them from inside of their own home. Many were killed in a vengeful hunt from many species that were oppressed under human for many centuries. The few first selected human who were chosen by the star try to lead the remaining survival to create a new home but the human of Homo sapiens sapiens can no longer bare the air and pressure of this new world any longer. For just standing still felt like the air is pushing down on them constantly and in every breath gave a sharp cut in their lung as if a black thorn hidden in the air. The first 2 blessed human, Astra and Lucena have to decide quickly on what to do or risk losing more people. Seeing their fellow men fell one by one they decide to choose a radical path of transformation. To change into something new that can withstand this new world and win a war that they know is coming. When their attempt finally success in incarnating themselves in to this new beautiful form, they start to transform other selected few whom they believed can survive the transformation while the rest are abandoned. For they alone cannot save a million of people that have come to them for help. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The selected human that survives and change were later known as ¡°Amiel¡± the new rebirth race of humanity. Although many other races still see them as human and hate them all the same. Astra and Lucena are lover and fought many battles together. They were led to find each other through the power of the star and Alana, their child, was also believed by them to be a gift from God himself. Alana whom always have a kind heart, however disapprove of this radical path that would abandon millions of people who come beg her for help so she chooses another. She chose to give a small part of her power into other instead. With this path although billion is still lost, humanity survived. But because it is not a transformation change like people of Amiel these new human does not possess any power of magic nor strength. Just a regular weak old fashion human among this brave new world full of new creature that want to destroy them. The first war come just as everyone was expected "The great cleansing¡± they called it. The war that all species will once again fight and find their place in this new world hierarchy. Many new races were wipe out to extinction and human have come close to the end many times but because of their alliance with Ameil and some other races, they live on. Alana was the first who propose the idea of alliance between all races while everyone is busy trying to kill each other and curve up a new world order, even among Ameil who was just recently had been human start to felt the need to abandon humanity to save themselves but Astra and Lucena will never abandon their daughter so the alliance never breaks no matter what their people said. The first alliance only made possible simply because the Fire Ant empire start to dominant the world and everyone else is losing, their number grow unchecks and no one really know how to destroy their giant underground network completely. So, in desperation all race joins in to stop the ants in unity which result in great success but as soon as the war was won and the Fire Ant empire assume destroyed the alliance broke once more with more grudge to add to the list. But still this alliance lay a ground work for the future alliance, for each race starting to welcome or tolerant a sight of diplomat more, unlike the beginning phase of war where everyone kills everyone on sight. The great cleansing lasts many decades until the end which 6 major powers remain: Human republic of New Terra, Great People of Ameil, Fire Ant dynasty, Mountain Crow of Corvidia, The Wolf fang party of Eardwulf and The Goat church of Amalthea. In the memory of princess Alana all races agree to build a city in the heart of this new continent and called it ¡°City of Alana¡±. A place where all race can come to live side by side in peace and harmony without the constraints of politic or grudge of the past. Here in the heart of this city lie the very first school for children of all race to come study, learn and live side by side together in peace and harmony. Should the city of Alana fail to bring every races together the great cleansing may yet start anew. And with it the sin of the past shall resurface to collect it due. Still many brave spirits who believe in Alana vision of tomorrow try to live by her example in this city. For they know should this city succeed the world will finally be able to move on toward tomorrow. This is the story of her children The children of Alana Bill the human Bill the Human ¡­............................................................. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. roommate This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. the librarian ¡°Here we are¡± Josh spread his wing eager to fly up to the building in front of them. The main building of the school, the white tower. Three of them didn¡¯t exactly think of where they want to go but as soon as Josh see a sign point to direction of the library, he just takes the lead while Bill and Calamity follow quietly until they reach the south entrance of the white tower. The building has a rectangle shape with around 10 floors with the white tower pierce out at the top. This building is a center of this city where all the main road meet and circles the white tower. From here in the open Bill can see his dorm in the south on right side of the road and near by the west is a giant stadium that stand above the rest of the city. As Bill look inside the building, he noticed many city residents walk among the student even in school building ¡°So many people here¡± ¡°Normally the university or school ground would restrict access to outsider for student safety but this school purpose is to make all race learn how to live with one another so they share it for public use in some area.¡± Josh explains. ¡°Can¡¯t even imagine this in my country, if a lone herbivore randomly wanders around in predator city even with the treaty on hunting and killing other races, a missing person report still happen all the time.¡± Hearing the missing part Bill can¡¯t help but ask ¡°No student have been missing before, right?¡± ¡°Yes, Alana is quite famous for never have a missing person or murder.¡± Calamity points up with his paw ¡°There¡¯re rumor that the chief of this city never sleeps and always be a watching eye that see everyone below.¡± ¡°And do you guy know that area near the top of white tower is a no-fly zone?¡± Josh adds ¡°I received a warning as soon as reach the gate they seem to take this rule very seriously¡± ¡°Sound pretty ominous for a building that we¡¯re going to study in,¡± said Bill. ¡°Well, the top of tower is quite far from the top floor of this building so we should be fine. Beside no way anyone is going to walk up all those steps if they won¡¯t allow anyone to fly,¡± said Josh The library is on the third to fifth floor, Josh seems eager to go but he only flies to the top stair of the next floor as he waits for his companion to catch up. On their way up Bill sees that a first and second floor is a canteen which is properly why there¡¯re so many people. As they reach the third floor a magpies come out of a door and fly off from the balcony in front of them. This door is the entrance to the library which bears the symbol of Princess Alana, an A alphabet with wing in a circle and instead of straight line in A there was an eye there, at the top sign read Library of Alana Where understanding bring us closer together Josh eagerly opens the door and head inside. Bill and Calamity follow. Inside they found a hall of bookshelf line all around filled with colorful book and in the middle is a wide spiral stairway that connects all 3 floors together with a vast area for reading on all side. In the front, there is a round counter with a falcon, a male merlin, standing behind a pile of papers looking at a paper on his desk. Seeing all those book fill Josh with excitement of which he can no longer contain himself. ¡°See you guy later, I might sleep here tonight though¡± Bill watches as Josh casually fly off and vanish into the bookshelf, leave Bill and Calamity standing at the entrance like a lost child. Two of them glance at each other don¡¯t know what to do. It was Josh idea to come here and now he just dumps both of them and leaves like that. For Calamity this kind of situation is not in his training at all, therefor he only has one course of action left to deal with this. ¡°Um, can I help you guy?¡± a blue-grey back falcon with yellow beak looks up from his desk. ¡°Yes, we are new student...¡± Bill who still try to take everything in turns to Calamity for help only to catch the sight of his tail leaving the door ¡°I mean...I¡¯m looking for a book?¡± ¡®Both of my new friends abandon me, great, just great¡¯ ¡°Of course, which book are you looking for?¡± ¡®Which book indeed¡¯ Bill who got caught in the moment said the name of the only book he knew of ¡°MAM theory of magic¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°That would be in Class 003 Magic Amass Manipulator system and function on this floor on our right side, would you like me to get that for you?¡± a grey falcon asks. ¡°Yes please¡± Bill just keeps answering yes by instinct from work in the factory. Saying no was never really an option if you want food on a table by the end of the day. The falcon Librarian then look to the right before utter ¡°Evenio¡± and a gust of wind gently push one book to fall off shelf and float toward them before it stop on the counter in front of Bill. Looking down at the book he read so many times he can recite word by word Bill look back up with crude smile ¡°thank you...Mr.?¡± ¡°You can call me Doran¡± a falcon introduce himself ¡°So you are a new student huh.¡± Bill nod his head ¡®he¡¯s even taller than Josh but maybe because he is older?¡¯ ¡°From my experience with my human friend I said you must be pretty scare right?¡± ¡°Scare? I don¡¯t scare at all¡± Bill stand tall acting confident because he know if he show weakness other people will just be taking advantage of him and his mother. Doran tilt his head while smiling ¡°I once a student of this school too, you can say that I am your senior, just recently graduate really. So if you have any question don¡¯t be afraid to ask me.¡± ¡®A senior?¡¯ Bill look at Doran and after consider his position he must admit that he really could use other people... and animal help. ¡°Yeah, I admit I am quite intimidated by...well all this¡± ¡°By us Carnivorous right¡± Doran lift up his yellow feet showing a black sharp claw. ¡°That too¡± but for Bill it is more than that. Other human student at least have a wealth and power of their family to back them up. He has nothing. He could just vanish and nobody would be looking for him. ¡°You already get the bag from dorm staff right? You should check what they prepare for you first¡± Bill remember that school staff have put his student ID card in there along with other stuff he would need but he didn¡¯t check them yet. ¡°Next is get to know your roommate, I already see that you try touring school with someone but he seem to left you hanging haha¡± Doran quick to stop chuckling ¡°but don¡¯t take it personal I bet he properly scare too or just being shy, most of us are. It the first time we get to be outside our tribe and home after all¡± ¡®Calamity Scare? SHY?! No way...¡¯ ¡°Just give him a chance, many of our culture are very different and you¡¯ll get to learn all about it in a class soon. And if you need a peace of mind, know that any attempt to eat or kill other student have never been success before¡± ¡°Someone try to eat their roommate?!¡± ¡°Well...yes some races is still hate each other to gut. The great war is not that long ago after all but don¡¯t worry our school staff is really good at keeping peace¡± Bill is now pale white. Doran seeing his juniors losing hope before his very eyes starting to panic. He never advice a juniors before and he¡¯s already failing hard for his first time. For years he spent learning how to live together with other race and helping each other he won¡¯t let it just fail like this. ¡°How about I let you borrow this luck charm for a while?¡± Doran took a necklaces that was hiding under his white feather off and offer it to Bill. Bill snap back and look at a green small four leaf clovers necklaces in Doran¡¯s wing. ¡°Is it ok for me to have this?¡± Bill afraid it might be valuable. ¡°Sure, my girlfriend give this to me for good luck. Don¡¯t worry she won¡¯t noticed, even I forget that I was wearing this from time to time I am very fluffy after all.¡± Doran Fluff his chest and wing up just to show off ¡°Just don¡¯t forget to return it to me once you settle in and feel safe around here¡± Doran let the necklaces slide down and slip into Bill hand. ¡°Thank you¡± Bill wear the necklaces and already feel better from his new friend kindness. ¡°Maybe there is something I help you with? Any errand at all?¡± Bill asks for a chance to return a favor. Just when Doran is about to decline, his radio make a buzzing sound and shut off ¡°Argh not again...wait Bill, you are here to study MAM so you do know a basic of electronic right?¡± ¡°YUP¡± Bill answer proudly. ¡°Then maybe you can try fixing this radio for me? It been acting up for a month now but I never got time to take it to the workshop and submit paper work.¡± Doran lift the small radio up with his beak and place it on the counter. ¡°Let me see¡± Bill happy with a chance to help immediately open up a radio panel and start tinkering. It doesn¡¯t take long before Bill see what wrong with this radio, a lose wired that connect amplifier with a speaker breaking outer circle shape that form a sigil which converting a magic to power up this radio ¡°Did you drop this radio before?¡± ¡°I might have push it too hard with espiro onetime¡± Doran answer remembering a dozen of way this radio have been flown around the library and hit his boss head. If he was in a factory back home Bill would just use his company¡¯s tools to fix this but now he can only try moving the wire and hold it in place with a scotch Tape. As Bill was closing the side he realize that he can¡¯t power up magical equipment without power he ask for Doran help ¡°Can you try open it?¡± Doran then hold his wing out to touch the radio and utter ¡°Naas¡± which Bill doesn¡¯t know it meaning. It took a few second before a music come out of a radio, a sound of instrument Bill never heard before. Its soothing vibrance radiance out and echo down the rows of stainless bookshelf. ¡°Thank you Bill, usually I have to smack it a few time before it work. You are quite good at this.¡± said Doran. ¡°Well, try not throw it around too much now¡± Bill smile he already like it here more than New Terra. He then decide to return the book since he won¡¯t be able to borrow one without his student ID anyway and head back to his room. When Bill arrive it is already dinner time but since he can¡¯t afford any food, he will just spent time checking what inside his bag instead. Looking around Calamity still not return Bill pick out an item. A Student ID card with his dirty face wearing factory outfit on the day he went to applied for test, no one can see this. A notebook with pen and pencil, saving more money for him. A pamphlet detail about the city rule and regulation, most of the detail is just the basic stuff along with a city map but there are some quote that interested Bill. All races are welcome We ask you to treat everyone with respect No meat of Human, Amiel and Goat are allowed Do not attempt to climb White Tower Sales of any Object of power or MAM must have a permits A Numenus must be submit in queue for battle at stadium on the end of a month and No, you cannot go battle outside a city wall unless both sides agree to clean up afterward with city guard as a witness. All Murder is punishable by death Headmaster word are law and it is Final May the word of Princess Alana guide your days Bill didn¡¯t understand some of the word written in here. He can¡¯t help but wonder if his school in New Terra just didn¡¯t think that these words are important enough to teach them or the city of Alana is just that foreign with all these many races. Still Bill stay hopeful and went to sleep. tour of school You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Meeting the team If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Tracking Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Undeniable proposal If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. MAM MAM MAM Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. An offer Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. friend argument This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Wolf honor Stolen story; please report. The white king The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. a trail The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Legend of the first Fenrir This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Shooting range If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. the contest If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Eirian the Amiel Eirian the Amiel How does One make the world a better place a scar left on the world cannot be heal a darkness in man heart cannot be cut and every path is fill with regret even Amiel with all their power can barely hold themselves from astray we fail to save the world we fail to save ourselves perhaps it''s not One duty to save the world but Oneself To become what One is meant to be To find a path back to Oneself only when you found your star You will see the way Eirian This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Might make... Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Tale of Amalthorian The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Undercity (1) Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Undercity (2) You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Cinder of the past (1) The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Cinder of the past (2) Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Cinder of the past (3) ¡°Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm.¡± the deer walk out on four leg from darkness and approach the children who light the fire to see. ¡°You...are you a spirit?¡± Eirian shout while trying to make his teammate back away. He never heard of an awaken deer before and if this deer isn''t who he says he is then he might be an evil spirit who has been eaten people to the point he gains power of speech. Magic reacts to a strong will, sometime a dying animal or people who have a strong unresolve grievance may manifest into a spirit although it¡¯s very rare and even in his home of Medina Forest he only ever saw one or two spirit. They¡¯re usually detached and try to avoid people; Only an evil spirit who suffer some great loss go around attack anyone they come across. ¡°You need not be frightened. I am allowed here at the mercy of Headmaster Osmond. In exchange I help him look after this wood and any student who came here.¡± Hearing Prof. Osmond name and finally seeing this deer clearly in the light Eirian starts to calm down. It¡¯s a red deer with golden Antlers but Eirian knows that is not gold it¡¯s Zirt, a color only Amiel can see. He has a peaceful grace around him, give off a feeling of sacred being which is the opposite of evil spirit. ¡°Are you really the first deer who awaken? Is there...more of you?¡± Josh looks behind the deer but saw no one there. ¡°There is only me¡± ¡°From what you said you must been living here for a long time then why aren¡¯t you...¡± ¡°Awaken other of my kind?¡± Eirian nod. ¡°It was a decision I made long time ago and the story can be quite uncomfortable, do you still want to hear it?¡± Eirian turns to his teammate and everyone give a nod. This deer is the first of his kind who awake of course they want to know the story. ¡°Yes we do.¡± ¡°Very well, it¡¯s been such a long time seeing all the children from six races together. Maybe all of you should hear this story...come you should sit.¡± the deer bring children to more open area to sit and light a fire ¡°My name is Lao, allow me to tell my story.¡± ¡°In the final years of great cleansing, I awoke amid battle field between wolf and goat at the central plain. Confused and afraid I can only run away from the fire and killing till I found the forest of Medina. There for a time I live under a protection of Amiel who teach me the state of the world and what I have become. For a long time, I stay there, waiting for the council decision of what would become of me, at the time Astra and Lucena is no longer with them, so some of the elder consider me as a threat to the balance of 6 nation power and favor eliminating me. However, many elder still want to follow Lucena example and decided to let me go after the great cleansing has ended, their decision maybe influence by my decision through since I told them I won¡¯t be awaken any more of my kind.¡± ¡®Some of the elder want to kill Lao? I understand the reason but that is just wrong...I wonder which elder is it.¡¯ ¡°You see while I was waiting I was also been watching the world. Many more of animal has been awaken than you kids realize but they just didn¡¯t make it. Cat and Dog had awakened you know? They both live under a human protection for a time but after many disagreements of who is better and deserve a higher place next to man they went to war with each other. Arch Renato orders all human to stay out of the fight and let¡¯s cat and dog conclude this conflict on their own. In the end the dog win and the remaining survivor meet to sign a new pact and celebrate the end of the war. But while everyone is celebrating all the awaken dog suddenly start coughing blood and die. The cat leader then proclaims in front of Renato that now there¡¯s only cat left and they should allow them alone to be by human side, with their magical power and human technology they both will be unstoppable.¡± Bill and Josh get more excited when Renato name come up. ¡°Renato however is having none of it. The dog leader is actually Renato¡¯s companion before he awakens but Renato still refuses to help him in the war to keep this fight fair and reduce the chance of more conflict in the future. Now that his old friend lies dead before him, poisoned. Arch Renato cries out in rage and order an extermination of all cat in New Terra, awaken or not. On that day all awaken cat and dog is dead. The remaining normal cat were carried away by people who pity them into Elswyts, far outside Renato jurisdiction. Today the cat has return to Republic of New Terra somewhat but the law that command the killing of all cat still remain in place to this day although no one enforced it anymore.¡± ¡°To thing such horrible thing happens¡± said Biscuit in sad voice. ¡°So that why there is so few cats in the city I never thought there would be a reason to it.¡± said Bill. ¡°This is one of many reasons for my decision. If I should awaken more of my kind, all I would bring them is suffering. Herbivore like me doesn¡¯t stand a chance against powerful carnivore, that why you won¡¯t see a lot of awaken herbivore, sheep and goat are properly the only exception.¡± Lao gives a gentle smile at Biscuit. ¡°So, tell me about yourself children, I wish to know what is happening in the world.¡± Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! The team introduce themself and tell Lao of how everyone is more open now a day; a Fire Ant allow Goat missionary into their second colony near Amalthor border, A wolf start to open seaport and trade with New Terra. But there is also bad news about bombing in the city. ¡°I see, that is not good at all. I hope headmaster Osmond and Chief found who is responsible soon.¡± ¡°Chief?¡± the children asked. ¡°Ah most of you would properly never meet him, he¡¯s like a head of security for Alana. You know that tall white tower? He¡¯s live there.¡± ¡°So, somebody really live up there?¡± ¡°What race is he?¡± ¡°Race?¡± said Lao ¡°Why would it matter what race he is?¡± Everyone stumbles ¡°We¡¯re just curious.¡± ¡°Well keep being curious then and maybe your curiosity will lead you to answer.¡± Lao seems enjoys talking with them. ¡°Mr. Lao, I¡¯m sorry to say this but...¡± Biscuit hesitates to speak. ¡°It¡¯s ok Biscuit. You can speak your mind.¡± ¡°Is it ok for you to leave your kind as a wild animal? When I imagine all those deer who could have open their eye but will never be able to...it just seemed so sad.¡± she refers to all the deer living all over the world who will never awake and only become prey for other races. ¡°I do feel sorrow for them that why I do my best to protect the herd here in Cinder wood as much as possible although sometime people or wilds animal do manage to hunt some of them down...but such is the way of life. I already given my word to the elder, I won¡¯t go back on it.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Biscuit nod down. ¡°Then can I ask about the moment you awaken? What can you remember?¡± Josh asked. ¡°Do you see Lady Estellia?¡± ¡°Do you see Amalthaea?¡± Josh and Biscuit glance at each other for a moment before look away to focus at Lao. ¡®Estellia, Amalthaea, m?nen they all the same to me¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry I don¡¯t think I see anyone. I¡¯m only remember feeling this sense of deep sorrow before the flash, then I hear the scream the clashing of sword, smell of fire and blood, so I run as far as possible. Even now when I try to remember it¡¯s all blurry.¡± ¡°Thank you Mr. Lao, sorry for making you remember such unpleasant memory.¡± said Josh. ¡°It¡¯s alright Josh.¡± ¡°Since you been watching us from outside may I ask for your opinion on something sir?¡± Eirian address Lao like an elder. ¡°Do ask.¡± ¡°How should a leader govern the people?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen all kind of leader rise and fall during the time of chaos, from what I observe...¡± ¡°If you want to be a great leader you must learn to follow the way of the world. Do not try to control the world, the world can take care of itself. Do not fight the natural course of life or you will only invite chaos.¡± ¡°When the leader is gentle, the people are simple and happy.¡± ¡°When the leader is crafty, the people are sly and unhappy.¡± ¡°The more head force heart to be happy, the more stress body felt.¡± ¡°If a leader doesn¡¯t believe in his people, he will find that the people become untrustworthy.¡± ¡°A good leader live and lead effortlessly with patient and compassion. He acts and not speak, when his work is done the people shall said: we did it all¡ªby ourself.¡± ¡°The best way is the simple way. Lead by example, live a simple life. Learn to be lower than the people. The leader who takes shall never have the world but leader who give everything he has, the world shall offer itself to him.¡± ¡°But the world is already full of chaos, we need power and tactic to combat the conflict that already here. Simply lead by example will truly be enough sir?¡± Eirian question. ¡°There will always be conflict; the chaos you see now is a result from a choice taken long ago, sometime intentional sometime accidental. We can only accept it and live a life as they come.¡± Eirian bows with respect ¡°Thank you for your teaching.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the same with Pan¡¯s teaching but it¡¯s sound really nice Mr. Lao¡± said Biscuit. ¡®It¡¯s sound good but it¡¯s not realistic. This world is full of chaos and everyone have an agenda of their own. Even now I feel like someone is trying to start a new cleansing with these bombing, I can¡¯t let the war that burn away everything start again. I must find other way.¡¯ Lao gets up ¡°I better be on my way, still need to check on other student and make sure those wild dogs didn¡¯t return to Cinder Wood.¡± ¡°So those dogs were running from you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been tracking them for week now but I don¡¯t like to fight so I just use magic to try scare them away. If those dog attack you kids I would have jump in.¡± ¡°Thank you for looking after us sir.¡± ¡°Just doing my part.¡± said Lao ¡°I¡¯m glad I get to meet all of you, the wood is vast and we might not run into each other again so stay safe now children.¡± Lao then leaves the team to continue collect mushroom. Everyone quicky gather all the glowing mushroom they need and head back to camp. ¡°Amy you didn¡¯t bring any sleeping bag?¡± asked Bicuit. ¡°I can sleep on dirt.¡± ¡°No no come sleep with me then I got extra blanket.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine I sleep on dirt all the time.¡± ¡°I insist.¡± Biscuit keeps begging and hugging until Amy finally go sleep next to her. ¡°Well now that we got everything we can leave the wood tomorrow morning. Let¡¯s be the first group who finish our assignment.¡± Eirian tells everyone and they all went to sleep. Cinder of the past (4) This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Amiel for hire (1) Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Amiel for hire (2) This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Amiel for hire (3) Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Amiel for hire (4) Sagax takes one look before grabbing both of them up stair to Bernays. ¡®He lifts us both all the way up here. Does all wolf this absurdly strong?¡¯ ¡°Bernays these kids broke 2 bottles of quicksilver how should I punish them.¡± ¡°Oh, Bill did any of those mercury spat on you?¡± Bernays asked. ¡°Err¡± Bill look at his leg and arm ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± ¡°Good. Those were mercury before convert into a solid core so it could be poisonous for human. Please be more careful next times.¡± ¡°Yes sir¡± Bill and Eirian look down guilty. ¡°2 bottles and a glass cabinet were broken.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll deduct the cost from your salary at the end of the month then¡± Bill and Eirian nod ¡°Sagax could you please put them down and told Jeffy to clean it up?¡± Sagax put them down but still unhappy since both culprits didn¡¯t get punish ¡°Jeffy is out to get delivery from the port.¡± ¡°Then you clean it up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not your slave.¡± ¡°You take care of security and a leaking mercury in the air is a danger to everyone in the shop therefor this fall under your responsibility.¡± ¡°That some featherly rubbish¡± ¡°Language Sagax. We¡¯re with two innocent children here you know.¡± Bernays covered his mouth with wing. Sagax snort at both kids before slam the door on way out. ¡°He¡¯s so happy he finally got something to do.¡± said Bernays. ¡®I¡¯m pretty sure he wants to kill us with that look just now.¡¯ ¡°Well do you think you can complete the job quota on time Eirian?¡± Eirian pulls himself back from the thought of Sagax ripping his throat ¡°Yes I think so.¡± ¡°Actually, we were just testing a new glyph Bill make for me.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°It was just a basic magic glyph in most electronic. And clearly a bad idea.¡± ¡°No, I think it was great Bill.¡± Eirian interjected. ¡°It was?¡± ¡®I need Bill to make me that glyph to help me refill core faster, Bernays won¡¯t let us try if you make him think it¡¯ll be a waste of time.¡¯ Eirian turns to Bernays and explains his experience of using MAM and noted ¡°I never feel a magic wave against me like that before, like how water used to flow along the stream but now it flows against me so I was surprised and lost control of magic. Still I believed that with more test I can use MAM to help me refill a core faster.¡± ¡°Seem like you enjoy using MAM¡± Eirian feels strange being an Amiel who got compliment for liking a MAM. He¡¯s not sure should he be proud of it. ¡°Why don¡¯t you buy one from my shop. We sell one of the best here after all.¡± ¡°I was thinking of borrowing from Bill...¡± ¡®There¡¯s no way I¡¯m paying over 100,000 Nil for a workplace tool. Not to mention those cores which sell separately over 50,000 for the cheapest.¡¯ ¡°I see¡± Bernays smiles as if he can read Eirian mind ¡°Well you can rent our MAM when you want to use them then. I already offer Bill a new MAM but he declines it as well.¡± If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to use other MAM¡± Bill rubs an old MAM in his hand, ponder a memory of his father he didn¡¯t have. ¡°Can I borrow one now?¡± said Eirian but he shifts when he noticed Bernays give a look, his eyebrow specifically ¡°I mean rent.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Bernays let Eirian choose the MAM he wants and let the two boys go out to test their glyph. Eirian picks one cheapest glove. ¡°Why are we leaving the store¡± Bill asked. ¡°I have a theory to test.¡± Eirian led them to a church in the middle of the city where people are praying in silence. A goat, wolf and all kinds of bird walk in together to pray but in the land of faith thing are not so clear cut, some birds do pray to Amalthaea or even m?nen. Even a few ants who shouldn¡¯t believe in anything beyond their queen are sitting here before the Amalthaea. In here everyone is free to choose their beliefs and came here to share their love and devotion. All are welcome, even those like Bill and Eirian who aren¡¯t here for their soul. ¡°This one won¡¯t shoot lighting right?¡± Eirian looks around where other people are sitting and notices Biscuit praying among the crowd. ¡°Maybe. I mean only tinyyy chance.¡± Eirian hesitates to take the glyph but if Bill said it wouldn¡¯t go boom then he wants to trust him. When a glyph clicks in place he flicks a switch. Bill bites his teeth in anticipation but no spark this time. ¡°It didn¡¯t work?¡± ¡°No¡± Eirian holds the core in front of Bill ¡°Don¡¯t you feel it? The magic it¡¯s going in¡± ¡°No, tell me how it is¡± Bill wheezes, trying to breathe. He is disappointed that he can¡¯t see the result with his own eyes but still glad to know it works. ¡°Right sorry I forgot¡± being the only races that can¡¯t feel magic made Eirian forget about them sometimes. ¡°It¡¯s going in much faster and this time the magic seems to follow my thought now. Actually, it might be even better than I¡¯m able to control it before. How did you do it?¡± ¡°I added a mind glyph. It¡¯s basically let you use your mind to control magic.¡± ¡°It¡¯s amazing¡± Eirian looks at a MAM in his hand ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ever felt this close to magic...although it does feels weird.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°The magic follows my thought but I still feel a subtle resistance, like a weight on my mind. It¡¯s won¡¯t go away no matter what I do.¡± ¡°Interesting¡± Bill take noted ¡°That should be expected since magic is a force of nature. Like when you dig a canal to divert river, the water follows the path you laid but it still flows with a strength of its own and if the canal is too thin or small a water can overflow and carve its own path flooding the land. I could try to increase the strength and speed of this glyph but do tell me if it makes you feel weirder.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Bill and Eirian kept testing and went to Magus to see if Magus had more magic intensity than the church. These places are full of magic because they¡¯re artificially made to be or form naturally from an object/plant that was placed here. Eirian explains to Bill that when every creature pray they channel their magic inside them and surrounding into a statue of their god or whatever their symbol object of holiness is. One time Bill altered the mind glyph to make it as powerful as possible so in theory it could help Eirian refill an empty core in ten minutes but it¡¯s turn out to be too powerful. Magic stops follow Eirian entirely and even made him cried from sharp pain in the head. ¡°Let¡¯s never do that again¡± Both keep testing until finally Bill can no longer endure a headache from being in a place of magic any longer so he asked Eirian to stop and leave Magus. ¡°Thank you for helping me¡± Eirian bring Bill out to nearby lemon stand and brought him a cup. ¡°Thank, eek¡± Bill drank a cold lemon that was very sour but at least his headache is gone now. Bill twisted face remind Eirian of Bill face when he heard of how much Eirian was offer compare to him so Eirian give a suggestion to Bill ¡°You work so hard Bill and your work help me so much. Maybe we should talk with Bernays about getting you a raise?¡± ¡°A rasie? I didn¡¯t offically work for Mercuriuse though and I just start working there, it would be rude to ask for a rasie already.¡± ¡°Still maybe...¡± ¡°It¡¯s ok Eirian, I already happy with the job I have there is no need to climb too high.¡± Eirian doesn¡¯t like this self-inflict negative attitude but seeing how Bill just spent an entire day helping him. He doesn¡¯t want to rebuke Bill right now. ¡°Let¡¯s me get something before we leave¡± Eirian walks to a flower stand and brought a flower bouquet. Bill eyes twitch and speak without thinking ¡°If you going to give me a gift just feed me for a month.¡± ¡°What¡± Eirian almost slip ¡°This is a gift for Biscuit.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Eirian and Bill then head back to church and arrive just as Biscuit is leaving. ¡®Thank the eternal one she still here¡¯ ¡°Biscuit hey¡± Eirian call and hand her a gift ¡°Thank for saving my life yesterday¡± ¡°That...that was nothing you don¡¯t have to...¡± Biscuit nervous. She didn¡¯t receive a lot of gift in her life. And she feels like she didn¡¯t deserve these beautiful flowers. A few eyes are looking at the two of them. ¡°My life isn¡¯t nothing Biscuit please accept this. I still need to find a way to make up to you.¡± Biscuit feel the eyes around her and that make her even more nervous so she take the bouquet and bite all the top flower off. Eirian stunts don¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Thank you it was really good¡± She then trots away to run from the crowd who is watching and dump the rest of bouquet paper in the nearby bin. Seeing his friend in shock Bill slowly taps Eirian on the back to express his sympathy. Eirian quicky compost himself and speak out loud for Bill and himself ¡°I guess goat treat flower in different meaning than us.¡± ¡°Seeing Biscuit take a bite made me hungry. How about we go get a snack of our own?¡± Bill smiles with pity. ¡°Yeah let¡¯s go eat. You must be bore of those fancy food right let¡¯s us go see the street food of Alana then. They must have some foreign dish.¡± Bill raise his hand up wanting to say something but put it down and shrug ¡°Free food is free food.¡± Amiel for hire (4.2) Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Amiel for hire (5) This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Solstice festival (1) Next morning in classroom Eirian found himself distracted and worry about what Aven said. ¡®He warned me not to told anyone about him especially Miss Hellen since he has no desire to meet her or he won¡¯t teach his technic to me anymore¡¯ Eirian saw how amazing Aven at controlling magic so he intent to follow Aven order. However, what he said about Alana being a lie... ¡°It¡¯s seemed everyone is ready. Today''s lesson is about...¡± Miss Hellen starts the class after name check every student. ¡®The bomber clearly wants to cause chaos in the city so there¡¯s no need to believed what was written on the wall. Alana indeed sells some weapon to other nation but that is just for improve international relationship and trust right?¡¯ A sudden freezing air in his ear stop Eirian from his train of thought and made him realize Hellen is staring at him. When Eirian focus on her she continues. Alluding to Osmond speech about empathy from before at opening ceremony ¡°Headmaster Osmond said we will teach you about empathy but some of you might already notice there is no such class. Osmond doesn''t believe empathy can be taught with word. Like other virtue such as compassion we can debate its definition all day but you won¡¯t know true compassion until you experience it. These past few weeks if you were paying attention then you would have experience empathy already even if you might struggle to understand or don¡¯t share in the other person¡¯s feeling and thought. Such virtue must be absorb from exemplars in life or through story whether in fiction or history then nurture and support into habit. There¡¯s an old tale of elephant in garden ¡°Susi¡± whom one day gone wild and rabid so the king wants to put him down but the monk stops him and observe that a group of thieves have been coming into garden in the night to plan their scheme and drink which Susi listen and learned from them. He advises the king to arrest those thieves and set a scholar to converse in their place so Susi could listen. A few days later Susi clam down and go back to be friendly with villager.¡± ¡°When a person can empathize with other then they become more than themself allowing for a condition of growth. No creature on this earth stands by himself. No one comes from nothing. We all take a piece of others into us every day to learn and grow no matter what those pieces are for good or ill. Those who block this process are bound to stagnate.¡± ¡°Alana believed most creatures are kind and already have some level of empathy since it was ingrained in all of us from birth which is what this school wants to taught all of you. But I would caution you against this line of thought. This school maybe a safe place we created through many hardships but not everyone would replied compassion with goodwill. Still, believing that as long as we show compassion then we will be met with compassion does have its own benefit. According to Prof. Fay it¡¯s does make your life a lot calmer and happier since you don¡¯t have to keep watch on everyone all the time. What aspect will you choose to see in other is up to you but be careful where you look for what you see find a way to settle and bloom inside you.¡± After class everyone in the team walk up to Eirian except Bill who rush out of the class the moment Miss Hellen let them go ¡°What happen to your face?¡± Calamity asked. ¡°Oh this? just a little accident from practice. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Eirian taps his cheek. It¡¯s no longer hurt the cut was very clean. ¡°Let¡¯s go check city square they have a lot of shop setup for Solstice festival¡± said Josh. In the morning Eirian remembers seeing dozens of vendors who were setting up booth. All the street is covered in poster for today''s festival. A beautiful bird of paradise is posting in a picture with a glowing necklace. He is ribbon-tailed astrapia, his body is velvet black with plume above his bill, a iridescent olive green and bronze plumage round over his head and a two extremely long white tail feathers twirl in a wind. ''At bottom of poster it¡¯s has a small word written ¡°MAM necklace by Mercurius. Show your support in unity of Alana¡± Is Mr. Bernays sponsor this event?¡¯ ¡°I can¡¯t believe Evan is going to perform at Alana tonight. Caw! I can¡¯t wait to hear him sing again.¡± ¡°Evan?¡± asked Amy. ¡°You never heard of him? he¡¯s the bird in poster.¡± ¡°I heard he has one of the most beautiful voices among all bird. I never got a chance to go out to his show. He¡¯s only came to Amalthor a few times.¡± Biscuit look excited that she will finally get a chance to see him in person. ¡°I guarantee you won¡¯t be disappoint¡± said Josh. ¡°We should all go watch...if you all want to that is¡± said Biscuit You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Do I have to go?¡± asked Calamity. ¡°Wel¡ªwell if you don¡¯t want...¡± ¡°Come on Calamity, you would regret if you misses this chance. Getting a ticket for perform is almost impossible in Avion and she¡¯s coming to perform here for free. We should all go.¡± Josh turn to look at the door where Bill left ¡°But where did Bill go? I didn¡¯t get a chance to call him.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t tell me.¡± Eirian and everyone don¡¯t know where Bill in such a hurry to. ¡°Well maybe he¡¯s downstair to buy all the good stuff before it¡¯s sold out.¡± Josh concludes. Below at the square Eirian is shock at how many people is walking and shopping in the new marketplace. A tense atmosphere between crow and other races from days before seem to subside as everyone is rushing to buy a new fancy product which was made for today''s festival. A cuisine and dessert in Solstice summer and winter theme in colorful red, yellow, gold and black. A vibrant t-shirt and hat embroider with a picture of multiples animal pair with either sun or moon. ¡°Look! a wolf howling at the full moon. I think this one would suit you Calamity.¡± Josh pulls a cloth out of rack to compare with Calamity. ¡°I think you would look better in this one¡± Amy picks out the shirt with cute rabbit eating under the sun. Calamity didn¡¯t answer but he¡¯s clearly not into the idea of wearing either shirt. ¡°This hat looks nice Josh but won¡¯t the hat on bird fall off when you fly?¡± Eirian browses other rack where bird¡¯s clothes are in different design, mainly they don¡¯t have a close arm part since bird need space to flap their wing. ¡°We can add a strap for you if you want¡± said the owner of booth as he is helping other customer. ¡°A hat huh, those cowboy hats aren¡¯t really my genre though.¡± Josh put the hat on but not feeling the vibe he wants. ¡°What about you Biscuit see anything you like?¡± Eirian asks her when he noticed she doesn¡¯t seem to look at these clothes. ¡°I am hoping to buy those necklaces in poster. In the morning I saw the crowd and scare so I thought I would come back later¡± Biscuit looks around trying to find the booth from Mercurius. ¡®Necklace?¡¯ Eirian looks around past eclipse pancake and wind sculpture booth until he spots Sagax who is scaring customer aways. ¡°I think I saw where Mercurius booth is¡± Sitting in an empty booth calculate his earning is Bernays while Sagax chase anyone who want to come in away. ¡°We all sold out¡ªoh it you¡± Sagax about to chase these group of kid away when he saw Eirian. ¡°Hello Mr. Sagax, Bernays. Do all necklace sold out already?¡± ¡°Ah Eirian it¡¯s good to see you. I¡¯m sorry we just sold the last necklace a moment ago.¡± Biscuit look very disappoints. Once again her hesitation has cost her a chance to get something she wants. ¡°But we still have some left at the main store. Bill is making more right now.¡± with these word Biscuit eyes lit up with hope. ¡®So that where he ran off to.¡¯ ¡°Should I go help?¡± Eirian asks since he¡¯s works for the shop now. He¡¯s feel weird Bill is the only one who needs to work extra hour. ¡°We already prepare those cores more than enough before you joined so don¡¯t worry.¡± Eirian nod and turn around to his friend ¡°Right, Bernays this is my friend Josh, Calamity, Amy and Biscuit¡± ¡°Nice to meet you all¡± Bernays smiles and shakes hand/wing/hoof/paw with everyone. And he seems to be very interested with Calamity since he¡¯s the one Sagax mention before. ¡°How about we headed to the shop now before the rest of our necklace sold out. I¡¯m guessing our little goat is the one who want one right?¡± Bernays can tell from her reaction. ¡°Yes¡± Biscuit speak half fill with hope and half scare at Sagax who is somehow scarier than Calamity which she didn¡¯t think would be possible. She now hides behind Calamity back. ¡°Come Sagax we¡¯ll sent someone to pack the booth later¡± Sagax pick up a bag of money and paper and they all walk out through the crowd. With Sagax at the front they have little problem getting out from city center. ¡°So, Eirian how do you think my marketing is going?¡± asked Bernays. He¡¯s already know this campaign is a great success but he won¡¯t mind more opinion consider Sagax is not very useful in that department. ¡°It¡¯s incredible¡± Eirian express joy in his voice ¡°I didn¡¯t think any other races other than human would ever be interesting in MAM at all since they can use a magic of their own. To think you would hire a famous singer and make him wear a MAM like that. I surprise many people would just buy MAM following their idol. This will really help other races get closer to human more.¡± ¡°Yes, yes¡± Bernays open up at the compliment ¡°Most people are simple minded Eirian, as a future leader you must remember this; They follow the flock; most never an idea of their own. It¡¯s given them peace of mind and joy so they know they¡¯re not alone. As long as you know how to lead they will follow.¡± ¡°Well, calling it simple mind maybe a bit much. They just want to support Evan and what this city stands for.¡± said Eirian. Bernays smiles at a native Amiel who might as well be older than him ¡°What they have, whoever they think they are was all given to them since young and they never question it. They can only follow the strong, the one that shine brightest. Don¡¯t you see they can¡¯t look away? It won¡¯t take much to convince them what to think...Don¡¯t you agree Josh?¡± Bernays turn to test a young crow. Josh Crawford, Bernays knew he heard this name before. ¡°I suppose if we talk on the big scale you are not wrong.¡± Josh answer with doubt in his eye but no hesitation in his voice ¡°even I love the story with strongest and bravest hero the most. Their story is so epic and amazing I can¡¯t stop reading. The great one embrace new idea and not fear change, they lead everyone else head first into the unknow and we can only enjoy following them in their foot step.¡± ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t our young master here a little modest? I¡¯m sure you can be one of the great heroes too¡± Bernays eyes tell Josh he knew which family he belongs to. And Josh doesn''t like what Bernays implied at all. ¡°Why do you say he is the leader. We¡¯re still haven¡¯t decided yet you know.¡± said Amy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry is Eirian not your team leader?¡± ¡°The vote is yet to cast¡± said Josh. ¡°We¡¯ll decide after Amy led our team in the next assignment.¡± said Calamity. ¡°I see.¡± Bernays smiles and speaks no more on the subject until they reach the store. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡± Solstice festival (2) This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Solstice festival (3) This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Pact (1) Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Pact (2) Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Pact (3) Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Second assignment (1) If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Second assignment (2) Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Second assignment (3) The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. the vote This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Amy the Fire Ant Amy the Fire Ant We are children of earth The queen is our mother The earth our father Crossing light and darkness We toil to survive Alone we perish Together we flourish The colony is all The colony is all there is What one grain of sand before mount of dune What one soul before the whole races Nothing Nothing and everything Amy Ante Formicidia ¡®Why would they choose Eirian over me who perform better and get our group more point¡¯ Amy thought to herself after Eirian got elected as their team leader. In the moment that Calamity choose Eirian she want to shout in anger but stop herself for she knew that the group come first. ¡®In the colony we choose what best for the colony first, always. So I have no problem follow what was decided but here with them they refuse me because I chose the group first rather than its member?¡¯ ¡®What do I do when the group member doesn¡¯t care about the group¡¯ Amy climb down the hole in the dark undercity looking for someone to talk with. Look around there is only a workers who can barely speak properly and one ante so she approach her to ask for Levana. ¡°If I have to guess she should be at wemba432¡± the ant then spit on the floor. A small spit just for Amy to know what to look for not to command the worker since each colony has different pheromone, a result from the land and food they eat. This small different help ant figure out which command to follow and not confuse with other group. Retreat/break ¡°Should lead you to wemba on level 4¡± With that Amy and the ant walk past each other without saying another word. Following the path she climb deeper into the dark undercity with only little light in tunnel but with the combination of pheromone and help from worker ant she find Levana in one of the wemba for worker to relax and take a break. In the center of the room Levana is talking the a group of worker about Amalthaea, god of Amalthorian. The room is cover in darkness with only little lamp by Levana side which shine a light on a book Levana is holding in her jaw. ¡°Oh Amy come sit with us. I was just talking about how great Amalthaea is and why it¡¯s important that we all worship him.¡± ¡°What? But we ant don¡¯t believed in god. We don¡¯t need to.¡± Amy is taken back by such a wild idea. ¡®I know the second colony allow for Almathor priest to preach about their god but to think there would be any ant who would believed in such a thing.¡¯ ¡°Isn¡¯t he a goat anyway? Why would we have anything to do with him.¡± asked Amy. ¡°He¡¯s the creator of all thing of course it got everything to do with us. Water is in all thing, the first element you know.¡± Amy don¡¯t know about which element is first but a lot of worker here is seem very fascinate with Levana story about a god up high in the sky. ¡°Isn¡¯t there also other god that other race believed? Why should we believed in Amalthaea. We already have our queen and colony who need god?¡± said Amy. ¡°Other god is cruel Amy and they only care about their own race Amalthaea love everyone and everything.¡± ¡°And how do you know this?¡± Amy question. ¡°A priest told me and the holy book of Droverbum speak the same thing. We should all unite under his grace, only then we will found peace.¡± Levana hold the book with two of her legs to show off to worker ants. ¡°We already unite under a queen.¡± ¡°Of course we ¡®re still loyal to our queen but Amalthaea is a god of all creation Amy, we need to honor him as well. All of us come from different colony but we share in our blood the water of life. It was this life that Amalthaea gifted to all creature so we should all join together to pray and thank him.¡± The worker around the room seem confuse at the idea that there is more to life than just queen and colony before Amy came Levana spend a lot of time try to explain the meaning of word like god and how to pronounce Amalthaea. ¡°You all don¡¯t have to worry how believing in Amalthaea would effect your work too since all you need to do is pray to Amalthaea inside a church or in your private time before you rest once a week or as often as you like should you need his guidence. I start devotes my life to Amalthaea a few year ago and since then I have found my peace my purpose ¡± ¡°I thought we already have all that.¡± ¡°A higher purpose Amy. A much better purpose.¡± As other worker start to ask Levana more question Amy look around and spot Arthur among them so she walk toward him. Worker ants pull back to make way as Amy get closer. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Arthur how are you doing?¡± Amy stop at the little ant who look around uneasy at other worker. ¡°I¡¯m fine my lady¡± he tried to ignore other worker who seem to whisper and bite their jaw among each other. Amy noticed him shaking and seem to have problem standing still ¡°Are you sure? Did you get enough rest here?¡± ¡°Na-no I don have pro...¡± ¡°Worker cannot lie to ante¡± Amy can tell he is keeping something from her. ¡°Well...I have lidle problem sleeping since some worker keep inderup me in my break dime.¡± ¡°What? Who?¡± Amy speak louder and look around to find who is responsible. Disrupt other ant rest time is quite serious since it can effect the ant health and work performance. Several ant immediately speak up when Amy look their way ¡°da dat becas he was reading my lady. He jus a worker like us he hav no bisness reading in res dime.¡± ¡°Reading?¡± Arthur now seem more sick than before. ¡°You can read Arthur?¡± ¡°A little my lady.¡± Arthur look down not dare meet Amy eyes. ''Worker who can read? I never heard of such thing.¡¯ ¡°Do you finish all your work on time?¡± ¡°Yes¡ªalways my lady.¡± ¡°Then there shouldn¡¯t be any problem.¡± Arthur look up ¡°Really? My lady? I can read?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see why not¡± Amy look at the group of worker who bully Arthur ¡°And you guy leave him alone, an ant rest time is very important. You should all know better.¡± ¡°Yes my lady.¡± several ant agree but still staring at Arthur. ¡°Amy what are you doing?¡± Levana approach after seeing Amy casing a commotion that distract half the room while she speaking. ¡°Just resolving an issue between worker.¡± After Levana heard about Arthur reading ability she sound quite impress ¡°A worker who can read? That is very impress indeed. Do you ever read Droverbum Arthur?¡± ¡°No sir.¡± ¡°Where do you get a book from anyway¡± asked Amy. ¡°De librarian of Alana¡ªMr. Doran kindly borrow for me in his name since he saw me sdaring ad hem. I cad borrow because I don have a name so he cad make a library card for me.¡± ¡°You do have name now¡± said Amy. Arthur seem shock and then excite at the realization that he can borrow the book by himself now. ¡°Well how about I gave you this copy of Droverbum I have with me now so you can read without worry. This book is quite thick so it will take a long time to read all of it.¡± The room came to a stop when Levana offer a book to Arthur and then follow by a loud whisper and jaw biting when a smaller Arthur take the book from ante Levana jaw with his own jaw. ¡®Levana might as well rip one of his leg off¡¯ Amy can¡¯t help but think but she already order other ant not to mess with Arthur so she is not worry too much. Worker must follow ante command. ¡®And all ante command is for the colony.¡¯ ¡°Thank you my lady¡± Arthur right now seem like he want to run away as fast as possible and buries himself in a hole where no one can find him. ¡°As for the rest of you who can¡¯t read don¡¯t worry¡± said Levana ¡°I¡¯ll be coming back here when I can to teach you all about the glory and love of Amalthaea.¡± Afterward Amy and Levana leave the underground so Amy tell her about what happen in her team and ask what Levana think while they climb up. ¡°Chose its member rather than group? Hmm...other race sure have strange priority.¡± ¡°You devote yourself to Amalthaea first, I find this is strange too. Is there a lot of ant in second colony who chose to become Amalthorian too?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t say we are the majority in our colony but we are certainly gaining number more and more everyday. I understand if you would question this Amy but in time when you come to learn of his teaching you will start to believe too. His way is salvation¡± ¡°Right but let¡¯s stay on the topic¡± Amy don¡¯t want Levana to go off and keep talking about Amalthaea again. ¡°Sorry¡± Levana think for a moment ¡°Since Eirian is now a team member then do what I do, follow your team leader. We are here to learn about other races after all. Blake really has surprise me with his plan for more than once and I came to trust his judgment enough to follow his order without question.¡± "But your team loss in the last assignment isn¡¯t it?¡± Levana stumble a bit ¡°Yes but that partly on me for not offer Blake perspective on our people and that cause him to miss judge your reaction¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t ask you?¡± ¡°He did...I just didn¡¯t understand the significant of that question at the time and miss the point.¡± Soon they will reach the surface so Amy ask about Levana plan since she is one of a few ante here ¡°Are you going to be a diplomat for the second colony too?¡± ¡°I used to but now I think of becoming apostle for Amalthaea we¡¯re going to spread his word to everyone and learning about each race will definitely be helpful for that.¡± ¡°Wait does your colony agree with this?¡± would they allow Levana to do this? ¡°Some ante back home is working on it I believe and with Amalthaea blessing it¡¯s will surely goes well. So what do you think about Amalthaea so far Amy?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know...¡± after listen to Levana talk about her god Amy feel confuse at Levana who chose to prioritize something else other than the colony. She feel like Levana have something she doesn¡¯t and for a moment felt like joining Levana in becoming apostle so she doesn¡¯t have to be a diplomat anymore. ¡®But that is impossible the colony must come first I can¡¯t be selfish now.¡¯ When they both finally climb back up under the sun a sound of people arguing nearby caught their attention. They all look at something on a wall nearby but their body block the view so Amy and Levana climb up the wall of nearby building to get a view. On the wall is a word spray in red Black Murdurer Get out of our city ¡°What?¡± Amy confuse then realize the written word refer to crow and raven in this city. Below 3 wolf and human is shouting at 2 crow and raven, one shout to ask who wrote this while other question the black bird innocent. It¡¯s doesn¡¯t take long before the city guard arrive and push everyone out. The goat question people nearby while the wolf wipe the vandalize word out like it was never there. ¡°Well that is weird¡± Amy about to climb over to the roof when she spot Biscuit. ¡°Biscuit!¡± she shout. Biscuit look around but couldn¡¯t find Amy until Amy shout again. ¡°Amy¡± Biscuit look up ¡°Hello Amy what are you doing?¡± ¡°Did you see the writing on that wall?¡± ¡°Yes, it so horrible. Who would write such a thing.¡± Amy then noticed Biscuit and Levana looking at each other so she introduce them while wave her antenna ¡°Biscuit this is Levana; Levana, Biscuit you both met before in the race.¡± ¡°Hello Levana¡± Biscuit greet her which Levana replied ¡°Hello Mrs. Phibi, it¡¯s an honor to meet the daughter of Pan.¡± ¡°Oh err...your welcome please just call me Biscuit.¡± ¡°As you wish¡± "Please leave to area!¡± three of them being interrupt by city guard shouting. ¡°It¡¯s seem the city is going uneasy for a while still.¡± ¡°Good thing a school trip is coming up we won¡¯t be here when they look for who ever painted that.¡± ¡°Do you excited Biscuit? We are going to my home in the first colony.¡± Biscuit took a moment to think but when she see that Amy is waiting for her she then speak her mind ¡°To be honest I¡¯m a little scare since I never left my home town before coming here and now we¡¯re going to even further away from Amalthor...but since we¡¯re all going together I been look forward to it.¡± Biscuit smile at Amy. ¡°Good, I¡¯m excited too can''t wait to see if the first colony will look like our home not to mention human town and Nikki. Filia Cross bridge is also rumor to be quite impressive." ¡°Yes, It¡¯s nice to meet you both but I should go now¡± Biscuit step back ¡°I¡¯m going to the church to pray.¡± ¡°Oh can I come pray with you Biscuit?¡± ¡°Err I don¡¯t see why not.¡± Biscuit look at Amy visibly confuse. ¡°Apparently Levana worship Amalthaea as well.¡± ¡°Oh you come from second colony right. I do heard of an ant who convert let¡¯s us pray together. what about you Amy would you like to come too?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass thank¡± Amy wave antenna as she watch Biscuit left with Levana. Seeing Biscuit make Amy feel guilty for abandon her in that pit. ¡®I should find a way to make up to her and other. In the end it seem I fail the team though however wrong their priority maybe. For now our team here is my colony so I must follow the team wishes. I need to find a way to make it up to them somehow¡¯ Discern ¡°Argh, I don¡¯t feel like studying at all. Just let¡¯s us go on school trip already.¡± Amy mutter. ¡°Come on Amy it¡¯s our last class for today¡± Biscuit try to encourage her friend. Usually she would be more than happy to study since it¡¯s her duty to become a diplomat but a school trip is one of the few thing Amy is really looking forward to. One of her few chance to see the world outside of Fia and the closer the day of their trip the more Amy get distracted. ¡°Good morning class today we¡¯re going to learn about critical thinking¡± Prof. Rio flap his black wing to move the chalk with magic. ¡°What is critical thinking and do we really need it?¡± Rio look at the class hoping for someone to answer. Josh speak up ¡°Critical thinking is a method of analyzing evident, form question, observation, and argument.¡± ¡°Correct, but do you know why we need it? everyone of us since little before we can even remember we were either taught or learn through example: language to communicate our want and need, rule and role of each person that expected of us to perform, social norm that we must follow which only seem weird when you travel far from home. This in turn form our world view, our believed and behavior that we express in every day life.¡± ¡°Usually this is fine since it¡¯s efficient and save us energy from thinking too much in everyday life. The problem start when a new idea or different value come into conflict with our believed which we follow since before we can remember, some of these is a little thing like apple is always better than strawberry...¡± ¡®But strawberry is better than apple¡¯ ¡°or bigger thing like all human is obsess with magic or the concept of alpha wolf. Without critical thinking you¡¯ll make a quick judgement believed anything you heard the first time and then reject anything that come after that contradict with the fact you already chosen or your intuition.¡± Prof. Rio think for a moment to find an example of recent event ¡°Like right now where people are spreading rumor about some graffiti at the bombing site despite the official city guard and Headmaster Osmond confirm that there is no such thing while no one can even tell where did the rumor come from? Who the source? Everyone make quick judgement and believed a rumor without base rather than one with reliable source.¡± ¡®I don¡¯t believed those rumor though I do wonder if strawberry grow in Amalthor would taste better than the one in Fia. Does New Terra grew strawberry too?¡¯ ¡°but you are a teacher who work for headmaster doesn¡¯t it mean you are a bias source?¡± said Eirian. ¡°No one is a critical thinking through and through all the time, we all have our bias, our believed which come from our life experience. Critical thinking is a skill that we must hone for the rest of our life which I do hope all of you will practice more and more in your life even if your conclusion may end up on the other side.¡± Prof. Rio gone silent for a moment clearly thinking of someone. ¡°There are many step in critical thinking, you can try to find a method that work for you but the simple one are to question everything, look for evident that support a conclusion but also a counter evident which challenge assumption, check credibility of the source, bias and confirmation bias, keep an open mind and be curious. There are always new perspectives somewhere out there so remember to keep positive attitude or you might lose yourself in all the chaos.¡± ¡°Now I know this is a difficult subject and skill to ask you to try out right away so for today just have a chat with your friend about what you heard and think about each nation and their typical race architype¡± Prof. Rio put emphasis on his next line ¡°and remember it¡¯s ok to say I don¡¯t know. You don¡¯t need to know or have an opinion on everything.¡± Everyone gather in group and Biscuit immediately ask about the concept of alpha wolf. ¡°I thought all wolf follow the strongest one in their group isn¡¯t that the case Calamity?¡± Biscuit carefully phase her word to try not offend Calamity. ¡°No¡± the wolf answer. ¡°Can you explain for us¡± Bill ask a follow up question since he knew the wolf will not provide any. Seeing Calamity not defending his own people Amy can¡¯t help but to speak up ¡°The wolf don¡¯t just follow who is strongest, yes their culture may seem that way to outsider but their government function with a vote too and theirs many clans is not just for show, each have a department, industry they control to help make Eardwulf function as a nation.¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°The Fenrir also got elected not just for his strength but for his ability in leadership and political power, of course the wolf still value martial skill a lot more than us corvids when choosing¡± Josh added. ¡°Huh I never know this¡± said Eirian. ¡°Not surprise consider Elswyth is the furthest away from Eardwulf. Your people is not exactly known for coming out of forest.¡± said Josh. ¡°Hmm I wonder who start this misconception about wolf like this¡± said Bill. ¡°From what I heard?¡± said Amy ¡°Human¡± ¡°What!¡± Bill exclaimed. ¡°I heard it most from human too¡± Calamity look at Bill. ¡°Well but you guy have no proof it start from us right? It''s just rumor¡± Bill try his best to remember where he heard a concept of alpha wolf from and only remember a voice from radio broadcast. ¡°Where do you heard it from Biscuit?¡± Amy turn to ask a geep. ¡°Eh I think from when my sister were talking about wolf?¡± ¡°See it¡¯s could have come from Amalthor too.¡± Everyone look around among themself looking for whom to blame. ¡°Wait why are we looking at each other like one of us did something wrong¡± Josh snap everyone out of silent. ¡°We¡¯re just trying to find the source of false rumor¡± said Amy. ¡°Yes but that not all we were doing is it? We were looking for someone to blame because we feel like we did something wrong.¡± Biscuit frown ¡°Did I do something wrong? I did something wrong isn¡¯t it.¡± ¡®Oh Biscuit.¡¯ ¡°No Biscuit, none of us did anything wrong.¡± Josh try to console her ¡°Sometime there is no poof to confirm fact and sometime there will always be contradicting fact where both side have proof. Sometime we believed in thing just because it¡¯s convenient but that doesn¡¯t make any of us evil or foolish.¡± ¡°Then how will we ever know what is right?¡± Josh look back for a moment before answer ¡°Try to think of it this way, you are a bird¡ªant whatever, holding a basket of your truth when you found out about some fact about the world you put those fact in the basket you carry around. If you found out the fact you been holding is wrong then just exchange the new fact in, cast an old fact out or keep it. This way when you found that something you been holding as truth are false you don¡¯t feel attack since you just carrying it. It¡¯s not inside you, it¡¯s doesn¡¯t make your identity feel wrong¡± said Josh. ¡°That not a bad way to go about it¡± said Eirian. ¡°Some fact are what made who you are though¡± said Amy. ¡®The colony will always come first. No truth may contradict the survival of our people.¡¯ ¡°Maybe but this way at least you¡¯ll be more flexible and open to new idea. Work wonder for me, now I see thing as they come. Hopefully with less judgement on my part.¡± With Josh suggestion everyone gone quiet. Thinking of how to applied the technique their friend suggest. The other group each have their own reaction some argue about what they known while other almost broke into a fight and Prof. Rio have to come in and resolve the conflict. As the class coming to close Amy meet Eirian eyes to get his attention ¡°Do you have any order for the team while we¡¯re on the school trip?¡± Eirian blink a few times ¡°It¡¯s a school trip just have fun. We don¡¯t have assignment or report to write so let¡¯s just enjoy ourself. It¡¯s not everyday we get to visit these place as a foreigner.¡± Amy taken back for a moment ant don¡¯t usually just walk around doing nothing, the colony always have a task for everyone even here her task is to study and make connection ¡°what does everyone do for fun?¡± Josh look at the clock and see that the class almost done so he feel relax to go off topic ¡°You don¡¯t have a hobby? It¡¯s something you like to do for fun, mine is reading.¡± No one surprise by his answer. ¡®You have wing. Your favorite hobby should be flying.¡¯ ¡°I like to modify and test out my MAM¡± said Bill. ¡°I like to draw a picture¡± Biscuit adds ¡°We can try draw together if you like i can show you Amy¡± ¡°Thank¡± Amy look at her leg ¡°It¡¯s might be hard but I¡¯ll try.¡± ¡°Reading, music, meditation, walk in the forest I love them all¡± said Eirian. ¡°Calamity...do you have something you do for fun?¡± Bill hesitate for a moment but ask his friend anyway. ¡°Fun...¡± Calamity look pass Bill his eyes unfocused as if he¡¯s seeing a picture from his memory ¡°Watch cloud I guess.¡± ¡°Watch cloud?¡± Bill freeze. ¡®That it. I give up trying to understand this wolf.¡¯ Amy think jokingly before realize she too has spent a long time above ground looking at the sky above although she does look for more than cloud. ¡°Huh I guess I do like to watch cloud too¡± Amy surprise everyone ¡°For us ant who born and spend most of our time below when I have time I sometime climb over a tree to look at the view from above, blue sky tall mountain and red horizon that stretch far beyond the sea. There¡¯s something about them that keep me calm.¡± ¡°Alright everyone that it¡¯s for today¡± Prof. Rio finish his lesson ¡°Don¡¯t forget our ride leave tomorrow morning before the sun rise. If you¡¯re late we won¡¯t wait for you.¡± Amy then go back to her room with Biscuit to finish packing their bag. ¡®My first real human town. I wonder if it¡¯ll be like Alana.'' ¡°Do you think they will like it?¡± Biscuit show a small box of cookie she baked for the trip. ¡°Your cookie is delicious Biscuit. They love it last time I¡¯m sure they will be happy to get to taste it again.¡± ¡°Thank Amy¡± Biscuit smiles and start putting several cookie box in her bag ¡°and don¡¯t worry I still remember our promise to show you how to bake these cookie. We¡¯ll find time after we back.¡± ¡°Thank you Biscuit¡± Amy quickly snatch one cookie and take a bite. ¡°Heyyy!¡± Biscuit try to hide the rest of the box in her arm. ¡°You¡¯re going to give me one anyway¡± Amy bite a sweet crunch in her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s for the road and you¡¯re going to be fat if you eat food this late.¡± ¡°Oh I wouldn''t worry about it.¡± Amy smiles feeling happy like she hasn¡¯t felt in a long times. ¡®I might not get to be team leader but this is not bad at all.¡¯ she then think of the road trip ahead where she would feel the wonder she felt the first time she arrive at Alana. ¡®tomorrow can¡¯t come soon enough.¡¯ Minivan ride Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Train Chase In the morning we all woke up and wait for the train at the station. The train track stop just outside the city wall where a mountain of crate and barrel are being move in and out of the city. Amy standing on the platform looking at so many human waiting with them in this early morning and at the far end there are so many bag and cargo waiting to be put on board. ¡®Can this train really carry all of them?¡¯ The four minivan that brought us here park nearby in a row, their image cut with the rest of wagon and horse of other human folk. There are one other truck nearby but with the new coat of paint and mark of Alana most people eyes were draw to the van more. The native human keep their distant from the student eyeing with interest but not dare looking to long and look away when Amy or other student look back. ¡°Yawnn...why do we have to wake up this early just to wait anyway¡± Brant complained with his friend. ¡°The train work on a schedule they won¡¯t wait for us if me miss the deadline.¡± Bill turn to answer him. ¡°We are student from Alana, son and daughter of noble and aristocrat, Mr. Lane who is a friend of my father basically own this rail road company anyway. Surely there must be a way they can arrange for us so we don¡¯t have to wake up before sunrise.¡± ¡°Nobel or not it seem unreasonable to make everyone else rearrange their schedule just so we can sleep a bit longer.¡± said Amy. ¡°I thought ant value royalty more than worker, surely you must have inconvenient some worker to make your life easier before¡± Brant spoke back. ¡°We did but our privilege is still bound by our duty to the colony if what we want disrupt what good for the whole colony then we shouldn¡¯t do it as I understand didn¡¯t this train also to deliver good from Sweet Field in the far east all the way to Dekar port? Seem unreasonable to disrupt your own economy to sleep a few more hour.¡± ¡°We have more than one train anyway I doubt our government can''t manage that much¡± Brant argue back but then walk away with his friend. ¡°Your people have a strange way to prioritize what important in society¡± Amy turn to Bill. ¡°Oh don¡¯t mind him¡± Bill smile awkwardly ¡°for us human the people who own business and high ranking position tend to have more sway in many decision that effect our life not a lot we can do about it.¡± ¡®Don¡¯t you are one of those people though¡¯ At long last the train arrive the people quickly hop on and get to their seat while the worker unload the crate from the train and load in a new crate where there are space. From where they sit Amy can hear Brant complain about having to wait again and Sarah told him to be more patient. Soon enough the train horn blow telling everyone the train about to leave station that when Prof. Rio and Tonia walk around to count number of student and warn everyone to try not fall off the train when we wander around. The train leaving the station is surprisingly excited for Amy, she was never been on the train before and that feeling when the train start it engine shake the whole carriage a little before quickly push forward making her feel like riding some kind of great beast. The cold wind start blowing in from the winder as the view of station and Willstand got smaller and smaller until she can see them no more. ¡®Such incredible speed it even faster than a car¡¯ feeling the steel on the wall and wooden floor Amy is impress with human ingenuity to be able to move such a thing. But such excitement soon turn to boredom in time after a few hour of doing nothing but sit and watch at the same tree line, same road and same horizon where nothing change. Amy and Bill who is always on the move always doing something start fidgeting and complain when this is the second day in a row where there is nothing for them to do but sit still. ¡°How about we play hide and seek?¡± Biscuit suggested. ¡°Hmm it not like we have anything else to do and we would have an excuse to explore around the train as well.¡± said Eirian. ¡®Seem a little childish but Eirian right not like we have anything better to do and Biscuit does seem really want to play.¡¯ ¡°Would you like to play with us Blake¡± Biscuit asked him. Josh glance at his brother with no expectation what so ever. ¡°Thank you for the offer Biscuit but I think I will check the head of the train to see how it run¡± Blake wave his wing before walk out of carriage. ¡°So...who going to be it?¡± After a rounds of rock paper scissor Eirian is It and evereyone must hide from him. ¡°The rule is simple It must find and catch everyone else. If you got tap then you are It too and must help Eirian catch everyone we¡¯ll do it this way because the train is quite big if we make Eirian catch everyone by himself that would be too hard.¡± ¡°Now count to hundred and no magic allow!¡± Eirian sit down as everyone scatter to both front and back of the train. Amy, Calamity and Biscuit walk to the back of the train together but Calamity soon vanish before both girl can see where he went. They walk pass several carriage, pass their classmate and other passenger, to the back of the train where they keep luggage and cargo. ¡°Too bad we are in school uniform, with so many people in some of these carriage me might be able to blend in with crowd otherwise.¡± but then Amy realize how stupid that sound when most of the passenger is human a geep and an ant won¡¯t be hard to spot anyway. ¡°So many crates¡± Biscuit impress at a row and column that fill the room ¡°We can hide behind this box¡± Biscuit point at an empty space in the dark conner behind a crate with clothes. Amy turn to nod but still look around for better hiding spot ¡°Look a closet we can hide in here.¡± Amy quickly open its door and walk inside ¡°Come here Biscuit this is much better¡± ¡°Eh I think I rather stay out here¡± ¡°Come on there enough space for both of us¡± Amy pull Biscuit by the hand with her jaw and close the door. ¡°See as long as we keep quiet Eirian won¡¯t find us easily.¡± They both stand in closet for a while before Biscuit start breathing louder and sweating. ¡°I think I should hide somewhere else.¡± ¡°Wait Eirian could be coming this way.¡± ¡°No...I¡± ¡°Just stay in here a bit longer¡± Amy touch her arm that trying to reach open the door. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°N...No!¡± Suddenly Biscuit shout and push Amy out through the door. Amy wasn¡¯t hurt as much as shock at Biscuit action. ¡°Biscuit?¡± before Amy could understand what happen a sound of the door on the next carriage open and she knew Eirian is coming. With her instinct she quickly runout the opposite door and leave the carriage then climb up the roof. ¡°Ha got you Biscuit!¡± Eirian shout and run to tap Biscuit by the shoulder but slow down after noticed her mood ¡°hey are you alright...¡± Amy slowly walk over the roof cover by the sound of the rail she can barely hear what two of them are talking. When cross over she climb down and start heading toward the front of the train. While Amy walk she think about Biscuit reaction before realize she could be scare of confined space and was having panic attack. ¡®Ah did I just abandon her again¡¯ Feeling guilty she stop walking and climb up on the roof while keep heading to the front of the train but avoid coming down and enter carriage to not be near anyone. Doesn¡¯t take her long before she spot Josh on one of the roof near the front section of the train, sitting, staring into horizon. Slowly she walk up to him and he spot her as well ¡°I take Eirian in the back?¡± ¡°Yeah, he got Biscuit¡± Amy tone must have been weird because Josh caught on that something is wrong. ¡°Everything ok?¡± ¡°Yeah...No, I think I made Biscuit sad again.¡± ¡°Oh¡± Josh turn to her ¡°Is she ok?¡± ¡°I think so.¡± Josh look to the back of the train before look down to her ¡°What about you?¡± Amy look at him ¡°I don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t mean to hurt her but she get scare and hurt so easily! I just don''t know what to I do.¡± Josh didn¡¯t know how to respond so they sat together for a while as cool wind blew past them under blazing sun. ¡°I think...¡± Josh try to speak up ¡°you should ask other girl on this topic¡± Amy kick him on the side and immediately the anger and frustration left her chest out to the leg. ¡°Ow¡± Josh rub his leg and smiles ¡°You and Biscuit are quite opposite but I can tell she like you and you like her as well so...do what girl do when they want to made up with each other?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure we ant and goat would share how we corrected a mistake.¡± ¡°What you guy just rub antenna instead of talking?¡± Amy piecing eye confirm Josh theory. ¡°You are quite committed when you set a goal so I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll figure it out.¡± Amy feel like she shouldn¡¯t be feeling better but with the way Josh say it somehow she did. ¡°Right, I going to check the locomotive then¡± Amy get up and walk pass Josh. ¡°Careful not to slip now.¡± When Amy reach the last carriage she climb over coal bunker and spot Bill and Blake. Bill is lying down his upper body hidden under the floor as he seem to be fixing some machinery below. The firemen turn to say hello to Amy since she¡¯s clearly a student from Alana too ¡°He offer to help since that valve broke again when he was watching me work. Good kid.¡± the firemen then go back to shoveling the coal into firebox as some cinder blow out when the box open. Blake eye switch from the funnel where black smoke blowout, the impressive engine and two human working on the machine. ¡°He¡¯s quite handy¡± said Blake watching Bill work like he knew what he¡¯s doing. ¡°Among us he¡¯s the most handy of all¡± Amy wave her pointy leg and point at Blake claw then Bill hand. Blake laugh ¡°to think they all said you would be a bad diplomat maybe it¡¯s not so hopeless for you after all.¡± ¡°Everyone?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not exactly made a lot of friend since you arrive you know but I guess I did heard early ant diplomat is even worst when they only sent worker who can¡¯t even speak out.¡± ¡°Hmm we don¡¯t need language to communicate inside colony after all.¡± ¡°I know I know¡± Blake gesture his wing to suggest they move further away from the heat wave to carriage door. ¡°This train is truly an impressive pieces of marvel, take a lot of work just to keep it running¡± said Blake. ¡°My colony export most of the coal they using¡± Amy mention in passing from what she remember about economic. ¡°Yes, funny how the fuel that they need to keep country working they themself don¡¯t have or have very little, I wonder how long could their train run if Fia should stop export the coal.¡± ¡°Why would we stop export coal? They are good for exchange other product with human.¡± ¡°Oh there could be many reason I just wonder how long their supplies could keep their train running before it become paper weight. You wouldn¡¯t happen to know would you?¡± ¡°No?¡± ¡°Well not like they would keep such record public¡± Blake push the topic out as he switch to talk about how native human are looking at him ¡°funny reaction but not too surprise I guess us bird would look funny too if an ant wander into our town.¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not recall wrong some human do live in Avion right?¡± Their conversation got interrupt when Amy spot Eirian walking toward them. ¡°Don¡¯t tell him you saw me¡± ¡°My lip are seal.¡± Blake zip his beak with his wing and pretend to look at the view in distant. Amy quickly climb to the roof but as Eirian open the door she decide to climb down to the side window of the train because Eirian can easily check the roof from here. ¡°Oh Blake, have you happen to see Josh, Calamity, Amy or Bill?¡± Eirian asked. ¡°Bill is over there¡± he look ahead doesn¡¯t even waste time to think before answer. When Eirian walk up he spot Bill lying down not even attempt to run from him ¡°You could take this more seriously Bill¡± Eirian just tap Bill on the leg. ¡°Sorry was helping the fireman fix some valve¡± ¡°Greeting Mr. Amiel, please let me borrow you friend for a moment I¡¯ll return him shortly¡± the firemen tip his hat for Eirian and Eirian agree to let Bill play with the train some more. Blake spot Amy on the side of the train and shoo her to walk further away since Eirian can see her from here. ¡°Do you see anyone else?¡± Eirian walk back. ¡°Josh could be on the roof but I don¡¯t see anyone else¡± said Blake. Eirian climb the ladder to check the roof but he can¡¯t see anyone on any carriage. ¡°Weird where could the rest of them be hiding¡±¡ª¡±EEK! A gaint ant¡± a sound of little girl screaming. Eirian check where the girl is screaming and spot Amy on other side of window ¡°That cheating¡± he shout at her and look back at Blake who just shrug. ¡°I¡¯m just using my leg here¡± Amy climb up to get out of people sight since everyone in carriage can hear the scream. Eirian climb up and try to chase her only to found that his leg is not as good as holding on to the surface when the wind is blowing on moving train and must slow down while Amy is running away and vanish into the next carriage. ¡°Bill you are helping me as soon as you are finish¡± Eirian shouted. It¡¯s lunch time now and Amy is hungry from all the running but before she could return to her carriage to get her food Josh is blocking the path on the roof with a lunchbox in his claw. ¡°I got your lunchbox for you.¡± ¡°Oh thank¡± ¡°But now for free¡± he smiles mischievously ¡°I want your cookie box in exchange.¡± ¡°What?! Why should I you just got it from teacher for free not like you prepare it yourself.¡± ¡°Biscuit was guarding the box by Eirian order, I have to trick her I was already caught by Eirian and was bringing this to him. If you go get lunch by yourself you would have already been caught and lost. A little cookie in exchange seem reasonable.¡± ¡°How would I know you not already been caught by Biscuit and this is just a trick to lure me close so you can tap me.¡± ¡°You would have to trust my honest good word.¡± ¡°Righttt how about you spread your wing so you can¡¯t tap me while I exchange our box at your feet.¡± ¡°In this wind? I would get blow away and fall off the train, no way.¡± While they were talking Eirian spot them and walk through carriage to climb up ladder behind Josh. Amy spot him first but didn¡¯t warn Josh. ¡°Find you can have it¡± Amy throw a cookie box at him and the wind caught it up into the air. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Josh let the box at his claw go and try to catch the cookie box with his wing only to realize his mistake when the wind swept him as he fall on his back and crash into Eirian and they both fall back down to floor above rail coupling. ¡°Thank for the lunch¡± Amy rush past them back to their carriage. ¡°That ant has no sense of safety¡± growl Eirian. ¡°Well at least we¡¯ll get to catch her together.¡± Amy keep running until she¡¯s back at her carriage and Biscuit is blocking her way forward. She start to shake but didn¡¯t move out of Amy way. ¡°Eirian told me you would be back here.¡± ¡°I guess I am¡± Amy slowly walk up, she could push Biscuit out of the way before her paw reach her if she want and Biscuit know it. When Amy rush toward Biscuit she close her eye prepare to get push out of the way but only to feel Amy¡¯s leg wrap her in a hug. ¡°Look like you got me.¡± Biscuit freeze for a moment before hug her back ¡°Why did you let yourself be caught?¡± ¡°I didn''t let myself be caught. I let you catch me.¡± ¡°But...why?¡± ¡°Well, because you are feeble and you needed a win to toughen up.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry I am feeble.¡± Amy sigh ¡°and I¡¯m sorry I abandon you again. I won¡¯t do it gain ok.¡± ¡°Mhm¡± Biscuit smiles and hug Amy tighter. ¡°Oh you caught her¡± Eirian and Josh show a little disappointment not able to be the one who conner her but leave the two of them alone to eat their lunch. Later on everyone in the team gather to find Calamity they divided into two group and check from each end of the train inside, above, side and under but Calamity is nowhere to be seen. ¡°He didn¡¯t jump off the train right?¡± Everyone keep searching and getting more anxious as the sun gone down and the train finally stop when they reach Orenda at last. Only when everyone is departing the train does Calamity show up and scare everyone like a ghost. ¡°Where the hell have you been?¡± ¡°I was hiding under a train.¡± ¡°But we already check under the train!¡± ¡°I move to side and up when you guys look away.¡± ¡°You are telling us you were hiding under a train holding by your paw and leg from before noon till the sun down, change position when we come checking while also skipping lunch and dinner?¡± ¡°Yes, so did I win?¡± Everyone blink. ¡°Well at least someone is taking this game seriously and yes you win Calamity. Among us you are truly a master of hide and seek¡± Eirian make the most amusing face. Orenda Tonight, everyone stay in the hotel which government of New Terra have prepared for them, compare to the last inn they stayed this is a much better improvement. Amy can¡¯t believe how different human room can be when you have money. Despite not familiarized with human food much Amy can tell just by looking that the meat here is of a much better quality although the fruit is not as fresh as last inn but it¡¯s still very good for a dinner. The room is also bigger with better furniture and bed and we all get our private room no need to share with anyone. Still Biscuit did come to Amy room since she¡¯s lonely being there alone and no doubt other guy must also be together right now in one of their rooms except Calamity since that wolf prefer his own company. ¡°Even the place to sleep between loyal ant and worker is not this different. Biscuit does your room is also much better than normal citizen?¡± ¡®She is daughter of Pan after all.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡± Biscuit looks around this beautifully decorated room with flower and ornamental pattern even the wall is covered with crimson cotton which soft to touch ¡°I live with my mother our room is not big when compare to my other sister but I¡¯m sure they are still better than most other Amalthor house.¡± She seems uncomfortable talking about her family ¡°What about you Amy does ante room is not this good¡± Amy snicker ¡°We live underground Biscuit. Ante may get a private room yes but it¡¯s still just a hole in a cave with few more furniture.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡± Biscuit looks guilty but Amy just brushes her off ¡°I¡¯m used to it. The one perk we got is that we can sleep without worry other ant will walk by and wake us up so our sleep schedule is much closer to you unlike those workers.¡± ¡°Although I do hope they don¡¯t spoil us too much¡± Amy jump on her bed ¡°If they keep putting me on such a good bed, I¡¯m not sure I can go back to sleep on dirt.¡± ¡®Now I understand why some old ante and queen love those cushions and many import furniture from New Terra so much. I¡¯ll need to save money if I want one of my own in the future, these things are luxury good not provided by colony after all.¡¯ ¡°This bed is even better than the one I got back home and in our dorm, these hotels must really be expensive¡± Biscuit lie down and hug a puffy pillow ¡°Can I sleep with you tonight? I don¡¯t want to be alone.¡± ¡°Of course, this bed is too big for me anyway but let me get an extra pillow.¡± After the light went off Amy move around in her bed for a while because she can¡¯t sleep perhaps the bed is so good she just not used to it. ¡°Biscuit are you sleep yet?¡± ¡°Yaww...not yet.¡± ¡°I really sorry for abandoning you before you know.¡± ¡°It¡¯s ok I¡¯m not mad at you. It¡¯s was me who was useless holding everyone back, making you guy made the hard choices.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that¡± Amy start to feel angry again she never understand why Biscuit keep putting herself down ¡°You are not useless. In our colony every ant has a role and everyone serve the colony in their own way. You are awesome Biscuit. I mean it. I never see an ice magic as powerful as you and a lot of our teammate like you. Heh, I bet Calamity like you the most among our group while I¡¯m just good at making everyone hate me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t hate you Amy¡± Biscuit hold one of Amy legs. ¡°I think I need to find a way to make everyone like me somehow I am supposed to become a diplomat making friend with everyone in our team is the least I can do.¡± ¡°You are already friend with everyone though.¡± ¡°I see their eyes when they look at me when we vote. They don¡¯t trust me.¡± ¡°You...come off too strong sometime I guess¡± Biscuit carefully chooses her word to not hurt Amy. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try to be calmer and gentler in this trip then.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help you too Amy. Me and my sister didn¡¯t get alone well back home and I also don¡¯t have many friends but I¡¯ll do what I can to help you get closer with everyone.¡± ¡°Thank you, Biscuit. Tomorrow you¡¯ll see a gentle Amy!¡± Next morning ¡°WHAT DID YOU SAID!¡± Amy shouted at the human on the street. ¡°Amy let¡¯s go please other people are looking¡± Biscuit try to pull her away to hide behind their friends but Amy is not moving. ¡°Hey leave our friend alone¡± Sarah steps up. Seeing her the man immediately change his attitude because he knows she must be daughter of one of ministers or some powerful family in New Terra. ¡°But these goats attack Alvern in the north! They said they kill every man woman and child there.¡± ¡°What?¡± Sarah shocked hearing this news and so does every student nearby who could hear them. Brant and Deacon walks up next to Sarah ¡°When did this happen?¡± ¡°Last night. News just came on the radio.¡± Said the man. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t broadcast lie on official radio but I doubt Amalthor would do something like this so properly some crazy goat goes on rampage?¡± Deacon suggested. ¡°I always knew those goats were crazy¡± said Sharik from the back. ¡°Silent¡± the white wolf hushes his teammate. Marco don¡¯t want the situation to get worse than it already is. They¡¯re just visitor here and Prof. Rio is busy leading the group through street not noticed the argument. They all need to leave and catch up with other now. ¡°Radio said there were over dozen goat and sheep using magic to attack people in their home. This is an attack on our people.¡± The man goes on. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°That doesn¡¯t give you right to threw pot at Biscuit face!¡± shouted Amy. ¡°Dam animal protected each other huh!¡± the man grabs his right arm where Amy kicked him. ¡°That village I knew of it¡± Amy remarks ¡°north of Alvern is Aldegar, a village full of crazy fanatic who follow the strictest outdate commandment of Amalthaea and denied all other believed. They always causing problem and don¡¯t listen to anyone even their own government so I doubt most goat has anything to do with them and sure as mountain Biscuit here don¡¯t have anything to do with them so back off!¡± The man still look angry but with the other human slowly walking away from them when Sarah and Brant show up he knew there is no one else to side with him yet his rage overcloud his judgement for a moment and he turn to human among student ¡°You kids there! aren¡¯t you human like me why are you taking these animal side.¡± he point to Sarah, Brant, Deacon and Bill who just join confuse as to what happened. ¡°Watch your mouth¡± said Brant ¡°I am Brant Marquis. You should know who my father is, don¡¯t you?¡± The man immediately turn pale ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry sir I¡¯m just mad at those animal for attacking us you know.¡± Finally the police patrol show up, it unclear if someone called them ¡°What going on here?¡± they asked looking suspicious of Biscuit. ¡°Officer arrested this man¡± Brant point at the man in front of him ¡°He attack daughter of Pan. We can¡¯t let other nation say we let anyone who assault our guest go do we.¡± The police hesitant to take order from Brant at first but they quickly notice everyone uniform and turn to arrest the man. ¡°Hey what the hell arrest that goat not me. I¡¯m on our side.¡± the man point at Biscuit whose temple is bruise red from the pot he threw. ¡°Be quiet, assaulting royalty from other nation is a serious crime. You¡¯re going to work in the mine for a long time.¡± officer turn to the Biscuit ¡°And since we already see the prove of an attack we won¡¯t troubled you to follow us to the station. Please excuse us.¡± The man scream and curse at Biscuit as he was drag away. ¡°Biscuit are you ok?¡± Bill and Amy check the wound on Biscuit head. ¡°I¡¯m ok.¡± said Biscuit. ¡°So, what this about a sheep attacking our village. Are you sure you don¡¯t know about this beforehand¡± Brant now turn to ask Biscuit. Sarah cut him ¡°Brant how could you ask that.¡± Deacon don¡¯t say anything and just watch Biscuit. ¡°No, I really don¡¯t know anything really.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not accuse Biscuit of involvement do you.¡± Amy asked but it was not in a question tone. ¡°Of course not¡± Brant end the conversation and turn back to follow the rest of the group. Soon after checking Biscuit bruise everyone join Prof. Rio in exploring the city without telling him what happen. Bill does tell the rest of their team which everyone come check on Biscuit and express anger toward the man who was arrested. The tour continue as normal but Amy can¡¯t focus on what Professor is saying at all despite looking forward to visit this human city so much. She just keep thinking of that man which make her more annoy and angry as time goes on. ¡°Here on our left down this street is a Ore Processing Plants where ore import from Fia and Eardwulf got process and refine into a high quality mineral. They got an even bigger processing site next to Oren mine. I flew over there once, it was quite impressive how much they dig to get all those mineral out from the earth.¡± ¡°Will we get to see how they make mercury professor?¡± Jason asked. ¡°I¡¯m afraid most mercury is process at Dekar and New Terra but don¡¯t worry Republic of New Terra have arrange for us to visit inside one of processing plant today so just keep following me.¡± It is a factory where the steel is being made. The area is separate into many part with giant machinery that turn simple rock into steel bar through many step. Seeing a big rock that worker back home dig out from earth and mountain then transport to Alp now already been crush to a dust give Amy strange feeling. Human have create all these giant machine just to grind rock and collect a part of mineral to built their home when a simple holes in the ground will serve as home just fine and if anything last longer than theirs rock and brick building which now scatter around Fia, the only prove left they once lived on those land. The student and professor follow the factory manager who act as a tour guide. They follow the conveyor belt that transport the iron dust from when they put it in separation machine then a big furnace. Then everyone watch as yellow molten steel pour out into a pot radiant its heat and shake like water filling a cup. ¡°Wow so bright.¡± When the giant pot stop moving some human below click some switch then a glyph under the pot glow up floating a slug on top of lava out of the pot, surprise everyone. ¡°Usually we have to scoop the slug out ourself several time to get the highest grade of steel¡± said the manager ¡°But with magic all the impurity is remove with a click of a switch, took us forever to get the glyph right though there are so many kind of mineral in these rock.¡± The rest of molten steel then pour into an empty box with grey power to make a steel bar. One by one a bar was move with glyph and cut into many pieces, mark and ready to be ship out. ¡°The steel bar will then be made into billets, wire rod, bolt or anything that we need; home, railroad, bridge you name it.¡± ¡°What about gun and bullet?¡± asked Blake. The manager smiles ¡°Sorry everyone but that part is a state secret. Here let¡¯s me show you guy something even cooler.¡± The manager then lead everyone into a big room with seat on one side and on the other is one long table with several glyph place on the table. When everyone take a seat more staff bring out a big rock of iron ore and place it on the far left bowl. ¡°Extract and refining a mineral no matter what mineral is a long and difficult task. Rock from all over the continent was dig and move here at our plant to bring out the best part of very earth that hidden under our feet. You all see today how much work and time is put into making a simple steel bar. How big the machinery have to be to move all that metal and melt it. Now let me show you something even cooler.¡± The manager wear a MAM glove on both his hand and trigger the first glyph. The rock start to float from the bowl and slowly move to the right, each time it past to the next glyph the glyph glow and the simple rock start to spit and crack into many pieces until they are nothing but dust. The dust then cover in fire as limestone mix in and before you know it, a molten steel. The lava swirl in the air for a bit to show off glyph magic then as it reach the last glyph it form a shape as it quickly lose it bright heat and a bit of steam come out of it. ¡°Awesome¡± Bill look very excited. ¡®I guess his factory doesn¡¯t have MAM that does this¡¯ Amy think of her home ¡®There are an attempt to create mineral like this but only high rank ante can use fire magic which most of them don¡¯t want to just be glorify heater so the project doesn¡¯t go anywhere. Well, our people don¡¯t have much use for metal or copper anyway but everyone seem to like gold, the only reason this project still going. There are smiths who make armor for ante but I don¡¯t know how about quality compare to human made one.¡¯ A bowl of big rock has now turn into a sculpture of Alana emblem on table and manager pick it up to show to everyone. Everyone clap for him in awe. ¡°Now you must be wondering why don¡¯t we use this method since it was so easy and much quicker¡± the manager shrugs ¡°It¡¯s just simply too expensive like you wouldn¡¯t believed!¡± he laugh and show that both core in his MAM is now run out of power ¡°but we love to pull this performant out for all of you, our important guest from Alana. Thank you for visiting us today everyone and I hope you enjoy your visit here in Orenda. Feel free to contact us in the future if you have any construction project you want us to make for you. I guarantee our material and worker is the best in the world.¡± ¡®Brave thing to say in front of ant. We can make tower of metal too if we want.¡¯ After that they took us to a gift shop nearby next to the factory. Bill took one glance and quickly whispers to everyone in our team not to buy anything since the price is scam. It¡¯s mostly just trinket with New Terra emblem anyway then some small mineral or gem as ornament. There are some big sculpture but who is going to buy that? Rusul a goat with one horn approach Biscuit while other goat and sheep seem to just whisper among each other and keep their distant ¡°are you alright I heard what happen.¡± She touch her bruise which now start to fade ¡°I think I¡¯m ok.¡± Amy¡¯s mind go back to the man who threw a pot at Biscuit and get angry over again. ¡°Next time just freeze anyone who attack you solid Biscuit. It¡¯s call self defend so you won¡¯t have to worry if he suffer.¡± ¡°Err I can¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Sure you can, right Rusul?¡± ¡°Of course, if you want a pay back I can even try cursing him with bad luck for you buy I don¡¯t know his name or face so that might be a bit difficult.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t do that¡± Biscuit panic. After their little tour everyone got a chance to freely walk around in the city market for a while before Professor Rio take everyone back to the hotel and rest for tomorrow trip into Fia. Update Sorry everyone no new chapter today In past month I''ve been busy setting up new account on social media, here is a link to them all if you want to follow me on whichever platform you use and keep up to date on every chapter release. I also been relearning how to draw and will post my art on these platform too. Once I feel confident enough I will redesign all our main six hopefully they will turn out good. Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/v-wendale.bsky.social Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/doubleblaze/gallery have most of my old art work Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/v-wendale X: https://x.com/V_Wendale And I have Ko-fi now! If you enjoy my work and want to support me in writing Children of Alana you can donate through the link below. https://ko-fi.com/vwendale with Ko-fi you don''t need to make an account to donate Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Thank you everyone for reading This is a passion project so upload schedule maybe off sometime if work/life got in the way but I will try update new chapter at the last day of every month if possible. Follow my Tumblr, X, Bluesky or Ko-fi to know the moment I update new chapter! Please feel free to comment so I know if there is anything I can do to improve this story in the future Here some random poem for today instead There was a time when my mind wander free then I found you and we wander together such fun, such joy we share but now you become my chain oh let me go let me go let me wander alone once more what must I do for you to set me free my dear phone Filia Cross This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. spilled blood ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­ South of Alvern village, a truck convoy consist of 100 Alana¡¯s troop arrives at New Terra¡¯s army camp. After the attack on its territory New Terra has mobilize a battalions of 1,200 strong to retake the village while leave most of its force to defend Warwick. Prof. Fay, Hellen and Roy all in military uniform step out from each of their truck to greet colonel Mattson. The human solider put their gun away when they saw Alana flag. Their current standard gun model in army is the assault rifle Sturmgewehr 44, the same one where Alana¡¯s troops use. ¡°Welcome Mr. Machesky, Miss Hellen and Mrs. Fay. We¡¯re glad to have you here.¡± Mattson salute all three teacher and bring them inside his command tent with table and map. ¡°We¡¯re here to assist. What the situation?¡± said Roy. ¡°Around 20 caster and 300 goat and sheep from Dro Degar attack and slaughter the people of Alvern in the middle of the night a few days ago. From the report they target mostly human and wolf but there¡¯re also report a few goat who were killed trying to stop them. The village itself have only a small police force with limited firearm so they fail to defend against a platoon of caster. At the moment the number of dead is uncertain but could be as high as 200 while many more are hiding or being held hostage in the village. My unit surrounded the village as soon as we get here and we exchange a few gun fire kill 4 caster wound 3 and take down around 50 goat while a few hundred of us were wounded by their magic. We could have retake Alvern already but had to stop after these fanatic start putting people on the roof as hostage and will kill everyone if we approach. At least for now they stop random slaughter inside Alvern.¡± Mattson understandably sound angry but he try to keep his composter. Mattson at the moment is the highest rank military official in Warwick his unit is the closest to Alvern. ¡°You already take down 4 caster? That is impressive but we radioed ambassador Armstrong that Alana help is coming and ask you to wait for us first.¡± said Roy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir but that not the order I received. We were to take Alvern back immediately.¡± said Mattson. Three teacher seem displease but didn¡¯t press colonel further. ¡°What about Amalthor? Is their army not arrive yet? These zealot came from their country and they said they would sent help.¡± said miss Hellen. ¡°Our scout spot their force crossing Pol river, should arrive at north of Alvern by tomorrow.¡± Mattson point at river on the map inside Amalthor territory. ¡°They sure take their time riding.¡± said Roy. ¡°I want to rescue the people of Alvern as soon as possible but Headmaster Osmond told us to wait for Amalthor so we shall wait. Tell your men we attack as soon as Amalthor arrives.¡± ¡°I will lead the south force, Fay will take west, Roy will be waiting for Amalthor in the north to coordinate with us when they arrive and our captain will be with you on east side with 50 of ours troops is that alright.¡± miss Hellen speak like a suggestion but Mattson know they are here to take command. ¡°Please allow me to talk to them first, as a follower of Amalthaea I might be able to convince them to stop these senseless killing.¡± said sister Fay. As an officer of New Terra army Mattson knew he can¡¯t let outsider order his army around like this but Roy, Hellen and Fay are all famous war heroes before his time. Mattson and many in the army even now admire and respect Roy achievements in the great cleansing when he was known as major Howitzers. They may be just a teacher with no rank but even a field marshal of any nation would have to stop and listen to what they have to say. ¡°Very well but officially I¡¯ll be the one leading this operation if that alright with you.¡± ¡°Of course, like I said we¡¯re here to assist.¡± ¡°How do you plan to assault their position...you¡¯re not going to shell the village right major?¡± said Mattson. ¡°What? Haha! No, I¡¯m not going shell a residential area.¡± Roy laugh at his own bad reputation who specialized in long range bombardment ¡°And I¡¯m not a major anymore just call me Roy.¡± ¡°Yes sir.¡± ¡°Please, you rank is higher than me there no need to use sir with us¡± Mattson glance at Hellen who is over a century old and just nod. Next day after a long wait a battalion of 1000 goat and sheep lead by Paladin Pwyll finally show up riding on their horse. A use of car has been adopt by every nation for trade and transport but beside New Terra most other nation don¡¯t has access to enough oil to sustain a wide use in large number so many still travel on horse. Roy tell his men to radio everyone to get ready and he walk to meet with paladin Pwyll who get down from his giant salamander. A paladin is equal rank to major general who usually lead a division of 20,000 troops. For Amalthor to sent him here with just 1000 goat is highly irregular but Roy can guess the reason why. They would get a good headline for appearing like giving New Terra full cooperation in putting down terrorist by sending a paladin without needing to mobilize a full army. And also make everyone think the church have nothing to do with this terrorist act by Dro Degar but Roy doubt these zealot would dare attack human village without at least tell the church first. Paladin in silver cuirass and navy clothes approach and look at the flag patch on Roy clothes before speak ¡°Solider from Alana? Do you have a message for me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Prof. Roy. I¡¯m here to coordinate our attack with you¡± ¡°Major Howitzers? It¡¯s an honor to meet you I¡¯m paladin Pwyll. Father Pan sent for me to assist the people of Alvern.¡± ¡°Yes, It¡¯s an honor to meet paladin from Amalthor as well, sorry to cut to the chase but does your men ready to attack immediately the rest of our force is already in position and we were waiting for you before we attack.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ready but most of my men has been riding since early morning to get here I would like them to rest for a moment if possible.¡± ¡°The zealot...¡± Roy observe Pwyll reaction as he try to find a word to describe those lunatic goat that attack Alvern, to Pwyll they are still a fellow brother and sister amalthorian. ¡°...have taken hostage on the roof. New Terra won¡¯t wait any longer even if you won¡¯t join the attack.¡± ¡°Very well...me and a few of my men should be enough to take back the village but let me try to talk with them first. I¡¯m a paladin if they are a faithful as they claim they would listen to me.¡± ¡°We wasn¡¯t aware that Amalthor would sent a paladin, sister Fay has already start negotiation. I radio them the moment I spot you.¡± ¡°I see...that too bad.¡± At the west entrance of Alvern Fay walk in alone to demand a talk with their leader. The building that hostage was held is near the south entrance right now Hellen is trying to sneak in from the spot where the guard can¡¯t see her, Alvern is still a big village with zealot needing to station men on all four side they can¡¯t cover every wall and building, all Hellen is to do is to find a blind spot and push herself over the wall or window with her ice magic. ¡°So Alana finally sent someone¡± a male goat approach he signal other goat to lower their crossbow ¡°do they think we would stop our lord work just because they sent in a sheep.¡± ¡°My name is sister Fay¡± ¡°I know who you are! The traitor! who abandon our god to work for those wolf.¡± Fay quickly realize it was a mistake to sent her as a negotiator but there no going back now. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware that is how you see me. I left Amalthor to save our people, to bring peace and put an end to the war that was leading everyone to a path of destruction¡± ¡°By shaking hand with wolf and bird that enslave our people and keep us around like a livestock.¡± ¡°That was a long time ago all races agree to no longer eating...¡± ¡°US! But that not true is it sister? A black market where our people who gone missing was found lying on the table is still open inside Eardwulf right now and the biggest one is in their capital, Ardolf!. ¡°That is not true. We¡¯re working with the wolf on this and already close more than hundred such shop since the war end. There are almost no such market in today time.¡± ¡°Lie! Those wolf were train since young to enjoy our meat as a reward. It¡¯s in their instinct, they will never stop craving for our fresh. And so the lord said to strike down evil, thus we shall do his work on this earth.¡± Fay try to reason with him ¡°Only the older generation of wolf were raise in such way, all children nowadays are raise to see all races as conscious begin and it would be immoral to eat other being whose through the will of god awoken into this world. And if your agenda is with wolf and bird then why attack human settlement?¡± ¡°In the beginning they too enslave our people for skin and meat they must pay the price as well.¡± ¡°The people who live here did nothing to our people most of them is not even alive when it happen and neither is you! From what I can see you¡¯re not even 30 yet why would you have such hatred for them? Please I beg you, let¡¯s the hostage go they have done nothing wrong.¡± ¡°Their death shall be our message to the world that the true follower of Amalthaea is still here and we won¡¯t stop until all evil is cleanse from this world with our father love. And now that Amalthor army is here there no need to keep them alive any longer.¡± the goat leader wave his hand and one of his men rush toward to building with hostage. Goat and sheep on the roof start firing a crossbow at Fay but she summon a ice wall to protect herself ¡°a man who walk with such hatred have no right to speak of love.¡± ¡°Congelo¡± 4 caster and their leader hail ice spike at Fay. She fall back to fire a flare gun she brought with her to signal the talk fail and now all force will begin their attack. Fay notices two sheep caster on the back is the source of their water since it¡¯s difficult to just create ice from thin air so when there is an open she fire two ice ball and knock those two out in one hit. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Dammit! Get a bucket of water out!¡± other zealot then rush around to get a water to their caster while Alana troops star open fire and dash to reach Fay. But Fay who is better at controlling water simply use the water they bring to whip at their own men before zealot caster take control of water with their magic. The zealot is shock at the range she can control water. ¡°Too slow¡± Fay swat the whip at their leader but he¡¯s able to block with his own ice wall. ¡°Get up! We train on our lives for this moment. For our father!¡± Two goat caster slowly get back up while other zealot keep shooting arrow at Fay. Fay can hear the sound of assault rifle so her troops is not far behind. For a moment she think she can capture everyone here without needing to kill them but at a corner of her eyes a goat pick a gun up from the box and fire at her. Fay instinctively create ice wall just as she always have done since the time of great war. This ice wall is thicker than the one she use for defend against arrow because bullet have more firepower and this level of magic is always enough to stop them. To her surprise the gun didn¡¯t fire just one or five but 20 round in quick succession before it click out. Her wall shatter after 15 round and a few bullet fly pass her face, one cut right through her ear. With the sharp pain Fay swat her hand cutting everyone nearby in half instantly. The leader didn¡¯t even know what hit him when his head fall to the ground, other zealot start running away in fear deeper into the village. Many emotion hit Fay at once but shock and fear quickly fade remain only disappointment in herself that she had to kill so many people. She walk over to where to gun fall and pick it up. A Thompson submachine gun she finally recall. She saw this gun in a report before, a submachine gun that Eardwulf develop after the war end but stop producing because their government found other alternative. This gun is able to fire much faster and hold more bullet in magazine than most gun human were using in the great war, back then most of old knowledge in the past era are lost and their industry is still not up and running so they can only made mostly semi-automatic gun where you shoot one bullet and have to load with bolt-action. As she take the magazine out she consider herself lucky cause if they were using 100 round drum magazine she saw in the report she might not be standing right now. Then a sound of explosive wake Fay up making her upset at herself for lose focus while on the battlefield. It¡¯s been too long since she fight on front line. Fay rush ahead to the building where the hostage were hoping Hellen would have save them in time. On the East side of the village Alana and New Terra troops charge at the entrance at the moment they saw the flare. Dro Degar caster and solider hail down arrow and ice spike on the troops charging at them but some troops from New Terra who wear MAM glove slam his hand on the ground and make a block of dirt raise up as a cover for his squad, the arrow and magic hit mostly the dirt as troops exchange fire from the cover and slowly gain ground. Zealot caster may put up an ice wall in time to block the bullet and gather big magic to form ice spike big enough to smash several of these dirt cover but with combine force of Alana and New Terra over 500 men against their 7 caster of which 3 wounded and only few hundred goat with crossbow and sword they stood no chance. In the north paladin Pwyll asked Roy to let him and his men do the fighting while his troops stay on the side. Roy agree to paladin wishes. ¡°Careful paladin Pwyll I spot two tommy gun, they can be quite dangerous at close range.¡± Roy concern raise up when he see zealot got machine gun with them. ¡°Can they shoot us from where they are?¡± ¡°They¡¯re accurate up to 150m¡ªwe¡¯re almost 300m away now but we should find some cover as we approach.¡± although the land in front of them is a clear open field with paladin on their side Roy is not too worry. ¡°I see. You stay here with my men then please give them some pointer on the gun too if you can. They need live practice.¡± paladin Pwyll then walk out alone in an open field without fear. Roy look at a dozen goat in front who carry shiny new M1903 Springfield, a bolt-action rifle which Amalthor manage to produce themself, and sigh. It would be rude if he didn¡¯t give them tip even just a little. The battlefield in the north stay quiet as the other front start open fire and a ring of gun shot from far away can be heard over the wind. ¡°we greet paladin Pwyll¡± zealot goat and sheep bow their head to Pwyll when he reach them. ¡°May Amalthaea protect you¡± Pwyll stop at less than 10 meter from two tommy gun ¡°Will you surrender?¡± Pwyll get to the point. ¡°You know we can¡¯t do that this is all for our lord.¡± said the only goat caster here. ¡°I understand¡± Pwyll raise his hand to signal his men to open fire. A dozen goat fire at his signal and hit five zealot, some in the chest some shoulder but many survive the first volley. ¡°Fire¡± the zealot shout to fire back but no one is aiming at Pwyll only at his men over 300m away. Paladin Pwyll raise an ice wall and slowly back away from line of fire but with two tommy gun and over fifty arrow his wall quickly shatter. He¡¯s surprise but looking back none of bullet hit his men while some arrow does hit a few troops legs so now he create water wall floating in the air and make it so thick no bullet may pass. ¡°Reload and aim again before fire¡± Roy walk around the back checking each Pwyll¡¯s men posture and give tip so they can hit the target. When his men is ready to fire Pwyll would lower his barrier but put back up when his men need to reload. Took them a while but in the end only zealot caster remain since he protect himself with magic. ¡°I request a duel with sir Pwyll. I¡¯m one of the best caster in our village and can create ice without needing water. It¡¯s would be my greatest honor if...¡± Pwyll create an ice spear and throw at him in an instant. The zealot put up ice wall but spear just pierce through like it nothing and kill him. ¡°Making ice out of air might be impressive to most people but don¡¯t you compare my devotion to our lord with the like of you. We are on different level like you wouldn¡¯t able to imagine.¡± With that Amalthor march in through the north, Hellen manage to save all villager and Alvern is back under control of New Terra. ¡°Where did they get these gun from?¡± after the battle all the leader gather to discuss tommy gun they found. ¡°We give it to the police of Alvern, the zealot must have found them. We¡¯re still missing two gun but with all the damage and fire I must report them lost.¡± colonel Mattson speak with annoyance when he think of how to tell his superior how a few gun went missing. As far as he concern the zealot took them and run over to hand it to their Father Pan but he have no proof. ¡°I thought police only allow to use pistol?¡± said Roy. ¡°Only in emergency which as it happen the police did manage to take down two caster when they were attack.¡± ¡°A caster take down by human just like that?¡± Pwyll surprise. normally a good caster is equal to a force of hundred men in an army. A champion like Pwyll or Hellen is said to be able to hold off an army of 10,000 alone. Exaggerated rumor of course more like 5,000 and it¡¯s also depend on situation and environment as well. If Fay and Hellen has to fight an army in a dessert there¡¯s only so much water they can draw from thin air. But on the sea with right weather? 100,000 men could come and they would have been push away. ¡°We demand an investigation of Dro Degar¡± the topic move on to New Terra demand to investigate village the terrorist came from. Amalthor agree and everyone move part of their army to Dro Degar. The villager and their elder claim no knowledge of what a few of their men have done. ¡°Sure a few hundreds goat and most of their caster manage to arm themself and march to human village outside Amalthor border but no one know anything.¡± Roy joked. Colonel Mattson order his men to tear town center apart looking for any proof or document of how these zealot got the weapon and supplied and if the government of Amalthor have any involvement. They found nothing. While the solider is searching a few building Fay walk around Dro Degar dress in habit so that villager didn¡¯t try to run and hide from her. She walk around for a whole day and didn¡¯t found anything unusual but as she walk past a school she noticed a children is jumping over a picture on the ground. When she get close she can hear a teacher cheering for student to scream at picture of a wolf on the ground along with Eardwulf flag. The wolf is Eldrick Conri the current fenrir and Marco¡¯s father. ¡°Die you demon¡± ¡°Evil wolf!¡± The children is laughing and shouting while the teacher encourage with cheer. Fay want to jump in there and put the stop to this heinous act right this instant but she¡¯s just an outsider, even Alana have no right to say on how people would raise their children and this is no evident that the people and elder of this village sent those men to attack Alvern. The fact that Dro Degar citizen follow an old teaching which view other races as inferior and evil is known far and wide. As Fay walk away she can¡¯t help but wonder if in 20 years time should she still alive and incident like this happen again, would it be these children that she have to fight and kill next time? In not far future due to this incident of over 200 human and wolf along with 200 goat and sheep death and thousand more injured on both side the government of New Terra will arm the village of Alvern with more and more weapon slowly turn it into a military outpost which Amalthor will respond in turn by arming Dro Degar into a military outpost as well. This will create a tension between two nation for many years to come. When Fay return to Alana after many days of travel she is too tired and wanted to rest but they need to report to headmaster on what happen so she went up to white tower where no one is around and walk on the corridor to watch the view of city below while wait. The sky tonight is cover with dark cloud so there is no light from moon or star only a dim yellow light from city below. ¡°Leon, you¡¯re back¡± Fay greet her old friend who was sent on a mission in city of the damn weeks ago. ¡°Hi¡± Leon answer back almost whisper. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± For a while Leon wan unable to look at Fay ¡°No.¡± ¡°Is the mission gone bad?¡± ¡°The mission is a success I found out who that crow is though it¡¯s lead to dead end but that is not the problem. Fay...I break our promise.¡± ¡°...Which one?¡± Fay smiles for Leon. ¡°To blend in I...kill and eat a sheep.¡± Leon shoulder shrink closer as if to hide away as he glance at Fay leg and gather his strength to work his way up to her eyes. He¡¯s was expecting rage anger for this betrayed but all he see in her eyes is exhaustion. ¡°Was she or he suffer?¡± ¡°No, I made it end as quick as possible.¡± ¡°It¡¯s for the mission and this city right¡± Fay tell Leon and herself. ¡°Yes, and I promise it¡¯s won¡¯t ever happen again. It¡¯s been over 45 years since I last...taste goat.¡± Fay nods before ask ¡°Was it¡¯s still taste as good?¡± Leon look out at the dark sky and think of his memory ¡°more sweet than I even remember.¡± Now it¡¯s Fay turn to look away, after a moment of silent she speaks ¡°I also kill a lot of people this past few days but that is not the worst thing I saw.¡± Leon look back at her to listen ¡°There was a school in Dro Degar. What they were teaching their children over there...make me so scare and fear for them yet I can¡¯t do anything. It¡¯s make me feel so angry at myself.¡± The two of them wait in silent for what feel like forever don¡¯t know what else to say to help one another ease their mind. At last other teacher arrive and Leon sigh ¡°Let¡¯s get the meeting done shall we¡± he gesture to her and they both enter the meeting room with everyone. This meeting is one of the most heavy meeting they have in a long time. Rio and Tonia don¡¯t have much to report from school trip which Fay thank Amalthaea for. Leon mission is a success but he has bad news. ¡°The bomber body we found, turn out he¡¯s not a bomber at all. He¡¯s just a slave who was sold to an anonymous buyer. The bird was deliver in a cage at a fix location near Panthera, no one saw who he or she is.¡± ¡°So the real bomber is still out there¡± Osmond grimmed. Hellen and Roy then report on what happen in Alvern, Hellen talk about how both New Terra and Amalthor is not really corporate with them as much as she would like while Roy mostly focus on the old gun model Amalthor army now adopted, old but still a first time they use gun they made themself in real battle. Along with New Terra integration of MAM in battle. ¡°A MAM glove for makeshift cover along with other simple glyph help their solider flexibility on battlefield, no mind glyph, all glyph is pre-made for them even a child can use it. We know from the report before but it¡¯s prove to be much more effective on real battlefield than we predicted.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll need incorporate them into our army more as well¡± said the voice from the tube. Fay then report on what she see at Dro Degar. She speak of how the children was led down a path of hatred and how every nation now seem to care less about their promise to uphold peace. Like a wheel of war is turning and there¡¯s nothing they can do to stop it. ¡°We always knew there would always be people who reject unity¡± said Osmond ¡°For the longest time we share nothing in common it¡¯s natural to suspect and repulse at unknow others. Our work here is to help change that just like how Princess Alana did it for us. We must always remember that.¡± ¡°I would let all of you go rest now if possible but unfortunately we have one more bad news¡± Osmond look around the table. ¡°Just get it over with so I can go sleep¡± said Hellen. ¡°Someone broke into all of our room two days ago¡± ¡°What?!¡± everyone shouted before look at the tube. ¡°How?¡± ¡°Did chief not noticed?¡± ¡°No¡± said the voice in the same tone which does not help teacher calm down at all. ¡°The one who break in is definitely an Amiel¡± said Osmond ¡°No one else can use magic to evade Rei...no glyph can do that at least none that we know of. I also want you all to check your room see if anything missing.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s the bomber? Bomber is Amiel who good enough at magic to evade chief?¡± ¡°It¡¯s seem so.¡± ¡°There can¡¯t be that many Amiel who can sneak pass chief eyes¡± everyone turn to look at Hellen. ¡°We¡¯ll be checking all Amiel who capable soon. For now know that we clear all your room, there is no bomb left behind but it¡¯s a little bit of a mess right now so sorry about that.¡± ¡°Great, room cleaning before bed.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just clean tomorrow¡± said Leon who hasn¡¯t sleep soundly for a few days now. ¡°Your room is always a mess¡± said Roy. ¡°At least with the big incident at Alvern where over hundred zealot who cause problem were killed or capture by combine force of Alana, New Terra and Amalthor other faction should lay low for a while. We¡¯ll use these time to prepare for their next move.¡± ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­ Sweet Stolen novel; please report. Virtus
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