Chapter 1: The Visit at Night

“Please sign me up for the guard.”

Taken back, the administrator jolted his head from his work. The request was nothing special for the Branch Administrator of the Varangian Guard. Yet for tonight he could not claim it anything other than unorthodox. Since he had never before had a hooded person barged into his office in the middle of the night, looked straight into his eyes, and with no other greetings or explanations blurted it out as their first words.

In all honesty, he was astonished. The administrator stared blankly at his mysterious guest. Though his guest face was shadowed by the hood he could tell by his voice the guest was a young boy. The boy instead of sitting into one of the two chairs in front of his desk, had stood slightly away. He did not know if it was on purpose or not, but the boy stopped in the middle of the office red rug. The symbol of the Varangian Guard, a proud red dragon, lay under his feet. With the scarlet glow from the fireplace, he saw an image of the boy dominating the proud dragon. As if nothing could or would stop the boy from achieving his goals.

The administrator closed his eyelids. He must be tired tonight if he was seeing illusions. Reopening his eyes he laid down his pencil and pulled out the admission form from his drawer. He tapped it, bringing the boy's attention to his desk.

"Boy, want to explain why I should fill this out?"

The boy simply shook his head.

“Nope. I only need you to sign me up for the guard.”

The administrator scowled. The boy sounded to be no more than 15. He was even short for his age. Yet he dared to make demands to the administrator of the Varangian Guard.

How cheeky.

If the boy was bold enough to bash into one of the world’s top mercenary guards then he needed an equally bold welcome. Circulating his mana into an Art, he strengthened his aura to emit a high pressure.

The boy sent an annoyed glare back to him.

‘Ho, how amusing.’

The Administrator stroked his bearded chin. The boy did not collapse as he expected. Instead, he stood there unwavering. Great. The Administrator had enough with fools trying to join the Varangian guard. He nodded his praise.

The boy flinched.

For a moment, his unwavering resolve became a hesitation. Like the boy wanted to run out of the room, before he readjusted back his posture.

The Administrator raised his eyebrow. He had never seen such a strong resolve to dissolve then reformed in an instant. Who was this boy? Where did he come from? He had to admit the boy piqued his interest. Ceasing his aura he cleared his throat.

“Who are you, young man? Isn’t it rude to make a request without introducing yourself?”

The boy stiffened. “Yes. Right, An introduction. You don't know me, but you should know my brother.”

“Your brother?” He waited for him to explain further. The boy stood still for a moment as if what he said was enough, but he seemed to have changed his mind and raised his arm. He reached to his hood and pulled it down.

The Administrator studied the boy's face. Then all at once a sense of familiarity washed over him.

The boy’s raven black hair whisked in front of his eyes, his olive skin tanned from hours spent in the sun, and...

His eyes.

Those Amethyst colored eyes.

It had been a long time. So, this was his younger brother. It explained his awkward greeting or to say lack of one. The boy never needed to introduce himself before. Reminiscing about another time a frown fell onto his face “Yes I knew him. Sorry fo-“

“I am sorry for bothering you tonight.” The boy raised his voice. “But I need to be enlisted into the guard as soon as possible.”

Administrator sighed. He was no doubt Aleifr’s brother, lacking any sense of patience.

“ I don’t know why you came here today, but you should already know you are too young to join. But, as the younger brother to Aleifr, you are always welcome to come back when you're older. ”

The boy frowned.

“I know I'm too young. But I need you to make an exception.”

The administrator shook his head. He knew of the boy’s talents, but with how the guard’s standings were going he could not accept a minor into their ranks. Even if it was for an apprenticeship. He put away the admission form. Yet before he was able to raise his hand to dismiss the boy his office door swung open.

An aged face greeted him.

“Sorry to intrude, but don’t make such a hasty decision, Brigadier Dieter.”

Realizing who had entered, the administrator hastened out of his seat to offer a greeting. His new guest raised his hand to tell him not to bother. Taking his seat again, he stared at his old friend trying to figure out his intentions. Knowing his friend it was not going to be good, but he could not throw him out. Swallowing, he said,

“It has been a long time. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

His friend laughed, lighting the mood.

“ To keep things short. I came here to introduce you to someone.”

He motioned over to the boy in the room. Who had already pulled his hood up again.

“But it seems you already met. He is quite blunt, isn’t he? Insisted on meeting with you as soon as we came into town. Didn’t even wait for these old bones and rushed straight into your branch.”

Seeing the amusing face of his old friend, the administrator straightened his posture.

“Enough. I know why you're here. I will state once again he is too young.”

The amusement of the old man's face faded away. “I said don’t make a quick decision. Dieter, please listen.”

Dieter closed his eyes.

“Viltautas, I have known you for so long, maybe too long. Fine, I trust in your judgment. Speak your mind.”

Viltautas’s smile returned to his face.

“First, how’s the administrator’s life working for you? It’s strange seeing the old battle manic sitting behind a pile of paper.”

Dieter eyed him.

“How is this relevant?”

“Just answer.”

“Fine. Suffocating boring.”

“Oh really, why don’t you retire and leave it to a learned scholar?”

“What nonsense. I helped start this mercenary charity organization with my comrades. It’s my duty to keep it running. I’m not going to retire and let any old buffoons take over, especially my said comrades. Who flees from responsibility at any chance. So they can go goof around, well traveling.”

“Hey, it's for research, RESEARCH. It’s important work. Besides, the office work doesn’t suit me.”

Dieter lowered his eyes.

“Maybe, I’m not right for the job either.”

Viltautas frowned. He walked up to Dieter's desk. Shooing the boy away, he dropped his heavy bag and slumped into a chair.

“The Varangian Guard is on the verge of collapsing. Isn't it ?”

Dieter's face darkened “Yes. Though I am surprised we made it this far. A charity mercenary group. People laughed at the idea."

“Yes, a guard who not only helped poor villages, but a place for those who couldn’t or didn’t want to join their kingdoms' militaries.” Viltautas’ eyes shift to a faraway look.

“I still remember the hay days. People expected us to fail, yet with one success after another, our name spread everywhere. Tons of donations and patrons pour in trying to win favor.”

“Ah, yes. Most of them were the two face upperclassmen. Wanting to brag how good and charitable they were. While spreading their name and influence.”

“Still we welcome their money. For the many poor towns, we helped, it didn’t matter the squawking of the rich. Yet, it was inevitable. Since most of the members who joined were military dropouts, retired veterans, and troublemakers, The Varangian Guard's image plummeted.”

“Then with the scandal three years ago, we all but lost most of our patrons.”

“That Scandal?!” Dieter couldn’t help but look over to the boy. He expected a reaction. Instead, the boy stood by the wall with no intention of joining the conversation.

“Yes. What made it worse, most of the world’s militaries never liked us. It was their ticket to destroy our image. Now most young people won’t even consider joining, much less new patrons.”

“I know all this, Viltautas. The Varangian Guard can no longer hope to survive solely on poor villages’ donations. What is your point?”

“Because it hasn’t collapsed yet. There is still a chance to play the politics’ game.”

Dieter eyes wandered over to the boy in the corner. His body spring to his feet even before he connected his thoughts.

“Wait, you won’t even dare suggest it?! It didn’t work last time! Blasted it, Viltautas! It's the main reason everything went to hell. Above all else, you even brought his brother!”

“Because, it’s his brother, Dieter. Please trust me.”

Dieter laid his head onto his desk. He didn’t know what to say. It was ludicrous. He wanted to rush over and threw Viltautas out the window. Yet, he was right. If they don’t do something soon, this dream of his and his comrades will fade away. He couldn’t let it happen. After taking several breaths, he begrudgingly lifted his head.

“I truly have been friends with you for way too long. I need to end our friendship one of these days. So, what is your proposal?”

Viltautas motion over to the boy

The boy, no longer staying as a bystander, stepped away from the wall. He once again pulled his hood down and glared unwavering into his eyes.

“My name is Aaron Xenolane. I need to finish my brother's research. Please let me join.”

Dieter slumped into his chair. “Fine you guys win. I will see what I can do.”

The night became a much longer one for the branch administrator of the Varangian Guard. As he caught up with an old friend, and became acquainted with a new one.

Chapter 1: The Visit at Night, end.