Christopher had his head on a swivel, watching out for unseen enemies in every shadow. The dead of Sunchal had really set him on edge. He even made sure that nobody saw in which alcove he slept that night, knowing that it would be all over if they assassinated him at such a moment. He was pretty sure that [Bookmark] would not bring him back from the dead. The worst was that he did not even know the motivation for Sunchal’s assassination, so his stress might be for nothing.

One thing that did seem like a legitimate worry was that the Guards would find and question him about Sunchal’s death. The Innkeeper did not have his name but would have his description. And many of the refugees living with him were of course also very aware of their connection. Christopher could only hope that the guards were more focused on the defense than questioning every acquaintance of Sunchal. At least he was somewhat prepared to use [Bookmark] if things got out of control. Hopefully he would not get too jittery and cry out the command at the slightest jump scare.

After some thought Christopher decided that hiding away was not the answer to any of his problems, he needed to accept some level of danger in his life, and constant worry was not healthy for his mental health. Christopher had to prepare for his first meeting with his new platoon in the Noble district today. He prepared himself and quickly set on his way, glad that he had something to keep his mind occupied.

——————<>——————

Christopher looked up at the castle in front of him with a surprising sense of familiarity. This massive stone structure was the political seat of power in Lumen and the abode of Earl Eugenius Swift. Christopher thought it kind of looked like a regular old square castle, which clashed with the natural free-flowing architecture that could be seen in the rest of Lumen. This was one of the few buildings that he had seen which would not have appeared all that misplaced on Earth, although the otherworldly Sternel wall surrounded the square fortress somewhat ruined that image.

The building was aptly called Swift Keep, and it was known for its blocky architecture and for being a massive stone construction, a rarity in Lumen. Swift Keep was one of the few important Strongholds that would serve as a shelter for the citizens when an attack was imminent. He hoped it was more durable than the headquarters of the Adenium Church. It certainly looked sturdier.

Christopher was glad that he got this opportunity to take a look inside. Central Command of the Lumen forces operated out of Swift Keep, making it perhaps the most important location in Lumen. It housed Lumen’s intel and communication hub, collecting all tactical information, which the strategists then used to move troops and assets where they would be most effective. Or so was the claim at least. The information and orders were exchanged through magical devices connecting to many points along the outer wall. Christopher did remember hearing that intel was key in any conflict.

Christopher arrived a little early, giving him a chance to observe the area around the Keep for a while. Swift Keep was bustling with activity, Christopher saw important-looking people entering and leaving at a continuous pace. He saw a lot of people in uniform, wearing the insignias indicating the rank of everything from Privates to lieutenants.

Moments later, Christopher was surprised to even see a major walking by, at least if her remembered the symbols correctly. This woman looked rather old and no longer in fighting shape, but she looked dangerous nevertheless. ‘Maybe more a tactician than a fighter?’

Christopher himself had never really received any rank on this or the previous turn. He was just one of the many trainees under the influence of the Adenium Church, and trainees were not counted as official members of the Lumen Forces. It had certainly not stopped them from putting them straight on the frontlines though, Christopher thought wryly. This placed him at the bottom of the ladder, even below the rank of private. Christopher’s brief assignment as the right-hand man of Sergeant Coley at the end of the last loop had been a considerable promotion, skipping multiple ranks.

Most people walking around Swift Keep wore militaristic clothing that contained sharp folds and metal padding, standing in contrast to the natural curves found in the rest of Lumen fashion. Many wore the camouflaging green and brown, which were the colors associated with the City Guards and the Lumen Forces. Metal adornments were very common in the clothing, no doubt not merely decorative.

The fortress was well manned. He had spotted multiple Guards on the wall-walk. Four guards flanked the massive gate, which currently stood only slightly ajar. The opening was still wide enough that four people could walk abreast through the gate without issue. By all accounts this should be one of the most secure places in Lumen, which was a good thing considering its strategic importance.

They had a surprisingly advanced system to allow people entry. A metal parabolic gate covering the entrance could apparently detect who was allowed to enter. He had figured this out due to a crystal that was set into the gate, which flashed every time that someone passed through. He was able to observe a single time where it flashed orange instead of the normal white when a young woman tried to enter the Keep. Two of the guards immediately intercepted the confused-looking woman. One of them escorting her to a place out of his sight after some discussion.

Christopher theorized that the parabolic metal gate was somehow attuned with the Soul Force signatures of the residents and visitors within the city. How else could it decide whom to allow entry? He could only hope that it would not flag him, especially with the likely investigation into Sunchal’s killing.

He soon followed the lead of the many other visitors and moved towards the gate. He did get some looks from the guards as he got closer, maybe they had noticed him observing, or it could just be his somewhat less fancy state of dress. All the other outfits here were either military or screaming influence. He tried to keep the nervousness from his face as he stepped through the archway, not wanting to look suspicious. Nobody stopped him from walking past so he assumed that the crystal had in fact flashed its normal white light.

He continued through a wide hallway, decorated with rich tapestries and artworks on the wall. The entire floor of Swift Keep was covered with polished stone, giving it a luxurious shine. He hoped that the stone ran deep so that it might be enough to stop the Earth Slithers from breaking in from below. That way Swift Keep would not meet the same quick demise of the Adenium Church stronghold.

Christopher finally entered a massive room of which the ceiling must have been at least ten meters high. The whole room was rather opulent, with Fancy rugs and potted plants placed richly all across. The ceiling consisted out of luxuriously carved beams, painted in a reddish color. Chandeliers covered with Soul Light plates cascaded a white light across the room in a clearly thought out and tasteful way. Massive portraits covered the walls depicting important-looking figures, looking all the more lifelike due to the slightly magical shifting of the images, it looked as if the portraits shifted between a few slightly different frames. It was his first time inside a building of the noble district and it did not fail to impress.

People were moving about, most of them with a purposeful stride. He noticed some writing that indicated the direction of the Training corridor. He had been instructed to meet with his platoon at a place called the bronze training room so he set out in that direction. The two checkpoints let him pass without trouble.

In stark contrast to earlier, the walls and floor were very spartan further in, they had almost no adornments to speak off. The only adornments were very much functional in nature. Strips of metal filled with Soul Light were spaced in regular intervals on the walls. There were plenty of closed wooden doors in the hallways, but he dutifully kept following the occasional signs giving directions to the bronze training room. He felt as if he was being guided to some kind of dungeon as he slowly moved inwards.

Christopher caught up to two young women moving in the same direction. He could not help overhearing their conversation.

"…resistant to danger. I almost wish that there was some chance of action here.”

“If you want action then you should ask for a reassignment to the wall, I do not doubt that there are plenty of others that would love to make the switch with you.” The other girl said mockingly.

“Why shouldn’t I, they are not going to be able to hurt us up there.” the red-haired girl challenged her friend. “Are you not curious to see some of the Blight’s creatures?”

The brown-haired girl sighed. “My father said that this time is different, a lot of people are very nervous due to the numbers that have been amassing. He says that some have already fled through the Displacement gate.”

“What really?” she asked with a loud voice. “Who has left?”

“Keep your voice down!” Said the brown-haired girl sharply. while nervously looking around her. She seemed almost shocked to see Christopher walking only a few steps behind them. Christopher had kind of gotten used to walking silently since coming here. The brown-haired girl glared at him.

“Let’s just go.” She commented to the red-haired girl, hurrying her steps.

‘What the hell is this displacement gate?’ Christopher now wondered? The name had him imagine a magical portal to some distant land. He would have to look into that, his curiosity very much peaked now. People fleeing through some kind of displacement gate seemed like something he should know about. Christopher would need to pay a visit to the library after this session with his platoon since he had never heard of such a thing.

The girls suddenly stopped moving as he was pondering this. A quick scan at the plate in front of a door told him that he had in fact arrived at the bronze training room. The girls went in ahead so it appeared as if they were going to be in the same platoon as him. Christopher followed a few seconds behind, taking his first scan of the room beyond.

Christopher was somewhat surprised by how spacious the room was and how well it fit its name. Bronze tiles covered large section of the walls and the ceiling. The floor was made out of a rougher stone. The few sources of light cascaded over the bronze tiles, which made for a mesmerizing display.

A few thick and large wooden tables were placed against the far wall on which expensive-looking food and refreshments stood ready. He could tell that this was going to be very different than the sessions under lieutenant Cerra and Sergeant Coley. Maybe they were supposed to bond over some good food?

He was quite early and there were only nine other people here so far. He thought it safe to assume that they would be his fellow platoon members. They pretty much all wore expensive clothing that he associated with people from this District.

They were clumped together having an animated discussion, their voices echoing through the room. Right in the middle of that discussion stood none other than Vila, who looked all but comfortable. Vila wore her usual simple worker clothes, clearly marking her as an outsider.

This looked like trouble. He should have known that not all would be so welcoming of people with lower status. Christopher sped forward, ready to step in if needed.