A weak-looking child was standing in the rain alone, watching people pass by. Many did pass paying no mind to the child whatsoever, before long the child collapsed. Falling on the bare gravel road the child laughed, his laugh was a plea for help, but strangers passing by would often look at the child wondering ‘What in God’s name has possessed that child?’ Nothing had possessed the child he had just run out of tears, so he laughed.

  But who wouldn’t laugh when even God’s have rejected you?

  Before long a woman in a tunic came, she stood above the child looking at him. She stared into his blue eyes, and he started into her green eyes.

  “How about becoming my family?” The woman asked in low and clear voice.

  The child looked at her, he had no one to call family, so when offered he accepted immediately.

  Upon hearing his answer, the woman smiled and started walking toward a run-down sweat stall. She gestured for the child to follow and so he did.

  “What’s your name?” The woman asked

  “I don’t have one.” He answered his voice was muffled.

  Looking at the child the woman smiled “That’s no good, how about I give you one then?”

  The child looked at her and nodded

  Smiling the woman thought for a couple of seconds and came up with a name for the boy. “How about Elias?”

  ***

  An average man with brown hair and blue eyes, was walking down an old street. Elias passed people and people passed him.

  “Elias wait up!” A voice could be heard crying out from a crowd of people.

  “Tristan! Elias screamed out.

  ‘What is he doing?’

  Tristan continued to search for Elias through the crowd while Elias walked toward a small broken bench and sat down. The crowd began to thin after a while, and soon Tristan came walking out. He looked around for Elias, he looked left and right before he spotted Elias on the wooden bench. Approaching Elias, Tristan took a seat next to him.

  “Say Elias, what are we doing here again?” Tristan was exhausted from the crowd and the constant running around they were doing. Elias looked at Tristan and offered him water from a small canteen, Tristan took the canteen and drank greedily from it.

  “This city is one of the last place gatherings soldiers, I’m here to sign up remember?”

  “Right…. Why are we doing that again?”

  Elias sighed

  “I’m doing it because I need to, you’re just following me like a lost puppy.”

  Elias looked around and studied the trees, some were red, others were blue, or green.

  ‘Why is Tristan still following me anyway?’

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  After helping Tristan out by paying for his lodging, Tristan vowed to repay Elias no matter what, even after Elias told Tristan that he planning to enlist Tristan decided to tag along.

  ‘He should have given up by now, don’t tell me he’s actually planning to follow through’

  “Hey Elias.” Tristan sudden talking dragged Elias out of his thoughts, Elias looked at Tristan, his face was serious.

  “What?”

  “What church are we enlisting for?” Elias’s brows shrived in confusion.

  ‘What a weird question, everyone here in the north only worships the Flame nothing else.’

  “The Flame.” Tristan paused at the mention of the Flame, his eyes sunk and his breathing slowed.

  “Something wrong Tristan?” He picked his head up and looked at Elias

  “No nothing I just have a little history with the Flame Church.”

  Tristan kept his head down he was clearly reflecting on his ‘history’ he had just mentioned.

  ‘Guess I’ll ask.’

  “What history do you have with the Church?” Tristan was reluctant to answer but gave into the question.

  “When I was younger the followers of Flame came and took my father away, they used him in one of their human shield regiments.”

  “Human shield regiments? I’ve never heard of those.”

  Tristan glanced at Elias

  “They only used them when the witches were invading our shores, now were invading theirs.”

  Elias stood up and started walking toward the harbor. Tristan stayed sitting for a while then followed Elias.

  ‘Carter taught me very little about Flame, but I didn’t think my knowledge was this lacking. Guess I’ll need to do some research while we’re here.’

  Elias slow pace caused Tristan to catch up quickly. Tristan was now and arm’s length from Elias.

  “Tristan, I know very little about the Flame, my only real experience was getting kicked out of their orphanage.”

  “Huh… How did you manage that?”

  “My connection to the spirit world is very low almost zero, turns out the servants of God don’t wont defective followers.”

  ‘Not that I blame them though, most people would do the same.’

  Tristan and Elias stayed silent till they reached the harbor. The harbor was filled with workers repairing and loading multiple ships. Each wore the crest of the Flame.

  A tall man approach Elias and Tristan, standing at almost 6’2 the tall man was towering over the two he reached out his hand and offered a handshake.

  Elias took his hand and smiled at him.

  ‘He’s strong’

  “I’m Tengo, nice to meet you guys.” The tall man’s voice was surprisingly calm and low. Elias let Tengo’s hand go, Tengo then shook Tristan's hand.

  “I’m Elias, this is Tristan were here to enlist.”

  “Really?” Tengo was quite shocked, hiding it very poorly he took out a rag and wiped himself.

  ‘Is it that surprising?’

  “Follow me.”

  They passed the beautifully crafted ships, three sloops and two galleons; all were being loaded with supplies. Each ship had the mark of the Flame; the Church used a simple design for their banner: a sun with a hot red color along with a short sword stabbing the ground.

  Tengo lead them to a small office labeled enlistment and other church needs.

  “Here we are, you should be able to ask about enlisting in here.” Tengo took a rag from his left pocket and wiped his sweat filled face again, but this time he seemed to be sweating abnormally.

  ‘It’s smaller than I expected.’

  “Thank you.” Tristan spoke up while Elias studied the building.

  “No problem, I’ll see you guy’s later.” Tengo was now gone leaving Elias and Tristan.

  ‘There’s no way this is the mighty Flame enlistment building!’

  Elias was still inspecting the building from the outside, doing this caught Tristan's attention.

  “Well… let’s look inside Elias.” Tristan's voice was full of uncertainty

  Elias looked at Tristan and nodded. Elias walked inside and was greeted by a rush of hot air bearing down on him, everywhere you looked fire was there! Candles, small torches, and cooking pots. Unable to stand the heat Elias plopped to the floor and started to crawl toward a desk in the front of the room, approaching the desk Elias climbed up and looked at the women running it.

  “What the hell is up with this heat!” Elias, now sweating from every part of his body, was trying hard to hold onto the wooden desk.

  The women was average around 5’6 with chestnut hair, she had a burn scar on her left check and a couple of burns on her left and right hands. She wore a simple white tunic with a small dagger around her belt.

  Soon after Elias’s outburst Tristan came in, he was able to withstand the heat better than Elias and walked halfway before dropping down.

  ‘He’s stronger than he looks.’

  The women looked at Elias then Tristan, staring at them like they were lost dogs.

  She sighed.

  “What are you two doing here?” Elias barley standing up took out a piece of paper from his pocket.

  “By order of Lord Carter I’m here to enlist for the expedition, termination of the third witch.” Upon hearing this the women took Elia’s paper and stared reading it.

  “You’re ordered to serve until you turn eighteen, must be tuff.”

  ‘Not at all.’

  “Also says you’re in no way able to contact anyone from your family during these two years, are you fine with that?”

  Elias stared at the women before answering.

  ‘Am I fine with this? Of course not!’

  “Of course! Lord Carter drew these plans up for my benefit anyway.” The women sighed and handed the papers back to Elias.

  “Sure… sure… anyway why are you here?” She looked at Tristan who was confused by the conversation between Elias and her.

  “You’re not apart of the letter, plus you don’t seem know about anything were talking about.”

  Elias stepped back from the desk and let Tristan take his place there.

  “Umm I’m also here to enlist.” The women stared at him the same way Tengo stared at them.

  “Kid, are you sane?”

  “Wha?” The words flew out of Tristan's mouth before he could react.

  “No sane person would try to enlist into our brigade.”

  ‘What’s she talking about?’ Elias took a couple steps toward Tristan.

  “What do you mean?” Tristan sweating intensified.

  “You don’t know… damn… this department is tasked as cannon fodder. We scout the island out before the main assault squad arrives. The pay is great, but you have a 95% death rate.”

  Hearing this Elias and Tristan glanced at each other.

  The women sighed “Still want to enlist?”