***Hyperion Empire***

***Soltain City***

The time spent with his Master Silvia was largely a learning experience for Max. Learning mainly how to do chores properly and keep the small enchanting shop she owned in shape. He eventually fell into a routine of working when he arrived until about an hour before sunset, where Silvia would deem him with a lesson in enchanting.

Although still technically a new resident to the city, it did not take long for Silvias skill as an enchanter to be noticed by all throughout the city. From young adventurers looking to begin their first quests, to high ranking officers of the Soltain military personally making custom orders for enchantments if they could afford it.

Despite the shops measly appearance, Silvia Nerenthan was doing rather well for herself financially. When the Lord Soltain learned of her abilities a few years back, he gave her the title as the official enchanter of the city and she was rewarded handsomely for her enchanted weapons and armor to be given as gifts from the noble family to it’s deserved subordinates.

Even with her current wealth, Silvia still spent her mornings educating children in basic reading and writing. Ever since her arrival, this was apart of her daily routine that never changed. In the afternoon, she found herself bored for large chunks of time until the Lord personally asked if she would take his rather unruly son as an apprentice. At first, she was hesitant. Though this quickly changed when the Lord offered her enough gold to feed a large family for years. She once had a rather unruly son of her own, and knew what would be required to instill discipline into a young boy.

Using one of the most common tricks in the book, Silvia had Max work for most of the day and if she approved of both his work and his attitude while working, she would teach him a little about the art she claimed made her a ‘Master’.

Suffice to say, the boy took to enchanting like a fish to water. He was indeed talented, but he had a rather big ego, and there was no way she would fuel it anymore. Completing most basic elemental and durability enhancements only after a few days of instruction was astonishing, but that could never be said aloud. After each success she would use the same line, “it took you long enough” to spurn the boys own pride.

She also noticed that as much as the boy tried to hide it, he craved her approval. The more standoffish and short replies she would give him, the harder he would work, at both chores and enchanting. It was interesting side of his personality she had no trouble at all exploiting. As talented as he was, in the end he was still just a child.

The Lady Soltain would often visit the master and student pair whenever she had a chance. Sometimes talking to the boy and reminding him to keep working hard, or talking to Silvia about Max’s progress all around. After a few chats, the Lady Soltain, who Silvia now called Sophia, had formed quite the friendship with the other.

Both were actually around the same age, and had a lot in common. Whether them both being mesmerizing beauties, talented mages, or mothers of unruly sons they found they had plenty to talk about with each other. Sophia even taking more time to spend lazing at the shop to help her new friend. Her presence both bringing more attention to the little shop and attracting more customers. The increase in sales was great, but both women knew that the more customers that came in, the more the young Max would have to work. It was good for him. He needed to know what it felt like to toil for a bit.

When autumn came, Max could already be considered an adept in the art of enchanting. His own creative mind and now proficient understanding in the ancient elven runic characters supporting him in making his own enchantments. Although there were many languages both existing and long extinct that made up the world of enchanting, Silvia taught what she believed to be the most powerful scripts save from ancient draconic runic characters. There was also the fact that she didn’t know anyone alive who knew how to enchant using the methods of the ancient draconians. So at the moment, Max was probably getting the best instruction possible in regards to character potency. Simple words written in ancient elven characters proving to be three times as effective as the next best Silvia knew of.

Yes, Max was an adept enchanter, but as far as he knew, he wasn’t even a novice. Silvia realized that while he was on his trip that she would have to break out some of her older books and brush up on her more advanced skills.

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After the usual morning weapons combat training, the General Soltain stood in front of the three kids as per the norm. Although today would be anything but the norm for the three growing children. Today they would be heading north, to join him in fighting some barbarians from the isles and experiencing actual combat. They were going to have their first kills, but based off prior experience, he had the sinking feeling these little prodigies would quickly get over it.

Unlike Max, Kana and Arthur spent the months past learning how to be leaders on the battlefield. They knew most Soltain command strategies and technically had the training experience to command both soldiers and knights on the ground, and Sky Knights in the air. The general had come to the realization that he had more time with his grandson to train him in leading then the others, being that the boy didn’t go to the Academy until he was ten and the other two would be returning to their homes after winter. Though he still didn’t think the boy was really the leading type.

Everyone who knew her before she was married would recognize a lot of the former Sophia in the young Max. One who exuded charisma, but didn’t actually use it to lead. More like using that natural charisma to establish the physical presence that made her who she was. He had heard about the boys abilities in his work once he put his mind to it, and the creative prowess to create his own spell at his age was remarkable. Somehow, the general was under the impression his grandson would never be a leader in a commanding sense. More like one who solely relies on himself to get things done. The older man supposed that was okay too, but in the end it was just too early to tell how they boy would end up.

He was alike and different from his two friends in multiple ways. The main one being, they were both quite talented leaders, each working in their own unique way.

Kana was extremely charismatic, and used her abilities to inspire and motivate the people around her. She was recognized because at the front of every battle or training engagement, the little girl with the oversized halberd could be seen leading the charge. She largely relied on her subordinates for strategy and tactics, but used her own voice and unadulterated determination to animate her fellow knight trainees.

Arthur on the hand, was a born strategical genius. Often having his own troops questioning his decisions and motives, though always producing successful results. He was never at the front of his men, and had the most proficient fighters leading their own squads, but he would usually disguise himself as an ordinary soldier during training bouts. It was a solid idea in theory, but considering he was still only about to the shortest trainees chin in height because of his age, it was rather pointless. Even so, his unparalleled knack for strategy and tactics left the general rather depressed knowing the boy would have to become the Head of his House instead of a military commander.

Over the months, the two were placed in multiple situations where they were to lead their subordinates, being a two man scouting mission, or leading an entire corps of knights in training. Sometimes facing each other on the fictitious battlefield, or facing older officers learning what it takes to command others.

The general expected his grandson to complain or instigate a conflict because the other two were doing something as exciting as leadership training, but was surprised to learn the boy didn’t even care. The kids still spent most of their free time together, and Kana would often boast about their “fun training” but the youngest of the trio didn’t seem fazed at all. Multiple times nodding and replying with a “work hard” to his friends. The general could see the smirk though, the boy obviously had something he was hiding.

Breaking out of his revelry, the man elected to finally speak, “With being in the height of fishing season and having more of our citizens living along the coasts out closer to the isles, they will find themselves more vulnerable to attacks instigated by the barbarians of the north. You will be joining me and a contingent of knights to suppress any attacks and bring the fight to the isles themselves. Over the years, hundreds to thousands of men, women and children have suffered from the acts of these savages.” Pausing, he cast his gaze over the three children and continued. “There have been raids which we were unable to prevent where we recovered the bodies of entire villages, the men's heads resting on pikes throughout the destroyed towns and the bodies of women violently defiled, killed, and left to rot. The children are often kidnapped, the boys growing in a hostile environment and eventually becoming one of the men that ruined their lives, and the girls to be made servants to the lust of the entire group.”

“For years we have explored the isles north to find where they originate, but to this day their location eludes us. We’ve found small coastal towns up north and some of their outposts where they leave a few of the women, but the indigenous people were rather ignorant and our investigations have proven to be largely fruitless. There are too many isles and it would simply take far too long to search every island themselves. They know enough not to lead us to wherever they hide their ships, considering they always use the fog that gathers around the islands at dawn and dusk to cover their escape. The best we can do is protect our borders and our people. When we arrive, you will no doubt come to the situation where you are forced to kill another man. If I might suggest, not only do you three have each other for both physical and emotional support but these men are not innocent. If you do not kill them, they will not hesitate to kill you. Do not forget that.”

“Meet me here tomorrow at dawn, we will be leaving alongside Sophia for the northern coasts. Prepare accordingly for a trip that can last multiple months.”

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Boarding the large griffin Atthis, the three children lined up to prepare for the north. The general was the last to get on, while Sophia boarded a griffin with an easily recognizable Knight Lieutenant Lancaster.

The short woman looked at the three children, sending shivers down both the boys spines. Kana on the other hand, waved to her former teacher in her position between the other two.

“Ah! Ms. Lancaster! You’re coming on the trip too?”

The woman gave her a smile and sat in front of Sophia on her own large griffin. The height difference becoming a bit more apparent with Sophia being able to still see over her head.

“I’ve gone every year now since I’ve become a knight, the barbarians from the north are nothing but dogs that need to be reminded of where they truly stand in the food chain.”

The general observed the knights and griffins shuffling around the area. Turning towards their direction he yelled, “The Second Sky Corps will be joining me to establish a forward camp on the southernmost island of the Barbarian Isles. The First and Third will meet with the Sixth Knight Regiment and travel towards the coast together.” He turned towards a burly knight with a large brown beard, wearing the Soltain insignia and officer’s sash. “Knight Captain Winston will be officer in command until you meet with the Sixth. When you do conviene, Knight Prefect Briggs will be in charge. He will decide who among you will join us for the campaign further north and who will keep our own people safe. No matter your assignment, everyone’s roles in the battle with the barbarian hordes will be pivotal to ensuring the prosperity of our province and empire. I wish you all luck.”

With that, Atthis ascended into the air heading north, followed by the Sky Knights of the Second Sky Corps and Sophia.

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***Barbarian Isles***

The islands known as the Barbarian Isles were filled with rugged terrain often consisting of sharp cliffs, thick forests, and caves that spanned the entirety of the landmass. There was also a thick fog that formed around each island at both dawn and dusk. The phenomenon itself left unexplainable by both the indigenous peoples and those who lived near the area.

The islands were also home to magical beasts of the humanoid variety, including goblins and kobolds. Though these species often remained unseen and unnoticed. The humans and beastkin that made up the barbarian tribes always receiving the full attention of the Soltain military.

When the Second Sky Corps arrived at the southernmost island, now called ‘South One’ by the knights, they immediately began setting up a forward operating camp. The men and women of the Corps working tirelessly to chop down trees and set up tents to secure the area. Walls were formed and large tents were neatly lined up on the field that was recently cleared near the western coast of the island. The griffin partners of the knights often seen either helping move heavier objects, lounging around, or soaring the skies that encompassed the camp.

Inside a large white tent that identified as the ‘war room’ General Soltain and Sophia, alongside half a dozen officers stood around a rough map of the barbarian isles. The three children sat together at one corner of the tent silently listening to the plans and arguing of the officers. Max working on an enchantment script at a desk and Kana peeking over to watch him. Arthur already had his eyes closed and was using Kana’s chair to rest his feet.

“We shouldn’t go out looking for them it makes no sense wasting time and manpower to explore these damn islands!”

“Are you saying we just wait for them to try to attack our citizens!? Do you want to take responsibility for the lives lost!?

“Of course that's not what I’m saying! But I believe we should wait for the reinforcements arriving from Prefect Briggs before we go send soldiers on a wild goose chase. The best we can do is keep this island secure, and have griffins flying to form a blockade. We could easily spot any ships heading south and prepare accordingly.”

“What if the enemy chooses to circumvent going between the islands? What’s to stop them from just going around and escaping our detection? Or using the fog? They are familiar with this area and we are not, we need to establish our presence on every damn island if it draws them out.”

The officers in the tent seemed to be at impasse. With an even split on both strategies all eyes turned towards the General Soltain to make a decision. He put his hand to his chin and began stroking the blond stubble on it, “Both plans have their benefits, but I am under the firm belief that we must attack them before they get a chance to mobilize towards our shores. Have our northern scouts returned with any viable information?”

An older officer with thinning grey hair shook his head, “General, the scouts have returned but have no viable information on any possible barbarian settlements.”

“Why don’t we just lure them out?” A new voice interrupted. Everyone turned to see the lounging Arthur with his eyes still closed.

The greying officer was obviously confused, “Could you care to explain young lord Satele?”

Max, creating an explosive enchantment onto the paper he was working on, replied for his lazy friend, “What he means is you should just use us.” Not looking up from his work Max continued, “Don’t the savages usually take the children to train themselves? Well Kana, Arthur, and I are children, they just don’t know we're not helpless like the kids there used too.”

Realization came upon everyone in the room, this was definitely a unique approach to the problem.

Sophia frowned, having her darling children taking on such a risk made her a bit anxious. She was sure they could handle it, or at least she thought they could, but there were too many unknowns for her to be comfortable with the kids taking a mission like that.

“Don’t worry Grandpa Max! We can easily help you all find the location of the barbarians and we’ll be able to go back home in no time! This will be a piece of cake!” Kana exclaimed. She grew up learning that Arthur’s ideas were almost always good, and Max seemed to want to do this too.

The general’s gaze hardened and he asked in a serious tone, “Are you sure you will be able to do this? Infiltrating the barbarian base and alerting us of it’s location?”

“It will be a flare, specifically one of Kana’s most powerful fire spells strengthened by Max’s wind magic. That will be our signal. If you can have your men ready for that and able to spot it then we can resolve the barbarian issue before the week is up.” Arthur replied, green eyes now open and staring at the roof of the tent.

General Soltain nodded, “Prepare for a message to be sent to Knight Prefect Briggs, we need as many Sky Knights as he can spare and have them here as soon as possible. I want to have eyes on every island that encompass the north for this plan to work.” Turning back to the kids he said, “I know the Kumio’s have trained you enough for an infiltration mission like this, but I will warn you now that keeping each other safe is your biggest priority, giving us the location of the horde comes second.”

Sophia didn’t really like how vulnerable they were leaving the kids. She smiled to everyone in the tent and said, “If you would please excuse me, I have other matters to attend too.”

That got Max curious and he looked up from his work, his mother didn’t actually give an opinion on the whole plan and had other business to attend too? How could she have other business on this island?

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Sophia walked out of the forest and stood on a large cliff that hung over the vast ocean surrounding the island. Her raven hair flowing behind her as the wind pushed against her body. The sounds of waves crashing against the rocky coast beneath her reverberating in her ears as she looked towards the large body of water.

Activating her ‘Mind’s Eyes’ and focusing as much mana as she could into her telepathic connection, she began to spread her senses as far as she could take them. Sending out one sentence to the only being in the world she knew could possibly receive the message.

I am in need of your assistance.