CHAPTER 5: By Friends Unbroken - Part 2

  The sauna in the barracks complex was a long room that could accommodate dozens. Rows of sauna stoves lined the center, and long benches belted the three sides of the room.

  Jeth sat alone at the end of the room. He sat slouched, head tilted back, both arms outstretched, and naked as a plucked chicken. He waved as he and Haran sat opposite each other to his left and right. They all had the same unit tattoo on their right chests, a winged fish entwined by a serpent.

  “Cover your junk, you swab!” Haran tossed a towel at Jeth's crotch.

  Jeth placed the towel on his face. “Don't blame me if you are below my station, ha ha ha.”

  Haran clicked his tongue. “Eir, don't mind that swab. Have you heard the news from the front lines? Emperor Gardioz moved Vraka Keragan from his captivity in Kargadin to their colony in Arvane.”

  Eiran knew Keragan. Every sailor or soldier did. He was one of the best fighters in the Inner Realm. He was also a Vraka – the heir of a clan who had a rightful claim over the entirety of Kargadin, a sort of crown prince. During the war, Keragan and both of his sworn brothers landed many staggering blows against Terzion.

  “Gardioz is a fool. Why doesn't he just deal with him?” Jeth said, his voice half muffled by the towel.

  “You're the fool,” Haran retorted. “Gardioz wants to make him a puppet ruler, just like he did with prince of Cairdelis. Keragan keeps refusing, and after several rescue attempts by his remaining followers, Gardioz moved him to a location no one knows.”

  “Bah, Keragan's reputation is exaggerated,” Jeth said. “After all, Kargadin lost. And the land that took decades to unite was conquered in just four years.”

  “That's because Neuvane used sneaky strategy. He spread monster trees across Kargadin's Ancestral Plains, killing all the vegetation and destroying their cavalry.”

  Eiran poured a ladle of water over the stove. Steam billowed to the ceiling with a hiss. Neuvane was the architect of the Terzion’s Artifica project and the chief advisor in cleansing the Inner Realm of ancient facilities.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Kargadin's cavalry was considered the best in the Inner Realm with nexus of powers. Striking their center of mass was almost impossible, traditionally making the Kargads hard to conquer and unite.

  Neuvane solved this by targeting the Ancestral Plains itself. He not only killed the horses but also most of the Kargads. This action solidified his reputation as Gardioz's most infamous subordinate.

  “There's no such thing as sneaky strategy in war. There's only strategy. Sneaky or not depends on whether you’re on the receiving end or the one dealing,” Jeth said.

  “Don't underestimate Keragan. Even his enemies respect him. Among Terzionites, there's a saying: 'Meet one, run; meet two, no need.' It means that if you ever meet Keragan and one of his sworn brother on Kargad soil, you're as good as dead there's no point in trying to escape.”

  “Which one? Farkas? He's dead too, no need to talk about him.”

  “Farkas was a hero. He and his father defended their fortress to the end. They only lost because, once again, Neuvane used cowardly tactics!”

  They argued as if they had forgotten his presence. He did not understand why they were arguing. Perhaps both were worried, though unwilling to admit it, as they would soon face Terzion.

  Then why did they bring him here? But as Eiran was about to leave, Haran said to Jeth, “Stop your yapping. Tell him.”

  Jeth lowered the towel from his face. His rust-colored eyes stared at Eiran. “Me, Haran, and some other friends have secretly helped you find a partner, but no one wants to. You're going to fail.”

  Eiran was aware of that, but hearing it from someone else stung.

  After Lorn had told Eiran that learning Prana was beyond his reach, Mana became the logical choice. However, he later found out that learning Mana required a lot of money. The Southern Shields, the rulers of this island, were known to appreciate talent and effort, yet they were far too elevated in status to take note of a mere sailor.

  Eiran then chose the regular military path. Despite the detours, sooner or later, he would get his own ship. Until he encountered this partner issue...

  “Jeth, you really are a bilge rat! Eir, ignore him. What we mean... we know you are literate and numerate to the point where the accountant asks for your help. So... the whole cohort agreed that your only hope of becoming a crew is by taking the Mana test on your own.”

  “Thanks, but–”

  “That's why,” Haran interrupted, “we've agreed to fund you.”

  Before he could fully register his surprise, Jeth pulled out a bag of money from behind his waist. Eiran was agape. His gaze shifted back and forth between the money bag, Jeth, and Haran.

  “But we want you not to forget us when you become a captain,” Haran said with a half-smile.

  Eiran stifled his welled up eyes; he knew well that tears held little value among Isofean sailors who had six different profanities just for the word 'anchor.'

  “Violet will be happy too. We're fans of her singing. And if she gives you a very special gift...” Jeth winked. “We want to know all the corners, cabins, and bilge.”